|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Owen Hatt
a Weekend Warrior
from Saint John
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockwood Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Works | | Strengths: | Awesome bike...The frame is light and strong. Looks nice too. The brake levers...grips etc are awesome. I like that the fork has lockout. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals suck, and the bar leaves a little to be desired. Brakes and such are just okay. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Kona Blast Stock...Replaced pedals with Sun/Ringle Zu-Zu's. | | Bottom Line: | Seems like a wicked bike for the price...Even if you don't get a deal. The next step up from this bike is the Caldera...and allthough the Caldera is a better bike hands down...it doesnt seem like as good of a deal as the Blast for what you actually get for your money. I plan on doing a few upgrades...But I definatley think "I love my bike" every time I hop on. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from victoria, bc, canada
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | the one i'm on... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | The frame is typical Kona - light and solid. The rims aren't bad for the money. Nice, classic rear derailleur (STX-RC). Good headset and great brakes (Avids). | | Weaknesses: | Alivio 8 speed shifters! These shifters suck. Half the time the left one won't even catch to shift into the largest chainring. I'm not very impressed with the alivio front derailleur either. The paint is pretty easy to chip, especially under and around the bottom bracket area. The RST shock is very heavy and I'm concerned about it's future reliability. | | Bike Setup: | Avid 1.0 brakes and levers, Alivio 8 speed shifters, Alivio FD, STX-RC RD, Mavic 138 rims, stock Kona tires and stem. | | Bottom Line: | Not a bad bike. Kona frame is very nice and light. Some of the components are a bit questionable, but are easily upgraded. If you can get one for a good deal, a Kona is always worthwhile. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moh Tong, David Ling
a Cross Country Rider
from Kota KInabalu,Sabah,Malaysia
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Kg Kiau, Mount Kinabalu | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | From brother in law | | Strengths: | Strong and is race proven. I borrowed my bike to a participant(Exceldive team) in the first malaysia 24 hours race at Sabah tea plantation and they were number 3 up of the 26 teams back in 2004. (Is in the Malaysia guniness book of record, about this race) | | Weaknesses: | Pedal is a bit "special"
Weight too. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar race 01 model | | Bike Setup: | Easton carbon monkey lite riser bar, cc headset, easton stem and seat post. Rockshox duke xc u-turn, deore 9sp shifter,deore crank front D and read D.Mavix stock rim 139. Avid single digit 5 v-brake and single digit 3 lever. | | Bottom Line: | Kona blast is a value for money hardtail.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Annette Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Laramie, WY USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Happy Jack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle, Boulder | | Strengths: | Nice frame for a woman. Quick and responsive angles, short-ish stem. Decent components for this price point. | | Weaknesses: | constantly out-of-true wheels, clipless pedals should be an immediate consideration | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana, Specialized Rockhopper, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | 2004 model, Stock 16" | | Bottom Line: | After developing a back problem on my over-sized Specialized, I convinced the bike shop to let me ride some smaller frames. I'm 5'6" but with a really short torso. This bike is fun to jump on single track and upright enough for some gentle tooling around town. My back never hurts, after 10 hard-core miles of Rocky Mountain singletrack. Cages are hard to find on the pedals (at least it COMES with cages): will consider clipless very soon. A good starter bike with lots of room to grow. In short, I LOVE MY BIKE. A great ride for the price, especially if you can get it on closeout. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron
a
from Japan
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Grove Cycle Japan | | Strengths: | Frame is awesome, excelent geometry. Great price for a bike that feels and rides like this. | | Weaknesses: | Components are fairly low end however it has an awesome frame which is fully upgradeable and a good overall price. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper Sport *2, Kona Hahauna | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for shimano clipless peadals and a deore crank. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a great price. I would recommend it to any level rider from beginner to expert, who are looking for the best bang for their buck. I simply love the way this bike feels and rides.
The components are pretty low end so if you are picky about that go for the Caldera. Otherwise you could replace the components over time or as they break. It is disc brake compatable so over time you could set the bike up totally sweet.
