Strengths: Great bike , really can take a beating , very smoth takin turns , marzocchi front and rear suspension works very good , it was a very good visual u gotta love the stinkys !
Weaknesses: its pretty a heavy bike , a diet will do fine
Bottom Line:
a Great Bike for downhill or just freeride , its very strong bike , good for urban riding , the MTX whells just can take alot of beating down stairgaps.
Bike Setup: Kona Stinky Primo 2007 all stock expect for 2009 XT shadow derraleur
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Submitted by
TahoeRider
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Strengths: This frame is bomb proof, its a little heavy for cross country riding but after a while you get used to it and the down is as much fun as the up
Weaknesses: Heavy.... and give it time and the legs catch up
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, a perfect Tahoe bike that billy goats up steep lines and safely returns you back to the car. Again its a little heavy but for an older frame its amazing what Kona was on to back in the day that now is becoming a stock All mountain type frame.
Similar Products Used: This is my first Freeride, Cannondale F29,Motobecane, K2
Bike Setup: components
shifters and derailleur are Sram X9
brakes are Hayes 9 203mm rotors
front shock is Manitou Sherman Slider Plus 7" travel
rear Fox Vanilla R propeddal
carbon saddle and seatpost
sunrims and kenda navagal tires
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Submitted by
eddie
a Downhiller
from Ballyclare, NI
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2008
Strengths: the frame is totally bomb proof. the whole bike is several years old and has has numerous owners and its still in top condition.
Weaknesses: the rear quick release pulls the frame inwards a bit which causes the rear derailleur to hang at an odd angle which causes gear skips. but it can be fixed with a simple adjustment
Bottom Line:
great bike for downhilling and some freeride. light as a feather to huck around on jumps too.
Weaknesses: Shock squek during full rebound, some pivots squeak. All these due to old age. (4 years)
Bottom Line:
What a great bike. A can-do-anything bike. I bought this frame used. I think I'm the 5th owner. haha. But after such a long time of pounding and hammering and jumping and downhilling and dropping and freeriding, it still feels like it just rolled out of the assembly line. Some of the pivots squeak but just spray some silicone lubricant and it's gone. Shock makes a funny noise when rebounding from its full travel but this and the pivot squeaking are all because of age. But no harm done. It handles jumps and drops very very well. 6" feels like 8" of travel. Small bump sensitivity also very good. Kona bikes are all durable and built above the required quality.
Similar Products Used: VP-free, Bullit, Trek Fuel.
Bike Setup: 2003 Stinky Primo frame with Vanilla R shock, Rock Shox Domain 318, Juicy 7.
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Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2005
Strengths: Unreal bike, very strong build quality, high material quality, vey high reputation in freeride scene and dh, only the best from koan again! best bike I've owned!
Weaknesses: should have been designed for more travel at the rear, but hey, the six inches holds up real well for me!
Bottom Line:
this bike I think is perfect, its very agile for me and i can pump out of little things to gain that edge, if your looking for a freeride bike or part time dh bike, this is perdect, mines taken a huge beating from me, and i weight 95kg. if your looking to do large drops though id suggest another bike as it handles it fine, just i wouldnt push over the 4 metre mark with it!
Bike Setup: deemax wheel set, boxxer team forks, race face crank, intense grips, hayes dh disk set f+r, after market shock holder at rear and fox vanilla RC shock.
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Submitted by
Sean Estes
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004
Strengths: Bomb-Proof frame! (I purchased the frame separate). Uninterrupted seat-tube, good pedaling, stiff, bottle cage mounts (good for light battery), STD. QR rear axle.
Weaknesses: Possible interference of seat-collar and suspension links on full compression. Very minor brake-jack, truthfully that's about it.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't disagree more with the previous review as far as Kona as a company is concerned! I have had nothing but wonderful experiences with both Kona USA and Kona dealers. I have found that they typically have any and every spare part conceivable in stock. The simplicity of the Kona 4-Bar Walking-Beam design is it greatest strength. There are only a few pivots/bearings to wear-out or come loose (compared to VPP or similar) and the uninterrupted seat-tube allows not only for max seat post extension for climbs but also for mounting of virtually any type of DH shock without any frame interference as well as mounting a water bottle cage for either water or a headlight battery. These features are what make the Stinky truly the best all-around freeride bike. There are plenty of trails that require a fair amount of climbing and even some road miles to get back home. This is where the Stinky shines, it can take anything you throw at it and then pedal home reliably. It may not be the best DH race bike (not designed for that anyway) but you sure can race competitively at an expert level on it. This frame is incredibly stiff and relatively light considering it's strength and versatility. The standard QR rear wheel mounting allows the use of Mavic Dee-Max wheels or any other normal hub for that matter. I have taken this bike to Whistler for over 20 days and countless times locally, I have not had to service the bearings/pivots at all. I would give this bike 6 chili's if I could and the same goes for Kona as a company! TOP NOTCH!!!
Strengths: Great feel,Tracks straight in rough terrain,pedals well (Thank you 4 bar)
Weaknesses: Rear end fell apart and you can't get parts I,ve been waiting for 3 months now. After sales service from Kona is crap
Bottom Line:
I really like Konas they feel great this is the second stinky I,ve had but I won't be buying another Kona sucks to deal with and they never have parts. Bottom line nice bike crappy company.
Bike Setup: easton stem, protaper bar, 321's w/ dt freeride hubs,blackspire chainguide,intense tires
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Submitted by
Roger Smith
a Downhiller
from Cheltenham, England, UK.
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004
Strengths: Bomb proof, full seat post adjustability, top forks, very subtle styling, trick cranks, amazing brakes.
Weaknesses: Locking rear under heavy braking down rough descents (typical single pivot weakness), very heavy so have taken off dual ring set up and replaced with single.
