Submitted by
jeff Millar
a Cross Country Rider
from London, ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001
Strengths: durable i have beaten the hell out of it, but it keeps on going, light, cheap
Weaknesses: front sticker came off 1 month after i got it, i broke 2 teeth of my cassette sprocket, i also broke the seat post bolt, but other than that nothing major, Jetts not very good also i broke the chain.
Bottom Line:
I am really hard on my bike but it has held up decently well, cyclepath was a great place to buy it cause they will do some work for free and also offered great discounts. i love the colour of the nunu and i think it is a great beginner bike but an upgrade to maz z4 would be advised. but other than that the Kona NUNU is a great bike
Submitted by
Dustin Long
a
from Buckhannon, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001
Strengths: frame rocks, awesome colors, takes abuse easily, is lighter than my old bike(pacific)
Weaknesses: front glow in the dark sticker came off FAST
Bottom Line:
this bike rules!! everybody complains about the fork, but it seems alright to me. this bike is perfect for entry-level riders(like me). this bike will take SO MUCH abuse!! a great bike for the price
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Sugar 3(my friend has one and he let me ride it)
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SpanksGodForBeer
a Weekend Warrior
from Wakefield, England
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Strengths: I've found the frames bulletproof and it looks hot. A few niggles but all in its been a dream to ride.
Weaknesses: Worn a few parts out, rear cassette, pedals and the forks are awful. Ohh and weight is still a problem.
Bottom Line:
Further to my previous review I'd like to say that the Z4 forks make this bike alot better than before. It exudes confidence down fast trails and feels safe as houses. I've upgraded whenever something fails but it would need alot of stuff to get the weight down. But you get what you pay for. £400 for a 30lb bike or £1000 for a 26lb. PS. If you want a entry level bike and can still find this model (I've still seen em advertised) then buy this bike.
Bike Setup: Added some awesome Maz Z4 airs, XT cassette, LX front derrailleur.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler Pelkey
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001
Strengths: Nice frame. It glows in the dark. Has great components (shimano Deore)! The shock isn't that bad and has held up well for me. It's a great bike for a beginer or teen! Really great price.
Weaknesses: Hard seat. Tires make a lot of noise. Brakes are a little weak. A little heavy but for this price a bargin!
Bottom Line:
This bike is great! I love it! For the money it is very good quality. All round it has great components and a brand name shock (not some RST crap)! The colour looks really good and Kona is a good brand name. Overall it was the best by far of all the bikes I teted in my range. The ideal buyer would be a light person looking for a great bike with a small price tag, ateenager would also love this bike if htey did a great deal of riding.
Very good bike for the money. Tough frame nice wheels. 3rd bike in 10 years. Great on the trails, a little hard on streets. I am visiting a friend in TX. sorry to say no mountains here, just hot hills. This bike can handle anything.
Submitted by
Militant Java
a Weekend Warrior
from Spokane, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001
Strengths: Comfortable seat, the frame rocks, good components, excellent rims, great price! This bike can take one hell of a beating. Amazing climbing with the right tires.
Weaknesses: Glo-in-the-dark sticker on the neck came off in a hurry. Otherwise this thing purrs.
Bottom Line:
I'm on a budget so I'm not spending $1200 on a mtb. And i'm a beginner so how do I know how much bike i need? I can not believe how lucky I got with this gem of a bike. It hauls butt, takes beating after beating and keeps impressing the hell out of my $1600 full-suspension-specialized-riding buddies. This is THE bike for beginners like me. I ride this thing to work too (streets) 13 1/2 miles one way. It's not a road bike, but it glides and climbs the hills great. What I'm proud of most is the components just purr. I don't crunch on the trail, this bike is so quiet I can listen to nature instead of my Derailleur. I rode this bike about 20 miles after I bought it and then took it in to get tuned up (slack cables etc) and havn't had a hitch since. Now that i'm a somewhat better rider I think I'll upgrade to a better fork, but the Rock Shock Jett has done good by me. (I knew what I was getting and I didn't know if I would ride hard enough to need more.)
2 pieces of advice though, If you buy your bike from a shop, make sure they're DAMN good. They have got to be exceptional for my money.
Get a book if you need to and treat your ride with TLC.
Similar Products Used: Nothing enough to give a fair comparison.
Bike Setup: Stock minus the saddle. I read enough reviews to get that switched out at the shop.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Julian W
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001
Strengths: Nice feel, solid frame, awesome colors, Kona name was new to me but now I am enlightened
Weaknesses: shocks for wee little peoples (under 200 lbs) I broke the chain on my test ride (shimano)
Bottom Line:
I like this bike a lot. I am a newbie so I am ignorant(blissfully) of the supercharged v8 abs disc brake stuff. Just want to ride hills and around town. I might look at other shocks like manitou, whatever the bigguns like. I think this is an excellent first bike. I have not had a bike for 13 years and this one makes me sorry about that.