I bought the bike mail order, based on how much I loved my old Kona Hauanna. This bike feels much different but I am not disappointed. The body position on this bike is more upright, as if you were riding a motorcross. The bottom bracket is high so you have lots of clearance giving a "high in the saddle" kinda feel.
I use the bike for singletrack, touring and various urban obsticles. Its comfortable to ride and so much fun. I still get the europhic "I love my bike" feeling each time I hop on it.
Hope this helps, Happy trails
Cameron | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cole
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$581.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | Frame, Marzocchi MX-comp 100mm fork, brakes, derailers... I love it all | | Weaknesses: | PEDALS... oh god, terrible | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock - Will change the pedals ASAP and the grips seems like they will be ruined soon | | Bottom Line: | Been on one ride with it and I love it. Coming from a Norco Reactor which Ive had since 1999 worth about half as much as this Kona its like comparing a BMW with a Honda. Great bike for anyone | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bo Finnegan
a Weekend Warrior
from Williston VT USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Snowmobile Trail behind my House | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Earl Bikes | | Strengths: | Smooth Drive Train, Power climber, once it get's rolling you can ride over just about anything | | Weaknesses: | Petals, front fork (Before adjusing it) | | Similar Products Used: | diamond back, specialized, trek | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new seat / petals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great cruiser on the trial or on the road. I ride 60% time on the trail 40% time on the road and this thing handels anything I throw at it. I'm a big dude, 225lbs, and this bike handels all the single tracks snowmobile trails and suger shack runs I can find on the 3 or 4 times a week a ride. In three years I had to adjust the derailer once and I've gone though 6 sets of break pads and she is still going strong. Except that I have ridden so much the drive train is worn and I have 2-3 more months left before I have to do some work on it. But it still shift fine with a worn drive train. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mason Miller
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Ozone Cycles | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Decent Componentry (considering price), minimal maintenance, comfortable ride, great climber, solid shifting, very nimble on tight single track | | Weaknesses: | brake levers feel like two solid wooden blocks, wheels go out of true easily, EXR Comp fork is STIFF STIFF STIFF... | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2003 model with Shimano SPD pedals, LX brake levers, Cane Creek Aeroheat Wheelset, Maxxis Larsen Tires | | Bottom Line: | This really is a great bike (especially as a "let's see how much I like this sport" sort of bike). It's a good, solid ride that is very quick and nimble in the turns and stable on the rocky downhills (I don't go too fast).
The EXR Comp fork is very stiff (bombproof as all get at, but not plush). It's only going to absorb the medium to large hits. You might as well be on a full rigid bike for the smaller bumps.
The wheels also should be replaced fairly quickly. While I'm a larger rider (6'4" and 230 lbs), I bent the rims out of true almost immediately (on not very hard stuff I might add). I was hesitant to really push things until I got new wheels. With the Cane Creeks on there, this puppy is solid, and can take quite a beating (by my standards that is...)
Also, I didn't much care for the brake levers. I rode with them for several months and just didn't like their feel or size. They were definitely department store-esque. Very long and non-ergonomic. Whenever you release the brakes they make a consistently noisy, metallic "clank." Once I replaced them with LX levers, I was a happy camper.
All that said, however, I think that this really is a great bike. It's strong, solid and easy to work on. I have a great time riding it. It climbs like the dickens too, just scoot forward on the seat and crank away. The paint job is quite pleasant as well.
