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Submitted by
lovintherocks
a Cross Country Rider
from Hanksville, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Strengths: | ????? Seat was comfortable paint held up alright nice components and the pedals were nice for stock. | | Weaknesses: | Forks were weak, rims bent easily, frame felt shaky, handlebars weak. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is too high price I am sure it would do fine for a more timid rider maybe one who likes to just take a simple route. Although for me with the curb jumps the bike felt like it was going to break right under me and i am a light weight 140 lbs. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
neraceface09
a Cross Country Rider
from ny
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel & heel | | Strengths: | the frame is light and great!! | | Weaknesses: | the components suck if you want to put miles on the bike. but if its for someone who doesn't put miles on there bike , its good. | | Similar Products Used: | wicked fat chance, yo eddy fat chance, kona fire mountain, mongoose iboc zero-G | | Bike Setup: | I have the whole bike custom to a T. All xtr and carbon parts, i have the bike weighing 19lbs | | Bottom Line: | bottom line i love my bike!!! kona has great bikes there frames are great. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
reiais
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto, ontario
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Sprot Swap, toronto | | Strengths: | Remarkable strength, smooth shifting, easy maintanence | | Weaknesses: | brakes could be stronger. We replaced the stock pads almost immediately. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano SIS shifters were always accurate. | | Bottom Line: | Good value for money. Strong, reasonable weight. Good component group. Widely adjustable. Pedals broke within 3 months (solid rock strike) but that may have happened with anything. Nice paint. Well made. I'm in the market for a new MTB and I'd buy Kona again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tbbaot
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa,Fl,USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Flatwoods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$342.00 | | Purchased At: | Oliver's | | Strengths: | More bang for the buck. Lots of upgrade choices. This is a bike that a beginner can upgrade as they go and not have to buy a new bike every time they get the bug to move up. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy but not more than others in this price range. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Navigator | | Bike Setup: | OEM with new Terry Liberator Gel seat | | Bottom Line: | I went to the shop to buy a Trek, but pedaled out with the Kona when I saw what you could get for less money. Trek bikes are great of course, but at the lower price points they aren't always the best choice. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
klejton
a Cross Country Rider
from Zagreb, Croatia
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | just put me in a forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Strengths: | Reasonable price tag, very good frame. Worth upgrading, especially as of 2008 since the bike got a rear disc mount. | | Weaknesses: | Most of the parts, the fork in particular. Could be a tad lighter, but that's expected from an entry-level bike. | | Similar Products Used: | None so far, I'm afraid. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with SRAM PG850 cassette, no-name chain (Shimano Altus quality) and Wellgo SPD/Trekking pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The Lana'i is a great beginner's bike and definetely one worth upgrading. If you're up for it, that is. Unfortunately, I'm not in that group, mostly because my preferences lie in all-mountain.
Anyway, great bang for buck, but not such a great bike if you're aiming for anything over light cross country. Upgrading it can turn it into a mean XC machine, though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh bissonette
a Downhiller
from Bracebridge, ON, CAN
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | don't have one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | eccelestone | | Strengths: | it was a preety light weighed bike | | Weaknesses: | uhh, lets see,
well the brakes didn't work for me at all and the fork isn't that good etheir too. Also the chain skips alot when im going fast | | Similar Products Used: | ive borrowed my cousins gary fisher advance | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | i would say that this bike would be fine for people who rides their bikes to school/work and also people who dont go off many jumps, or else its just a lot of frustration having too stop and put the chain back on while all of your friends are waiting for you | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cameron
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Cheap, nice frame, decent cranks, rims, tires | | Weaknesses: | Fork, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Storm | | Bike Setup: | Kona Lana'i, Marzocchi MX Pro ETA fork, new front derailleur, FUNN Headbanger headset, platform pedals, Panaracer Fire XC Pros coming | | Bottom Line: | What incredible value. The entire bike costs less than most after market forks! The frame is pretty good and it worth the whole cost. Everything on the bike works for mdoerate mountain biking, just isn't as stylish or light. The wheels and rims have been pretty durable. Stock pedals are plastic and break. THe stock fork is not the best but it will handle cross country riding. It is fairly stiff, although it has no rebound control and won't take second hits. Upgrade things as they brake and the bike will keep up with your riding. Probably not a racing machine without a ton of money put into it, but a decent bike. It handles anything that top of the line cross country bikes can, just not as well. Get this if you are looking to break into moderate mountain biking. If you want to get into downhill or dirt jumping, then this is not the bike or frame for you at all. It is a good investment overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from EP, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Jacky Bike, Anjong-Ri, ROK | | Strengths: | Light strong frame, WTB seat, Price. | | Weaknesses: | Components! First week on them was good, then the problems started. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Trek, other HT's | | Bottom Line: | This bike is hard to beat for the price. The first thing that was replaced was the peddles,felt like my foot was going to roll off of them. SR Suntour front shock was too soft for me, I have not upgrade yet. I have upgraded the derailers with XTR up front and Deore XT rear. Deore XT shifter/brake lever combo, only because I had them. Everything else works fine, Good brakes, Stock chain is Shimano, Crank set works good, only reason I would replace is for weight. Great bike to start with and with upgrades will grow with you.
