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Submitted by
Stinky Pollo
a Weekend Warrior
from Quito
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Todos los Chota | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | The Back Country Lake Tahoe | | Strengths: | Frame desing and materials / Rear Suspension System .
| | Weaknesses: | Original Seatpost and seat's quickrelese suck.
| | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro comp 00 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 130 mm. ETA , Fox RC2 6 inches. DH mavic Rims Hayes Nine F & Rear 8 in. seatpost Thompson elite, | | Bottom Line: | Very strong bike / handles everything / you can depend on it for
everything on every ride. Four years of fun .
Changing it for a SC Nomad 07 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Downhiller
from Bklyn
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bayridge Bicycle World in NYC | | Strengths: | solid frame, the suspension works too well, the components can take anything thrown at them no reall big upgrades and I love the colors, can be pedalled up hill fast, travel just right | | Weaknesses: | the fork may be on the soft side in the parking lot, no 5th element shock for it, | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Mongoose NX 9.7, Tomac 204 | | Bike Setup: | Selle Italia Gel saddle, Race Face Bash Guard | | Bottom Line: | It is amazingly sturdy and solid. It doesn't feel like an aluminum because its suspension does a good job of giving it a lively feeling. Can fit any rider from novice to experienced.
I can pedal up hill faster than a friend on a Superlight so anyone who complains about its pedal bob needs to go to the gym. I am from the East Coast and frequent Japan which is the same, this bike can definintely take the East coast, those who think otherwise can't ride. This bike shouldn't be bashed because of the lack of bike skills from the rider. The bike is 50% the rider is the rest. Even the soft fork in the parking lot feels awesome on the trail, evenly balanced with the back once you get rolling. I never fear anything when I ride this bike. I'm tall and the large size works all too well. There couldn't have been a better bike if I had my way. Kodos to Kona | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Downhiller
from San Juan Capistrano CA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Very solid and well constructed, RC is great for uphill climbs great on moderate hills. Great weight for its strength.Z1 dropoffs a little to soft but they dont bottom easily. shifts nice, great turning radius very stable it takes what you throw at it. | | Weaknesses: | Not many the 8" rotor in the front rubs a bit, and the LX front derallier both got out of tune after some jumps, small drops, and technical trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Iron Horse SGS Sport | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for fox vanilla RC and shimano rear derallier. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price perfect for experienced riders or beginners can handle all types of terrain. overall its an excellent bike if your thinking about getting a used bike and see a dee-lux I would strongly recomend this great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Downhiller
from calgary, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Canada Olympic Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | pre-owned | | Strengths: | Great components, deore xt great, frame is awesome and the travel is really plush. Race face crankset was a good choice, umm, i dunno IT IS A KONA ofcourse its good. | | Weaknesses: | THE FORK..poor little single crown has no chance of survival when ur riding with your friends and droppin 10+ footers. Upgrade the fork to a juniour t or similar. too skinny of tires too. you will want to put a bashguard or chainguide on it so u dont mess up ur rings. | | Similar Products Used: | Stab Primo | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Stinky dee-lux with 2002 Juniour T Pro | | Bottom Line: | Its a great bike, just change the fork and do somethin with the sprockets and ur laughin....just member your bike will only treat you as good as you treat it so keep it maintained and in great working order. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
THANE
a Downhiller
from PA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Employee purchase | | Strengths: | Very stable at speed, pedals very efficently, stiff, strong component selection, easy to keep a wheelie up (but see below) | | Weaknesses: | Standover... what standover???
I have never ridden such a sluggish bike, yes it pedals efficently, but when climbing i actually had to switch into the granny gear which is a first for me, most of my 9" travel dh bikes climbed better than this.
Bikes geometry is probably great for the higher speed west coast trails but it sucks @ss for some of the extremely technical courses on the east coast, this bike is horrible in slow speed super-technical sections. It also seemed to divebomb off every drop i went off, no matter how much i torqued the pedals or pulled up on the bars the front end would drop violently toward the ground, i have never had ANY bike do this, and it was plain scary resulting in me dislocating my shoulder on the last occasion before i just sold the bike due to it's horrible characteristics. This may be due to it's geometry, probably the long chainstay and wheelbase, but still i've owned 15 or more dh and freeride bikes and never had this problem.
Rear suspension isn't progressive enough, you make the rear stiff as hell yet it still bottoms, and the fork tops out like a mutha...
Don't like the bar linage either, has a ton of brake jack because of it, and is basically a single pivot bike with a linkage to the shock since the wheel is mounted right on the swingarm | | Similar Products Used: | Iron horse G-Spot
Iron horse SGS-DH
Nolan one-off dh
Specialized Palmer Edition FSR-DH
Mountain Cycle Shockwave
Mountain Cycle San Andreas
GT lts-dh
Specialized enduro fsr
thaose are a few i've owned but i've tried many more... | | Bike Setup: | i sold it, but it was stock except: odi intense lockons, maxxis high roller 50d 2.5" tires | | Bottom Line: | I read rave reviews on this bike not only on mtbr.com but in a few magazines and for the first time in my life i listened to what everyone had to say and bought the bike that was "the best freeride machine ever". That was a huge mistake. I don't care what great things anyone says about this bike anymore and how much negative feedback i'm going to get for posting a negative review for this bike(like when i dissed the boxxer), at least i know what i'm talking about. If you want a bike for the east coast i don't think this is the right one, it may be pretty good out west but they have completely different conditions than we do here. Bottom line is this bike was scary to handle, it didn't feel like i was in control whatsoever, and i had my shoulder blade up near my neck and $1700 worth of hospital bills to prove it. If you want a freeride bike that doesn't "divebomb" try a real 4 bar linkage like any company who uses the fsr linkage, a bullit, or even a san andreas dhs, they ride much better, they actually can go up a hill like a freeride bike should, they have something called standover(my stinky DL was a 18" i'm 6'...), and the look cooler too :) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan
a
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | pedalogerna, stockholm | | Strengths: | This bike not only looks great it handels superbly. Front and rear suspension works verry well together. It feels verry robust and gives you confidence the it gets a bit rough. | | Weaknesses: | 30mm seatpoast. Why? I can't se any reason to use a diameter no one else use. If they have to use that tube diameter then offer a setbeck alternative. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense tracer and DDG shooter. Not verry similar but I rode them a lot. | | Bike Setup: | Stock accept gripshifts, race face bash guard and gore ride on shifting cable. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike when someone stole my DDG. Had been looking at the stinky line for a while and used the insurence money to buy me a Stinky Dee. First thing I noticed was the short cocpit but I slided the seat all the way back and are comfortable now. It also felt a bit heavy on the climbs the first rides but you adapt verry quick to the heavyer bike.
It took about a month before I started to get the suspension setup right and getting used to the feel of the bike. The Tiogas slide a bit more than the Gazza duals I used to run. But after the first month I loved the bike. I'm about 140lbs and the zocchi is perfect for me. I normally run it with no preload. Thats on normal trails with no big drops butt some nice rocky parts. It bottoms out occasionally.
This bike is for someone that has grown tired of all wheight watching and love when the trail goes down hill. It's not for endurance recers allthough I will ride it if I decide to do the Moab 24 next year.
5 chillis for value as the components are good.