Strengths: Frame is amazing - handles great & takes big abuse
Weaknesses: brakes take some adjusting, Jett fork is CRAP
Bottom Line:
Hd this bike for a while now (see my earlier review). Now its been used a bit it still amazes me how much abuse this beast can take - it canes similar spec XC bikes & can take abuse from stunt riding & jumps. Upgrade the fork if u can - i wish i had cos this Jett sucks!!! the seals are going on mine after less than 6 months, it rebounds WAY too fast & the preload adjusters are made of plastic & mine are m=now impossible to turn by hand but turning them wiht a spanner wrecks the adjusters - suggestions???. yeah so get a z5 for not much more £ & this is an amazing bike for getting into MBing.
Submitted by
SpanksGodForBeer
a Weekend Warrior
from Wakefield, England
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001
Strengths: Looks Awesome and Glows in Dark, nice first time MB.
Weaknesses: Forks are aweful, they are knackered already, shifters look cheap, heavy but at this price what do you expect.
Bottom Line:
I paid £400 for this so I feel guilty moaning about anything as it was so cheap although I will. I think I broke the forks already, front derailleur lost me a few follicles cos it wouldn't set up right, pedals bearings went after a week and the bolts are now rusty where I undid the pedals which makes the bike look bad, toe clips made me fall twice so I dumped them, tyres hold mud too much and it has given me a million grins when I have been bombing down a wooden track full pelt over jumps and burns. I think thats 80% the bike and 20% cos I'm a newbie. I bought this cos it was cheap and didn't want to spend too much if I couldn't get into MBing. I'm saving up for a new bike now.
Bike Setup: Added a water bottle holder thats red, bar ends.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Ellis
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Strengths: Build quality
Weaknesses: Groupset
Bottom Line:
I've tried all three Kona's listed above the Cindercone is definately a top bike and if you've got the money go for it.
If not look at the lavadome or nunu with a Z5 fork. Both ride like a dream.
I've spent the last few years on a Marin Pine Mountain and loved it but these bikes are just so much fun and easily compete in this league.
The groupset doesn't look good on paper but it works well. One thing Kona know what to do is put together a hard tale, there easy to ride and forgiving. They just make you want to try something bigger and harder.
Do yourself a favour and swop out that sprung fork for an Z5 air (80 or 100mm). The bike has a whole new lease of life.
Similar Products Used: Kona - Cindercone, Lavadome. Marin palisade trail. Jamis Eureka
Bike Setup: stock + Marzocchi Z5
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001
Strengths: I have beaten the crap out of this bike, and it handles it very, very well. The tires mine came with were great!
Weaknesses: The Jett shocks are pretty weak, but they have held up well. Seat...who the hell complains about the seat?
Bottom Line:
I have riden this bike very hard since I bought it last May, and it has been great. I have used it a ton off-road and have jumped it and riden it hard through the city. It is a bit heavy, but it really helps on the downhill.
Weaknesses: Weight, Brakes, and as I've recently discovered - service!!! Warranty is not enough... Just imagine yourself riding on a flat place. Than suddenly saddle goes away with a "bing!" sound. You're picking up all the crappy stuff from the ground and realising - this small bolt, that holds saddle and seatpost together, is broken! You're crying ("oh, how could I ride now...Oh, my poor butt...") and asking your dealer to repair it (not butt, but seatpost). And what you hear?! "We've got very nice Ritchey seatpost for 20 bucks for you! But We'll make discount (For you!)" Etc, etc... I don't want to buy this only screw for 20 bucks(((
Bottom Line:
--- frame is nice, but components are heavy. Seatpost is not durable - by my experience. The main weakness is weight
Similar Products Used: Marin Hawk Hill, KHS Alite, Trek 6000
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Harmon
a Weekend Warrior
from Spaxton, Somerset
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2000
Strengths: Versatile, good introductory bike to mountain biking, served me very well for a few months. Brakes work well when properly maintained and drivetrain also alright.
Weaknesses: Jett forks are terrible, bushings were knackered in six months and had to be replaced (now have Z3 Flylight 100's - much better) Recently discovered large crack in frame where downtube meets steerer assembly.
Bottom Line:
A great bike for beginners to start on, but one that can then be built up to match your riding style. Unfortunately the frame of the bike I purchased was defective and cracked severely, I have found only one other case of this occuring but I wonder how many cases go un-reported?
Similar Products Used: Marin Hawk Hill, KHS Alite 2000
Bike Setup: basic
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, England
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000
Strengths: Great frame, great handling, nice n light, good components for the price, Avid brakes work sooooo well compared to my old cantilevers.
Weaknesses: Toe clips it comes with
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money - it'll take anything you throw at it with ease. The forx may be bottom of the range for Rockshox but with a bit of adjustment they work fine but arent recommended if youre a bit large. Despite what others have said about the saddle I think its fine and it looks good on the bike. Nothing beats it for quality at this price. Ideal if youre new to mountain biking (thats me) and on a bit of a budget. Has very RED paint and it glows in the dark - wahoo!!
