Submitted by
awphoto
a Cross Country Rider
from West Berlin, Vermont, USA Date Reviewed: September 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
It's a secret, don't ask.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Express
Strengths:
An Amazing XC race bike that can compete with all mountain bikes. Realistic Light, 24lbs, well designed, races like nothing I have ridden and can do tech steep, almost dh. I feel like I am cheating on the dh when I ride this bike.
Weaknesses:
Absolutely none!
Similar Products Used:
Everything under the sun since 1991, been in the industry
Bike Setup:
Custom set up: XTR 180 mm crank, black spire 28-38-bash ring. 11-34 Sram 990, Cross step chain, King head set, 20mm Maxle Reba team at 100mm, WTB rocket V ti, AC rear, Hope proII 20mm front, Stan's 355, XO Grip, XO RD, Carbon post and flat bar, Kona stem, Formula Oro bianco 180mm front 160 rear, Ignitor 2.1 tires
Bottom Line:
Super nice quality frame set that is durable but XC race light. If you want a 29er frame that is not priced crazy, and very well designed, buy the King Kahuna. I have raced and ridden mtb all over the US since 1991 as a cat 1 and this bike is very nice. This bike takes the daily stress or training and free riding and the beatings of races. It's a mean to be ridden and it is a rider's bike, do not put it on a shelf and looked at. It tracks as well as my Inde fab 26er ht, but rides as plush as a C-dale Scalple. When I ride other bikes I am disappointed and glad to back on my King Kahuna.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
digitalfeend
a Cross Country Rider
from Welland, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anywhere dirty
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Liberty! Bikes
Strengths:
Scanduim frame with great goemetry, Kona's great looks (paint as well as tube shaping)
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
my other ride is an Intense Spider 29er
Bike Setup:
custom build 1x9, full XTR drivetrain, Industry9 Stan's Arch wheelset, 09 RockShox Reba SL fork, Magura Marta brakes, King headset, Easton EA90 stem, FSA K-force flat bar, Thomson seatpost, WTB Laser V ti rail saddle
Bottom Line:
What a great package this turned out to be. I was thinking of buyin a road bike, but then I came to my sences. I might as well build up a light hardtail that I can also use for raning. I originally scoped out the Salsa Mamasita but got tired of waiting for them to be available so I ordered up the King Kahuna. The geometry number were so close to the Mama that all the components I had already purchased would fit perfectly. The frame is also $200 cheaper than the Mama.
First ride on pavement was fine, then it was time to get it dirty. WOW!! I wished I would have built this bike last year. It steers flawlessly, very quick yet still stable enough. I found myself carrying much more speed downhill than I thought I would with the hardtail. It also flies uphill as only a hardtail can.
29 insch wheels are a godsend to the hardtail rider. I love this bike!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tinshield
a Weekend Warrior
from Dunstable, MA Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Carr Ridge, Bear Brook SP NH
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
JRA Cycles, Medford
Strengths:
Nice and stiff with forgiving geometry. Very neutral handling. Frame has a nice roomy top tube (med 23.5"). FSA wheelset has proven durable and reasonably light. SLX brakes are a pleasant surprise, great feel and power.
Weaknesses:
Crappy spec on the rear cassette and chain. Swapped for an XT cassette immediately. 80mm fork....why not 100mm? Proprietary spoke wrench.
Similar Products Used:
First 29r I've owned.
Bike Setup:
Stock setup except I swapped the cassette and crank to XT units.
Bottom Line:
Was looking for a second bike in the hard tail flavor. It's a nice package for the money. Would have gotten 5 chili's had Kona not skimped on some of the Shimano components. I have seen some other competing brands in the same price range with a full XT spec. Granted, those bikes aren't giving you scandium frames either.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mhanna49
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
LNSP, Sherman
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2299.00
Purchased At:
Southpark Cycle
Strengths:
Incredibly light, great componentry, great climber. Fox Front fork (my first) is amazing. Very repsonsive. The shifters are very, very crisp. Brake are adequate and do adjust to your desired grab range.
Weaknesses:
Chain and rear cassette aren't spec'd properly as read in other reviews. It is the only thing I can slightly complain about. Maybe because everything else is such high quality
Similar Products Used:
First 29er
Bike Setup:
*(side note) saw in other reviews sizing being questioned, I am almost 5'11 but went with 19" frame b/c 18 felt and looked cramped. Also with big tires on that smaller frame my foot almost hit tire on turns. Not Good.
