Submitted by
Mess
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2005
Strengths: Strength. Looks. Plush kickass travel. Great geometry.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
This frame kicks ass. With a 24" rear wheel it feels like a trials bike or something, it's that easy to throw around and get off the ground. The geometry is wicked, you can throw silly turns that I couldnt manage on my hardtail. Travel feels nice all the way through, although bottoming out feels a little harsh. Plenty of tire clearance with a 24" wheel. Looks awesome, works awesome, IS awesome. I should have been riding one of these years ago. Stop thinking about it, go out and get this bike. Inspires confidence, will make you a faster rider.
Bike Setup: Kona Stinky, soon to have 6" Dangerboy plates. 5" 04 DirtJump III's. Formula Cable discs. Alex DX32 + 2.5 High Roller up front, Sun Doublewide 24" + Kenda 2.6 on the back. Hussefelts, chainguide.
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Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003
Strengths: AMAZING BIKE!!!I love it. Stiff, sturdy, beefy welds. Whenever I crash I pick up the bike and it doesn't even have a scratch on it.
Weaknesses: Not many, sometimes is hard to pedal, but usually is pretty good.
Bottom Line:
Get this bike! Tough as hell. Awesome to ride on. Am thinking of getting the Dangerboy CNC plates soon to give me 7in in the rear and get a 24 in wheel. Great geometry, holds up to everything you can throw at it.
Strengths: Immensely strong, not that heavy,six inch travel perfect for routes where you have to ride to the top before downhilling.Looks awesome.It's a kona
Weaknesses: The bolts through the top and bottom of the shock have sheared about three times each, but a better shock solved that.
Bottom Line:
This bike is just so good. I got run over by a car on it, and it is still as it was that day,nothing broke at all (except me). I can ride XC on it aswell as downhill, freeride,hucking,street everything.It rules.It rocked before i did all the mods,it is miles better now though
Bike Setup: Mine is a 2003 stinky. It has (deep breath) Marzocchi junior T forks, fox vanilla RC shock, raceface diabolus stem, D321s handbuilt on Blue Hope Big 'un hubs, IRC Kujo DH tyres, XT rear mech,XT cassette, XT shifter,converted to single 36 tooth ring with blackspire chain device,DMR V-12 pedals, blue Hope skewers and seat clamp,Raceface signature DH b/b and raceface Northshore cranks, Hope M4 brakes with custom rotors (205mm and 185mm).I think that's about all i've done!
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Submitted by
chewy
a Downhiller
from geelong, vic, austrailia
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003
Strengths: pirce (second hand) sic frame, great rear suspension, no flex. BEEFCAKE
Weaknesses: derailer got stuck in the spokes after i had the bike for 3 days, wrecked XT derailer and hanger. if anyone knows how to fix this problem for good, could u please email me. Z.5 lack adjustment and are on the soft side. paint chips
Bottom Line:
i love it. but this derailer Bullsh@t has me pissed off. sombody pls tell me how to fix it for good. probably the best way is to be in at least 3rd when doing drops and jumps, as i was in 1st and i only did a 180 bunnyhop on an embankment. i cant afford derailers every 3 days. HELP
Similar Products Used: giant AC1, my 92' Honda CR125 (12 inches front and back)
Bike Setup: truativ chain guide, V12, ditchwith, was XT derailer,
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Submitted by
Trevor
a Downhiller
from The Bay Area
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002
Strengths: Bomb proof frame
Weaknesses: all components suck: Bars stem crankset wheels shifters derailuers etc.
Bottom Line:
The frame is awsome, its super strong and can hold up to anything (12 foot drops). i reccomend to anyone who goes big and has money to fix broken stock parts.
Bike Setup: 2001 kona frame, 2002 boxxer,sun doublewides laced to ringle 20 mil and xt rear,MRP mini me, king headset, raceface DH cranks,pro-taper bars, azonic shorty stem, Hayes 8 in. brakes,XTR shifter + derailur + casset, WTB tires and seat, ODI grips and Azonic peadals.
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Submitted by
Courtland Penk
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002
Strengths: Frame! this thing'll take anything you've got to throw at it! Fox Vanilla R it's like riding on a cloud.
Weaknesses: Z5's a little soft but that can be changed. Ditchwitch rims
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this thing for about a week and already i can do the 5-6 footers that my other freeriding buds can do it's a great confidence building bike that, with a few changes, can take the worst. If your considering this bike go for it a little extra cash for the upgrades can go a long way!!!!
