Submitted by
Glenn
a Downhiller
from Victoria, B.C Canada Date Reviewed: September 7, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
havent found one at all
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
raceface cranks, DH3
Bottom Line:
the whight is a good and the handling is great
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J
a Downhiller
from new york Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
plattekill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
the monsters are sick, 9 inches of rear travel!! hayes as usual rock, stiff as hell, takes the big drops really well, xtr shifters are smooth, mr dirt chainguide does its job, and i think i should mention the monsters again because they saved my life, uhh, several times
Weaknesses:
a bit noisy on drops in the 7 foot and up range, but that really isnt a weakness, and it sure isnt too heavy, i weigh 135 and can throw it around pretty well
Similar Products Used:
'01 stab primo, brooklyn tmx, khs dominatrax(nothin compared to the stab)
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
this bike is sick. it makes 5 foot drops to flat concrete feel like a small curb. it will boost your confidence on the scary stuff and feels awesome in the air. if you are concerned about the weight, dont be, it doesnt make all that big of a differnce when your hittin high speeds anyway. the bottom line is, it rocks
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Submitted by
Carmen
a Downhiller
from Nelson, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bedframe
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
plush, strong, fits a 3" tire in the back, 9 inches of travel, no flex rear end
Weaknesses:
not progressive enough
Similar Products Used:
brodie 8 ball (friends)
Bike Setup:
stab primo frame, stratos superstar fork, doublewide, hayes, 32 tooth ring and bash gaurd...
Bottom Line:
this bike rules, if it wasn't for it not being progressive, this would be the best bike I've ever ridden. I'm a freerider, not a racer, but this bike still rocks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Downhiller
from Vista, CA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Medium to huge hits and rocks strong everything tracks very well rolls over everything stays on the ground pedals very well very balanced very stable in air or ground very comfortable with the nice tank feel to it
Weaknesses:
not too great on small bumps but who cares Cannot put the seat down much because the swing arm will hit the seat or seat post clamp real tough to bunny hop higher than 5 inches high because of weight
Similar Products Used:
Outland Santa Cruz S8 2000 Giant
Bike Setup:
Stock from factory with 24" rear whell and 3" tire in back changed the seat to titec berzerker
Bottom Line:
This bike is like a tank. It will roll over everything with speed. It is a great jumper because it is well balanced and all and it will take your mistakes. This bike also can pedal real well without much pedal bob. barely any power is robbed. The suspension design is one of the best. It will take anything but at the same time is a great pedaler. The Moster T will break rocks in half. The stering is accurate and its handling is amazing.
But this bike is not for everyone. It is ideal for the downhiller that doesn't mind the weight of a 50 lb bike. It does not have the best agility and doesn't require much finess.
One of the best downhill bikes out. Beats the crap out of all bikes i have tried
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan
a Downhiller
from Sandy Oregon Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
MTBR marketplace
Strengths:
pedals good looks sick mobs anything jumps good lots of travel
this is a sick bike for going all out.it does anything you want it to do.tears up everything in its way.not to heavy for a 140 pound rider.dankest bike EVER
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything that goes down
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3599.00
Purchased At:
Newton Rocky Cycle
Strengths:
its huge, beefy and beasty. has confidence inspiring edge crushing ability. It knows where to go before you do. I found it extremely easy to pedal for a 54 pounder w/ so much travel. the suspension and rubber has no problem keeping you on track or on the trail.
Weaknesses:
like it has any other than the fact I may kill myself on it
Similar Products Used:
Norco Shore Norco VPS 1 & 2 2001 Kona Stab 2000 Kona Stinky Primo
Costco Kuwuhara special ;)
Bike Setup:
stock except I traded the spd's for axiom flats. may change the mr. dirt gizmo to ds chain guide for easier wheelie drops
Bottom Line:
word to your mom this came to drop bombs
I bought it 6 days ago and have been out riding 5 of those. Whoever said that the swingarm hits the frame didnt have it setup right. A few minor adjustments, and its sooo plush. It came with a Fox Vanilla R @ 600 x 2.80 so whoever had the 400 spring got a different setup I guess. Also, the other guy from Vancouver who said its feels good lofting off a curb, 6 feet likes a curb on this beast. The monsters have corrected all of my mistakes which includes nosing a 6 footer. Granted the front end is heavy but the more you ride it, the less you'll notice and I'm not complaining in any way.
