I bought this bike a couple of months ago after years having ridden various department store bikes and finally settling for a quality ride. So far, I am very happy with my purchase. It is a good quality MTB. It is solid, performs well in all conditions, and has served me well on and off road.
If you are a racer, you will undoubtedly need to upgrade parts but I'd say that it is great for the weekend warriors such as myself. I will undoubtedly upgrade the derailleurs in the next year or so since the stock ones aren't great but they will do for now.
This is a great entry level MTB that won't break the bank and will serve you well.
Submitted by
Albert
a Cross Country Rider
from Little Neck, NY USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2010
Strengths: This is my first real ride. I left the Target and Walmart bikes for good. Fell in love with MTBing with bike. All the stock parts are good enough for entry-level. Rock Shox dart 1 did the job even though it is the bottom of the barrel of its line. So far, this bike did not disappoint me on the trails and jumps.
Weaknesses: If I can say anything at all, it would be the front derailer (Acera). It was crap!!! Had to get the replaced as well as the tires. Once you know better, you will want to upgrade certain parts. But overall, this is an awesome bike for the price. Tires had to be replaced since I had a flat.
Bottom Line:
I plan to have this bike for a long time since I do not plan to train for competition level. The frame is excellent so it is worthwhile to upgrade and grow with this bike. For someone looking to stay fit and not break your budget, this is for YOU. I am sure there are better bikes out there, but if you only plan to spend so much time and money, this Kona will serve you well.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn from Target and maybe a Huffy at some point
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Dart 1, Deore rear derailer with Alivio front derailer, Hayes mech. brakes, and Panaracer fire xc pro tires (60 tpi)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
KONA_roamer
a Cross Country Rider
from N.Ireland
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2010
Strengths: This MTB was ahead of it's time, the perfect all rounder, ......it is all things to all men.
Bottom Line:
The KONA range in 1994 was from an era when Metallica and Nirvana were king.
These bikes are legend and still live on, after 15 years of riding and many thousands of miles, it doesn't get any better. Still using most of the original components, including stainless brake cables
Out competes most of the modern day (2010) standards, still got what it takes with acute frame geometry (steel-chromoly) and short wheel-base.
The slimline frame has got classic lines, sure it doesn't have the fatboy alum look.....but since when did that help you going down the mountain path.
Bike Setup: Standard Project twos and race light stem, super slicks 26 x 1.4, easily cruises at >22mph on the black stuff
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ovidiu
a Cross Country Rider
from Bucharest, Romania
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2010
Strengths: Good overall quality, marketed as an entry level bike but in reality it is much more than that.
Sturdy Alu-7005 frame, solid rock shox fork, comfy saddle, ergonomic Avid handbrakes.
Weaknesses: Had some problems with the rear wheel, it kept cutting the tube. Due to some manufacturing defect probably, the bore edges where razor sharp on one side. Sanded it down and now we're fine.
The bike is a bit heavy (15 kg - I have the 20 inch one), and the Kenda K 922 tires are just rubbish.
Bottom Line:
Best bike on the market in its price range period. You get a lot more than what you pay for.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hard rock disk, RockMachine thunder 70
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Bournemouth, UK
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2009
Strengths: Good quality components. No need for regular adjustment of brakes/gears, etc.
Very sharp brakes!
Nice 'clean' gear change
Comfy saddle
'Windows' on the handlebar to see what gear/chainring you're on.
Weaknesses: Chain noise sensitive to grit. Sounds 'gravely' after use on sandy soil. A quick hose down and re-lub fixes it though. Not really a problem but something to be aware of. ...and the cure of course.
Bottom Line:
A good value buy. Highly recommended!
I use mine for commuting too and it's perfect. Road users could argue the tyres are a little on the large/knobbly side but I take 'shortcuts' and don't fancy ending up face down in wet grass!
Strangely manoeuvrable for a big bike. Mine's slightly oversized for my height. Handles turns very well even at speed.
