Submitted by
Patryk
a Downhiller
from Warsaw, Poland Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Zakopane, Zar, Wierchomla,
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Marek Jodko, Rzeszow
Strengths:
Fast, pedal great (much, much better than V-10), stable in the air and much better jumper the my former bike. Really good racing mashine.
Weaknesses:
Weight! Put him on diet and you will have extra DH racing bike. Also I do not like Maxxis 3C. I do not know why but I do not feel it. Maxxis 40a or 42a are much better for me and tried Intense Light DH FRO and see extra, extra improvement. Intense tyres are great.
Bike Setup:
Most stock but I put him on diet, exchanged wheels, saddle and some other little parts
Bottom Line:
Now, I have some nice experienced with my bike and I am so happy that I changed it from V-10 to my Stab Supreme Fabien Barel Edition.
Pedal great, suspension works perfect....
I tell you what VPP, Maestro, DW-Link and so on. It is all marketing. I tested also Commenciall which has no virtual pivot bla bla bla suspension and it also for me felt much better than V-10. I somehow know my bike better during race and can react. I do not say Santa Cruz is bad bike. Not at all. But for me and my very personal preferense this one is better. Also feels lighter on DH. It is much easier to jump over the roots or rocks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eugene Kara
a Downhiller
from Rotorua New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
National DH Taniwha track
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn Hamilton
Strengths:
Good looking Bike, Good geometry, Quality parts, takes a good thrashing. Good DH bike for the price.
Weaknesses:
Frame strength, top tube has a crack in the same place as two other 07 stabs in town.
Total bike weight(Pretty heavy if you like light bikes but i"m not fussed)
Similar Products Used:
06 Kona Stinky (Frame craked on that one too)
Bike Setup:
Set up for DH, changed chain ring to 42 and dropped off some rings on the rear cluster. Medium size frame pretty much kepted everything else on it
Bottom Line:
The bike has proven its worth. I've had alot of fun on it so far and will continue to when the new frame comes in.
If you can get through all the red tape with the warranty then hopefully a new frame will come through (Keep in mind Kona only warrant their DH/FR frames for 1 year)even if you're a couple of weeks out as I was with my stinky they will not replace.
Awesome bike but I might be looking at a V10 for the next up grade.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patryk
a Downhiller
from Warsaw Date Reviewed: January 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Zakopane, Szymoszkowa
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Marek Jodko, Rzeszów
Strengths:
Great bike. Suspension is great and better jumper then my V-10. Feels lighter on the trail
Weaknesses:
Have not found yet but I am thinking to exchange brakes into Avid Juicy 7 or codes. Shimano XT is not good enough.
Bottom Line:
Just sold out my 2006' V-10 and bought Stab Supreme 2008 Barel's edition and I am very happy about that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill P.
a Downhiller
from Redding Date Reviewed: January 15, 2008
Brake jacking, even with the floating brake arm. Very heavy. Weird center of gravity (can get sketchy sometimes, and that's why Fabien Barel has been using a custom lower shock mount to lower the bottom bracket height for a few years now).
Similar Products Used:
Haro DHR (Intense welded 4-bar style), Rocky Mountain RM7 DH, Commencal Supreme DH, Big Hit, Santa Cruz V-10.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi 888, Avid J7 (used to have Hayes El Camino, but they SUCK), SRAM X.0, Holzfeller OCT, MRP System 1, Mavic tubeless 823's, Ringle' Abbah Hubs, Michelin tires... etc.
Bottom Line:
This bike is old news. Compared to some of the new suspension formats I have ridden, this bike is old and crusty. Some may say "tried-and-true", but I say to Kona: lighten the frame a couple of pounds for racers, get rid of the brake jack, and lower the bottom bracket to 14" (the catalog says it's 14", but with my 888 it was 14.6").
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hugh Wundke
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Eagle Quarry
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$290.00
Purchased At:
the pizza shop
Strengths:
iordered "the lot" but i got a supreme and i ordered it with extra rst's. But i didnt like the marzocchi topping so i took it off.
Weaknesses:
CRAP PIPPEEEEEEE
Similar Products Used:
PIPEEEEEEEEEEEE
Bike Setup:
PIPPEEEEEEEEEE (with lots of yummy rst's)
Bottom Line:
I LIKE SUPREME PIZZA BUT GRAPES HAVE NO BONES IN THE ICECREAM WHICH IS MY DOGS ONLY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM....................................................EAT ME PLEASE (I AM TASTY TASTY).......(TOUCH MY BODY)...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patryk
a
from Warsaw Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Wierchomla
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Just great if set up the suspension right but it more difficult than on VPP bikes. If set up right glue to the ground like best DH bikes and better jumpers than V-10
Weaknesses:
I do not know.
Similar Products Used:
my own V-10
Bike Setup:
888RC2X
Bottom Line:
The bike was set by factory mechanic (but not from Kona) Just great if set up the suspension right but it is more difficult than on VPP bikes. If set up right glue to the ground like best DH bikes and Stab Supreme is much better jumper than V-10.
