Submitted by
gab
a Racer
from canada Date Reviewed: September 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
technical one
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
very stiff, great absorbtion
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
I never rode a bike that was similar
Bike Setup:
sramxo, avid juicy carbon, ztr olympic rims with chris king hub, shimano xtr crankset.
Bottom Line:
A great bike for everyone who wants to go fast!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MXSimps
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: June 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
Online Store
Strengths:
The Kula Supreme Scandium frame is really light and strong. It rides very similar to a steel frame, which is a major plus. You don't get the harsh feedback from the trail like you would with an aluminum frame. The bike accelerates well and climbs effortlessly. It may be hard to justify based on MSRP; just ride it and you'll be a believer.
Weaknesses:
None really. The steering is quick due to the racing geometry; this may be an adjustment for some riders.
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Hardtail. Specialized hardtail.
Bike Setup:
Custom build. XT cranks; XT shifters; XT SGS Shadow rear derailleur; XT front der.; Hayes disc brakes; Fox F80RLT fork; Ritchey WCS stem, bars, and seat post; Spinergy Xyclone wheels; and Kenda tires.
Bottom Line:
This bike requires very little effort, gives the rider good trail feedback, climbs extremely well, and handles great. A super awesome weapon for any racer or avid weekend rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
thiefkiss
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong ,Canton , China Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ho Pui
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
somewhere in Hong Ko
Strengths:
This 2008 kula supreme frame is a very ligh weight frame i have never used before. It can full perform your power onto your bike. besides it can safe lots of energy , I used it encircle taiwan for about 900km within 10 days. I never feel pain from my muscle of my leg
Weaknesses:
The printing of the frame easily to get dirt
Similar Products Used:
hasa , GT zasker pro ,GT BMX
Bike Setup:
fox F100, XT08 dis brake , chris king hub , thomson seat post , element handset , brooks saddle champ17,xtr shadow,
Bottom Line:
n/a
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam Farrar
a Racer
from The woods, UK Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008
(07 model) Chris King, Stan's Notubes, XTR, Thompson, Conti mtn King, Avid carbons and Carbon bits and bobs.
Bottom Line:
This is one UNBELIEVABLY fast bike. Where I live there is nothing but steep climbs and tricky down hills and this bike concurs them all. Built out of scandium, this frame (07) weighs only 1325g all built up to an everyday 22lbs.
I am so chuffed with this frame, And so will you be if your thinking about getting this bike/frame.
If you want something Fast, light and racy Get this frame!
If your ambition is to do jumps then don't bother (not that it will snap, just because it aint a DJ frame)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Ambagis
a Racer
from Newark, DE Date Reviewed: May 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At:
Bikeman.com
Strengths:
This review is for a 2007 Kona Supreme scandium frameset. My Kula supreme is the best handling MTB I have owned, and I have owned several. The scandium frame jumps forward with each little pedal stroke, it handles great in technical singletrack, handles rocky terrain well, bunny hops over obstacles easily, and climbs like a motorcycle! This frame has a v brake option, so it has that going for it as well. Handles better than any Cannondale/Trek/Fort/Niner/Fisher/Spot/TET/Giant/Specialized frames I have owned in the past.
Weaknesses:
The 2008 frames are disc only, but that is what every manufacturer is doing these days and I need to convert to disc sometime, so . . . . .
Similar Products Used:
Just about every hardtail XC frame known to MTBR
Bike Setup:
XTR shifters, derailluers, V brakes, King Hubs, Stans Rims, Maxxis Tires, Moots Seatpost, Race Face cranks, RS Duke fork
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike if you want to push your XC race limits, have a nice light race bike, and want to feel every forward effort. Kona has unique geometry to the Norba standard of 71/73 and it works very well for me. The faster you ride, the better the frame handles. The framesets are very inexpensive for what you get. I got mine on closeout, but Bikeman sells the '08 frames for $525 not on clearance. Compare that to some other race frames and you will see what a value the Kona Supreme frame really is. I do not see myself riding any other XC race frame anytime soon. These frames are hard to find used because everyone who rides one wants to keep it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Neal
a Cross Country Rider
from Big Sky Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Garnett Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Grizzly Outfitter
Strengths:
Super light. Clims like a champ. The SID front shock is an amazing XC fork. All XTR.
Weaknesses:
No disc brakes on the 2007. It works for me..but some are not into it
Similar Products Used:
I ride a single speed hardtail..but not comparison to the Kula Supreme
Bike Setup:
Stock...which is the best of the best. Full XTR. Easton Carbon seatpost and handlebars (I switched the flat Eastons in for the Monkey Lite Easton bars which have a rise), carbon Selle Italia seat. Light light light.
Bottom Line:
The bike is fast..and you pay for it. I keep this bike for my racing. My roommate who is a recreational rider couldn't believe that people would spend so much on a bike...until I let him ride it. He is now a believer. On rides where you usually are grunting up, this bike accelerates. The very first ride I rode on this bike was the innaugural 24 hours of Targhee and we took the overall champion spot. This bike made it easy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas Date Reviewed: August 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
IDB
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$599.00
Purchased At:
HIB
Strengths:
Weight, Geometry, V-Brake bosses, THE RIDE!!!!
Weaknesses:
None yet...
Similar Products Used:
Kona Explosif, Diamondback Apex
Bike Setup:
Kona Kula Supreme, Middleburn Cranks, SRAM X.0 and X.9 Components (Custom home build)
Bottom Line:
This frame was purchased to replace a broken Explosif. Wow, this is a nice ride. I have yet to notice any of the "harshness" I was expecting from Aluminum (Scandium really). Climbs like it was just a mere extension of your body, and the overall feel and geometry of the bike is comfortable but still attacking in nature. I love the lime green of the 2007 model, and I also love that this frame is one of the few remaining ones to still have V-Brake bosses available- Thanks Kona.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$
Overall Rating:
