Submitted by
dlbennett
a Cross Country Rider
from Redmond Wa Date Reviewed: November 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
McKenzie River Trail, OR
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Redmond Cyclery. Goo
Strengths:
Versatile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Set screws for sliding dropouts blow huge chunks, bent and strip. The stock wheelset has Shimano M525 hubs, one of the worst around and the wheels have never been true.
Similar Products Used:
XTR and a lot of frames from Ti to Al to Scandium
Bike Setup:
Currently 29 and single gear 32/24 with suspension fork locked out...really want to try rigid!
Bottom Line:
This is such a great bike. I have ridden this frame for a full year now. I went from gears to ss and it just kicks ass. I have a good saddle and ther rear end flexes in a good way. One of my favorite bikes frames so far. For one, it's a 29er with great sliding dropouts and a light compliant frame. Ti would be better, can't afford though this year.
The simplicity with one gear and this frame is that it takes off when ask to do so. Very efficient, stable, and fast.
Own this bike, you will like it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jminn8086
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, California Date Reviewed: October 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tahoe Rim Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Scandium frame; Reba SL fork; Easton components; small bump compliance and mid-range and up speed.
Weaknesses:
Shimano 525 / Sun wheelset is heavy relative to the rest of the bike @ over 11 lbs for front and rear with tires, tubes, and rear cassette. This is the single biggest weakness as a lighter wheelset would transform this bike very good to great.
Similar Products Used:
29ers - none
Bike Setup:
2007 purchased new on eBay - XT components, Shimano 525 hubs w/ Sun rims, Easton 50 stem, bar and post.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike to dip my toe into the 29er craze to see what all the hype was about. I'm mostly impressed with the 29er format especially on small bumps but there is no mistaking this is a HT ... It takes more effort to get up to speed versus a 26er, but once into the mid-range, it rips!
This bike offers good value for the money - with a higher end wheelset, it would be outstanding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jimmer
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, ON, CAN Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Durham
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Epic Ride
Strengths:
Great components incl Shimano, FSA and Hayes. Strong light frame. Bigs wheels are great for the kind of trails I ride.
2008 stock (I spent all my money on the bike can't afford extras yet) I plan to get lock on grips and Crank bros eggbeaters next season.
Bottom Line:
I really like the 29er Wheels. I'm fairly tall 6'4". The big wheels and 22" frame fit me great. Climbing does feel better b/c I stay in the saddle more. The 29s rolls over the med/lrg stuff no problem. I was looking at dual susp bikes until I tried this 29er. My riding is done mostly single track lots of ups and downs with twists and turns, no real long up, down or staight aways. The Kona is a champ on them all. I broke a chain and it scarred up the bottom of the frame pretty badly and the front brake line has rubbed the finish off the front of the frame and the fork. These appear to be mostly cosmetic problems. Although I am worried it will wear thru the brake line eventually. It squeaks sometimes and I'm not sure where or why. Back brake is noisy. All in all a great bike. Its the most expensive bike I've ever owned and no regrets. I've ridden it pretty hard and so far just had to true up the back wheel and get a new chain. If you're over 6ft try the 29s! You'll like 'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirtysac
a Racer
from UK Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
James's UK
Strengths:
Light weight, rides bumps better than any 26er, climbs like a dream, and goes downhills great. Better rear wheel clearance than most 29ers
Weaknesses:
The Hayes Nine front rotor is too small as stock. Relatively heavy wheels and rubbish hubs.
Similar Products Used:
Fisher 29er (sucks)
Bike Setup:
I'm 6ft. Running a 16" frame, Reba SL's 80mm, raceface deus XC crankset, Xtr shifters, XTR front and rear mechs, Hayes Nine carbon lever brakes (203mm front rotor, 160mm rear, Ti bolts, Stock wheels (sun rims, stainless spokes crap hubs) soon to change, KCNC SC bone 600mm flat bar, KCNC SC wing stem, FSA orbit headset, KCNC bar ends, KCNC prolite seatpost Ti bolts, KCNC Ti skewers, Bontrager carbon bottle cage, Flyte Ti saddle, KCNC seat post Ti bolt seatpost clamp, Bontrager jones tubeless tyres, ODI lock on grips, Crank brother candy Ti pedals, 3m Bike tape and pace carbon armour, I-link alligator gear cables.
