Submitted by
cyclepsycho05
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancaster, Ohio, United States
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2009
Strengths: Very good handling bike with good geometry and VERY durable.
Weaknesses: Some of the components weren't the best but nothing major
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike new in 1998 and for 10 years it was my sole trail bike. I rode it fairly frequently and when I did I rode hard. I was also not the most religious about maintenance...besides lubing the chain or fixing something if it broke I did very little. The bike was still going strong when I finally decided it was time for an upgrade to full suspension. Last summer I bought a 2007 Giant Trance 3 and proceeded to upgrade most of its components (fork, wheels, derailleurs, crank/BB, etc.) The Nunu is getting a fresh paint job and all of the slightly used components from the Giant. With the quality of the Kona frame, the Nunu should be blasting the trails for at least another 10 years!
Submitted by
easy e
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville, ky, usa
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008
Strengths: I've had this 1998 Kona nunu for about 10 years and nothing has broken. I've ridden other bikes but none has the "feel" that this one has. Looks great too! I also like the riser bars, they're nice for casual riding and commuting.
Weaknesses: Since it's 10 years old, I'm sure there are lighter, higher tech parts on new bikes but the old Kona just works.
Bottom Line:
Best all round bike for the money. It just works right and feels great. Quality bike for sure. I've taken it off 6 foot drops repeatedly and it's still in one piece.
Similar Products Used: bianchi,kona blast,k2 zed 3.0
Bike Setup: deore,avid,azonic,rock shox,vp
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Submitted by
mike j
a Weekend Warrior
from alberta
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2001
Strengths: color, frame, brakes derailers
Weaknesses: forks are anoying because they require constant attention to keep them at the right air preasure, the rims suck i think i have bent the back twice and had to replace the front, cranks are weak
Bottom Line:
not a bad beginer bike which is what i bought it for but once you start to get into it and do drops and jumps it doesnt hold up
Similar Products Used: kona muni mula rockymountain hammer race
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Donya
a Cross Country Rider
from Winston-Salem, NC
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2001
Strengths: Kona geometry: stiff 7005 works great in technical rocky singletrack of the Blue Ridge and Allegany Mts. Color: Magic Yellow reminds me of roadie-competition-gold. Makes bike easy to find when you endo into ferns. Value: can live with sub-par parts because I can upgrade spec the bike as the stock parts wear Durable. Cool AND Fun factor (vs. all the Treks, Fishers and Litespeeds here) versatile racer, urban assault, trials.
Weaknesses: Heavy. The rear triangle still seems chunky. Replaceable deraileur hanger is hard to get from Kona. Thankfully, the heavy Z5 balances everything out and I don't notice the weight until my boyfriend complains about lifting it onto the roof rack.
Sketchy on long west coast descents. Seems suited for my area. (NC-VA-WVA)
Skinny SDG seat feels good to me but replaced it when it started looking like cheese.
Bottom Line:
Looks great. Rides great. Not the best racer but the Nunu can do many things in town or on the trail. Gets glances even without its rider on it. Acessable "gateway drug" into Konaworld or Voodooworld geometry.
Similar Products Used: Vanadium Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo Cro-Mo Voo Doo Hoo Doo Trek 6000 Some blue Jamis with a 7005 frame.
Bike Setup: Stock stem, Z5 fork, handlebars, STX front derailleur, cables and left hand Shimano 85 shifter. Ritchey spindle crank w/BB. Onza bar ends, HOX pedals and tires. Cane Creek direct curve brakes. Thudbuster. Superstock wheelset w Sachs 8 speed. SRAM 9.0 drivetrain. Trigger bell.
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Submitted by
NICK WARDEN
a Downhiller
from KIPPAX, LEEDS, ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2001
Strengths: HANDLING ALL ROUND ABILITY LOW TOP TUBE THRASHABILITY
A GOOD FRAME WITH A FEW MINOR NIGGLES WHICH CAN BE TURNED INTO A DH/DS BEAST WITH A FEW MODS. ALSO kONA NEEDS TO REALISE THAT ALIVIO SAHIFTERS AND MECHS SHOULD NEVER BE ON A 600 QUID HARDTAIL.
Similar Products Used: MARIN QUAKE 5 GT TIMBERLINE MANY A JUMP BIKE A FEW DOWNHILL BIKES ORANGE PATRIOT, BULLIT, B-17 IF YOU CAN CALL IT A DH BIKE
Bike Setup: Z1 DROPOFFS, 24-7 BAR, STEM, SADDLE AND CRANKS, MAVIC D521'S ON BULB FRONT AND DEORE REAR DMR PEDALS CHAIN AND DEVICES SOON AN HOPE ENDURO 4 ON THE FRONT.
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Submitted by
Steve Mansfield
a Weekend Warrior
from York, England
Weaknesses: Buget fork, Front hub (own brand), Bottom bracket (lasts five minutes)!!
Bottom Line:
I was after a mid price, all day trail bike that was reasonably light, durable and extremely capable. I was drawn to the Kona brand by looks and reputation, and I found exactly what I was looking for. I get out on some pretty severe trails most weekends and the NuNu has never let me down. To sum it up in one word I would have to say "competent"............(and damn good fun)!!
