Submitted by
logan
a Cross Country Rider
from concord, ca
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Strengths: fits my body awesome! smooth riding, respectable components, killer looks w/Matching Z3's!!!!
Weaknesses: loose handgrip is the only bad
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is, this bike rocks! I test rode everything out there, even multiple times per bike. I was sold on the Trek 7500, but then I got on the "unstoppable flow of life," (pahoehoe). After test riding the two bikes back to back, the killer Kona made the very nice Trek feel and ride like a $100 K-mart special. I've ridden this bike very hard over, around, and practically through the huge, harsh boulders of Tahoe, through the mud, sand, hardpack and leaves around home and Love the bike. The Tioga's grip like crazy, but watch the front tire on fast, harpack turns. the bike's geometry is superb, the components have ridden me smoothly and well for three harsh riding years. I'm planning on keeping this sucker for years to come and you'd better believe someone's going to have to give me the universe's greatest deal to get me to buy anything other than a Kona when the next one is necessary. The ride, compared to my last (and first) mt. bike -- a great stiffy, Diamond Back Topanga -- is expectedly better with the Z3's and v-brakes. I'm not sure what everyone is talking about w/the harsh ride, but then again, I'm 125 lbs. I don't have that problem, actually, the seat/seatpost combo. seem to have some decent flex in them; enough to feel like there's a mini-shock on the seatpost . . .and there is not. I love this bike and you will too! Get a Kona, gather stares and inquiries and enjoy the trails!!
Similar Products Used: Diamond Back Toponga (1991-99)
Bike Setup: just wore out the original Tioga's, moved to locking grips, evrytng else is Aok original
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Strengths: Light, stiff, good components ...
Weaknesses: Some crappy parts that you can ( and will !) change enventually... BB, headset, handlebar, saddle, pedales,tires... you know ..the usual.
Bottom Line:
Oh man ... The bike is to me like "Days of our live" is to my Mom, like a chocolate fudge sunday to a weightwatcher. You always want some ..and then you want more. Easy to roll, easy to carry ... but beware! if you dont pay attention... Easy to steal! If your looking for a fast bike, a good looking bike, a light bike, a "afordable HT" to someday upgrade... Kona has built the Pahoehoe for you.
Similar Products Used: First Mountain bike ... If you don't count the mighty CCM Marauder that croaked a coupple ao years ago.
Bike Setup: XT/Lx, Michelin wildgripper srint tires, XO selle Italia sadle, race face Kevlar handlebars, Chris King Headset, time atac pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Add Boy yes
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001
Strengths: Light weight frame only 3.2 LBS, KONA geometry is awesome. Easton Ultralight is very strong. Can't go wrong with the XT package
Weaknesses: Haven't found one yet.
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for about 2 months now and it is awesome. i purchased the frame only and built it to perfection. Very light, and the KONA geometry allows more of my upper body to be a factor of my riding. I seriously recommend this for the avid rider that does not let the cobwebs build in the garage. If you are ever in Gainesville, FL stop into Spin Cycle and i will hook you up with a fat deal on one.
Bike Setup: XRT rear derr. XT front derr, brakes, and shifters. Thompson stem and seatpost. Judy XC fork. Raceface BB, cranks, Specialized wheels and tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001
Strengths: Easton Ultralight frame, Bomber, brakes. Good component mix for the money. Handling, climbing, stopping.
Weaknesses: As previously mentioned, ride is noticeably more harsh than my 10 year old steel Trek.
Bottom Line:
My first 'modern' mtb. This thing rocks. The difference in acceleration, climbing ability, and stiffness offset the overall loss of cush compared to the old steel beastie. With the heavy springs,I weigh about 180, the fork feels great. The adjustable brake modulation and Arch Rivals work very well. The only problem is not the bikes fault. I got a deal on a 17", and it's just a wee bit small. The size chart says up to 5' 10"... well im just shy of that, and the bike squishes me up a little. Bottom line, buy one. 5 overturned fuel trucks....
Bike Setup: Basically stock except for Yeti grips, Shimano 545's, heavy springs in the Bomber.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Leigh Courtney
a Downhiller
from North Gower,Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2001
Strengths: This is a great little bike, I bought it out of desperation and I can't believe it. I am teaching English in S. Korea, and my first ride got stolen. This was the next best thing, but the money they want for bikes here is scandalous. I have used it for Trials stuff mostly, and it takes it like a good stead should. I dropped off several things five feet and more with no problems. Soon to come I imagine.
Weaknesses: Those grips that everyone talks about, The cranks gotta go, I just wish there was disk tabs on the back.
Bottom Line:
This is my first time on a Kona, I never thought much about them before. I will buy another when I need to, this bike is so much fun it hurts. I will try racing it here in Korea on the downhill course and see how it goes. This bike is over built and i think it can take the abuse.
Similar Products Used: Norco Charger set up to go down FAST, Trek's, G.T.'s,
Bike Setup: Basically stock right now, but the upgrades are coming. New cranks KOOKA, a new fork, maybe a Z1 drop-off, a disk on the front, and better brakes on the back.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado springs, co
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000
Strengths: great climber; can really thrash it and this baby still ticks. stock bomber (z3) is killer. scored my bike off a dude who supposedly bought it for his girlfriend, who in turn never shared his love for mtbing. this bad boy was about as good as new when I picked it up; great componentry for the price. I am sold on Kona mtbikes no doubt; they have a loyal customer in me (converted fisherite). I've just recently (w/i the last 6 mos or so) gotten back into the game after having (or, should I say, the wife having) a few bambinoes. this rig has totally lit my fire.