5 chillis overall as its a great bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clay
a Weekend Warrior
from orono, me, usa
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | urban | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Bottom Line: | this is in regards to my previous posting on the chatter from the shock. It was just the reducers wearing out from impacts and the screw threads! Now it's a sweeeeet, tight bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clay
a Weekend Warrior
from orono, me, usa
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | urban | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | very plush rear end, fork is plush also(with stiff springs) and soaks up everything. Big hits are very smooth, wheelies easily, very stable in air and when riding with no hands. VERY stiff frame, no lateral flex whatsoever. 8 inch rotor is incredible compared to six inch for power and riding endos. | | Weaknesses: | chatter from the rear shock, fork clangs sometimes, but not sure what either noise is. It's a used bike, so it's not perfect. 17" is cramped for me(i'm 5'10.5), so i got a 100mm shorty stem, feels great now. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | azonic shorty stem, xt crankset, raceface bashgaurd, lock on grips, stiff springs for fork, wellgo platform pedals, otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | sweet ride, next bike is '03 stinky for sure. I am a Kona rider for life as long as the stinky is around! I just wish I knew what the sound was that's coming from the rear end, it's very annoying but does not affect the ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blake Roberts
a Downhiller
from Deer Park Tx. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | downtown | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | strong frame, easy to pedal, better for xc trails then my 29 pound xc bike | | Weaknesses: | nothing wrong with the frame but i cant find stiff enough springs for the fork. | | Similar Products Used: | khs dominatrax | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Pawcatuck, Ct. USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on right now. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mystic Cycle Centre | | Strengths: | Amazing climbing ability for its weight
Burly frameset
Sealed bearing pivots
Great component spec for the price | | Weaknesses: | It didn't come with a big bag of cash. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC1
Specialized Enduro
Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | All stock except:
King Headset
King ISO rear hub
8" rear rotor
Kenda Kinetics 2.6 tires and DH tubes
RS Boxxer fork
Time ATAC pedals
Razor Rock aftermarket levers for the Hayes brakes | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike as an accomidation to an injury that nearly ended my ability to ride singletrack. My Adept XC bike is far too stiff and causes unbearable pain after less than 1 hour of riding, so I searched for a long travel bike that could still handle XC riding. The Kona, out of the other bikes I tested, rode the best and bothered my injury the least.
I mostly use this bike as if it was a real XC rig. Despite its 41.5lb weight, the 2.6" tires and Boxxer fork, it still rides amazingly well. I can climb nearly as quick as my friends who ride shorter-travel XC rigs, it handles the twisties as well as my Adept does, and descends so much better than anything I've ever been on. The two times I've been to Mt Snow on this bike have shown me what its capable of when I'm healthy enough to really start riding.
My modifications to the stock DeeLux were made because I got the Boxxer for an amazing deal and had the Chris King bits hanging around. The wider tires were put on because I got the pair for $45 and sold the stock Tiogas for $50. So far, the King bits are flawless and performing as they should. My Boxxer is leaking a bit of oil at the seals, I understand this is normal for the fork to go through seals on a regular basis. If I can't find better seals somewhere, I may replace it with a Marzocchi SuperT. The Kendas seem to stick to anything that isn't soaking wet rock. They corner very well in mud and loam and have great climbing traction on wet roots.
Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this bike. I'm only dissapointed that it didn't come with a huge sack of cash, because thats the only way it could be made better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bolinas
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley CA Usa
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Zig Zag | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | WTB Sponsorship | | Strengths: | Gets every bump and soaks up everything. takes big hits and bust some E-Z wheelies. I'm in the downieville photos I the wee ladie and the wheelie king. This bike kicks ass | | Weaknesses: | Can't pedal up hill | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock parts except WTB weirwolf front tires and Mutano raptors rear tire WTB grips WTB speed v Saddle and WTB laser disc DH wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike its the best thing you'll ever do. I love this bike. This bike Kick as on downhill | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from North Bend Wa.
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Back Country bikes | | Strengths: | The frame and suspension design make it very comfortable and secure. The componenet selection for the overall price is tough to beat, the tires are great, the engineering of the entire package is very well thought out for the intended use and even for uses likely not intended, like long XC rides. | | Weaknesses: | These cannot be considererd weaknesses but preferences. I needed a bigger cockpit for my "perfect fit" and Kona uses a 30mm seatpost diameter try to find a 30mm post! I did but it was not easy. Kona actually had to tell me it was Titec. Then it has to be special ordered from Titec. Nobody else has one! I prefer clipless pedals so I swapped them out too. The front fork seems soft but I also know it's soaking up everything it hits and you don't even notice it. Put a zip tie on and see how high it gets after a ride. I bottom out on occasion but I think it may be in the design to work that way? | | Similar Products Used: | I have rented and riddin quite a few bikes at various ski areas The plain stinky included | | Bike Setup: | Stock stinky deelux except for: Clipless pedals(one side platform the other clipless). I took off the Hayes Hydro's and replaced them with Avid Mechanicals using Avid speed dial ultimate levers, 8" front rotor. Titec 30mm 1" setback seatpost, Cateye enduro, | | Bottom Line: | This bike can climb some of the most rugged single track with logs rocks and roots and ruts I have ever ridden. No bike I have used so far climbs as well. As much as the complaints of the front fork being to soft, that is why this thing will absorb trail obsticals and just keep flowing. I have climbed hills with this bike I have tried on several others and never made it a single time.
