|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Geoff King
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Queen Charlotte Track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Secondhand | | Strengths: | Light, strong, fun | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't come with health dept. warning for possible results of excessive mtbing enjoyment. | | Similar Products Used: | None - first Single speed experience | | Bike Setup: | Easton EA 70 riser bars, Ritchey WCS stem,Race Face Good n Evil grips, Thomson post, WTB Rocket V saddle, Deore hubs, Spec Enduro 2.1 tyres, Mavic rims, 42 T Salsa front ring, 16T rear, Syncros Anniversary cranks, Time World Cup pedals, SRAM chain, LX v brakes and Deore levers, Hope seat collar, headset, Kona project 2 front fork (rigid Cromo). - weight sub-20 pounds. | | Bottom Line: | Riding the Kaboom is the most fun I have had on a bike in years. I got into single speeding recently as a way of avoiding a midlife crisis (impending 4oth birthday) and when I saw this bike for sale via the internet, I jumped at the chance to own YET ANOTHER BIKE (direct quote from my wife!) Have not regretted it since. Still enjoy riding my much more expensive full suspension rig on longer cross-country and esp. hilly epics, but nothing compares with the fun factor of blasting around some flat (ish) local single track on the Kona, and passing younger people on much more expensive bikes. Sure, the fillings in my teeth get rattled around by a frame that has absolutely no give in it, but the surprising thing is that I probably ride faster nonetheless. It's certainly turning me into a more aggressive rider when climbing, and also honing my technical skills (and sense of what I can ride over without suspension and minimal to no use of brakes.) Am now an enthusiastic advocate of 'the power of one'. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danmanbiker
a Racer
from Ahwatukee, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | A Dirt One.... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Lightweight, stiff, Glow-in-the-Dark Decals, and BMX-like fun on a mountain bike!! | | Weaknesses: | Aluminum frame, harsh feel over rough stuff, doesn't flex or "give" like my Reynolds 853 geared frame. | | Similar Products Used: | None (this is my first singlespeed) | | Bike Setup: | Al Kona Kaboom frame, 2002 Rock shox Judy SL fork, Spot rear freehub, Redline cranks, Titec handlebar, Avid brakes, the rest is mostly stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is F-U-N!!! I bought this bike because I was getting bored of riding the local trails near my house on my geared bike. The simplicity and low maintenance of a singlespeed also appealed to me. I thought a singlespeed would add some challenge to my rides.
The bike weighs in at around 20lbs, which is pretty light even for a singlespeed. The gearing is a 39T chainring and 18T cog, leavingit at a 2.11 gear ratio. I will probably in the future change it out to a 34/18 or 34/18 gearing to facilitate the steep climbs in my area. I also like that Kona has gone back to making steel singlespeeds with the 2002 Kona Unit. I eventually want to upgrade my frame to either a Unit, Gunnar Ruffian, or On-One Inbred.
The ride at first took some getting used to, since my geared bike is a Reynolds 853 frame with some flex and give. The aluminum was a little rough going over bumps, but the Judy SL helped solve that problem. The frame is a 16", which was a pretty small for me. My geared is a 17.5", and I felt like I was riding an oversized BMX bike. This added to the fun of the ridem making it very manueverable and accellerating like a jackrabbit. The first two rides I took, I torqued the chain so hard I broke it, leaving em to walk home from the trail. Other than this, I have had no other problems.
