Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
|
Reviews 1 - 15 (25 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
User Reviews
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lorne Cameron
a Weekend Warrior
from Glasgow, UKDate Reviewed: July 20, 2004
Strengths: Frame
Cranks
PriceWeaknesses: Weight
Alivio drivetrain
Brakes
RimsBottom Line: I bought this as my first serious bike. I was looking for a solid frame with components that I could upgrade with time and that's exactly what I got. The cromoly frame is totally rock solid - it's taken everything I've thrown at it. The components aren't great at all but they are definately usable - I rode the bike stock for two months before upgrading the fork and then another month before changing anything else. I'm still using the Alivio rear mech/casette/chain but those are my next upgrades. As far as rigid forks go, the Kona DJ is awesome if you want to keep it. The cranks are very good for a bike of this price - I've seen Hussefelts on full-on downhill bikes. The frame is a bit on the heavy side but that's the price you pay for strength - I don't notice it at all now. The wheels are pretty poor - I put mine out of true pretty easily doing drops of no more than 3ft to flat concrete (maybe I got a bad build?) and broke the rear at the seam hopping up a curb awkwardly.
But don't get me wrong, for the price you're paying it is an awesome bike. If you're just getting into riding seriously and looking for a solid frame that you can build on then I highly recomend it. Definately a bike that can grow with you. You can set it up for trials, freeride or street and it will be awesome for any of them. The frame looks a LOT better than any pictures you see on shop websites or konaworld.com - take a look at the link above for a photo of my setup.
Definately a 5 for value, 4 overall considering the components.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At: eBay.co.uk (price in £)
Similar Products Used: Various hardtails
Bike Setup: Fork: Manitou Black Elite
Chain device: Blackspire NS-1
Brakes: Hope Mono Mini
Wheels: Mavic 521CD on Deore
Everything else stock
Photo: http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=245395
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
the anonymous
a Weekend Warrior
from bissoe, cornwall, englandDate Reviewed: April 18, 2004
Strengths: very strong! seriously, ive had it for a week and i can really feel the difference to my old bike (it wasnt really suppost to be for jumping) it really gives you a sense of security and the weight gives you lots of controll in the air.Weaknesses: not too nice for nose diving onto the front forks. i usually like to nose dive a little into the landings on a dirt jump but cos i havnt changed the rigid forks on it (and im not going to) if you over jump you really feel it. but then again it does somehow kinda keep you on when you muck up.Bottom Line: overall its a wicked ride. and the rigid kona jump forks give you a real feel for the bike and whats goin on. really it is for out of bounds riders like myself who like a fun ride but you can use it for anything.
Favorite Trail: downhill course at poldise valley
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: relative deals in bikes
Similar Products Used: not really similar but i just stoped riding a GT OUTPOST. good good for speed but dont jump it.
Bike Setup: how it came. look on the kona website (www.konaworld.com) and go to 2003 BIKES then go to OUT OF BOUNDS HARDTAILS and its the same components as the 2003 model.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UKDate Reviewed: February 18, 2004
Strengths: Strong, Stable as hell.Weaknesses: Rigid fork, cheap components (Alivio)Bottom Line: (Price given in UK £)
Great frame to hang better components onto. Real confidence building bike - handles anything you can throw at it.
Heavy though - 35lb or so... I haven't found this all that much of a problem most of the time, but I have done looooong climbs on this, and they're not that enjoyable...
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$450.00
Bike Setup: Standard except for MX Comp fork and Race face cranks
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sal Sharma
a Weekend Warrior
from Des, Moines IowaDate Reviewed: December 6, 2003
Strengths: Everything about this is strong. I got the frame only from Wheelworld for really damn cheap. I rode a lot of urban on this frame and held up great.Bottom Line: I repeatedly went off drops about 4-6 feet high with most landings to flat. This frame woorked great. I even tried to go 9 feet to flat once....i crashed horribly but he frame was just fine. But for some reason i went of a 5.5 foot ledge and i crashed and go up only to find my rear wheel out of the frame and the chainstays were bent in. That confused me but other than that the frame was great.