This bike was probably never intended as a serious hill climber....... or was it? In the lowest gear you can sit and spin up long steep climbs as easy as any XC bike I have used. My longest so far is a 2.5 mile up hill with a 600 foot elevation gain on a loose gravel logging road. My 27 pound FS-XC bike would have bounced or spun the back tire and come to a stop a dozen times on that same road.
The weight, What weight? It's heavy on the scale at 34.5 pounds(18") but while pedaling I never can tell it's heavy. I rode a 32 mile epic trip on mixed single track and logging roads with several other XC bike riders. I never fell behind and was fresh and not a bit sore. Some of the light weight bike riders were beat up and had sore arms and backs, or so they said. I thinks it's easier to recover from being tired then it is from being sore! They took a beating in their arms and backs with the 80mm suspension 25 pound bikes they used. Not to mention they creeped down many of the downhill sections I just blew off and flew down.
The level of fitness is part of the issue, but I'm over 40 years old, and everyone else was younger!
Now the part the bike was intended for! Going down hills and launching out of the waterbars and off other natural ramps is unreal. The landings and the total confidence you get on this bike is amazing. There are plenty of free ride stunts I cannot do but the bike is not what is limiting my ability. This Bike will do what ever the rider wants. Drops, jumps, or climbing hills. It has caused me to consider the investment in shin and elbow armour now.
It's almost as if Kona could read my mind and make the bike I had visions of. I would 100% without question buy this bike again! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cube
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Brook, Fort Rock,Fells Foxoboro, FOMBA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Bobs Portsmouth NH | | Strengths: | The Heavy-duty Frame transfers power well and can take abuse. The major components are first rate. Hayes Orange Disk Brakes, Z.1 Marrzocchi Drop Off QR20+130mm coil, Fox Vanilla R Rear Shock. The LX Shifters function like their XT big brothers.
| | Weaknesses: | Only one water bottle mount on the frame. The Kona Platform Pedals were not effective for biking up hill as compared to clippless pedals. I also managed to warp one of the Kona pedals on the first ride. They lasted 29 minutes on the trail. I did how ever hit this big rock at speed and well you understand.
Hilly switchbacks are cumbersome with long travel fork
The bikes weight makes it a poor choice for the bike path, but that’s not what it designed for.
The QR20 makes taking off the front wheel a pain.
| | Similar Products Used: | My specialized FSR XC is much more of a cross-country bike compared to my Stinky. The Stinky is a much more powerful bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Shimano M-545 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Up Front the bike is Marrzocchi Drop off is buttery and effective. The Vanilla rear suspension socks up the hits with its six-inch travel. The suspension is balanced well between the front and the back. Five inches up front matched with six inches in the rear. This bike allows the rider to not pick a line but instead just ride over anything. The high bottom bracket clears many obstacles that a bike with a lower bottom bracket would hit. This bike is also an excellent climber. I can now power up over stuff that I would have considered circus stuff on my FSR. I was shocked that a big bike like the Stinky could be biked up rough hill trails no problem. The bike however is not in its element going up the really steep stuff. The front wheel wants to pull a wheelie but you can counter that. Once you get to the top of the hill you can descend like a cannon ball. This bike is built for drops and big hits so you can get down the hill in a hurry. The bike is fun and causes the rider to laugh hysterically while taking on drops, logs, roots whatever. I am able to ride so many sections that I would have had to hike a bike if I were still riding my out FSR. Speed builds up quickly while riding the Stinky. You don’t apply the break so much instead you just roll over and off drops. The bike can also take a beating and possesses its rider, forcing him to ride with a demon's confidence on rough trails.
