Submitted by
Liam
a Weekend Warrior
from Midlands UK Date Reviewed: April 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
South Downs, Cannock Chase or Malverns
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
NEC Birmingham Bike 2001 (Frame)
Strengths:
Strong, stiff, agile fast bike. Very inspiring ride, fun, fills me with a huge sense of pride! Funky colour just happens to be my favourite (neon green, black & white, also luminous green!!!)
Weaknesses:
As I bought the frame only, none. Though, I do worry about theft a great deal more with this bike - it looks very cool
Similar Products Used:
Handsome Dog XT (similar to Muni-mula 2000)
Bike Setup:
Kona Spec bike is near perfect, they've made the right decision in speccing it slightly lower so people can buy it - then upgrade later if they wish. I built mine up, so gave it full XT. I ran XC bars but felt too 'angsty roadie', so put risers on, just like the stock bike, also it's got the Bomber air fork, Flite saddle, Ritchey logic pedals... Most of the upgrades that people would make to this are personal ones, but I do feel it deserves full XT. If any changes are made, they'd probably be very similar to what Kona have done anyway. It's the perfect 'keep it simple race bike'
Bottom Line:
I ride this & wonder why we need Freeride. I don't race but love it for being race-ready - 'cos that's all I wanna do, is go out & ride it fast! A strange vehicle that is very serious, carves & cruises like a jet fighter, but I seem to be having much fun with it. It is a much better bike than those pro downhill racers in the early to mid 1990s. I love the Kona styling especialy the frame design - the low slung riding position suits me perfectly. This is a rare thing - once it's fitted & tweaked, you don't need to mess with it or upgrade it, & it will still surprise you for being great fun, I've become bored with bikes before but not with this one (so far!).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gerik Waltz
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto On. Canada Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Niagra Escartment
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Dukes
Strengths:
Great Frame. Geometry is perfect. Strong and stable. Deore is like butter with minimal fiddling. Climbs and decends well. Feels like a giant BMX bike with a turbo.
Weaknesses:
SDG sattelite saddle took some getting used to. Seat post saddle clamp has to be tightened often. Stock rims are tin foil.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain O2, KHS ALite 4000.
Bike Setup:
Mavic 519 rims. Rock Shok Judy SL. Azonic Riser bar. Azonic A-frame platform pedals (ouch, bye bye shins).
Bottom Line:
When I purchased this Bike I had a pair of Judy SL's lying around. Traded the Bomber Z3 for the upgraded wheels and bars and popped on the Judy fork. With this slight customization this bike preforms BETTER than most $1500-$3000 bikes I've used. Takes tons of abuse. Handles great on all types of dirt. Last and least; this bike looks awsome. It blows the 2001 and 2002 models away!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jasper
a Cross Country Rider
from Westfield,MA Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Robinson
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
Great bike for the money. Frame geometry is awesome. Z4 will handle anything you give it. Avid brakes Stop on a dime. It glows in the dark. Climbs like crazy.
Weaknesses:
As much as I love this bike it has not been all roses for me. Let me add that I am 6'4" 250lbs. The seat needs to go if you want to have kids someday. The seat post has an annoying creak. Now for the Mavic rims. I managed to taco the rear rim after 4 spokes let go on me.
Similar Products Used:
Atique GT
Bike Setup:
Wilderness Speed V seat Thompson seat post Sun Rhyno Lite rims front and rear Specialized comp tires all around Sigma BC800 Computer (You'll ride enough to need it)
Bottom Line:
Bottom line. After putting a little money into a rather new bike I would still buy it again. The Kona frame is one of the best on the market and components are components. The only downside I can really see on this bike are the wheels, but if you only weigh 175 or so they will last fo ever. I give it 4 chilis in value but love the bike too much to not give it a 5 chili overall
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joseph
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, England Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Centre
Strengths:
Great ride, great fork, good spec for the money,
Weaknesses:
wheels kinked easily, brakes needed some adjustment
Similar Products Used:
98 Specialized Rockhopper FS
Bike Setup:
Normal apart from pedals
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bike for the money, Fork and geometrey give a confidence inspiring ride. I have had it for 3 months and have still found very few faults. Climbs like a beast
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tzur
a Cross Country Rider
from Rehovot Date Reviewed: June 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
unboring ones
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
H. PIK
Strengths:
frame strength and geometry, marzucchi Z4!!!, components, Kona's reputation.
