Submitted by
OSM
a Downhiller
from mountain view, CA. Date Reviewed: July 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
creektrails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Calibazas cycles
Strengths:
Quality made frame. dual wishbone mono stays. geometry is spot on for climbing and descending, Awsome paint. stiff BB area, increased top tube clearance for no-footed cans. stable under breaking at higher speeds due to longer wheel base.replacable dropouts. I like the cable routing under top tube looks clean and stays out of way. Zero stack headset is clean too. fair weight for a bigger frame. a whole lb. lighter than my last 16'frame.
Weaknesses:
Kona graphix are painted on, kinda weird lookin'. It's a lil' harder to find a 30.0mm seat post for a kona. made in Tiawan:(
Similar Products Used:
Monngoose tyax. Haro zero, steelhead, Giant STP.
Bike Setup:
I have one MTB for: XC/AM/DH/DJ. DJ3 fork, Profile 3pc. mag30 rim, juicey 7s, e13 srs, 40t/11-34, clipless peddals.
Bottom Line:
I was gonna buy a full susser,but talked myself out of it. I have gone on two rides for a total of 32 miles and 4.5 hours with 4,100 ft. of climbing &13 mi of DH single track. this 18 inch frame fits me great(I'm 6'1') great for bigger guys 200+lbs this is a burly frame. rear end is 1/2 inch longer so little manuals need to be picked up more, but it wheelies/manuals predictably. comfortable geometry on long rides. stays planted while climbing steeps and gets the power to the ground. GOOD steering angle navigates DH thru rocks and roots better than anything else i have had. this thing tracks very well under braking, and turns sharper than I expected. increased self confidance. no problems off more than 30 jumps and drops on the trails. I cant wait for some great rides on this thing. my first 2 rides were EPIC.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lew
a Downhiller
from Devon UK Date Reviewed: July 17, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Money spent in right places on bike.Bike is great in all the places where it matters. Love the front hub, forks and frame which are reasons I bought the bike.
Weaknesses:
Some issues with lesser component choices
Other components suck, the pedals are good, it terms of look and grip, they are almost certainly cheap wellgo pedals as the typical left pedal poor bearing quality, even though they are named Kona.
Maxxis High Rollers, why? Too wide, too soft, too slow. Constant puncture headache as always from Maxxis and to be honest I think some WTB tires such as as Prowlers or moto raptors would be far superior. Also tubes are wrong size for tires stock.
Brakes are dumb, the Hayes stroker Rydes are noisy, and provide no more feel or stopping power than Avid BB7's, so are a heavy wate of tome, except all your mates can see you have hydralic brakes.
Bars are too wide but can be changed. Saddle is fine, but not great, grips suck, gears are OK
Similar Products Used:
Giant XTC frame self built machine with lots of component changes
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I you keep breaking XC hardtail bikes with cheaper forks such as Rockshox dart this bike is for
This AM freeride will obviously slow you down but give you more durability so you will need to set it up for your own style and trail conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bp47
a Downhiller
from Santa Monica, CA USA Date Reviewed: May 12, 2009
This review is for the '09 Five-O Deluxe. This bike has been great so far. The Deluxe spec is pretty decent to start out with. The Marzocchi 55r does the job and have had no problems with it, even though I see it has gotten mixed reviews. Stable with great steering response, just point it where I want to go and drive it through rock gardens and drops with no problems. Good acceleration out of corners. The bike feels very playful, again, stable with no sketchiness when I air as I hit roots, rocks and lips while flying down the trail. Climbs well too.
Weaknesses:
Color - it's okay, but would prefer something not so drab. Kona QR seat clamp is a b*tch - need to be superman to unclamp that thing.
Bike Setup:
Stock with e.thirteen DRS
Bottom Line:
It has been a very fun bike. I ride aggressively, sometimes leading the pack and easily keeping up with others on full-sussers. It is a burly hardtail and can be made even better as you upgrade it. It's an ideal bike that spans the range from newbies to advanced riders preferring a hardtail or those looking not to spend the cash on a full-susp. but have something that will definitely keep up with them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BigRedDan
a Downhiller
from monmouth, or, usa Date Reviewed: February 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Gonzo
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Kona (EP)
Strengths:
mid-weight frame with perfect geometry for aggressive riding in all forms. This frame is very stout, climbs like a goat, jumps like a dart, and carves like a serrated blade. Rear dropout/Hanger is very stout. Internal headset is sweet.
Weaknesses:
Bike spec sucks. The 55r is a huge disappointment, hayes brakes lick balls and the wheels are taco material. Get it in a frame only, it is super cheap.
Similar Products Used:
Kona chute, transition vagrant, chameleon
Bike Setup:
5-0 frame, pike, spank rims, saint brakes (the shiz), ardent tires, sram drive, holzfeller isis cranks, saint rear hub, E13 DRS chainguide.