I have rode several times with friends on their geared bikes, and they're always supprised at how fast I can ride even with one gear. I love the look on riders faces when I pass them and they realized I have 23-26 fewer gears on my bike! I think I might even get into racing on the local level on the singlespeed, and really try to podium. I think I 'll probably do better in a singlespeed race than I would in a geared race! Overall, I think everyone should have a singlespeed in their quiver of bikes, so JOIN THE REVOLUTIONS!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JUAN
a Cross Country Rider
from MIAMI
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | MARKHAM | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | FRITZ | | Strengths: | SIMPLE, BUT STRONG, NICE FLAT BLACK COLOR & CHROME COMBO LOOKS TOUGH. | | Weaknesses: | FOR THE PRICE, I'M STILL LOOKING FOR ONE? | | Similar Products Used: | I OWN: SANTA CRUZ BULLIT, SPECIALIZED SUSP. M4 S WORKS, KONA JAKE THE SNAKE, OLD SCHOOL MANATOU HTAIL DUAL SLALOM. | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | I USE THIS BIKE AT MY LOCAL TRAILS AND MOCK ALL THE GEARED UP ROADY/M.T.BIKER HALF BREEDS. IT WILL HOME IN YOUR SKILLS AND THE MOST SURPRISING DISCOVERY WAS HOW MUCH MEGA FUNNN THIS BIKE IS, YES RIGID AND SS SPEED. THE KONA KABOOM,MY CHEAPEST BIKE, IS THE ONE I'M ENJOYING THE MOST. THE FUN FACTOR IS = TO MY MUCHO MONEY BULLIT(DON'T GET ME WRONG IF I COULD ONLY HAVE ONE BIKE IN ALL THE WORLD IT WOULD BE MY BULLIT) BUT THE JOY I GET IS = TO THE KABOOM!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P Casey
a Cross Country Rider
from Halifax, NS, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesmith, Hfx. | | Strengths: | Great Kona Customer Support, very light, stiff setup, great crank, runs nicely with clipless pedals, looks great, and of course glow in the dark stickers. For commuting - no gears to tune, can withstand road salt well because no cogs to collect it. Few easy things to steal - no shifters, etc. | | Weaknesses: | Had some problems with components - see below. I emailed Kona Customer Support though and told them the situation and them called my shop, discussed the situation and everything was repaired under warranty. Many thanks to Kona Customer Support and Cyclesmith Halifax for their help! | | Similar Products Used: | no SS's | | Bike Setup: | essentially stock but with clipless pedals, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I only use the bike for commuting so I can't really say for off roading but it sure manages to turn heads around turn and people love to see the single speed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P Casey
a Cross Country Rider
from Halifax, NS, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesmith | | Strengths: | Overshadowed by disappointing components. | | Weaknesses: | I have owned the Kaboom for about 8 months and only ride commute on it on the road, I never use it offroad. I have already broken a spoke while riding on the road, the rear hub (a ball bearing crushed and ruined the hub), the front brake (avid 20s when a tension adjusting spring broke in two while road riding), and I have had to replace the bb because it grinded itself down after about two months. The rear wheel also slips loose when I give it a hard run up a hill because of too much pressure on the poorly designed setup to keep the rear wheel put. | | Similar Products Used: | No single speeds | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock, with the exception of a replaced bb, rear hub. | | Bottom Line: | Design flaws with securing the rear wheel, components broke on the road, wouldn't trust this thing enough in a million years to ride it off road. Will never buy another SS nor Kona again, this was a $650 disappointment. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Lanes
a Downhiller
from Anaconda, MT USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | too many to list... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | Sven's Bicycles of Anaconda | | Strengths: | Good price for a complete single speed. It's a good package to start with and cheaper than trying to build one from scratch. One of the coolest bike names ever. | | Weaknesses: | The steering is way too fast with the rigid fork. I put a 63mm Judy XC on mine and it could easily handle a 80mm fork. I would prefer it to be steel (like to '02 Kona Unit single speed). | | Similar Products Used: | No other single speeds. I have a couple 20" BMX bikes, a 24" cruiser, a ti. geared hardtail, and a Stinky freeride bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with a 63mm Judy XC fork and some Shimano PD-MX636 clipless platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Overall this is an excellent, very fun to ride bike. I bought it because the idea of a single speed to ride around town appealed to me with my BMX background. My buddy that owns the local shop where I bought it talked me into riding it on the local trails, which tend to go straight up, then straight down. I thought I would die a premature death but it's a lot more fun than it sounds. The Kona Unit (their single speed for 2002) is built from True Temper Platinum steel and set up similarly; it should ride nicer and be a bit more durable. I put a dime sized dent in the down tube of the Kaboom on my second or third ride, but with Kona's warranty reputation I'm not worried. Be a man (or woman) and give a SS a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Davidson
a Racer
from Blenheim, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | steep and twisty | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | BIKE ZONE Oxford, England | | Strengths: | Decent enough tubeset, points and shoots as a good Kona should, way light. Oh. those glow in the dark stickers-quite cool. | | Weaknesses: | Those long chain stays. And why couldn't Kona have built it out of steel?.....now that would be cool. | | Similar Products Used: | Nwot. | | Bike Setup: | Easton carbon fibre monkeylite HB, Syncros stem, P2 fork, old Campy record screw-on(respaced)R/H, suntour grease gaurd F/H, 517 rims, Avid V's, XTR levers, Hope Ti B/B, Race face turbine LP C/S, Easton Ea70 S/P, Flight seat, Briggs & stratton 3hp motor. | | Bottom Line: | Have been working in Bike zone 2years and a lot of S/S fans around so finally got one. Got frame on staff purchase discount from Kona UK, built it up from there and Wow! what a cool ride. Great fun and great workout- what a combo, oil the chain and go...well impressed. My Yoeddy has been hanging up all winter now. Knee surgery? hmmm.
