Strengths: supper stiff frame, zoke fork and fox rear shock. xt\atr parts
Weaknesses: being able to put disc brakes on it
Bottom Line:
this is the best bike i have ever owned. its a '98, not a 99 but i could not find the 98's. anyway, the bike climbs better then anything i have ever raced, including hardtails, and it decends like a downhill sled. it weighs in at 29 lbs, but i can deal with the weight because it does not feel a bit more the 20 lbs. also the parts spec on this bike is outa this world!!!!!!! for the money i paid its the best spec out there. the color of this bike is sick, bomber orangs. i would suggest buying this bike, any model year, if your are into serious racing or heave trail riding 5 flaming chillies all arround
Bike Setup: xt\xtr. 1999 z2 superfly fox air vanilla rc rhino lite and mavic x517
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Submitted by
Karlito
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001
Strengths: endless adjustability, with the set-up I have.
Weaknesses: Rock Shox, Grip Shift.
Bottom Line:
Great beginners bike. Sweet set-up. The geometry is fine if you're the right size they have (S,M, L,I'm 6'2").....just add on to what they offer. I'd REALLY like to try the Ellsworth Dare or RM Slayer. They seem to be the bike(s) that would offer more...
..lemme know if you hear of one of those other bikes for sale, I'm definately intersted....
Similar Products Used: SC Heckler, Norco Torrent, RM Thin Air/Race.
Bike Setup: Pretty much factory...Race Face cranks/BB, headset, stem, XTR rapid fire shifters/levers, Mavic rims, MTB tires...it's all good.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Ramsay
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, England
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000
Strengths: Typical Kona handling; lock-out shock; raceface cranks nice as are XT and XTR components. Pretty light but feels rigid (i.e. no sideways flex at the back).
Weaknesses: XT v brakes (at least on the front) are dreadful - no matter what I do they squeal and grab to the point you can't use them so I fitted LX set up from my other bike. Cheap stem, I've changed the tyres to panaracer fire xc 2.1 which I prefer. I'm not convinced about the Z2s either but maybe too much twiddling is to blame!
Bottom Line:
I spent a long time thinking about which XC full sus to buy to compliment my 96 explosif (which I still love). I considered the moko moko; stinky (not really XC but I loved the look!); heckler; orange mr xc or orange sub-5 (you north americans should try orange they make great bikes); some of the marin full sussers and the specialized fsr bikes and was on the verge of buying a moko moko when I came across a new framed secondhand KK. I loved the look and appreciate that it isn't like the best or lightest xc fs bike but having a bit of a relationship with kona I couldn't say no. By the way the KK over here in the UK is 2000 pounds which is a lot more than you guys pay.
To ride, especially with big downhill risers, this bike is really confidence inspiring and great on single track as you'd expect (altho bars are a bit wide sometimes!). I have found that it is rare for me to use the lock-out except on the tarmac where it really does turn into a hard tail. If I'm honest it still isn't as quick as my explosif but the benefits on the trails are fantastic - I think the rear shock is just about perfect for an xc full sus but my preference would probably be for longer travel forks. Significantly less bob when climbing as opposed to other fs designs I've tried and climbs pretty well especially if I were fitter! downhill it isn't going to be as good as stinky type long travel bikes but the rear shock soaks up big bumps nicely and the kona handling traits figure on this bike like the others. Anyone who trail rides for fun and spends a long afternoon in the saddle will come home a happier perosn on this than an equivalent hardtail. Everyone should have one!
I am worried about the frame breaking having heard a lot about this but then I only do small jumps if I can find them when on a ride.
Overall I love it and would thoroughly recommend it as a really good weekend rider 's bike. it is not the lightest and fastest xc full sus and don't think it can be but I think it is a better all round compromise than some of those mental lightwieght torture machines. konas are for laid back riding with GREAT handling. A big thumbs up from me I'll give it a four and a half
Similar Products Used: heckler; marin b-17 (downhiller); moko
Bike Setup: new shimano spds are great (upgrade). changes to front brake described above but I'd like to go disc on the front - any recommendations? tyres as above. Cheap kona own stem and riser bars (to be changed soon to raceface stem and monkey lite risers). I run about 230psi in the shock I weigh about 190lbs - any less and the sag is too much. Forks need tweaking to get best performance and I prefer more travel.
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Submitted by
Cailan MacPherson
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC, Can.
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000
Strengths: nice, solid feel, great positioning for climbing. great technical bike.
Weaknesses: sizes are kind of between optimal. lacking on travel for downhills but that's all in your bike choice.
Bottom Line:
great bike for in between. leaves a little wishing for downhilling and a little for climbing but the uphill's only like that because of the equipment i've loaded. i've got fatter wheels on it so it's up around 30lbs. it doesn't feel that heavy though. great technical bike. it's taken a lot more abuse than advised in kona's brochure.
