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Submitted by
Rembrandt
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Niguel, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Old San Juan | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Path | | Strengths: | Built tough. Good overall climber and downhiller, good value. I bought the 2004 Dawg new, but in 2006, so I got a great deal on it. Very good looking bike. Strong and solid. It wil take you anywhere. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy. Crappy color. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Coiler, Various Specialized bikes | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Regular pedals- How can you people stand clip-ins? | | Bottom Line: | This bike can do anything! Regardless of whether you've been riding a year or twenty, you will have fun seeing what this bike can do. Very strong, does well under pressure. I've been riding it for two years and only had to replace the front brake pads. Highly recommended. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
xaqori
a Cross Country Rider
from xxxxxxxx, GA USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | blankets(dwelling) &big creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay.com | | Strengths: | light weight compared to last
strong joints
price paid
handles well | | Weaknesses: | rear shock not adjustable
| | Similar Products Used: | ibex ignition
(if u want to buy contact me at
turf@mindspring.com) | | Bike Setup: | avid, manitou, pig headset, wellgo, shimano, jagwire, rinolite | | Bottom Line: | this is just about the best bike that you could get for the price. the components are easy to replace, comes with decent stock stuff, and is very fun to ride. i would reccomend to my friends, but they're not to keen on ridin.
THIS IS AN UTTERLY OUTSTANDING BIKE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Passing the Horizon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Earl's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Relatively light, decent spec, Kona burly-ness/agility | | Weaknesses: | Weak front fork offering, crappy Shimano pedals | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Fully stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is for the new '08 Dawg.
Sweet bike overall.
Nice geometry to do it all. This is truly a fine all-mountain bike. Tough enough to handle a little light freeriding/North Shore style stuff, but light enough to rip through some all-day rides.
We'll see how tough the Scandium frame is over time.
Decent drivetrain specs, although I killed my XT Shadow RD on the first ride on some blowdown. The Stroker Trail Discs are very nice. RP2 shock is decent, but the XC600 TST2 fork is a little sticky, I may upgrade to a 55 next season. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | solid frame, handles anything! | | Weaknesses: | a little on the heavy side, unimpressed with the front fork, short stem for climbs, poor breaking. | | Similar Products Used: | heckler, slayer, iron horse. | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock. | | Bottom Line: | I cant believe the punishment this bike has gone through and continues to go through. VERY strong! I had issues with brake fade so i switch to the avid BB 7's. The stem was a little short for the steep climbs, so i changed that out. All and all pretty happy with it. I recommend this bike to riders starting out that want a good platform to build on without worrying about breaking the bank or their new investment.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Da Goat | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Solutions | | Strengths: | Strong wheels (Sun SOS), Nice fork (Bomber MX Pro). Handles everything I throw at it. I have the rear shock set in the back hole for rising rate - climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | ISIS bottom bracket is crap. No layback on seatpost. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar - loved it but bushings kept wearing out. | | Bike Setup: | 20" frame. Upgraded to sram X7 rear and X9 grip shifters, LX integrated crankset (love Ebay!) and swapped out seatpost to raceface evolve to get layback. Fizik gobi saddle | | Bottom Line: | I'm very happy with this bike, bought the low end version as I intended to replace to lighter parts (I like to customize). The stock wheels, rear shock and fork I'm keeping as they work great. I ride alot of twisty east coast style singletrack and this bike handles it with ease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brennan Fox
a Weekend Warrior
from Chagrin Falls, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Century Cycles | | Strengths: | The Frame, Fox shock, | | Weaknesses: | The stock fork can not handle any hard hits, wheels are fragile, Tioga tires dont grip on most surfaces, (Scary when bombing a hill) a bit on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Giant full suspension mountian bike (forgot the name) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 2004 Marziocchi Bomber fork and WTB MOTO Rapter 2.24 tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a tough bike, spend $400-700 on a marziocchi bomber fork and you have yourself a beast. Can now handle 4-5 foot hits. If you plan on riding a little bit of everything this is a good bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from Duvall
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | My Backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bothell Ski and Bike | | Strengths: | Tough super strong frame, i've hit 8 ft drops on it and i can ride away from every one, comfortable rideing position, i can ride it all day and not feel it the next morning. Also this bike is very predictable in the air.Oh and its an easy climber! | | Weaknesses: | The Marzocchi EXR was crap, i broke with in the first month i had the bike, the chain slaps the frame. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi, Fox Shox, Hayes, Shimano, WTB, Nokian | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike and if you are looking for that all montain bike this is the one. Ride all day, take drops, tight downhill sections and hucking it at the dj park, this bike can do it all! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntington Woods, Mi
