Submitted by
Efren Serrano
a Downhiller
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003
Strengths: It's a good bike but after what happend to me, my views have changed.
Weaknesses: It's a good bike but with a weak pivot linkage. Can't put a chain ring less than 36 teeth without causing chain slapping. It would be nice if all the linkages have bearings.
Bottom Line:
If you own a Kona full suspension bike, please read on with what I have to say. Like every mountain bike enthusiast, I have spent a great deal of time, money and effort into a sport that I truly love. I consider myself an avid freerider and try to spend as much time on my bike as possible, and when I’m not on my bike I usually tinker around with it to keep my rides in tip top condition.
I own a 2000 Kona Stab Dee Lux (serial number: H9N07752), equipped with a 2000 Monster T up front.
Anyway, if you’re like me, after a ride I give my bike the “one-over” look to check if everything’s all right. After one particular downhill excursion, I noticed a hairline crack on the pivot junction of the seat stay on the disc brake side. At first I thought it was just a nick on the paint job, but upon closer inspection my worst fears came true. To further check the damaged, I chemically stripped the paint off the junction at home, yup, it was a hairline crack. What made it worse is it’s on both sides of the pivot junction. I’m not sure how this happened. But come on! This bike was designed to take such abuse, I don’t remember wiping out on that run or my bike hitting anything. Wear and tear perhaps? Who knows?
The reason why I am writing this is that for other Kona owner out there to be aware of a potential problem that might cause injury to not only you but others as well. Imagine doing maybe 45 kilometers per hour on a downhill run and the linkage of your Kona snaps? Or worse, it snaps on a drop! So check your bike before and after every hard ride!
On another note, I live in Manila, Philippines. So imagine the trouble I’m going through just to get a replacement seat stay. I emailed Kona about this and got the usual response. $200 bucks for a replacement seat stay. Owchie! 200 bucks? And the average salary here is roughly $300 a month, you do the math! No chance for a warranty they said. So I had to bite the bullet and asked if they could send me one. They gave me the email address of the closest dealer in Asia, and guess what? Whenever I send an email it gets sent back to me! So you could imagine my frustration with this matter. To date, my Kona is gathering dust and I’m thinking of just having the crack welded. Hope it works!
Strengths: Thick Burly Tough Nice eggplant color PLUSH!!!!!!!!!1
Weaknesses: no spot for even an Etype fr. der.
Bottom Line:
Living in MI with no real DH and the fact that I am not rich at all and I have been looking for a FS freeride rig and came across this from a lbs mechanics friend for super cheap (someone offered him $200 more the day I gave him the money so I was extremely lucky). I have only ridden it on tech. riverside trails so far but it is SO different that I have picked up speed on the trails and just blast over stuff I would normally have to get mentally ready for. I figured the bike came stock with the 5" jr t, so my Z1 was a good match, not the greatest but it works for now! With some adjustments in the sag dept. I got my front and back even and it feels much better now underneath me. I put the 32 t. up front and I can actually climb this bike a good amount w/ little walking on most trails(you'll pass me going up but watch out comming down)I got my rig under 39 lbs and it is truley turning out to be a great Free ride rig! I plan on taking to the chairlifts in july!I gave 4 chilis on the overall Just coz the lack of Fr. der mount
Strengths: very plush ride.active linkage.takes any huge bumps take comes in the way.nice decals under paint.glow in the dark wordings.a very strong ride.
Weaknesses: design of the swingarm doesnt allow to use certain kinda chainguides.linkage might hit the saddle or seat post even b4 the shock bottomsup.rear tyre clearence not more than 2.7" if used on the 26 wheelset.
Bottom Line:
very nice ride..definately worth buying.not expensive and lasting paintwork and decals.too bad i cracked the upper stay of the bike.if kona replaces me the swingarm.i will sure ride it again instead of trying other frames.this frame is total sweetness!
Submitted by
steve mitchell
a Downhiller
from fareham, hants, UK
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002
Strengths: every thing, it is amazing, it's all huge, built like a MX bike but with out an engien, seven inches of quality travel, the shock is very good (Vanilla RC). the glow in the dark stickers look brilliant.
Weaknesses: i would prefer to use my race face prodigy DH twin ring and bash gaurd, but you cannot run a ring smaller than a 36T (i think) because the chainstays are so huge, and the chain rubs the chain stay, thus wearing it away.
Bottom Line:
this is my first realy good bike, i have been into downhill about a year, with my saracen n-zyme (with all good bits). and i was going to buy a new kona stinky primo frame which i could get for £1000 (and transfer all the good bit's), and then i found a guy selling a 2000 stab dee-lux frame and chain guide for £500, so i got it, it takes 10 foot drops fine, and i don't even have that much experence, it made me a much better rider. save up and buy one, or get one of the new 2003 stab primo's, they look sweet.
