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Submitted by
S3dINS
a Weekend Warrior
from North Wales
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Llandegla | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2180.00 | | Purchased At: | Paul's Cycles | | Strengths: | Great all round set up with very nice spec. I found the frame, wheels (FSA XC 300), brakes and forks all worked well together.
Took me a whle to get the forks ideally tuned to my weight and riding style but once they were sorted the ride was very smooth.
The stock wheels have taken some pretty brutal punishment since I've had the bike but they still run absolutely true.
The brakes were strong straight from the box but there was a small warp in both discs which I will put down to the facing on the hubs being incorrect, since I've refaced the front wheel and the warp has disappeared. After bedding the discs in the brakes have just got better and better. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tyres where very skittish on roots so I replaced them with Continental Mountain King 2.2s but haven't ridden it since replacing.
The ride position was way to streched out for me due to the very long stem and almost flat bar, so I have replaced the stem with a raceface eveolve stubby stem and will be throwing away the bars in favour of some 2" risers.
Squeeky discs due to bad hub facing. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 Kona Lava Dome, '95 Marin Nail Trail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than the controls http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2008/kula/kula-deluxe.php | | Bottom Line: | As an out of the box product, this bike has suprised me. I thought I would need to upgrade or switch out more items than I have. The controls were really the only thing letting it, and me down.
Ideal for racers and able XC riders alike. Price would put off anyone who rides less than once/twice a week on a good trail.
Don't buy this bike unless you intend to be a regular rider or you'll be throwing your money away.
If you suffer with back problems be prepared to changw the controls to better suit you. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
keekabump
a Cross Country Rider
from uk
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | edinburgh pentland hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | sunset bikes | | Strengths: | light weight | | Weaknesses: | its unbalanced the front feels very weak maybe the forks | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | it doesnt feel right when i cycle it | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Life and Liberty
a Racer
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco, Gambrill, Fountainhead | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Proteus Bicycles | | Strengths: | This is a fantastic hardtail. I have had it for 4 years (I own the 2004) and I just started racing it after I replaced the drive train and wheels. This bike rolls strong. I have gone through 5 derailleur hangers & this bike keeps on truckin. | | Weaknesses: | The stock wheels were not so hot, so I rode them into the ground (broke the front axle, and burned out the cones and inner faces on the rear, broke 3 spokes on the rear)and replaced. All that wear and tear still took 4 years. Over this time period I went through 2 different bottom brackets. So given that I rode a lot, and was hard on my equipment I still managed to get some substantial wear out of my wheels. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a Schwinn High Plains before I got this bike... so I have not used anything similar. I started mountain biking on a huffy in 1995. I been riding a long time & have tried out a number of different bikes. | | Bike Setup: | At present, Paul Thumbies hooked up to XT front and Rear Deraillers. XT hubs laced to Mavic 717 disc rims. Kept the Stock Hayes 9 brakes, Continental Supersonic Race King tires. Stock RaceFace Evolve crank, replaced with Team Canada Rings. Thompson Post, Stem, Carbon Flat Bar. | | Bottom Line: | Now, I do ride a lot, and I am hard on my gear. However, this bike frame has stood the test of time. Kona makes some frames that ride distinctly, and when I say that I speak of the 69.5 head tube angle. Not quite as steep as many modern race hardtails, but you can tell when you take small jumps and barrel around corners. The bike tracks exceptionally well.
Buy this bike if you want a hard tail you can put through any kind of XC punishment you like. I never took this bike into the "All Mountain" territory and beyond, so that may account for why this bike has held up so well. As far as I can tell, this bike will ride forever if it is not abused. The newer models are made with Scandium. That is more-better from my perspective. It is stronger & lighter, so that is a safe bet. The bike I have is the Easton Ultralite, and I never met a bike made of that ally I did not like.