Total weight saved 1.5Kilos over stock.
New wheels will save 0.5kilos over stock.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great as stock, but with little extra tweaking it is a truly awesome race machine. It handles great, you can throw it around with ease. The big wheels ride bumps really wheel and its very stable. Goes dwonhill much better than people think.
It short this is the best hard tail 29er out there, well at least I know mine is. At race days everyone is asking me about it and wants one. If Kona spec'd as high as I have you'd be paying $5000+ remeber I'm in the uk so the dam thing retails at $2400.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtbdee
a Cross Country Rider
from Providence, RI Date Reviewed: July 21, 2008
Numerous aluminum 26" hardtails. Current stable is comprised of the following: Surly Karate Monkey SS, Niner Rip 9 and an On One Il Pompino SS/fixed 'cross bike.
Bike Setup:
1x8 with an 80mm Reba, King HS, FSA 140 stem, Salsa flat bar, Avid BB7s, XT hubs laced to Delgados, older XT crankset and UN72 bottom bracket, older XTR rear mech. and XT shifter, XTR cassette. WTB Nanoraptor rear and Motoraptor front tires.
Bottom Line:
Here's a review I wrote a while ago for a local MTB magazine (NEMBA's Singletracks). If you can't tell from reading the below, I really like the bike.
From a company well known for producing bikes built to handle big air and “hucking the gnar” came a big wheeled XC machine that landed at my LBS in June of 2007. How it came to join my band of rigid 29ers is part of a long story. It’s one that involves an older frame of mine, a worn out headset cup and a hasty decision. Fortunately that decision paid off quite well as I’ve enjoyed the last 12 months spent riding the Kula. It had been almost two years since I had ridden a bike fabricated from anything but steel. I was more than a little curious to see if the Scandium frame would live up to the hype. In case you missed it, Scandium has been touted as the wonder material du jour over the last few years. The main selling feature of Scandium is that it can deliver the feel of steel while being lighter than most aluminum frames on the market.
While looking for a new frame I knew I wanted some flexibility with regard to drive train choice. I appreciate a hassle free switch between geared and singlespeed modes, and the sliding drops with built in tension screws were a nice touch. The option to run V brakes was another feature that appealed to the inner tinkerer in me. Flexibility is a good thing when it comes to deciding what gears to run, or what brakes to choose. It isn’t such a good thing if you’re discussing the ride quality of a frame made for the XC racer geek in all of us. On that note I’m happy to report the frame is stiff, seriously stiff in all the ways a MTB frame should be. There are a million tired clichés to describe a bike that climbs and tracks as well as the Kula 2-9. Flip through your stack of bathroom archives and insert your favorites here. Suffice it to say, the bike can climb and stays on line extremely well. Maybe it’s the Scandium, or maybe it’s the big wheels, but the bike seems to live up to the hype when it comes to smoothing things out while still allowing for a very immediate response to hard accelerations.
Since taking receipt of the frame I’ve ridden it in both singlespeed and geared mode. The sliding drops worked just like they should, no slipping and no issues with dialing in equal tension. I did add a drop of blue Loctite to each tension screw as a precautionary measure. As a rigid singlespeed it was a blast to ride on smooth terrain, and it was light enough to allow me to run a 32:18 where my usual 29er singlespeed gear is a 32:20. Riding the Kula with a carbon rigid fork was great on buffed trails, but when things got bony the bike was more than a handful. I chalked some of this up to the lightweight of the bike as well as the large head tube that enhanced the solid front end. It quickly became apparent that the bike was capable of more, and that some suspension might help it to reach it’s full potential as an all around mountain bike I could ride at my usual haunts. I chose a Rockshox Reba Race in 80mm mode to grace the front end, and about the same time I added 8 gears in the back. This isn’t a review of the Reba, however it’s worth noting that the shock has been doing its job with no complaints for roughly 75 hours. With the suspension added and the wheelbase shortened by almost half an inch the bike rode much better in the rough stuff. Not only did it do an excellent job staying on line, but it also climbed better as well. While it added some weight, the fork really allowed the bike to reach it’s potential as an all day hardtail.
I went with a 19” frame due to both the ample standover height and the effective top tube length. Going into this I knew I wanted to try a 29er with a shorter top tube than I had previously ridden. The Kula sports a top tube almost half an inch shorter than both my Karate Monkey and my old Waltworks. I didn’t go looking for a bike that would ride more like a 26er per se, I just wanted a 29er that might be easier to throw around. Coupled with it’s relatively high bottom bracket, the Reba and the shorter chainstays the bike rides like a bigger wheeled version of some of the more fun 26” wheeled bikes I’ve owned.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shawnv1
a Racer
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: July 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tsali,Anglers Ridge,Raccoon Mt,Shermans Branch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2299.00
Purchased At:
SouthPark Cycles
Strengths:
Light weight, nice components, big wheels & great handling
Weaknesses:
none found yet
Similar Products Used:
Only ridden 26ers
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
This is a very nice bike for the money! Unfortunatley I have to sell mine since I race for a store that doesn't carry KONA. This bike rides and handles great. I really love the big wheels! Buy this bike and you won't look back!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adventure Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Niagara, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: July 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
12 mile creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Liberty Cycle
Strengths:
Geometry, components, out of box racing machine.
Weaknesses:
Wheel truing
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Ferrous 29, Paragon 29, Specialized hard rock 29
Bike Setup:
Stock with a Tora 318 fork, time pedals, Ergon grips with bar ends.
Bottom Line:
What a ride. I have been mountain biking since 1990. This is my 3rd ride, my first 29niner, and I am in love with the sport once again. Handles as well as a 26 inch, climbs better and descends like a rocket. At local races, I am always on the brakes coming up on competitors in the downhill sections. On a typical 45 minute race loop, I have sched at least 2 to 4 minutes.
Only concerned with wheels. I had them trued once in 3 months. Seems better now. I am a 175 lbs rider on a 18 inch frame, and about 5'8".
I was following the 29 versus 26 inch debate. As it has been said, just try them, especially with the Kona Geometry. I am sure you wont look back. I highly recommend this bike to any XC rider you wants an solid ride without the full suspension hype.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr. W
a Weekend Warrior
from Snohomish, WA, USA Date Reviewed: January 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Toy Tree @ Lake Sawyer
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$2199.00
Purchased At:
Bike Works of Lake Stevens, WA 425-334-7812
Strengths:
Very fast and climbs like a dream. Light weight, nice components for a box bike. Attacks obstacles and you won't even know that you just blow through that section.
Weaknesses:
My only issue: As I was pedaling/pushing hard around tight corners I seem to drag a pedal every now and then.
Similar Products Used:
Kona 29er Hei Hei, Turner, NINER
Bike Setup:
Bone stock with the exception of Crank Bros Mallet pedals, a front fender, bash guard and lock-on grips.
Bottom Line:
We took this hardtail out for a little spin at one of WA local trails "Lake Sawyer" in Black Diamond. The trails are tight with lots of wet, rooty, rocky, unlevel terrain, many tight corners and as always lots of muddy areas. She went right up the hills alot easier than my 26. When we hit the tight tech sections the bigger wheels rolled over everything with easy. In the flowy sections she handled like a dream with quick turning and quicker acceleration out of the corners than I expected. Then came to the down hill sections she picked up speed so fast that I found myself running up on people before I knew it. I am genuinely impressed with how well the 29er wheels handled the many different types of terrian. I'm sold on the 29er.
