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Submitted by
Marc Gallant
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bud | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bungay's | | Strengths: | practicly nothing frames strong but heavy | | Weaknesses: | rim's,crank,shox,handle bar,levers | | Bike Setup: | xt rear ,deor front ,manitou sxr , sun rhino lite rimes,
sycro handle bar,truvative crank, avid 3 levers, stock frame,
| | Bottom Line: | this bike is not bad if your just starting bike, but for racer's it's horrible on climbs downhills and single tracks
i practicly replaced everything because the bike is so weak
{it's not made for racing,but not bad if u just like to bike around} | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marty (the one man party) Young
a Cross Country Rider
from Bolton, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | techy trail (rocks dirt roots bike HARD) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | GearWorks bike shop | | Strengths: | doublebutted frame--steal is real! brakes (so far worry free and workin great | | Weaknesses: | heavy frame------- RST shocks suck!! They gotta go before you leave the store! tires and cranks need to go as well | | Bike Setup: | 99 bomber z2 superfly, LX crank, Salsa grips, onza stogies, michelin green tires, Aheadset, wellgo clipless (gone through 3 sets) titec stem 25.5 lbs | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, needs upgrades, good at technical, climbs and downhills good for beg racer | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Three Hills Pitch, Leath and Holmbury | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | used from ebay | | Strengths: | Quick steering, tough and forgiving frame, solid build quality, mostly good components, more fun than I've had in a long time, excelent value. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost bent, RST 381 forks are bouncy stiff and have little damping. | | Similar Products Used: | Various kona, giant, cannondale bikes that I have borrowed. | | Bike Setup: | RST 381 forks, LX rear, stx front, Mavic 138 rims, specialized bodyeometry saddle, Ritchie force bars. | | Bottom Line: | My first real MTB loved it from day one. I ride it every day and still catch myself admiring it. I've given it some serious pounding, pringled the rear rim practicing wheelies, bent the front forks jumping (they were crap anyway), but everything else has just continued to work like it did on day one. The addition of the Specialized saddle is a must if you want to cycle all day. A realy great buy for the money even new. I'm just about to put some Marzocchi Z4's forks on it, and if I can find on a RooX S4 post. I don't think I'll ever own anything but Kona from now on... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything I can get on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$525.00 | | Purchased At: | 21st Century | | Strengths: | Frame is just awesome. Yep, it's steel, but I love the feel and the geometry. I found the 99 model in a small shop and ended up paying near retail, however got some upgrades thrown in for the price. The rest will be replaced as they wear out (the tires are next to go). Components pretty good for the price. | | Weaknesses: | The shocks....sorry Kona...they suck! Never made it past a 4 minute test ride. Replaced w/ Judy's before it ever left the shop (part of the upgrade). | | Similar Products Used: | Navarro Ponderosa (owned) Trek and GT tested | | Bike Setup: | Standard (for now) Except for the change out of the shocks. | | Bottom Line: | I am mostly a recreational rider, X country, trail, and some real "mountain" work. This bike easily fills the bill in this catagory, as I am sure the later models do. The frame (steel) gives a nice feel and the geometry is great. If your a hard-core mountain man, you probably ought to look at something else, unless you have the $$$ for a lot of upgrade off the floor. For the money, this bike is a great deal. If I got hardcore about true mountain biking, I would either strip it and rebuild or buy a higher class bike.....but it would definately be KONA. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joey
a
from B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban assult | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | this product is great as an allround bike.It is good for cross country and relitvly good for urban assult.I done numerous 4+ foot drops.thelavadome is steel so it feels springy and is forgiving on bumpy trails. | | Weaknesses: | easy to dent the frame,otherwise none others | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Roast Some treks Kona stuff | | Bike Setup: | only stock part on my bike is the frame and the seat tube | | Bottom Line: | if you are looking for a performance bike and you are on a budget buy it. dont forget that this bike wasnt ment for the northshore and you will crak the frame if you are an abusive rider.I give this five flamen weiners in value and overall performance, this is a great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scotty
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pingu | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Jubilee Cycle | | Strengths: | Awesome frame, great value component group for recreational MTB rider. | | Weaknesses: | RST fork, rims won't take much of a beating, my Tioga DH 2.1 rubs a little on the rear. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z4, Deore cranks, 535/flat pedals, riser bar and short stem, D521 rims & LX hubs, Tioga DH 2.1's, Black Spire seat post, XT brakes and Brodie brake boosters. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike as a commuter and trail bike but has evolved as my ability/interests advanced. The awesome STEEL pipes and frame geometry are the backbone of this extremely versatile bike. I commute/urban assault 4 days a week (rain-shine) and make it to the North Shore on flat pedals 2x/month. Many of the parts you bolt on have broken but the frame is still true. I will be putting on a Kona Jump fork (rigid) for the wet, wet, wet winter commutes (oil-seal preservation $80 for seals & oil 3x/year) and work on my trials. May not rip down the mountain like a Chute or Cove Stiffee but I can keep up and and still put the kid's seat on the back for a neighbourhood ride with my 2 year old. Looses 1 chili for the Fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry Sotham
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver, B.C.