This has been a dream bike for me - a very enthusiastic rider on a budget. Buying things that last makes sense, and that is why I went with a Kona. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | McDonald Forest (OSU) Corvallis, OR | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Farm (Orego | | Strengths: | Frame weight and geometry, not to mention the beautiful TIG beads; Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9XC disc brakes-stops on a dime even in mud; and the Fox Vanilla shocks, the travel and the positive comments by others who used my bike. | | Weaknesses: | A noise made by either the rear derailleur (Shimano Deore XT) or ?. I can't figure it out. It could have been the kid at the bike shop who bent it 'back' into shape during a tune up. However, it does not take away from the smooth ride. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Sorry, my other bikes are a lot different (road, bmx, and full sus.). The other mountain bikes I've tested (or owned) do not compare. When I purchased the Kona, it came down between that and a Rocky Mountain (it has been a while, forgot which model...my bad). | | Bike Setup: | Stock, well, whatever else was done at the Fat Tire Farm (I consider it stock if I didn't add to it after purchase-they gave me options!). Other than that, I haven't replaced anything major (just the usual tires and tubes) | | Bottom Line: | A very complete mountain bike. No problems going up and down hills. Great control. After 2+ wonderful years, it still rides smoothly. Even though I own a road bike, I use the Kona as a 26 mile commuter (round trip) to work. I wish I owned this bike during college because it can handle earth as well as concrete. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jobrienau
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Wombat trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Yarra Valley Cycles | | Strengths: | Great light Frame, awesome geometry | | Weaknesses: | Most of the parts on it except for the Hayes Nine brakes and Shimano LX running gear are garbage. | | Similar Products Used: | Steel hardtail | | Bike Setup: | As per OEM in Aus. LX gears Hayes 9 shifters, Sun DS2-XC wheelset with Shimano hubs-worst rims ever!!!! | | Bottom Line: | This bike is exceptionally fast. The geometry is not for the faint of heart. It will rail corners at entry speed provided you have great handling skills to hold it there. It is a single track race bike. However the Sun Rims are close to dangerous they are that bad. I had a front wheel fold up on a steep decent at speed without hitting anything too major. The rear rim has held together for a while although it is now splitting through the centre at every spoke hole! and it hasn't done much dirt track work.All the Easton EA30 gear such as seat post and stem have broken with not much excuse for doing so. Great frame just upgrade these parts. This bike is aimed at entry level with parts to make it cheap but the geomtry and frame is for advanced racers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chip
a Cross Country Rider
from chippearsall@sbcglobal.net
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume Trail Tahoe Ca. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Pleasanton | | Strengths: | Great components, nice stiff frame. super light. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | all stock except for wheels | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best hard tail ive ever ridden, i have been riding and racing for 15 years. the bike comes stock with mavic crosstrail wheels, i had just bought some easton XC one wheels, there were lighter so i put them on, with those wheels bike weighs 23.5 pounds, sprints and climbs like nothing else ive ridden. the frame is nice and stiff for sprinting and climbing, yet supple enough not to beat you up on 40 mile rides. this is a 2009 model. i test rode alot of hardtails this one blew them all away in the 2k price range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob salter
a Cross Country Rider
from toronto
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | donvalley | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | I bought this off singlespeedfreak on Ebay. It was a 29er with a rigid fork. I changed it back to stock type spec with a Fox RLT and some crossmax wheels and X0 twist shifters. It has been a fantastic bike. Hasn't skipped a beat, always fun to ride, great brakes, great handling. love to throw it in a corner. | | Weaknesses: | Looks too pretty. Must keep very high security on it or it will be gone. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested all the competing hardtails from the usual mfger's. This one was the funnest for me. | | Bike Setup: | See singlespeedfreak's review, as I have only swapped a few parts. | | Bottom Line: | Still haven't tried a full suspension bike I liked, but I haven't tested many of them. I think the Kula Deluxe is a great package of quality components and light weight. Their frame geometry makes the bike entertaining. I wouldn't ever want to jump this thing or ride it over ramps (my abilities are lacking) but once in motion it feels great at speed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilmington, DE
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wooden Wheels | | Strengths: | Nice components. Shimano XT rear derailleur shifts very smoothly. Hydraulic disk brakes are powerful (I'm still transitioning from cable brakes). Very lightweight. Looks good. Came with clipless pedals, but I don't have shoes yet, so I switched them out for some aluminum pedals and held on to the stock pedals to use at a later date. | | Weaknesses: | Lock out is not 100% ... but it's still pretty solid and does the job just fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | I was looking between this bike, a Cannondale F4, and a Gary Fisher Piranha. Both of the other bikes were slightly less expensive, but I'm happy with my choice. I'm still working towards becoming an advanced rider, but this bike just feels great to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | The geometry is killer. Carves well. Holds a line at speed. Descends very well. Very well balanced bike. | | Weaknesses: | Flaky paint. The same geometry that makes descending and blasting along so cool may take some getting used to when climbing. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Attitude, Cannondale f2000. | | Bike Setup: | '06 Kula Deluxe frame built with older XT/XTR, WTB wheels, 100mm Manitou R7 | | Bottom Line: | I was coming off a similarly sized Cannondale to this frame. On paper the 68 deg. head angle appealed to me since I was tired of fighting the twitchy Cannondale in the tight and technical stuff. My hopes that the odd (by today's standards) Kona geometry would make for a more mellow handling bike were met and exceeded. This is an incredibly difficult bike to knock off line at speed. You can almost feel the front end stiffening up as you accelerate. Carving sweeping corners is a blast. The flow on the downhill is quite nice, too. I am completely mystified as to why the 71/73 numbers are aped by so many manufacturers when the "slack" angled Kula rides this well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Seoul, South Korea
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking round here! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1657.00 | | Purchased At: | Chung Cycle, Sinsa, Seoul | | Strengths: | Most of the components are very good. Many people say positive things about the Easton frame. It seems very strong and light with immaculate welds.