The price for this bike beats Intense and Turner resoundingly. Over all the bike is a blast and looks great.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Jopling
a Downhiller
from Wilton, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | My Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Outlaw Bicycles | | Strengths: | Everything; solid frame, indestructable wheels and suspension, handles very well downhill... | | Weaknesses: | None... | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky, Stinky Primo, Stinky Nine, Stab, Bear Dee Lux, Intense M-1, Big Hit Comp, San Andreas | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the following exceptions: Profile cranks/bb, Azonic Bars w/Shorty stem, Black Spire bashguard with oversized 1st and 2nd rings (no big ring), soon to have a 2003 Super T... | | Bottom Line: | F**cking nice bike, indestructable, no comparison to the Craftworks FRM125 or the Cove G-Spot, can go off bigger drops than you can... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Boston NY
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | ordered from kona | | Strengths: | The bike is amazing in all conditions,and the rear suspension works great. | | Weaknesses: | The fork needs a harder spring, and hayes are impossible to adjust and when you have them adjusted right they still make funny noises. | | Similar Products Used: | kona stab,khs dominatrax, trek 6000. | | Bike Setup: | Everything is stock except for mrp chain guide and THE fender.
| | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike i have ever purchased and works awsome, but hayes suck and kona should look into putting hope's on the new line of bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan B
a Downhiller
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Gimp (Nelson, BC, Canada | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | Good Bike, Will take lots of pounding, good rear travel and feel. Good price. No Complaints yet. | | Weaknesses: | Front fork bottoms out easily, i recomend upgrading to bigger stiffer fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Gemini 1000 and 2000, Stinky, Stinky Primo, Stinky Nine, norco Launch and drop. | | Bike Setup: | Factory except upgrade to 3.65" front tire and 8" rear brake, new grips (factory are really good though) Ring god, new seat. | | Bottom Line: | A good tuff bike which is good for downhill trails and freeride and trials, good travel. Pretty cheep, try to get a good deal. Good Ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Harbor, WA USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whistler, and the gnarly stuff at my house. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Nice, strong bike. Good for hucking semi-big stuff, cool looking brake calipers, plush rear and front suspension. | | Weaknesses: | The front fork is way too soft for what I want the bike for. I bottomed it repeatedly the first day I had it and immediatley ordered the stiffest springs, and I still bottom those. I am a 200lb rider, but come on. I have max preload on them too. anything over four feet bottoms em. Not too fond of the riser bars either. I broke the shifting indicators off the first wreck too, but that can only be expected. Planning on upgrading fork to a monster T as soon as possible. Fork is plush but way too soft. | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky 5", friends crappy specialized XC bike. Specialized big hit. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for stiffer front and rear springs ( stiffer rear spring was unneccessary, but decieded to play it safe)different stem. 20" huge frame. | | Bottom Line: | I love the bike, but not the forks. They would be fine for a lighter rider, but do not belong on a bike with a 20" frame that will obviously be used by a bigger rider. My friend bottoms the forks too, even with the preload and stiff springs, and he only weighs 165. The rest of the bike is great though. A good value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geo
a Weekend Warrior
from Chilli, OH USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | www.JUSTNORTHOFDAYTONA.com | | Strengths: | You can read my previous review on this page. Now after 6 months of muddy riding. I have disassembled the linkages for inspection. The sealed bearings as well as the bushings were spotless and didn't need regreased. What a relief after owning an i-drive. This bike is nuke-proof right down to the bearings. | | Weaknesses: | QR 20 system on the front fork is very functional, but it is super inconvenient and the screws that hold the safety latches on the fork are always cross-threading. But that is a minor complaint because the fork itself has a very good feel to it. | | Similar Products Used: | SIMILAR ? nothing. Maybe my GT i-drive was a close, but not similar. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with speedplay pedals | | Bottom Line: | Look into it if you're in the market. I ride mainly cross-country with many rough downhill sections. I ride hill-for-hill with my compadre's while they are on lighter-weight x-country bikes, but then on the rougher downhills I literally leave them in the dust. This bike has increased my downhill speed, air-control and confidence while having no effect on my ability to climb. I'll admit that this bike does have a little heavier feel to it, but it is still an excellent climber. If you're in the market for a solid bike don't let the weight scare you away from buying this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Hanley
a Weekend Warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Graham Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 2600 | | Strengths: | Strong, Stable ride. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Giant AC. | | Bike Setup: | Stock bike with following upgrades. Marzocchi Super T, Fox Vanilla RC, Blackspire Bashguard, Shimano 646 Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Strong Ride. I'm a 220 lb 6'4" rider. Strength needed. Compared to FSR the ride is very stable. Needed to drop fork 1" to eliminate copper effect w/ steering. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Row-bear scadding
a Downhiller
from Toronto ON Canada
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | downtown | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$14100.00 | | Purchased At: | sport swap | | Strengths: | Great fork, good geometry, strong mainframe, good suspension feel, fairly high bottom bracket, great race face ISIS cranks.