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | La Milagrosa | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Continental Bike Shop | | Strengths: | 2004 Dawg. Great geometry for epic rides. Simple design. Economical but smart parts spec. Climbs well, not great, but well. | | Weaknesses: | The stock Marzocchi is great for durability and general use, but I felt it was inadequet when I really started pushing it out west. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush, Giant trance, Trek liquid, Specialized FSR designs. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla RLC fork/Fox Float R rr shock. Sram X7 drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I enjoy long technical xc rides out west. I like that this bike can handle it all (including runs at whistler). The bike is not a great climber, but this is no fault of the suspension. The same geometry that makes it so great everywhere else compromises it's climbing prowess. The bike is also a tad heavy stock, but is in line with the price/intended use. I would classify this bike as designed for more agressive riding than many other bikes in it's class. I should also note that the Fox fork has proven to be less durable than the stock fork. That said, I still felt the stock fork rough compared to other offerings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Meyer
a Downhiller
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oxford falls, Red Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Strong bike, great fork and very nimble. Goood climber as well. | | Weaknesses: | Lots of chain slap and I tend to have issues with chain jumping off after heavy bits of trail. Rear shock bottoms out easily on 3+' flat drops (not surprising as that is not what is made for, but I thought I'd mention it as the front fork is quite happy to soke it up). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpumber FSR 06, Some hire bikes | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a recent change to 2.5 tyres front and rear which made an amazing difference on jumps/hard hits. | | Bottom Line: | I kow I mention i use this bike for downhill, but I started out XC and it is really what this bike was meant for. I just found some great downhill tracks that I didn't know about before and got hooked and luckily my bike could handle them as well. I don't do the hairy stuff on the tracks yet as they get pretty hairy. We are talking 10'-15' drops and similar gaps. I stick to the 3 foot drop range and the really nasty rocky single tracks. This bike can really handle a lot of punishment it was never meant to take (according to the marketing/manual) and is a very efficient climber and an awesome XC bike for the more daring XC'er. Highly recommend this as a first or second bike for beginner/intermediate or someone looking to switch to XC from freeride/DH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Cross Country Rider
from mahwah, nj
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | this is the review for the 06 dawg deluxe... great frame, rear fox float is nice, handlebars, shifting, hayes brakes | | Weaknesses: | front fork is garbage i already broke mine, also front hub broke already too | | Similar Products Used: | yeti asx, trek liquid | | Bike Setup: | new wheels and fork on the way | | Bottom Line: | decent bike but not what i expected to get for $1800. the frame is nice but kona made some wierd choices with the components. front fork is terrible there if u just tap the front brake the whole fork ends up moving back and forth a considerable amount. other than the fork and hubs tho, i would say it is a good bike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney , NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | manly dam/ oxford falls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | manly cycles | | Strengths: | strong frame, good quality componants, climbs well, peadles like a dream, gear shift is beautiful | | Weaknesses: | quite noisy and the chain has chipped the paint of the frame . | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose wing eleite, | | Bike Setup: | stock! | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike that i would buy again if i had the chance. , the stock componants are decent but it is a rather noisy bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Shahid
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Mirror, Putra Height | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stable, pedals efficiently, nice handling and strong. | | Weaknesses: | A bit hefty on the climbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign | | Bike Setup: | Stylo crank w/ raceface bashguard. Sram rocket shifter w/ xt rd, kenda nevegal 2.35 f&r. Rockshox revelation. Everything else left stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike can eat technical downhill through the woods easily. Jump, bunny hops, rough trails this bike just love it. Stay in the middle of the cockpit and let it flow. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T Miracco
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sullivan Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Hollywood Pro Bicycles | | Strengths: | Built like a T34 Tank! Frame is rock solid and the suspension is confidence inspiring on the decents. Maybe it's a tad heavy going uphill, but the superb balance and great traction make it feel lighter and less arduous than some of the other reviewers claim. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe it's a tad heavy going uphill. I bought this nike to climb the Alps, and maybe ther might have been a better choice. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin hardtail, Trek full supension. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly STock 2005 left over. Upgraded EXR Fox suspension. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to climb the Alps (France/Switzerland/Italy) and maybe there might have been a lighter choice, but I know i can get uphill, and this bike makes the downhills more fun and less treacherous. So bottomline... for overall value and performance this bike is a keeper. It's very easy to pay thousands of dollars more to save a few ounces, but if you want great perfomance, versatilitity and durability this is your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything in Winter Park, CO | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | This bike is built like a tank. Very solid feel on moderate downhill runs. Good BB clearance.
