Bike Setup: Mavic 317 rims, Deore XT rear derailer/LX Front, MANITOU SX Fork, Race face Steer tube, Michelin tires
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Submitted by
david crawley
a Weekend Warrior
from carlisle
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2003
Strengths: amzing frame for a steel
Weaknesses: hubs and tyres (in the wet)
Bottom Line:
an amazing ride for a steel, although it looks skinny and only up to the little stuff its can't half take a hammering on the trails. it's original scratch and sniff tyres don't half let it down though once it gets wet your traction goes way down.dont like the gripshifts either i'd prefer rapid fire which is what ill upgrade to next. i'd advise this to any weekend warriors out for a good ride or as an entry level xc bike its really versatile and well worth a look.
Strengths: 1999 Kona Cinder Cone great frame geometry 17", fork is awesome
Weaknesses: tires, rims, grips, seat, brake pads - worn out in 1 ride down the mountain in the rain in Elijay, GA. upgraded brake pad, rims and tires (maxxis)
Bottom Line:
I like the Kona small company image although it seems to be growing rapidly and hopefully the product will not suffer. This Kona is a good set up with some minor upgrades. Dealer support good, tech support good. This is a true hardtail, it is hard and harsh and mean and nasty I love it. It rides anywhere and on anything fast and furious. If you are from the old school and just want to ride a good mountain bike without all the fancy dancy plush dual tricked out crap, this would be a good bike for you. If you are a yuppy buy a Cannondale or Trek. What are you waiting for clump!!!!!
Similar Products Used: kona chute, stumpjumper, klein, gary fisher, giant
Bike Setup: sun rims, maxxis tires, grips (clamp on type) and brake pads. I had to upgrade the brake pads after 1 ride they were toast in the rain. I also had to upgrade the grips after they kept slipping even after the best intentions of the dealer to correct it.
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Submitted by
wheez
a Weekend Warrior
from Morristown,nj
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000
Strengths: Climbing, handling, speed
Weaknesses: Somewhat heavy, mostly only a problem when trying to hang it on the rack at the end of the day when you are beat.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellent climber on all type of hills. I have only been riding for 3 months but I am usually the only one making it up the steepest grades without stopping or slowing to a crawl. My riding companions have been at it seriously for over 2 years and ride Cannondale, Giant and Gary Fisher but are very impressed with the handling and climbing of the CinderCone. This is my first mountainbike and I have only ridden the Trek 6500 to compare it with, but I am very pleased with my choice and would highly recommend it.
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Aliso Viejo,CA,US
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000
Strengths: bomber fork, xt rear der
Weaknesses: hard seat, front der, heavy tires
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike for the weekend rider that can take the pounding of the downhill trails and then easily climbs back to the top. I picked it over the big sur just for the marz front fork. It should have been offered with an xt/lx setup, but I'll just have to upgrade later, which will make the bike even lighter. Change up to all xt, get a better saddle, and maybe switch the fork to a Z.2.
Submitted by
Max Weiss
a Weekend Warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000
Strengths: Where do I start? This bike toasts the downhill and singletrack. The handling and feel is amazing. It has no problem climbing either. I love bomber forks and the XT rear derailler. This bike is the best bang for your bucks. It even looks cool too.
Weaknesses: Eh...it's a little heavy. Some of the standard components could use a little upgrading- i.e. the crank, front derailler, brakes/brake levers. The tires are pieces of crap. None of these are anything serious and can be fixed with a little moolah.
Bottom Line:
If you can, GET THIS BIKE!!!!!!! This bike is made for a intermediate level biker who isn't weight conscious and likes to bomb the singletrack and downhill. Sweet price, sweet ride
Similar Products Used: The Cindercone is similarly priced to the Marin Eldridge Grade. Kona has no competition. The Cindercone is often compared with bikes several hundred dollars more.
Bike Setup: I got the standard package, but up graded the crank to LX, f. der. to XT, new seat, and new tires.
Bike Setup: '99 Z4 Bombers, Mavic X517CD's on LX hubs, LX front mech, LX chainset, XT Rear Mech & Shifters, Raceface XY Seatpost & Raceface Low Risers.