| | Weaknesses: | Snapped rear swing-arm on the non-drive side right at the drop out, snapped mounting bolt that conects the rocker arms to the shock, absolutely destroyed original mavic 519 rims. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa cruz bullit, Rocky mountain, rm6 and rm7, norco vps. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z3 QR-20 fork, Race Face systems stem (50mm, 15 degree rise, Sun double wide rims 24" front and rear, kenda kolosal DH 2.6", Kona bulge BMX cranks 175mm, Race face front ring 36T, Hayes hydraulic brakes 8" front 6" rear, shimano XT drivetrain, Mr dirt Gizmo chain guide. | | Bottom Line: | The kona stinky line up is perfect for a wide variety of riders depending on what parts the bike is out-fitted with. Mine for example is set up very well for urban riding and dirt jumping. the small wheels allow for better acceleration and account for a lower centre of gravity. Mix that with rock solid parts you have a bomb proof product that isn't that heavy (37 pounds or so). Others may choose to but a double or tripple crown fork on it, the strong head tube is cappable of this, to do some tough down hilling. Any way you cut it, the stinky is a great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from hickory,nc, usa
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | brown mnt. , anything fast &burly | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | lightning cycles | | Strengths: | super strong frame,6"of rear travel,marzocchi z1,hayes brakes w/8"rotor up front,climbs better than expected,loves to be in the air,handles 6-8'drops with ease | | Weaknesses: | qr20+ system is a pain (marzocchi needs to go to 20mm thru-axle,it's easier)tioga tires arent the greatest, springs in the fork are too soft,I only weigh 165, | | Similar Products Used: | marin team dh(only lasted 5 months)stab,stabprimo, dbr x-6, dbr x-10, ellsworth dare(flexy)rm-6&-7 both created playin the rear the 6 was in 3 hours. | | Bike Setup: | stock 2002 stinky dee-lux | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. It inspires confidence which made me over jump some of my landings. I rode this bike for 6 hrs on brown and it climbed great, descended even better and flowed all day long.I did a drop that had never been done before which was approx.6.5-7' with a short landing. 3 words to sum it up smooth flowing machine If your looking for a do anything bike that will keep producing smiles then this is an excellent choice. I also used this bike to break in another drop at a friends house which is real smooth for 8'. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geo
a Weekend Warrior
from Chilli, OH USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | If I told you, it wouldn't be my favorite | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | www.Just North of Daytona.com | | Strengths: | Good solid frame, rigid, active 6 inches of rear suspension, good climber, very little bobing, good spec of componetry. Brakes are great! | | Weaknesses: | Didn't come with the orange calipers that Kona brags about in their ad's (huuuuge disappointment !). The Tioga tires are a bit much for all-around riding conditions (especially muddy, wet conditions). I suggest alternating sets of tires for the riding you plan to do. Keep the Tiogas for hardpack. It's hard to get used to the QR20 system, but it is a good system. Get used to it! | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive | | Bike Setup: | Stock Stinky Dee-lux | | Bottom Line: | I'll wright more when I get some hours behind me, however, it is an excellent bike for trail riding (up and down hills). Don't let the weight scare you out of trying this bike for x-country. It climbs well and it is at home going downhill. If you're a total weenie about weight you'd better do some looking around, but if you can swallow the fact that you're not riding the lightest bike on the trail, go ahead and give it a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from free ride capitol of the world- troy ny.ny
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | travel, travel, travel. this bike feels like its got alot more than 5 inches of travel. it's very smooth. Parts are all top notch. the hayes stoppers have no equal. | | Weaknesses: | the front rings aren't race face's high end rings, and they bend easliy. it weighs 34 pounds, (but for what its built to do that's not really an issue). | | Similar Products Used: | mt cycle san andres, other full floaters and lots of hard tails, no bike that compares to this one | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I demoed this bike last night, took it urban riding and had a ton of fun. The best way to describe it is plush, big stair cases and drops were not really an issue. My friend even rode it down a moving up escaltor without any trouble. If you don't have the dough for a stinky dee-lux check out the regular stinky, its $900 less, and although the parts are kinda more crappy the frames are the same and they both get z1s. bottom line, these bikes are more fun crack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia (sa)