Bottom Line:
This frame is a sleeper. It can ride anything from a 40 foot gap to a 40 mile trail ride. Performance is top notch, about as good as you could possibly get for a hardtail frame. Get the frame only, the modern budget build is a waste of coin.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Davricha2
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, UK Date Reviewed: December 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Cwmcarn
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Strengths:
Good bike for the price, very upgradable. Will handle drops better than any full susser you spend this much money on
Weaknesses:
Well specced out bike with a good frame but lacked in all the places you cone into contact with it (grips, pedals, seat, tyres)
Similar Products Used:
Last bike was a Focus Northern Lite
Bike Setup:
Factory apart from new Sunline Grips, Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres, Funn saddle and Da Bomb pedals
Bottom Line:
In all honesty the bike could have been finished much better. I bought it with the intent of doing it up slightly and i'm glad i did. It came with some cheap innertubes meant for a 1.9" tyre when they roll it out on 2.35 minions. Plus the grips were pretty poor. They were far too long and force your hands into a close grip just so you can reach the gears which isn't so good for whipping through trees because there's a good inch and a half of bar sticking out either side of your hands! Other than that it's a pretty decent bike apart from the heavy wheelset. It's a very fast bike once you've changed the tyres and it handles trails so well that it's put me off the idea of even needing a full susser for a while. I'd rather spend my money putting some saint stuff on here because it's built well enough to last a long long time..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michel Spatariu
a Weekend Warrior
from Québec QC Canada Date Reviewed: October 21, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Perfect steering. Good entry-level quality at the most important components. Responsive and plush fork. Powerful brakes. Massive standover. Felt very light
Weaknesses:
The cranks are to close to the chainstay and have left some marks. Easy to solve though. Weird sizing, the 18" frame felt long, yet the 16" would definitely be too short (I'm 5'10")
Similar Products Used:
None. I ride a long travel enduro/all mountain bike + a long history with classic XC hardtails.
Bike Setup:
18" Stock, with my old Shimano DX pedals installed
Bottom Line:
I tried this bike after riding enduro trails all day and finding a Kona demo tent at the other end of the trail... Suprise ! Even in my worn out state, but the bike was quite forgiving. Easier to push uphills than you might think. Light. Stable in the fast downhills. The front fork eats up what you throw the front wheel over. The rigid rear end suprisingly didn't feel that hard. I mentioned the frame being long (24.1"), but the stem was so short that cockpit space seemed right. With that head angle, I'm not sure a longer stem on a shorter frame would feel so good.
Fun, feels as playful as a full suspender, but stripped down to basics. Interesting option for the the rider who needs to push up before defying the downhills, and yet keep it simple, relatively economical and still capable.
But, Something in between the 16" and the 18" seems to be missing...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alfredojra
a Cross Country Rider
from san bruno,ca Date Reviewed: October 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
first bike havn't been on a trail yet
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
its my new bike,so i liked everything on it coz i have not rode other bike's,my friends told me it rocks,some get jealous coz i bought it for cheap
Weaknesses:
the bolt on the brake lever comes out thrice,i can't seem to find out how to tighten it,so i put a paper to prevent it from loosing out
Similar Products Used:
nothing,first bike yet
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
i just bought it yesterday from a kid with his dad
it was used for 4 months and its in a good condition
i like it you can check it in this thread
http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=53824&pagenum=4
-Alfred
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Djponee
a Downhiller
from reno nv Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
boondocks at N*
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Grest basin bike
Strengths:
It is long and pretty slack for a hardtail. That makes it good for the descents and high speeds too. It isnt' too heavy at 32lb stock. It is easy to climb if you raise the seat. Its a greatt all around bike, from dh to am. I ride almost all trails at northstar on it and it is fine. the forks are super plush too.
Weaknesses:
nothing so far. wheels are a bit weak
Similar Products Used:
STP,
Bike Setup:
2009 kona five-0 stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Wheels are a little weak and need to be trued but other than that it is a really good and dependable bike. It is good for all around and takes DHs and FR like a champ for a HT.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
charlie132
a Weekend Warrior
from mildenhall uk Date Reviewed: August 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
red @ high lodge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
bike art
Strengths:
price, bomb proof
Weaknesses:
weight, brakes a bit noisy and rear wheel has lots of slack rear in the hub.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
race face prodigy xc cranks,2oo8 xt rear derailer, low profile kona pedles, race face lock on grips hope bor ends
Bottom Line:
i have put about 500 miles on this bike in the last 2 months since i have had it. it is great all around bike. the wide low stence makes it a pleasure to ride I am 240 lbs and take 4 foot drops with no problem. this bike is bomb proof. the only problem is the stock components are crap. if you plan on upgrading the drive train in time this bike should give you years of hard riding whithout a problem. all and all i love this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luckass
a Downhiller
from Kaslo B.C. Date Reviewed: July 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
MR. Skinny
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1360.00
Purchased At:
gerick cycle
Strengths:
forks brakes frame kick ass
Weaknesses:
seat(ouch!). grips work, but aren't very grippy , low pedals
Similar Products Used:
Kona shred, but it really has nothing on this bike / this bike kicks ass!