The price is keen as well. Ask for a discount, you'll get one. | | Weaknesses: | The Hayes brakes don't seem quite as powerful as I'd liked, but they probably need adjustment. The rear lever is gooey already.... | | Similar Products Used: | I looked at Merida, Trek and Specialized in the same price range before buying this | | Bike Setup: | Standard for now. | | Bottom Line: | No-one had reviewed an actual 2007 model, so here's the first!
With very good forks, frame, shifters and changers (LX and XT), this bike is a good bet.
I paid 1540000 won, which is £835. Bargain compared to England and the only reason I like Korea!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mattman
a Cross Country Rider
from Harleysville, PA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Ralph Stover/HighRocks | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Nestors | | Strengths: | weighs nearly nothing, good component set, great climber, well balanced/very comfortable to ride, fork is amazing!! | | Weaknesses: | I had some problems with the Hayes brakes at the beginning but i think that might have been more assembly error then component problem. The original Nokian tires that came on this bike are HORRIBLE! more pinch flats then i could imagine and the "light weight" tubes didn't help much either. get rid of them quickly or buy a set of shoes that are comfortable to walk in. | | Similar Products Used: | the old ride was a pre-trek bontrager XC. similar? not really...but it was a bike. | | Bike Setup: | aside from the tubes and tires we're still bone stock roughly 2 years later! now thats a tribute to kona!! | | Bottom Line: | After 2 years of some pretty rough riding i can certainly say this bike has proven itself. this season i'll finally be replacing the bottom bracket (because it's finally getting noisy), the chain (because it just should be done), and the rear der. (because it's been bent back into shape a few too many times). i never owned an aluminum bike before this one. would i buy another? for the right price, yes. just a few weeks after i got this bike i crashed pretty hard, bounced off a rock, and put an impressive dent in my seatstay. sure...it dented pretty deep, but i think the real triumph is after 2 more years the frame is still structuraly sound! a great XC-er! DON'T however, dirt jump or trials ride it. a 23 pound bike just isn't made for that. i can tell you exactly how much it'll cost you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua LaForge
a Racer
from Goleta, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Arroyo Burro, Lynx, etc... | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | South County Cyclery - THE BEST! | | Strengths: | Great handling thanks to the fork, nice and light, geometry lets you stretch out but doesn't stop you from feeling confident on the decents. | | Weaknesses: | Only that I've gotten to aggresive and fast for it | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon, Warp DS, STP, and Trance; Specialized Epic, Stumpjumper, and Hardrock; Kona Dawg, | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | First of all thanks to South County Cyclery (buymybikes.com) for the amazing attention to detail in this build, it made all the difference. This bike is great for XC riding. I was surprised at its combination of great handling and climbing efficiency. I bought the Kula because it was the only XC race ride I could find that made me comfortable on the decents as well. Thanks to Kona for building a bike that is light and fast but doesn't feel like it while fall apart in a strong breeze. Buy it if you want a bike that can race for a few seasons without showing its age. Don't bother with full suspension, for XC it is waste of your energy and money. However, don't buy it if you just want to ride around and smell the roses, cause after all it IS a racing machine.
