Submitted by
J S
a Downhiller
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: June 30, 2004
Favorite Trail:
anything stoopid
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
Beautiful lines
Weaknesses:
Rear end
Similar Products Used:
Azonic, Banshee, Brodie, Norco
Bike Setup:
Jr T's Fox shocks 3.0 front and back
Bottom Line:
I have ridden and loved Kona bikes for 5 years, but I have broken every single frame I have ever owned. The stinky rear swing arm has snapped at the weld 3 times in 5 months, each time it requires way to much hassle to replace. Especially since I live 10 miles from the KONA factory in Taiwan. Love the bike but hate the service. DO not buy this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan McFetridge
a
from Canton, CT, USA Date Reviewed: June 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Huckleberry
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2450.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Good front and rear suspension. Great for drops and jumps.
Weaknesses:
Weak rear triangle. Kona customer service.
Similar Products Used:
Orange MrO, Stinky, RM6
Bike Setup:
Hayes hydraulic, bombers, rear fox vanillas.
Bottom Line:
Great overall bike for price. Great suspension, holds up well on big drops. Only bottoms out over 6-7 feet. Could use better rear trinagle, it seems to bend easily. Great if you are going to do drops and some big jumps. Great for step-ups(good preload capabilities).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete Austin
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
pinch flat
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Leisure Lakes
Strengths:
All. Colour, ride, handling, rear shock and looks.
Weaknesses:
None that I have come across.
Similar Products Used:
proflex, FSR, Coyotte, Super 8.
Bike Setup:
Super T Pro 02, Hope Enduro 4 discs, XT stuff, assorted azonic, BETD long travel plates, Raceface XY & Good n Evil, an average chain device.
Bottom Line:
Bought as frame only in 2000 as it was reduced after snapping yet another frame. It was the break I needed (pardon the pun).This bike takes you to the zone and keeps you there. It was plush out of the box but with the BETD plates on the back(6.5") it eats every thing I have thrown at it including very large rock fields and 2m drops. BUY THE LONG TRAVEL PLATES THEY ARE VERY VERY GOOD. This frame set is ideal for 'freeridin'(what a silly term) and UK DH. Resssspect to our brothers and sisters who live in the States and mainland Europe where the DH courses are everything we dream of, buy a frame dedicated to largness. I don't think this frame could deal with that sort of riding. For my needs it rules the roost.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Hawker
a Downhiller
from Worcester...UK Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
I just DUNNO!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
Maclaines Cycles
Strengths:
Out of the box it seems awsome and the paintwork is out of this world.
Weaknesses:
READ ON FELLOW PEOPLE!!!
Similar Products Used:
Orange MrO - So much better
Bike Setup:
Hope Pro system on Bulbs with Sunn Doublewide Rims and Downhill chain device....otherwise as it comes!
Bottom Line:
Right then...DO NOT BUY THIS BIKE! 1st:Snapped Rear Triangle (near weld on the driveside) 2nd:Blew the Shock 3rd:Cranks Rounded off 4th:Snapped Rear Triangle (same as before) 5th:Seat clamp fell apart 6th:Cracked the JrT's (no lies there,they did actually snap) 7th:Cracked the Downtube (behind the shock) 8th:Again cracked the Downtube
I went through 2 rear ends and 2 front ends on this frame in the space of 12months. Kona were terrible for replacing it...they sent the rear end from a Stinky to go onto the front end on my Stinky Dee-Lux and this took AGES.No rubbish each time the frame went it took about 2months to get it replaced which left me bikeless for a long time. The other parts that failed on it were replaced very quickly, espiecally from Marzocchi (all praise due). The bikes a complete sham and wont last you too long...i'm only a small guy weighing 9stone. STAY AWAY FROM KONA they need to get their act sorted!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Butler
a Downhiller
from London Date Reviewed: July 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Les Gets
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Outstanding cornering, and fast acceleration, big hit capability, and stutter travel both out of this world, great fun and you can ride it all day.
Weaknesses:
Pivots just above chainstay's wear, but cheap to replace
Similar Products Used:
Orange MrO, Patriot, stinky, and 00 Dee-Lux
Bike Setup:
Hope Pro DH 4 Pots, Big un Hubs, Vanilla RC, fizzik saddle, kore stem etc etc
Bottom Line:
Buy this frame, I race mine, and its never put a foot wrong. It eats up drops, but still stutters well. Haven't broken it yet, and everyone calls me a nutter. Standard brakes were a bit poor, should be discs as standard, but the hopes have totally transformed it. Forks are well suited to the frame, and the whole package feels nice and balanced, if a bit heavy. I am still running three rings at the front, but if you race lots, swop to a DH device. Cranks are great, even though I've been through three B/B's now, but other than that, Its GREAT BUY IT!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Downhiller
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Fantastic out of the box and a year later I think I've got it dialed. Climbing may be slow, but she climbs, yes siree she sure does climb. After the pause that refreshes the Stinky loves a point and shoot offence.
