Submitted by
jimby
a Downhiller
from Dorchester Date Reviewed: May 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Puddletown forest
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Private sale
Strengths:
Fantastic freeride bike.
Well built.
Still feels like new.
Rides like a dream!
Weaknesses:
Not had any issues myself, but i've heard of headtubes snapping.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stinky, Kona King Kikapu
Bike Setup:
99'Kona Stab frame (obviously!) with 2001 Marzocchi Shivers, Spank Subrosa's on Hope Pro II's wrapped with Maxxis High Rollers, Raceface/Shimano XT drivetrain, kept running with a Da Bomb chain device, DMR V8 Pedals, DMR bars and stem, and Hayes HFX 9 Brakes. nice.
Bottom Line:
Well, technology has moved on quite a bit since this little beauty was made, so it's a bit lacking as a proper DH racing bike, but its solid feel/construction and 6" travel makes it a perfect freeride machine. I've kept mine up to date with good spec bits, and it still keeps up with all my mates modern £2000+ bikes no worries!!!
Fantastic Bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Cox
a Downhiller
from Tunbridge wellsEngland Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Les Gets and Morzine
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Secondhand
Strengths:
Its a Kona
Weaknesses:
Well in my review below i was hoping i wouldnt snap it. But in mid july 2003 a week before due to go to les gets it snaps again. This time i scrap it and braught a specialized big hit. I find this so much nice to ride and stiffer. I snapped it in 2 places in the swing arm. First time by the disk mount and had it re-welded and then found hairline cracks around the entire swing arm. Was quoted by kona £500 for new swing arm. Ow well such is life......
big hit, 00 monsters, blackspire chain device. race face lp cranks, atomic wheel set. pro taper bars. etc.....
Bottom Line:
love it....liked the kona just wish it didnt fu*kin snap.........
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Cox
a Racer
from kent, England Date Reviewed: December 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Penshurst
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Secondhand
Strengths:
i braught this bike secondhand 4 £500 pounds. It came with all its standard compants on. It is in mint condition and never raced. It is the last of the stock baught at bike 2000 and it has a normal sized headtube so any fork can be put on it. It also has the new swingarm and the updated bearing kit.
Weaknesses:
It makes worrying dodgy noises when dropped off with vanilla R otherwisw none....apart from it needs more tire clearence.
Red/Yellow stab frame, 2001 red Monster t's, Fox Vanilla RC, BETD 7" rook arms, Kore B52, Easton EA70's, Hope enduro 4's, Goldtec Draco hubs, Atom lab trailpimp 26+24" rims, Raceface LP cranks, Roox chain dog, goldtec chainring, XT rear mech, Intense FRO tyres..... Thats about it.
Bottom Line:
A super hot DH bike that will take a poundin and is super plush and easy to maintain just hope i dont snap the swingarm....Kona have just relesed a new 03 stab hopefully it will live up 2 standards unlike the 01 stab. I will keep it until it dies
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Reno, Nevada US Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Favorite Trail:
END TRAIL
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
CANADA(used)
Strengths:
EVERYTHING
Weaknesses:
chain guide comes loose and falls off. The Rhyno Lite rims bend very easily.
Similar Products Used:
2001 stab, Armagaedon, Disco, stinky,
Bike Setup:
Z3 fork, hayes disc, black spider cranks, rhyno lite rims on xt hubs, pdw handle bar, vanilla r rear shock, and tioga 2.3 tires.
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike, it kicks rump I love it and plan on riding it for a long time. I give it five heartburnin' hotdogs
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Downhiller
from Kent Date Reviewed: October 11, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Penshurst
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Very strong hand made in Vancoverstrong rear end if you get the new swing arm from Mountain cycle. No sloppyness in the rear end stable at fast speeds and in technical bike taken it off 12 foot rode out of it clean
Weaknesses:
Too bigger head tube but won't matter if you have big travel forks.
Similar Products Used:
Rm7 dh, Intense M1,patriot,222, ATX 2,GT LOBO,
Bike Setup:
kona stab 1999,fox rc,truativs dh, d521 on ddg hubs, hope e4s, 8" rotors super T's Tioga bar and stem.