This is a perfect bike for "Joe Beginner" who likes the look of mountain biking, but doesn't want to shell out the huge bucks for a better-outfitted ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any in B.C. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Woodcock Cycle Works | | Strengths: | Frame definetely. Lightness. Shifters. The Tioga tires are excellent. The Marzocchi EXR Comp for is better than Judy TT crap that you get on other bikes in this price range. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks aren't the greatest. The pedals suck. Tektro XC levers. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2003 Kona Blast, except for a Blackspire bashguard. | | Bottom Line: | It's great value for the money. The Marzocchi EXR Comp fork it quite stiff, and I think it has too much oil in it. The Deore shifters work well, although I'm gonna upgrade the rear derailleur to XT because it sometimes skipps. If you like a good cross-country ride and don't have a lot of cash, this is the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terjin
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | KSH | | Strengths: | strong frame! | | Weaknesses: | nothing much...except for the pedals!
and the rims break easily too | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | XT Front Dee,XT Rear Dee,Eggbeaters,Manitou Magnum R,Thomson Stem,Salsa Seatpost,Avid SD 7's,Mavic 517's | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price i paid...has never failed me since i bought it! Havent really tested the frames sturdyness, as i dont really huck drops, but it has stuck with me and all the torturing i have given it. Invest some money in this bike and you will have a really nice bike to ride!Also, change the pedals once you buy it...the ones that come with the bike are crappy!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Nice frame, good price | | Weaknesses: | Components | | Bottom Line: | Great value for money - just replace the bits as they break (which the will). Changed the pedals before the first ride.
Components aren't too great, but are pretty much standard level considering the price range. If you want really great stuff, you're going to have to pay more money. But, as you replace all the bits of pieces its a great bike, and spreads the cost out over a period of time (for the budget conscious) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug LaBelle
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | AXC/DH Anything that's not man-made | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | Frame. | | Weaknesses: | Definitely Pedals, the crap they start with is so bad.
The Fork, the cranks, the derailleurs, the rims. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rainier, Norco Nitro, Kona Kilauea. | | Bike Setup: | Standard, except pedals: Kona Jacks*** Primos. Rear Hub: Shimano LX. Rear Rim: Mavic F519. Rear Tire: MythosXC. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is alright if you have the money to replace the parts that will inevitably break. After riding the Giant Rainier, and using the discs, I seriously contemplated getting discs for the Blast. Or not. The bike is good, just don't go too hard core on it. The rims will crack easy, and the pedals ABSOLUTELY have to be changed, they are as good as covered with butter. But whatever. Good bike, good ride. Not easy on the pocket book. I've put 1100 bucks on it so far. But I think I'm gettin the Coiler next, and that's only a chunk of the Coiler's price. If you aren't hard core, buy this bike. Otherwise, go better, go harder. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug LaBelle
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada, Alberta
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tree-Ridden Trails, Drops | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | Nice Wheels, sweet looks, huge frame, shifts nicely. Decent fork. | | Weaknesses: | Cruddy pedals, terrible. | | Similar Products Used: | Monster Giant | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you only have about 500(american)bucks(800 cdn) if you have more, by all means, buy something way more expensive. Otherwise, a great Kona bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Placid planet(No longer- Now is Blue Cat) | | Strengths: | Good frame. Very stiff. Drivetrain is resonable. The fork and pedals are a bit chinsey. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals, and definatley the fork. The pedals were changed within a couple weeks. THe fork, bottomed out on no matter how I adjusted it. Im about 170 lbs. Also, the crank arms seem a bit weak/flexy. | | Similar Products Used: | what else is there? | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for the pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike, I could recommend a better bike, such as a Specialized of some sort. Get this bike, but I dont think its fit for a cross country rider thats a more aggressive rider. Ive taken this bike to the urban style, on the ramps, and done some drops :). So far only the crank, wheels, and bars are bent. Some call that abuse, I call that fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxford Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike addiction | | Strengths: | Frame, fork, rims | | Weaknesses: | Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Apollo hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I've ridden the bike fairly hard on some downhill terrain, nothing more than 4 foot dropoffs and it copes beautifully. Havent bottomed out the fork yet, sure it cold have more travel but compare the Judy TT to similar priced bikes you'll get RST or Suntour crap. I am also pretty light so that could be the reason i havent bottomed out. Chain has only come off once. Deraileurs have been working well. The frame seems very tough and combined with the risers gives the bike a slightly more downhill setup than a standard cross-country bike.
