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Submitted by
mark
a Downhiller
from boulder. co
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | my own | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | pacesetter | | Strengths: | handles 30' gaps and 15ft drops better than i do | | Weaknesses: | shock bolt. | | Similar Products Used: | giant, cdale, intense, tomac, turner, spec, banshee, etc dh bikes | | Bike Setup: | 01 monster, xtr, race face prodigy 2 ring setup, mavic521 hayes zoke wheels 8" discs maxxis 50d tires | | Bottom Line: | i have a fox vanilla rc that has handled mad jumps and drops in the 6" setting. paired with the monster t, this bike is so smooth, and the standover is lower that my last few fs trail bikes. i jump with the flair of a slalom bike, yet it can handle dh runs. the only drawback is that i would get dangerboy plates and a romic shock if i only dh'ed on this bike. the 6" setup hits harsh on g-outs and square edges. but it jumps like a dream and handles well on skinnys in the stock 6" setup. get a 03 stab if you want a bike that jumps well right out of the box. get a used one like mine if you can find a deal. they are worth it. stock bike feels right, unlike the above bikes i have tried. kona dh bar and funn stem are great ergo jump setup. if u use a 7 inch fork on this bike drop the stanchions in the crowns a little bit (5/8") to keep good head angle. that fixed the chopper effect when i put on a 01 monster t(came with a 01 super t). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Cohen
a
from College Park, MD
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with drops | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR classifieds | | Strengths: | This frame is strong and can take way more than my skills will allow. Geometry is perfect - easy enough to sit and peddle and easy to get behind for drops and hucks. Good components too. | | Weaknesses: | The top shock bolt set up is pretty lame. | | Similar Products Used: | XC dualies | | Bike Setup: | Marz Jr T, Fox Vanilla R. Hayes hydros 8/6 front/rear. XTR rear der. Titec bezerker saddle, Kona bars, grips, pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. I definitely wouldn't be able to afford it new, but I got a sweet deal on MTBR classifieds. Riding this thing feels completely solid and gives you a ton of confidence. Surprisingly it pedals really well too. I can do some really technical climbs through loose stuff I couldn't do on a hardtail. This bike is heavy ~40lbs so my legs give out on climbs before the bike does. Descents and drops are a pleasure. I even do a lot of urban on it. Kona did a great job with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Downhiller
from canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | nice strong mainframe, | | Weaknesses: | shock bolt set up, easy to snap upper shock bolts.
a bugger to ride to the mountains.
Stupid chainguide mounting system (i snapped mine off)
kona's "random" Tight arse warranty system (compared to other brands) | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | Stock but with better tires and rear derailer (XT) | | Bottom Line: | Although the bike hasnt been ridden quite as much as i would have liked to, all the important parts: the mainframe, forks and rims havent been buggered up yet.
Although ive had some minor setbacks with the shock bolt and chainguide mount, there are logical solutions to all these small problems. Kona's warranty is pretty random, ive heard some really good storys and some pretty stupid storys about who gets warranty on their overpriced konas. Compaired with some of the other downhill bikes you can buy this year (02) the pricetag on the kona is pretty expensive for what you get (compare it to the new Giant DH bikes or the norco Dh bike) but i was prepared to dish out and over all I am very happy with my bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared
a Downhiller
from stettler, ablerta, canada
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | stony squaw | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle cafe | | Strengths: | the frame is built to last, it it very strong, no flex, and suspention design is dope! | | Weaknesses: | rear deraileur hanger is soft but that can be fixed by going to your local kona dealer and getting an "h" hanger, and the top shock bolt it just stupid, it breake npo matter what you try to do with it but....... i have come up with a solution and it works perfect. it is a 2 peice solid stainless steel sleeve in stead os the 2 that only go half way through ine goes all the way through and the other slides overtop. if you have this problen E-mail me and i'll see if i can hook you up. | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz bullit, norco shore, devinci magma, ect. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 supet t pro, profile racing cranks, tioga race control seat, crow bar handel bars, lime green double wide rims and kenda kolossal tires. | | Bottom Line: | if you are a big hit freerider of an urban assult rider this bike is for you. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Shocker
a Downhiller