| | Weaknesses: | I rented the Dawg for a 60 mile ride in Colorado on every kind of terrain. This is not a good bike for climbing in general, but it's especially bad for technical climbing (I mean real climbing, flatlanders!). At one point during a long climb I switched bikes with my buddy who was riding his Stumpy FSR. It was like I had a new set of legs. The weight, esp. in the front end, is a big issue on the Dawg. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpy FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except this rental had a low end Marz. fork that had too much of a pogo effect. Rear FOX mid grade shock was fine. | | Bottom Line: | This might be a decent choice for people who ride hard in flatter states like Texas and where long climbs are no where to be found. Maybe a good choice for heavier riders - you are not going to ever crack this frame. However, this bike is not very versatile and despite what some say, it isn't suitable for mountain clibing, real downhill runs or (god forbid) freeriding either. Bottom line - It's a bike with a narrow range of use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose
a Weekend Warrior
from Stanton CA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | downhill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | thepahbikeshop | | Strengths: | All around great bike! | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy for uphill rides. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock Kona Dawg 15in frame. | | Bottom Line: | I am glad i got this bike, it rides well on all types of terrain. Shock and fork work greatI would recommend it to a friend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, California
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | The front fork is ok. | | Weaknesses: | Most Everything, Rear Shock (Fox Vanilla). WAY TO HEAVY FOR AN XC BIKE. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized XC series. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I like to downhill, but I have been doing some XC lately. I demoed this bike up in tahoe and I was dissapointed. After going off a 2 ft. drop the rear shock totally bottomed out. Even after tightening the rear shock it still bottomed out. Kona describes this as a bike in between free riding and xc. It was horrible at freeriding, and was WAY to heavy for a XC bike. I busted my balls getting up a small hill that I have flown up with a the Specialized XC, the lest expensive model in the XC lineup, which by the way has worse parts and is about $500 dollars cheaper. I do not reccomend this bike at all. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Edmunds
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Rented from Backcountry Bikes, Truckee CA | | Strengths: | Burly and tough, and I have to say, looks quite sexy. Good geometery (for me) and handles quite well for an all mountain rig. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. This is NOT an XC bike, despite having only 4 inches in the rear. The parts list on the stock Dawg doesn't justify a $1,600 price tag. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner, Marin, Ellsworth, Yeti, Intense | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, apart from XT cranks (which were stripped, GRR!) Since it was a rental, I didn't have the opportunity to pay too much attention. | | Bottom Line: | I had a horrible time on this bike, but I don't think it had anything to do with the frame! I pedalled this around the Hole in the Ground at Lake Tahoe, and it damn near killed me - I had wanted a lighter XC rig, and this is all the rental store had. It would be a very fun bike to throw around a little, but at 8,000 feet with extremely strenuous climbs, I felt every gram - it certainly came in over 30lbs, and that's a 15.5" frame. Nonetheless, she handled pretty well, and the suspension felt good - not as good as the "true" horst on my Turner, but still pretty plush.