Bottom Line:
Sweet arse down hill and extreme free ride not much can beat it for its age,strong as hell and responds nicley,you can put it through anything. Love it can trust it with my life !!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luke Warm
a Downhiller
from Cumbria Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
skiddaw dh :D
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
take anything i can throw at it even running standard travel plates! and the whole ride is just earily quiet however much ur thrashing it?!
Weaknesses:
iv heard of problems with running a rear disc as the mount snaps pretty easy?? kinda concerning with me running a mini 185!!!
Bike Setup:
rc150's, wtb laserdisc dh, raceface, hopes, xt
Bottom Line:
lush! bit pricy but aint all konas you pay for the name and the frame but as far as the stab goes its worth it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luke
a Racer
from kent Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
penshurst
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
frame
Strengths:
Very strong and solid looking has a super strong front end for those big travil forks good rear sus and not much sag when u ride
Weaknesses:
nothing
Similar Products Used:
GT lobo(frends)
Bike Setup:
monster'Ts twentyfourseven x-light kore goldtect hope E4's roox's
Bottom Line:
very good bike to do eny thing on very good at eny dh even better when you got betd long travil kit will take eny think you throw at it the older the better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chad spallinger
a Downhiller
from ohio Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
poto
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
friend
Strengths:
I bought the frame off of a friend and built it up. The frame really kicks. great for freeriding and dhing. The rear end feels like it has an inch more travel than it does. I have'nt had a sloppiness in the rear end at all.
Weaknesses:
The only weaknesses where tire clearence and bushing instead of bearings in the suspension.
This bike is great bike for the money. If you're looking for one bike to do everything on? this is the bike that you are looking for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara, CA Date Reviewed: November 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Cold Springs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very strong, no sloppiness in rear linkage, Good for freeride/ DH and even street riding. Very plush and stable at almost any speed. Kona makes good stuff, ask anyone!
Weaknesses:
Not too much to mention. Broke rear chainstay but got it replaced for free through local shop/ Kona. Rear tire clearance is not the best for muddy riding, bushings instead of bearings in rear, but I have had no trouble yet.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stinky, Stinky Dlx, Karpiel, some other crud.
Bike Setup:
MX6, BETD long travel kit/ Vanilla R, 2.5 maxxis, Mrp, hayes, king, tioga, mavic and raceface stuff
Bottom Line:
This is one heck of a bike. It handles great and is tough as anything. 6.5" fork and BETD kit really made this bike heavy-duty. SB has some rocky trails and this bike makes it super fun. The swingarm broke due to braking forces from the disc- the new one has a gusset in this area as do all new Konas. Read the other reviews and you will see this company is a real crowd-pleaser!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
byron ho
a Downhiller
from vancover, b.c, canada Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
pro reaper
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4380.00
Purchased At:
(frame)stevston bicycle
Strengths:
very strong, good at tecnicle section, super heavy duty front end , good 4 bar linkage suspension design and nice pait job!
Weaknesses:
a wee bit heavy ,not enough tire clearence and brushing need more maintance.
Similar Products Used:
RM6(a very nice vancover hardcore bike)
Bike Setup:
boxxers,double wides, hayes disk, xt, xtr, raceface cranks maxxis tires.
Bottom Line:
i bought the frame and built it myself so the parts are all different from a stock bike. The frame itself is strong as hell and it is alwayes seperated from peadaling force,(thax to the smartly designed 4 bar linkage suspenstion design).The front headtube section is also a piece of art from kona.It is welded with an extra 2 plates to strengten and the head gussets is huge(which accepts some mega travel forks).It is a really strong frame and it will be perfect if it has 1-2 inches more of travel but you can buy some after market extendtion plate from www.betd.co.uk to push your stab to 7 inches of travel! i seriously reccomend this bike to people who likes to push the enevelope and dont want to buy a new frame after every ride.This is the bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Max
a Downhiller
from England Date Reviewed: June 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Hamsterly forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong frame,good rear suspension and good geometry.
Weaknesses:
None (a bit heavy but who cares)
Similar Products Used:
marin b17,wolf ridge but the konas the best.
Bike Setup:
jrT forks,d521 wheeels,xt groupset
Bottom Line:
This bike is great over all terrain ,jumps and dropoffs. The frame is really strong and you can put on a 7 inch travel kit if you want the ultimate DH bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Cameron
a Downhiller
from California Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong and butty frame good geometry
Weaknesses:
The chainguide is a heap of crap and the shock mounts havent got bushes on em
Similar Products Used:
Giant Atx 2, Giant Atx 990dh, kona stinky deelux
Bike Setup:
white bros Ud150, formula disks, Xtr cranks, mammoth wheels xt/xtr running gear, setlaz DH seat
Bottom Line:
Good downhill bike that would be top notch if they put a decent standard chainguide on it rides sweet downhill bit heavy and strong as hell
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sean murphy
a Downhiller
from spokane, WA Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
course 1, beacon hill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
burly as hell. stiff as hell
Weaknesses:
a little heavy, but that is all the BEEF.it is also a little expensive and i would like a little more travel but 5.5 is good for now.
Similar Products Used:
cannondale super V FR
Bike Setup:
stab frame, MR. t, race face DH cranks, broken bottom bracket, odessy pedals, azonic PDW bars, zoom DH stem, fsa orbit extreme HS, sun mammoth rims, tioga tires, sram atac 8 shifter, deore R. derailersalsa grips and skewers, avid arch rival 40 brakes.
Bottom Line:
this frame is burly, it takes a licken and keeps on ticken. i have been using this bike for every thing i doo. 6 foot drops off loading docks to full on down hill racing. the only signs of wear are scraches in the paint.if you want to beat the hell out of some thing then this is the frame for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jordan B
a Downhiller
from Adelaide, S.Australia Date Reviewed: November 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Fox Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Frame Strength, Nimble
Weaknesses:
Rear travel not easily increased, rear tyre clearance
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose 9.7, Craftworks DH, Avanti MotoPro
Bike Setup:
Manitou X-Vert Ti Carbon, Mavic Deemax, Fox Vanilla RX, Formula Discs
Bottom Line:
Excellent for tight technical downhills, bit heavy for general trail riding, but heh, it's a DH bike!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sandy
a Downhiller
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: October 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
rocker
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stiff frame extrem nimble ideal for Dual-slalom and techniccal DH-courses good fork good brakes long steerer tube
Weaknesses:
cheap chain guide little travel very cheap plastic bushings need much maintance
Similar Products Used:
stab dee-lux HoT-Chili etc.......
Bike Setup:
Kona stab with Hanebrink Z-6
Bottom Line:
its a joy to ride this bike for a DH bike its very light and extrem nimble making much fun, and with a fork with more travel the geometry would be more DH good for. It i never had a real problem with it so........
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stuart
a Downhiller
from Aussie Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999
Favorite Trail:
technical
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
plush,good tyre clearance,cool cranks
Weaknesses:
shock, bushings, big head tube, back end flex
Similar Products Used:
most good DH rigs
Bike Setup:
stock stab
Bottom Line:
I have owned this bike for while now, at first I loved it but then things began to go wrong...I bent the swing-link plates and the bottom swing arm, so I got a warranty back end and then I cracked the swingarm. Also the bushings die in a couple of months. The bike is too expensive for the specced components and shock.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DAVID FORGET
a Downhiller
from MONTREAL , QC Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
VERRY STABLE IN ANY SITUATION,TURN AT SPEED LIKE NOTHING I HAVE TESTED YET.
Weaknesses:
LITTLE HEAVY... BUT HWO CARES!!
Similar Products Used:
BALFA BOBUNUM... DEVINCI....
Bike Setup:
:0)
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS A WINNER ... U WILL SEE IT AFTER THE FIRST SEC OF THE DOWNHILL.... BELIVE ME.
Overall Rating:
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