Strengths: This bike kicks ass. Half the stuff on mine was upgraded by the guy I bought it from, so some things on mine are different, but I really like how the bike handles. I have a medium frame and I'm a short guy and have no problem throwing it around. The bike is great for drops and freeride. The paint job is pimp!
Weaknesses: Hmmm, about the only thing that I hate is the SDG seat. I usually ride for 3 hours at a time and it tends to hurt after about 2 hours of that, so I'm going to get a new seat for it.
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike if you like freeride. It doesn't have 8 inches of travel, but it seems to suit me fine. This isn't a full out DH bike, but if you want to race it, you can. The fact of being able to do urban assault with it and ride the DH tracks as well is really a great benefit. Freeride without the weight is a definite plus.
Bike Setup: Mostly upgraded Rear Derailleur-XT to XTR. Rear shock-Vanilla R upgraded to RC. Fork-Marzocchi Z.3 upgraded to Z.1 ECC lockout (great for climbing) Axiom platform pedals, Raceface Northshore Cranks, Hayes Hyd brakes
Strengths: Good parts, nice paint job (happy bike colours), fun to ride.
Weaknesses: A few little niggles when first purchased but now it's fine. The original bottom bracket creaked all the time so I finally got a FSA bb installed and it's quiet. Tioga tires were sketchy, especially the front.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike and my riding had vastly improved. What impressed me a lot was it's ability to climb, I thought it would be hell but it outclimbs my hardtail, yes it's slower but I don't care. Riding downhill is so much fun just pick a line and hold it. This bike is a lot of fun to ride and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have fun on their local trails rather than racing around.
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock still, except flat pedals, FSA bb and michelin wildgripper DH tires
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Submitted by
Stach
a Racer
from Ottawa, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002
Strengths: Beautifully smooth ride. Great all around trail riding and suitable for many downhills.
Weaknesses: Not crazy about the dedicated front hub. Would have preferred a better stem, and handlebars (comes with kona stock)
Bottom Line:
It rides like a boutique bike and you don't have to spend over 5 bills. It climbs great (you gotta have the legs though!). It's a dream for trail riding, and is a lot of fun for doing the hairy stuff (ie. big drops, jumps, etc.) Those reviewers that say "suspension bottoms out on big drops" are DOING DROPS WRONG! Trials riders have been doing huge drops for years on completely rigid bikes and they land soft! Overall, a great way to spend $3,000 - it's an investment in happiness!
Similar Products Used: Balfa 2 step, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup: no changes made from "off the shelf"
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Submitted by
tossed salad
a Cross Country Rider
from halifax, nova scotia, canada
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002
Strengths: Well balanced front a read suspension. Rides like an XC rig, but does the job when pointed downhill. Strong, takes abuse.
Weaknesses: Maybe 6 inches of travel like the '02 is a better idea. 5 is enough but I think 6 would do the job and give you more without being overly pogo-ey. The QR+ is a negative, but kona specs them, they don't make them. Mine is a 15"/small and is the Stinky 5 with the '01 deelux paint scheme, when I max out the travel my rear tire rubs the cable guide and der housing.
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike that I use for every ride that isn't going over 4 hours or is a race. What they call a 'workhorse'. I don't mind thrashing cause thats what its for. Probably will never sell it.
Similar Products Used: Rode a Giant AC/1 around the block. Tried Bullits and Super 8's.
Bike Setup: Stock except, serial killa stem(35mm), fatboy slim bar, sold the 2001 z.3 qr20+ and put a new in box 2000 z.3 qr20 (non + ) on it/amazing fork without the hassle of qr20+, 2.5 maxxis high roller on front, 400lb spring (stock is 450, I'm 115lbs), sachs chain, xt cassette, thomson post, seatstays and rockers from 2000 stinky(slightly more travel), blackspire pro 32T(stock raceface kept bending), rockring in place of 42T, avocet ti saddle, no bottle cage
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Submitted by
E Love
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002
Strengths: Its beefy. Everything you need, nothing you don't. Bike is balanced well.
Weaknesses: Stock chainrings (middle ring) bent on 5th ride. Replaced with black spire - still going strong. Headset is weak. Shimano chain.
Bottom Line:
I weigh 200+ and have beaten this bike hard for 1yr, it still is asking for more. Some rear spokes need replacing. No complaints after 1yr. Very balanced feel in air and on ground. Put a pad on seatpost around qr, rear triangle will bash it when u btm out. This bike is awesome!!! Use it for what it's designed for and you will not regret your purchase!!! This bike will give you mojo, and make you do things u thought were impossible. It also climbs very well for a freeride bike. If you want a freerider, this is your machine, can't afford a DH bike, put a Jr T on this and away u go.