Weaknesses:
It took a year, but I finally broke the rear triangle thingy. No Big Deal. Luckily I was in Vancouver and the "dudes" at the COVE might not be able to speak in complete sentences, but they had my bike fixed within 24 hours with (drumroll) no-charge! Should have come with disc brakes as standard (way back in 99 that is).
Similar Products Used:
RM6, Santa Cruz Bullit, Pipeline etc.
Bike Setup:
Fat Tires, Jr. T. BETD Rear Suspension enhancer (6.5 inches), HOPE Disc brakes
Bottom Line:
This bike is my friend. It seems to keep getting heavier as I add this and that, but my enjoyment level from riding is increasing exponentially. This bike lives in the Alps, but just spent 5 weeks touring BC with me - probably the best traveling companion you could have. If only you could teach a Kona a few of those circus tricks/yoga positions that are so handy for relieving stress after a hard ride. I spent a lot of money, and I'm still spending money, but it has been worth it. This bike has contributed to my quality of life - bottom line!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any Right Now
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
It is a nice Frame but...
Weaknesses:
Kona customer service
Similar Products Used:
As mentioned below
Bike Setup:
A box of parts
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that the stinky is a great frame, when in one piece. I broke mine after 3 months, and I don't weigh more than 165 lbs. My bike shop received the frame immediately and the Kona rep was even in the store at the time. Well here I am 4 weeks later and I hear the frame "just" got to Kona??! They aren't replacing the frame either, simply repairing the rear triangle. The welds were suspect to start with. They have it in front of them but they said they won't ship it for another week at least, then another two weeks for me to get it back. That'll be over a month without a bike for a guy who rode every day and planned to race and promote Kona bikes. I guess my bottom line is the bike is awesome, just don't break it!! I'm ordering a different frame and Kona has just lost a once loyal customer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lewis Matheson
a Downhiller
from Morpeth, England Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Innerleithen
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Quality, the warranty, classy.
Weaknesses:
Not very to fit an MRP chain guide to. Rear mech Hanger bent after one run a DH course.
Bike Setup:
Big forks, Azonic Pyramid Bars, Steel Cranks, Tioga, Goldtec, Middleburn, Mavic, etc.
Bottom Line:
I bought the Frame only, and as it was last years model it was being sold off cheap. The weekend after I got it I raced at the toughest, rockiest course in Innerleithen, here I crashed a lot and theres now five areas of the frame where the paint is missing-but at leasts its been run in. The back feels as if theres more than 5", but I will be getting BETD plates soon to take it to 6.5". It really is an awesome frame and it seems strong enough so far (10ft drops have acheived at the local quarry by me). If you've got the money you should buy one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from North Bay Ontario Date Reviewed: April 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Basic, Stupid
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Well when new the bike did feel really plush, the RC shock was nice. I have ridden the bike for about 2 months and it worked great. I did however snap the left rear chainstay right at the weld. We ride some drops, about 3-5 feet max, the bike wasn't even raced yet. The colour was wicked and the ride was very sweet. My hayes on the back may have stressed the weld but there is no way a bike that new should break, I only weigh 160lbs!!
Weaknesses:
Weak rear triangle??, just be careful. And the bushings at the back above the chainstays tend to wear and the plushness goes away, cheap to replace though.
Mr. T. fork, full hayes hydraulic, race face crank and bar, LX shifters, XT deraillers, Maxis tires, Rhyno lite in the rear and real hub in front.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, serious machine, not too heavy to climb with in my opinion. But.... watch those rear welds and replace the rear bushings at least every 6 months..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Hanna
a Downhiller
from Foster City CA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Flume trail in Lake Tahoe
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I love this bike. Its so Solid. But when its so strong it comes with a price, WEIGHT!!!!
Weaknesses:
W.E.I.G.H.T and the crappy xtr xt and all that shimano crap. LONG LIVE SRAM!!
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz, KHS,GT,Intense
Bike Setup:
I put sram stuff on. I love it!!!!!!I changed the rims cause i wiegh alot. I run mammoth rims. Havent bent yet!!!!