Bike Setup: race face stem and seat post, easton monkey bar risers, 545 peddles, xtr r.der, shifters, xt braks, front der and hubs. rocko tires,
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hugh LePage
a Cross-Country Rider
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999
Strengths: Roubust, proven design ( four bar link type with bearing pivots ), shock lock out feature, handling, geometry, cool looks, Easton frame and reasonable weight for such a solid bike
Weaknesses: Some home brand and LX parts on this type of high end bike! Cable disc brakes yet to be proven better than canties
Bottom Line:
This review for the 2000 model year King Kikapu. Basically same bike as the Mokomoko I demo'ed last fall but with longer travel R.S. XC fork and disc brake set-up. Bike handeling was super and with Hayes set-up should brake like an 911. Will post later in the year when the snow melts. Four flaming french-Canadian poutines! ( due to some of the mid range parts spec.)
Similar Products Used: '99 Mokomoko, 4-banger, FSR enduro, my old 857, Joshua F1
Bike Setup: Great bike shop here in Laval gave me an unbelievable deal on a hyd. Hayes swap from the original Formula cable operated discs. Rear cog, BB will be exchanged for XT, Race Face stem
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
taco
a Cross-Country Rider
from Honolulu, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999
Strengths: Easton Superlight tubing Fox Vanilla RC Active Suspension Replacable derailer hanger Disk brake mounts Sealed bearings
Weaknesses: None that I can find
Bottom Line:
I got this frame as a warranty replacement on a '97 King Kikapu, that I rode for about a year and a half, and that had cracked where the top tube meets the seat tube. This is a completely redesigned frame from the '97. The '97 was a modified URT linkage, where the '99 is a fully active four bar design. My dealings with Kona have been completely positive. It took only three weeks from the time I turned in the warrantied frame to my LBS, until the new frame arrived. The folks at Kona were extremely helpful, no hassles at all. They spent quite a bit of time with me on the phone answering my questions and giving me pointers on setting up the suspension. Kona even sold me the Vanilla RC at a very resonalbe price. Even though, the Fox 5r that was on the original frame had the same stroke and eye to eye measurements. I could have used the old shock, and Kona had no obligation to replace the shock since it was not defective, but I wanted to upgrade to the Vanilla RC and Kona sold me the shock directly, without me having to go through an LBS. That's customer service. As far as the ride goes, It's everything I expect. Compared to the older Kikapu frame, it's like night and day, and I was happy with the old design. The only problem I've had was with the spacers on the rear rocker arm bushings. There was a little play initially in the rear end, but that was easily fix by adding a couple of spacers. Since then the rear end has had no play at all.
Similar Products Used: '97 King Kikapu Specialized FSR SC Heckler SC Bullet Stinky Deluxe Various other FS bikes.
Bike Setup: XTR - Brakes, Shifters, Derailers Race Face - Cranks, SP, Stem and HB Chris King - HS, Hubs '99 Z-1 Alloy 517 CD Ceramic w/ Mythos XC
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bobby
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999
Strengths: Handling, suspension design, Kona
Weaknesses: Weight, but this is mainly due to my component choices.
Bottom Line:
I ordered a Mokomoko but UPS damaged it in shipping (no surprise there) and Kona had no more in stock so they sent me the King Kikapu frame instead. The bike does everything well, alot of bugs between my teeth these days. Excellent bike and company. I give the bike 4 chilis because of weight, but the customer service makes it 5.
Bike Setup: LX/XT, Atom Bomb, Vanilla-R coil over, Arch Rival 50's
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dennis Leiker
a Racer
from Murrieta Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999
Strengths: Bike has great components. Very light and quick handling.
Weaknesses: Frame broke after 2 months. Brakes are a poor match for rims. Squeal like a banshee! Front forks just plain is not good stock. $2500.00 for a bike and out another $40 for heavier fork springs. Very disappointed. Worst of all Kona customer servisce is a total joke...BEWARE!
Bottom Line:
After dialing in the suspension and getting used to the ride (the frame runs small, a 18 felt like a BMX bike) the bike worked really well. One ride out I hear a snap. The frame broke right at the down tube. Kona didn't have any frames available for over a month. Basically they said I was out of luck. Not a good answer for a $2500.00 machine. The Kona rep. was useless and so is their tech service. I finally fought with the bike shop enough and traded the King piecapoo fot a GT XCR 1000. I am totally impressed with the GT. One fantastic machine. I'm sorry I ever bought that Kona and I'm sure soon the company will fail with such poor service. Buyer beware! You think I'm kidding buy one...get an ulser!
Bike Setup: Rear suspesion is awsome with the turner style pivot and Fox Vanilla. Had to get x-heavy springs for the Z-2 Atom Bombs and I only weigh 195. The Z-2 is weak. Gotta have more than 2.5 of travel. Get a set of Bams.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999
Strengths: Full suspension. Not a pogo bike. Suspension works XC friendly Light for what it has.