This bike is great for skilled riders who wants to upgrade for more serious bike but are not serious racers. the marzucchi is god! you need the appropriate marz' pump (with the low pressure gauge)to set it correctly. about the price see the value flamin' cows. I wrote this review for the 2000 model even though its true also for the 2001 model. if you belong to the progressive, nonracing (or 'light' racing) xc rider category YOU SHOULD BUY THIS BIKE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Hewitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Salmon Arm,B.C.,Canada Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Strengths:
Handles well , Fairly light frame,but very strong Awesome feel
Weaknesses:
The rims bent easliy, The stock brakes were very powerful for the first month. The forks were strong but not very plush on the trails. The cranks and bottom brackets could be a little better.
Bike Setup:
Physlo xc, Gremica disc, XT hubs, ryhrno lite rims tioga 2.3 rear 2.5 front , everything else stock
Bottom Line:
I love this bike It fits me perfectly. I like the fast almost spastic feel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Suzi
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001
-So far, great for doing tricks, I can handle it with ease. -First time on clips and loving it.(they are kinda low end, but who cares, you get lotsa good cadence) -The Arch Rivals are very sexy breaks, but I needed to adjust them a few times for some fine tuning. -The shocks are damn good, the overall geometry is nice. -Glows in the dark, so when i walk in my garage I smile and rub it. -Kona's bikes are overall economically great (.. the 2000 muni mula is so much better than the 2001) Im sure you will all agree. -nice on decents and especially on long long climbs
Weaknesses:
While the geometry is nice, I personally prefer the genesis geometry of the Gary Fishers (Big Sur is comparable) The deore cranks are shyt. I had cable stretch even after a few rides. -lighter riser bar damnnnit -better tire/rim set up
Similar Products Used:
Kona Caldera, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Gary Fisher Marlin
Bike Setup:
Easton monkeylite carbon riser, diadora chilli shoes, going for the raceface crank soon
Bottom Line:
Comp mabye? but it needs some upgrades, (front derailer is crap, deore?) come on now... ... crankset/front deraileur needs to be changed if you are serious rider Sweet breaks, good geometry, good shocks, Good spend. :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Janes
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Date Reviewed: March 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Cellar
Strengths:
Great bike for the dollars. Glows in the dark. Marzocchi A4 Flylight Air shocks are great. Tioga tires and Avid Arch 40 brakes kick ass.
Weaknesses:
Decals chip way too easily (scraped mine on a rock and "mula" is gone from the riser bar on right side). Paint on front shock chips easily too. A squeaking noise has developed in rear hub, but only when I am on the bike. It may be due to my weight (200 lbs). Cheap rims, but what bike under $2,000 doesn't have cheap rims?
Similar Products Used:
None. First mountain bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock.
Bottom Line:
Overall it's an enjoyable ride and a good bang for your buck!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
way2jedi4u
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Washington, USA Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Trials Biking
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$881.00
Purchased At:
R+E Cycles
Strengths:
Color (It Glows In The Dark!!!) Marzocchi Z4 Flylight Air Fork Tioga Tires Avid Arch 40 Brakes
Stock 2000 Kona Muni-Mula Specialized Body Geometry MTB Comp Saddle Salsa Moto-Ace Stem
Bottom Line:
I love my bike, but I have been unable to ride it for the past two weeks because the cranks became stripped. The Mavic 221 rims came out of true after two days of riding. I plan to replace the cranks soon with some inexpensive carbon ones. Rims to be replaced in the near future by XTR Hubs on Mavic 517 Ceramic rims. Bottom Line, I love this bike, and I am glad that I got the 2000, and not the 2001, as I prefer the convenience and weight of the air fork to the heavier oil fork on the 2001. In case you didn't know, Muni-Mula is Aluminum spelled backwards..... ~The Jedi
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Parlock
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Beech Springs
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Spin Cycle in Gainesville, FL
Strengths:
*Great Frame *Dope looks *Greater climbing bike *It fits me like a glove *Bulletproof, it oozes confidence *Marzocchi Z4 Flylights in the front
Weaknesses:
*Rear shifting issues *Rims are a little suspect
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Aquila GT Karokoram
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I'm absolutely in love with this bike. It's like having a girlfriend, I her hell for about 3 hours 3-4 times a week then make sweet love to her afterward. Seriously, this bike is really light and so strong. the shocks are adequate, nothing to write home about, but they do a good job. What it all comes down to is, this bike has a great frame, and the components complement the frame well. Kona makes such a great product:I was die hard GT for a while, but Kona won me over with their Frames.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Z
a Weekend Warrior
from Langley BC Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anything at Ledgeview
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
I am actually reviewing the 2001 Muni-Mula. Mostly the same as the '00 but they added hollowtech cranks, a different seat, stem, bars and a new paint job, and downgraded the Arch Rival 40's to Avid SD 5.