If you get a chance to ride one, I highly recommend it. You too will be buying one after you take it out for a ride.
This is a Wonderful bike and KONA has does an excellent job producing a great box stock bike at a fair price that is ready to take on any trail. I recommend the KULA 29er to anyone looking for a hardtail and a Hei Hei if you are looking for a full suspension 29er.
The Kona Hei Hei is even better if you are willing to pay a little more, but hey, you get rear suspension. Both bikes are a great value for the money.
If you live in Washington State check out Scott at Bike Works of Lake stevens he has a couple demo's in stock and ready to ride. Check him out at: http://www.bikeworksls.com/reviews.htm
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DLH
a Cross Country Rider
from PNW Date Reviewed: January 8, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Geometry, scandium frame material. Kona geometry seems to always be spot on... scandium is light, strongth and smooth riding relatively speaking. Quality welds - beautiful paint.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Tens of bikes from soup to nuts, from Specialized to Santa Cruz to Kona to Gary Fisher to Trek to Cove to whathaveyou... and many, many in between in multiple models of most.
Bike Setup:
Size small... I'm 5'8" with a 30" onseam. Clearance is minimum - but works just fine. I found no problem setting the bike up at all. Thomson seatpost and stem, KK headset, American Classic wheelset, XT package with Race Face crankset, Avid Ultimates 140mm rear - 160mm front. Race face carbon handle bar. Frankly, I just transfered all my components from my Kula 26er... worked out fine... added a Reba.
Bottom Line:
This is a fine bike. Climbs better than any bike I have ever owned except for the Cove Ti(which is the only bike I have ever sold that I wish I hadn't). Is a confident rocket downhill. Works well in tighter single track as well - although a little slow in really tight spots. Originally tried the Reba at 100mm of travel - couldn't make that work to my satisfaction - went to 80mm and readusted stem height and saddle position and found perfection. 29" wheels are unbelievably capable and forgiving in technical sections. Last words is --- this is a great bike and an unbelievable value compared to other 29er offerings. It will be a long time before I acquire a different bike - and when I do I will keep this machine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Kenway
a Cross Country Rider
from Rohnert Park, California, USA Date Reviewed: December 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Breakaway Bikes
Strengths:
(This is a FOLLOW-UP REVIEW)
Frame is awesome. Good geometry. Good fit (I am about 5'10" and riding a 19"). It is also quite flexy where it really needs to be, while maintaining stiffness in other areas. Don't expect the "feel of steal," however do expect something much lighter, without the jarring traits of aluminum. It's like a big daddy steal frame and little momma aluminum one got busy in the woods one night: voila! You've got your Kona Kula scandium 29er. To be honest, I went about the build process just as I would have with a 26". I see no reason to modify parts (like flatter bars, or anything like that) on account of the fact that it's a 29er. There hasn't been a SINGLE moment where I wished for my 26er because it was better in any way at all. I'll not buy another hardtail other than 29er from now on.
Weaknesses:
Not so much a weakness here, as it is a warning: I set mine up singlespeed from the very beginning. Whether you do so or not, I HIGHLY suggest going out and buying new washers to go between the dropout bolts and the frame. From the stress of singlespeeding, the stock bolts/washers ate away the metal on the frame. Nothing that will compromise its strength, just something that the frame SHOULD HAVE come with in my opinion. In any case, I am now running my Kula as a 1x9 as I am moving to a place where I'll appreciate the gears...
Similar Products Used:
kona unit, orbea alma set up as a single speed...