So bottom line. For an all mountain rig, the frame is very good, but if you're dropping over $1,500 on a bike, I think that the components do need upgrading (Koski? C'mon!!) - one reviewer noted that for the price it was a good bike, and after $2,000 of upgrades it's a great bike. And I'd agree with that - the Dawg is a good bike, not a great one.
If you're looking for an ACTUAL XC bike, I would look elsewhere (heard very good things about the Kikapu) but if you want a decent all mountain bike, and can't afford a 5-Spot, this is worth a look. But only if you can buy the frame only, or get one on clearance/used. Sorry, but as a package, it just doesn't ride like a bike that should cost $1,600 to me, and I've seen much better specced Marins and Haros that cost less and perform better. So alas, had to knock a couple of chilis off for value, and give it the mark it deserves overall - good, but not great. :( | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
calvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta Canda
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Terwillegar | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Heavy duty frame (big welds), Brakes (Hayes 9), Rear Shock Fox float R, Tires, Bar, stem, drivetrain, geometry | | Weaknesses: | Fork. It was really sticky, so I emailed Marzocchi and they said that there was a bushing problem inside the fork. they would replace it if i sent the fork back to them. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Slayer 50 (05 model, Norco Fluid 2 (o4 model) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals, seat and bar-ends. | | Bottom Line: | I have the 2005 model and I have to say that it is a fantastic ride. The only thing I would change is the fork, maybe upgrade to something like a fox. After everything ive thrown at it for a whole year, nothing has worn-out or broken and it still handles climbs, jumps and downhills like it did when it was new (which means terifficly). It tracks right on target through rock gardens and fast turns, and there is absolutley no frame flex or bending. (The 5 inches of travel is a good thing to, upgraded from 4 last year).This is a bike that you should buy if you wand to climb like a mountain goat on speed and decend equally as well. Its a bike that you can take to whistler and ride for a few days for vacation and still have something left at the end. It also jumps and drops like nothing else out there in the all-mountain section.Bottom line: One of the best All mountain bikes on the planet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trent Theriault
a Cross Country Rider
from Tehachapi, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cannell Meadow, Sequoia NF | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Block Shop-Lancaster CA | | Strengths: | tough as h@LL, eats up the mountain, rolls over huge obstacles and flies down gnarly downhills but can climb like a burro up hills. | | Weaknesses: | heavy but so's my beer gut, and stock front suspension is good but needed upgrading, again for my beer gut. | | Similar Products Used: | first full suspension rig- rode hardtail for 7 years before I made the jump and durn glad I did. | | Bike Setup: | Marzz AM-SL on front Susp, Hope xc-front hub, Hope Bulb rear hub riding on Sun Rhino Lite's and Weirwolf race 2.5 front & 2.3 rear tires. Avid 185 bb7's with EBC Gold Pads And Avid 7 levers, XO grip shift and XO der. and PG970 11-34 cassette, Shim. PDM 545 pedals, Blackspire stainless 22 tooth chainring and freeride 32 tooth middle ring, | | Bottom Line: | It's the sheeet for an all mountain bike, not a racer but neither am I, I'm 185 lbs 5-11 tall and do mostly technical singletrack with descents and try to keep my climbing to the pavement. My dawg excells at the sort of rocky, sandy/hard pack that I live in and seems to love the pummice of Mammoth as well. I have one note of caution though, make sure you adjust your suspension for the conditions you are riding in. Mine was set a stiff for x-country and so I found myself bounced around a bit on Mammoth's Skid Marks and Bullet downhill runs while following my Bro on his 7 inch freeride bike. Other than that this bike is the bomb, don't be afraid of my sticker price though as I got the shop to upgrade me out the door, and got an exchange on all the stock stuff, got it just the way I wanted it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tamás
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest, Hungary
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | lot | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | plush descending, comfortable | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy, climbing abilities | | Similar Products Used: | hardtails | | Bike Setup: | changed the rear and front derailleur to Sram x.9 and X Gen.
Race face evolve stem to make it shorter, WTB Rocket saddle, a few tire change, others are stock | | Bottom Line: | My first full suspension bike, and I do ride better and more since I have it. For the money I paid , it is a very good product, and I love it.