I am currently upgrading to a full suspension frame because I stopped racing XC and want something a little more relaxed for easy group rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david obrien
a Cross Country Rider
from ottawa ontario canada
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | full cycle ottawa | | Strengths: | weight,full xt, crank set and bottom bracket,discs are great
super x country fork
| | Weaknesses: | easton head set, wheel set not great | | Similar Products Used: | full xt marian 7000 series frame | | Bike Setup: | upgraded to raceface deus headset,stem,next sl carbon seatpost,and low riser's,mavic crossland rims. | | Bottom Line: | very fast ,climbs like crazy,super on single trac. can't say
enough about kula primo 2006,kona got this one right best
bike i have had.,this bike gets 9 out of 10.This bike should
be used by anyone who can aford it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Curtis-Cody
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | QCT | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Second hand | | Strengths: | Bought this as frame (2004) only and built up into XC bike. Very light and well made frame. Great geometry. Fantastic value for money. Handles XC rides and gnarly single track superbly. | | Weaknesses: | Only weakness is paint. Several chips appeared around the frame. Annoying but not a major. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cindercone, Cove Stiffee | | Bike Setup: | Z2 Atom Race, XT/XTR transmission, Deore disc brakes, Mavic 819/XT, Raceface bars/stem/seatpost, Selle Italia C2. | | Bottom Line: | This bike goes like a whippet. Unfortunately I don't. Done plenty of long rides, like MolesWorth Muster and Colville Classic. Very comfortable for a hardtail. No problems with frame or equipment. Would recommend Kula Delux to anyone after a quality hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Racer
from Wasaga Beach, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | 3-Stage | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Kamikaze- the best bike shop in da land! | | Strengths: | Kula Supreme- Scandium Frameset. Light, stinking light! Responsive Wheels, Shimano xt/xtr drivetrain. xtr vee brakes, the best vees on the planet. Kona Racing Geometry.
SEXY | | Weaknesses: | none that I can find so far. I just got it though, so I'll submit a subsequent review after a few races/ but I think I already know the result. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9.8. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kula Supreme- Everything is stock, except I swapped the Fox fork to a SID World Cup, and the shifters to Shimano XT Dual Control, instead of the XT Rapid Fire (triggers). | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Kula Supreme, because this site only has an area for the Kula Deluxe reviews.
I just got this bike and right now, it` s sittin' pretty in the garage, waiting for it's first race. I'll submit a subsequent review after that. One thing I can rate accuratel right now is the sexyness of the bike. Ahhh, that paint job screams. Truly a work of art and it must be shown off. I know it' s going to be fast off the line and it will climb like a cat. She is a pure race bike, and She begs out to me and anybody else who rides it to be raced fast. I swear, I can Her calling out to me. So far I give it five hot flamin' chilies!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Singlespeedfreak
a Cross Country Rider
from Hughesville, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Falls Run | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Country Ski & Sport | | Strengths: | Very fast in the single track. I turned my fastest time at the Laurel Classic Mountain Bike Race last year in Wellsboro on this bike. Very light. Overall fit for me is great. Probably the best fitting bike of any mountain bike I've ever owned. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips easily. Water bottle bolts are loose in the frame. I had to take it back to my LBS to get them re-crimped. Race Face Bottom bracket looses, I have to periodically tighten it. Wheels are heavy, definitely consider upgrading them. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Pahoehoe, Klein Adroit Pro | | Bike Setup: | I changed this bike considerablely from stock. I put on a chris king headset, FSA Carbon bar, Thompson stem and seatpost, SRAM x.9 shifters and rear d., Kelly 29" fork with the front wheel built up as a 29er. Running this bike as a 96er and ITS AWESOME. Kona should market this bike as a stock rigid 96er. | | Bottom Line: | I really enjoy this bike after I made all of the mods to it. It's fast and tons of fun on the single track. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pedal
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | west of the black stump | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | PennySport | | Strengths: | Light & fast frame with some good value components such as Fox Float forks, Hayes carbon brakes and RF Deus X type cranks | | Weaknesses: | Some compromise components - wheel & tyre set is heavy and should be replaced if you want speed | | Similar Products Used: | Have got suspension bikes - this is the first hardtail I've purchased since '97 | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax SL UST wheelset (swapped between bikes), carbon higher risers, higher rise stem, XTR rear der, lighter and pers prefernce saddle & pedals. Most importantly Thudbuster 3G suspension seatpost | | Bottom Line: | When I set this bike up for personal preferences like higher bars to match the trailbike ride position of my other bikes and got the lighter, stronger wheels and better tyres on I just loved the ride after years on suspension - light weight, acceleration, climbing, easy lifting portability and easy maintenance (don't have to spend 10 minutes setting up rear shock sag and threshold before each ride - although Fox Float is better than leaky, fiddly Manitou Swinger).