Weaknesses:
None yet, although the shop I got mine from did a crappy job on assembly...loose headset and the rear derailer needed adjustment before I got on. Oh yeah the seat kinda hurts my ass....
Similar Products Used:
Schwin Moab 3, K2 ZM
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Even with the cheaper SD 5 on the front and rear they they still do a decent job of stopping. The components all seem good and you gotta love the nice plush Z5. Very impressed so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a
from Granby, CT Date Reviewed: November 4, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong frame that can handle drops, Z4 takes anything, unique look, GLOWS in the dark
Weaknesses:
Not all that much Tires
Bike Setup:
Stock except: Fr. tire - Ritchey Z max 2.35, Rr. tire - WTB Veloci raptor 2.1, Tooth Fairy ring gaurd, toeclips or platforms, new seat post, WTB SST saddle
Bottom Line:
Great ride! Haven't really had any trouble except for the shifting in the rear. Anyone else getting a lot of ghost shifting? Gonna try a Rollamajig. Frame is light enough and sturdy enough for everything I use it for. Great for a lighter (160-170) rider who wants to throw it around, drop stuff, and do some real technical xc. Go get one, Kona's rule!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelvin Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: September 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Royal National Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bikeaddiction
Strengths:
Its light. Love the XTs. Avid Brakes are solid but needed a bit of tuning. The frame is great for both climbing and downhill. Rather fast on the road too. Z4s eat everything
Weaknesses:
Traction on the Tiogas arent that good.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 930, Klein Attitude Race, Kona Roast, Giant Rincon, Norco Charger 2000.
Bike Setup:
All stock except for V8 pedals.
Bottom Line:
All the bikes i've tried belong to my friends. The Munimula is a fast and good bike. It'll take almost everything u throw at it. It may not be as light as the Kleins or as fast as the treks but it rocks my world.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Riley Troke
a Downhiller
from Coquitlam B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Ladies Only or Snake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Simon's Cycles
Strengths:
Marzocchi Z-4 Flylight Air Forksare good. 7005 series aluminum is strong. Reinforced frame. XT rear changer and Avid Arch Rival 4.0's give a responsive shifting and sweet braking power. It's great for the price.
Weaknesses:
The tires are way to narrow (1.95). They don's have that good of traction. The rims are light but not to strong. And the there is quite a gap in between each shift.
Similar Products Used:
'97 Brodie Nucleus
Bike Setup:
Tioga Factory DH 2.3's, sun rim ditch witch rims, core rat bar and stem pad and a ring god rock ring.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a good ride over all. It climbs really well but is also good for steep descents and medium sized drops (4-6 feet)just replace the tires and rims and you got a sweet ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Normington
a Cross Country Rider
from Haworth, Yorkshire, England Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anywhere in the Yorkshire Dales
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1125.00
Purchased At:
Aire Valley Cycles, Keighley, Yorkshire
Strengths:
Frame and forks are built to last - essential for a heavy rider like me. Great handling and climbing. Avid Arch Rival 40 brakes allow genuine one finger stopping. Bomber Z4 forks seem very good, although this is the first bike I've ridden with suspension forks.
Weaknesses:
Deore shifters aren't very good. Front has a very long stroke compared to the XT shifter on my Trek 970 and only changes up 3 gears at a time. SPD pedals are plain dangerous on technical single track; no wonder down hillers prefer platform pedals. I would prefer flat bars with bar ends rather than the riser bars fitted.
Similar Products Used:
1991 Trek 970, a brilliant steel framed bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock, but XT shifters, flat bars, bar ends and double sided SPD/platform pedals will be fitted sooner rather than later.