Bottom Line:
First 29er and will probably never go back. K.K. climbs unbelievably and handles like no other bike I have ever ridden. Incredibly light/stiff frame absorbs some very rooty/rocky trails I ride but big tires keep the momentum going. Easily cut 1-3 minutes off my usual lap times (without being in great riding shape, YET). The handling and momentum are what stand out most but since it is so light and climbs so well it does not feel like I would have thought for a 29er. definitely recommend it!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bicycleexpress
a Racer
from Barre, Vermont Date Reviewed: March 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
the hawks watch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Express
Strengths:
very fast climber,very light,stiff,great frame geometry,Best 29er for the price.
Weaknesses:
I had to replace some heavier products for lighter ones.
Submitted by
Karen
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle River, WI Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Hidden Lakes
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Joe's Cyclery & Repair, Eagle River, WI
Strengths:
Very nice quality pretty frameset. Smooth welds. Kona geometry and fit. TITANIUM!
Weaknesses:
Flex at the rear brake mounts. Should be easy to fix with a brake booster.
Similar Products Used:
GT LTS Team, GT LTS-1, Gary Fisher Pro Caliber Limited (steel)
Bike Setup:
XTR drivetrain and brakes, Marzocchi Atom 80 fork, Race Face Next LP cranks, Cane Creek WAM Team Issue Ti wheels, Chris King NoThreadSet, Race Face bars, Thomson stem, Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension post, rollamajig, Selle Italia LDY Trans-am lady's saddle (awesome!), Gore Ride On cables, Salsa juegos del fuego grips. (If only it all made me ride faster!)
Bottom Line:
Obviously, I've built my dream bike here. (If my husband didn't own a shop, I could never have afforded it.) I've had the bike since October and so far so good. I can't say enough about the quality of the Kona frame - it's beautiful and rides like a dream. I haven't noticed much flex except at the rear brakes - I will be installing a brake booster soon.
I am very pleased with my component selection. My aim was to have the best performance possible while maintaining light weight. I LOOOVVE my saddle (ladies take note). Selle Italia has gotten it right - zero pain and race quality. My only complaint is the quality of my Race Face cranks. For what those babies cost, they should be cosmetically perfect. Mine look sloppy and have glue splatters on the paint job.
I've been riding full suspension for so long that it's taking some time adjusting to a hardtail again. The King Kahuna has made it a pleasure. I will probably be trading my suspension post in for a lighter rigid post soon to lose a little weight.
Too bad Kona has discontinued selling Ti bikes as they have a winner here. (I think some frames may still be available through your local Kona dealer.) Kona's high-end scandium frames are less expensive and a very nice alternative.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jenny
a Racer
from nomad, houston soon Date Reviewed: May 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
poto, pontiac in MI, mt elton in flag
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
TITANIUM!!! sloped downtube, bike looks hot too.
Weaknesses:
none yet!
Similar Products Used:
klein adroit
Bike Setup:
xtr/ rf/ z2 xfly/ xtr hubs/517 rims
Bottom Line:
I just got this bike a week ago from Atomic Bikes in Whittier, CA (www.atomicbikes.com). First off, I have to say that these guys are GREAT!!! They spent a lot of time working with me on the bike specs, as well as fitting me on the bike. The best part is they received and assembled the bike within a couple of days! Now for the bike: It ROCKS!!!! I rode it for the first time on a Friday, and raced it on the following day at the Big Bear, CA NORBA Nationals. I was nervous to ride a new bike so soon in a race, but I decided to just have fun with the race. All I really wanted was to ride my new bike. Well, I ended up winning sport overall! The bike was GREAT. The titanium really helped on the rocks/bumpy sections. The fork was also phenomenal. It floated over every obstacle. The bike is quick and responsive, and it handles the downhills impressively. I also used the bike for the hill climb (King of the Hill) the next day. I ended up winning that also. The bike climbed excellently!!! like a mtn goat! I have absolutely no complaints about this bike. Buy it!!! You won't be sorry! And for great service and cool guys, check out Atomic Bikes.
jenny
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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