Problem was I couldn't ride it sitting down after years on suspension. Bounced my butt, cursed it, rides went shorter and slower, got piles.
Got a Thudbuster suspension post and problem more than solved (read my review). Now this is my favourite bike for many rides, even compared with much more expensive fs bikes. Overall a very good bike with a few cheaper parts but killer value at what we pay in NZ.
Incidentally, the number of New Zealand reviews for this bike reflects the super competitive pricing offered by the importer who retails here in Christchurch. All Konas are selling cheap but the Kula Deluxe was selling mid-year at no more than US$1000 which slays the competition - the Fox forks alone cost that much here. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, but not too light, fast, comfortable, great components. | | Weaknesses: | Not much. Came with Tioga steel bead tires, rather heavy. Switched them to some Panaracers, feels much better. Hubs are not up to the standard of the rest of the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from tires. | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant value for money. Great uphill, Just as good down. Couldn't be happier with it.
(this is for the 2005 model). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy balcer
a
from orlando, fl, usa
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | loco motion | | Strengths: | everything, hayes brakes, raceface cranks, geometry of the bike, best riding xc racing bike i have ever riden. | | Weaknesses: | there is nothing bad to say about what you get for your money ..sure maybe want a small upgrade here or there if your picky b@$tard like me... but for what you pay you get alot of bike for your money | | Bike Setup: | see konaworld.com or locomotionbicycles.com (shop i work at) i added a patriotic chris king h/set to mine along w/ carbon bars and thomson stem and s/post.. i lickity love this bike!!!!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is if your looking for alot of bang for your buck and something that is very strong as well as light weight check out this bike for sure.. i have never been more satisfied w/ a compleate bicycle ever.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Wraith
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | 24 hours in the old pueblo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bicycle Experts | | Strengths: | Light, fast, over the counter quality. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Gary Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, RaceFace, Chris King headset, Hayes disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Just finished my first 30 mile endurance race on this bike. Was using a Cinder Cone for about 2 years. Great bike to learn on but the Kula is worlds ahead. The frame is much more forgiving than the aluminum cinder cone. Great bike! Needs upgrade on tires and saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DLH
a Cross Country Rider
from PacificNW
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Scandium Frameset -- Fantastic -- Kona geometry -- Fanastic -- ride quality -- Fantastic! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Multiple GT's, Specialized, Bianchi, Cove (Hummer), Santa Cruz Cham'l'n, on and on and on -- many more.. | | Bike Setup: | Bought frameset: Added - King headset, RaceFaceEvolve crankset, Thompson seatpost and stem, Easton MonkeyliteCarbon handlebar, Full XT front to rear, Mavic 717's laced to Onyx hubs with DT revel'n spokes and alloy nips. Avid mech's - Michelin tires - Fox F100rlt - 22.5+/-lbs. | | Bottom Line: | 2005 Scandium Kula Primo: If you are looking for a racing machine this should be your weapon of choice. If you like hardtails and are looking for an extraordinarily responsive, comfortable riding XC machine this is your dream bike. Kona's geometry is spot on! As soon as you throw a leg over this bike and turn the first pedal revolution, and feel the bike jump, you will know you have made the correct decision -- regardless of your "use" choice. This bike is FAAAASSSSSST! And FEELS FAST! Yet is rider friendly -- will leave you not only fresh but refreshed after a long or hard ride. You will always be looking for more trail, rather than the way home when you are aboard this hardtail. I have owned and ridden many, many bikes and currently own a few -- whenever I take this one for a ride -- regardless of the time alloted -- I want to extend the ride! If you like hardtails -- for any reason -- this is IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance des Landes
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, NZ
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Penny Sport, Christchurch | | Strengths: | Easton frame, Fox fork, Hayes discs, Raceface components. Mavic rims, Nokian hard pack race tyres. Nice, nice, nice, nice. | | Weaknesses: | Aheadset (cheap headset), no grease in BB, no quick release seat post. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Eldridge Grade, DBR V-link, Shogun, Europa, Hercules, Raleigh 20 ;-) | | Bike Setup: | Put steel eggbeaters, added front gunk guard, computer, tool bag and quick release seat post. | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding bike.