Weaknesses: a bit yeavy; stock tioga's; those freakin' grips--just awful; ritchey logic pedals
Similar Products Used: schwinn homegrown elite; fisher paragon and hookoo, various cannondales and treks
Bike Setup: 16 in; lx crankset, front der, and shifters; xt rear der, avid 4.0 arch rival brakes; ritchey rear hub, shimano front hub, mavic 221s, 9 spd cassette; mich wildgrippers; specialized pro-long evo saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bikecrash
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, NZ
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000
Strengths: Excellent quality frame, lightweight
Weaknesses: Really crap plastic "grips" - in inverted commas as these things just don't grip at all.
Bottom Line:
Went on a recent trip to a number of NZ spots - if you visit New Zealand with your bike go to Rotorua and ride at Whakarewarewa forest - great single track. Anyway, the bike was great through singletrack: so lightweight and nimble, easy to throw about into corners, climbs brilliantly like everyone says, just great fun to ride. As the guy below says it is way harsh on yer arse compared to steel - just get out of the saddle over bumps! I also felt the frame sometimes felt a little too light, perhaps a bit fragile over harsh hits. It is definitely a lightweight X-country machine, don't try any big jumps. Overall, still a great bike, and it looks the biz.
Bike Setup: As per the first review below - must get some new grips!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Len
a Weekend Warrior
from burlington, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000
Strengths: good geometry, excellent for climbing or playing around on single track.
Weaknesses: Red grips....lose the pedals.....real stiff compared to the old steel frame.....I also keep flying over the bars for some odd reason????
Bottom Line:
I bought this as my second mountain bike after trashing the first one I bought 8 years ago....I have no complaints about this bike...no regrets. The bike as is is excellent. Its light and climbs like a dream due to the geometry. Its a little harsh on the down hills but makes up for it on the climbs. The rear end is real stiff as compared to my old steel frame, but I would never go back now. I would recommend that anyone intersted in buying a complete bike that rides by itself buy the pahoehoe...my next bike will also be a KONA.
Bike Setup: trashed a brake level, I upgrade...trashed a front rim, upgraded that to. swaped the pedals for my old 747's
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Pat
a Cross Country Rider
from Livingston, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000
Strengths: Super Plush Z3 fork, EASTON FRAME, bike climbs like a doped mountain goat!! Its AWSOME
Weaknesses: Nothing
Bottom Line:
Who wouldn't want this bike!!? It does everything! From the narliest downhills to the tightest singletrack it handles superbly. Bash the hell out of it, and put it away wet!! If your in the market for a bike under $1500 buy a Kona. That's all there is to it!
Similar Products Used: Trek, cannondale f700 g-badge
Bike Setup: Stock except judy race fork
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bikecrash
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, NZ
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1999
Strengths: lightweight, quality frame and geometry, quality, plush forks. It's a Kona, 'nuff said.
Weaknesses: very wide riser bar, grips too thin and gear change v. erratic, Heavy tyres
Bottom Line:
Great looking bit of kit, lots of admiring views on street and trail. Excellent frame, tho quite harsh on rear end compared to old steel bike. Flies uphill, so lightweight and nimble, quite incredible, no full sus could be as efficient out of the seat etc. Nice riding position when bar is trimmed a few inches each end. The fork is super plush and makes even the most rugged trail feel like a smooth carpet; though that does reduce the feeling of speed it improves the ride and actually makes riding much quicker and more comfortable. Only problem is with changing gear, the Pahoehoe rear derailleur has a mind of its own and changes up and down the gears every time I start to climb, and when i jump off a kerb. Bloody annoying, and it also happened to a friend's Kona Lava Dome, so it might be a Kona fault. But it will be fixed by my LBS i hope! Otherwise, superb frame and bits, looks a million $ and rides like it too! I'd give it 4 and a half, but since I can't and it makes me want to get on and ride it even when it's in my hallway, it gets 5 flaming things.
Weaknesses: There is no avoidin the enevitable upgrade (BB, crank,tires)
Bottom Line:
If you see a store that carries Konas, buy this bike. It is a great trail bike, its fast, perdictable, quick and fun to ride. Howerver, you will have to do some upgrading eventually if you ride hard and like to jump or do downhill. So, anyways, if you like riding a fun bike and still want to kick ass on the race coarse, and you want to take the first step in creating the ultamit bike then buy this bike.
Similar Products Used: Trek 7000, Kona Hahanna, speacilized rockhopper, and a who lot of other bikes.
Bike Setup: Kona Pahoehoe with CT2 bar, Race Face Crank, XT front brake and BB, XTR rear brake, 9.0sl shifters and rear derailer, Mavic CrossLinks, and Panaracer FireXCPro 2.1 tires.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Hammersley
a Cross-Country Rider
from Shiga, Japan
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999
Strengths: Easton Ultralite frame Avid brakes Shimano component group
Weaknesses: Red handgrips Interloc seatpost Ritchey Logic Sport pedals
Bottom Line:
Kona's put together an excellent bike. The Marzocchi Z3 is a little too plush for my liking, but that can be remedied easily. I had my first race last weekend with my new Kona, and what a difference! It climbs like it has a motor, and the Z3 handles the rough stuff on the way down. I was unsure about the 4lb shock on such a light frame before I rode it, but I find it helps keep the front tire in the dirt on steep uphills. The Pahoehoe is an excellent bike that deserves 5 stars, but because of the red handgrips (???), the pedals, and a bent seatpost (after only one week), I'm only going to give it 4. If you are considering the Pahoehoe, take it for a test ride. I doubt you will find a better bike for the price.
