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Submitted by
lozen
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton,Alberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Local | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | River Valley Cycle | | Strengths: | Disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | Overall the whole bike is a hunk of junk. Nothing but repairs after repairs. I have an Old Trek that has been more reliable and is older and was cheaper | | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bottom Line: | Maybe I just got a Lemon But I just put in another $300 on this bike and it still rides like crap. Gears are clunky and dont change well as well as a noise from the bike I just cant find. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaybo
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Sherwood Pines (UK) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 860 | | Strengths: | Good solid frame, good all round MTB | | Weaknesses: | Price, it looks like you guys in the US get things alot cheaper. £450 ($860) was a good price over here in the UK | | Bike Setup: | 2007 stock apart from WTB all terrainasaurus tyres | | Bottom Line: | An great all round MTB for the beginner to mid range user. With a few minor upgrades, great for the more serious rider. A good solid bike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Beikirch
a Weekend Warrior
from Beck Row UK
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Ramstein outdoor rec germany | | Strengths: | Almost everything, mine has the hyd. hayes sole brakes, and marzocchi mz fork with lockout the two things most people don't seem to have on theirs and they've worked great for me. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle wasn't my favorite although thats preference it was perfectly fine, pedals seem like they could be better, brake disks seem to rub quite easily but maybe thats just me, but i still like the brakes. SRAM chain with powerlink would be better than stupid shimano pins. | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper mtbikes | | Bike Setup: | Stock(Hayes Sole Hyd. Brakes, Marzocchi mz fork w/lockout) with Azonic Big Drop Saddle, Blackspire Bashguard | | Bottom Line: | Great buy for everything but phsyco DH or freeride, best bang for your buck in my opinion for everything else. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliot
a Downhiller
from Franklin, TN USA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | around my town | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Harpeth Bikes | | Strengths: | everything! even with the stock components, you can stil ride hard and not worry about the bike | | Weaknesses: | none at all | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hardrock sport
jamis komodo 1.0
| | Bike Setup: | not stock parts
fork-camo manitou nixon 145mm travel
wheels-white halo combat front and rear(hand built)
cranks-fsa gravity with fsa alloy bash guard
handlebars-truvativ hussefelt
stem-truvativ hussefelt
seatpost-fsa
grips-odi lock on
chain stay protector-lizard skins
bottom bracket-truvativ giga pipe team DH ISIS
pedals-diamondback bigfoot
rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | amazing bike. with upgrades could be the only bike you would ever need. frame is strong and could be built up for any type of riding. buy it, you wont be dissapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliot
a Downhiller
from Franklin
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Harpeth Bikes | | Strengths: | It is a Kona!!!! Beefy frame. great parts for a 700 dollar bike. not too heavy. the do-it-all" hardtail. looks awesome | | Weaknesses: | none. well maybe one. it will break your heart to not be riding it. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hardrock. trek zx 7000. | | Bike Setup: | upgraded to sun single track rims. dt stainless spokes. maxxis holy roller tires. truvativ hussefelt bar and stem. fsa seatpost. lizard skins chain stay protector. shadow conspiracy grips. everything else is stock... for now | | Bottom Line: | this is my 2nd review on this bike. and this IS the best $700 hardtail ever. it does anything u got the "balls" to do. buy this bike. its orange:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julius Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Gallup, NM
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | High Desert Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheel Drive | | Strengths: | Frame, drivetrain, Shifters | | Weaknesses: | Handle bars, seat, pedals, fork | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Manitou R7 fork, Ritchey pro handle bar, WTB rocket V seat, Ritchey Comp clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | I just started riding, and picked the Kona CC based on Mountain Bike Rider magazine's review. I learned an incredibly amount on this bike. I highly recommend for an entry level rider.
As I progressed, I noticed the Rock Shox Dart 2 (w lockout) was not stiff, and too plush for aggressive XC riding. It was not responsive in fast winding & rocky sections. This caused me to lose control, and wreck (frame is super tough!) The lock out was a plus, but the fork made the bike too heavy & after time, felt very sluggish. The R7 made this bike ride like a completely different bike!