Bottom Line:
A good solid fun bike, but needs a few mods for serious cross country riding. At the full UK price (£1000/$1500) I would have expected Deore LX cranks, hubs and shifters, so only a four chilli value rating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chu-Man Hoo
a
from Australia Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
BackYard
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bikeshop
Strengths:
Best goddamn bike strong rigid looks good takes dammage good brakes good xt r.mech CLIMBS WELL IN SLIPPERY TERRAIN BIKE GEOMETRY DESIGNED TO MAKE BACK WHEEL DIG INTO GROUND controls well in steep technical sections even though the fork angle is quite steep because its XC
Weaknesses:
I have put on a syncros headstem and it keeps on coming loose. BECAUSE GEOMETRY MAKE REAR TYRE DIG INNTO GROUND, this causes acceleration to be slower than other bike on flat land.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn crappy bike
Bike Setup:
deore front mech XT rear basically factory set Z4 forks V8 EMP pedals syncros hedstem answer aluminite DH bars
Bottom Line:
I haven't had the bike for a long time but so far it is handling beutifully everywhere. This bike allows me to go faster than usual. The geometry of the frame in my point of view provides a perfect feel for the terrain that u ride on, it doesn't provide a too responsive feel or a sluggish steel feel either.This bike deserves 5 hot dowgs in my pov, feels good takes blows. I have got chunky tyres on at the moment, I reckon a pair of slicks and this could become a real good commuter bike too i think. This is Chu-Man Hoo signing off. Good Riding Yawl!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boon Tan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
FRIM
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Good look, solid frame, good component mixes. Overall a good balanced package.
Weaknesses:
The rims need to be upgraded.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Attitude, Gary Fisher Paragon
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I actually tried the Klein Attitude Comp before I bought the Kona Muni-Mula. The Klein has a lighter and better frame but the bike is much more costly than the Muni-Mula.
The Muni-Mula has performed flawlessly so far. It climbs like a goat although it is not the lightest bike around. The components are a slightly better than products in the similar price range. The kona frame goemetry fits me well (I am about 6 ft and about 190 lbs). Overall, it is good value as I only paid USD800 for it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Landau
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredericton, NB, Canada Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
coloddy
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The frame is good and solid 7005 DB aluminum. Bomber Z4's work surprisingly well. Stock rims aren't great (mavic 221's), but they remain true even after 6 or 7 really hard singletrack sessions. Haven't bent them yet.
Weaknesses:
I'd probably want to invest in some Mavic 517's or cross links, but that's about it. Oh yeah, yesterday i broke the rear derailleur dropout after about 3 months and 1000+ kilometers of use, not too shabby.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 7000
Bike Setup:
Stock + specialized body geometry saddle
Bottom Line:
If you are an everyday hammerhead like me, and want a phat bike nicely dressed that's affordable, BUY THIS BIKE!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Campbell
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The Marzocchi Z4's surprised me. I have always been a "Bomber" freak, but I thought that these would be weak....not so.
Weaknesses:
The stem. It is made by Interlok and I broke it within a month of riding.
Bike Setup:
XT/Deore and it's a nice combination.
Bottom Line:
Nice bike for a decent price. P.S. Thanks to the guys and gals at Bow Cycle in Calgary. Hats off to those people.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zach Brin
a Cross Country Rider
from pipe creek, tx, Usa Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Flat Rock Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
bomber z4 fork, o.k. for intermediate riders, light ,riser bar, glows in the dark, fun, fun, fun
Weaknesses:
the stock rims are crap (mavic x221) I bent them after my first ride my advise is to invest some money into some sun rims. also i screwed up the krank really fast
Similar Products Used:
rock mountain oxygen, g.t. zaskar
Bike Setup:
stock, for now
Bottom Line:
buy this bike if you want a light weight high performance bike for recreational fun and your occasional bit of freeriding. Remember you have to get better rims if you don't want to spend mula at the bike shop. Don't buy this bike if you want a race bike or are looking for a bike that will be able to withstand anything. I have to give it a 5 chile rating in value because you get a great bike for the money but a 4 overall because of the rims and my problems with the gears
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Mulster
a Weekend Warrior
from Bolton, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This bike not only looks great, it is solid. The Z4's cushion the ride and the Deore XT's react flawlessly. Avid 40's required a little fine tuning; however now they provide responsive braking power. The bike is not cheap, but you get what you pay for - quality!
Weaknesses:
Nothing major so far. The Tioga's are a little noisy on the pavement, but hey, this bike's built for the trails, not the streets!
Bike Setup:
Standard + M545 pedals + Profile carbon bar.
Bottom Line:
After quite a bit of research, I was originally intending to purchase the Kona Caldera which is a great bike too. However, for a few more bucks, the Kona Muni Mula was the obvious choice for me. This bike is built to last, has quality components, and from what I've seen so far, it will handle all a weekend warrior like me can throw at it. You can't go wrong with the Kona Muni Mula!!!!
I have to mention "The Epic Ride Bike Shop" in Bolton. These guys (John and Dave) know their stuff. The provide good advice, good service and have a great attitude and they love to talk about biking. No pushy sales approach - they just want to see you enjoy your biking experience.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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