Submitted by
PEET
a
from san fernando valley california usa
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2004
Strengths: Great Bike, solid performer, handles like a dream.
Weaknesses: the seat and grips - only 4" of travel - no double crown
Bottom Line:
I like to think I beat the daylights out of it. I've used it on mammoth mountain a bunch and never had problems. I have had big rock hits and it took them all like a champ. I used to ride the smoother side of the trail, now I blast through the ruts, rocks and drops and the bike just keeps going. Why stear around the stuff that shocks where made for?, is what I ask people on supension.
I was doing between 30 and 40 mph last ride down a loose sandy rutted rocky fire road with jarring washboard and hit a turn hard and thought I was going to wash out but the bear delux held it's track and pulled me through.
I never had to do a hard core tune it up either. It really seems to ride better in rough rocky terrain then smooth hard packed. I have bottomed the shocks with stiffer settings but it happened on bigger drops. alot of riders say it isn't a good big hit bike, but most if not all never rode the bike on a trail. If you want a great bike for a good price get a kona. they are strong bikes. My next bike will be a kona stinky nine that way I got the best of all worlds - I am a kona fan all the way they got my business.
Bike Setup: Thomson 120mm stem,WTB Laser V saddle,syncros headset
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2003
Strengths: All around great bike
Weaknesses: See below
Bottom Line:
I have ridden this bike a good bit since I bought it almost 2 years ago. Yesterday, I was in the shop and someone brought in their Bear Dee Lux with a crack in the frame. It is on the chainstay. If you look at it closely, there is a fitting welded on to the bottom of the chainstay for the pivot bolt. Just above the pivot bolt and below the weld was a small, horizontal crack. This was on both chainstays. The crack on the right side was on both inside and outside of the chainstay. When I got home, I checked my Bear Dee Lux frame and, sure enough, there was a small crack in the exact same place. Mine is not near as bad as the other guy's but bad enough to make me concerned. If you have this frame, please check and see if this crack exists. My LBS is in the process of contacting Kona about this today so I am not sure what their reaction to it is.
The odd thing is that this seem like a strange place for a stress crack. I could see maybe above or at the weld or perhaps a crack radiating out from pivot hole.
Definately not knocking on Kona but just want to see if this is isolated to two frames or if others have had this problem. I still think it is an awesome bike.
Submitted by
robert fox
a Weekend Warrior
from plano
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Strengths: I bought the bike used off ebay, I've had the bike 3 months and what a tank and it's only 29lbs. This bike is tough, I've done 5 1/2' to 6' drops and it doesn't bottem out. I've used the lock outs (fox rl) and they work great, no bob on hill climbs. I'm 6', 200lbs. and try to tear things up just to see if I can and this bike holds up to every thing I give it. I even do urban rides when it rains, drop onto concrete no big deal!
Weaknesses: I will buy a new headset soon (chris king)and the bottem bracket seems low, I've hit the large chain ring more times that I can count but for a used bike what a deal....
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this bike to any one, My friends ride my bike and tell what a great deal all the time. I try things that I would have never even thought of before. It's a solid beast.
Weaknesses: well, I just wrote a review a while back.. (see Below). I have just found one big problem with the bike. If you are way back in the woods and have a steep climb out, DO NOT BREAK YOUR REAR DERAILUER. The way this bikes fram is built, the chainstay is BELOW the small ring in the front. Hence, you cannot convert this bike into a one speed on the small ring if needed, wich I badly needed the other day. Oh well, cant think of it all
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from San Mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2002
Strengths: Almost everything.. I love the fox fork..
Weaknesses: The stock tires (tioga) and the bar grips..