Favorite Trail: Brick Yards
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: WheelWorld
Similar Products Used: Other Hardtails
Bike Setup: 2002 Kona Scab, 2003 dirt jumpers, Race Face cranks/BB, LX companents D521, XT hubs
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
c-dog money
a Downhiller
from MontanaDate Reviewed: November 8, 2003
Strengths: This thing is strength, the frame can handle anything. I break alot of frames but not this one. God I love steel.Weaknesses: fitting hope discs was a little tricky had to file some material of brake mounts not much though. not a serious problemBottom Line: So far I've broken, a raceface turbine crank arm, a shimano 646 pedal, snapped the spindle of a un-72 bottom bracket, desstroyed a ryno lite rear rim, blew a damper on the ZYZZX, and bent a ritchey seat post. The frame has laughed at all of this and hasnt suffered a bit i have beat the hell out of it in every imagineable way and not a single problem. as for the initial parts spec i dunno I bought this as a frameset, and it kicks a$$, the problem with the brakes mounting was minor and may have been due to the brakes it was easily fixed and does not affect the bike at all now. great product highly reccomend to anyone looking for an indestructible ride and loves the feel of steel.
Favorite Trail: blue mountain
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At: ebay
Similar Products Used: trek, GT, specialized p-series also rocks!
Bike Setup: Zyzzx fork, hope C2 discs ryno-lite deore disc wheels, hussefelt cranks race face free-ride bb, primo pedals sram 9.0sl drivetrtain single ring front ninespeed rear, race face bar, syncros post, luvseat
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
toms cool
a Weekend Warrior
from chchDate Reviewed: September 4, 2003
Strengths: the frame looks cool and it is strong ,nice and heavy tooWeaknesses: tire clearance is only 2.10Bottom Line: this bike is awsome some people may say it weighs to much so did i until i rode it it is a bit heavy but you dont really notice infact the weight keeps you stable in the air so you can do all sorts of tricks , i never liked jumping before i got this bike,the geometry on this frame make it the ultimate jumpinng machine.best thing i ever bought,,,,,,,,,any one who sais they have broken this are bullsh1tting
Favorite Trail: jumps
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At: some guy
Similar Products Used: all sorts of sh1t
Bike Setup: kona scab with psylos
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Danny Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from NewburyDate Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Strengths: Earlier i raved about how strong it was blah blah....
Handling and the same stuff i mentioned earlier.Weaknesses: Well i have just cracked the frame where the dropouts meet the main frame.... And i now know of several people with the 2001? scab hu have had this problem. Im hopefully gonna have it covered under warantee and then will decide whether to keep the bike or not.Bottom Line: Well lush bike but i guess there are a fair few issues about quality of welding here, having said that i have rided hard since the crack formed and nowt more has happened. If you are considering buying a scab think very carefully about whther u want to run the risk of these problems.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Halfords
Bike Setup: As stock.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Arron Peat
a Weekend Warrior
from ChelmsfordDate Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Strengths: V nice to jump.
excellent value
Handles V Well
Feels solid and looks greatWeaknesses: Noticed a small crack one the frame where the dropouts meet the main tube. But don't let this put you off it has taken alot of sh.it!!! I hear that kona are good about warranty claims though so if it snaps it don't matter i'll get a nice new frame!
Steel rusts!!!Bottom Line: A great bike overall go out and buy it.
I'd give it 4.5 flamin red chillies for overall rating
Favorite Trail: P.O.R.C
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At: Winstanleys
Similar Products Used: Trek bruiser
Bike Setup: Mx Comp forks
Hope mini front, Hope M2 rear
Taken off front mech and changed rear shifter.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jack Day
a Downhiller
from DorsetDate Reviewed: December 21, 2002
Strengths: Amazing frame and components and looks and ride feel and just about everythingWeaknesses: Pedals are not very grippy and shifters may not ne to everyones taste but you wouldent expect anything more for the price.Bottom Line: This bike kicks ass and will do anything you want it to. I think itis amaking. If you havent ridden one, you should. It is amazing. It looks good, is very strong and and is by far the best thing I have ever ridden.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At: Winstanleys
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: standard at the moment but getting, 02 pslo xc's and planet x pedals and XT gears. Chain device and hope mini's.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
phil the freerider blakeway
a Downhiller
from sutton coldfield, Birmingham,UKDate Reviewed: November 2, 2002
Strengths: bombproof bike, generally good components, strong rims and frame, amazeingley good V brakes for such a CHEAP BIKE !Weaknesses: Peadals arent that grippy.Chainring too small for downhill.Not that light but not heavey.Bottom Line: Very good jump bike for such a cheap price.put some suspension forks on and its 10 times better unless yourve got hardey wrists.
