If you've ever ridden a Unit, you know that you'll always need a Unit. That when it comes to owning specific Units, it's extremely important you own the Kona Unit. We love everything about our Cromoly Butted steel frames: how they ride, where they go, how long they last. The Unit takes all that beauty, hops it up with contemporary Kona 29er geometry, and simplifies it with a singlespeed drivetrain to create an all-purpose big wheeler that delivers great quantities of joyful, um, well, Units.
Submitted by
lowes48
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilkesboro, NC USA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2011
Strengths: Price, component mix/quality level and it's simplistic design.
Weaknesses: None really, for the price.
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike for the money and fun on the trail! So far I've only changed things that have added comfort, perceived performance and bling, but I'm sure I'll be replacing other stuff as it breaks/wears with higher quality stuff, just like anyone else would on a more expensive bike.
I was a bit concerned at first with the rigid fork and HT frame since I was coming off a 26" FS, but so far the bike is performing fantastic and I have NO plans to go with a squishy fork or gears! I bought the SS so I would be forced to work harder, (6'-4" 330lbs. Super Clyde), but even though it's tough pedaling on the slightest hill I am really enjoying it!
For those of you on the fence about SS, rigid or 29" wheels, do yourself a favor and buy a Kona Unit!
Similar Products Used: N/A - never owned a 29er or a SS before this bike.
Bike Setup: 22" frame size, stock setup except for: Thomson 100mm x 10 degree stem, Thomson seat post, Brooks B17 saddle, Cane Creek Forty head set, bash guard removed and 22-tooth cog vs. the factory 18-tooth (I'm a FAT BOY!)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mtbkr1030
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2011
Strengths: Everything, out of the box this thing is wicked FAST!
The frame is worth $835.00 by itself.
Weaknesses: Stock Alex Wheelset is HEAVY, but what do you expect for $835.00
Bottom Line:
Love the ride of the steel. I like it better than my CREAKY old Niner S.I.R. I sold my FS GF HiFi Pro and this is my one and only Mtn bike. Singlespeed is the only way to go.
Bike Setup: Added:
Rebal RL Fork
Stans Crest Wheelset(Tubeless)
21T Cog-Niner
Replacing Avid BB7's tomorrow with 2012 Shimano XT Brakes
Bontrager Carbon Seatpost
XT Pedals
Cane Creek Headset
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
beatitup
a Weekend Warrior
from los lunas, nm, usa
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2011
Strengths: Color! Pics don't come close to doing this justice. Spec is good weight is good, BUT GEOMETRY! IS AWESOME. My previous ride was a scott scale 29er and after riding the unit on the same trails I now know how a 29er is supposed to feel.
Weaknesses: Saddle may not be to everyones liking, but is does have cool Kona 29er logo on top. Wish bb7s where hydros but I'm spoiled.
Bottom Line:
This is probably one of the first 2012s on the ground in these parts ie New Mexico. I will say Steel is real. Bike is great drop outs easy to adjust good spec especially the wide bars. No other bike I've had or had a chance to ride feels like this thing ss rigid sweetness.
Similar Products Used: Windsor 29er, Scott scale 29er reba fork.
Bike Setup: Bone stock for now. Did add a salsa steel water bottle cage and set of shimano 530s.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sac29
a Cross Country Rider
from Adirondacks, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2011
Strengths: Big bang for the bucks. Even with the price increase it still looks to be a good deal. I was all set to build a KM but the price of the Unit was too good. Rails corners, quick, climbs well.
Weaknesses: Brake cables stretch so bad there is no rear braking on firm surfaces. Yeah, that's it....
Bottom Line:
Buy it. Every time I ride it I like it more and more. I gave it a 5 for value even though I did upgrade some stuff.
Similar Products Used: My other bike is a Surly Pugsley. Not really all that similar, but it's my favorite ride.
Bike Setup: Recon forks, Jagwire Brake Cables and Ergon Grips. I have a Kenda Small Block 8 for the rear when the ground dries out.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mattskn
a Cross Country Rider
from bay city mi
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2011
Strengths: nice feel, flex
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
The bike handles far better than my aluminum Se stout,you feel like your on top of the bike not streched over it. the steel frame has plenty of give for my 6'3" 215lbs frame, steel takes away alot of the vibration, witch inturn releaves most of the shoulder pain and numness in my hands.If you want a good XC trail bike this is a no brained fun fast and forgiving.
