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Reviews 1 - 7 (7 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
GottaGo
a Racer
from MassachusettsDate Reviewed: July 3, 2009
Strengths: Steel frame. Very nimble.Weaknesses: Kona doesn't carry the paint any more so I can't restore the bike to new.Bottom Line: Compared to my Trek (that was a load and a half) the Lava Dome has been a riding revalation. I've totally scored. The bike is everything others have said. The steel frame is excellent. The geometry is very comfortable - and the overall ride is so responsive, its great!
If you are in the hunt for a steel hardtail and you come across one of these bad boys, grab it.
Favorite Trail: Anything.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: Off Craig's List
Similar Products Used: Trek 6000.
Bike Setup: A combination of 8 speed Shimano XT and XTR components. Mavic wheels and Avid brakes.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a
from berkeley, ca, usaDate Reviewed: December 16, 2007
Strengths: handling, durability, snappy acceleration, comfortWeaknesses: no disk brake tabBottom Line: Lavadome is my main "All Mountain, " XC ride, and race bike. Nearly ten years, has seen all of its components replaced at least once. I love this bike. I've bent or broken two alum. seats posts and two titanium seatposts. Now I've got Thompson Elite, but I miss having the cushy titanium feel so soon I'll have a Moots 19mm Layedback titanum seatpost next year. My go wider on the titanum handle bar, also.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At: Missing Link
Similar Products Used: Motobecane Fly Team, Kona Kikapu.
Bike Setup: Rock Shock Sid (soon to be Fox F100 or F120), Hope M4 disk, Mavic XM819/Hope Pro II hub wheel UST, 23" Seven Cycles custom titanium flatbar, XT/LX mix, Chris King headset 1999, Time ATAC, WTB ti. saddle. Initilly bought at $580 in 1998 dollars, but soon bought a Marzocchi Atom Bomb 70 mm fork, then MX ETA 100mm, then Z1 FR QR 130mm.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Avery
a Cross Country Rider
from Catskills, NYDate Reviewed: November 27, 2007
Strengths: Frame and Fork!Weaknesses: Wheels, BB, Cranks, chain, headset and brake padsBottom Line: There is nothing in the world with the poise, grace and feel of an old steel Kona. I bought it new back in the day and within three months I was burning up the Alps, way back in the 90's before suspension worked! I've ridden lots of other bikes and I even have two others that are supposed to be "better" but this frame just feels so good, even after so much abuse it refuses to get baggy. It still gives me that feeling of invincibility, who needs suspension when you can fly over potholes, bunny-hop boulders and ride with your hands loose letting your body steer. The headset was absolute crud and the BB crumbled into dust (because of dust?) but the Curve brakes were exquisite (I stupidly got rid of) and the scratch and sniff tyres worked well enough for their time. IF YOU FIND A GOOD FRAME and it fits GET IT, It may not be so good with modern suspension fork length, but with a good carbon fork you could ride forever! AWSOME.
Favorite Trail: The ones you find by accident
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Psycho bikes in London, UK
Similar Products Used: Titanium Raleigh, Rocky Mountain, lots of choss
Bike Setup: Sensible LX cranks, the rest is XT, XTR
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
francois
a Cross Country Rider
from forestville, ca, usaDate Reviewed: April 29, 2002
Strengths: body geometry...keeps your weight well back for the downhills. Can't beat the cool green colour.Weaknesses: haven't come accross any yet.Bottom Line: I am really enjoying this bike. Yes, it's my first with a shock (besides riding my wife's cannondale), but it feels just right and very manageable on all sorts of terrain. Like it's chromoly frame...feels less harsh than my wife's aluminium frame, and actually feels a little lighter. Tires took a little getting used to, but I think that was 'cuz I was also getting used to using the V-breaks (again, a first for me). Overall, I think this was a great buy for the money. If you come accross a used one that's not been beat on too much, you're gonna get a great bike for under $500...and that beats paying a G for a new bike anyday!
Favorite Trail: cobblestone - anadale state park
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At: from guy who's wife never rode
Similar Products Used: my wife's '95 cannondale f-200
my old '94 univega alpina 550
my friend's wife's '94 raleigh she bought in Mexico
Bike Setup: stock: indy s shock, lx rear der, stx front der, avid 1.0 v-breaks, shimano peddles, serfas "cosmo" seat, Kona "enter" and "break" tires.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zack Tolle
a Cross-Country Rider
from Auburndale,FlDate Reviewed: November 19, 1999
Strengths:
The name at first glance sent a masculine pulse through me..I saw it through the window and had to have it.My girl Troll girl likes it tooWeaknesses:
Not catwalk Friendly..
The seat leaves me swollen and inflamed.Bottom Line: Look people I have invested over $5000 in upgrades And I would hope that I liked it by now... In which I do .. If you want my advice dont sit on the seat post with out a saddle ... I have tried this and it is not cool. I ride all day all night and can't get enough of my bike ..
I will have it paid off within 5 years
Favorite Trail:
Carter Road
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
Free Spirit
OCTANE..
huffy bmx
next bmx proformer xlt
Bike Setup:
marzocchi z-2xfly shocks with 80mm of travel Weighing nearly 3.10 pounds, polar beat sigma 600, Syncros titanium bars, bushwacker simarron panniers, nightrider digital pro 12e,
shimano 952xtr shifter pods, kore b-52 downhill stim, syncros cranks, white industries titanium bottom bracket, bully 990 plate cool stop brake pads, michelin wild gripper light-s,GIRO nisene saddle, U.s.e. xcr shockpost, RITCHY wcs pedals, Ringler super duper 8hubs, troxexl all terrain child carrier optional...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dilman
a Weekend Warrior
from victoria BCDate Reviewed: August 30, 1999
Strengths:
stromg frame
good breaking
good paint job (Green)
gear works well fast shiftingWeaknesses:
limited fork travelBottom Line: I think this bike is great there is only minor things that could be improved on.
Favorite Trail:
milstream
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
99 kona Blast
Bike Setup:
I use a 98 kona lavadome with rock shox
indy s
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross-Country Rider
from TorontoDate Reviewed: April 11, 1999
Strengths:
value for the moneyWeaknesses:
suspension forkBottom Line: It is a good bike and it gives you your moneys worth
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Similar Products Used:
fire mountain
Bike Setup:
indy s
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Reviews 1 - 7 (7 Reviews Total)
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