Bike Setup: 2001 shivers mr dirt gizmo hope M4's hope bulbs mavic D321's loads of tiioga bits nokian 3.0"(front) and 2.6"(rear) race face cranks dmr saturn ring 42T
unfortunatly i had to sell my little baby cos of my bills and belive me it wasnt a good day for me that was over a ear ago and i still miss it like crazy but life goes on.
Strengths: This bike is indestructable. Strong all around frame, easy to maintain takes a beating and keeps on going.
Weaknesses: Weight
Bottom Line:
This is the first real DH bike I've owned and all I can say is full aggro primo bike. I can jump off almost any drop off without any problems. It takes the bumps and smooths them out like butter. I did get it for a great price so no complaints. I'm 5'9" 170 lbs. so the weight of the bike has its limits but adjusting to it is not a problem.
Bike Setup: White Bros DH-2, Hayes hydraulic brakes, Race Face sprocket with Profile cranks, Sram shifters, Sram Quarz rear derailuer, Sun double wide rims (26" front, 24" rear), Intense comp 60 2.70 front, Arrow prime bite 2.75 rear. Fox rear shock with adjustable dampning, big Tioga seat.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
sgboy leewei
a Downhiller
from singapore
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002
Strengths: Bought it 2nd hand Like the bombproof frame structure and the 7" vanilla RC attached. Absord shock like flat ground . However my bike came with a DNM 7" Inverted
Weaknesses: damn heavy...haha...
Bottom Line:
get this...only y2k version bike available . U'll love Stab deelux . Its a beefy machine .
Similar Products Used: Muddyfox 5040 , Kona Blast , Proflex , Giant softail with Manitou DH
Bike Setup: Kona Stab deelux , DNM inverted fork , Azonic riser/tioga stem , Nokia 3" tires , FUNN Disc Hubs and FUNN sit . XTR derauiller and shifter , Mr Gizmo Dirt chain guide , Hayes Hydraulic brake , Sun mammoth rims , XT cranks .
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
P.C.
a Downhiller
from Kent, Wa. U.S.
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002
Strengths: Frame is super strong. The bike feels very solid. The suspension is very forgiving and lets me ride out of landings I should maybe have crashed on.
Weaknesses: The way I have it set up, the bike weighs 47 lbs. The weight is not too much of an issue since I am 6'2" and 220 lbs. and can push it, but I wouldn't mind being able to put a front derailler on it. The bike felt a little unbalanced with the stock 5" Jr.T up front, but with 7"s in the rear. That was easily (but costly)remedied with a new fork. Other than that no weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
Overall, it is a great bike. The lack of a front derailler has limited where I can ride the bike. I do run a 36 tooth ring up front which helped a lot but I still can't take it to some of my favorite riding spots. (If anyone has suggestions on this problem or knows of a product I could use, please let me know) In just over a year, my confidence and skill level have increased more than I would have thought possible, because of this bike. I would reccomend this bike to anyone looking for a well-built, heavy duty, mostly gravity-assisted bike.
Similar Products Used: K2 Evo w/Jr.T, Rhynolites and Hayes. I use it for xc and general purpose riding now, great bike.
Bike Setup: Black and green paint job (not the eggplant one). Large frame is stock, 7" rear suspension. Marzocchi Shiver replaced the Jr.T. Mammoth wheelset replaced the stock Rhynolites. 8" rotor up front, 6" in the rear. Tossed the Fat Boy saddle and replaced it with a Berserker by the first ride. Maxxis 2.5" Highrollers. A few other little things.
Swapped my MX6's for some Monster T's. Sooo Glad I did, this bike has gone from being very good to totally amazing.
What a DH monster. I have just come back from a week in France and I couldn't have asked for more. The bike handled everything perfectly. I would recommend this steed to anyone.
Buy one, take off the jr T's, fit Monsters, Boxxers or Shivers and you won't regret it........
Bike Setup: As previous review, but now with Monster T's
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
BIKE LIKE
a Weekend Warrior
from PHILIPPINES
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001
Strengths: Thick gauge tubing gusseting on critical areas enduro cartridge bearings on all except one link 4-bar linkage excellent paint job fox shocks 2.35 shaft travel 7 inch rear travel beefy chainstays quality welds trick walking beam design no v-brake mounts thicker head tube ends trick paint job and glow in the dark graphics replaceable dropouts wide tire clearance for 24-26 inch tires
Weaknesses: weight??? maybe??? DUH....