Very goods DH bike!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Thornton
a Racer
from Suncook, Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Strengths:
If you like standing around with your hands in your pockets watching other peaple ride there downhill bike.Buy one. If you like getting jerked around buy some guy in kona usa warranty dept. Buy one. Don't buy a kona they do not stand behind there frames!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Kona does not stand behind there frames. Do not buy a 2007 kona. There frames are hard to ride with 5 cracks on the head tube and 1 on the bottom bracket.
Similar Products Used:
Buy any downhill bike that the company stand behind there product.
Bike Setup:
Big brown box with parts all piled up in it. The kona frame completely failed.
Bottom Line:
Do not buy a 2007 kona stab supreme. The frame completely failed. After 2 mounths of riding (maybe 16 days) i found 5 1 inch cracks on the head tube and 1 on the bottom bracket. The cracks were not from a crash. Through the hole process they were not interested in doing anything but selling me a new one for $700.00. After many conversations with me and the shop owner they agreed to send a new frame. It seems pathetic that it would take two kona frames to get through a 5 month season. I will never ride a kona again and i would recommend any one interested in a kona think twice. That head tube was realy close to completely coming off. I would not trust one again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Downhiller
from Redding, CA Date Reviewed: July 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
The Entertainer, Mt. Shasta, CA
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3900.00
Purchased At:
Built it from several retailers...
Strengths:
Bulletproof frame, tracks well off the brakes, steady in the air, inspires confidence, and people dig the looks.
Weaknesses:
Still noticable brake chatter even with the floating brake, noticable brake jacking, and the frame is pretty heavy.
Similar Products Used:
Haro DHR (Intense), Rocky Mountain RM7 DH, Older Kona Stab, Karpiel Disco Volante, Commencal Supreme DH
When I first built the bike it weighed 44lbs with Atomlab Trailpimp rims and Hayes El Caminos, and it was a slow POS that had super brake fade. Now that I have tubeless wheels, Formula brakes, and a battery of light but strong componenets, the bike weighs 39lbs and it is scary fast. My riding style is more suited for a bike like the Commencal Supreme, and I can't get used to the brake chatter and jacking of the Kona. I won't buy another Stab Supreme, but I don't plan on getting rid of this one either. Kick ass bike for huckers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TA
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: May 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Mine is a 2007 Stab Supreme - Handling, Adjustability, this one has too shock mounting positions and this really changes the ride style of the bike, I have it mounted in the rear position for a more neutral ride, the forward position lowers the BB a bit much for me and requires a very committed ride style no braking just let it haul, more fabian than me.
Bike seems strong and bullet proof I have no prob hucking this or DH this bike its very confidence inspiring and a major strength allot of fun
Weaknesses:
Can't find any so far, for some it may be feel soft but I pedal this bike very easily and I like the active feel the bike tracks the ground amazingly, for me no weaknesses Im not a fan of Shimano but after new cables and me setting things up I'm even liking the Saint, thankfuly the triggers not sti style
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Dare, Santa Cruz VP Free, Intense VPX I rate this bike up there for DH application its faster than any of the other bikes Ive ridden, to be fair the comps are way better too though, fork and shock esspecially.
Bike Setup:
Medium Frame, 2007 Marzocchi 888 RC2x VA, Marzocchi WC Rocco Shock, Sun MTX rimms Sun Abbah Hubs DT spokes, Race face Diablous cranks, LG1 chain guide, Saint brakes 203/203mm f&r Saint rear D and shifter, RaceFace cock pit Marz integrated stem, RF Diablous Seatpost and bar, Oury lock on grips, maxxis minions 2.5 triple compound tires DHF/DHR Funn saddle, DOPE BT system.
Bottom Line:
This bike is just so much fun, I'm having a ripping good time on it, the handling is some of the best of any bike Ive ever ridden it feels light to me for a DH bike without being weight weenie light in components rides light, blazingly fast, seems to really like the wide open stuff, tracks rough ground impressively, the DOPE system really works, mauls nice and rips corners to shreads, can't wait for the next ride, oh and the comps couldn't b better, maybe I'd go Sram if I'd specced this bike but I'll keep the Saint on there as it functions well and will take some inevitable knocks it not if but when hard to beat value for money
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Downhiller
from P.A Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Duryea
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
PinkBike
Strengths:
Very bombproof loved the whole bike. Strong, quick, and fast.
Weaknesses:
The rear shock has be bottoming out for me but thats because i might just need to put air into it
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
06 stab supreme le 888rc race face diabolus headset and the rest is stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price will not let you down
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mals
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: February 8, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3265.00
Purchased At:
Penny Cycles Chch
Strengths:
Really well balanced bike, well specked (except for the crap hand grips) and handles beautifully
Weaknesses:
None that I'm aware off so far
Similar Products Used:
Coiler deelux
Bike Setup:
Stock Standard
Bottom Line:
Although initially I didn't want to buy yet another Kona (about the 4th one I've bought), you can't go past it for value for money and performance. I test rode a couple of other DH bikes but none of them felt as comfortable as the Stab. For me it's a bike that has allowed me to experience downhill in a whole new light. The Stab handles well and I have had absolutely no problems in any aspect of it's performance. Floating rear brake makes a massive difference and the Fox 40's and DHX 5 shocks are really smooth. As for Gweneth's comments, I think Kyle summed it up pretty well - love your work Kyle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle
a
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: December 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Heavily underated due to the 'kona' name
Weaknesses:
frame lacks pedal efficiency of other top of the line bikes, but this is countered by the great price
Bottom Line:
gweneth whoever the hell you are, you are a complete idiot and deserve nothing less than heavy abuse. the kona stab is a world-cup winning bike, ever heard of Fabien Barel???
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gweneth Toledo
a Racer
from Southern, North Dakota Date Reviewed: December 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Splash Mountion: Dh Excursion
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$5500.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
It looks like all the other kona bikes. The kikpu looks just like it. Its the same quality too. The rear shock bottom outs just by drpping off curbs. I love this bike!!
Weaknesses:
On fancy foot hills it basically performs like a bad dream, but in the mountains its just out to get me! Im woried the frame is too thin because I can actually bent it together with one hand. So i do not reccomment this frame i dont dare take it all more then a 1ft drop.
Similar Products Used:
Norco Team Dh, SC V10
Bike Setup:
Perfection
Bottom Line:
Would not trust with my life, i would die.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ern
a
from sb Date Reviewed: November 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
tunnel/elings
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
velo pro
Strengths:
Love it!
Weaknesses:
Maybe a little too much travel(key word MAYBE)
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
AWESOME BIKE!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
R B
a Downhiller
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: November 11, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3999.00
Strengths:
Plush, looks amazing, very stable, highly customizable, great for racing and for free ride.
Weaknesses:
This doesn't concern the new year 2007 model in which they finally fixed the problem. The one major flaw this bike has is that the resevoir tip/edge hits against the bottom anterior side of the seat tube. This is a problem and a design flaw as it prevents the shock from full movement capablility and on hard hits(4-5ft+ if it is set to plush and 6-w/e if it is set to firm) when the resevoir hits the seat post ALL the force of the landing impact is now on the resevoir not the shock/spring so it can rip off and also makes a loud bang when this happens. This is the one problem with just about all the supremes before 2007...this can easily be fixed or is not a probelm if u are under 180lbs or if u put a shock with a small or no resevoir on it on to the bike such as a romic or possibly roco. I love the bike but the only problem that I can think of is this...It has not affected me or broken anything on the bike as of yet but if I start doing massive free ride structures (15ft+) Im sure it will. I suggest buying the bike if you do mostly DH and not to much freeriding...this is rarely an issue when im out at a DH course.
Similar Products Used:
Dh team, VP free, Ironhorse Sunday, Norco DH team, Specialized big hit
Bike Setup:
custom built from the ground up, only thing stock is the frame
Bottom Line:
Buy it is your an intermediate-experienced DH rider who rarely does any massive hucks (10-30ft+). Its a great bike and even the problem is not that big a deal if u can put a small res/no res/or remote resevoir on it. Great bike...fast, gets lots of looks, slides into turns like a dream and handles high speed flat turns amazingly, love this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ffej
a Downhiller
from whistler Date Reviewed: September 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Strengths:
will never break
Weaknesses:
can't have the seat down all the way the link plates hit the seat, heavy
Similar Products Used:
mountain cycle 9.5,kona stab,demo 8
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I have a med 2005 model and find it a bit big becauce of the seat having to be higher not to get hit also I find it a bit heavy and not that maneuverable for a medium get the small and 40mm stem or the intergraded one other than that its a sold bike two years riding in the whistler bikepark and still going strong if you want unbeatable reliability and good performing bike but not great buy this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pic brian
a Downhiller
from park city, ut Date Reviewed: July 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4999.00
Purchased At:
summit cycles
Strengths:
the fox setup takes anything you can throw at it..
Weaknesses:
feels heavy at slower speeds
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
well if your not doing the fabien thing and going super fast.. the bike feels just a tad heavy,even tho it is just about 40 pounds, lite for a dh but bottom line the best forks and shocks and components money can buy on a production dh'r
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Downhiller
from montana Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Strengths:
its a beast, trucks over anything, and jumps well, feels good in the air. bike hauls down anything
Weaknesses:
some pedal bob, but not bad, other than that i cant really think of any. s
Similar Products Used:
norco fuse
Bike Setup:
05 stinky supreme, 2006 888 works, all saint, dee max wheelset
Bottom Line:
sick bike, i love it for haulin ass, the new triple ieght with all external adjustment is sick, although sometimes i mess with it too much. overall this bike rips, just look at who rides it:Fabien Barel, Carlin Dunne, Dave Watson..... if you like sendin it, this bike wont lewt you down
$
Overall Rating:
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