Thanks to the intuitive adaptability of Kona Magic Link Active Geometry, no other bike goes up this fast and down this quick. With the ability to provide the rider with a wide range of on-trail, no-switch-necessary geometry and suspension tuning, the CoilAir climbs both comfortably and efficiently but at the drop of a hammer taps into 200mm of progressive and plush rear travel. It's the ultimate quiver killer, designed to crush big up and big down-all you have to do is ride.
Weaknesses: i notice once weakness, though. the bracket connecting the rear suspension to the tail is susceptible to crack. after a few trail runs here in the Philippines, i found some cracks which of course could be potentially fatal. i was disappointed because i don't do jumps; i just rode it on some off-road trails. i thought it was a factory defect, but then, i noticed again the same weakness in the replacement i received. if Kona could only strengthen the bracket against metal fatigue, then i would really, really recommend it to every trail rider i know. but as of now, with that weak crack-susceptible bracket, death could literally be just around the next trail corner. scary.
Bottom Line:
weak rear suspension bracket: cracks easily.
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Submitted by
I G
a Weekend Warrior
from East bay, CA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2012
Strengths: Suspension soaks up anything you throw at it. Very reliable and sturdy. Still easy in the uphills. I like all the included components
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I bought this at the end of the season and saved about $1100 off the 2012s price. I dig it.
Submitted by
jesseliketoride
a Weekend Warrior
from Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2011
Strengths: FUN, pedals well once set up, Fun on the downs, great in the technical gnarly bits. Looks freaking awesome.
Weaknesses: Takes more time to set up the rear suspension (but it's worth it!)
Bottom Line:
Fun bike, Pedals well for it's travel, Climbs technical stuff pretty darn well, A blast on the downs, very fast bike.
The magic link takes time to set up, thats the only draw back. Once set up properly it does it thing without you noticing it. Keep it clean and it stays pretty silent (I am picky about that).
Bike Setup: 2011 coildair, 55 rc3, Hadleys, 50mm stem, 740mm Sunline bars, Breaks, Pedals and other bits. Mid to low 30's weight depending on tires/tubes.
Weaknesses: For all around bike the frame( and only the frame) is great anywhere from XE to DH though heavy at 17KG
BUT
other than the frame the stock parts are of the lowest quality
Crank supplied ( FSA MOTO X) is a real bad joke , suited better for girl's beach cruiser than AM/FR bikes
the rims supplied are really xc rims will not withstand drops of over 3 ft( remember this bike is supposedly AM/FR
The brakes are a compromise and parts from the local shimano are not available ( always the same song and dance when it comes to OEM parts
The fork ( MAR 55 TST )is most definitely not for F/R use
in one year I had gone through 3 blown TST cartridges
Bike Setup: W A S 2009 stock KONA COILAIR
By now replaced the brakes to XT the crank to SLX
the rims to MTX 33 and soon replacing the fork to FOX 36 VAN
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Submitted by
Diblaggio
a Downhiller
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2010
Strengths: Great strength coming from Kona. The fork and rear shock (Fox) have never let me down. I have done some crazy drops, jumps, and pushed myself to the limit- the bike never failed (i did a few times though). All components on this bike are good, and tune ups are a breeze. Kona's rear suspension has changed the way I ride. This color bike definitely opens eyes at the trails. I still get compliments and offers while I ride.
Weaknesses: It is a bit on the heavy side, but this was never a problem for me. I actually get better control of my bike this way. The rear shock system kona developed would compress down while riding through some minor obstacles- I think kona fixed that problem with their newer bikes. all i did was adjust my pressure and adjst the rebound and whala' blast through...
Bottom Line:
I have gotten offers from 1800-2500. and I still have it. It is the bike that built my aggressive riding skills and it boosted my self confidence levels. I have won 3 Tournaments with this bike, and landed top 3 in 7. Overall a great bike, and the looks still get those eyes poppin'....
Similar Products Used: Cannondales, Giants, Stinky :) Other Coil Air Supreme (Currently)
Bike Setup: 50/50 Pedals, Continental Spider Web Tires, Lizard grips (They feel better that the Kona stock ones) Juicy Avid 7 Brakes... Everything else is stock.
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Submitted by
tobygoodger
a Weekend Warrior
from petersfield
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2009
Strengths: light, tough, plush suspension, reliable,high spec, good value, pedals well, jumps well, corners well, durable, could go on for ever, great all round bikes.
Weaknesses: not much at all: pedals are heavy,struggles with big jumps but its a light freeride bike so thats no biggy. i have had it for a year and no problems, and i have ridden it hard, i havnt replaced a thing, not even brake pads or grips. nto that stiff, stock could be lighter.
Bottom Line:
awsome bike, has inspired alot of confidence, get it!
great value for money.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR, GT i-Drive circa 2000, Mongoose Tecolai, KHS FR2000, Haro Zero
Bike Setup: Full custom, Truvativ Aka Stem, Race Face Evolve XC X-type crank, Fox RP23 and 120mm 3.5lb (not sure of the model) fork, Deore hubs w/ Rhino Lites, X-9 shifters/ derailleurs, 990 cassette
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Submitted by
NW Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellingham
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2009
Strengths: Great all around Mt Bike ride
Weaknesses: Extremely unreliable. Front wheel spokes were not very tight, had to have fixed - poor quality control. Rear Fox shock won't hold pressure - is in shop for repair!! Front suspension is now locked up because the shock has leaked.
They are tellin us it will take a month to fix and we pay for part of the repair!!! Had for only ten months, so warrantee will cover most of it, but.... Has not been ridden that hard
Bottom Line:
Don't buy this bike until they improve their quality control.