I'm updating my earlier review as I've now had it for a year and 3000 wonderful ks. Just replaced the 32T. Chain 45% worn. Raceface headset is better, bottom bracket had no grease, FSA would be better. A chromoly version of this bike would be interesting.
Tyres are actually very good. Light race tyres for summer hard pack. My mistake. Hubs and rims are excellent.
Creaking also solved. Was one of these ;-). Bearings in SPD pedal shot, seat too tight on post...slightly loose chain ring. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john doogleberry
a Racer
from portland,oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | surveyors ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | bike n' hike | | Strengths: | The high points of this bike are definetly the fork, frame, crank, and brakes. The hayes hfx-9 carbon brake have a lotta power and I like them more than the xt ones. The 05 model (which i have) weighs about 24 1/2 pounds. The bike climbs a decends really well and it really fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | The wheels are probably the worst part of them. I will probably be getting some race wheels. But heavy wheels are better for training! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stumpjumper disc. | | Bike Setup: | I put my forte' team seat and my shimano m-959 pedals on it. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is as good as you can get for a $1900 hardtail. It can desend like mad with great handling and can climb like a monkey. It's very comfortable and it's very fun to ride and to look at! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | upper/middle/lower T | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 1800 | | Strengths: | light, fast... very fast! Well spec'd and beautiful to look at. | | Weaknesses: | Tires, wheels & hubs, headset. | | Similar Products Used: | Brodie Kinetic, Devinci Moonracer, Rock Mtn etc... | | Bike Setup: | XT everything-fr/rr derailleurs, shifters, hollow tech II cranks etc... Ritchie bars, stem, seat post, headset, Selle Italia seat... lots of upgrades! | | Bottom Line: | This bike is fast, it is much faster than my (stolen) Brodie Kinetic was. It handles well if a touch skittish at high speed on loose downhill dirt roads.
The stock componentry is good, but there are some issues with the cheapo headset and bottom bracket. These have been switched out on my bike for better quality parts.
If you race, and like hard tails, this is a good unit to get into. Climbs well, the Fox fork is very tuneable and can be quite plush if set right for the terrain (still working on different set ups for my riding style).
Too bad they're watering this bike down for the 2005 model year. Part of the switch towards more FS bikes I guess.
Would I buy this bike again? Sure, it's good value and it's weight (19" frame) is in the 23 lb category. Nice! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gustavo
a Weekend Warrior
from sao paulo
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | brazil | | Strengths: | slopping frame, good climber, components | | Weaknesses: | tires,hubs, | | Similar Products Used: |
santa cruz camaleon | | Bottom Line: | By the kula deluxe. I have a santa cruz superlight xtr for long rides, and now the kula for the fast and smart ones.
the 4 flamin'chillis it is for the tires and hubs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DJL
a Racer
from NS, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | skull | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Cyclesmith | | Strengths: | Technical handling
Wet weather
Fox fork | | Weaknesses: | stock wheels are more suited to training/general XC than racing.
headset | | Similar Products Used: | S works hardtail, Klein attitude | | Bike Setup: | fast | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome all around/XC race bike. I've been riding/racing it hard since febuary and it just gets better with age. Nothing else I've ridden cuts up technical singletrack like this bike. With 100mm in the front it feels way more bomber than it's 23lb weight. The hayes carbon levers feel awesome, nice and fat. The stock tires are not all around rubber but wicked fast on tame hardpacked stuff. The deore/223 wheel set isn't the lightest but it cuts down on the cost and lets you upgrade to some race wheels. There isn't really another bike like this. For me it's the best ratio of handling/weight/durability/ability on all courses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hattie
a Weekend Warrior
from Newark, DE
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | Wooden Wheels, Newark, DE | | Strengths: | Very light & fast, great component package, Hayes discs with carbon levers, Fox F100 Fork, Race Face cranks. | | Weaknesses: | None really discovered yet. Tires not really ideal for rough wet terrain, but switched them out for some tougher ones. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock (1st bike - 31 Lb monster), also test rode a Klein Attitude XV (also nice, but heavier than the Kona). | | Bike Setup: | Standard, but with shorter stem & new tires. | | Bottom Line: | For the money ($1899 or less), this is the best hardtail I think you can buy. Its 24Lbs (with the new heavier tires), the Fox Fork is very nice with lots of adjustability, and it climbs really well, especially with the front fork lock out. The component package is great (XT / LX mix). I'm riding faster than last year and I know the bike is a big part of that. If you're looking for a great value, lightweight hardtail with top quality components, then this is the bike for you. Also great service from Dale at Kona! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Ypsilanti, MI