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Panorama drive, pinera | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | cycleworx sponsorship | | Strengths: | exelent handeling and it can dig those 4-5 foot flat landings with ease. good brakes. and 5 inches of quality real travel. exellent for the price and you know that it is going to be of Kona quality!! exellent balance and not 2 much bob for freeriding | | Weaknesses: | the stock wheels are too weak and slightly warp of big drops. tioga tires are 2 slim. might get some 2.5 tioga's. | | Similar Products Used: | giant atx 1 - got flogged so i got this | | Bike Setup: | stock-blackspire chain gide | | Bottom Line: | this is the ultimate freeride bike. if your into freeriding or are getting into the dh scene, you cant go better with your hard earned $$$.but if you shave your legs or plan to be a spring chicken, this is not the bike 4 U!!! i can manual downhills for hours. such a sweet ride. dont even know what i am doing here on my pc, i need 2 ride now!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vies
a Weekend Warrior
from Winti
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dättliker & dättnauer | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Well balanced bike, short frame, great cornering in technical sections. Nice for dropping. Great to handle.
Wonderful Pedals!! | | Weaknesses: | Springs in the fork are way to soft even for a light rider like me. (65 kg) but this can be changed easily. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-drive 1.0; | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Nice Bike for freeriding, especially if you have to head up the mountains you want to ride down. Not as easy climbing as the GT, but a lot more fun to ride. Strong enough to endure some urban abuse as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stevo
a Weekend Warrior
from Welington, N.Z. (But currently live in CT)
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Westwoods, CT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Gravity Mountainbiking, Bolivia | | Strengths: | Phenominal frame strength and rigidity. Quality part selection for the price. Pedaling efficiency balances extra frame weight. Marzocchi Z1/Fox Vanilla R is a sweet combination. Outstanding Hayes stopping power. Incredible balance provides a confidence inspiring ride. The smile you can´t get rid of. | | Weaknesses: | Not any lighter this year either, but get fit and it´s not a problem! Tioga tires are OK - a little skittish cornering in the loose. The old "Rasta" paint job was killer - but new one definately turns heads... which is a whole different problem... buy a good lock! Strengths far outweigh anything I could write here. | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex Beast XC, Cannondale Jeckyl 3000, Gary Fisher Sugar, Kona Stinky Five, Kona Roast (hardtail), 2001 Kona Stinky Dee-lux
| | Bike Setup: | Stock 18" (for now!) Would look for alternative tire setup for N.E. conditions. | | Bottom Line: | Been living in the U.S.A for 4+ years. Took a trip to Bolivia and rode a Kona Stinky Five/Kona Roast for 3 days in the highlands with Gravity Mountainbiking out of La Paz. An incredible riding experience that left me sold on Kona bikes... so much so I bought one right there, and it arrived in CT direct from the factory the same week.
I have nothing bad to say about this machine. It wants to jump off everything, and you just hang on for the ride. I also own a 1998 Proflex Beast - an XC bike that´s about 10lbs lighter. No comparison. Extra weight of the Stinky-D is really not that noticible on the New England trails and I can keep up with my riding partners on the flats/inclines just like I could on the Beast... but now I can leave them behind on the rough downhills and dropoffs.
A great freeride/entry DH/XC capable machine for anyone who wants to take their riding to the next level. Would reccommend spring upgrades for highly aggressive/heavier riders. Great bang for the buck... check it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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