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Submitted by
Jamie Patterson
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000
Strengths: Frame (good geometry and how can you go wrong with the paint) Parts, for the money you can't get a better mix I have beat the f&*k out of this and it *likes* it Fast and easily manouverable
Weaknesses: the seat, the seat really hurts after long rides, switch it up for something else, Bontrager or Specialized
Bottom Line:
Umm, ok, this bike rocks. I tested nine bikes twice and picked this one over Gary Fisher's Big Sur, the Schwinn, a Brodie, and other assorted rides. Speed, you will love it on this bike, the only thing you will hear is the chatter of the derailleur as your are flying down the hill. Great geometry for climbs, especially if you stay in the seat. With the z.5 my only complaint was that it didn't soak up enough of the small stuff, but with the z.2 the bike rides like a cloud. The bike, straight out of the store is stellar for the price. Great tech support too. Good buy.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Moab 3 (no comparison
Bike Setup: I put the Marzocchi z.2 Atom Bomb on
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Submitted by
Dimmu
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2000
Strengths: That elusive Kona singletrack handling Those buttery smooth bombers
Weaknesses: OEM bombers don't have a disc mount. They're also a bit heavy SDG seat is hardly an ass pleaser Stock 120mm stem on 19" is too long Lumpy & Gravy tyres are a load of trousers
Bottom Line:
A great value, great handling bike. I'd turn down Buffy for a ride
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhopper, Klein Pulse Comp, Marin Pine Mountain, Orange Gringo, Kona Muni-Mula
Bike Setup: As standard, but with WTB Velociraptors, Kore Lite 3 stem, Avid 2.0 levers, X-Lite seat and flat pedals
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Submitted by
D. Raldi
a Cross Country Rider
from uniontown, ohio usa
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000
Strengths: Blue collar bike, which means its tough and durable and it doesn't talk back to me niethr...its also fun to cuddle with and makes going down hill kinda nice....it takes care of technical stuff for me..like email,,no just kidding like switchbacks and logs and roots and stuff....
Weaknesses: at slow speeds the front shock is a little bulky in handling but thats about it....
Bottom Line:
bottom line kona is a grass roots company, which means they aren't such a huge bike company so they are personable....just email em you'll see...
Strengths: Great components,cool paint job, Haven't bent up the rims yet
Weaknesses: Paint job looks cool is weak (scracthes easily)
Bottom Line:
Love my bike. Havent touched the fork since I got it still performs great. Love the way it handles. I can ride faster longer now. Goin riding today. Great going down hills. Great going up hills. I use mine to ride to school then to work and then to the awesome trails in Los Posados.Bottom line best bike I have ever owned next season I plan to get a Caldera.
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Timmins Ontario (Canada)
Date Reviewed: December 11, 1999
Strengths: As for a cross country racer the bikes weight and components literally kick ### The avid brake set does a exelent job rain or shine.
Weaknesses: If you are doing a lot of cross country riding then I suggest that you replace the kona handle bar, I find that it is more of a downhill bar and hurts your back in low positions
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this bike was rated the best in it's class for cross country down hill, and technical riding by Mountain Bike Action Magazine. I AGREE!!! The downhill riding of this bike is awsome. But take my advice , the only way you will ever find a bike that you like, you have to test drive a variety and buy whatever one feels good.
Bike Setup: I have used every part of the bike exept for the handle bars.
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Submitted by
john lawhon
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike looks & rides great. Can't decide on the Cindy or GF's Big Sur. The people here in Austin, that sell Kona's are really cool, I have no doubt they'll treat me right and make me happy. Over at the GFer camp, things are totally different, they act like they don't want to sell me a bike. The big Sur feels awesome. Torn....
Submitted by
Seann
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999
Strengths: bomber fork, xt rder, frame, paint
Weaknesses: My wife gets pissed because I won't stop riding it.
Bottom Line:
This bike is wicked awesome. I tried many other good bikes, but this one edged them all. The bomber z.5 fork is better than the Judy C or the Spyder for my 180 lbs. The bike handles excellently. It looks cool. It wants to go fast. I use it for XC, single track, fire roads and commuting. It is great for all these terrains. I would recommend having a set of semi-slicks for a faster commute on pavement. I don't have them and am fine. This is a great bike for the weekend warrior who can't upgrade right away or ever. I probably won't. I am very satisfied. 5 roaring chiles for this bad boy.