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Potowatami | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel In Motion | | Strengths: | Light and fast. Some of the component specks | | Weaknesses: | Some of the component specks, but good leads to trade offs so you have to decide what's most important as far a components go. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Supercaliber 95' | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock but changed out the hydro's for Avid Mech's and changed the drivetrain to SRAM X.0 rear derailler, and rear cog set. Switched pedals out to platforms with toe straps and clips (don't like clipless pedals) | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is nice specs that I consider important. Namely the fork and frame. The cranks seem to be good. Can't comment on the items I've switched out but man is the X.0 system good!!! Much better than my old XT that was on my G. Fisher SuperCaliber. What things would I change? Tires...gotta go...period. The rear tire has worn excessively in 3 months of serious riding (Michigan winters...yeeeuuuuuccckkkkk :( ) Stangely the front tire shows almost no wear. Regarless the Nokians just don't give me confidence in corners or loose conditions which any city rider runs into after a good rain. They do work Ok, not great, on the trails. I can feel the bike start sliding out from underneath way to much. Also I will be swapping out the wheels (just hubs maybe) as they are only Deore level and just not rigid enough for me. (207 lbs 6'1") Have had to true way to much and no I don't go jumping or hucking anywhere. Seat is OK but it squeaks constantly. Not sure why but suspect is has to do with the plastic cover underneath the front of the saddle.
I had a problem with the handlebars loosening but so far some locktight on the handlebar stem bolts seems to have fixed this issue. I put locktight on all the bolts connected with the headset system just to be sure.
Overall I find the bike comfortable for epic 2-21/2 hr rides and I ride this bike to and from work everyday also. On the trails the bike is a good climber, decent descender ( a little rattly but aren't all hardtails to some extent). This bike feels XC race ready. The bike steers well and so far nothing major has happened to the bike despite a few crashes (wheels sliding out from under me). Going to see how the Panracer Fire XC Pro tires work for me and I will switch hubs to XT comparable quality or get custom wheels from Dave's wheels (see reviews on this site...everyone says they are phenomenal). Have to give this bike a 4 for value, the Fox Fork is simply fantastic but only 3.65 chili's for overall quality. I've had to tinker with to many "little" mechanical issues and I think the factory specs just aren't up to snuff as they stand but I realize that some specs must be lowered to make room for the greater. Better hubs and tires would make me confident in giving a full four chili rating with no regrets, at least better hubs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Penny Sport Cycles, Christchurch | | Strengths: | Easton frame, Fox fork, Hayes discs, Raceface components | | Weaknesses: | Aheadset (cheap headset), Nokian tyres | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Eldridge Grade, DBR V-link | | Bike Setup: | Put my shinmano 747 pedals on, added front gunk guard, computer and tool bag. Not much to change. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent off the shelf specs for this package. Happy to buy with no changes. After 500ks all off road, the headset is already on the way out. Got two punctures in the first week, not from poor tyre pressure. Both the tubes and the Nokian tyres are very thin...I've gone to Maxxis. There's also some creaks coming from various places, but this is just a little disconcerting...it sounds like the chain is unhappy...but its just things like the seat post and handle bars creaking. An extremely well spec-ed bike, at the right price its a bargain. Just price the Fox fork on its own. ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very sweet paint job. Carbon disc brake levers feel unique. Lockout on the fox forks works a treat for climbing. The bike is light, especially considering it has disc brakes. My previous bike - specialised stunpjumnper with M4 frame was only marginally lighter and that had v-brakes. The detail on this bike is excellent - from the wheels to the seatpost, saddle stem, handlebars... Lots of Easton components. If you want a fast XC racer that can climb well and sprint on the flat get this (i commute to work on it with 1" tyres and its awesome). This bike looks beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive. Problem getting the disc brakes to bed in properly but dont really understand them yet (only ever had v-brakes before).
The lockout has a threshold setting at the bottom of the fork. When you blowout the threshold you have to reach down to the bottom to reset it rather than just adjusting the lockout on the top of the fork. Annoying.
Its paint job will attract every theif in London - never let this bike out of your sight. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised stumpjumper '02 | | Bottom Line: | Beautiful, fast and light hardtail with a top fork and quality disc brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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