Bike Setup:
King headset and custom wheels laced to the new Velocity Blunt 29er rims (THESE RIMS ARE SWEET!!!), Reeba SL (stock), monkeylite DH bars, thomson stem, salsa skewers, american classic ti seatpost, serfas seat, hayes nine brakes (came stock), raceface deus XC crankset (an awesome stock component on the '07 Kula's), SPOT 34 tooth front ring (set up 1x9), XT shifter/cassette/derailleur, and currently looking into the best chain retention/guide system I can get to stay light but NEVER throw the chain...(probably gonna do something like the n-stop/lightweight bashring, then lizard skin...that should stop the chain on the left and right then eliminate the noise...later, if necessary, I might look into something like the Stinger from Blackspire to keep the slack out of the chain...I know it is an XC bike, but I ride hard--normally single speed--and don't want that chain EVER to come off!).
Bottom Line:
Even though I changed a lot of the parts, this is a SOLID bike for a SOLID price considering what you get and if you are just looking into the 29er market. You won't worry about weight or handling issues with this thing (mine weighs in at just around 26 lbs, whereas it was a solid 25 as a single speed). Change the washers on the dropouts RIGHT AWAY...in fact, ask the shop to do it for you if they can, even if it adds a couple bucks right off the bat). It sucks to wonder, "where is that awful creaking coming from?" assuming Kona had figured it all out. You go back to the shop, take apart your bottom bracket and crankset, grease the hell out of it, put it back together and then hear the same sound the next ride...finally you realize it was only your washers and bolts digging into the frame and wearing out a nice groove. My frame now appears permanently damaged, and I believe it could have been avoided. Perhaps a little warning would have been nice: "if you change to single speed, due to the increased stress on the system you should upgrade the washers..."
Overall, I love this bike. It does everything my bianchi siss and sass could do, but better, and with the possibility of gears or no gears. Very light, comfy ride. Right now I've got around $2000 into it, as I work at a shop and get the parts for cheaper than retail...my build, normally, might cost well above $3000. However, this was one bike that, when taken out of the box and built up, could easily be ridden hard for months before changing anything...the wheels are proabably the weakest link when built up stock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
db
a Cross Country Rider
from MircroTown Date Reviewed: December 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Singletrack
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Redmond Cyclery
Strengths:
Stiff frame, nice scandium tubing. All XT components 'cept crank, but with great external bearing. Gotta love those. 85mm Reba!
Weaknesses:
This bike was obtained complete. I installed my old XTR dual control kit with hydros. I want a bigger tire. I really want to see ig 2.55x29 will fit. I don't believe that the wheels will last long. Rear is already out of true. My 26 inch Dave's Speedream wheels with Chris King are still true after 4 years.
Similar Products Used:
Ti hardtails one was a Unicoi--awesome bike was was 2 small 4 me.
Bike Setup:
1x9 gearing (no front derailluer), XTR, Reba 85mm, Maxxis Ignitor*above par* 2.10*sub par*, Ergons, Koobi adjustable bushing saddle, etc.......
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellant "ready to ride" introduction to 29er's. I just like my old XTR dual control and right now (winter) just do not need a front derailluer. I want to upgrade the wheels to Mike Curiak's Lace mine 29, but only because I enjoy stout light wheels that only need yearly hub servicing. The sliding dropouts are great for running a singlespeed which I crave to do at times. Rock Shox Reba are one of the best forks out there THANKS SRAM!!!!!!!! The bike corners "like it's on rails" and has a nice high BB for clearing our numerous log piles...so fun! Floats on top of mud. Very comfy ride indeed. My riding buddy and I are going to switch bikes next ride. I will get to try Curtlo Steel Hardtail all decked out, but 26". If I find out "Steel is real" comfortable this frame may be for sale but I don't think or really want the steel to ride better then the Kula......It's FannnnnnTasticcccc!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stud
a Racer
from Texas Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007
This bike is the hardtail of choice. I had a friend that has been out of the MTB scene for a while ride it in a parking lot and said "Man, these full suspension bikes have come a long way with the stiffness of the rear shock.". I had to inform him that it was a hardtail. The big wheels definitely soften the blow of a hardtail especially if you're used to a fully. I've know some to get a short travel Thudbuster seatpost to help soften the bumps without losing any pedalling efficiency. The cornering is great. The higher center of gravity allows for some good turning since the bike wants to "fall over" easier than a bike with a low center. The once the chainstay is wrapped with rubber to protect if from the chain, the bike is silent on the trail. AWESOME!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Kenway
a
from Rohnert Park, CA Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
no favorite
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Breakaway Bikes
Strengths:
frame feels strong, light, snappy, responsive, forgiving and stiff...all at the same time. dropouts are super easy for conversion from single speed to geared, and they also allow you to remove the rear wheel without messing with chain tension or alignment within the chain/seatstays. very affordable way to get into the higher end 29er world without having to spend too much on custom frames and build packages...