Bottom Line:
KONA BIKES RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF U LOVE GREEN GET IT !!! IF U DONT STILL GET IT!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Neel
a Weekend Warrior
from Ashburn,Va Date Reviewed: November 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Fredrick Watershed
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Solid in the rough stuff Mega plush
Weaknesses:
A pig to clime,heavy
Bike Setup:
fox
Bottom Line:
lots of fun, remember to eat your wheaties befor you ride. I love this bike
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryn
a Cross-Country Rider
from Edmonton, AB Date Reviewed: October 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Da Wolf
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Lots of travel Sweet colors Awsome Ride Super Durable Easton RAD tubes
Weaknesses:
Not many
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup:
The Stinky with a gripshift ESP 9.0 derailler and shifters, Race face Cranks, Syncros Riser, Time pedals, Syncros Hardcore post, Geax tires
Bottom Line:
I had no problems with this bike, I could get up on everything, lost a little bit of climbing power but it was well worth it, it takes spills wel!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross-Country Rider
from Stowe VT Date Reviewed: October 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Pink Starfish, Shark cruiser
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Looks, quality, design, durability, feel of ride, great cockpit layout, ability to live up to its intended purpose, Kona specs bikes in a manner that puts the expensive parts where they're needed most and the cheap ones where it doesnt really matter what's there--very well thought out.
Weaknesses:
weight (not a big deal), price (but worth every penny), little to no seatpost adjustability due to S-shaped seattube, Tioga tires (stock on factory spec'd bike) not the greatest for North Shore style riding....side knobs slip off wood.
This is possibly a premature review, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I will like this bike better and better the more I ride it! Simply put, this bike SLAMS!!! It LOOKS awesome for starters. It's a little heavy, but that's because it's overbuilt (and hence, indestructible). Perfect if you're looking for a freeride that will withstand the shock of giant drops that would scare most skiers away and slammin' downhills that would leave a hardtail looking like a pretzel. I'm not using this thing to win Expert NORBA XC races so I couldn't give two sh*ts about the weight. And it's not THAT heavy. Most people gripe that it's expensive, but I find with this bike that you get what you pay for.....it's worth every cent. My only real bittch with this bike is the seattube thing. You can't have a high seat for climbing and lower it for DH's, it's pretty much one-choice seat height. Kinda sucks. What's important tho is how it rides. Well let me tell ya somethin, I didn't buy a bike like this cuz I'm some old guy with a bad back who wants a cushy ride on roots and cobbles. I bought it because the stuff I'm into riding demands nothing less. I ride things with this bike that would simply be too much to handle for most other bikes--giant wheelie drops, rock drops in steep descents, big rock-laden chutes, north shore style flowriding, etc. And this bike just bombs thru this kind of sh*t. Like even big logs....Screw bunnyhopping over em, just pull back on the bar, manual over it full speed, and let the rear suss gobble it up like it wasn't even there. I've ridden a number of bikes similar in design, and the only one that compares in the solidness of feel is the Turner (and maybe Rocky Mtn). This thing just feels like you're riding a tank, but in complete control the whole time. Awesome bike. Despite the few shortcomings (seatpost, price, weight), this bike still deserves every bit of 5 flamers.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Butch
a Weekend Warrior
from Noralk, CT Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
CASE
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
awesome feel
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
not quite
Bike Setup:
demo bike/stock
Bottom Line:
I tried a demo at a MTB festival in VT. I usually ride x-country, but with this bike did freeride stuff I did not think I'll ever try.. and with ease.. it just feels so confident on big drops and screaming downhills... I did have to push up though, but not too much... I was going to get an Intense Uzzi SL, but now I am seriously considering the Stinky.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chaz
a Cross-Country Rider
from amherst Date Reviewed: September 12, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
this bike awesome. Kona has sent out a demo truck around the country, and it came to my town today, so i was like, hell yeah! i'm gonna ride a stinky deelux baby! it goes uphill as well as any 30 lb bike does, and downhill it awesome. i was(notice the past tense) trying decide if i wanted to get a K2 animal, Specialized FSR big hit, or the stinky deelux, and i'm sold on the kona after riding all 3. i was riding things i never even considered ridable on this bike. it awesome! to top it off, kona is really cool to send out a demo truck. i'm lucky enough to have friends that had some of the other bikes i wanted, but once i have the loot, the smell will be sublime. right-o!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Anything X-treme
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Massive tubes 7000 series alum. 4-bar walking-beam rear. Excellent shock choice. King-Kong type,gusseted head tube. Sealed bearing pivots; over bushings(wise choice).
Weaknesses:
Not Easton alum. Frame made in Taiwan.I'm spoilled. Weak deraillieur hanger Frame designed around standard-type cranks.