The seat also was designed for a nice cozy ride in the park, and didn't allow you to shift around the bike in every changing trails. The handle bars were too high, putting you in too upright of a position. Great for a daily cruise, but made it difficult for steep climbs & fast downhill sections.
after the above component changes, the bike was converted into a great XC trail bike suitable for racing & long epic rides. I rode 2 races, and the bike more than handled. Fork & drivetrain (very stiff bb/cranks for power, and outstanding shifting) are the highlights of this setup. The wheelset are durable, but not light at all. The brakes are fair. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mat
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Fe, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Santa Fe Mountain Sports | | Strengths: | Frame is rock solid and definitely stands out, as it is bright orange. Deore LX rear deraileur provides great, reliable shifting. Solid construction. The saddle is actually quite nice for stock. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes Mx-4 disc brakes. They are constantly rubbing and nearly impossible to correctly adjust. Rock Shox Dart 2 fork is another weak point. Kona should have stuck with the Marzochhi MZ3 for this line of bikes. Both the brakes and the fork get the job done, but they will be the first two things on the bike I upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | 2006 Specialized HardRock Pro | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock 2007 with Kona Bashguard. | | Bottom Line: | This is probably the best bike you will find for this price. A much better value than the comparably-equipped specialized rockhopper comp. The Cinder Cone is solid enough to easily take the toughest and fastest trails that I can dish out. I love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Sailas
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampere, Finland
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Jura, and Alps in switzerland | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Looks, price, weight | | Weaknesses: | wheels, rims, brakes, gears. | | Similar Products Used: | GT avalanche 2.0, Specialized rockhopper, trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | tioga Terrafirma wheels, normal rubber breaks, Shimano LX deraileur english? mavic x130. | | Bottom Line: | I thought kona cinder cones came with disc brakes? Somwhow i must have gotten myself a really cheap version. Had rock shox Judy TTs on it aswell. For the whole 4 years i rode it, the gears never worked properly, which was odd. The bike weighed a little which is good. The tioga wheels were nothing amazing, very hard to go on asphalt or conrete roads, and on dry days it was very good at XC. When it rained, it lost its grip. Also cornering wasnt as precise as it should have been. The judy TTs were a bit too soft... like very mushy, so they werent always optimal.
My kona was just stolen and im looking for a new bike, so im thinking now of getting a Kona caldera or Kula premo.
I guess for some one less enthusiastic about offrad and biking this bike would suit perfectly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremiah stowe
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenfield
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Wendall State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle world | | Strengths: | Well the 2007 frame is a little heavier than the 06 verison but it is wicked tough. I bought this bike for all mountain. So far every thing has held up. Also the whole bike stock can take a big beating. | | Weaknesses: | The rims that come with the bike, which i think a black eye sunrims are not beffy enough for all mountain but proably perfect for Cross Country. The tires, maxxis ignitors are not the best. The are mostly made for loose dirt. But they are perfect in the rain. The tires are not maid for roots or rocks they dont lock up at all. the seatpost is very weak. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4300, marin hawkhil se | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Minute, titec hell bent handel bars,thomson elite seatpost,shimano XT shifters pods, ESI grips, hayes MX-4 mechanical brakes, bontrager XC seatpost,blackeye sunrims, konathumb stem, specialized pro resalusion all mountain. tires | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a perfect bike for all mountain ( if you put the right ups on it) or a crazy good XC bike. Also the price of the bike is perfect for the perfomance you get out if it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
timmy
a Weekend Warrior
from n.van b.c
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | my uncles | | Strengths: | strong frame, 30lbs | | Weaknesses: | FORK!!!!! less travel than advertised horriffic rebound no adjustability | | Similar Products Used: | ive rode my buddies bikes scrap stuff hardrock | | Bike Setup: | all custom minute 3s rf prodigy stem kona dh bar xtr cassette ect. | | Bottom Line: | tough hard tail ready for drops jumps and shore trails if your looking to buy one you should definently change the fork also up grades are well worth it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
taylor ramey
a Weekend Warrior
from little rock, ar, usa
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | womble | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | chainwheel | | Strengths: | the bike so far has done great. i have abused so hard and nothing has broken. i got it tuned up after 100 & 200 miles with no repairs. The Hayes 9 brakes are awesome - never had to adjust them and i can still stop with 1 finger. | | Weaknesses: | the pedals suck- i folded one of them on a rock during my first ride...you will defiantly need to get new ones.
