Submitted by
Kevin
a Downhiller
from Klamath Falls, OR
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2008
Strengths: This frame is very strong, great geometry for urban assault, dirt jumping, and downhill.
Weaknesses: The fork doesn't do the frame justice, wheelset should also go.
Bottom Line:
Whoever says this bike is too heavy is out of their mind, do you realize it's based on a 4.5 pound frame. In case your not up on those kind of stats, that's about the lightest dirtjump frame on the market in a 26" wheel. I have taken mine off of numerous stair sets and drops. The bike has handled a few drops from a 15 stair, and about a dozen roof drops. I have absolutely no complaints about mine except that they don't make it anymore.
Similar Products Used: Azonic Steelhead, Giant STP.
Bike Setup: atomlab trailpimp wheelset, SRAM x7 rear der., no front der.
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Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Townsville, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006
Strengths: Tough as nails, great geometry, great components. This thing will take whatever punishment you dish out.
Weaknesses: I suppose you could say weight, but that's really only if you compare it to an XC rig. The weight is damn worthy trade off for the bikes strength.
Bottom Line:
A damn fun go anywhere do anything bike....the perfect all rounder that can take some punishment. DH, XC, street, jumps....it'll do it all with style. It's the sort of bike that really encourages you to do some dumb sh*t! Bigger harder faster! Love it!
Bike Setup: Stock Kona spec: coil EXRs, deore LX, Truvative, Ditch Witch, Hayes disks etc... Only changes are some nice fat Oury grips and Maxxis Minion DH tires....so far.
Strengths: Light enough to ride all day if you set it up right and still strong enough to handle drops and jumps. Great responsive handling for singletrack riding. I even ridden 24hr races on it happily enough
Weaknesses: The Marzocchi EXR fork is a bit sub-standard in comparison to the rest of the bike but that's easily upgraded along with the other components that don't match the frame's quality build
Bottom Line:
Get a medium sized frame and this bike can be easily used for Dirt jumping, light freeride, all day epics and anything else you feel like trying. Good value (if you buy in N.America!)
Bike Setup: Fox Vanilla's, drivetrain upgraded to XT, triple ring chainset, RaceFace prodigy stem and riser bars, USE Alien suspension seatpost
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Submitted by
Alex King
a Weekend Warrior
from missoula mt
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004
Strengths: Definetly burrle this bike rides like a dream I highly recomend one for any freeriders who dirtjump and do drops. this bike is awsome and is backed up by a good company.
Weaknesses: I dont much care for aluminum and usually ride a steel bike which rides a little smoother.
Bottom Line:
If your rough on bikes this is for you. one of the most extreme frames i've ever riden and I'm not sh*t'n you Its quite the bumpy ride but if you put a 5 to 6 inch fork on it you could go just as big as the guys on the long travel full suspension bikes. WARNING: this bike is not for the timid.
This bike is a lot fun when using it on trails with jumps. I would say this is one of the best hardtail dirt jump bikes i have ever ridden. Compared to the GT Avalanche i used before this is a whole new experience. The Roast is definetly a value for money buy.
Bike Setup: KOna Roast, Fox Vanilla 125r, shimano deore,
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Submitted by
Tan Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2003
Strengths: Very stiff and strong frame.Do not flex.Nice solid looks.
Weaknesses: Heavy.Need to push harder at climb but smoke others on the descent.
Bottom Line:
Bought the frame and transfered all the parts from previous bike.Although the frame are bit heavier but still works great at climb with a bit more push.The frame are stiff and solid as a rock at the downhill.Never fail me on the downhill and drops.Stiff and never flex even with my weight.
Weaknesses: Paint was good.... till it came out the factory!
Bottom Line:
Got as warranty replacement, as my scab had cracked a seattube stay.Props 2 Kona for the excelent warranty service!! The roast is super stable in comparison and would be much snappier had i not loaded it down with industrial strength parts.Wicked manualing and dj balance! Bomb proof frame,bomb bike. Torn ligaments forces dual suspension. You need a roast....Take mine
Similar Products Used: Broken lots of things. Dont think id call that used. Always breaking things in Alaska.....gotta fit the image. But this frame no break yet!
Bike Setup: Marzocchi shiver sc, trailPIMPs! with hadley hub,kujo dh 2.35r 2.65f & other general &!*% replacement(my scab had some serious doo doo parts)
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Submitted by
Dubes
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto ON Canada
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Strengths: Frame is awesome as are the brakes, tires arent that bad, but awful in mud although in dry sand they're great, pedals are grippy just have to get all the skin off the spikes from my shin
Weaknesses: NEEDS MORE TRAVEL, so the rock shox psylo SL i put on work fine
Bottom Line:
If u dont mind having no rear shock this bike rocks, buy it c 4 urself
Submitted by
Andrea
a Weekend Warrior
from Rome, Italy
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003
Strengths: -good geometry makes it a perfect all-round hard-ass bike -perfect balance for dj -stiff and solid frame for some drops
Weaknesses: -too heavy -front end too stiff for freeriding -paint
Bottom Line:
nice looks, marvelous balance in the air, fun in cornering, brilliant street hucker. at home in 4x, and ripping the woods. nice bike for north shore style
Submitted by
zeke farquar
a Weekend Warrior
from edmonton, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Strengths: Tight in corners and on the slopes. Club-solid feel and design. Easy to move on the bike and with the bike. I've cased some bad jumps and it's me that falls apart, not the ride.