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Baiden Powell trail in Lynn Canyon (spelling??) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Solid chromoly frame, comes standard with good components. good bike for the money | | Weaknesses: | My only "complaint" is the RST 281 TL fork, comes with flat handle bar | | Similar Products Used: | .... | | Bottom Line: | I went to the states looking to find a pair of shocks, instead I bought a Kona Lava Dome and I'm in love with it. Its got good components and a durable chromoly frame. My only complaints was the RST 281 TL fork and that the bike didnt come standard with a riser bar. I would recommend this bike for someone who rides a lot on weekends and doesnt have the money to buy sweet hardtail. The Lave Dome is a hell of a lot of bike for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anders
a
from vaxjo, Sweden
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | value and wonderful steel frame | | Weaknesses: | fork, tires, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Cresent Oden | | Bike Setup: | Rigid fork, Shimano SPD, Hutchinson Python tires, riser bar | | Bottom Line: | I'm in the mid life economy (house, car, whife, kids) and I wanted a good bike for my money. Me and my dealer made som changes to the stock setup. I left the RST fork, pedals, stock tires and bar at the store. I ride my Kona every day, to work and in the forest. It has worked very well during the swedish winter with snow and ice. Now it's warm and the bike is still rollin'. I like this durable steel horse and all I have to do is keep it clean, grease the parts and spray oil in the tubes to avoid rust. With its superior frame geometry and sweet Pythons this bike is a real climber in the woods. I guess that's value? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doog
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Sweet Steel!
Decent Componentry
**** VALUE **** | | Weaknesses: | Flimsy Crankset
K-Mart Tires
RST Shock | | Similar Products Used: | '97 GT Tequesta
'98 GF HooKoo-e-Koo | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z3, Richey clipless, Panaracer Mach SS/SK, LX | | Bottom Line: | Great value in a steel frame, just leave the RST in the store!
The rest I've upgraded in my shop as the cash came in (everything listed above plus new handlebars, stem, saddle, 9-spd).
May not win any races but great for the aspiring machanic or anyone on a budget.
With a little TLC this entry level bike has become a MACHINE
(I now prefer it to my Fisher)
Remember- it's the rider not the bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stew Daniels
a Cross Country Rider
from Whistler,BC,Canada
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | A River Runs Through It | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Excellent frame, good component set, price. | | Weaknesses: | Scratch and Sniff tires, bottom bracket and cranks, seatpost clamp, weight. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Botranger stem, Rock Shox Judy XC fork, WTB saddle, Ritchey Logic pedals, Serfas grips, Continental tires. | | Bottom Line: | We have hard rides where I live. Our trails are rocky and our bikes get punished, even if we're careful. Beginner or expert, your bike's gonna bounce off granite and wind up in the trees when you bail. Add in the fact that our Canadian dollar doesn't go very far and you'll understand why we need a lot from our bikes. (Doesn't everyone?)
The Kona Lava Dome fits the bill nicely. Its chromoly frame is durable and comfortable, with the kind of geometry that can handle rugged trails. The components aren't flashy, but take abuse without flying apart. The Avid brakes are a real find - light and fast with real feel on the rim. Treat the drive train right and the LX rear derailleur will still be with you in a couple of years. That's the plus side.
The minus side includes a bottom bracket that likes to loosen up (not a biggie, but still a nuisance on the trail) and a slightly cheesy seat post clamp that lost its grip in the first month. And loose those tires. I don't know where you ride, but I can guarantee that you'll be happier using different rubber. Finally, the Lava Dome's no racing machine. It's a heavy frame. Not a bad thing after you've fallen of that log teeter-totter for the fifth time, but definitely something to think about during those long climbs.
All in all a great buy for the money - assuming you've got a few extra bucks for clipless pedals and different tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | frame geometry, components, weight, color scheme | | Weaknesses: | tires | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Aquila | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | It's a reliable bike on the trails. Great for riding long distances. Sensibly priced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Veljko
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Big Bend | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Components, geometry, cromo frame. | | Weaknesses: |
Tires poor. Seat hard. | | Similar Products Used: |
Kona Nu Nu, Cindercone -- exhausting for my taste.
Raleigh M600 -- | | Bike Setup: |
Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great for those averse to stiff Al bikes. Comfy ride even with the hard seat. Great value in components for US$500. | | Overall Rating: |
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