On the other hand I can feel the limits of its climbing abilities, especially on steep sections where it starts to lift its front. It can take you up the mountain though, and I am not far behind my friend who has a Trek carbon Fuel.If it was a bit lighter...
For the next bike I will probably look at the Blur LT, I think that will be a better climber with the same descending abilities. For twice as much money, of course..no miracles.:-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Flower Mound, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Isle Du Bois, Ray Roberts State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | XL Cycle | | Strengths: | Sturdy Frame, Travel, good pedal clearance, climbs well. | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper 120, Specialized Enduro, Giant Trance 3, Gary Fisher Cake 2 Dlux, Yeti 575, | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Kona Dawg, Kenda Nevegal 2.35, eggbeaters sl, everything else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rewards your pedaling efforts. Prior to riding the full suspension rig, I owned a Yeti FRO hardtail. This bike actually climbs better than that did. I am 6'2" and 215lbs and as long as I am sitting while climbing there isn't much that I can't make. I was amazed. It took me about a month to figure that I needed to sit instead of stand when climbing. You get a little pedal bob when hammering it out, however, when you learn how to use that rhythm to you benefit, it actually helps you over the rocks and roots. Downhill with large rocks I would rate it a 6, however, if you are riding TSALI Trails in NC, where you have smooth buttery singletrack that flows nicely this bike rates a 11. I rode the Specialized Stumpjumper 120 disc there as well and it didn't hold a candle to the DAWG! I have to say overall for the money this is the bike that can take a beating and keep performing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory
a
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Just the Right Gear | | Strengths: | STRENGTH! Very strong, sturdy frame, good parts spec, price. Little pedal bob for a 5" travel. Better fork for 05. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, but for such a strong frame it's worth every ounce. The stock Shimano Chain is weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Titus LocoMoto, Jamis Dakaar XLT | | Bike Setup: | Stock- upgraded to full XT, New Sram PC970 chain. | | Bottom Line: | I have the 2005 model. Very sturdy, strong bike. Well worth the money. The deore chain snapped on mine after about 20 miles- wasn't shifting or pedaling hard or anything. Sram makes the best chains anyway. The parts spec on this bike is great. If you've got an extra couple hundred bucks get the Dawg Deelux to save a couple pounds. No complaints so far though. This thing soaks up the big hits and has little to no pedal bob. I wouldn't buy this bike if all you do is XC though- it's a little heavy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dawg Lover
a Weekend Warrior
from Nova Scotia Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cyclesmith Dartmouth | | Strengths: | Comfortable ride, strength, solid feel underneath you. Disc brakes are my first, big diff. Fox float with pro petal works surprising well without the lockout. | | Weaknesses: | Tiogo tires, in our climate (muddy, wet) did not hold or grab on very well. LX doesn't shift great even after adjustments, prob why 2005 version went XT alon with 05 competition are XT. | | Similar Products Used: | Canondale Jekyl, Spec. Enduro, Giant VT2 | | Bike Setup: | switched out the kona seat, 2004 stock wasn't cut out ;O) not taking any chances! will switch out seatpost, bars for lighter versions. Tires will go bye bye when they wear out. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike. I do 2 to 3 hour enduro rides and more concerned with comfort and durability than weight. The dawg is abit on the hefty side but comfy and gives you great confidence that it will take you there and then back. the 2005 bike runs 5" and XT so a solid choice with a great value. I tested quite a few bikes and the dawg was the best feel, a great value. I am happy with my choice, would have waited for 05 version but the color....yuk! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Westchester