from North Van, BC CANADA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | here | | Strengths: | Great bike. No real problems. Takes a beating better than my old G-spot which was similar but inferior design. | | Weaknesses: | rear suspension bolt has broken about 10 times. (I weigh 205lbs). Its a slug going up hill but hey, what should i expect. | | Bike Setup: | one chain ring (36T) for North Shore riding. Bash guards on either side to act as chainguide - never comes off. | | Bottom Line: | I just got the DH kit - which is just a beefed up tube for the rear suspension bolt to go through - so i think the only problem that i have had with this bike should be solved. For anyone who breaks the bolts - Don't buy replacements from the bike shop for $15 each!! These are standard bolts available from industrial fastener outlets. I get them for under $2 each and they are exactly the same. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe c
a Downhiller
from marion,MA,usa
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North shore,street,dirt.DH,dual | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | I like the way the bike rides a lot. This bike has the super T which is great and the rear shock is fine. I love the f.u.n.n serial rippa stem and the oversized kona DH bars.I like the Mr dirt chain guide but it is geared very high. Nice seat also.Cranks are super beefy and very nice | | Weaknesses: | THIS BIKE BREAKS A LOT. i dont kno if it is just me but i have broke soooo much stuff in the last past 4 or 5 months. Most of the stuff has broke on 4-5 foot drops(that is nothing) these drops didnt have tranys but that is no reason why it should break. I have snapped 2 derailer hangers(at 15 bucks each they get pricy. I heard the rear bolt on the shock snaps unless u get steel ones but i havent had ne problems with it yet. Also the LX derailer snaped right in half and i didnt even hit nething with it , it was just of a 4 foot jump to flat. Also the ditch witch rims suck. They are bent to hell. i need to get ryno lites,mamoths or double wides. also this bike kinda sits up right like a XC bike but it u lower the seat and put on a 24 inch rear whel if u can afford it ,it works good.Also u will get used to the way the bike rides.Other than that this is a great bike.also u gotta get it with the hayes hydrolic discs or else it will prob. suck.,\ | | Similar Products Used: | Specailized big hit, Gt dhi race,ellswotrth aeon joker,Balfa BB7,stinky,and a haro extreme | | Bike Setup: | stock except i got some intense lock on grip:) and a new XT short cage derailer cause my LX snaped in half | | Bottom Line: | Great bike but it breaks a lot. just get new rims, disc breaks, rear derailer and plenty of derailer hangers and u should be fine | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonny Quest
a Downhiller
from Southampton, England
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rogate | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | - Strong
- Very Plush
- Looks great
- Spot on geomatry | | Weaknesses: | None as yet | | Similar Products Used: | Orange 222, Santa Cruz Bullit, Orange Patriot, Intense M1, Giant ATX 1 etc. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Stab, White Bros. DH>2, XTR Cranks and BB, XT Gears, Hope C2's, Hope Bulb on Sun Doublewide, Middleburn, Tioga, Mr.Dirt etc. | | Bottom Line: | This Frame rules (i am reviewing the frame only) its an amazing U.K. DH bike and also a superb free ride bike. This bike is for someone who likes to go big or for an enthusiastic racer. One thing i must say is how spot on the geomatry is, its perfect. All in all a great bike. I recomend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Euan
a Downhiller
from Brighton Uk
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wild park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | halfords | | Strengths: | Amount of travel and the smoothness of it | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy but for a dh bike its light | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS 2000DS and GT LTS DH modal | | Bike Setup: | Custom build- Junior T's Enduro4 pot bulb hubs, middleburn azonic | | Bottom Line: | This bike rules simply the best dh I have ever riddern. I have have worked in bike shops and got to ride a few differentbikes. This one rules. Expensives as a frame kit but build it up to your exact requiremnts and it well serve u well. Yes it exepnisve but worth ever penny | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
konastabman
a Downhiller
from san mateo, CA ,USA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | DMC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | kona | | Strengths: | this is a great frame it's super strong, not to heavy, looks great, and is buttery smooth. | | Weaknesses: | the upper shock bolt snaps but you can fix that. I called kona and they sold me a steel shock spacer and that fixed it. if you have this frame get the steel shock spacer you must! | | Similar Products Used: | cove g-spot(verry nice), ventana, RM7. | | Bike Setup: | oh yeah look at this I have the stab frame with a monster T, Chris king dh head set, shimano xt disc brakes with 203mm rotors, fox vanila RC shock, HED yellow downhill rims, answer protaper bars, raceface northshore cranks, XT shifters. | | Bottom Line: | kick ass frame...
the only thing that would make this frame better is if it were hand made...