Bottom Line:
I fricken love this bike! I have been riding it two to three days a week for the last three months and it just keeps on getting better. Forget what anyone says about its climbing ability...if you know how to pedal correctly and sit forward, you can make it up almost anything. This thing climbs as well as my old Trek 8000 Hard Tail. I must say, I rarley use the lockouts unless I am on a long steep fire road, wich is not often. I was never really into getting into the air before this bike, but this thing makes you want to jump/bunny hop off of any bump on the trail. I have done some small drops (2') and I am sure this bike can go well beyond that(not me). Have yet to bottom out the front or rear. Handles great, feels solid. This thing is the bombdiggity
Strengths: climbing, descending, and flats over severe or mild technical terrain (everywhere)
Weaknesses: weaknesses? (okay - its a tad heavy)
Bottom Line:
This is the best riding mt bike I have ever experienced, the thing is a bit heavy but it hardly matters, if you can afford it and you ride technical terrain - i couldn't give it a higher rating - soaks up every hit beautifully, big and small, sticks like glue during dicey technical climbs - sweet
Bike Setup: Factory mostly, just changed rear Der. ( XTR )and Grips ( Oury )
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Submitted by
Darcy Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, WA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002
Strengths: Best overall bike I have ridden, very well balanced, fox fork is amazing,
Weaknesses: Low BB height, headset, tires
Bottom Line:
First FS was the specialized. Bike climbs great but I think it sucks going down. Went to Moab and saw someone with the Bullit.>I just had to have it so I bought one. I'll admit the bike is great but going up hill I couldn't stand not being up front. That is when I saw the Kona Bear. Kona's have always been great for me and I have introduced many people into various models, all of which have been well adored. This bike is the same. I live in the portland area and see conditions ranging from hard pack and twisty to muddy and rocky. This bike has been amazing. I recently went back to Canada where I rode the Fernie Ski Hill (probably the best single track I have ridden) The bike handled amazing. I mananged to break the front rim in half flying downhill so I upgraded to a heavier rim. The balance in the bike is amazing. Its awesome for climbing and awesome for going down. If your looking for that all round bike, I would recommend this bike more than any other I have ridden. If the bike feels comfortable to ride, buy it and you wont be sorry.
Strengths: Frame strong - but light, and the fit is great. Component specs - reliable and durable. Versatility - a truly "do-it-all" bike. Stiff rear end. Descends really well, climbs great too!
Weaknesses: Low BB - could well be my riding style having switched from a hardtail! Can't tink of anything else!
Bottom Line:
I finally chose this bike over the Enduro Pro because of 1. The components - way better than on the Specialized for my riding. 2) It's built for North Shore XC/Freeride style conditions - it takes a pounding and just keeps going! 3) With the Bomber fork the set up is perfect for me on all day rides which will always include a lot of climbing and a lot of rocky, rooty downhills. I got the XL (20" frame) with a 110mm stem that fits my 6'1" 190lbs perfectly.
Geometry is awesome - I can't rate highly enough the comfort of this bike and the really solid and confidence inspiring riding position it puts me in - both up and down hill.
This bike is amazing in all the conditions I've ridden - long distance XC (it's more comfortable than anything I've ridden before), climbs - great on both technical, steep uphills as well as long grinds - I use both the rear shock lock out and fork ECC on occasion but am happy to climb in the saddle without any lock outs. There is some pedal bob but with smooth pedalling it's hardly noticeable and the rear tire hooks up so well! Heading down the hill on this bike is an experience too good to be missed! It handles just about most of what the North Shore throws at it (apart from the REALLY crazy stuff!!) and tracks true, stops on a dime, and really does give me confidence to go where I'd never have gone before.....I've also found it light enough to throw on my back and do some hike a bike stuff too!
If you're looking for a do it all bike that will comfortably carry you all day over just about any terrain, in any weather conditions, and is durable, reliable, stiff and strong - this is it. For its price I don't believe you'll find anything better.
I don't baby my bikes, I don't like to fiddlle around with them - I ride them lots and I ride them hard. So far I think this one's going to last a long time!
Similar Products Used: Checked out Rocky Mountain Slayer, Intense Tracer, and Specialized Enduro Pro.
Bike Setup: Race Face DH bars, stem, headset, BB, cranks/rings. Full XT with XTR rear derailleur, XT hubs on Mavic 317's - Superheat tires (2.1 F, 1.9 R). Bomber Z1 FR with ECC fork - which makes this bike awesome for the North Shore!
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Submitted by
chris kimberley
a Weekend Warrior
from cambridge, uk
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002
Strengths: strong, light, easy to throw about, wicked on the downhills, lockout for smooth climbs, rear shock is very good, conventional frame for water bottle, cool paintjob/funky graphics
Weaknesses: bit of bob on climbs, needs a bit of layback on seatpost lots of bearings to wear out, rear mech slaps chainstay, thats not necessarily a frame problem, no rim brake bosses, no crud catcher mountings
Bottom Line:
Only had this a month and only had 1 proper all day ride but it is sweet, its my first full susser so just geting the hang of it, but its a whole new level of comfort and control got a discount off the frame coz i snapped my muni mula which swung me from geting an orange but im glad i did coz i love it and cant wait to try it out on some proper mountains, east anglia is sooooo flat. Buy this if you like all day epics, subway steps/ street, dropoffs, medium downhilling and im thinking of the odd xc race (which i wouldnt win even if i was on on a team issue scalpel so what the heck)
Strengths: handling, stiff frame ,fox suspension, durable well designed frame, technical climbing
Weaknesses: 50 cent headset broke right away, cheap cables that were not the right size for 3mm housings wore the housings away very quickly, fox lack of quality control, LOW bb height
Bottom Line:
this bike isn't perfect but it comes the closest of any bike i have riden or owned. you can lock the bike out and ride to the trail head, climb like a mad man, and bomb the down hills. i have been very surprised by the way that this bike handles rougher terrain.
