Strengths: This bike is amazing. The 1" of adjustible rear travel is very good. 8"-9" is awesome. When riding Downhill the travel feels endless. There is no speed wauble at all when your rippen downhill. Great ride.
Weaknesses: The bike is quite heavy but that just mean it's solid.
Bottom Line:
Excellent downhill/freeride bike, very solid, the travel is great, and you really feel confident riding this bike.
Bike Setup: Stab primo with Shiver DC, Mavic d321 rims, sun ringle front hub, dt swiss huji rear hub, mrp.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
creptic damion
a Weekend Warrior
from lisbon
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004
Strengths: 1" adjustable wheelbase, extremely robust, beautiful, agressive, lots of travel: 8" with smaller wheelbase, 9" with bigger wheelbase, freeride/downhill frame geometry with 67º head tube, fox vanilla RC2 is a very good shock, etc
Weaknesses: Weight is high but it is understandable for the robust frame. Brake jack is evident in the corners (floating disk brake advised to solve this), the pedal induced bob is noticeable but only when pedalling uphil not seated.
Bottom Line:
This is my first DH bike, so it's understandable that I feel it's the best bike I ever had, but really, it has an incredible stability in speed, and when in the smaller wheelset mode it is very fast and energic in the corners. It's dificult to put in the air but I believe that this is only my fault because I have little experience in jumps and drops. I'm learning more and more every time I ride because the bike is inspiring.
Strengths: Confidence inspiring Stiffness, accelerates like a rocket especially out of berms and corners. This bike has an unbelievable feel when jumping, sort of a bmxish feel. It can be tossed around easily when airborne. Makes for a great freeride or race bike, just look at Kona UK Downhiller Tracy Mosely 3rd overall in World Cup final standings.
Weaknesses: The chainline is little screwy looking but I have not had any problems with it so I guess it not really a weakness.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome, it took absolutely no time to get used to. It is a bike that gives you confidence and a desire to push your limits. Great pedaling bike, I live on a mountain that is fairly steep and long and I rode up my street, yeah it hurt but I did it. It explodes when you put the hammer down on the pedals whether it's at the gate or outta turns. If you are smooth freerider you will love the way the bike handles in the air. I have not raced with it but from doing local shuttles it sure seems like it would be an excellent DH rig.
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky Primo, Santa Cruz Super 8, Specialized Big Hit, Santa Cruz Bullit
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Shiver, Race Face Thermo SP headset, Azonic Shorty deluxe stem and double wall 2in riser, Mavic D321 rims with Ringle rear hub and hugi front, Race Face North shore Cranks and Race face dh bottom bracket, Hayes 8in hydraulic brakes, Michelin 2.8 tires, Thompson post and Titec dh saddle, Intense lock on grips, oh and a MRP duel slalom world cup guide.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ben stab
a Downhiller
from texas, bumpkin town, usa
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002
Strengths: it goes quite well. it rolls nice and fast, and the wheels are nice and big. also i can skid good cos the brakes are nice. and my sheep wool seat is comfy.
Weaknesses: once i found a spider on my bike.
Bottom Line:
i love it i can ride to the general store to buy my milk every tuesday and not feel the bumps on the ground.
Similar Products Used: kona stinky nine. khs dominatrix.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Frank Fattore
a Downhiller
from Palos Park, il. Here
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002
Strengths: NO FLEX!, inspires confidence at speed. Stuff it into turns,and come out like a bullit, very predictable.Hammer the pedals?, no problem, no bob.Bike is way built, so big drops are a joke. Also, bike is specd. to a tee. Did I mention, NO FLEX! Sweet paint combo to.
Weaknesses: Some complain about the weight. Its a downhill bike! (take off your skirt,and ride an xc bike). Drive line is a bit sketchy.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, especially for those of us who weigh over 2 bills. no flex, no pedal bob, extremely predictable in turns. No need to upgrade anything. Just as stable as my motocross bike.Cool color combo. Buy it, ride it, done deal!
Similar Products Used: Giant AC1, Kona stinky-dee,Specialized Big-Hit,Honda crf450
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
YUNG HQ
a Downhiller
from HKSAR CHINA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002
Strengths: STIFF FRAME....9"PLUSH TRAVEL....ZERO PEDAL BOB FROM REAR SUPPENSION...MONSTER-T ALWAYS SAVE ME FROM MY MISTAKES SHARP OUTLOOK
Weaknesses: A LITTLE BIT HEAVY....HELPS ME TO BUILD UP LEG MUSCLES!!
Bottom Line:
the 24 SEVEN-STEM & BARS mix well with the black Monster-T looks Great, the bike is 49 lbs, but really pedals well with 9" of travel. Soaks up any obstacles it meets, drop 6' feet stair case with ease, Forgot that my wrist was broke just three months ago :), confidence inspiring bike, I'm still looking for bigger!!! going for race next season!! all people like big drops should try this, if you hate heavy bikes, stay away from it.
Bike Setup: Kona stab primo 2001, 500lbs spring, 2002 monster-t 24SEVEN dark angel Stem & Bar,truvativ isis DH4 cranks & BB, Truvativ II-GUIDE chainguide, DT Onyx front hub, AC 12mm REAR Hub, Magura Gustav-M, Azonic seat post and HOT seat. LX/DEORE DRIVETRAIN
Strengths: The frame is huge. It is unbreakable. I've never bottomed it out and I have it set up soft. It is super pluch, it tracks well. The cornering is amazing. Pedals fairly well.
Weaknesses: A little heavy. Chainline is quite bad.
Bottom Line:
Sick bike. Comes in a package. There are better race bikes out there, but this is an awesome all around bike.
Purchased At: Direct rom Kona, with help from Tantalus Bike Shop
Similar Products Used: Stab, Stinky Primo, Bullit, Giant DH comp
Bike Setup: Boxxers, High Roller and Mobster, Chris King headset, intense grips, I got rid of the Big Boy. Other than that its pretty much stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Winchester
a Downhiller
from Pine Grove, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002
Strengths: Almost bombprof
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
For a solid bike that can take a huge hit I have ridden no better. Suspension is easily adjustable to take a huge flat landing or race DH. A great bike
Strengths: All 9" of travel are plush and buttery. Cornering, braking, and overall feel were all above my expectations. Paint scheme is cool, and is durable. Fox vanilla RC2 is nice. Very pedal efficent. Beefy frame and pivots. Very durable.
Weaknesses: MRP chainguide has to be ordered from Kona, and for some reason it's special. There isn't any visual difference between this one and a normal system 2. It is more expensive, so just go with the advice and buy the right one and pay a little extra.
Bottom Line:
Buy it, you can't beat it for the money. Weight is very fair for a DH rig coming in around 41 lbs. Very fast, very beefy, and very strong. Buy it.
Strengths: Gordon, the bike is NOT heavy : ) is lis only 32 pounds light, did u ever try other dh rigs? Aneway, this bike ocks, and i mean it : ) It is a mean machine, and so much fun to ride! Pedals great, the turning capabilities are incomporable. one strong mutha... Plush as a fat lady.
Weaknesses: Do not get Qr's 4 the post clamp, the plates get scratched badly if riding a smaler size frame
Bottom Line:
Got the cash get it and you don't have to uprade much, frame's wicked, buy a stinky or stinky dee lux, just for the frickin' frame.
Bike Setup: D351 mavics front and rear 4cross 14 gauge spokes, nothing else to upgrade : ) maybe i'll purchase formula disc brakes at cost for next season. mine is 2001