Watch out though, it seems to almost have a life of its own willing you to go faster...
Submitted by
Bretta
a Cross Country Rider
from Norwich, UK
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009
Strengths: Great Frame, Kona Quality, Good Double Skin Wheels
Weaknesses: Pedals broke within a month as did the crank (whatever is in the hub) Not a problem though - replaced by the dealer for free.
Bottom Line:
I would recommend the bike to anyone!
It is a good frame, strong and sturdy. I would upgrade the tires and the pedals straight away. I waited about a month to swap the mechanical discs for hydraulic ones as well as swapping the the dart 1 for some rockshox recons.
I have heard of probs with the Alivio gears but i have not had any - will upgrade to something tougher if and when they break!!!
It is a good entry level bike, worth upgrading some parts for a lightweight XC weapon!!
Submitted by
lembo71
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2009
Strengths: good frame
Weaknesses: none as all changed
Bottom Line:
where do i start striped and powder coated once it started looking rough xt hubs mavic rims magura hydraulics marzzochi front end xt rapid fire and so on ! lovely smooth ride and just a lot of fun roll on summer so i can use it even more
Submitted by
Kev
a Downhiller
from Santa Rosa, California, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2008
Strengths: Really great bike, my friends have Kona Shreds and one has a Kona Five-0, they always make fun of the Fire Mountain but it is a really good bike and able to keep up and even pass the other bikes.
Weaknesses: the derailer isnt to good, take a couple spills and u will have a hard time shifting
Similar Products Used: Kona Shred, Kona Five 0, Kona Coilair
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
josh price
a Cross Country Rider
from swansea
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2008
Strengths: hard as nails. great brakes and good solid feel can cary you through most of what you throw at it.
Weaknesses: fork is VERY tempremental, crank and both derailiers, also tyres arent very gripy
Bottom Line:
a good beginers bike, frame is nice and responsive, if a litle heavy, and good overall components, although my rockshox dart 1 fork is a bit trashy as is the front and rear mech,if i was paying full price i would go for something else but i got it in the sale so... still a good alrounder, but just not the best value. so if you want a strong reliable bike with a great frame to build on, get it!
Submitted by
Dylan Daugherty
a Cross Country Rider
from O h i o
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2007
Strengths: Great stock components. Solid frame. This bike has been downhilling, xc, and street riding and held up great. I have taken some nasty spills and this bike always came out in one peice. This is a great beginers mountain bike for a cheap price.
Weaknesses: NADA!!
Bottom Line:
I have never had a single complaint about this bike. As my friends tried to move their Wal-Mart bikes I hauled @$$. This is a FANTASTIC bike. Time has proven this to me. Buy this bike if your looking to start the sport or if you want a good bike for your kid.
Submitted by
Carole T
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
Bottom Line:
Great bike for a Great price. I loved this bike. It did me proud going to work everyday and on longer rides around London. Unfortunately, someone else loves it too... they've nicked it.
Bike Setup: rock shocks shimano alvio gears disk brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Hatton
a Weekend Warrior
from Traveling North America
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2005
Strengths: 1. its a Kona 2. good hard frame 3. everything works great
Weaknesses: the RST 281 shocks(not sure if those are standard) feels a bit soft at first but its worth it to get that extra inch when hopping a log
Bottom Line:
an awsome bike for an awsome price, all i did was pull the rear tire of my old P.O.S. and stuck it on the kona. i love it, i have gone all over new york, new jersey and parts of maryland in it, and it works like a charm
I don't know if this race has been plugged on MTBR or not. If not, the communities of Pine/Strawberry, Arizona have teamed up with the MBAA to host an endurance mountain bike race Read More »
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Nice clean 1988 Mountain Goat Deluxe with Hot Rod flames. Brings us up to 7 oval-tubed Goats:thumbsup: Combination of Campagnolo Euclid and Centaur parts with an IRD post and Kin Read More »