Weaknesses: Chain hop, but a tensioner should take care of that. I never like dropping more than a 1K on a bike.
Similar Products Used: 2003, Rocky Mountain Flow, 2000 Marin Juniper Trail - not much similar, but that's my other bike, 2003 Giant Team Comp, 2003 Giant Acid.
Bike Setup: Size L and stock except for: Sun Mammoth rims wrapped in Kujo 2.25", 1664 flat pedals and 2002 Marzocchi Freeride.
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Submitted by
L
a Downhiller
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Strengths: Insane frame and wheel strength, fork strong too! Handlebars and stem could cop a sledge-hammer hit! Excellent frame geometry for jumping, and dropping, (13")
Weaknesses: stock tyres suck! change the front at least, i'm using a wtb mutano-raptor. rotor drag, and could be better without qr squewers.
Bottom Line:
it's a winner, confidence booster at the top of a trail. might not have the highest top-end but you don't really need it. this is for thrashing and abusing and it will come back for more and more and more.
Similar Products Used: Bianchi RC399, might have cracked frame under the head-tube
Bike Setup: 13" frame, seat to the frame. crank like a bas-tard and then enjoy the air.
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Submitted by
Lance Lowry
a Downhiller
from Fullerton, CA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003
Strengths: Strong, sturyd, burly frame. Strenght is the word for this frame. Good geometry and feels like it was born for jumping, ripping downhill, and drops.
First off, I would not really recommend putting a fender on this fork since it only has 4" of travel. If you do anything over 4 feet then it hits the front tire.
Rims, frame and Zocch fork are as strong as I need. Have only tried 5 foot drops but it is so burly I feel the confidence of a full suspension bike while dropping off. Stem and handlebars are strong but very heavy. Switched to Titec. This bike can be used for Xcountry but is heavy. No crap! It needs to be to abuse it the way you would like. I guess it will give you that much more of a workout. Suck it up because once you get to the top of the hill it all seems worth while.
Downhill: This bike rips. Tioga Factory DH tires have to go. No traction. I am very hesitant after almost sliding into a 1 foot thick wooden post. Get some IRC Kujos and this should fix the problem. Little upgrades like Disc brakes will make this bike a primo setup. The paint chips easy but, just find some touch up paint. No big deal.
Bottom Line: This bike is heavy but worth the extra weight. Bought mine used and it has many years left on it. I pass up Xcounty riders on trails and fly by them on downhills. This bike makes me want to be a better rider. You can take on anything, or feel like you can on this bike. Definetly recommend for someone who rides hard, but not dorky weight frieks. Tear it up.
Bike Setup: Stock except Titec Knucklehead Stem and Hell Bent Bars, Odi lock grips, The fender
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Submitted by
Alex
a
from All-rounder from Singapore, the Fine City
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Strengths: Nice paintjob on the frame, hard to scratch and doesn't chip easily from rocks hitting it. Very thick top tube area and rectangular drop-outs lets the bike take abuse. Thick stem and even thicker, confidence inspiring handlebars. I love the handlebars! Hayes Hydros provide lots of stopping power.
Weaknesses: The pedals lose quite a lot of their pins...personally I'd like pedals with smaller pins so they don't take so much of your skate shoes thread off. I need to keep tightening the cranks or they'll creak and irritate my fellow riders...the OEM seat's rails broke (setlaz GD-2003) but I got a warranteed SDG. I've only owned this bike for 2+ months. Tioga Tires suck on wet concrete surfaces. Other than that, everything's fine with this bike.
Bottom Line:
I'm using this bike for all kinds of riding, from XC to freeriding...maybe even picking up some trials tricks. The bike's geometry is very good for manualing and wheelieing around. It might be hard to pull up on the bars when you first get the bike, but after that it's a breeze. With the Z1 FR on it, I can lock out the Z1 and raise the seat for some XC action. The only things I feel you need to change is the tires if you ride a lot of street. As for the wheelset, trash it and get better hubs and rims. I've put this bike through a lot of abuse as I've just started freeriding and crash quite often and my current gripes are the creaky cranks, bent disc brake rotors and spoilt front disc brake piston(from a crash).
Strengths: strong frame, wicked set up and realy nice feel
Weaknesses: seats not that comfortable after spending a long time rideing, ad the forks not the best
Bottom Line:
great bike, this is my first freeride bike and it will probobly last me for years to come. the only thing about this bike i would change would be to put on a better fork. i can't name anything this bike cant do, its even half decent for cross country
Weaknesses: front fork, i think they should do with at least a DJ 111, and if you are like me and want fat tires its not going above a 2.5 maby in the rear
Bottom Line:
this is a great bike, i think it builds 2 much confidence ( but thats a good thing ) i was doing 6ft to flat, 13ft to tranny and 35ft+ jumps. i realized i need a full suspension because i was bending double wides and breaking every thing on the frame ( nothing to do with bike, its just not made to huck 15ft cliffs )