Weaknesses:
none so far, and do not foresee any...
Similar Products Used:
Orbea Alma carbon 29er converted to single speed, Bianchi SISS, Kona Unit 2-9, Surly Karate Monkey...
Bike Setup:
King headset and wheelset, monkeylite dh carbon bar, thomson stem, reba sl, lock-on grips, serfas ti seat, surly stainless steel front chainring 33t, surly stainless steel rear cog 20t, salsa skewers...
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome...I am thinking of throwing the cassette back on and running a 1x9 set up. I was a little unsure about he scandium frame. I definitely love the feel of steel, and was really thinking about a Niner and a custom build. Definitely don't like aluminum for hardtails. The scandium really offers what the experts claim, and performs somewhere in between aluminum and steel: it doesn't flex as much around the bottom bracket area as some steel frames do, and offers stiff, lightweight efficiency without the jarring effects of aluminum.
I bought this knowing I would throw on my own custom wheelset--and make some other slight modifications. I also figured that I could upgrade later to a higher end custom frame. It turns out that the Kula scandium frame is TIGHT!! I am still getting used to the set up, but have a quite a few years of experience with hardtails and singlespeeds. This bike offers a STRONG, cost-effective, stock build (minus the wheelset in my opinion). As much as it offers no guarantees to those in the market or searching, I would recommend this to anybody interested!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cathy
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ Date Reviewed: November 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$399.00
Strengths:
Light, stiff, quick handling
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Kona Unit, Salsa El Mariachi
Bike Setup:
Single speed: Reba, XT cranks, Avid BB7's, carbon bar, Thompson post and stem, King hubs and cog, Stan's ZTR 355 rims, Nevegal tires
Bottom Line:
I was riding a Kona Unit and was curious about the 29'er world. This was to be a single speed and I wanted the lightest frame available without breaking the bank. After researching most 29'er frames I chose the Kula because I like the functionality of sliding drop outs, it's very light, and gears can be added. The colors are beautiful. The first couple of rides were a little dicey as I hadn't dialed the fork in and the brakes hadn't seated. I was wondering if I had made a mistake. After a few more rides the bike is adjusted, dialed, and seated, and it amazes me more each time I ride it. The big wheels aren't full suspension but do help suck up rocks and bumps. Huge improvement over the 26'er. I'm running 32:20 which equates to a taller gear than I was running on the Unit, but with the immediate and precise engagement of the King hub it feels easier. I'm climbing stuff that I had to walk on with the Unit. It's a confident downhiller, and the stiff frame is quick and precise handling. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a 29'er and likes a snappy, responsive ride. And singlespeed is the way to go!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from South Mountain Emmaus Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This was the first 29er I've ever ridden so I can only compare it to 26ers. Current bike: 2003 Stumpy FSR Disc Past bikes: 2002 BigHit, 2000 Kona Kula. Demo ride length: 8 miles of technical singletrack (south mtn emmaus). The stock setup is real light. This Kula 29er beats the crap out of anything I've ever ridden climbing or just clearing obstacles in general. This made a pretty substantial impression on me and I am going to convert soon...
If anyone has any specific questions email me and I'll try to answer as best I can. Cheers!!!
$
Overall Rating:
