Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamden, CT, USA Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
pro XC course @ MT.snow, VT
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
North Haven Bike
Strengths:
Dependability, smooth and stiff 4 bar ball bearing linkage, reliable fox vanilla rear shock, stiff and plush Marzocchi oil bath fork, cool color scheme w/ glow in the dark decals
Weaknesses:
not too many. a little weighty and the shimano 9 spd. stuff also wish it had external rebound and compression adjustments for the rear shock.
Similar Products Used:
Intense tracer, Intense Uzzi sl, Kona King Kahuna, Mrazek full suspension the Bo i think it was.
Bike Setup:
A lotta changes, took off all the 9 speed crap and went w/ XTR 8 speed (12-32T steel cassette and SWEET XTR shifter pods), Marzocchi Z3 100mm coil fork, Time attac pedals, Coda 1000 ti saddle, Race Face air alloy riser, oury grips, avid rollamajig, Paul components brakes/levers Michelin 2.1 tires XTR rear hub w/sun 0 degree XC rim, Nuke proof atom bomb front hub w/sun 0 degree XC rim, Lizard skin chainstay protector and also a Lizard skin ball frog stem/knee protector and some times a tooth fairy instead of the 3rd ring when im freeriding
Bottom Line:
For a medium priced, mainstream bike it rocks. In a year of ownership I've had zero problems. I really like the ball bearing 4 bar linkage. It's quite stiff laterally and the ball bearing pivots ensure smooth operation. The Marzocchi fork rules. It's so much better (as far as suspension feel, mechanical design and stiffness) compared to anything from Rock Shox or Manitou. I've had a lotta problems with both of those products. They require way too much maintenance and the suspension quality is lacking outta the box and gets worse with use. I'll only use Marzocchi forks on all future bikes. (see my review of Marzocchi forks in the fork section). I luckily got a later model that didn't come with the horrible mechanical disc brakes that every1 complains about in other reviews. For a pretty nice all purpose bike I would reccomend it. However, if you have boatloads of money, there are so many high end small bike builders to choose from. Intense and Ellesworth to name just a couple. As far as weight is concerned, mine varies depending on the setup I have. I have some downhill oriented wheels and tires that i use when I ride it on the downhills at MT.Snow and Killington. Between 29 and 32 lbs. I can still manage to climb some pretty big hills despite the heft. If you want a lighter, racier style Kona full suspension rig they have the King Kikapu which is wicked light but uses a Rock Shox Sid (yucky)or if u are more of a free rider they have the beautiful Stinky 5 which comes with a sweet freeride specific frame from Easton and a lotta nice freeride toys. Overall I'll give it 4 chilis and leave the 5 chili ratings for the really expensive, custom stuff.
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Submitted by
420Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Rosa, CA Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
CBO in Santa Rosa
Strengths:
Tried and true design made by a repuitable company. This bike makes me go fast, and longer into the day than my beloved hardtail. Suspention just plain ole works good! Z2 Bomber and Fox float RC get along niecley. That and it seems stiff in the right places.
Weaknesses:
Toasted my disk-specific hub after a rough 6 week break-in period. Tahoe and local trails took thier toll. Bike Shop is being cool and said Kona will do me right (on thier loaner now.)
Similar Products Used:
Just a Bomber on my Fisher HT... Bombers Rule!
Bike Setup:
came stock w/ avid arch rival 4's.. swaped on my older xt levers and hellbent bar.... watch out! Did it up @ the shop w/ Z.2 AtomBomb race and Fox float RC, new tires and that's it.
Bottom Line:
I am stoked, this bike rocks! It's already been from Santa Cruz, to Tahoe and Macenzie Ore! Except for the hub (kinda my fault -190 lbs going fast and hitting sh*t,) this thing has held up good. Mad a fat chainstay protector out of a tube and zip ties--stealth on stingletrax! Now I am out on the trail ripping more bong loads and more singletrack!!!!!!
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Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: June 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
TNT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Deep Cove
Strengths:
Pretty much everything. Plush ride, great rear shock, great seat, light...
Weaknesses:
Only problem so far is a weak dropout - 3 rides and it's bent 3 times (so what if I'm tumbling down the side of Seymour, it shouldn't bend that often).
Similar Products Used:
GT Team RTS.
Bike Setup:
Stock other than - Psylos, Hayes mech. disks.