S/S world champs in England- June. Check out 'the outcast'
for great S/S reading and vomit on "yesweareontheweb.com".
Then ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chalmer Cruz
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry hudson Dr. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$635.00 | | Purchased At: | Academy Cycle | | Strengths: | Cheap for its class. Light. Lovely dropouts. Gorgeous paint job and decals. Sticky grips. | | Weaknesses: | Harsh ride feeling. Longgggg chainstay. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first SS Bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Judy XC fork, Shimano 545 pedals and XT V-brakes, Titec hellbent XC low rise h-bar | | Bottom Line: | I bought this KABOOM to limit my time in Mtnbiking. But with this KABOOM that "limit my time" thing did not happen and i still ride the XC way with this SS. This is not an ordinary bike. This bike is tough and functions like its XC Mtnbike brethren. Although gear is limited the stock 16-32T gearing is perfect for my type of trail and terrain. Stock parts seems durable, especially the Spot rear hub. A switch to suspension up front is one good idea because aluminum frames are known for their harsh ride feeling. Mental thing is out of the question here. With only one gear all you have to do is pedal and ride. Endurance and tenacity is required in riding any Single Speed bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
terry tomlin
a
from halifax
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | cyclesmith,halifax | | Strengths: | simplicity and stealth. My first SS and I immediatly noticed how quiet it is. Angles and TT length are similar to my king kahuna so i felt right at home. superbeefy dropouts are nice as is the unique SS seattube sticker | | Weaknesses: | none so far...although chromed dropouts would have been a nice touch so that the paint wouldn't get all chewed up. | | Similar Products Used: | no other SS's | | Bike Setup: | built this guy up from a frameset, so it's definitely a one-off. Rigid p-2 fork, spec wideboy flat bars, surly rear hub on m138 rim, xtr valiant for the front, ti stem,etc | | Bottom Line: | This is my daily commuter and I've done a couple rides on faster trails with it. It hums at 19pounds. Also did a cross race with it and it frickin flew! 44+18 gear setup for commuting and cross. semi-slicks really help keep the speed up coming into the power climbs. Next upgrade will be longer cranks (and a ti morati fork would be nice...)
If you're gonna buy this bike for various riding do yourself a favour and get a few different freewheels so you can tailor the gear to the ride | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gummi Bear
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | urban assault | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Colonel's Bikes in Fort Worth | | Strengths: | Excellent bang-for-the-buck
I bought it with the sole intention of seeing how long it will take me to destroy it, still waiting | | Weaknesses: | had to re-tension the spokes, not uniform from the factory | | Similar Products Used: | DeKerf Generation, Santa Cruz Chameleon, Gunnar Ruffian | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mars1 Fork, Race Face Headset, Wellgo 636 knockoff pedals, Oury Grips, Bontrager Revolt Tires, Salsa Bell, Roach and Kona Pads, Spot chainring. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to ride in town on urban assault rides, I love singlespeeds, this is my second one, and all of my buddies ride SS as well. I thought it may not take me too long to tear this up doing some jumps and ripping down long staircases, as well as beginning to learn some trials, it has held up much better than I thought. I have mixed emotions about the longer chainstays, they make wheelies more difficult, however, they make it more comfortable on the longer rides. Around here a 34:16 is a good ratio, so I had to swap out the chainring, and I think the freewheel may be next... If you are looking to rediscover your childhood, or just want a fun bike for really dang cheap, this is the one for you... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
VINCE
a Weekend Warrior
from SPOKANE, WA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | THE ZIPPER | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle butler | | Strengths: | very light and fast | | Weaknesses: | long chainstay, cheap frame material. | | Similar Products Used: | no other single speeds | | Bike Setup: | stock, except tioga tires, raceface xy post, manitou spyder r front suspention fork. raceface 180mm crank. | | Bottom Line: | this is actually the 99 1/2 special edition i own. i recomment a ss to anybody. they are simple and fun for any type of ride. riding full rigid the bike is very quick and responsive. the 180 cranks help for pulling up the hills. alot of fun! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Byrns
a Racer
from Pottsville
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Post Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainwheel of Little Rock | | Strengths: | Oh so simple. Handles really well considering the BMX like geometry. Never breaks down. | | Weaknesses: | Constant pop, pop, pop comming from the freewheel. | | Similar Products Used: | This is the only single speed I ever rode. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Python tires and a serfas ARC saddle. | | Bottom Line: | For 600 clams you just cant get a better bike. Whats great about this thing is there is never any maintenence problems. The wheels have no dish, so they stay true for the longest. I've never touched my wheels and I am 190 lbs. and jump everything I can. It realy isn't that bad on the climbs. It handles single track very well. Feels good on downhills and jumps like a pogo stick.
I have a $3,000 "hot rodded" Santa Cruz Superlight that I race with. But I hardly ride the thing anymore. I rode the geared bike today because of the snow cover on the ground and the mud under it. I really needed gears to pull through that stuff today. (yes, I still need gears now and then) But it was not as fun as my cheap old Kona! Single speeding made me fall in love with the sport all over again.
If you are shopping for a SS I highly recomend the Kaboom!
Go get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -It's a single speed!!
-Feels light(it should--I mean it doesn't have gears or any of that other crap)
-Rigid fork--just like the good ol' days
-Paint job kicks ass!
-Best of all--NO FRICKIN' MAINTENANCE!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | -No complaints,really...okay,maybe the seat | | Similar Products Used: | First single-speed I've ridden..comparable bikes are the Bianchi B.U.S.S(ugly as hell,but nice components),and Brodie Unibomber(can't find it on the East Coast!!) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS | | Bottom Line: | I heard about single-speeds and was stoked on the idea,and one of my friends was nice enough to let me try his.
This kicks ass!!The Kaboom is as close to a BMX as a mountain bike can get!It feels REALLY mad light(around 22 lbs.--it makes my Rockhopper feel like a damn heifer),it climbs better than you might think,it handles like a dream,it rips off jumps like nobody's bussiness,it looks cool,the price is reasonable(@
I like this bike A LOT!!Can you tell?
Props to Kona for making an AFFORDABLE single-speed!!5 flaming peppers all around!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geeszer
a Cross Country Rider
from PHX,AZ.