Similar Products Used: giant ac 2,3 specialized big hit
Bike Setup: xt shifter, rear derailleur. lx front. 24" Alex DX32 rear rim, maxxis highroller 2.7 (in rear), crossbeam on the bar, Azonic platform pedals, kooka full tooth bash guard in place of the big ring,
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Submitted by
Mike F
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002
Strengths: good frame, some good componenets, has a Vannila R in the rear.
Weaknesses: stock componenets are pretty crappy, like a Z5(couldve at least been QR20!), no bash guard, crappy rims, crap pedals, etc.
Bottom Line:
You want a good freeride bike and at a good price? get a 2001 Norco VPS Drop, or Buzz, or Stinky. the stinky is a bit of a ripoff if you buy it new, but I was lucky enough to get it for $1100 CDN used in great condition... anyway, good bike, I suggest the dee-lux, but whatever...
Purchased At: got a wicked deal on it used $1100 CDN!
Similar Products Used: 2001 Norco VPS Buzz
Bike Setup: Stock except for a 2002 Super-T Pro, XT Hydraulics (Wicked), FUNN Soljam Viper, FUNN Launchpad, MAG30 front rim with QR20 formula hub, new double bolt seatpost, new chain, EnVy bashguard.
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Submitted by
db one
a Weekend Warrior
from Outer Space
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002
Strengths: Frame Geometry/Strength/5&5 suspension
Weaknesses: Component Setup>pedals,non-disc brake-c'mon at least throw in mechanical disc. Chainsuck.
Bottom Line:
As soon as I rode this bike I knew that it was the ONE. This bike has changed my whole riding style,which is going big and cleaning that impossible line. Not only does this bike smooth out the trail, it allows me the confidence to let my eyes wander and find insane lines, jumps, and stunts that I would normally not see. The 5" Marzocchi gets the job done well and the Vanilla R is like riding on a cloud. This bike has taken its share of jumps and ridiculously technical descents and climbs. I would reccomend this bike to anyone who likes a killer Freeride bike that can still pedal uphill. The only beef I have is the crappy component selection but just ride em' until they break and upgrade accordingly. Otherwise, go big and ride hard because this bike is waiting for the abuse!!
Strengths: funny name (stinky). nice paint job! Its not heavy! (If you think its heavy, you never rode a dh bike)
Weaknesses: If you buy this bike, you better swap parts right away at the shop so it wont cost you too much to upgrade it. first you should change the tires they are dangerous in my opinion. second, the derailleur spring is to soft so put a chain guide or change for a deore xt. third, get a new seat post that has 2 screw, its a must. 4th change pedals. 5th put some hayes. 6th change the fork.
Bottom Line:
its a good downhill/freeride frame but the parts are a little weak. I felt confidence from the beginning and pretty well balanced. Chainstay and cockpit suited for lunching tricks but this make the rear unstable at speed and the problem is amplified by the poor tioga facto sh*t tires. As a result, I was never able to really let go off the brakes and reach speed I was used to with other bikes. I had to put bigger michelin tires with low pressure to make the rear track. Finally, everything came good and I started to take more difficult line in the trails and bigger drops. the frame has taken every hit wihtout problem. My biggest concern his that the stinky has not enough travel for the riding I like. I never felt I had 5 inch! its to stiff! 3 hours downhill, its like rollerblade on rough asphalt. Maybe the frame is to stiff for the kind of travel. I've tried some single pivot since with 5 inch also and I said WOOOOOOO, that is smooth travel. Tell me I'm wrong but kona guys must have noticed that too cause the stinky went to 6 inch travel in 2002. But, this design comes at a cost: probably higher bb, longer chainstay, heavier weight. I'm not sure they will make a killer by changing a bike everyone his in love with! Oh, sorry I forgot to tell that its a great bike. Kona, just give me more rear travel and stability, without changing the chainstay and... :)
Strengths: The Stinky5 frame is bombproof,good parts in stock form for the money
Weaknesses: The Sun DitchWitch wheels are going to fail miserably,the Bomber Z5 sucks its so soft and bottoms easily
Bottom Line:
I have changed my bike very much from stock form but most of us freeriders do.This bike is awesome,it gives you so much confidence.But it makes you progress more than the stock parts can handle.So when you break something replace with something better.
Bike Setup: Sinky5,A.T.C. Terrex 7",Azonic Shorty,Easton EA70,King,XT, Race Face cranks,24" DoubleWides
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Submitted by
michael viscovich
a Weekend Warrior
from copenhagen, denmark
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2001
Strengths: frame geometry. I my point of view it is a true freeride bike. Fine for biking uphill and is really confident going downhill. It feels stiff (size small) after landing jumps. tires good size. rims are ok. fork are still working well but are getting a dj1 for the stiffness now. good price.