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | woods by the parkway | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | tarrytown cycles | | Strengths: | Mine is the 2003 model. Great looking chrome/green. Came out awesome with recent upgrades. Strong frame, rides great, all around awesome. | | Weaknesses: | In stock form, the bike did not climb well. Pedal clearance seems low compared to my Banshee morphine. | | Similar Products Used: | I have some hardtails and a Big Hit, nothing that similar to this. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossmax Enduros, Fox RP3 rear, Talas 130 up front, Hayes Mag disc brakes, Hutchinson Spider UST tires, ODI Ruffian grips, Answer Pro-taper bars. | | Bottom Line: | This was a nice first full suspension bike when I bought it for $1500. After about $2,000.00 worth of upgrades, it is really awesome. Fast as hell on flat dirt trails(new wheels and tires, I guess), climbs awesome with rp3, I've only ridden it once since all of my upgrades so I have to get the suspension dialed in a little for downhill sections, bike feels very stable in the air, brakes aren't any real improvement (stock ones moved to my girlfriend's bike, but they were fine). Pedals seem low. I may get BETD conversion kit to increase rear wheel travel to 5 inches (raises rear a little, but should balance out with new Fox 130mm front fork - a major improvement over stock Marzocchi EXR) I was thinking about getting a Titus Moto -Lite or a Turner Flux, but now I think I will be happy with this bike for quite awhile. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MACK NIDROS
a
from ROSEVILLE CA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | SOUTH YUBA | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1599.00 | | Strengths: | THE DAWG, STRONG FRAME, GOOD BRAKES SUSPENSION
IS SMOOTH. CLIMBS GOOD | | Weaknesses: | SEAT POST SLIDES DOWN FROM TIME TO TIME. | | Bike Setup: | CHANGED THE TIRES AND SEAT | | Bottom Line: | THE DAWG IS A GOOD ALL AROUND BIKE FOR WEEKEND RIDES.
I RIDE ABOUT 15 TO 20 MILES A WEEKEND WHEN I GET THE TIME. SUSPENSION HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH SMALL JUMPS AND GENRAL SINGLE TRACK RIDING. BIKE WORKS VERY GOOD FOR ME.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Downhiller
from Rutland, Vermont
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World - (Frame only) | | Strengths: | it's a featherweight w/ the 7075 alum., strong, great color | | Weaknesses: | none yet. | | Similar Products Used: | '02 Kona Bear | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi marathon s, mavic UST, race face, xt drivetrain, magura julies | | Bottom Line: | solid frame, worth every penny and kona keeps getting better at building frames!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugo Oliveira
a Weekend Warrior
from Massamá, Portugal
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ciclovias | | Strengths: | Strong frame, brakes, riding position, overall sturdyness | | Weaknesses: | Weight, but hey, its a strong bike for strong men
Wheels (?) - still true
Koski components - heavy but they do the job | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4400, Merida Matts Speed, B1 Hornet, not so cheap dept store bike, San Andreas, KTM | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Selle Italia seat, Shimano 514 pedals, Ritchey WCS barends | | Bottom Line: | When I started looking for a new bike I began looking at the Caldera but the tubing seemed a bit fragile and, besides, I saved a bit of money enough to buy the Kikapu. But then again I had doubts the Kikapu's frame would resist for a long time due to my riding eh... skills. Basically I ride over everything, no cares. So, I got the Dawg and what can I say?
Myself: 6,1", 210lbs fully equiped, short legs for my torso.
The bike:
Sturdy frame, a bit heavy (14,5Kg / 32lbs present setup, size 19), good all round parts. Transmission works very well (had some chainsuck before tunning it). Brakes are the world famous Hayes and do the job well. The major flaw would be the wheels, but after 400Km of pounding they are still true!!! Koski parts are replacable so the next item will be a lighter seatpost, or bar. The Fork still is not broken in, so, its a bit on the stiff side. The Fox shock is OK I guess, no lockout but who needs it anyway.
The ride:
The riding position is very confortable. I can ride for 3/4 hours and my back ain't broke. The head angle is a bit laid back so climbing technical stuff demands some weight over the front to keep the wheel down. Barends help a bit. BB height is greater than other bikes I've used, wich can be a blessing in very rocky/rooty terrain or a curse on very closed woods. The long wheelbase is good for speed but bad on tight switchbacks. The 'ground reading' is not as good as the B1 Hornet but the Hornet is a true 4 bar link.
Tire grip is OK, never tried them on mud but they should be as crap as other general use tire.
Overall: this bike rules going downhill fast, it flyes over anything, its weight is good for your heart, legs and lungs. At 2200US$ is very expensive, but I think in the long run its a good investement.
Any changes in my opinion I will state them here. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 1649.00