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Frameset is strong and light. | | Weaknesses: | Geared riders don't know its a dedicated single speed until I'm past them....Oh wait, thats not a weakness, is it? | | Similar Products Used: | Voodoo, Spot | | Bike Setup: | high end bike parts, Geax Sedona 225's-the hot ticket for single speeding around here | | Bottom Line: | My Kona is the gold limited edition. The 18" frameset is right at three and a half pounds. Its extremely quick handling without being twitchy. Its taken a huge pounding and comes back for more everytime. With a Sid XC,big tires, and big wide Azonic handlebars, its only 22 pounds. Its fun, its simple, its fast. It was only one of three singles I had. I was skeptical and even had it for sale for awhile while I tried out the other bikes. I went back to it after racing the Spot(a friends frame built with my stuff)because the Kona did everything the Spot did and was lighter and handled quicker in ss situations. Its a year later and its still my favorite ride......."avoid long climbs"..??? WHAT??!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcus
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$589.00 | | Purchased At: | Felcyn Cyclery in Mission Viejo | | Strengths: | As light as my road bike, solid components, glow-in-the-dark stickers, Olive color looks burly. | | Weaknesses: | Rigid fork, handlebar is too high and heavy, kona platform pedals, Cheng shin tubes. Chainstays are too long to wheelie easily! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Jett Race short-travel, Velociraptors, RaceFace low riser bar, Shimano 434 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Even though it's one of the cheapest single-speeds, I still think it could be cheaper. It cost me over $800 after upgrades. BUT, it's fantastically light and more fun than anything I've ever ridden. I can spin just fast enough to get a good workout riding with my girlfriend on the bike path and it's like doing intervals on the trail. No more chasing telephone poles on my road bike! It climbs like a goat and handles impeccably. A flat bar just doesn't look right with the sloping top tube, so resist the urge to compensate for the short, high stem. The stock alligator tires are fine, but since it never rains in L.A. I swapped for 'raptors. One warning about single-speeding: stay away from long climbs! I did a 3-mile descent and coming back was the most painful thing ever. Make sure your cranks and bottom bracket are tight, as well as the rear-wheel bolts. Climbing's really hard on the drivetrain. The 2001 looks more like a jump bike, so get that one if you're into that sort of thing. You can see it at www.konabmx.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Bartell
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, Florida
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham pk | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$680.00 | | Strengths: | Girls love the colors!!! Easy to operate when your drunk | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Crackindale | | Bike Setup: | Stock-oury grips-suspension seatpost..getting a Manitiou fork | | Bottom Line: | I ride this on South Beach & urban ridin too + hard off-road action...Screw all the gears & crap- I use 42-20 gearing here in FLORIDA...No worries...Bud Light rules... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug H
a Racer
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$678.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Just a great bike-Makes you a stronger rider with less stress.. | | Weaknesses: | Rigid fork-come on ... | | Similar Products Used: | Surly"it was little hevier" | | Bike Setup: | Manitiou X-vert fork/Carbon riser bars... | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you wanna try somthin new and exiting..Very reiabl & Quiet with no breakdowns/adjustments/wrong gear..You gotta be strong-but it is so rewarding rather than spinning all the time!!It really handes excellent"spot on geometry..Rims are tough too..Glows in dark=very cool after some beers...It's got the COOL award for hardtail bike...... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Longmire | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame is Good so far..seat clamp is excellent.. | | Weaknesses: | Bars are heavy!! | | Similar Products Used: | Marin QUAKE 7.0=nice | | Bike Setup: | Panaracer 2.3 DH tires [] Brake booster in rear [] 99 Manitiou X-Vert4" [] 42-20 gearing [] Oury grips [] 2.0 brakes Avid [] 1.5" AZONIC risers Red ,. | | Bottom Line: | I have my Kaboom setup for DS/DH jumping with the seat Low [] Frame is nice & stiff [] Killer Green color With Red is good [] Allright $$ [] 71* head angle is good with 4" fork [] For a light SS& rigid fork it worked really good [] but I like slalom setup better [] I also like Marin's Quake 7.0 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike S
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good value-can't build one like this, for $650 | | Weaknesses: | Gearing is too hard stock.32-16.
STEM is too short.. | | Similar Products Used: | Custom Mongoose SS-180mm Kooka-Indy xc--awesome.. | | Bike Setup: | Bontranger"knee saver stem"130mm--18tooth rear.Swaped to 2.5 brakes from 2.0..Vetta computer-- | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike & it's the last bike
I'll own for long time..Rides great/stable/ climbs awesome with POWER-I may use 20 tooth for these hills?--stock stem was too short for climbing--tires are good.Also tighten those allen bolts for the rear wheel tight!!Everybody loves this bike(whether they admit it or not).. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce Smithhammer
a Cross Country Rider
from Palmer, Ak
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lower Big Quilcene, Olympic Peninsula, Wa. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Holy cow- This bike rips! It would be hard to find a better singlespeed at this price - solid components and legendary Kona frame. Climbs really well. Fast, nimble 71-74 geometry makes it great on singletrack. It's light. This bike will seriously make you question whether you'll ever want to mess with deraillers and shock maintenance again. Did I mention it's light?