Bottom Line:
A bike that will get you out of all sorts of trouble. Looks like a real bad boy. Super plush ride as with most faux bar Konas. This bike can be used by those new to downhill / freeride or those who want to race. The Primo isn't the most sophisticated freeride bike on the market but it gets the job done very well.
Similar Products Used: Kona Dudu 2001, similar characteristics with less travel.
Bike Setup: Very soft as I'm light weight.
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Submitted by
Ken Bennett
a Downhiller
from Peoria, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2003
Strengths: Frame is way strong, it weighed 10lbs. with the shock. The rocker design is still one of the best all around suspensions available. I can climb the most tech. stuff and still fly down pretty much whatever I have the guts to try.
Weaknesses: The front der. is hard to setup properly. The swingarm will hit the cage under full compression if you lower it to the proper height. I'm checking to see if there is a shorter cage version.
Bottom Line:
A very good investment if you want an all around bike (trail riding to EX level DH). It's not light at all (mine's 43lbs) but it won't break either. The flat black/green paint is great for those urban assaults if that's your thing.
Strengths: The whole package, forks, shock, brakes, cranks etc. etc. Just gives you the balls to go big. Pedals really well, and can climb to the top of the trail.
Weaknesses: Not so far, although I changed the D.H. tubes to standard ones so it accelerates even better.
Bottom Line:
IM so happy with this bike, the two chain rings make it so versatile compared to a D.H. bike but you can ride anything that YOU decide to. Its heavy to lift but when you're riding it, its so flickable and fun like all Kona's. Kona have made another classic and I got a good deal on it, so 5 flaming turds all round. If you wanna do big drops, log rides and gaps but you still wanna be able to pedal the bike around the trails this is the best bike you could buy.
Strengths: Good components overall. Nice geometri, BMX feel. Good highspeed stability. Very stable in air. Look good.
Weaknesses: Not much of a clearance between chainstay and front/mech. You have to set it up correctly, otherwise they will hit each other under full compressing.
Bottom Line:
First of all i have too say this is bike gives me alot of fun. It also give you alot of confident going downhill. Very easy to ride, feels excellent. I havent jumped before, but with this bike its very easy. As for the compenents: Super T fork feels excellent, easy to setup. Good performance so far. White Tiger tires, very good grip, nothing too complain about. Fox RC rear fork, also very easy to setup, working fine. Hayes Disk breakes, excellent stopping power in all condition. The rear brake screams a little some time, maybe i havent bleed in yet.
So weaknesses: coming from a XC bike (Kona Kula), its feels heavy when you climb. Its easy too climb but the problem is that you get very tired if you climb a long way. It´s a FR/DH bike and they are heavier thats a fact. The extra weight gives you more stable bike in highspeed and when you jumping, and thats good for me, i like to go fast :). Its not a weakness in that point, maybe 1-3 kilos of would make even a better bike. But then maybe it would brake easier. Around 19 kg is the weight now. The other weakness it that they should improve is the clearance between chainstay and front/mech. Now its very tight, but its working. The third weakness is that you have to buy fullface helmet, armor and legprotection because you can go so freaking fast downhill with this. :) But i can take that, because this is bike is fun, alot of fun.
Submitted by
Caleb Read
a
from Redcliff, Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2003
Strengths: Handles alot of hits, Cranks are good, forks are excellent, looking over the beefy bars gives you alot of confidence, this bike gives you guts.
Weaknesses: A little heavy, but that is excellent for keeping you steady in the air.
Bottom Line:
i love my new bike. it is worth most every penny. kona has done a pretty darn good job, thats the main reason why i have had nothing but kona's, this bike furthers the confidence i have with this company, the primo is primo.
Strengths: Everything, The new marzocchi super t has to be the stiffest fork ive ever ridden. The whole bike feels incredibley stiff. The kona cranks are amazing. 7&7.
Weaknesses: None. The only change i will make to the bike is putting razor rock stiffy levers on. Rims arent the best but they are pretty damn strong.
Bottom Line:
Well since the guy below me reviewd the 2002 stinky primo frame. I felt obligated to say how good this bike is. And for the color... this has to be the best looking bike i have ever layed my eyes on. This bike is even more confidence inspiring than my 2001 stinky dee was. This bike makes the drops i was doing on my old bike feel stupid. I will review again after i put some miles on it. Konas rule. Go buy this bike if you can afford it. The new marzocchis are the stiffest and plushest forks ever, and the super t pro is unbelievably tunable. Bottom line is this is the best bike i have ever ridden and do not regret throwing down the cash for it. You definetely do not want this bike if you are concerned with weight. It weighs in at over 40lbs. But I can climb just fine on it. With 7 inches of travel front and back i thought that i would notice alot more bobbing on this bike compared to my previous 5 inch bike, but the only thing i really notice was the weight. I also realy enjoy the extra weight in the air. It feels unbelievably stable and fluent in the air.
Hey all,
I was wondering if anyone knows how much I could sell my dangerboy 7"travel plates for? I do not think they make them anymore. Don't do any downhill riding anymore so I d Read More »
So i bought the frame of the Kona Stinky Primo 03' about a year ago now and i have been slowly building it up to a complete bike. Next in my line up of things to buy is to get some Read More »
Sooo i have that god awful marz junior t fork that works ok but rattles like no other...... What can i replace it with thats not too heavy with 170mm travel? and not breaking the Read More »
so i have a 08 Stinky primo with the floating brake on it. It needs new ends to the rod that comes from the seat tube to the rear brake. Any idea what size these are and were to ge Read More »
Does anyone know the size of the Heim Joints on the floating brake arm that's on a 07 Kona Stinky Primo??? I broke one off yesterday and need one ASAP. Thanks in advance for the he Read More »