Bottom Line:
I have been dreaming of getting the KONA Stinky but this frame miraculously was available in this part of the world, and the price is wickedly reasonable, so I did not let it pass. The frame is bombproof, construction and welds topnotch. Color scheme is new and radical (eggplant and green). Surprisingly pedaling is not too tough, only a negligible amount of bob especially when you pedal smoothly. This can be pedalled uphill, no matter what other ppl say, and I do not consider myself a strong rider. Sucks up all the bumps on the trail, really active suspension for all types of obstacles. 7 inch honest travel , 2inch sag, 5 inch travel. Fox Vanilla rc matches the quality of this frame. I changed the bolts on the suspension linkages with half-tread bolts so the bearings or sleeves sit on a shaft instead of treads (available from ur local nuts and bolt shops). Greased all bearings with teflon lubricant so bearings don't rust. My only gripe is difficult rear disc brake hose routing. There are limits to this frame as follows: No V-brake mount, so disc brakes only; no provision for triple chain ring, use at least a 36 tooth ring or bigger, anything smaller and the chain will grind on the seat stay; no water bottle mounts anywhere. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A BIKE!!! What I cannot understand is why Kona stopped producing this great phenomenon. Kona got their suspension sorted, have not felt any brake jack even if it's not horst link. Reason why I used the Marz Z1 so I can keep the weight down, admittedly it's not a match but I get by for now. Might get a double crown later. The stinky has the highest respect from North Shore bikers, what more this frame - beefier and longer travel. Get this frame given a chance, you will regret it if U don't. Kona is a DEMIGOD and the last word in freeriding. This is an honest review from a bike enthusiast in this part of the sticks.
Similar Products Used: NORCO VPS 2, bullit, KHS dominatrax, etc
Bike Setup: marzocchi Z1 BAM, Hope brakes, chris king headset, XTR cranks, truvativ chainguide, sun double wide 24, gazallodi 2.6, dt spokes, azonic bars, azonic A frame pedals, SRAM plasma shifter, salsa seat clamps and quick releases, DaBomb hubs and stem, etc.
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Submitted by
Ark PAntera
a Downhiller
from Huntsville, UT USA
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001
Strengths: Strong, beefy, hits stuff dang good, built like a tank
Weaknesses: derailer clanks off drops and chips paint, stock tires suck crap, two sidewall holes after a couple days riding
Bottom Line:
Dang tough bike for the money, paint needs to be stronger. Derailler clanks and sucks alot, But takes drops like nothing and its rocks for stair gaps and other burly stuff. For thew trails its sweet, and the stock parts are way cool(except 00' jr.t) it's weasely. getting into dh'in then this is the bike for you. If your a pansy forget it
Submitted by
phil Mcintosh
a Downhiller
from Co. Down Northern Ireland
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001
Bottom Line:
I posted a review on this bike around ten months ago and as you've probably read, was very pleased with it. Now, ten months of serious abuse later, this bike is even better than when I got it. The frame has taken everything I've thrown at it without so much as raising an eyebrow. And to answer a question asked in one of the other reviews, no the shock doesn't hit your frame.
A few months ago I changed the Jnr T's for a set of shivers and, what can I say, any guys out there still on JT's start making arrangements for an increase in front travel. As soon as you balance the front end with the rear end's 7 inch travel this bike becomes the bike it's meant to be. Kona made a poor choice with the JT for the stock bike, it's a great fork, but not right for the frame. The minute you get big travel up front you really can just let the bike run and the front end is just as capable of dealing with the big hits as the rear end. The other day I tested the efficiency of both by going through a big set of 1 foot deep stutter bumps flat out, just to see. Both forks and rear end btm'd out but dealt with it superbly, stayed on - happy days.
The bottom line is, this is one hell of a bike, if you get the chance to get your greedy little hands one one, don't let go until the owner agree's a sale price.
God knows why kona stopped makin em' but thank god I got one before they did.
Bike Setup: As previous review except for the addition of new sexy shivers.
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Submitted by
Matt Wills
a Weekend Warrior
from Notts, UK
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001
Strengths: Well Built, Good linkage design, tyre clearance
Weaknesses: Glow in the dark decals, Chain device clearance
Bottom Line:
I purchased this as a frame about a month ago so it has none of the bits (Except the RF Turbine) you will usually find on a Stab. The MX6's are well suited to the Stab and it makes for a well balanced ride. The Frame itself is very well built, whilst not being too heavy. It does not support a front Mech so it needs to be pushed up, not ridden! I also has no brake bosses so Discs are the only option. It makes sense on a vertical machine like this anyway. The suspension action feels very plush, and the Fox unit is a top shock. Can't buy better in my opinion. I find that the rear tracks very well over the knarly stuff whilst still soaking up the big hits. If you remove the spring and compress the shock fully you can see that the piggy back unit gets very close to the frame....I haven't had it hit the frame yet....has anybody else had any probs here? The bearings are readily available and the plates are well fat. Its one of those bikes that looks much better in the flesh, and the Jr T's that come as standard DO NOT do this machine justice. If I were buying one as a FR/DH bike from new I would upgrade these at the time of purchase. My only gripe would be that due to the swing arm position/size, there are only a few Chain devices that will fit, Ex. Gizmo, proper MRP. All the cheaper alternatives won't fit.