| | Weaknesses: | Yeah, right. It's a Kona. | | Bike Setup: | Stock '00, switched for fatter, 2.1 WTB rubbers, and Time pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I'd encourage everyone to try some singlespeeding - no, you can't bash your way over every tree and boulder in your path, but you will hone your technique, work the hell out of your legs, never mis-shift or chainsuck, spend less time maintaining all that fancy stuff, and more time riding with an ear-to-ear grin on your face. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Seymour
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville , TN
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | TSALI ,NC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | SOO cool lookin. Awesome green color.Light23.25 lbs rigid" | | Weaknesses: | could be slightly lighter?1/2 lb | | Similar Products Used: | Custom Mongoose SS :180mm Kooka's:Must, asym/superfly:Carbon riser:etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock KABOOM 18" | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE this bike. I can't wait to trail test.Injury now, will post followup soon..Good value "BUY KONA" they rock... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from NE PA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great Frame, Awesome components for price, KONA reputation. | | Weaknesses: | NONE,It's a Kona! Although you may want to upgrade(personalize) some parts on this already awesome ride! | | Similar Products Used: | None road tested, but researced Bianchi,Spot & VooDoo | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace, Spot, Titec, KORE, Easton mg60, King, Salsa, Mavic & Avids | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike after selling my C'dale F1000. I just wanted the simplicity of a rigid singlespeed. This may have been the best purchase of my life, I haven't has this much fun since I was 15 on my HUTCH! I researched some of the major singlespeed makers (Bianchi, Spot & VooDoo) and for the price I couldn't pass up the Kona (I got the 1999 model for a price of 749.00!). It came with RaceFace Cranks, Avid brakes, Mavic rims, Koski stem, Diacompe Aheadset, Spot rear hub and Ritchey Front and Kona platforms, riser bars, grips and Lumpy/Gravy Tires. I think you would agree that I couldn't pass it up.
Since I got it I have been customizing my awesome machine. I have added KORE Platforms, Chris King headset, Easton Magnesium Stem, Salsa skewers, Titec Hellbent Bars, OURY Grips. I plan to get a stronger BB and Upgrade to Arch Rivals or Supremes. I will then possess the ultimate KABOOM!
Oh, by the way the bike is light, quick and responsive. You will have to expand the lungs and get the legs pumpin' to climb, but it's worth it. The day I rode it home all could think of was Bunny-hopping, endos, kick-outs and the good ol' BMX days. This bike WILL take you back!
FIVE FLAMERS AREN'T ENOUGH | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moose Baldwin
a Weekend Warrior
from Anacortes, WA USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Ebey Trail System, Whidbey Island | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price. Excellent components for price. Nice, light frame. Nimble on single track. Glow in the dark stickers and handle bars! | | Weaknesses: | Should come with a factory-fitted chain tensioner. | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi, Voodoo, etc. | | Bike Setup: | With Avid brakes, good Mavik wheels, Hutchinson tires, and a TruVativ Firex crank, you don't need to change much. I did go with a Thompson Setback seatpost to give my long torso more room, though, and a Monkey Lite Handlebar as the stock Kona bar weighs a TON. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a single speed as a riding alternative to my high tech dual suspension bike, and I am finding myself riding it more and more. The lightness and agility of the Kaboom make it a blast to ride. In fact, the greater feel and control of the totally rigid bike makes me more confident on the Kaboom on some trails than I am on my dual suspension bike. There is a different feel one gets from a single speed bike that is really hard to describe. Some of it is physics (longer crank arms, can't have chain suck, etc.) and some of it is psychological (no playing around with derailleurs and gear selection, just riding). I am really enjoying this simple bike a whole lot. A chain tensioner should come on the bike standard (with any bike that has horizontal rear drop outs), but that is an inexpensive part and its absence is my only beef regarding the bike. My advice to anyone considering a more expensive single speed like the Bianchi BASS/BUSS is to check out the Kona, it's a way better deal and a sweet ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 649.00