Bike Setup: wtb weirwolf 2.55, exotic carbon fork, wtb lazerdisc wheels,xt crank,bb7 160 f/b,cranecreek s8,34/19 gears, thompson post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie_S
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2011
Strengths: Great ride, bb7 brakes, WTB saddle
Weaknesses: paint, fork, pedals
Bottom Line:
Tested several SS 29ers in the under $1000 price range, Unit is the most bang for the buck. I will be replacing the fork, stem, and headset in due time and playing around with different rear cogs but a gerat ride right outta the box. My first SS 29er, and I'm going to ride it until either me or the bike comes apart.
Similar Products Used: GF hardtail mtb, Canny road
Bike Setup: 2011 Unit, Crossroads Elite 700x38 rubber, S-Works seatpost, Niner 17t cog, Candy 3's
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Firestarted
a Cross Country Rider
from NZ
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2011
Strengths: Kona Unit 29er 2010 model (dark green steel frame). Cheap. Has all the advantages of a 29er. Sliding dropouts work well. I can remove wheel, change cog and be back riding in 5 minutes. Also enough slide adjustment to go from 17 to a 21 tooth cog using same length chain.
Weaknesses: Cheap. Bottom bracket lasted 2 months. Free wheel lasted 3 months. Avid BB7 mechanical brakes stop OK but have no feel at all. Rigid fork is awful (2010 Model)
Bottom Line:
I have ridden my Unit 29er for 12 months and liked it. Handling was OK but was never completely happy.
Just upgraded to a Niner One9 and are absolutely amazed what an improvement it is. It handles so much better. The Kona tended to washout the front wheel, had to really concentrate on keeping lots of weight over handle bars. It also was hard to manual, not helped by changing chainstay length with sliding dropout adjusters. I always felt I was riding on the Unit, like sitting on a barstool. The Niner feels more like I am sitting in it. I know I am comparing a cheap steel frame (Kona) with a high end Scandium frame (niner) and there is a huge difference in price. The Niner frame costs more than the complete Kona bike. But, if you want a bike that gives the best ride and handling, and you have the money, go for the Niner, you won't be disappointed.
Bike Setup: Upgraded brakes to Avid Elixir, fork to Fox F29 (2010), cranks to XT.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Windrider87
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2010
Strengths: Wide bars (28"), good tires, vertical dropout, rigid frame, mechanical disc brakes, comes in 21" large size, 29" wheels, good pedals, great price--all stock.
Weaknesses: Stiff front end but that's cause no suspension.
Bottom Line:
My first 29er after riding full suspension Yeti 575 for years. Bought this one to take on lighter trails--cinder hike & bike and on city streets. Single speed + 29 is the way to go, even with the hilly terrain in Austin. I am 6'1" clydesdale, so the big 21" frame fits perfectly. With no front suspension, the rock gardens get pretty jittery on technical trails, so it would be better to stay on hard pack or loose dirt. Glides through sand, too. Vertical dropout makes changing rear tire easy (which I have done). Gear ratios are just right. Mechanical disc brakes are easy to adjust and no hydraulic fluid to change. Kept my full suspension for more technical rides, but Unit gets me out more.
Similar Products Used: Like Karate Monkey or Redline Monocog, but cheaper.
Bike Setup: Stock 2010. Added Crank Bros. Mallet pedals for when I want to clip in.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dismal
a Weekend Warrior
from Peebles
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2010
Strengths: All the basics are present and correct. Strong stiff frame with classic steel feel.
Weaknesses: Nothing... when stuff wears out, it deserves good stuff replaced with.
OK the Vs could be better.... and stem was way too long
Bottom Line:
£350 brand new... The best damn bike i have ever had... bar none. It was good as it came, but with wider bars, shorter stem, and aggressive tires... it really shines. I have other really nice +2k hardtails, but i keep returning to this time after time.... I get the most amazing buzz from this bike. Weight is a respectable 22lb but i dont really care. It goes exactly where i point it at any speed. Lots of smiles!
Strengths: Great geometry, ride quality, nice paint, sliding vertical dropouts
Weaknesses: Geometry not adjusted for suspension travel
Bottom Line:
This is for the '06 26" version. I bought this frame 'used' with hardly a scratch on it and quickly pirated parts from my SS commuter to build it up. I initially put an old SID on the front, but recently went back to the Kona Project 2 fork - I thought I'd sworn off 26" rigid rides, but this thing ROCKS. Rigid, I could rail harder than with the suspension fork, especially since the SID raised the front end up a bit, slackening the head angle too much for my liking. Rides great, lots of fun - great winter trainer. If you can find one, buy it.