the Marzocchi MZ Race 100mm fork is good, but i wish it had a lock out and was easier to adjust.
sadle- i broke it after i flipped my bike... i never really liked it, so i was happy to get a new one | | Similar Products Used: | specialized rockhopper pro & comp disc- the kona cinder cone is way better.
giant yukon & rincon- i also liked the kona better | | Bottom Line: | worth the money if you come across one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliot
a Downhiller
from Franklin
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | just ridin is fun/my backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Harpeth Bicycles | | Strengths: | everything. this bike could be raced xc, then a jump session, and all mountain, and then when your getting tired, some downhill. everything works. crank feels heavy but that is good for abuse. the sun ringle black eye wheels are skinnie but take the abuse i dish out. the rockshox dart fork is going to the the next thing i upgrade. but it performs well. | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | brothers specialized hardrock sport | | Bike Setup: | just upgraded to truvativ hussefelt bar and stem. new avid fr-5 levers, white primo bmx grips, lizard skins chainstay protector. everything else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | kona is a small northshore big hit brand. but they nailed the all mountain hardtail on the head. this bike is amazing. for 700 dollars you won't find a better bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Downhiller
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Bowcycle | | Strengths: | I thought the bike was great in itself. Depending on what you do contributes to how this bike handles. For DH its alright, but best at trails. Its very light and the forks have a quick rebound for semi-bumpy terrain. | | Weaknesses: | The derailer and chain suck. The chain is fairley loose and the derailer was way to slow for me. I would recommending upgrading these along with the fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona sticky, Specialized p3, Norco six two | | Bike Setup: | All stock except the derailer. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for trails, and slight bit of downhill. It climbs well due to the great gears it has. Like i said the shocks rebound way to quickly for jumps over 5 feet and dont have much travel unless adjusted. Other than that great all around bike for streets, mountain, and trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from London England
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The Wall, Afan Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | eBayer selling it after 1 ride | | Strengths: | All round great bike for the money - cost me GBP£350 off eBay brand new, great all round package, brakes are superb, geometry is perfect for me out of the box, saddle is great and rarely gets a mention, rides well without any major tweaking. Paint job is striking too - camo green. | | Weaknesses: | Tioga tyres not up for the job, not 100% on the fork but can't complain for the money. Bars are not great. But nothing major. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Big Sur, some Daewoo piece of tat | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from tyres (Panaracer FireXCPro) and about to change the wheels to Mavic CrossRide and will ditch the bars too. | | Bottom Line: | I go to South Wales for the greatest test of this bike about 3-4 times a year - only at the end of a long day long ride do I wish I had a full squidger which is more down to my fitness than the bike itself. It's quite fast uphill and very nimble. The model below this in the range just got top marks in the sub £600 bracket in Mountain Bike Rider so if you are after a budget hardtail that punches above its weight, go for it. Still hankering after a Commencal Meta 5.5 or a Stumpie FSR expert though... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jasiek
a Cross Country Rider
from Warsaw, Poland
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | you wouldn't know it anyway | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | ski team pro shop | | Strengths: | Hayes MX4 brakes - the best disc brakes I've ever tried. RockShox Dart2 fork also does the job (and you can swich it off). Wide | | Weaknesses: | Pedals - toeclips and straps sucks! I removed them and it's better, but still wellgo pedals don't fit to the rest of this marvelous bike. But this is the only weakness I found after two rather busy days of ridding (80 miles in 2 days). | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Lava DOme (stop laughing, I know it's a girlbike), Kona Bomber 2006, Specialized Rockhopper, Gary Fisher Bitter | | Bike Setup: | stock Cinder Cone 2007 | | Bottom Line: | I think it's the best ride I've ever had. The frame shape is different than in other XC bikes, so your riding position is different, too. You need a while of calm, easy trail (somethin' like 15 miles of dirt and mud) to get used to it but after that you'll fall in love with this pretty little girl. When you fill this bike, you can do anything on it - jump, XC, urban freeride... masterpiece of multi-task machine for beginers and pros with tight budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Jarrell II
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooks, KY
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherokee Park Louisville | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycler's Cafe Louisville, KY | | Strengths: | Solid frame I weigh 250 + and the frame seems to handle my weight really well. I have crashed a few imes and it has held up well. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals would be the weakest but I put new pedals on. Shock is springy but that has to do with 250+ pounds pounding on it. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rincon. | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great entry level bike and will last if well maintained. I plan on passing it down to my 2 sons.