You simply cant get better value for money in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve dick
a Weekend Warrior
from calgary
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 20to25 foot drops | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | liberty bikes | | Strengths: | huge ass frame | | Weaknesses: | nothing at all, i loveracin this bad boy | | Similar Products Used: | balfa bb7 | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi super monster ts, front and back hayes hydros maxxis mobsters, back is rubbin frae but i dont care, i will just wear the frame down till it can edge its way in. no big deal, its too strong anyway. | | Bottom Line: | buy this bike, great for hardcore/extreme freeride, wade simmons rides this animal bike, why cant you. It is perfect for jumping huge obstacles such as curbs and that. yesterday man, i hit my friends launch ramp and got 1.3452inches of hangtime air baBY, oh ya thats right, im even gonna send that to a sponsor such as marzocchi.bike stores tell me im gonna snap off my headtube, what is a headtube anyway, I even got a back 20" rim off my buddies super-cycle downill performance bi-cycle to make my bike even more on a slant so its like im ridin a freggin harley dudeettes , i already got a sponsorship call from industries such as zellers and value mart. thanks, dudettes look for me in the marozoachiii catalogue | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Garee
a Cross Country Rider
from Winder
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | The Hub | | Strengths: | aggressive geometry, good welds, stiff, select stock components are able to be lived with...for now. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy wheelset, headset, hubs, front derailleur, cranks, fork. | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Trek 8000, Fisher Mt. Tam, Specialized FSR. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Blast frame, RS Duke SL 100, King headset, full XT (except cranks: total crap Truvativ 5D), SRAM teflon chain, Time ATAC, Titec Knucklehead 4 bolt DH stem, Kona Alum Risers (good stuff). | | Bottom Line: | I am just getting back into riding after a 2 year poverty hiatus, and I bought the blast because it seemed like the best bike for the price ($450 US).
I must say that I have loved this responsive, well-designed frame from the start. I also like the risers; the brakes, tires, shifters, rear cassette, seatpost, seat, and crank arms will do.
The rest has been replaced, or will be shortly. Here's why: The Judy TT shock sucked. Riding over 20mph on rough terrain with one is suicide by spongecake. Both rims were thrashed after the second ride, the hubs are leaky and squeaky (even after I rebuilt them after the second ride), The Acera front derailleur went home early, the Deore rear shifter was only slightly less grouchy, the wellgo toe-clip Pedals sucked, all three rings on the front cog bent within three rides, the headset was stiff and dry. But, that is to be expected for bike within this price range.
All I say is that the frame is a steal, and some parts are worthy enough to be used until they are destroyed and you can replace them with "better" things. Here's my rationale: you can upgrade this bike to have the all the best parts you could ever need for the price of say, a $2000 Fisher Supercaliber ( a very nice bike, in my humble opinion). Of course, the frames are made of different materials, but I personally know a few riders whose Supercaliber frames have cracked. Also, the Fisher will have a disaster-prone BB, Headset, Stem, Cranks, and Wheelset. The other parts (shifters, etc.) all work the same, and only weight weenies and tech freaks worry about them anyway.
I have $1100 invested in total thus far, and Have top of the line components that make for a near perfect ride. I just need a new wheelset ($500), brakes ($125), BB ($100), cassette ($30) and cranks ($170), for a grand sum of $2025.
So, that said, when look for a ride, I primarily look at frame geometry, materials used, quality, and price. This tops them all, for all of the aforementioned reasons. The sloping (but not extended, i.e., Fisher) top tube and forward-riding rear tire design sold me because the thing basically climbs like a Fisher without leaving you sprawled uncomfortably forward. The welds are tight and even, and the 6061 T6 is good and stiff.
Now, I know - welds? Aluminum? The way I see it, a little extra weight can be remedied by riding hard and being in good shape. Also, no frame is going to last forever
( unless, of course, it is made from NASA grade titanium and costs $40,000), So, go with what feels good and has a good warranty ( Kona's is 5 years for the frame, and try to ride as hard as possible to see how Kona's customer service is.