Weaknesses: bb destroyed after 2 month. truvativ crank bend after 5 month. seat post clam useless. rims get spft after a while with tough riding. drop bend if a piece of wood is smiling to it...
Bottom Line:
definitely worth the buy and then upgrade the things that you find out is not worth keeing. the bike is no problem going uphill compared to a lot of other bikes and still is really solid on landing jumps. There are probably better bikes like GT i-drive for going uphill but downhill and landing jumps the a miles from the stinky. for sure there are also better downhill bikes but those won't let you crawl uphill. Well balanced geometry. It is my 1. freeride bike, which doesn't give me a lot of experience with other bikes but when I go biking with others the stinky does best the job that I want it to: pure freeriding. a bike to trust, which says a lot....
Bike Setup: 2001 kona stinky, 2002 marzocchi jr T's (7 inchs) front hayes hyrdraulic, azonic double wall bars, odi lock ons, DMR V8 pedals, the bike is set up damn well for free ride also drops
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Submitted by
Custom Stinky
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001
Strengths: Frame is super strong. plates can be switched out for longer ones.
Weaknesses: Tires and Rims if you are an agresive rider
Bottom Line:
My ride is an exception to the Stinky, I rode it a bit when it was stock and it was great. but i am a very aggressive rider that used this bike for competitions. It's great for free ride, but like most of the people I know that rode 2001 Kona Stinky's the disc Brake boses will snap of.
Bike Setup: I had a friend make custom plates for the back giving me 8" w/a fox RC. 2001 rock shox boxxer, Mr Dirt Gizmo Chainguide. Hayes Hydraulic disc brakes(8", 6") Mavic 321 disc rims w/intense hubs. Azonic shorty stem, Answer pro taper, XTR derailleur. Race Face North shore splined, Titec seat post.
Strengths: burly beefy welds, core frame is banging, plates are bombproof
Weaknesses: 1.CHAIN SUCK, get rid of the triple and get a chainguide.
2.rear hub blew out fast, wheelset+tires are weak. get a new wheelset, these tiogas tend to lose it in tight turns.
3.z5 fork with stupid M arch. swap it out to enjoy this bike fully
Bottom Line:
this bike kicks ass. but needs a few modifications due to the low price point get rid of the triple chainring, get a single. the wheelset is ok, but the rear hub is doodoo. id suggest a new wheelset.
this bike will take whatever you throw at it. its got a deep 5" in the back, and is a great bike for riders looking to up the ante, XC, DH, freeride all in one..
Bike Setup: z1 cr blackspire chainguide w/42 *new wheel set pending
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Submitted by
Marty Lane
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico, California, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001
Strengths: The 2001 closeout price is the greatest strength. Stinky floats over anything. Instead of watching the trail, you can let your mind wander while enjoying the scenery for a change. Those rocks and dropoffs just don't matter anymore. Stinky is the ulimate thrill ride/fun bike.
Weaknesses: The parts spec keeps the price down, so any change to that would weaken the greatest strength -- affordability. The low cost parts, like the plastic Alivio shifters and Deore rear mech, work flawlessly, and changing them out for lighter more expensive parts wouldn't make sense anyway on a bike that is meant to be heavy. One thing worth a change, though, is the brakes. The Avid Arch Rivals are good stoppers, but a bike like this begs for hydraulic disks. Others have mentioned the Tiogo DH tires as a weakness. I've notice the tires drift easily at speed on hard pack, but can't decide if this is a weakness or not -- it certainly ups the fun factor ;)
Bottom Line:
After several years hammering cross country on a hard tail, Stiny demanded immediate change in riding style. Try to ride Stinky like a xc bike, and you'll suffer pain. Stinky invites you to sit back on go easy on the ascents. If you're used to xc hammer fests, Stinky will turn you into a tourist who is out to enjoy the scenery and just have fun for a change. It rewards you with a plush ride as it floats over anything in it's path, and you'll be surprised on the lack of dabs on rocky technical climbs. Not bad for a 30 lb bike that seats you in an upright position. As for descents, there's one word and that word is Cowabunga! Bottom line: Stinky is a fun/play bike for riders who want to forget about things like carbo loading and keeping your heart rate in the zone, but want to get back the the reason why you started riding bike to begin with -- to have fun!
Bike Setup: All stock, but the parts spec on my Stinky is a bit different than that on the Kona web site. Instead of a Truvativ ISIS crank, mine has a Prodigy taper.
