Strengths: Fantastic freeride bike.
Well built.
Still feels like new.
Rides like a dream!
Weaknesses: Not had any issues myself, but i've heard of headtubes snapping.
Bottom Line:
Well, technology has moved on quite a bit since this little beauty was made, so it's a bit lacking as a proper DH racing bike, but its solid feel/construction and 6" travel makes it a perfect freeride machine. I've kept mine up to date with good spec bits, and it still keeps up with all my mates modern £2000+ bikes no worries!!!
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky, Kona King Kikapu
Bike Setup: 99'Kona Stab frame (obviously!) with 2001 Marzocchi Shivers, Spank Subrosa's on Hope Pro II's wrapped with Maxxis High Rollers, Raceface/Shimano XT drivetrain, kept running with a Da Bomb chain device, DMR V8 Pedals, DMR bars and stem, and Hayes HFX 9 Brakes. nice.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Cox
a Downhiller
from Tunbridge wellsEngland
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003
Strengths: Its a Kona
Weaknesses: Well in my review below i was hoping i wouldnt snap it. But in mid july 2003 a week before due to go to les gets it snaps again. This time i scrap it and braught a specialized big hit. I find this so much nice to ride and stiffer. I snapped it in 2 places in the swing arm. First time by the disk mount and had it re-welded and then found hairline cracks around the entire swing arm. Was quoted by kona £500 for new swing arm. Ow well such is life......
Bottom Line:
love it....liked the kona just wish it didnt fu*kin snap.........
Strengths: i braught this bike secondhand 4 £500 pounds. It came with all its standard compants on. It is in mint condition and never raced. It is the last of the stock baught at bike 2000 and it has a normal sized headtube so any fork can be put on it. It also has the new swingarm and the updated bearing kit.
Weaknesses: It makes worrying dodgy noises when dropped off with vanilla R otherwisw none....apart from it needs more tire clearence.
Bottom Line:
A super hot DH bike that will take a poundin and is super plush and easy to maintain just hope i dont snap the swingarm....Kona have just relesed a new 03 stab hopefully it will live up 2 standards unlike the 01 stab. I will keep it until it dies
Strengths: Very strong hand made in Vancoverstrong rear end if you get the new swing arm from Mountain cycle. No sloppyness in the rear end stable at fast speeds and in technical bike taken it off 12 foot rode out of it clean
Weaknesses: Too bigger head tube but won't matter if you have big travel forks.
Bottom Line:
Sweet arse down hill and extreme free ride not much can beat it for its age,strong as hell and responds nicley,you can put it through anything. Love it can trust it with my life !!!!!
Strengths: Very strong and solid looking has a super strong front end for those big travil forks good rear sus and not much sag when u ride
Weaknesses: nothing
Bottom Line:
very good bike to do eny thing on very good at eny dh even better when you got betd long travil kit will take eny think you throw at it the older the better.
Strengths: I bought the frame off of a friend and built it up. The frame really kicks. great for freeriding and dhing. The rear end feels like it has an inch more travel than it does. I have'nt had a sloppiness in the rear end at all.
Weaknesses: The only weaknesses where tire clearence and bushing instead of bearings in the suspension.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great bike for the money. If you're looking for one bike to do everything on? this is the bike that you are looking for.
Submitted by
Jeff
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2000
Strengths: Very strong, no sloppiness in rear linkage, Good for freeride/ DH and even street riding. Very plush and stable at almost any speed. Kona makes good stuff, ask anyone!
Weaknesses: Not too much to mention. Broke rear chainstay but got it replaced for free through local shop/ Kona. Rear tire clearance is not the best for muddy riding, bushings instead of bearings in rear, but I have had no trouble yet.
Bottom Line:
This is one heck of a bike. It handles great and is tough as anything. 6.5" fork and BETD kit really made this bike heavy-duty. SB has some rocky trails and this bike makes it super fun. The swingarm broke due to braking forces from the disc- the new one has a gusset in this area as do all new Konas. Read the other reviews and you will see this company is a real crowd-pleaser!
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky, Stinky Dlx, Karpiel, some other crud.
Bike Setup: MX6, BETD long travel kit/ Vanilla R, 2.5 maxxis, Mrp, hayes, king, tioga, mavic and raceface stuff
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
byron ho
a Downhiller
from vancover, b.c, canada
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000
Strengths: very strong, good at tecnicle section, super heavy duty front end , good 4 bar linkage suspension design and nice pait job!
Weaknesses: a wee bit heavy ,not enough tire clearence and brushing need more maintance.
Bottom Line:
i bought the frame and built it myself so the parts are all different from a stock bike. The frame itself is strong as hell and it is alwayes seperated from peadaling force,(thax to the smartly designed 4 bar linkage suspenstion design).The front headtube section is also a piece of art from kona.It is welded with an extra 2 plates to strengten and the head gussets is huge(which accepts some mega travel forks).It is a really strong frame and it will be perfect if it has 1-2 inches more of travel but you can buy some after market extendtion plate from www.betd.co.uk to push your stab to 7 inches of travel! i seriously reccomend this bike to people who likes to push the enevelope and dont want to buy a new frame after every ride.This is the bike
Strengths: Strong frame,good rear suspension and good geometry.
Weaknesses: None (a bit heavy but who cares)
Bottom Line:
This bike is great over all terrain ,jumps and dropoffs. The frame is really strong and you can put on a 7 inch travel kit if you want the ultimate DH bike.
Similar Products Used: Giant Atx 2, Giant Atx 990dh, kona stinky deelux
Bike Setup: white bros Ud150, formula disks, Xtr cranks, mammoth wheels xt/xtr running gear, setlaz DH seat
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
sean murphy
a Downhiller
from spokane, WA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000
Strengths: burly as hell. stiff as hell
Weaknesses: a little heavy, but that is all the BEEF.it is also a little expensive and i would like a little more travel but 5.5 is good for now.
Bottom Line:
this frame is burly, it takes a licken and keeps on ticken. i have been using this bike for every thing i doo. 6 foot drops off loading docks to full on down hill racing. the only signs of wear are scraches in the paint.if you want to beat the hell out of some thing then this is the frame for you.
Strengths: Stiff frame extrem nimble ideal for Dual-slalom and techniccal DH-courses good fork good brakes long steerer tube
Weaknesses: cheap chain guide little travel very cheap plastic bushings need much maintance
Bottom Line:
its a joy to ride this bike for a DH bike its very light and extrem nimble making much fun, and with a fork with more travel the geometry would be more DH good for. It i never had a real problem with it so........
Hello,
recently I bought a Kona Stab Dee-Lux 1999. I saw in the 1999 catalogue that this bike was equiped with a hayes 6" rear discbrake, but I would like to know if this frame c Read More »