Also, don't worry about the crappy components. The rear Deore can be saved for use in dire emergencies (actually not that bad; hardly any difference between it and XT/XTR), and why should you have to pay $2000 for a bike which is really the same frame as one half its cost, save for slightly better (rarely ever the best) components which wouldn't be your first choice anyway?
In sum, Kona's Blast is among the best out there, and is highly worthy of upgrades. Just try to educate yourself to your options before you buy, because it is better to do things correctly from the start. Most importantly, make sure that your ride FITS YOU!! to a tee, is durable, and will allow you to ride hard so that you can have tons of fun...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Purchased At: | Cheapskates | | Strengths: | Best set of parts for the price. Good frame geometry for me. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals are not the best and will be the first parts I change. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Marlin | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Initially when I was researching bikes I thought the Acera front derailer would be a weakness, however its been fine. Have only had minor troubles with the Blast. The chain has jumped off the front ring a couple of times on big bumps and the seat cover is tearing loose at the front. The bike is used both on and off road at least 5 times a week and has performed well and I am very happy with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken M
a Weekend Warrior
from Rowville, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still Looking | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | City Cycles | | Strengths: | Rolls good on the road, and stands up to the roughest stuff that I'm ready to do. | | Weaknesses: | None for the price range. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder SE, Avanti Ridge Rider | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Shimano PD-M424 pedals and Lizard Skin chainstay protector. | | Bottom Line: | This is a bit of a re-review as in my first review of the bike I was used to vent after initial disappointment.
I had to take the bike back to City Cycles after the first ride because of chain and shifting issues. They were most apologetic and fixed the bike up basically on the spot. Their service and response to fixing the problem couldn't have been better.
After having the cables tweaked and a dodgy chain linkage replaced, the bike is fantastic. I'm really glad that I put in a bit of time researching before buying. The Kona Blast is a fantastic buy for the price. It's also pretty strudy and even pretty good on the road. It shifts like a dream not too! I'm hooked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Purchased At: | Hank & Frank | | Strengths: | Light, Ok frame for price | | Weaknesses: | pedals suck, shocks suck and the derailer sucks | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Good for someone who is just starting, if your a serious rider who rides really really hard then you shouldn't buy it, and if you do ride this bike, get new pedals and a new front fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken M
a Weekend Warrior
from Rowville, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still Looking | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | City Cylcles | | Strengths: | Great set of components for the price. Sturdy rims, decent tires, geometry, good brakes, and it's pretty light. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur:
* Gets a bit grumpy if it's dirty and miss-shifts.
Rear derailleur:
* Constant chain hopping. It's bloody annoying when going uphill. The bike obviously wasn't tuned by the staff before letting me go home with it. I'm sure it will work fine after getting tuned, but you should expect it to work well the first ride.
| | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder, Avanti Ridge Rider | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I'm sure that I'm going to have a lot of fun on this bike. From all the research I did before buying it, it's got to be a good bike and will more than handle the type of riding I'm intending to do.
However, I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the chain hopping on the rear cassette on the very first trail ride.
The majority of the components on this bike are great for the price of the bike (change the front derailleur) and this bike looks, big, beefy and ready for the rough stuff.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Burns
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardiff, Wales, UK
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Taff Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$770.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunset Mountain Bikes, Cardiff | | Strengths: | Good strong bike that can support my big fat ass | | Weaknesses: | Seat isn't hard enough!! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant & me little 3 wheeler | | Bike Setup: | Two wheels and a handlebar | | Bottom Line: | Me bottom is huge and me bike hugs it.
