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Submitted by
Kevin
a Downhiller
from Klamath Falls, OR
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | ashland super D | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Jones | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Steelhead, Giant STP. | | Bike Setup: | atomlab trailpimp wheelset, SRAM x7 rear der., no front der. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Townsville, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Tony's Bikes | | 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. | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ally
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Comox, BC | | 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 | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla's, drivetrain upgraded to XT, triple ring chainset, RaceFace prodigy stem and riser bars, USE Alien suspension seatpost | | 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!) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex King
a Weekend Warrior
from missoula mt
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | p65 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | bicycle Works | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Surly Instigator, Kona Stuff, Haro 8.3, K2 Brass Monkey | | Bike Setup: | Exr fork,Ditch witch weels, truitiv husselfelt crank,kona brand seat, handelbars, stem, and pedals | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from Germany
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | V.Strong and Stiff frame | | Weaknesses: | Too Heavy | | Bike Setup: | KOna Roast, Fox Vanilla 125r, shimano deore, | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tan Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Arrowhead | | Bike Setup: | Kona Roast frame,Bomber EXR,Truvativ Firex SL with LX component. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Weaz
a Downhiller
from Sitka AK
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail? | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | VERY STRONG. STRONG LIKE POLAR BEAR! | | Weaknesses: | Paint was good.... till it came out the factory! | | 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) | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dubes
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto ON Canada
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | city scape | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | sport swap | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | Zip | | Bike Setup: | Psylos on the front, Shimano XT hubs | | Bottom Line: | If u dont mind having no rear shock this bike rocks, buy it c 4 urself | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrea
a Weekend Warrior
from Rome, Italy
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | pineta sacchetti | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | bike plus 99 | | 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 | | Bike Setup: | chute frame 13", 24/7 superfat cranks, 24/7 slack pedals, marzocchi z1 mcr 2k, maxxis dh 2,7. | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zeke farquar
a Weekend Warrior
from edmonton, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | river valley cycle | | 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. | | Bottom Line: | Hauls arse.
If you want one, get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
L
a Downhiller
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance Lowry
a Downhiller
from Fullerton, CA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbreview classifieds | | 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. | | Weaknesses: | Paint job. Can't accomodate a dual crown fork. Tioga DH tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp, Marin rigid. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Titec Knucklehead Stem and Hell Bent Bars, Odi lock grips, The fender | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a
from All-rounder from Singapore, the Fine City
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything like North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Tay Cycles | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Friend's freeride bikes - GT Ruckus 1.0 2002, Dabomb CR8s, Kona Stinky Deelux 2000 etc... | | Bike Setup: | Stock Kona Roast 2003 with a Marzocchi 2002 Z1 Freeride. I traded in the stock EXR and topped up for the Z1 | | 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). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a
from corner brook
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | TnT bicycles | | 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 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wayne
a Downhiller
from lihue,HI,USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | the frame, and bars. FATTY BARS! | | 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 | | Bike Setup: | i put a Z.1 20mm axels/hubs, LRP. | | 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 ) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wazza
a
from chatty syd australia
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxford falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Chatsw00d Cyclery | | Strengths: | Awesome frame-- real nice and beefy, gutness brakes and drivetrain, crankset sturdy, also THE HANDLEBAR.. how mad is it! | | Weaknesses: | Jackshiit pedals had to be replaced, think i mite put my old DMR v8s on,.. fork is good but could do wif extra inch | | Similar Products Used: | Kona stuff 02,03, kona caldera, avanti hotdog, gt agress0r gary fisher mamba | | Bike Setup: | Stock, soon wif dmr v8s | | Bottom Line: | This bike is primo. Ive lauched bigger gaps than i ever hav before and ive only had it for a week. Fair bit better than my old Caldera that i snapped in half last year. Go hardtail over dual squishy if u dont have a car like me and have to ride for ages to get to where the sweet trails are. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kris
a Downhiller
from kamloops/bc/canada
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle cafe | | Strengths: | frame | | Weaknesses: | noting | | Similar Products Used: | norco 4hun, fullboar 4 frame,.243 | | Bike Setup: | roast frame,dj2 fork,double track 26f/24r, mip chaing system,8"hayes mag hd,kook cranks | | Bottom Line: | best dj/freeride bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron Allen
a Weekend Warrior
from Conover, Nortch Carolina
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | hick park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | lightning cycles | | Strengths: | bought it as a frame set, which is the same frame on the complete bike, but they just call it the chute, but its unbreakable, sturdy, with no flex | | Weaknesses: | it sratches realy easily and you cant hid the scratches easily | | Similar Products Used: | none, my first freeride hardtail | | Bike Setup: | 01 psylo xc, race face prodigy dh cranks with bash guard, kona jack shi! pedals, K2 stem and bar, rhino lite wheels with deore disc hubs, and front and rear avid mechanical disc 6" rotors, lx front deraileur, alivio rear deraileur, shimano lx shifters, k2 seat, panaracer pro fire dh tires, fsa headset | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike, im doin some 10 foot drops, and 25 foot gaps on it, it holds up to it. I use it for street to and it hops picnic tables and walls like nohtin, only thing though is when u fall it leaves ugly scratches on it, i recomend a kona out of bounds hardtail to any one who wants a good hardtail for all around freeriding, or just hittin the trails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kris
a Racer
from Me USA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | sebago outfitters | | Strengths: | great frame awsome brakes unless u brake them like me . | | Weaknesses: | would have like a dj 2 or 3 but for this $ can't complain. brakes are great unless u brake them like me hence the 1 chill off front snaped right off at the regulator velve next were the hose ends 75 bucks to get it fixed! | | Similar Products Used: | P.3 | | Bike Setup: | stock except atom labs Ballistic pedals
| | Bottom Line: | great bike brakes are awsome when they work u don't have alot of $ and want a fun play bike this ones the one to get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny C.
a Downhiller
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Victoria Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Penny Sport Cycles | | Strengths: | Brakes, stem/hbars, frame | | Weaknesses: | Tires (perfect for Dirt jumping, but a little skinny for DH) | | Similar Products Used: | Stinky, Stinky Deelux, Scab | | Bike Setup: | Stock, apart from Marz. DJ3 and race face grips | | Bottom Line: | Sweet! great spec, bombproof, i can keep up with my friends 7" freeride bike. Perfect for jumping and urban assault, sweet for trialsgreat for DH, and can even do abit of XC (not that i would) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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