Similar Products Used: Kana Kula, Specialized Stump Jumper
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Submitted by
James Richey
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, WA USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2008
Strengths: A good climber, absorbs all the bumps, smooth and makes you feel in control at all times! I go faster and enjoy the trails way more than my favorite old bike.
Weaknesses: Weight
Bottom Line:
As my friend Doug said yesterday, "with this bike, I won't be waiting for you anymore". Even though it weighs more than my DBR cross country set up, I have more control, and am willing to try and enjoy things that I would not have before.
Strengths: 2007 Kona Coilair. Reasonably light, weighs in at about 36-37 lbs with pedals. Very Stable at high speeds, very nimble in the air, has the kona reputation behind it, and the fork (fox 36 float r)is amazing. it always bottoms smoothly (If you can hit anything hard enough to bottom.) Well specd, fun to ride.
Weaknesses: The rear suspension is extremely linear. The choice is pretty much between plush absorption or pump it up stiffer than preffered to make big drops to flatter landings a bit better. Luckily the dhx 3.0 bottoms smoothly and the boost valve helps it to ramp up on high speed hits. ** the stock maxxis advantage tire on my bike rubs on the frame when it bottoms out. Stinks that kona didn't think to fix this, but a tire with a shorter casing will do the trick** Seat tube angle is a little slack for serious xc stuff, but moving the seat forward helps a bit.
Bottom Line:
If you do everything including trail rides, all mountain stuff, jumps, and spend a big chunk of time riding at lift accessed bike parks, this thing is great. Note though that it is not a cross country bike! You won't win any xc races on this thing. The suspension is easily adjustable, the components are reliable and its just fun to ride. For downhilling and freeriding, the 65.7 degree head angle (though it sounds slack) is a savior, especially on really steep stuff and through rock gardens. The suspension does and amazing job of absorbing everything you ride through, especially for 6" If you can stay seated with the slack seat tube angle, the propedal and boost valve make a great pedaling platform, but it bobs a bit while standing. Over all, I love this thing. It can do everything pretty well, and rules at bike parks on 4x, slopestyle type stuff, north shore stunts, and extremely tech downhill single track. Kona also manages to spec great bikes for the price, so great value.
Similar Products Used: in terms of durablilty, the 05 coiler and other konas
Bike Setup: stock except a semi-slick maxxis high roller rear (to be switched to a 2.5 mobster) A word of caution, route the rear brake hose by running it up from the last guide under the top tube, zip tie it to both the seat tube support mast, and the seat tube just below the seat post clamp, and then leave some extra hose between there and the seat stay where the next guide is. Make sure the hose is out of the way of the swing arm (I managed to pinch the hose on mine on the second day out with a different routing) As far as sizing, I'm 6 foot and riding a medium. Its perfect for the riding this bike is intended for.
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Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Nelson, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007
Strengths: This review is for a Coilair Supreme as there is no category for it. Tuff, Great handling, Well spec ed. Good climber great descender. Big fun factor.
Weaknesses: Price!! We get that here with the U.S. dollar. Fox DHX 5.0 air shock stuck down on the first ride but was repaired by the service agent and hasn't been a problem since.
Bottom Line:
This is the closest bike I've ever ridden that can do nearly anything good. It climbs, descends like a DH bike, can be trail ridden all day. The D.O.P.E. brake system is well worth the extra $ for the gain in handling on the down hill. AAA+++
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro. Giant DH Comp, Kona Stab Deluxe.
Bike Setup: Stock. Changed the tyres to 2.35 kendas and the small ring to a 22 to help out the climbs. D.O.P.E brake system. Spec is so good there is no need to change anything.
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Submitted by
Charles Veitch
a Downhiller
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2007
Strengths: Very light but built very strongly - also looks very sexy. Good quality stock components, easy to use. You will get used to this bike instantly. A very polished jack of all trades
Weaknesses: None - I mean it.
Bottom Line:
This is the all round giant killer (and Giant killer). I got this bike for only $3000US (£1500 UK) as it's 2006. I took it downhilling the same day I got it, and it is SO FAST. Because it's so light you can really whip it into the air, and with the fat Fox forks at the front (36s) you have all the confidence to land hard. I am a big guy, 6ft 5inches and 250lbs, but this bike makes me feel sprightly... Racing it against my friend's Orange Big T, his bike is so heavy and more of a downhiller, the Coilair is the Prince of Freeriding. Love it
Strengths: Best all around bike there is!!! If you want a bike that can climb well and fly downhill, than this is the bike you want.
Weaknesses: The wheels couldn't take my 210 lb butt doin drops... Nothin major, just have to true them once in a while
Bottom Line:
Love this bike, puts up with some extreme cross country riding and the occasion hucking. Extremely plush travel, yet pedals very efficiantly, due to the PRO PEDAL. Love the Race Face components and Saint brakes. No complaints...
Similar Products Used: None... I have a Bighit and a P1...
Bike Setup: Mostly stock. I ditched the air shock right out of the box and had a DHX 5.0 COIL put on...LOVE IT!!
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Submitted by
Perry Kveton
a Downhiller
from Live in Indonesia, From Truckee CA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007
Strengths: Crazy good for all around riding: XC, Downhill, Freeride...even street use is good due tothe adjustable travel/recoil
Weaknesses: none so far- except that the new one is out with a lower top tube, who cares?
Bottom Line:
This bike nails the all-around awesomness. I generally use it for DH up at lifted resorts, however, i also use it for riding around town A LOT. adjust the travel, adjust the recoil, raise the seat and you're set for power up pavement. the only downside with that is that i now need to invest in some phat street freeride tires :D
Strengths: Great bike to do anything. Light enough to climb and an incredible performance on downhill.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I ride it 4 times a week, in different terrains, and it’s amazing how comfortable and confident you feel. I strongly recommend this bike to all mountain riders and freeriders