Weaknesses: paintjob could be better--not looks wise--just dings up easily, maybe thicker clearcoat??
Bottom Line:
this is my fav in the stable, for narley xc and slight to moderate downhills, it rocks. in sully, find someone that can beat me up and down, we'll toss bets. if this breaks, ill be surprised, but will immediately start looking for another--almost bought same thing on ebay again (frame only) just because...if they had 6 flaming turds for value, it would be there
Bike Setup: orange unit with all metal horizontal dropouts, blue king hs, blue king hubs on all black mavic 517's, answer protaper highriser, thomson 90 elite, koobi au enduro, green salsa qr, rasta front qr skewer, red race face forged, fsa triple bearing bb, wellgo magnesiums powdered blue to match king--bling
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountainview, ontario, canada
Similar Products Used: zion 660ebb, craked after one month of use
Bike Setup: manitou skareb fork, ritchey rims, xt hubs, syncros bars, stem, i beam seat and post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bmills
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2007
Strengths: Simple, strong, great geometry, disc hubs
Weaknesses: Cheap headset, v-brakes, poor grips, narrow handlebars.......I had these upgrades at home so this was not a problem. I put the unused parts on my wife's bike.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. I had a SC Heckler, Titus moto-lite, Chameleon, etc, etc. I decided to build up a single speed and found this one on E-bay for a decent price, bought it, then added a few parts I had lying around to suit my style. I considered titanium and aluminum and went for steel because of the ride and price. First timers shouldn't build up "blingle-speeds." My last hardtails were the SC chameleon and the MC rumble (both aluminum and heavily gusseted) and they beat me up. My kidneys hurt on long rocky trails. I heard steel was more "pliable" and had no idea what that meant until I rode my unit the first couple of times. It definately has more give than my aluminum hardtails. Kinda like having a 1/2 inch of rear travel compared to stiff aluminum. I heard the rear dropout plates slide but I haven't had any trouble. I ride Tahoe, Truckee, Santa Cruz, Oregon, and BC trails and this thing rocks. Call me eccentric, but, I like singlespeeding so much, I sold all my other bikes. I might buy a DH bike for shuttling/lifts, but for XC/trail it's singlespeed all the way. If I beat the hell out of this thing or it rusts, I'll upgrade the frame to titanium. 'Til then I'm perfectly happy with this bike just the way it is. So if you are thinking of converting single speed, get this bike or the kona 29'er if that's your thing. You can get better single speeds, but for the product/cost ratio, it's hard to beat. 5 chilis!
Similar Products Used: First single speed, but I've ridden 13 years of multiple very expensive bikes though.
Bike Setup: Took the stock bike and added avid mechanical disks, 18 tooth cog, Truvativ XC/DH wide handlebars, lock-on grips and a Fox Vanilla 130>100 fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
alfredo cabrera
a Cross Country Rider
from altadena
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2007
Strengths: Great climber ,great on smooth fire roads.
Weaknesses: no disc brakes , rough on the downhill.
Bottom Line:
Bike is okay overall , but must upgrade to disc brakes and added bar ends.Very rough on the downhill but can't ask for much it is a rigid fork.But for climbing is a very good bike for training.
Submitted by
HB
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2007
Strengths: Brilliant climber, feels more "in control" than my other bikes. Very lightweight. Comes with good components - there's nothing on here that I feel I absolutely have to swap out.
Weaknesses: Slow on asphalt, but it's not a road bike. Should maybe come with squishier grips, rigid forks are rough on the wrists.
Bottom Line:
This thing is great at what its supposed to do - fire roads and singletrack. For $900 retail nothing else compares. Gears are for sissies.
I have a 2010 unit and would like a slacker headangle like the new models.Would a angled headset work or should I take a beating and sell it and get the new one? Read More »
I cracked my 2007 (purple) Unit frame. Purchased the 2012 (orange) frame under Kona's crash replacement. Any idea if I can simply swap all my components over, specifically my Reb Read More »
Hi everyone
I'm very close to buying a 2012 Kona Unit 29er. It'll be the 22" XL size.
Does anyone know the actual weight for the complete bike in that size? Weights for othe Read More »
[IMG]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CPYGlSf0Es/TiyiCuixYeI/AAAAAAAADTI/72RjE04Zyy8/s400/IMG_1685.JPG[/IMG]
the typical frame scratches, no dents or abuse.
will cons Read More »
