Submitted by
Justin Goodnow
a Downhiller
from Princeton, Massachusetts, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003
Strengths: This Thing Is Strong! Im 205 now, and b4 now i was almost 230 (thanks to this bike too). I have ridden this bike HARD for a few years now. It hasn't broken craked, or anythying, i love it! I have ridden any sort of terrain, mountian, alot of DJ and trials, maybe i just go the best of the batch made, but i am still surprised at this thing.
Weaknesses: Well, id have to say it would be having no disc tabs, and the fact that the der/ hanger is not replacable. I fell 2 days ago and i think i have found the demise of my trusty lava, i broke it off, and now im in the gutter... other than that, buy this if u can find it! (only in steel tho, the alum. version, form what i heard, bites the weenie)
Bottom Line:
THis bite is, i dunno. Maybe i just got lucky, but i can say i dont suck, so its not that i dont ride it hard. Maybe i just got a good one, i don't know. Its a 2001 Lavadome, and its the bike. Im 205 now, and abouti 6 foot 4, i ride like 2-3 hours after school, rip skateparks, a little DJ here and there, alot or urban trials, alot of Aaron chase stuff. EaStCoAsT HaRdCoRe!!! i just ride the hell outta this frame, and for what i paid and put into it, im extremely happy, plus its a kona, so u know your not getting bottom line stuff. Even as it was stock, it held up good, al your really need is a single front chainring, new rims, and a new fork, i didn't upgrade the rest till last summer when it all finally broke, but thats after 2 years hard riding, trust me, you won't be dis appointed w/ this bie.
Similar Products Used: P.2/3, roast/chute/stuff/scrap/scab, and all my friends bike, i still like the feel of this one tho
Bike Setup: umm, the only stock part on the frame is the seatpost. 2001 Psylo SL, pro-max mech. front disc/rotor. Joy-Tech disc hubs, ryno-lites front and rear, rear Arch Rival, XT rear der, STX rear shifter (i like the steel inners to the new plastic ones) Turbine LP square aperlock w/raceface bb, custom made MRP boomerang with 36 tooth blackspire ring, avid levers, BERERKER seat, pazzaz fatty bars (huge, light, unbreakable, and an szonic shorty stem.
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Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA
You simply cannot beat the quality ride that the frame provides. Nice touches like Ritchey rear drop-outs round out the frame. Quality issues like those listed above detract from the build experience, but can be overcome. Provides a ride that easily equals that of the Breezer, and far exceeds that of any Alu frame. Too bad Kona stopped making the frame. Buy one if you can find it.
Similar Products Used: Breezer Lightening, Specialized Stumpjumper (Steel and A-1)
Bike Setup: Nicely, Thank you.
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Submitted by
justin
a Cross Country Rider
from hillville nj
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001
Bottom Line:
This is really a review about kona quality. I have a three year old lava dome (when they still made the chromo) and it has been an unbelievable bike. this bike opened up the world of offroading to me, and took every abusing ride with ease. i am now moving on to better things (customized jamis komodo) because i am a more experience rider, but to me, you cant get a better bike than this. this bike has lasted me what seems like forever with very little maintenance. i bashed and smashed and just totally beat the crap out of it and it has only done good things for me. the parts, although not nearly top-of-the-line, have held up to everything as well as the frame. it still runs like a charm (although i would have to replace the cassette if i were to still ride it because its worn down from so much use). the bottom line is, if the new lava dome is anything like the old one and youre looking for a bike in the $600 range, forget every other bike youve ever seen and go get this bike. i know they changed to an aluminum frame, but its still a kona. if youre looking for a bike to get started in serious mountain biking, this is the one. ive put this bike through hell and its still the same sweet ride as when i bought it. i would give it more than five chilis for price because it gives you so much with that $600 price tag but i can only give five. overall, five big ones because i just completely love this bike.
Strengths: Can't beat the price for a bike of this quality. Just remember you aren't getting a race bike for 500 - 600. Like the steel frame
Weaknesses: The shocks were terrible (what do expect for the price). They were replaced before it left the shop. Front derailer had to be recabled within 75 miles of use.
Bottom Line:
Hey...for the money, you can't beat the bike. I like the ride of a steel frame, and while I am not a hardcore downhiller, this bike handles rough trails fairly well. Don't go into this thinking your getting a highend bike. Was bought with the intent of replacing components with higher end gear as they wear out. This bike is more than enough for any cross country and trail rider. Front derailer when haywire within 75 miles and the shop recabled and tuned it while I waited. Can't beat service. My next bike (if I ever wear this one out) is definately going to be a Kona!!!
Weaknesses: Front shifting - shifter/derailleur/adjustment?
Bottom Line:
I was riding a Cannondale Hybrid for the last five yrs, but wanted to try real mtn biking. I was able to get a good deal on this bike "lightly used". The bike is light for entry-level $$ (27#). The geometry is aggressive and the components work well. I will upgrade the parts as they wear out - starting with the fork and shifters. The saddle is a bit hard, but I probably just need to ride more. I would recommend this bike to anyone interested in entry-level or intermediate biking. To get anything better, you will have to spend big $$$.
Similar Products Used: Test rode Schwinn Mesa GSX, Trek 6500.
Bike Setup: Stock Kona - Alivo/Deore drivetrain, Jett Fork, etc.
