Granted, some of the components aren't top notch, but the important bits are excellent. The frame and P2 fork are great to ride, I like the zing in the cromo frame compared to some of my mates' alu ones. The frame and fork are resilient, allowing for a direct and precise off-road ride and good road manners. I use it both at the weekend in the hills, and to commute to work during the week: put fat tyres on it and you rarely feel in need of suspension, with slicks it is a passable road bike. Not too stiff to be uncomfortable, stiff enough to be lively. Buy this bike! I can't really see the need to spend more on a bike. Sure, replace components as they wear out, perhaps upgrade them as you go... it doesn't really matter - this bike rocks!
Similar Products Used: Kona Cindercone, Peugeot Racer
Bike Setup: X-Lite bars and bar end, Cateye Velo 2, Time ATAC's
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Submitted by
Danny Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinburgh, Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2001
Strengths: Light weight for the money. Terrific Single track handling. Project 2 forks better than most crappy bouncy budget sus forks; very acurate and susprisingly compliant. Top risers bars!
Weaknesses: Pedals are a bit cheap, but thats ok as most replace them anyway. That saddle also is bigger than my sofa! OE Tyres are ok, but the front doesnt have alot of grip cranked over. Tektro brakes not that strong either.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is bargain of the century. Light, responsive, frame tough as nails but not too harsh and hugely upgradeable. The bottom line is having fun and feeling confidence in what you are riding....this bike breeds confidence...you can chuck it around like a maniac, and it always gets you out of trouble! Top stuff. Am going to keep it forever!
Weaknesses: pedals, but you cannot complain too much since the price is so low on this bike. The RST fork is not adjustable but the bike is for my wife and she has nothing but good to say about the bike, very light.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price, and looks cool too. no problem zipping along on the local trails, no break downs or adjustments needed. so far so good. grat entry level mountain bike that will not dig into the budget, I mean think about it, this bike cost the same as those k-mart specials.
Similar Products Used: Cinder Cone, Blast Ford edition, Klein
Bike Setup: stock all the way
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Submitted by
matthew lefebvre
a Downhiller
from north bay ontrio canada
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001
Strengths: the fram is the strongest not to happy with the components but i use the fram for 8-15 foot drops havent craked or bent
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
this is the best frame even better than the kona roast and chute there to light not heavy if you know how to spec a bike right this is the fram for you.
Submitted by
charlie paris
a Weekend Warrior
from san antonio, texas, usa
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001
Strengths: A really good frame for the price. Graphics and paint make the bike stand out from anything else in this category. The Kona cachet is nice.
Weaknesses: At this price point, I cannot quibble about anything except maybe the pedals.
Bottom Line:
I was saving for a mountain bike in the $1000 price zone, but I got impatient cause I just wanted to ride. There has not been a day of regret since. For a first time rider ven- turing into the sport, this is a great starter. The price is excellent for what you get. So far it has held up well. I am looking forward to many more miles of smiles.
Bike Setup: Stock. I got mine without the suspension fork.
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Submitted by
Joe Pickard
a Cross Country Rider
from Nottingham,England
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2000
Strengths: superb handling lively feel sooooooo well built great company heritage
Weaknesses: a little bit sparse for equipment,but the ride makes up for it
Bottom Line:
This has to be the best rigid bike ever made for under £300,because of its lightning quick ride and unsurpassable acceleration.I suggest you buy one of these beasts straight away!!top notch! This is a perfect bike for riders to hone their skills on the local trails
Similar Products Used: GT arrowhead,Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup: Full shimano LX,DMR,x-lite,azonic,Marzocchi Z2 BAM
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Submitted by
bren
a Downhiller
from dublin, ireland
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000
Strengths: really great frame, will last a long long time and take loads of abuse. much nicer feel than the 99 chute and sprints much better. the p2 fork is amazing, much better than any budget sus fork i have ever tried (rockshox, rst, marzocchi, sync, suntour), great tracking and really forgiving, even on the hrash stuff. the components aren't fantastic and will not take the same punishment as the frame and fork but what for you expect for the price. the wide handle bars are a really nice addition the the bike. they are not great for long offroad climbs, but are just the ticket for descending and road.
Weaknesses: nappy wedge. be careful of the nappy wedge. that saddle is huge. also the rims are a bit on the weak side, but i suppose they are not made for fast rocky/rooty descents.
Bottom Line:
whether you want a great cheap training bike, want something retro in this high flooty full bounce world, or are just starting in the fantastic world of cycling, this is the bike for you. you get the kona brand name, the famous kona ride, a great cromo frame and fork, and the respect of every young kid down the local bmx track. this is the bike that all budget mountain bikes should be compared to.
Similar Products Used: '92 raleigh ravine ridgid, '97 rockhopper, '90 raleigh highlander, a few treks, '96 scott something or other, '95 sinteisi bromont, etc
Bike Setup: european stock with wellgo shin scratcher pedals
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Submitted by
Kyle Morton
a Weekend Warrior
from Coldwater, Ontario, Country
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000
Strengths: This product has great shocks, rims, tires, brakes, shifters, paint job, and the writing glows in the dark. COOL EH!
Similar Products Used: No products can even compare
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Submitted by
cindy schulze
a Weekend Warrior
from cincinnati, ohio usa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000
Strengths: good positive shifting, great price for how it handles,tested the hoo-ha and liked this much better, this is my second bike-to ride street, cro-moly frame cool colors
Weaknesses: rims aren't the greatest, but I have a set of street slicks I am putting on this. one fine bike for the price.
Bottom Line:
great entry level bike for someone who wants quality without going broke or, like me , a second bike to train on. handles well. kona makes great products at very affordable prices.