If you're reading these reviews looking at all the negative feedback wondering if you should get one, ignore the negatives. I havent looked back on buying this since I first hit the trails and niether will you once it setup to your liking. I'm 160 pounds and its just fine for me.
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Submitted by
Sean Murphy
a Downhiller
from Spokane, WA, USA Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Beacon Hill, Spokane, WA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
Bike shop, Factory, MTBR, Mailorder, Used
Strengths:
Stiff, plush, pedals well, built to take what ever you can throw at it, looks great.
Weaknesses:
The frame came stocked with a 400lb spring on the rear shock. It's a down hill frame. A 400lb spring bottoms off of curbs.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stab, Cannondale Super V 1000 FR, Ridden alot of down hill bikes but not more then a few pedals.
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona Stab Primo, 2000 Monster T, White 26" Sun Double Wide rims, Intense Down Hill Hubs, Michelen 2.5" rear tire, Tioga 2.3" front (soon to be michelen), Profile Mountain Bike Cranks, Dirt Works Gizmo Chain guide, Race Face 42t DH chain ring, Big Cheese pedals, Sram PC-51 chain, Shimano XT 11-32 cogset, Shimano XT rear derailer, Kona seat post, SDG Bog Boy saddle, Zoom 60mm Dh stem, Azonic PDW bars, Sram cheapo shifter, Gripshift grips, FSA orbit Extreme headset, 2000 Magura Gustav front break, 2001 Magura Gustav rear break.
Bottom Line:
This frame is sturdy. There is no 2001 primo so I am reviewing it here. I love this bike. It runs over everything. It is a little heavy but I built it that way. It jumps fairly well, not as good as some but good. I ride where there are big rocks and huge drops and this is the perfect bike for it. It also makes a great race bike. The only problem was that from the factory the frame came with a 400lb spring. I think that is why the rear shock is blown out. Other than that it has run perfectly since I have had it. The suspension design is great for pedaling a heavy bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dhdescender
a Downhiller
from BC Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Can't say a whole lot, havent ridden for too long.
Weaknesses:
Crack! I have nothing against my bike, but it cracked at the headtube. The swingarm hitting the seatpost is just dumb.
Similar Products Used:
VPS-1, many downhill bikes.
Bike Setup:
Monster T, Hayes Brakes, etc.
Bottom Line:
This bike isnt indestructible, it is possible to break it. Why the Kona Stuff hardtail has more reinforcment than the primo at the headtube, I'm really not sure about. Mine cracked under the Downtube.
Also, the seatstay yoke was hitting the seatpost head, so i moved it up. Then after riding it, It just sucked, I went right over the bars WAY too many times. Given, I hadn't tried to tweak around witht he seat setting, but that just wasn't nice.
I found out from Kona, to be able to lower the seat and avoid any interaction with the seatstay yoke, Run a Zero offset seatpost, and a Smaller XCish seat.
Although my first few rides wern't terribly pleasant, I'll give it five starts till next review, because I see alot of peotential in the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan Hodge
a
from bexhill e.sussex england Date Reviewed: January 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
k2 at pork
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
olvercycle sports
Strengths:
the bikes shere abilty to go through anything you point it at rock solid its a kona
Weaknesses:
what none what so ever
Similar Products Used:
schwinn stright 8 cortner atx1 sun radical
Bike Setup:
shivers ,xtr ,modoes factry set up apart from the forks
Bottom Line:
this is the most stunning bike that i have ever redden. it is very hard on the sticky mud but it will cope easely with rocks gravle grass mud and it will fly but sticky mud kills it the bottem line is that ervyt thing feals right and it is bult like a brick and can take ervy thing that you throug
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Sheppard
a Weekend Warrior
from London,England Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Morzine avalanche course
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Evans Cycles
Strengths:
Erm the whole bike? it rocks.