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet bike which gets sweeter every time I ride it. I was convinced I would always be a hardtail rider until I rode this bike and now I would never go back - I can ride for longer as my body is taking less of a beating and my climbing has improved. It's a great climber and fantastic downhiller. What a ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Monique Addison
a
from Jacksonville, Florida USA Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Santos Trails in Ocala, FLA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Bicycles Etc. , Jacksonville, FL
Strengths:
Everything but the brakes!! From the plush suspension (no bob!)to the raceface cranks to the mix of LX and XT components. The weight is a non-issue. This bike rocks!!! It climbs like a mountain goat and eats up all the rocks, logs and drops on the way down. I best describe this bike as a COMFORTABLE Cross Country/All Day/Freeride Machine! It does it all! It climbs, it jumps, it drops, and it crashes WELL!...to borrow a phrase from "timex"...it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'!!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Do I need to say it again? The Formula Mechanical Disks!!! THEY SUCK!!! What was the previous comment? They scream louder than 300 toddlers? Yep, that's about right! Oh, and the SDG seat is too hard for me, I swaped it out for a WTB with the comfort zone...much better!!!! :)
Similar Products Used:
2001 Stinky (too heavy for me but FUN to play on)...GT I-drive (they dont make an x-small so it was too big) and Fisher's Sugar 2 just felt too stretched out in the cockpit...definitely more of a cross country racer.
Bike Setup:
Stock other than changed the pedals to Shimano 646's, WTB seat, and the brakes will be comming off TODAY!!!
Bottom Line:
I LOVE THIS BIKE. Kona has great products with great customer service!! I ride a 14" so that is hard to find to begin with, and to find a bike that fits me (5'2" and 130lbs-with SHORT legs) that not only FITS but is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden...well, that's just awesome. It also is nice to see a bike climb with the best of them and suck up the nasty stuff on the way down. I can take this bike anywhere and dont have to worry if it can handle it. Can I give it 10 Flamin' Chilis?
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Submitted by
Keith Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Vegas Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
boulder city
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Suspension, price, parts spec, except for the brakes.
Weaknesses:
Formula disc brakes are terrible, and dangerous. I have a broken arm to attest to the latter, and am putting on XT discs
Great bike with horrible brakes. However, for the price, I can't complain. With the new brakes, I am still well below what it should have cost.
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Submitted by
Rex
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
white ranch, apex
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Red Rocks Cyclery-Unfortunately
Strengths:
Nice suspension design, cool styling, glow in the dark stickers, climbs nice for its weight
Weaknesses:
Brakes, shifting, weight, shocks(front and back) and RED ROCKS CYCLERY
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler(which I ended up buying and love it)
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
The bike had numerous problems from the beginning. The rear shock would get stuck compressed during every ride. The bike would ghost shift in the small gears. The brakes work pretty well but were extremely noisy. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT WAS THE HORRIBLE SERVICE I GOT FROM THE SHOP I GOT IT FROM, RED ROCKS CYCLERY IN MORRISON COLORADO. THE BIKE HAD SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH IT AFTER EVERY RIDE SO I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS. ONE DAY WHEN I PICKED UP THE BIKE THE SHOP EMPLOYEE SAID I WAS A PAIN IN THE ASS. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS A PAIN IN THE ASS WAS THE PIECE OF CRAP BIKE I PAID 1,700 BUCKS FOR. A GOOD SHOP SERVICES AND STANDS BEHIND THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL. I HOPE MY RATING DOES NOT GET ERASED AGAIN BECAUSE I WANT MY FELLOW MOUNTAIN BIKERS TO HERE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE.
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Submitted by
p
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver, bc, canada Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
neds atomic - North Shore
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
cove bike shop
Strengths:
good all around, solid, sweet fox rear suspension, what can I say... it glows in the dark.
Weaknesses:
stock front suspension
Similar Products Used:
98 gaint DS1
Bike Setup:
hayes disks, kona dh bar, bomber z3 flylight 100 (replacable arch), syncros seat post, ti rail seat
Bottom Line:
Love this bike more after evey ride, can't complain about the brakes.. Why knock the bike about brakes, mine came with hayes already on it, maybe you should talk to the shop that sold it to you! The chain slap is noticable but that lets the bears know to clear the way.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russ
a Cross Country Rider
from Wallingford, CT Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Philips canyon, teton pass WY
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Cutting Edge, Berlin, CT
Strengths:
front and rear shocks, fast, solid ride. Kona service.
Weaknesses:
stock brakes, on the heavy side. handlebars are a bit wide for me but I getting used to them. I can always cut.
Similar Products Used:
none. Went from a 1990 rockhopper comp. to a Kona NUNU to this.