GET ONE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gabe
a Downhiller
from massachusetts america
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything like shore riding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | very nice frame...i love the front super t front fork...i purchased the bike with hayes hydros but if u dont have them u must get them...this bike is a beast and can handle anything u throw at it. | | Weaknesses: | it is geared rather high but it dosnt take that long to adapt too... | | Similar Products Used: | stinky.. ellsworth aeon joker..gt dhi race | | Bike Setup: | everything is stock but i purchased it with the hayes hydros | | Bottom Line: | very sick bike 2/3 for Downhill and 1/3 for freerideing...this bike will handle anything u throw at it.. u can go off a hit wrong and the bike with fix yours mistakes on the landings..also handles very well in snow and in mud | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ThomasJ
a Weekend Warrior
from NEwbury Park, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelworld | | Strengths: | Steering Geometry, SUSPENSION, Up hill pedalling | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT, finding a stem/bar combo to prevent hand from going numb (Carpal Tunnel) | | Bike Setup: | Setup for X-country: three chainring in front, Time atac pedals, avid rim brakes(going to get Hope Mini's) Azonic 100mm stem and 2.5" riser bar | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike, great for handling/pedalling the uphill climbs in rutty, rocky trails. Confidence inspiring when going downhill and taking small drops. My favorite bike to do everything.
I'll take the 12 lb weight penalty compared to my X-country bike just to be able to go fast on the downhill fire roads and single track.
not five stars until I get disc brakes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shep
a
from usa
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | earth | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop | | Strengths: | frame, fork, overall package and price | | Weaknesses: | as others state the bolt for the top shock mount is weak...i have replaced it three times already and im not that crayz, im droping some 6 to 10 footers but we are talking gravle pit soft and it has still been done in, waited almost three weaks for the parts and i cant even get free stickers from them..kona ? | | Similar Products Used: | rm7, i-drives, giant ac-1 | | Bike Setup: | stock with exception of hayes d-brakes | | Bottom Line: | its fun as hell and does allow you to push yourself w confidence | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dog
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont, Que.; Burke Mtn. PoCo; Cop Killer, Pemberton. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great value, good design, smart spec. Super T is awesome, Hayes are awesome, Fox shock is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | Top shock bolt, seatpost, rear hub spokes coming loose (apparently - I haven't had trouble with mine...yet...). Needs bigger/stiffer tires for serious downhill stuff - the sidewalls on the Tiogas are way to soft.
These are nitpicks, though - overall a great package. | | Similar Products Used: | RMB DH Race, demoed virtually everything (work in a shop)... | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Thompson post, Intense Comp 60 2.7" tires, XT rear deraileur, Easton Flatboy pedals, ODI Lock On grips, sometimes mount triple chainrings and front deraileur. | | Bottom Line: | A perfect all around freeride/downhill bike. If you like to do the chairlift/van shuttle thing, but also urban and some cross-country-ish trail riding, but can afford only one bike, this is it. Very much like a Turner RFX but far cheaper. Similar in concept to the UZZI SLX or even the Ellsworth Dare, but far cheaper. It may be made in Taiwan but it works just as good as the above for far less money.
Kona's warranty is on a case by case basis - if it is legitimate, you'll get what you deserve. If you're nuts or doing stupid stuff (many people are and I salute them!), then you should be on a BMW - the Stab and other Konas are awsome but they can only take so much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BenWA
a Downhiller
from Bham
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cultus probably? | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The way it rides/feels, quality of suspension/design, durability, amount of travel is perfect for many types of riding, looks cool. Ultra burly/heavy duty for a 6" freerider...ready to take on whatever your evil conscience talks your good conscience into doing. | | Weaknesses: | Welded chain guide mount breaks off easily (which isn't a big deal, as you can get a BB mount to replace it when it busts off). Also, the upper shock mount bolt bends/breaks fairly easily and needs to be replaced frequently (this situation can also be rectified by getting a different bushing/reducer kit for your Fox shock. | | Similar Products Used: | I also have an older Stinky Dee Lux, ridden many other bikes of similar design/make-up including most Kona full suss/DH bikes, Rocky Mtn freeride/DH bikes, Santa Cruz freeride/DH bikes, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock setup w/ hayes 8" hydraulics... only changes are Fox Vanilla RC to replace Vanilla R, beefier wheels (w/ Halo Combat rims) replacing the hoopty hoops that came on it, Tioga Factory 2.5 DH tires instead of the 2.3s.