This bike is amazing, as always i recommend the KONA bike, i just love the way they build their bikes, and the way that they fit, the giant may try with their AC model but i think the Stinky is much superior, after all, the AC basically only offers a few differences, mainly the rockshox components vs bombers and fox on the Kona, and the giant also offers adjustable travel in the rear. but honest why take the time to adjust the travel if you want 5-6" of travel on a bikeyour gonna use it, and trying to adjust the travel is a pain... So to sum this all up BUY KONA BIKES THEY ARE FREAKING AWESOME. ANd i recommend this to anyone looking for a 'freeride' bike with that also isnt a dog to pedal up hills, it is deffenitely not for cross country people.
Bike Setup: Z1 ecc Qr 20 (wish i had gotten a triple clamp), Hayes 8" disc, Vanilla RC coil, easton monkey bar, thomson Seat post etc etc
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Submitted by
Stephen
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2001
Strengths: Frame, Suspension, Brakes, Color.
Weaknesses: Seatpost squeaks once and a while, the pedals if you don't like shimano pedals, the tires maybe? The paint because it makes you just want to sit and look and not chip it while riding.
Bottom Line:
The Bottom line is that this bike is the Bottom line. It is purley incredible. I recieved it as a christmas gift yesterday and rode it straight out the front door and down the front steps. The frame is solid as a rock. The suspension is incredible. You can throw yourself right off the bike if you wanted to with the brakes. I rode today in the wet mud and dirt and I didn't have any fade at all. This bike is a tank, but tanks are indestructible and have long lifes. I admit it doesn't climb like my 26 pound XC bike but the downhills make up for it 2 fold. As much as this is a freeride bike I am using it as a XC/Freeride bike, which just means I will be really in shape for races from lugging all 33 pounds up those hills. The greatest attribute of this bike is the fact that it is purley (sp?) fun. I have so much more confidence than I ever did with a XC bike. Sure its a little heavy and a little expensive but it gets the job done and in style. I recomend this bike to anyone who has some guts and wants to have some serious fun. I give it 5 flamin chilli turds for value because its worth every penny and 5 flammin chilli turds for overall greatness.
Similar Products Used: Nothing that is similar enough to this to mention.
Bike Setup: Stock, with an 8 inch rotor up front (Not sure if thats stock or not but thats the way it came). Time ATAC pedals, Future mods include: Panaracer tires, xt front derailer, 8 inch rotor in back, CK headset, eventually a CK Discgo tech rear hub, roller-ma-jig, and yeti hardcore grips.
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Submitted by
Stinky Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas (yeah...you think its flat)
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001
Strengths: Massive frame, inspires all the confidence you can imagine, go anywhere you please
Weaknesses: Hefty (just get buffed and there is no problem)
Bottom Line:
I finally have the bike I have dreamed about!!! This bike will do what you want when you want-go where you please. Sure it is heavy, but all you need to do is just beef up your legs and lungs and you'll be set. This is not an XC lightweight. No flex to be found, and yes, there are some drops to be had in the Midwest (natural and man-made). Get one of these bad boys and the sh**-eatin' grin will never leave your face!!!
Bike Setup: Not stock - Mavic DeeMax wheels, IRC Kujo 2.65 tires, Hayes Hydraulic, XTR front and rear derailleurs, Marzocchi Z3, Salsa bars, other pieces and parts as needed to make this a ROCKER!!!
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Submitted by
Paul Sciabica
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakley.Ca.,U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001
Strengths: very burly,built like a tank,good component mix,I really like the Zoke Z3s with QR 20 axle,bike handles like my KTM 520...
Weaknesses: weighs as much as a tank,500lb. stock spring on Fox Vanilla R too light for anyone who would probably buy this bike...it needs 500lb. without rider..Interloc seatpost creaks more than a haunted house..
Bottom Line:
Very cool!..it's a porker but it works..climbing is a pain so if you don't want your lungs sucked out,take your time brother..once over the top the fun really begins..agile on twisty single track and steady at downhill speeds..thought I was a racer boy and instead found out that I was a latent freerider..this bike has really made me feel like a 51 year young kid...added note, wishing well and a speedy recovey to Larry at BackCountry who sustained some serious injuries during a road ride
This is my first FS and it absolutely ROCKS. I ride primarily urban and venture to the shore about 2x/month. What you lose in heft, you gain in climbing traction. I can take all the big hits I rode on the hardtail with more confidence and control. Hayes discs offer amazing stopping power.This bike was meant to fly, not so good off kickers but airs high speed drops straight as an arrow. The rims(f519's)have survived a lot of abuse without attention but should be wider(like d521's) to fit bigger tires over 2.5". Tioga DH's are good all around tires but High Rollers rule the 'shore. This bike is the best at it's price range. Get one and GO BIG!