Bike Setup:
switched out entire wheel set with a Kona Roast set since the mech. discs were terrible. the Roasts set had Avid 4.0. brakes and ditch witch rims with tioga tires. Pedals changed to Shimano downhill clipless. Outer-front ring swithced with a tooth fairy rock ring(added 1/2" in clearance.)swithched middle front ring with a 1/4" machined race face alum. ring
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension bike and I'll never go back to hard tails. With the setup on the Bike and the frame configuration, it is not light, but this thing is like a tank. I'd rather have a bit more extra weight and not worry about durability, than sit in the woods changing flats or something worse. For a non-racer/xcountry it is great. Also the Roast wheel set is ready for discs so when hydraulics come down in price I can upgrade easily. The fox float is great and its location in the frame keeps it relatively clean and less susceptible to damage compared to the rest of the bike. My advice in general, this is a great bike for the money. If your thinking full suspension don't skimp. You're going to have it a while so don't get an entry level FS bike. If you intend to race, this is too heavy. If you want to have fun and ride into or over anything, this is solid.
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Submitted by
Madmitt
a Cross Country Rider
from Van Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Northshore
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Overall I think the bike is a good bike. The crank is rad and the fox float is SWEET. I like the crisp rapid shifting. Every thing on the bike seems solid.
Weaknesses:
Quick release seems to come loose.
Similar Products Used:
Giant , Trek vrx 400
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike in and out of some of the best trails with some of the best riders and I tailed them all the way down. Jump for jump, drop for drop and all that. The bike straight-up hauls ASS. For being a novice rider the bike made me feel like a pro.
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Submitted by
devin
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder co Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Not much bobbing good suspension
Weaknesses:
THE FREAKIN BRAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bike Setup:
standard
Bottom Line:
I rented this bike in moab and rode the slickrock trail. It was a little heavy but the suspension worked really well (not much bobbing). But the brakes were so horrible. They worked fine but the screeched and screamed louder that 300 toddlers. The brakes could be heared from miles and i was so embarrased to use them that i guessed it helped me go faster down the hills. If you are going to buy this bike swich out the brakes you will not rerget it. They may seem nice when you first buy the bike but they truly suck.
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Submitted by
Casey
a Weekend Warrior
from Des Moines, WA, USA Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
TapeWorm
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Front suspension is great.
Weaknesses:
Brakes don't work at all.
Similar Products Used:
K2 1000
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I would not pay MSRP for this bike. The brakes are non-existent. Kona might as well ship the bike without brakes and let you choose your own. I was very dissappointed. I also demo'd Kona's singlespeed bike, the kaboom, and it rocked. So I guess Kona is alright, just don't buy a bike with the Formula cable actuated discs.
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Submitted by
Brendan
a Weekend Warrior
from Comox, British Columbia, Canada Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Northeast Shore
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This bike is nice. This thing just hauls. It has very good traction (except, of coures, the Tioga Factory XC tires) and it's so comfortable. you can ride all day in this thing! I don't know what the other dude said about the disc brakes, but they worked find out of the box, but they dwindled down. i can't figure out how to afjust them right, but my friends work awesome! components rule: XT, DEORE, Race Face etc.
Weaknesses:
The quick release. kept coming off (but there was a recall on that), a little on the heavier side
Similar Products Used:
2000 Kona Manomano, 1999 Kona King Kikapu, Lots of shop bikes and stuff (just about every cannondale)
Bike Setup:
Stock basically, not much needed to change on this pup.
Bottom Line:
This bike hauls ass. Its a good price, and it has awesome components on it-XT and Race Face and stuff like that. Its great on downhills, and really technical north-shore stuff (like what i do). it may not be very good at jumping (because its not as lite) but the air shocks and other goodies make this thing sweet for big hits and little hits and launches and bridges etc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
allister
a Cross Country Rider
from atlanta, ga Date Reviewed: March 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
all dirt
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
4 bar linkage. Nice Shocks front and rear. The ride is what suspension lovers look for.
Weaknesses:
The Formula Disc Brakes are aweful.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz SL, K2, Gary Fisher
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
If the brakes were what they should be at a $1700.00 price point I would have bought it. No shop will give you a break on swap out unless you go Hydraulic and that's more cash. Now the bike is going over the $2000.00 price range and you're still running Deore. Doesn't make sense. The guys at Formula say "they need to break in". Screw that. I may only be a dumbass consumer who is on his 8th bike in 10 years, but your brakes should kick ass out of the box, not 2 months down the line when you've worked on them every other night. 4 chilis for good bike. 2 chilis for crappy brakes and weak wheels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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