Submitted by
PowderNut
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island NY Date Reviewed: July 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Dirt Ones : )
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Bike Junkie
Strengths:
Super solid bike built up by a great company. Part Spec is great for the money couldn't have found a better setup for the cash.
Weaknesses:
The headset was not too great, the fork worries me but it's slowly making me a believer. The stock Handle bar was not to my liking and being 30.9 ended up getting a new stem too. Never used or liked a 90mm for an XC bike. FSA does not impress me, the headset is horrible and the cranks had a bad bolt that worked itself loose form the factory
Similar Products Used:
This happens to be my first Hard tail in quite a few years. Very happy with it. My other bikes are a custom built Giant Reign, and built up Kona Stinky
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock with a few added parts to round it out to my likings see below for the parts and reasons.
Bottom Line:
What can I say here, another great bike built by Kona. This isn't my first bike from them and it won't be my last. Kona gives you the most bang for your buck, hands down. Super impressed with parts and setup of this bike. Some parts were swapped out but not because they failed to perform, it was my tastes when it came to comfort and performance.
Handle bar was swapped from a 30.9 low rise to a standard rider, now using a a RaceFace Deus. Got a great deal on the stem and swapped out the 90mm 30.9 clamp for a standard RaceFace Deus 110mm. Stock saddle was good but was looking for more of a performance saddle so now using a WTB Rocket SLT and a Thomson seat post due to reliability. Absolutely hated the stock grips and went over to WTB Dual Compound for added hand comfort.
Two slight problems and this bike would be perfect. I'm not a fan of FSA anything, never had good luck with em. Stock crank came with a bad bolt that caused me to bend my middle ring on a short climb. LBS took care of it but I was hours into my second ride on it. Headset will not stop rattling and yes it is tight, I've had it checked twice. Just a horrible headset and cheap too, no sealed bearings either. will be swapped when it dies for a King.
Other little issues are the fork for one. As of yet no troubles but I don't trust Rockshox much. Bad experiences in the past. Strictly a Fox and Marzzochi fan here. Giving it the benefit of the doubt and letting it do it's thing. So far no complaints. Stock rims worry me too but so far not a peep. Even the cheap Shimano hubs are holding up fine too. Only time will tell but this is my XC bike and not my DH/FR or my Trail-Bike either so I don't expect them being abused much.
Great bike, very happy with it. Kona is a great company that gives you a lot for very little. If you're looking for a well built 29'er for a good price look no further.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
the dude
a Cross Country Rider
from asheville north carolina Date Reviewed: May 19, 2009
Favorite Trail:
pisgah
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$999.00
Strengths:
the bike rolls, built well and goes everywhere. decent components come with the bike. Like the lower center of gravity. Bike feels more stable.
Weaknesses:
the fork not the best but not the worst, and of course you could get the big kahuna if you didn't like it. left crank arm came off during an uphill assault, that's a factory problem. bike lbs fixed no problem..
Similar Products Used:
gf kaitai, raliegh m800,
Bike Setup:
bike is stock except for the saddle, can not stand WTB saddles
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is that this is one fine machine. If you are looking for a fast xc 29er for under a grand this is it. good components great frame. Just buy locally though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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