Over all this bike climbs very good and is comfortable for long distance, I travel about 10 miles a day on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP
a Cross Country Rider
from Stratford on Avon , UK
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Cleeve Hill, Welcombe Hills, Burton Dassett | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Halfords | | Strengths: | Light Chassis
Reliable Forks - Bottom end SR Suntour XCC does just about enough for the learner.
Great at speed ( for the price )
Keeps on going despite the abuse!
Continually amazes friends with better, and far more expensive bikes!
Versatile Setup - although rubbish components - mean a rider can tackle everything from roads to downhill with confidence ( but don't push it too far ! )
A great intro bike that will take most you can chuck at it before you upgrade
| | Weaknesses: | Weak SR Suntour Chainset ( replaced with the same after 1 year ).
Not overly happy at low speed skilled sections.. geometry gets a little jittery.
Forks wear quickly - if you're gonna go hardcore , upgrade 'em as the rest of the bike is keen. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Palisades Trial, Marin Bear Valley, Specialized Rock Hopper ( '96 spec ) | | Bike Setup: | Stock - new chainset, replaced with the same.... ( it was free ).. | | Bottom Line: | A really decent introduction to the fun-crazed world of mtb - the bike will put up with most things , but just don't push it beyond it's capability. Upgrade , or spend more!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
calvin
a Weekend Warrior
from surrey, bc
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | midnight moon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | strong | | Weaknesses: | crap shocks bottom out on ne thing | | Similar Products Used: | p3 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | piece of crap... dont buy .. its storg and very light..frams good wheels good everything else bad.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Goodguy
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price. Lightweight, handles well, quick steering. Brilliant frame for the price. Perfect bike for the cross country beginner. | | Weaknesses: | Gears, SIS are bit average. Grips not much chop. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose NX 7.5 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great entry level bike. Fantastic if you are thinking of getting into cross country as it will do the business for a beginner and not hurt the pocket. I've seen lots of people selling their $1200 bikes for half price because they haven't used them. This is a great bike as the frame is solid and can be upgraded so if you don't get into XC you haven't lost much but if you do you can buy some new gears, grips and front shock and you are away. I brought this for my wife and she loves it - I stacked it and did some serious damage to me but the bike was fine. I give it 5 chillis not because it is the best bike but because it is a great package for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mat Bayliss
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Melenium Walkway | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$249.00 | | Purchased At: | Penny Sport Cycles CHC | | Strengths: | Value for money | | Weaknesses: | Given the price, none I can think of | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Bolinas Ridge | | Bike Setup: | Factory. | | Bottom Line: | Purchased this bike for our teenage son, he's very happy with the set up and has dished out the usual abuse as is common with teenage boys. The front suspension started squeaking on the first ride, this doesnt appear to affect performance. Some cable adjustment was required after a few weeks as occasionally the derailer would rub the chain, I beleive this is simple minor cable stretch and has settled down. We are very happy with this bike and its well suited to our teenager until he can afford to upgrade/modify depending on his enthusiasm for biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Good start bike, nice painting, cheap, upgradable | | Weaknesses: | many thing to upgrade to make it a real and competitive xc/race bike. Terrible fork, handlebar, rims, shifters and hubs. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassajara, Cannondale F600 and GT Avalanche | | Bike Setup: | MARZOCCHI MX COMP'04, XT Hubs, SUN RHYNO LITE ATB RIMS, Egg Beater, 1" Protapers, deore shifters and cassette. | | Bottom Line: | Stock components are not impresive, but considering 300 USD for this bike you just need to upgrade some critical components for your style of riding and your body.
Great frame.
Nice cranks, seat post,stem, saddle and brakes.
I recomend it , and I recomend to upgrade it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | on line | | Strengths: | the frame, and some components | | Weaknesses: | The rims bend to easily, forks are cheesy, brake levers and revo SHIfTers | | Similar Products Used: | so many hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 2.1 IRC tires, mavic 521 rims, sun ringle platforms, LX fd & rd, xt levers, deore shifters, azonic carbon bar, intense grips | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awsome for the price. It feels pretty good. If you are a beginner this is a great deal, if you like to upgrade bikes this is a good start.
If you're looking for a bike under $300, this is the one to get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Fuston
a Cross Country Rider
from Lebanon, OR
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Calloway Creek Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Excellent frame, price, good bang for your buck, better than a department store bike. | | Weaknesses: | Low end componets, fork, rims, tires. | | Similar Products Used: | '96 Kona Lava dome, '01 Giant Rainier | | Bike Setup: | All stock except new Alex 2000 rims, Deore LX front derailluer, Alivio 8 speed shifter/brake lever combo, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires with red sidewall, Insync Elixer 538 100mm fork, Shimano crank with Truvativ Trushift Chanrings, Cart. BB | | Bottom Line: | This is a review on a 2003 Lana'i.
Well I had myself a '96 Kona Lava Dome back in 2001 and I had to sell it to make ends meet. Since then I have missed my trusty Lava Dome. So I decided to get another Kona. I went over to ebay to try my luck and found the bike I now own for a ending price of $250 plus $40 for shipping.
Well from the start I replaced those stock Shimano parts. I can't stand SIS stuff so I went out and got a LX front derailluer for the bike and a set of Alivio 8 speed combo shifter/brake levers. I soon had to replace the stock rims as I tacoed them on a few small jumps and some epic riding. Next I replaced the Crank and BB. Tires and a new 8 speed cassette were added as well. Then I spang for a new 100mm fork on ebay and I put the stock fork to rest.
Needless to say, I will be adding disc brakes to the bike. I will have to get a disc brake adapter for the rear but I don't mind as I usually ride bikes with discs and v brakes are not powerful enough.
I do recommend this bike to begining mountain bikers. Don't waste your hard earned money on a department store bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicolas Jouvine
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$290.00 | | Strengths: | Wicked frame, and good price. I was looking the "best bang for your buck" in many stores ,including on line, and only found $250-$300 hardtail FRAMES from diferent brands (jamis, specialized, k2, marin, even konas) For $290 you can not find a great deal like this: a kona xc/ht frame plus components. | | Weaknesses: | shifters are weak and ugly feel, handlebar & tires | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher xc hardtail, specialized hardrock, giant something
| | Bike Setup: | easton ea50 handlebar, lx: shifters/rear der/casette, continental´s pro, cliples pedals, oury grips, and manitou black | | Bottom Line: | Look at this...
Lana'í stock: 19' beautiful frame, light seatpost, soft saddle, nice stem, not so bad crankset and wheels + nice upgrades for only 550!!!
The suntour fork is regular if you are an enthusiastic, I got to throw it. The brakes are ok and now they dont need to be upgraded. Handlebar sucks, they bend in the first ride, tires are for street-community use, and drive train is not smooth and it's a little bit heavy. That is the reason kona name it recreational mtb.
The ride is amazing, nice geometry, very light. With upgrades this beautiful bike would compete with most higher level xc bikes.
5 chilli's bcose the price, 3 chilli's stock bike + 2 chilli's upgrades = 5 chilli's super xc machine
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fernanda Tomaselli
a Cross Country Rider
from Ecuador
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Metropolitan Park (QUITO) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | kona authorized dealer in Tampa Fl. | | Strengths: | Great climber. Soft pedaling. | | Weaknesses: | Weak and ugly pedals.
Grips are uncomfortable and dangerous. | | Similar Products Used: | Magna something.... | | Bike Setup: | totally stock, but oury grips anf kona primo pedals are coming. | | Bottom Line: | I like cross country, going uphill is more fun than down hill, and this bike fit my needs.
It is extreamlly soft and the shifting is good. It´s really easy to cross over obstacles. Breaks ok, fork ok, I got no complains really. Saddle is very soft and confortable.
The frame is good looking, nice grafics and paint. The geometry is perfect to me: the rear triangle is low, so I can put the saddle very low to compensate the almost flat handle bar.
Bottom line...
The kona lana'i makes my life easier, it doesn't give me any trouble. I think stock is perfect for beginners but the frame worth to upgrade, maybe in the future all XT and marzocchi's marathon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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