Weaknesses:
Erm the gear cable? Honestly thats about it maybe shimano need some thicker cables for dhers?
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn straight 8, rotwild dh3, marin team dh, intense m1 sl, Specialised FSR DH, santa cruz super8, foes dh slammer.
Bike Setup:
AS UK standard with purple hayes 8" discs,2.6 tires f&r,azonic bar & stem to raise front end slightly.
Bottom Line:
Um well i only got it recently but i love it. Its an ex team bike but was never raced. I reckon its not a great dh race bike but its into some extreme riding and it loves crazy stuff that breaks other dh bikes in two. I don't race but i love big drops and silly jumps which is why i got this bike. The front end is heavy but "hey" thats all part of buying a dh bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC, CANADA!! Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
something down
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
It sucks and has not many.
Weaknesses:
heavy, when you go off big drops, the swingarm hits the frame
Similar Products Used:
too much...
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
it sucks because it is WAY too heavy to get anywhere. you can't ride it in the shore well and also off anything over 8ft, the swingarm hits the frame (depending on setup) and if you like to ride your bike stiff, than if you ever bottom it out, the swingarm will hit the frame. Trust me. It does feel pretty good when you're lofting a curb though... go to mtbbc.cjb.net for a cool site
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
leoni leone
a Downhiller
from wiena / austria Date Reviewed: September 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Kaprun DS
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4600.00
Purchased At:
hakuna bike shop/ Wiena
Strengths:
...that's not a bike, thats a gun!!!
Weaknesses:
what? - oh, maybe way tooo heavy for the cross coutry people... hehe!
Similar Products Used:
GT lobo, foes, Wickanbacker DHS, rotwild DH.
Bike Setup:
foes F1 fork, hayes DH disc, XTR in comb. with some azonic and roox DH components...
Bottom Line:
ok, first of all: the bike is a beast!!! ...it just kixxx buttt!!!
This bike is a grat DH machine, one of the best on the market. In comp. to my old GT lobo, this bike is a bit faster in everything... The only problem, I had with the bike was the fork. F1's are great forks, but mine was loosing oil /but that is not a problem of the bike/ I changed the fork, now I have a custom Votec upside down DH fork with 18 cm travel. The frame is a bomb!!! this bike is great for all you DH ppl., ...it's not cheap, but its a perfect bike!!! ps.: the picture on the kona web are great, but just wait till you see the bike "live on two nokians"...it looks great!!! have a good ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Canada Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Full Cycle
Strengths:
This bike is extremly strong, impossible to break. The bike with the best handling that I've ridden. Very plush, the 2k monster-ts do the job. Perfect bike to run over the racer infront of you that is going to slow! and of course, not feel anything
Weaknesses:
weight for the wussies who cant handle it. But i cant find any weaknesses for me
Similar Products Used:
GT lobo dh (ball burnished) got stollen.... santa cruz super 8, porter odin dh, giant atx-one, balfa bb7... there may be more
Bike Setup:
factory setup
Bottom Line:
Expect to win some races with this bike... but you will need two good lungs to bring it to, I think I am gonna die, speeds. This bike can take you wathever you can give it, and also expect to improve while riding this bike cause you will be fearless. Who ever does downhill should BUY THIS BIKE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill S. Preston Esquire
a Racer
from Huntington beach Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Big Bear
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
Cycle world
Strengths:
A fat & strong awsome downhiller! This bike is the best thing i have ever seen.
Weaknesses:
Maybe the weight. But you get over it. Possibly hitting the steroids might be a good idea for the weaklings
Similar Products Used:
Rocky mountain RM9
Bike Setup:
Monster T's, Gazzalodis, MRP etc.
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass! If you ever hear any wussies complaining about the weight, just ride over em, cause you wont feel a thing its so plush! If youre looking for a bike for taking huge hits and massive drop offs, buy this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BONUS WAGNER
a Downhiller
from SEATTLE Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
JONES CREEK, SNOQUALMIE, CRYSTAL MTN
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
STRONG FRAME DESIGN, REAR SUSPENSION SOAKS UP BIG HITS SMOOTHLY.
Weaknesses:
NONE
Bike Setup:
BOXXER, HOPE-BIGUNS & DH04'S, MAVIC 321'S, INTENSE 2.7'S, KOOKA CRANKS, MR DIRT GUIDE, 42T X 9 SPEED XTR TRANNY, KORE PEDALS & STEM, EASTON BAR, ODI LOCK-ONS, SDG BIGBOY. 46.5 POUNDS TOTAL.
Bottom Line:
VERY STABLE UNDER SPEED, SOAKS UP BIG DROPS AND HITS. CORRECTS ALOT OF MISTAKES WHEN U GO OFF COURSE. THE WEIGHT IS NOT AN ISSUE. IT'S LIKE PLAYING GOLF WITH AN OVER-SIZE CLUB. THANKS TO WILLY & THE BOYZ AT KONA, AND "THE DOWNHILL ZONE" FOR SETTING THE BIKE UP FLAWLESSLY.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Downhiller
from Sweden Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000
Very stable when you drive 100km/h soaks up everything For all weightwiners, if you dont handle the weight youre to weak! Go to the gym and build some muscles, or train with motocross that will help!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris A.K.A Kona Boy
a Downhiller
from Granite Bay Ca Date Reviewed: June 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Resolution @ Skeggs
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
I love this Bike!! When i testted it it was so cool. I have A 1999 Stinky Dee Lux. I got on it and it felt like a monster! So Smooth
Weaknesses:
The W.E.I.G.H.T !!! and all the Shimano Stuff. I personally like sram cause it is american made.
Similar Products Used:
Intense M1 Stinky Dee Lux Trek Pro team Dh
Bike Setup:
All stock I only tested it
Bottom Line:
If i was going to do only Downhill I would switch to this bike! But i still like to do a little hilly terrain. Even thought i already push my stinky dee i really dont want to push this one. Marzocchi is the best!!! Should for the 2001 upgrade to Sram! Then decrease the wieght! Then it would be a SICK bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Cheddar Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Broadway, Cheddar
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
It's outright ability to soak up bumps and stick you to berms. Gives you amazing confidence and the monsters are a good way to avoid arm pump if you suffer from it like me!
Weaknesses:
Weight, it's just too heavy but the Kona ride is worth a bit of sacrifice so buy it as a frame and put Boxxers on it and some light components and go race!
Similar Products Used:
99 Stab Dee Lux, Marin DH, Giant ATX 2.
Bike Setup:
Factory set up.
Bottom Line:
Really good ride, confidence inspiring but at the cost of weight. Buy it if you are inexperienced and looking to learn the easy way, how to race and enjoy it because the ride is sublime. Can't score highly standard though because it's just too heavy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
erik chang
a Downhiller
from San Anselmo, CA,usa Date Reviewed: June 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Eminem, China camp and Mt.Tam
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
over over built great products for an out of the box bike pedals great and absorbs the hits like nothing
Weaknesses:
too heavy, needs better headset,seatpost.
