Submitted by
Deacon Chapin
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, New Hampshire, USA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Strengths: Sweet frame, excellent fork choice, soft as butter. Good spec on the Tioga tires, good wheels and brakes, very responsive bike overall.
Weaknesses: FRONT DERAILLIEUR!!! Toe clips (huh?)
Bottom Line:
fantastic bike. I have just recently outgrown my 18" frame, as I am now 6'3", and have a year 2001 Giant XtC NRS 1, and it is nice, but it doesn't have the same responsive feel as the Kona. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a reliable steed. It is also very light for the price.
Similar Products Used: Trek 7000, and 8000, KHS Alite XC
Bike Setup: I rode it stock for awhile (except the pedals, I switched to Time ATAC pedals), then added full XTR, Easton CT2 seatpost, and handlebar, Easton EA50 stem, ODI lock-on grips, Hutchinson tires, Selle Italia saddle
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Submitted by
Michael Lund
a Weekend Warrior
from Århus, Denmark
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2002
Strengths: Good frame that makes a responsive bike that is a pleasure to ride (for a hardtail). Crank and rear deraileur are nice and the avidbrakes are nice. The key thing is the marzocchi fork: it is great so get the 1999 or 2000 model they changed it to rock shox for the 2001 model (bummer)
Weaknesses: Front deraileur, toe clips (what where they thinking:o), The handlebar has a huge rise and is very thick. the stem could be upgraded. Cheap pedals. grips are slippy.
Bottom Line:
This bike has a good value for the money, and it is upgradable because it has a good frame. im happy with it and i would only consider fullsuspension, this is a great xcbike.
Similar Products Used: Kona lava dome, Kona NUNU, tried my buddy´s Santa cruz Bullit...
Bike Setup: Original exept, planet x pedals, lock on grips, selle italia max flite saddle, splash guard and other stuff.
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Submitted by
Peter Mandal
a Weekend Warrior
from Ireland/Australia
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2002
Strengths: Just an all-round great bike! Notably: Marzocchi fork Shimano deraileurs Cool colour! Very comfortable... Light (for me)
Weaknesses: None that I've noticed. I've been upgrading as things break. (NOT a contradiction!)
Bottom Line:
I use this bike mainly for commuting and have put about 2000km on it since getting the bike in late October 2001. I'm TRYING to get off road more, honestly!
And for this purpose I find it ideal. It could be either a pure commuter (It is geared well to go fast on teh commute) or a pure XC, part DH bike or (my hope) both!
I bought the bike second hand from one 'not-so-carefull' owner. But most things were straight and teh price was right.
Teh Shocks are great, teh bike feels right!
I'm not 'easy' on bikes being in teh 100kg range and reasonably strong.
I have busted a few things, crank, spokes and rim on the rear and have replaced where necessary.
I am very happy with this bike and, as others have stated, it provides a great foundation for future upgrades as necessary and did I mention it rides very well too!
Similar Products Used: Various bikes since I was 4 (a LONG time ago), most recently a stiff framed Coventry Eagle MTB for 4 years. Before that various high quality road bikes.
Bike Setup: Got this bike with a few upgrads already done: Standard except the previous owner had changed the Stem to an Azonic Shorty, rear hub to LX, rear derailleur to LX.
I've since changed both wheels to Mavic X222 on XT Disc Hubs (got a reasonable deal after busting my back wheel), XT front derailleur (had Alivio), more comfy saddle, M424 clipless pedals.
Busted teh Truvativ cranks and ended up having to put FSA Powerpros on (or not have teh bike over Christmas), also changed the bottom bracked to XT at the same time.
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Submitted by
Ryk
a Cross Country Rider
from Stellenbosch, South Africa
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2001
Strengths: Good strong frame and fork. Nice components and especially the colour!!
Weaknesses: Rims tends to bend a little when you drive into a huge holes full of rocks and a trolleys at speeds higher that 50km/h
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike today and avoid huge holes with rocks and trolleys in them. The rims are very strong, but not good for huge holes. Very nice fork (Z5) and everything else is excellent!
Similar Products Used: Kona Hahannah, Schwinn Mesa DSX, Kona Pahoehoe(very nice, but expensive) Kona Blast, Kona Stab Primo(not mine),Diamondback Vectra
Strengths: The Frames light and so far, very strong, also easily ugradable
Weaknesses: piece of $%*# rock shox and piece of $%*# stem and handle bars/grips
Bottom Line:
this bike is great if you don't plan on permanently riding the stock parts, but will a good sized amount of upgrades you can turn this bike into anything you want with the highly versitile frame and majority of stock parts
Strengths: -Value -good alround bike -ready for upgrading -glow in the dark stickers -it doesnt have sh*tty-ass rockshox
Weaknesses: relativly small issues, all are fixed: -cranks suck the big one, they come loose every 5 mins -bars flexy -toe clips -hella long xc stem -front der. -rims could be put up a notch but thats ok -stickers come off easily
Bottom Line:
Great bike for xc, and with a few upgrades like mine, it could become a beginner freeride bike. Awesome value for the parts.
keep in mind i didn't know too much about sizing when i bought this bike:
Goldstream Ave. Cycles is a gay-as bike shop. I was 5'0" when i bought this bike. Those losers sold me an 18" bike!! thats at least two sizes too big. They also sold me a helmet too big. when i ride off the cerb it frikin tumbles off my head. i would have a much better mtb experience without those money-hungry baastards.
Bike Setup: RaceFace risers, axiom DH stem, ring god, platform petals, rokko DH 2.4 tyres, the rest stock
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Submitted by
danny
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001
Strengths: Frame is fairly light and strong!
Weaknesses: Decals tend to peel after a while...
Bottom Line:
So far, this bike has met everything that everybody has showered compliments on. The geometry encourages u to climb and ride from the saddle. The weight of the frame complements this geometry by allowing u to do so with relative ease. A real revealation after my experience with the GT Aggressor. Keep it up, Kona! A value for money XC raceable bike!
Bike Setup: Kore stem, RS front forks, LX cranks, LX front D, XT rear D, XT hubs front and rear.
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethlehem, PA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2001
Strengths: Great frame and forks, awsome color
Weaknesses: wide ass bar
Bottom Line:
I'm 220 lbs. and I am very suprised at how solid this bike is. I've launched off some good stuff during an old BMX flashback and felt every bit as confident. The components are acceptable and will be easy to upgrade. Kind of starting to really like the tires, too. I recommend this bike to anyone looking for a quality bike for a good price. Let's face it, who really cares if a component breaks. It's the frame that's really going to send you home in tears.
Submitted by
teddy
a Cross Country Rider
from harrington park, New Jersey, United States
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001
Strengths: z5 fork is so nice and the truvativ firex cranks are really strong, and the frame has a really good jumping geometry
Weaknesses: the drivetrain should be a lot better but everything else is awesome
Bottom Line:
this a really good bike and you can't get a better bike for this price. i'm really glad i got the 2000 model instead of the 2001 because the 2000 has the z5 fork and i think it's just a much better bike than anything else out there
Similar Products Used: schwinn mesa,kona caldera,kona stuff,kona roast,k2 Zed se
Bike Setup: just some wellgo platform peddles and i'm going to upgrade the whole drivetrain soon
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Ada, Mi
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001
Strengths: Awesome frame, it's designed to put most of your weight in the back, so when you go up hills you get more power. Great wheels. All of the Shamino componets are awesome.
Weaknesses: The handlebar is way to wide for trail riding, and the grips suck! Seat could be changed.
Bottom Line:
This could be a great bike for anyone. It's on the road as well as off. The best part of the bike is gotta be the frame though. Basically this is a great, and very dependable cross-country bike.
Similar Products Used: Any cross-country front suspension bike.
Bike Setup: 23" Straight Handlebar New Grips Specialized sport seat
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Submitted by
ZACH
a Cross Country Rider
from ON CANADA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001
Strengths: Great value, long travel forks, durable drivetrain, clean shifting, crazy colour, most comfortable geometry this six footer has ever had, disc brake ready. Rides like a motor cross or a harley with the long forks! I like this alot it!
Weaknesses: broke the cheap seatpost immediately, very dangerous design flaw in the bolt, dropped the heavy too wide bar for a light narrower riser, weak rims, squeaky yet comfy seat. Heavy but what do you expect? It's affordable!
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the guy who grew up and got too busy to race. Durable, great value, best geometry, responsive, stable and well built. For the price it really is spec'd well and the long travel shock while basic is plush and sweet! Lose the bar and post. Put up with the weight!
Similar Products Used: Older Kona cinder cone and an old RM Hammer
Bike Setup: Thud Buster seatpost (best ever!) new lighter risers, SPD downhill/BMX pedals all the rest is stock and holding up well
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Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from Great Falls, VA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001
Strengths: Like everyone says: Damn good frame and fork...and then you have decent components that back everything those two essentials up. The wheels take a good amount of abuse while I ride and have stayed pretty well true...and these are the base Mavic rims here...go figure. The paint job for the 2000 sets it apart from all others...sorry to see it go black for '01 (and drop the z5...quite glad I got the 2000!)
Weaknesses: The stem and bar flex flex flex...but that's what one gets on a bike priced like it is. The cranks flex far too much...but again, does one expect Race Face Turbine lps to come stock???
Bottom Line:
I have only made this bike heavier than it already was. But what one gets in weight, one also gets in strength! I had to replace the fork seals after 4 months...but that's life. Because the z5 is an air fork, one can ride with blown seals for a good while and not worry about damaging the fork...the oil just leaks out little by little...no worries. Going to be beafing up the drive train with most likely Race Face gear and a 2 ring + a rock bash gaurd instead of the 3 ring set up. I am quite pleased with how everything has held up, and how much this bike lends itself to upgrades...you start with a good platform and it begs to be modified to ones personal taste. Sure you can get a similar frame stripped and pick and choose...you pay out the ass though! It is a great bike to start out on...I bet a pro would have a good time on it. Where this bike is good in '00 with the fork and paint...it goes to hell in '01...even if some of the components are upgraded. All derailers and levers/shifters are stock on my bike. Whenever there is a problem I take it up to my LBS and it rides like a dream afterwards...meaning I don't need XTR everything in order to enjoy my rides! Ride on and enjoy!
Similar Products Used: none to speak...my ald Trek 800 rigid is not in the same league
Bike Setup: Azonic Shorty stem with an Azonic PDW 1.5" riser bar (gram watchers need not apply!). ODI lock jaw grips. Sun/Ringle platform pedals. Selle San Marco Race Day Bontrager cut saddle (definitely a good one)
Strengths: Frame suprised me with the beatings it's with stood. love the beef in the Kona riser Bars, Great fork for the Price Range... too bad they dropped it for '01
Weaknesses: For your average Joe there aren't many weaklinks in this Bike. ?It didn't come with a KickStand???? I guess I would have liked a little better wheelset for the price and I always want bigger tires
Bottom Line:
Greta bike for the price, i bought mine to rehab a BMX injury, spd an all it handled great fro cross country runs now I think I Dirt Jump it more than my BMX bikes, has held up to some major abuse, I've snapped several BMX frames with what I've put this MTB through. Has great gussets without going to overboard... allthough I think I'm gonna buy a Kona Chute or an Arrow next. Ya know with all the weight gaining upgrades I've thrown on mine, I put my 2 yearold son in a trailer clipped to the back and can still out ride a lot of the gram shaving freaks through some decent after work single track... and have on a few occasions. SO if your looking for a great starter ride for yourself or your wife...or just a great upgrade from the WallyWorld special you've been cruisen, take a big step in the right direction, it's worth twice what you were gonna pay for that crappy bottom of the barrel full suspention... besides who wants to be a spounge monkey anyway???????
Similar Products Used: Schwinn, K2, Raleigh, Giant, Gary Fisher, ...Trek(but don't tell anyone) Klien, Specialized, I think damn near every bike store brand there was, except Cannondale.. won't ever
Bike Setup: Bars are chopped about 3/4" on each side, Single rign up front w/ makeshift chain guide, upgraded to Sunn Mammoth rims, Brake arches reenforced, threw some BMX caged Platform Pedals on... waiting to throw some Profile cranks or the Kona Tubular Cromoly cranks on
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Submitted by
Ryan Hogan
a Downhiller
from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2001
Strengths: The Z5 is the best possible fork for this price range. Kills anything else in the field. (Rocks, RST's, ext.) For the price this bike is deadly. Love the frame design and love all kona's riser bars.
Weaknesses: The Avid brakes started to squeak within a month and cranks are kind of weak. Front rings are pretty weak and bent the first time I banged them up. Both derailier's aren't the best.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line: By far the greatest bike for the money. Couple hundred bucks in upgrades and you've got a bike that will easily compair to anything in the $1500 - $2000 dollar price range. I recommend anyone who is starting off or is low on cash to buy this bike right away.
Similar Products Used: For price this bike compairs to nothing. For the bike itself, I thought it was alot like the Rocky Mountain Oxygen race or Kona's muni mula.
Bike Setup: Stock mostly, new clipless pedals, new brakes, new derailiers, cranks and front rings