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
this is an awesome bike. I would recommend it to any one who like me prefers hard tails to full susers. its great on steeps, + it kicks ass on skinnies (that is if you keep up the momentum. with a little added pressure in the forks, 6-8 ft drops are no problem either ten footers work to, as long as you don't land funny. btw the price = canadian$
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ride Montana
a Weekend Warrior
from Missoula Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
sawmill Gulch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1149.00
Purchased At:
Missoula bicycle wor
Strengths:
Strong frame, brakes have a positive feel, the fork lacks adjustment but with a little tweeking it can hold it's own. masses of stand-over. The bolt on dropuots are killer, and simple I will probably machine a couple extras out of some billet in the future. Ive also heard the Kona has diffrent dropouts for a s/s conversion.
Weaknesses:
Stem is a little on the short (60mm)side for me. brakes, While good can be noisy at times. Stock tubes in tires were not the right size(1.9-2.1) size popped it PDQ, bottom of the line conponents the stock grips are not the greatest. Rims are on the weak side as well, pedals dont grip that well.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
replaced tubes with right size ones, stock bars are 28in, cut mine down to 27 overall, lock on grips. I will be getting a 90mm 80mm stem in a couple of weeks (Still shopping, Can't decide) stock on everything else. I drilled and taped the pedals for Four(4) more pins on each side. They grip Better but probably just end up buying new ones in the future.
Bottom Line:
Great bike at a decent price. definitely a stout bike. 18in frame built up weighs in at 33.5lbs which ain't that bad. very capable bike for doing alot of diferent riding. I've hit some good sized jumps with it and it is a balanced and not squirly. I enjoy riding this bike very much on single track xc and even more going downhill. it would not be that hard to drop a couple of pounds off this bike and still keep its durability. the Fork is on the heavy side and although it lacks adjustability it's not bad. when I change the oil I might try to open it up to the full 160mm once I get the details.But it is on the list to be swaped with a magura wotan unit by next year along with the wheels for a stronger, stiffer wheelset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Badlander
a Weekend Warrior
from Drumheller, AB Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Benchlands
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Shredz
Strengths:
Slack head angle, plush fork, low bottom bracket
Weaknesses:
Low bottom bracket, heavy components
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stock (will upgrade with lighter parts)
Bottom Line:
Very good all-round mountain bike. Bottom bracket height makes for a stable ride, but causes you to bash the pedals frequently. Slack head angle plus high, wide bars make technical descents a lot of fun. The frame is heavy, but doubtless bomb-proof. Would recommend this bike for anyone who is into mountain biking for fun and fitness and would rather not spend big bucks on a full-sus rig of similar quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Strengths:
Strong, good weight at 33 and a half lbs, decent stock components (except drive train), can handle a wide variety of terrain, 7" Hayes Stroker Trails have excellent feel yet provide plenty of power, 140mm of travel is great when your throwing yourself around.
Weaknesses:
Sub par drivetrain (Deore/Alivio with Alivio shifters), Kona QR seat clamp blows (broken within 5 minutes of purchase).
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Race Face Atlas AM 70mm stem and High Rollers.
Bottom Line:
The Five-O is a great all-mountain hard tail / trail bike. It takes abuse, drops and light dh/fr nicely, yet manages to ride XC well, and everything inbetween.
The bike comes set up slightly more toward the FR side of things with a very short stem and a pair of soft Minions. I put on a slightly longer 70mm Atlas AM stem and a pair of High Rollers in a higher duro, and I'm almost at my perfect all-around ride.
The 140mm marz 55r doesn't have many bells and whistles, but it gets the job done when you throwing yourself off of things or bombing rough terrain (and I hear you can open it up and do a little modding to turn it into a 160mm..hmmm). The brakes are awesome and have a fantastic lever feel. The rotors are 7", but it's very easy to precisely control braking force and not lock them up. However, if you wanna stop fast, you can, trust me!
Highly recommended if you want a do it all bike that doesnt feel like its going to snap under you, yet still pedals and climbs like a champ. Eats rough singletrack for breakfast. Spend a few bucks and upgrade the drivetrain, or maybe get rid of the front derailleur alltogether.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Meyer
a Downhiller
from Seaside, Oregon, U.S. Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
DC DH
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Simon cycles
Strengths:
The fork on this bike is really nice the extra travel is just right. The stability when turring at high speeds is nice also the stability in the air is great.
Weaknesses:
The breaks rub on mine and untill I changed the brake pads and trued my rotor.(the power is good but sounds like a dieing cat when they get wet).
Similar Products Used:
nothing like.
Bike Setup:
stock except the pedals witch suck.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this is a good bike if you want to be able to dirt jump with some mild free ride. Also workes good for downhill but not that heavy so you can't ride up. Over all workes really well for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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