Similar Products Used:
Karpiel Disco Volante
Bike Setup:
y2k Boxxers, mavic rims d521, wtb moto tires, ringle hubs, race face cranks, xtr lever and rear derailer
Bottom Line:
If I was looking for downhill bike this would be the bike, but you should drop some weight so just get it by frame, I prefer it to be light because I do racing , but it's whatevere you desire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Fortier
a Downhiller
from Lyons, Colorado, United States Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Hall Ranch and Nearby Ski Slopes For Downhill racing in the summer
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This bike has some awsome performance in the downhill racing I do with my buddies. The Monster T fork a Fox Vanilla rear shock are fantastic in beating out my friends. Not only the suspension, but also the team of the Hydraulic disc brakes and the Race Face DH cranks help me kick some sown hill racing ass!
Weaknesses:
It is kind of heavy.
Similar Products Used:
I have also been working on my Rocky Mountain Rm9, that I will be racing, hopefully this year.
Bike Setup:
Everything on my KONA STAB PRIMO is stock except my fenders.
Bottom Line:
If you want a kick ass DH bike you will definetly want to spend the trouble and the money on a brand new KONA STAB PRIMO!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MANUEL GARCINI
a Weekend Warrior
from MEXICO CITY Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:
AJUSCO
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
PARTS, BEST OUT OF THE BOX DH BIKE. IS READY TO USE.
Weaknesses:
THE FRONT IS TOO HEAVY. YOU WILL NEED STRONG SHOULDERS. IF YOU ARE A FREERIDE AND NOW YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE EXCITEMENT ( LIKE ME )THIS IS THE BIKE. BUT A GYM WILL BE REQUIRED!!
Bike Setup:
AS COME FROM THE FACTORY
Bottom Line:
I´M JUST LEARNING HOW TO DOWN HILL. THE BIKE IS TOO HEAVY IF YOU COMPARE IT VS MY MANTRA KLEIN. BUT THIS IS A GREAT BIKE. DOWN HILL IS COOL.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alejandro Cortes
a Downhiller
from Ponce,Puerto Rico Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
"La cuchilla"(The knive)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The bike is Stable as hell.It"s front end erases some errors.The rear suspension it's plush and tracks the terrain all the time.It's geometry it's perfect for extreme downhill and all that scary stuff that you wanna do.When doing big landings,the bike do justice to it's travel and feels comfortable(sure it depends on the height)anfd maintains it's line in the worst situations.
Weaknesses:
For now I don't find any, except it requires a strong upperbody to yank it's front end in high obstacles.
Similar Products Used:
Mountain Cycle San Andreas,GT LTS 1000,Ellsworth Dare
Bike Setup:
Sun Modo wheels,Race face dh cranks,MRP wc guide,42t Ac chainring,Hayes purple dh brakes(8 inch fr and rr),Easton 50mm-25 deg stem,Azonic dw 2",esp 9.0sl,SDG dhsaddle,easton flat pedals(cully),and nokian 3.0 tires.
Bottom Line:
By now it's probably te best dh complete bike money can buy.You only need some minor changes(if anyone)to suit your preferences because all of it's components are premium choice and creted for DH abuse.The bike is stable ,plush and handles like it was glued to the ground.You'll fell powerfull on this bike.For urban and freeride enthusiasts(like me)it requires a strong upper and 2 good lungs to move this beast, but it can be made.Keep riding no matter what happens and remember that nothing's imposible.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Québec City Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Everything except for the weakness below :-)
Weaknesses:
The front weight, the price (but for this quality of build I'm not complaining too much)
Y2k Monster-T (7" travel) Sun Modo Dh rim (26" front, 24" rear), Hayes Hydro (8" front and rear), SDG Fat Boy saddle, Kona 30.0 mm seat post, Xtr derailleur + xtr shifter,SPD 636 pedals, Race Face Dh crank, Mr DIrt Gizmo chain guide,a wonderful FOX vanilla RC DH rear shox (2,80" of stroke), 3" gazzalodi tires
Bottom Line:
This bike is fantastic. A bit heavy. The bike pedals very well, even with 9" of rear wheel travel. If you look back at the bike setup, you can imagine that it's a "built to last" dh bike. Hope to see other Dher at Mont St-Anne this summer with this bike...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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