Favorite Trail: x trails
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At: sunset cycles
Similar Products Used: Planet X little audrey jump setup
Bike Setup: as stock but with some marzocchi bommers and getting a DMR chain device and bigger chainring on it
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mat
a
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaDate Reviewed: October 22, 2002
Strengths: AWESOME 4130 chromoly frame. it can't be beat in terms of value or strength. the parts spec is passable.
the for rules. the stem is sweet.Weaknesses: the crappy drivetrain and shift/brake podsBottom Line: the bike rules. it's built to jump and do ds type stuff. the handling is spot on. it's stong as hell and I'd never expect to break it.
with a shorter stem and a taller fork it's a dream to wheelie and jump
this thing loves freeriding and urban and could easily be raced slalom
Favorite Trail: dunno
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Bicycle Cafe
Similar Products Used: none, really
Bike Setup: all stock except: square taper RaceFace Turbine cranks, BlackSpire Ring God, Marzocchi DJ1 QR20+, Pazzaz ATB092 DH stem, Kore Strictly-D bars
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Danny Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from UKDate Reviewed: September 19, 2002
Strengths: strength the masses of it
ride
cranks
brakesWeaknesses: the pedals are not grippy and the chainrings up front are
made of really soft metal
ave buckled the rear rim but that was only cos i bailed out of a Superman and landed knees first on the wheel, have managed to put it back in line very easy, it was only a small buckle.Bottom Line: This bike has been made to be ridden hard. It rips up anything you point it at and you can nail anything with a grin due to the confidence it can give you. The weight is not an issue as the bike plummets downhill and is a solid as a rock in the air when you want it to be. I have ridden drops, street, trails and skate parks and in the three months i have had it my riding has been taken to a new level.
YOU WILL BE HARD PRESSED TO BREAK THIS BIKE.
I recommend that you keepwith the rigid fork rather than shelling out for a new sus one. Your riding will thank you for it and i have done 5ft plus drops rigid so dont use that as an excuse.
This bike is for anyone and everyone who wants to ride hard.
Favorite Trail: The biblins
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At: Halfords
Similar Products Used: Trek bruiser
Bike Setup: as stock but with primo pedals
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Johno
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002
Strengths: Everything Looks, strength ,Geometry ,just a sick bike!Weaknesses: Easily chipped paint maybe?!?Bottom Line: Ever since i saw this bike i new it was sick and could just see it with all teh stuff i got on it now! It rides like a dream and is indestructible! I've done 5 foot drops on it and done absolutely nothing it is as solid as a rock! I'm not going to waste heaps of your time but i would really recommend this bike to any serious hard tail free rider!
Thank Kona for bringing such a sick bike onto the market!
For value and Overall i'm going to give this bike 5 flamin turds coz it really kicks ass!
Favorite Trail: Mt Beauty Dh Course
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At: Total Rush/Dick Heads
Similar Products Used: GT outpost trail
Bike Setup: 02 scab, 110mm Dirt Jump2 forks , Avid 03 ball beaing disks, DMR V-8 pedals ,Avid SD7 levers, Michelin Hot-s tyres, 321disc wheels (mavic)
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kimron
a Downhiller
from Portland, ORDate Reviewed: August 10, 2002
Strengths: Just about everything. Great geometry, stiff, sick ass urban/freeride bike. You should buy it.Weaknesses: Nothing, except maybe weight. No, not even weight.Bottom Line: This bike is a great deal, and a great frame, super strong and perfect for jumping, hucking, dropping, freeriding, just about everything you can throw at it.
Favorite Trail: Firelane 5
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: this and that
Bike Setup: '01 Z3.5 QR20, Hussefelt DH Cranks, LX & Alivio, Deore mechanical discs.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto, ontario, canadaDate Reviewed: August 4, 2002
Strengths: solid frame, good components for the price.Weaknesses: with the upgrades i've done.......none.Bottom Line: this bike is sweet, it craves to be thrown around and if invest enough cash into it you to can have the ultimate urban assault bike.
Favorite Trail: urban
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Similar Products Used: specialized p.3
Bike Setup: marzocchi dirt jumper 2, avid mechanical disc brakes(they rock), specialized hard rock tires, race face prodigy dh crank, avid single digit 5 levers, funn launch pad saddle, shimano lx cassette, shifters, front and rear derailleur, and an answer protaper handlebar.
|
Reviews 1 - 15 (25 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