GEAUX TIGERS!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliot
a
from Franklin, TN United States
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Great paint job, strong welds, pretty good fork/dart 2 w/ lockout, great wheels, great component group, comfy seat, great looking crank, brakes are probably the best mechanical brakes ever, brake levers | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | other test bikes, this bike is better than all other sub $800 hardtails | | Bike Setup: | rock shox dart 2, fsa crank deora front and lx back, deora shifters, hayes mx-4 brakes, wtb seat | | Bottom Line: | great bike, great bike, great bike... i use it mainly for jumping and it isn't even a jumper and performes well for a cross-country bike. not a single weakness. I SWEAR YOU NEED TO BUY THIS BIKE!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Racer
from Saratoga, New York, USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount Snow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Inside Edge | | Strengths: | The weld on the frame is really strong and can take alot of beating, 9 rings on the cassette also helps speed, It stops on a dime | | Weaknesses: | non ajustable suspention, and thats an expensive upgrade | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cinder Cone (previous year) GT avalanche 3.0 Kona stinky. Specialized Stumpjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock with SMBA sticker on seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This is a gourgous bike,
I've been riding for 5 years now and Kona has seemed to be the best priced company out there for the performance. Their team isn't half bad aswell. This is a great bike for people who have been riding for awhile and for people who want to get into racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World | | Strengths: | Strong Frame | | Weaknesses: | Fork, Chainset, Bottom bracket, Brakes, Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Tried, orange 5, Specialized Rockhopper, Orange evo6 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | The fork is unadjustable and rebounds like a pogo stick.
Recently through normal XC riding bent the chainset. The brakes work very well as long as you dont mind adjusting them after every ride, The front brake is iso mount so will only fit stock fork. Bent the pedal cages on Second ride.
Bottom bracket seized after 5 months though ment to be sealed.
Wait and buy something better as this bike has now cost me another $800 in repairs and Upgrades. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$760.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The frame seems very durable for cross country purposes. The bike seems to climb well and is, generally, responsive. | | Weaknesses: | This is my first mountain bike and the first day I used it I knew the pedals sucked. They work, but they feel cheap and the bolts on the toe cages seem to bend easily. I suppose it's also slightly on the heavy side: 29.8 pds. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This seems like a good entry level cross country bike; then again, I don't have anything to compare it with. Thusfar I don't have any complaints with it other than the pedals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jama Bradfield
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown County State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | Nebo Ridge Bicycles | | Strengths: | The fork is great....I weigh 125 lbs and had to take a spring out in oder to get any movement; however, it works just fine with one!
Smooth transition between gears.
Not too heavy.
The disc breaks are very nice. Have ridden in wet and sandy conditions and was very pleased with the performance. | | Weaknesses: | The seat post clamp allows too much movement. The saddle moves too easily while the clamp is tight. Had to adjust it several times while riding. Recommend switching out for a different one.
Peddles are worth trading in for something else. | | Bottom Line: | great bike!
great components!
All around great bike...especially for beginner suspention riders!
Great bike for beginner riders,too.
Highly recommend switching out the peddles and the seat post clamp. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian H
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangor, ME
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast and flowie | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bath Cycle and Ski (BikeMan) | | Strengths: | Frame, Paint, brakes, haven't had too many issues yet... | | Weaknesses: | wore out free hub and bottom bracket. Seems like the drivetrain could use some improvement, may be do to my 200+ wgt. fork is a little plunkie in the rebound but still handles my weight. | | Similar Products Used: | tried Specialized rockhopper, very simaler bike. | | Bike Setup: | all stock accept free hub, Davis Carver hooked me up with more substantial hub. | | Bottom Line: | knowing what I know now I probably would have saved my $$ a little longer and gotten something with a better componant group. Love the paint job (candy apple red w/metalic flake looks sooo sweet). This is my first MTB in about 10 years and I'm fairly pleased with it though I think I'll be upgrading to a full squish soon. I want to get rid of the big chain ring and put a bash guard on it, also want to go clipless. I'm learning so much about bikes since I started riding this spring and I'm finding that I will need to work alot of OT to get the things I want, (bikes, tools, more down hills) anyway, this is a fun bike for me but I am looking foward to something a little a bit more substantial for my big azz. Great bike to get started out on for the price. My friend has a SC Nomad that I rode for a weekend and it was sooooo sweet and plush, I had so much fun floating over rocks and roots that getting back on my HT was kind of ruff. He knew he was spoiling me by letting me ride it (then I killed his free hub, ouch!!! sorry Matt) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luke oomen
a Cross Country Rider
from kingston ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | sidewinder (Hard Wood Hills) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1049.00 | | Purchased At: | Mc Cranks | | Strengths: | strong frame good for all types of riding/ brakes/ drive train/ | | Weaknesses: | FORK!!!!!!! 30 lbs kona does not stand behind there prudcut
BB was instold wrong paint is weak. | | Similar Products Used: | norco charger | | Bike Setup: | 7005 butted/ Mz race fork/ for Hayes 9 xc/ LX rear Deore frount/ sun black eye rims/ | | Bottom Line: | I really like the bike have done about six races on it and it has performed well it is my first bike and I think it have been great to lurn how to ride bike. Kona does not stand behind there product. BB seeded and had a tuff time with the warranty person at kona. What I love about this is its durability and versatility and handling it fly through single track lie open fields the geometry tickles free ride with a wide riser and angled top tube. The rims are heavy but durable have done four foot drops and they are still as state as the day I bought the bike. Really good entry level xc/am bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from battle creek, MI USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | custer cyclery | | Strengths: | frame | | Weaknesses: | fork is very low end, BRAKES SUCK
Konas not willing to stand by their product | | Similar Products Used: | Kona caldera | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I had brake issues with this bike from day one. I had them adjusted 5 times and still squeeked even when not braking. Konas answer to my problem was that I should buy new brake pads, for my brand new $700 bike. Thank god my local dealer was cool and let me exchange my bike for another. I ended up spending 200 more for the Kona Caldera. Well worth the extra 200! Love the bike other then the fact I dont think Kona stands by thier product as they should. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
william
a
from Austin Texas USA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Brakes. Quick and nimble. This hardtail can really climb. | | Weaknesses: | Overall the components are very strong, which makes the sluggish derailers stand out. I upgraded the front sprokets and chain which helped. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden this bike all over central Texas and could not be more pleased. I researched and tried out many bikes...for the price this was and for me is still the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M
a Cross Country Rider
from Orono, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Orono land trust, Orono, ME | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Rack Sports | | Strengths: | Good price for components. Nice brakes, squealy but nice, no complaints with the fork. | | Weaknesses: | I broke the seat post within weeks of owning this 2004. The bike shop replaced it for me but I almost lost the family jewels in the process. The deraillers are a little sluggish. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fishers and an old Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals. I put clipless Shimanos on but I'm using the stock pedals with success on a commuting bike. | | Bottom Line: | I like the bike. I killed a Gary Fisher on the Maine trails within a year of owning it. I bought this one because I needed something more substantial. Good price and good quality. I don't ride like crazy so I don't think I'll ever have to buy another trail bike. Anyone who likes to ride but isn't a crazy fanatic would love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 799.00