My first riding impression, would have to be the same as every other ride...EXCELLENT! The bike blows over everything w/ literally NO loss of velocity.It has a solid feel,and for my 230lb. athletic frame,is absolutely Bomb Proof!Can't wait to take it downhilling.I did have a problem with the der. hanger snapping, If you buy it as a frameset only,be careful w/ your choice of cranks(size).I trasferred compact cranks over to this frame and had to do some mild modification to the front der. 5...count'em...5 flaming Huffys!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ti Guy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bellevue, WA Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Chiva Falls
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Plush 5 travel on both ends Active design Exceptional components: 'Zokes Jr. T, Fox Vanilla coil RC, Race Face crankset, Shimano XT/XTR parts Not cheap, but a great buy Burly frame Sealed cartridge bearings Can be pedaled up hill
Weaknesses:
weight not cheap
Similar Products Used:
Mantra Pro Manomano
Bike Setup:
Stock 99 bike green frame, orange Race Face cranks, black 'Zokes Jr. T
Bottom Line:
My first impressions of the bike were: great looking frame, burly. Nice components, fork, rear shock, price is steep but you get a lot for it. Heavy. I thought, man could this be pedaled uphill? After a test ride I was convinced, it could be pedaled uphill no problem, and most importantly it was a blast to ride, the 5 travel front and back were awesome, totally active, and totally plush, the most buttery smooth suspension I've ever felt. It felt a lot lighter than it's 30 lb weight would lead one to believe. It actually felt pretty nimble. I didn't want to give it back so I bought it. It's been out on a couple of rides after that and my initial findings were confirmed. I looked for ledges, rocks, roots, whatever I could find to bomb over, it all gets soaked up without any complaint. Going uphill is possible, but not a strong suit, the front end is too tall to effectively go up steep climbs, you really have to hunch over the bars to try to keep centered between both wheels, can you say, whoa nellie? heheh. I passed up the new crop of lighweight FS XC bikes because I wanted a plush ride, and the Stinky Dee Lux delivers. Go for it. 5 flaming Hawaiian shish kabobs.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Well Sprung
a Cross-Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: June 15, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
Having just bought my first full-sus bike, I can honestly say the the Stinky is really a bike I can work with. The travel is v.smooth front and back, tracking is very sharp and direct and overall I have the feeling of being in control all the time.I upgraded on purchase to Dee-Maxes and Hope Sport discs, which are worth the extra weight - incidentally, the Dee-Max yellow goes very nicely indeed with the Stinky's green frame and the orange cranks...In short, any bike that can get me down the downhill at Wendover, at twice the speed I used to do it, with fifty times as much fun, has to be awesome !
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Skar
a Downhiller
from Bietigheim, Germany Date Reviewed: March 26, 1999
The front fork is everything but stiff, i changed to a VOTEC
Similar Products Used:
VOTEC F7 FR
Bike Setup:
First original setup, now VOTEC GS4OS fork, MAGURA Louise.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome ! Ive never had a ride like this; this is MY definition of a real HC-Freerider ! 5 burning XC-Riders !
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
heffae
a Weekend Warrior
from IL Date Reviewed: March 21, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
First off I must say that I am only reveiwing the frame. I did not purchase the whole bike. Built it up with XTR components, King wheelset, White Bros. DC 118.I have only put two serious rides on the dee-lux so far and it absolutely rules. I've rode a GT LTS for years convinced there was nothing better and I have had the opportunity to ride many other designs as well. Again the Stinky one rises above. The geometry is perfect. It rails corners intuitively. The lateral stiffness is rock solid. The suspension is excellent. The bike is way over built in the rear triangle. Punish it all you want. The bike is a little heavy but it is over built for the technical junkies out there so if this is you look no further than the Stinky. One complaint, my frame came with the fox vanilla RC piggyback shock which is the best but you cant use a water bottle because the piggyback reservour is in the way. I cant use my light system now. (Water bottle battery)I will figure something out. Nonetheless I still have to give it five chiles because its a phenomenal ride. The smell truly is sublime !!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rbastock
a downhiller
from Canada Date Reviewed: January 11, 1999
Bottom Line:
Hey I need some help deciding between a kona stinky and a stinky deluxe.I am only 12 so I don't really know what I want for my buck these days.I would also like to do North Shore.So if someone could please e-mail me and tell me what you think rbastock@hotmail.com
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hot Dog Boy
a weekend warrior
from yummy tummy Date Reviewed: January 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! It is a very cool bike. It rides really smooth and soaks up the bumps. The front and rear suspinsion is great. Even though the price is bad this is a great bike. It isn't to heavy. Five dogs.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a weekend warrior
from North Vancouver, Canada Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
This bike awesome!!!! My initail impressions were that it was just another 30+ lb freeride bike that wasn't necessary. But then I tried it, realized it was overbuilt for a reason, and loved it from then on. It is so plush and sweet. The Fox Vanilla RC and Junior T are the perfect match. The North Shore has never been as much fun with 5 front and rear helping you along!!!!!! % flamming dead horses!!!!! :)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Webb
a cross-country rider
from Vancouver, Canada Date Reviewed: November 17, 1998
Bottom Line:
Hey - someone that owns one of these - send in a review. I am thinking of purchasing for use on the Shore. How many stars? The rear shock looks like it cannot be locked out for climbing. Is there an alternative?
Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 2599.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