Bike Setup: Have upgraded bottom bracket, forks (Marzocchi z4 air 100's), and wheels (Mavic x517's on Deore hubs with Tioga factory xc tyres (or is that "tires" across the pond)!
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield, England
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2001
Strengths: Frame geometry, nimble handling, light but stiff frame,
Weaknesses: Little fork travel. Seat is a pain in the arse (literally).
Bottom Line:
Good little XC bike, with great handling and a lovely finish. The fork could do with more travel. When bought, make sure you get a new saddle to avoid serious arse pains.
Strengths: its great, its a kona!!!! LX, Avid, Mavric, Bombers, and kona frame under 700!!!!!
Weaknesses: i broke before it did! i rode nearly everyday on it until i ruptured my spleen so im stuck here writing thisinstead of riding my bike! the saddle sucks!!! i but on a nice body geomerty, need clipless pedals!!!
Bottom Line:
great band for your buck! need a un bike to ride on weekends or all the time get one! youll love it...its made by kona!
Similar Products Used: trek 700, rock hopper, and others
Bike Setup: put on intence handle bars, casket stem, clipless pedals, THE fender, panarcaer xc pro, sun ringo rims, planing on geting new crank but not sure yet getting
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Submitted by
Patrick Ferguson
a Weekend Warrior
from College Station, TX
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000
Strengths: Frame Geometry Suspension
Weaknesses: Torture stump for a seat Mushy brakes
Bottom Line:
Hemmorhoid sufferers may want to stay off this bike b/c the seat really kills. I'm six-feet tall but was always too stretched out on my 930. This 19" bike fits me extremely well. VERY comfortable riding posture. On the contrary, if you have a longer torso or legs than average, you may find this bike a little cramped. May be solved w/ longer bar stems, though. Front derailleur, handlebars, and both brakes went out of adjustment soon after I bought the bike but this was due to poor assembly at the shop where I purchased it (repaired for 0$). Mine came with the Rock Shox Jett; would probably want to upgrade to Bombers or Judy's if I start trail-riding multiple times a week. Excellent value. Paid almost the same money for this aluminium bike as I did my CroMo Trek when I bought it two years ago. Red paint job isn't bad either. For someone who wants a campus bike that will serve them just as well beating the trails on the weekends, this is a great bike. Wouldn't have bought this bike if my Trek hadn't been stolen. After riding the Kona, I wouldn't know whether to break the theif's hand or shake it. HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!! (but not necessarily in that order)
Similar Products Used: '98 Trek 930 Circ. '94 Giant Iguana
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Brooks
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Strengths: This bike has a great feel, mainly because of the weight distribution. Solid, dependable and can be an excellent bike with a few choice upgrades.
Weaknesses: Saddle sucks and broke after my first good wipe-out. Get clipless pedals. I don't like the tires so much on dry dusty trails but they do great otherwise.
Bottom Line:
Super bike for the money, got it for $550. Climbs well for an 8 speed. Great color and best of all you won't blend in with all the other Treks and GT's out there. Absolutely no complaints.
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000
Strengths: Solid frame construction Well thought out geometry Decending ability solid knobby stock tires "feels" like a dream
Weaknesses: Stock fork (RST) and cranks
Bottom Line:
About a year ago I wrote a review soon after purchasing my Kona. It is a year later, several broken/replaced parts and a new fork and I can still say I am pleased as pie. Kona hails from the great Northwest and the handling of the NuNu seems to be perfect for the rooty muddy single-track I found around the Seattle area (the Tapeworm is a great ride for all you soggy Seattlites looking for a quick fix). Now I have moved to Colorado with its sweeping rocky dusty single track. The Nunu continues to perform. Comparing my ride to the Stratos or Hammer, I found the NUNu cockpit to be more suited to my frame. In all cases, the handling of the alum NuNu is just as quick as the Rocky Mtns. While, i will always feel that Kona's geometry was designed with the NW in mind, I can honestly say that you will get your monies worth with any Kona that you are interested in purchasing. So, with the change in fork, I still give the Nunu 5 flaming chilis!
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Stratos and Hammer
Bike Setup: Stock: AVID 2.0/ STX cranks/ Ritchey Logic Clipless/ sun rims/ In-house tires Replaced: Stock fork with Marzocchi Z2 Bam Rear Derailleur with XT Headset with Kore
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Submitted by
Mr. Hortonics
a Cross Country Rider
from Whitehorse Yukon
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000
Strengths: Very nice shocks after I broke it in. Smooth ride.
Bike Setup: changed: z1 bam rhino lite rim mavic 521 race face seat post fulcrum saddle rocky mountain platform peddals fat tires wider handlebars
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Submitted by
Matt White
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000
Strengths: awesome on the downhill sharp looking
Weaknesses: seat deteriorates touch heavy
Bottom Line:
I love the feel of this bike's ride - especially winding down a steep slope. It climbs well, but because it isn't the lightest thing it could be better. What got me to buy it was the bombers, the color, and the price. I have had rear casette problems, but otherwise I haven't been disappointed. Solid buy.