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Submitted by
Tracy
a Weekend Warrior
from Anchorage, Ak USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001
Strengths: I'm pretty hard on my bikes-this one has lasted me three years without a dent. I love the feel of the trail that you get through the frame and the fact that I seem to be more stable than a lot of my friends while we're "trail riding." It even feels great while I'm commuting the 50 or so miles to work each week. Superb for both trails and roads. Buy this bike if you're a first timer or a seasoned rider looking for a good bike to knock around.
Weaknesses: I still can't adjust the shocks to fit the terrain correctly (probably operator error...) and I had to replace the stem straight off since I needed a different angle. A little heavy, but it's steel; a good trade off for the strength.
Bottom Line:
Great bike! I'll buy another one when (IF) I can wear this one out....
Strengths: frame strength & geomerty...(& low weight for its price class). Overall durability, handling, and climbing. Raceable. Good value parts. Overall low weight for the price, 27#.
Weaknesses: Front fork (no real damping -- will pole-go on rough descents), seatpost (bent two)
Bottom Line:
Strong and fast bike, fun to ride and upgrade as the parts wear out.
Deserving of a fork Upgrade, such as a Marz. Z2 or even a Z1, a fork with an effective damping.
Excellent overall mtb and a good starting point for a beg./sport racer.
Bike Setup: atom BOMBER Z2, titanium seat post, Selle gel Ti. saddle, Chris King headset, alum. Marin low riser bar, clip-less pedals.
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Submitted by
L Hooper
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001
Strengths: First and foremost this frame is perfect! The geometry, the feel and most of all the strength. I have beaten the hell out of this bike and had to replace many components, but the reason I purchased this bike was the frame and it has not let me down. The 4130 Cromoly from Kona has a lifetime warranty, you can't beat that in a mountain bike industry that has gone aluminum crazy with warrantys ranging from 1 - 5 years. The bottom line is you only save about 1 lb by buying an aluminum framed bike, but give up strength and feel. As for the rest of the bike it has a good mix of parts for a beginning, rider, or a rider who isn't sure they want to invest a lot of money into a sport they might not like.
Weaknesses: The Rock Shox are horrible. For me they aren't that bad, but I am light. A heavier rider would have to change out the forks immediately. The rear Mavic X138 I had to replace after my first ride. It bent so bad I had to take it off my bike and stand on it to straighten it. I had to ride 10 miles in some fairly technical terrain without rear brakes, needless to say I was not happy. And of course Kona would not warranty the rim.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a good steel framed bike this could be the one for you. If you are looking for a bike with great components, this is not this bikes strong suit. As you can see I have switched out just about every original component.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Fisher, Schwinn, GT (All do not offer a steel framed bike anymore)
Bike Setup: 14" Lava Dome, LX & XT Drivetrain, Manitou SX-R front suspension, Thompson seatpost, Control Tach neck, Anawer Pro Taper handlebars and Bontrager Mustangs on WTB Velociraptor XC rubber.
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Submitted by
Bruno Azevedo
a Cross Country Rider
from Fallon,Nevada,U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000
Strengths: Price...great components for what you are paying and the bike feels solid and well balanced. I really like the steel frame
Bottom Line:
I have not owned a bike with suspension,prior to this one , but have had the oportunity to ride a few of them ,I tested some of others on the marked that did not have the "this is the one" feeling that the Kona Lava Dome had right at the get go ... I think that the price also had a lot to do with that , specially being my 1st good bike. I was told that the fork should be upgraded to a stronger performance fork , considering I'm 6'3" and about 190 Lbs. Well it's working just fine as is ...
Bike Setup: Replaced Kona seatpost with USE SX suspension seatpost , also replaced pedal and stem (I needed a little higher angle )
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Submitted by
Steve Hill
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000
Strengths: Solidly built. Very nimble and easy to chuck about the place. Great fun!
Weaknesses: General MTB problem I have - easy to make the chain jump off the front gears. I'll investigate fitting a jockey for when I go off-road.
I also think I've worn out the bottom bracket in 3 months! Mind you, I do 65miles+ per week in commuting.
Bottom Line:
Very pleased. This is the first 'decent' bike I've ever bought, and so I could easily recommend this to anyone new to mountain biking. The front suspension really helped when racing friends (who both own near £1000-rigid bikes) down a massive bumpy hill - I could simply pedal like crazy and not worry about flying over the bars. Looking forward to my next group off-road outing.
Submitted by
Dan Zybala
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo,Ontario,Canada
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000
Strengths: Great ride for the price of the bike I'm really happy with I've raced a few races with it and it held up just find a amazing bike for the price!
Weaknesses: The fork I would of liked to get a Marzocchi fork on but other than that pretty good components for the price.
Bottom Line:
The bottom Line on this bike is that it's a great bike for the price great components for an intermediate rider or a beginner and sport racer though only thing needed to upgrade on this bike is clipless pedals and a marzocchi bomber fork!
Similar Products Used: Kona Fire Mountain and Rocky Mountain Fusion
Bike Setup: Great setup I like the steel frame and I love the riser bars on this bike.
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000
Strengths: Lively steel frame Good components for the price
Weaknesses: none so far, as long as you're not expecting the world for under $600
Bottom Line:
After looking at a lot of different bikes in the $500-$1000 range, and checking out the component mix available, Kona seemed like a good value. I tested out 4 different models, and it came down to the steel frame feeling better under me than aluminum, especially given my size (6', 200+ lbs). It feels really nimble and wants to climb. The Marzocchi forks available on upper models would have plushed it out even more, but the Rock Shox are holding up better than I thought. Props to R & E Bicycles in Seattle for the extra-attentive service and to Kona for making a quality product!