I use this bike for commuting to work and then off-road on the weekends. I changed the off-road tyres for hybrid tyres for road use. Love the bike, easy to ride and strong as fark. Used a lovely pink Giant for years then moved up to something slicker - I've never looked back. I'm now trying to fit me basket on the front for trips to the shops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamo
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne,VIC.Australia
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Drop Off Central | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Lygon Cycles | | Strengths: | The set up of the bike is designed, Light frame work and strong welding. Rims are unreal never buckle. Handle bars are a plus, why upgrade. | | Weaknesses: | Seat i found was a bit hard. Cranks are a bit cheap, they always loosen but eaisly fixed. Cheapo pedals, recomend upgrading to platforms.(shimmano V12's) | | Similar Products Used: | Shogun Trail breaker 4, Norco Challenger, Trek 4900 and the speacialised rock hopper. | | Bike Setup: | Standard, but i upgraded pedals to Shimmano V12's and the crankset will be getting change in about 2 months. | | Bottom Line: | The overall rating on this bike is unreal, for your money you are getting a top deal. You can expect to have a few fauls, but unless your spending $1000 US. what do you thinkthere will be no faults. I would recomend buying this bike beats any other one around like it, trust me i looked around for 6months before i baught this. Good strong frame and rims, shouldnt have any problems with them, maybe wanna keep an eye on your cranks can get a little loose at times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gonna start looking | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Doug's Spoke & Sport - Saskatoon | | Strengths: | Good value for parts on the $$, smooth riding, comfortable geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Seat was a little agressive for me, but I'm more of a road rider. Too used to the big fat seats in my VW!! :) | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Fire Mountain, Trek 4500 & 4900, Marin Hawk Hill, Norco Challenger | | Bike Setup: | Stock, changed the seat & grips, changed from the trail tires on it to something a little more street & dirt path oriented. | | Bottom Line: | It's been 10 years since I owned or road a bike, so I spent alot of time researching and trying bikes out before I purchased. Here is what I found.
I was looking at a Kona Fire Moutain and tested the Blast out to see what the difference was, the better shifters and a better ride sold me. I really noticed the difference in derailurs and shifters on all the bikes I tried. In the end I wanted something better.
The Norco Challeger was the best bike I road, but was more expensive than the Blast by $150 CDN, which put it out of my price range.
I'm really glad I tested alot of bikes before I bought one, the ride changes alot from bike to bike, regardless of the parts. Personally I would find a nice bike, but get the better parts. I'm glad I spent some extra cash changing the tires, grip and seats. Than buying a more expensive bike and living with things i didn't like.
I paid $705 CDN ($470 US) for the bike, of course by the time I got the parts, locks helmet, taxes etc it was just under $1000. But I'm loving it!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Furmston
a Weekend Warrior
from Tas, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rivulet track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | treadles, kingston | | Strengths: | I found that the mavic rims and the tuff frame are the two main strenghts of this bike | | Weaknesses: | The front mech being Acera doesn't do much for me | | Similar Products Used: | A1 hard rock, specialized | | Bike Setup: | As it came | | Bottom Line: | So far i have had problems with the bike. I nomarly ride on steep rocky single trial so the bike has had a lot given to it. Also i found that the bike was a good price, so i gave it a five for value. This bike would be good for anyone that just wants to get out and have some fun on weekends. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from goleta, ca. usa
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | velopro cyclery | | Strengths: | light frame, stiff for tough climbs. handles well on tight single track rides. had to beef up components. destroyed b.b.. could have spent more money for a new bike to race but decided i like this frame for all my rididng/ racing. | | Weaknesses: | stock components | | Similar Products Used: | other mountain bikes of various brands | | Bike Setup: | now have xt brakes/pods and lx holoow tech cranks, judy race shox, easton riser bars and seat post | | Bottom Line: | good overall bike. i abuse it every weekend and it comes back for more! but it if you like to ride/race and dont mind upgrading some components of your choice or are on a budget. don't but if you if you want a 20 lb xc racer | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mal Adjusted | | Strengths: | Not just a nice light frame. handles really well on the trails as well as the jumps. looks the part! | | Weaknesses: | i had a bit of trouble with the cranks loosning off but that was fixed up with numerous visits back to the bike store. | | Similar Products Used: | most XC bikes ive ridden | | Bike Setup: | all stock except i changed the crappy pedals to a set of platforms | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the money. an all purpose bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 525.00