Weaknesses: No barends. Red grips. Front tyre.
Bottom Line:
This bike is better than the Kona Moko Moko I had previously. Bike Shop set it up perfect. I think I have found my perfect bike.
Bike Setup: Changed Avid brakes to XT brakes. Just my preference.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick Wullaert
a Cross-Country Rider
from De Klinge, Belgium
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999
Strengths: Stability, climbing, looks, quality
Weaknesses: Tyres, front hub !
Bottom Line:
I've recently bought a King Kikapu 99 and am overwhelmed by how it rides. I've doubted switching from a hardtail to a softtail but now I've dun' it I'm really, really glad. This thing eats up everything a XC course (I explicitly mention XC because this is *not* a freeride or DH bike) throws at it. I'm always in full control. Excellent on singletrack. It climbs like a mountain goat, believe it or not. The front wheel never really loses contact with the ground and the rear wheel virtually never slips, although I did change the rather inappropriate Tioga Factory Slicks for the much better allrounders, WTB Velociraptors. I could outclimb some of my friends on hardtails, especially on the more technical climbs, whereas before on my hardtail I couldn't. Finishing is excellent. I guess Nothing rides like a Kona is really true. :-) Five chillies and every one is fully ;-)) deserved !
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: April 10, 1999
Strengths: Handling is amazing!, Great components.
Weaknesses: Nothing, its perfect!
Bottom Line:
This is the sweetest, fastest, best handling bike I have ever ridden! My fourth kona. I wouldn't ride anything else. Five stars is not nearly enough for this beautiful bike.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Raven, Specialized FSR XC pro
Bike Setup: Fox vanilla float shock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jmontoya
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
i bought a 99 king a couple of months ago and love it. i was kind of doubtful about going full-suspension as i had been on a klein before and probably anything short of another klein or a cannondale would feel forgiving. the extra weight was a concern, but i thought that i had to get one some time just to see what it's about - never looked back. the trails out here are indescribeable unless you've actually rode them. i've rode all over canada and the US and have never found nastier terrain than what i've found here on the north shore on on vancouver island at the hartland mountain bike park or further up in bamberton. true testing ground for any ride. if you don't break it here, you won't break it anywhere; if you can ride here, you can ride anywhere. that's what the king does; it rides. this thing eats up everything in its path. technical riding was never so painless; just hope that i don't lose my skills being so pampered on this machine. definitely helps on the downhills, that's a given; but, where i can feel the most improvement is on the root and rock infested, muddy, uneven up and downs of west coast rainforests. you don't have to think so much about what's under your bike and can start concentrating on what's ahead. on technical climbs, it magic. trying to get up a no-stop steep filled with roots, foot high boulders, a stream comin' down it and come across a log in the middle with the rocks piled up behind it? no problem; just give'r, lift the bars and peddle like mad; the thing will carry you right over. try doing that on any hardtail. won't happen; you'll hit it with your rear tire, tear off the moss and spin your way to a step down and the choice of walking up or walking down to try again. think you can lift the rear over? good luck cause your front's not going anywhere there. the geometry of the konas make it easy to pull up the bars. i'd suggest putting a riser on it anyway. got mine fully spec'd with race face gear, michelins, mavic x517c's, dt swiss, an sdg saddle (nothing better), atom bombs ( amazing - don't get the superfly unless you want to spend half your ride times in the garage and don't even think of going for rock shox - unreliable and flimbsy) and xtr (except the bottom bracket which is a synchros) and have it down to just over 27. yeah, it's not that light but somehow you don't feel it other than riding to the trails. once you hit the trail, that weight is gone. it's light to lift cause it's all spung and somehow the geometry puts me in a climbing position that keeps me at the front of the pack of fs's and full suspensions. that's for me i guess but i'm sure that you can set yourself up. i still have my old klein for racing but i don't think i'll be on it much. i'd give it ten if i could.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Travis
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver,BC
Date Reviewed: January 29, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have a 97 king so this reveiw is not really real. What I need is info about swapping my Fox alps5r rear shock for a coil over of some sort. Any advice would be welcomed. As for my bike I'm happy with it. The 97 was a real freeride bike were as the 99 are full XC racer. JUST SAY NO TO XC FULLYS. Peace
This is an awesome bike with great speced components and more than you could possibly want. It comes with full XT/XTR with a Fox Vanilla RC Float Air Negative,Race Face Crank, and a Marzocchi Z2 Atomb Bomb, although I had my dad change it to a Z1 BAM. The bike rides terrific on technical, rocky, and rough terrain and does not mishift at all! The Race Face Crank is awesome, and it just cruises on the singletrack. Overall, this is a great bike and I would difinitely look into it if you were looking for a high end full suspension X-Country bike. I definitely give this baby 5 chilis...