BTW, I'm 5'10" and weigh 145 lbs, ride a 15" (small) frame | | Bottom Line: | I LOOOOOVE my bike. I ride this bike pretty much every day. I use it as my only bike for *everything* from BMX type street riding (including abubacas and other moves with rollbacks, manuals, wallrides, etc) to freeride type street riding (stair gaps, wall drops, etc) to dirt jumping to skate park sessions to North Shore type trail riding to big huge drops (over 20' vertical) to DH racing to riding to the corner store. This one bike is capable of doing it all. Also, I disagree with the first post that says you can't climb it out of the saddle...I NEVER climb this bike in the saddle, I have my seat low and i leave it there...I climb up grouse all the way to the upper trails (like gmg) out of the saddle, it just takes getting used to. Although, I do agree that it's pretty much a Stinky DL with another inch of travel (which I dig). With the exception of the chainguide mount and the shock bolt thing, i have no complaints about this bike whatsoever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | right of punani ( you go I go jeff ) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | sick sick deal yet worth the 3,200 retail | | Strengths: | every single thing, of course it will need some upgrades but the stock is good while it lasts( deore rear hub lx rear deralieur, ooopss thats gone already!)Let me tell you ive been on xc bikes for 5 years and was pushing some limmits with jumps and steap decents..this bike eats them alive and in just one and a half weeks has me jumping off steaps and landing 10+ ft down....if you want to get better get a bike that will give you confidence! get a KONA freeride, my buddy has a stinky de-lux and is the reason i got a KONA..you drop in and the stabs six and six are like gods pillow soft hands setting you down for another leap at hell!!! | | Weaknesses: | not a one! this is made to last ...im no pro but if you break this thing that will be the least of your problems. | | Similar Products Used: | only been on xc bikes ....boring i cant belive ive been missing out on all this freeride fun | | Bike Setup: | stock with the exception of an xtr rear deralieur and clipless pedals, i had my dealer order it with hayes 8" front and 6" back it normally comes with avid arch rivals wich no doubt are nice but this pike is a pig and would have taken everything to stop it with those | | Bottom Line: | Let me tell you, Ive been on xc bikes for 5 years and was pushing some limmits with jumps and steap decents..this bike eats them alive and in just one and a half weeks has me jumping off steaps and landing 10+ ft down....if you want to get better get a bike that will give you confidence! get a KONA freeride or DH DS my buddy has a stinky de-lux and is the reason i got a KONA..you drop in and the stabs six and six are like gods pillow soft hands setting you down for another leap at hell!!! they inspire you to go bigger and bigger. im not just saying this this bike will make you better. if you are already crayze then you will love KONA's bottomless travel the rear end design is awsome ( no dought inspired by Ellsworth) and how bad can that be! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any thing with steep drops or air | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | shhhhh!!!! | | Strengths: | nice package, screams at you to push the limits...the thing is a tank and begs to be tested harder and harder. | | Weaknesses: | it is heavy and thats to be expected | | Similar Products Used: | stinky de-lux(friends bike)other than that just some xc bikes that dont even compair! | | Bike Setup: | stock ( with exception of the hayes my dealer threw on for nothing!!!!)looking to put on more than one chain ring so i can do a little more freeride with it. | | Bottom Line: | im not that crayze but i was pushing the limits of my xc bike so i went for a stinky d-lux and they were sold out so my dealer recomended this beast at same price...my buddy rides a stinky and it is a work of art to ride how could i go wrong with the stab...(little more weight but ill get used to it) After i beat on it a little more ill review again and tell more but as of this moment its fantastic! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pink Starfish | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cove! | | Strengths: | The bike seems very strong. The frame is very chunky and heavy. The suspension design works very well and my bike came spec'd nicely for the NOrth Shore. 8" Hayes on the front and 6" in the back, Marzocchi Super T fork, Race Face North SHore splined cranks and a mix of XT and Deore drivetrain parts. The chainstays are a gorgeous polished aluminum (now a scratched aluminum) and are very beefy. The bike soaks up bumps extremely well. Because it is a downhill bike the angles are very slack. I find this bike to be excellent in the steeps. The fork has been drilled out to allow more fluid flow and it is one of the best forks I have ever used. As a whole, the bike is confidence inspiring. | | Weaknesses: | Like all downhill bikes this thing is very heavy. This is not an issue for me but you definitely don't want to ride this bike on epic cross country rides. The bike will not tolerate pedaling while out of the saddle so keep your butt on the seat when pedaling uphill. Finally I find the chain (I run a double chainring with bashguard) comes off very easily. The Kona lack of warranty may be a worry to some but I am not that hard on bikes | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Pipeline and RM6, Brodie Devo | | Bike Setup: | Super T fork, Hayes 8" and 6" hydraulic brakes, splined Race Face cranks and a dpouble chainring with bashguard. | | Bottom Line: | A Stinky Dee-Lux with better forks and an inch more travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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