Submitted by
Super-Chris
a Downhiller
from Bergen, Norway
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001
Strengths: Great looks, beefy rear end, great sus-system, handling, geometry, tyre-clearance, climbing abilities compared to the previous model.
Weaknesses: Some would say weight, but this bike HAS to be burly and those who cry about it are most likely XC Jeyboys..
Bottom Line:
I used to have a '99 Kona Chute but a crack in the weld underneath the headtube resulted in a warranty claim. I paid approx. $700 to Kona and they sent me the Dee-Lux frame with shock. I used all the parts from the Chute and bought a new fork (Psylo SL - great fork once I changed the bushings!!) and rear brake. I can't imagine a better all-round-bike that can take the beating I've given it. Especially since I'm fairly heavy (95 kg). The Fox rear shock is great too. But I am keeping an eye on the bolt that connects the shock with the rocker-plates. I've heard they can bend.. Great freeride-bike for those who want to be able to ride all day..
Similar Products Used: Kona Chute, '99 Kona Muni-Mula, '99 Kona Stinky, '98 Kona Stab, Cortina Dual-frame, Sintesi Bazooka, Intense M-1
Bike Setup: Size: Large (18"), Psylo SL, Gazzalodi 3" front, Shimano XT disc 180mm (front), Azonic double wall 2.5", Hope Enduro 4 (rear), MRP-style CD, Race Face Turbine, 521 CD (f/r), Gazzalodi 2.6" rear
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Submitted by
Chris Southwood
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001
Strengths: Frame looks as if it should be unbreakable. Good over built chainstays. The best brakes available. Reliable Shimano bits and pieces. Sealed cartridge bearing pivots. Nice 'do -everything' geometry. Bars are great shape. Good hubs. Reliable rear shock.
Weaknesses: Ok. I only weigh 58 kilograms, thats around 135 lbs. I do some stupid things on my bike, but nothing ridiculous. I have certainly discovered that this not the 'hard-core' freeride monster I thought it would be. Running a 450 lbs spring, I have had nothing but problems from the rear suspension. Firstly I bent the stock alloy shock bolt - no big deal. I just popped in a new one. Next ride it breaks - twisting (!!) the left linkage plate! Kona couldn't get me spares.....After straightening the plate, I put in a cromoly bolt. It bent. So did the next one..... As far as I can ascertain, all these problems have been a result of a poorly designed shock mounting system. Seriously, how are two flexy pieces of soft alloy, pressed into the shock bush meant to effectively drive the shock? Anyhow, I have now changed the mount to the same style found on Intense bikes ie. a one piece steel shaft with a steel bolt running through it. Hopefully this will put an end to the dramas. My second major gripe is that at present my bike is bottom bracketless and forkless - both broke.... A five foot drop, killed them!!!! Five feet!!! Hardly a fat drop by anyone's standards. The b/b spindle broke (leaving me with purple balls after some serious sack whack!) and the fork brace cracked the whole way through!!! Now I'm bikeless while I wait for the warranty to come through. I have a couple of other minor probs. Nothing too serious (c/rings bending under load, slack factory wheels, dodgy tyres).
Bottom Line:
Kona make great bikes. They just need sort out a few kinks with the rear end. Marzocchi also make great forks, the best in my opinion, but the Mg 'M' arch really needs revising.
Similar Products Used: Lots. I work in a bike shop.
Bike Setup: Stock w/ Azonic Shorty stem and Intense tyres.
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Submitted by
Luke
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Paul, Mn.
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001
Strengths: Frame/Suspension setup perfect for light (145lb.) rider like me.
Weaknesses: Front der. screwed up easily (but also easily fixed) .... Worried about LX part durability. I'm not sure if this is a WEAKNESS, but I can't take my eye off this bike, for fear that it'll disappear...get insurance, don't leave it alone unless it's in your house. Seems like everyone wants a Stinky, so don't let 'em get yours....
Bottom Line:
This is my first full squish bike, coming off a 97 GT Timberline with no suspension at all. How can I be anything but ecstatic? Until it breaks or I severely injure myself, I can't help but think this is the best urban/DH/all-around bike I could buy...I just wish I could ride it as my daily commuter too!
Since it was about $1000 off, this stinky gets 5 flamin' turds for value as well as overall.