on the downside this is the 3rd kona i have owned and have had simular probs with all of them. there is no excuse for that head set on a bike at this price range, and saving a few cents on the cables just gives the custumer a repair bill. kona saving a couple of bucks means you are going to have to shell out many more. there is moderate pedal induced bob and brake jack. i also had problems with both front and rear shocks
aside from the problems, which are easilly fixed, i still highly recomend this bike. it may be expensive but is good value when compared to others. all of the major components on the bike are well selected, and again the bike is a blast to ride. the bike over all is standing up very well and the rear end shows no wear. 3 of my friends have now bought one. i can only give 4 flamin' turds for value because of the headset ect.
Strengths: climbs great. very little pedal feedback in rough terrain. when pointed downhill the bike just rips. absolutely confidence inspiring. no brake jack and it rails in corners.
Weaknesses: fox fork had some problems. but fox's warranty dept. rules!
Bottom Line:
If you want one bike to do it all. All day rides, downhill runs at local resort, urban, freeride, and racing. front and rear lockout, the frame will take tons of abuse and no paint to worry about. ride it and remember why you got into mountain biking in the first place.
Similar Products Used: santa cruz heckler, conejo ap5, specialized, several demos
Bike Setup: hayes hubs f/r, sun rhynolite rims,easton monkeylite bar, sram shifters and derailleurs.
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Submitted by
Bear
a Weekend Warrior
from Mission Viejo, Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002
Strengths: Built Very Stout, yet reasonable weight for intended use. Very smooth, plush suspension. Works very well in virtually all conditions. You want to ride all day.
Weaknesses: See Set-up mods.
Bottom Line:
This bike is 100% as advertised. Excellent backcountry full suspension ride. I realize people sometimes seem to write feedback here to feel good about their purchase, not true for me. I've owned a number of decent bikes and have read this site for quite a while and never before been motivated to take the time to write a review, This bike is worth it. Kona has a free test ride program, so put this one on your shopping list and judge for yourself! See ya on the trail!
Similar Products Used: GT Zaskar (hard tail, I know), Klein Mantra Pro (pretty good but the med. frame is a tad small for me, no discs, Trek Y11, Turner Burner
Bike Setup: The cockpit was a little tight for me (18" frame, height 6ft.) however I dialed it in by installing a Raceface XY offset seatpost, the 1" setback was just right! Some have mentioned steering being a bit slow and this might be the result of the Kona downhill bar which is 26" wide. I swapped this out for a RaceFace Cross-country bar ($49)that measures 24" wide and steering is now a good balance for downhills at speed and yet not to slow for technical sections. Factory Spec Tioga tires work well in dry/hardpack conditions which are typical for S. Cal conditions but I can see looking at the tread that they are probably not that great in mud/wet. Tried a set of MutanoRaptor 2.2s which also work well but they can be a little squirrelly (sp?) at speed on hardpack. Not sure why.
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Submitted by
PETER MARTH
a Cross Country Rider
from PARK CITY UT
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002
Strengths: 4-BAR Design/FOX W/Lockout/Cartridge Bearing pivot points/Built heavier for heavier riders looking for an FS bike. Frame design is focused on mid-travel, durability and function. It is available as a frameset ($1,000) And, it's a KONA!!
Weaknesses: None really, if you recognize that the design of the Bear is directed at durability and function. It does seem that this bike requires more steering input as compared to the racier King frame, which is a bike that you can just think to turn and it turns! Remember, this bike is not designed for racing, but for durablity, all-day trail-riding in a longer-travel design, and pure function. It's good looking too!!
Bottom Line:
IF you are over 200lbs like me and break frames like straws, you should consider the Bear in a FRAMESET ($1,000) or a pre-built bike. I also have a King Kikapu, which is a quicker-handling, racier, super-sweet ride, but the King frameset is a bit too lightweight for a 200pounder. I snapped the drive-side swingarm in half on it JRA after around 3K miles of rough/technical singletrack. Since I ride alot of whole-day rides, and after breaking the King swingarm,I don't trust the King completely. The BEAR frame, on the other hand,which I would guess is 2+ pounds heavier, inspires me to take it on long rides, saving the King for the 1-hour rides in town. Nicely designed, 4-bar, air-sprung option for those heavier,(or fatter)agressive xc riders who cannot keep a lightweight 4-bar underneath them.
:confused:
I'm bummed I may be selling my Bear Dee Lux. If anyone in the Seattle area knows of a good home thats looking for a new ride...have them give me a "shout out."
j Read More »
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