Submitted by
Mark Ruda
a Racer
from Grand Rapids, MI USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2007
Strengths: This frame is bomb proof. I huck it off of six foot drops to flat on concrete and it takes with out flinching. I have crashed this bike so many times I lost count. I land at strange angles and have no issues. The bike has great balance for catwalks and manuals, big air at the skate park and pump track. In addition, I do frequent local single tracks with this rig. The geometry is aggressive enough that it still pedals efficiently and burns through tight corners. in the end I would best describe this bike as an urban bike with the heart of a cross country beast. It is comfortable enough to pedal for hours but it can also take just about any thing you throw at it.
Weaknesses: This one heavy bike, I've made some serious upgrades and it's still in the 29lbs range. Junk stock wheel set. (Sun Rhino Lites)
Bottom Line:
This a great all around bike if you: 1. Want a Dirt Jumper that you can actually pedal around with out hating life.
2. Ride semi-technical trails with moderate drops and still want to stick with a hard tail.
3. Are 200 lbs+ and want a cross country bike that you can rag on with out the fear of it crumbling underneath you.
This is a poor choice for those who:
1. Are weight weenies.
2. Want a light and fast cross country racer
3. Want a dedicated park or DJ rig.
The secret to bikes in this category are hand built wheels. Machine built wheels do not have even spoke tension an are very apt to self destruct at the wrong time. Most wheels that come with these bikes are very popular and thought to be great because every one has heard of them. Just because you know the manufacturer and you have seen them on "awesome " bikes does not mean that they are worth a damn.
Strengths: Everything, its nice and sturdy. The tyres are great, the forks are nice and solid.
Weaknesses: Hayes nine brakes (I changed the front one to a hope), they suck my big fat hairy wang
Bottom Line:
Great bike for dirtjumping and downhill. Extremely smooth and solid. DO NOT get a kona shred 05, THEY SUCK!!!! seriously diggle it does. Almost as good a bike as the 05 trek 4300, gota love those gila t5's. back to the roast. The only down side would be the hayes nines and the shimano hubs but they're not that bad.
Similar Products Used: Kona scrap 05, Kona fire mountain 05, trek 4300(face it, they rock)
Bike Setup: Hope mono mini front brake(it kicks ass), funn camo urban launch pad(looks pimpin), new formula front hub(shimano ones suck the monkeys big one), both brake cable are silver braided
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn Ny
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005
Strengths: nice setup for the price. i like the beefy frame and the geo of this bike. i went from a gary fisher marlin to this and its a diffrent world. i check my fear at the door before every ride and bomb eveything i can get on to. this is quite a change of way of riding with this it feels like a big bmx bike with gears... im back in my childhood taking stairs with ease and 5-6 foot drops with no prob.
Weaknesses: havent found any yet and would be shocked to see if one comes about.
Bike Setup: everything is basically stock but i did change a few parts. off the bat i put panaracer fire XC pros with the red sidewalls race face good and evil grips salsa red quick release for front back and seat post. had the rims re-spoked with black spokes (i wasnt feeling the silver) and buffed down the gold caps on the dirt jumpers to silver to keep the black/red/silver theme of the bike.
Weaknesses: the wheels! Hayes HFX9s have an annoying problem, see below
Bottom Line:
Overall this bike is a very rugged all mountain/light freeride/dirt jump rig. The frame, especially since I have a Cowan, is very very nice and strong. Probably one of the strongest most rigid Aluminum hardtail frames ever! The frame has machined dropouts and some parts of the rear triangle are machined. Very nice. Mostly I ride on BMX type flow trails with jumps, but also some true MTB riding. The Dirtjumper3 shocks are very good for DJ, but really either too stiff or soft for good absorption from small bumps. The HFX9's have good power and a lot of travel before a total wheel lockup. BUT, the lever adjustment screw ( inside the brake lever) that adjusts power, constantly comes loose! I have heard this is a known issue with Hayes HFX9's.
I do have a major beef with the wheels, especially the hubs. I have broken several spokes in these things since getting the bike, and the hubs are cheap, cheap, cheap. I'm used to riding a BMX with sealed hubs, and these Shimano ones on the Kona are absolute toss. I have also so far bent an axle and I'm considering a wheel upgrade in the near future.
This Kona climbs well enough, considering it weighs far more than an XC bike and I have a DH tire on the rear. After about 30 minutes you will begin to feel it though, and you'll be begging for XC weight. Short explosive cimbs are no problem. Going DH is pretty nice for a hardtail, the geometry is rather like a DH bike. slightly less lazy steering angle. Good grip and control on loose rocks and roots.
Overall its a nice bike, and the only weaknesses are the wheelset and the brakes aren't as powerful as you may want on a DJ bike. They are sufficient, but you could find yourself wanting a better set eventually.
Strengths: good all round bike. il love the brakes, i ordered some for my santa cruz V10
Weaknesses: none really, frame can get scratched, but that is true with almost any bike
Bottom Line:
great bike, definetly, definetly get this bike for your kid, DO IT!!! if u r a down hiller like me who goes to some races (placed second in nationals for dual salalomn, and expert downhill) ; this is a great bike to play around on, i do quite a few drops w/ it.
Similar Products Used: specalized hardrock 04 comp, marin nail trail
Bike Setup: chain guids, no reflectors, more greace in fork, a compressed Co2 canister ductaped to down tube (emergency tire inflation) saddle bage w/ first aid, and inner tube and tire levers.
Similar Products Used: Kona Scrap,Oryx Desert Dueler66,Spialized P.3
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mJ WoNg
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Strengths: good ride nothing to complain about.. hayes hydraulics gave me no problems so far. dirt jumper3 is definitely adequate for dirtjumping and "light" free-riding.
Weaknesses: deraileurs not really good gets noisy after a while and is still noisy after numerous tunings at bike shops.. frame is a tad on the heavier side.(not a big problem anyway) =]
Bottom Line:
great bike to begin with. upgrades are definitely possible on this bike though stock parts are good enough for the average rider who's not gonna thrash things up easily
This is one of the (two) kid rides of the season, not to be miss!
The third "Kids-MTB-Ride" of 2009 will be Saturday (6/20) at 3:00PM. This ride will be followed by a Bonfire, W Read More »
That's right! Taking it up a notch! Robinson SP-Agawam
You don't have to have kids to join us. All are welcome!
Hey! The next Kid Ride is going to be Saturday October 3rd. Me Read More »
It's the Bonfire and Weenie Roast ride!!!
This is one of the two (per year) not to be missed!!!
* The fourth "Kids-MTB-Ride" of 2010 will be Saturday (7/10) at 4:00pm.
* Meet Read More »
Hi Everyone!
NIGHT RIDE! NIGHT RIDE!! NIGHT RIDE!!! ...Bonfire and Weenie Roast too!
[B][U][COLOR="Red"]Special info for this ride:[/COLOR][/U][/B] [B]1)[/B] This will be Read More »
