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Submitted by
PointlessUpgrades
a Weekend Warrior
from NY, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Campmor | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Rear suspension stress points. | | Weaknesses: | Compenents... but overall good for what you pay for, considering the frame | | Similar Products Used: | all of the old 4" to 4" travel bikes (apparently they are prehistoric now) its 5 and 5 or nothing | | Bike Setup: | odi lockons, full x-9, org. brakes (haha), manitou 2min (rebuilt), Manitou 3way rear (rebuilt), wtb seat, thompson stem/seat post, king headset, crossland rims, dts rubbers, crank brothers mallet c. | | Bottom Line: | frame can take a bomb... I have had it for a solid 5 full seasons and with proper maintainence the bike has held up.
However, I will finally purchase a new ride next season.
(you can see my review from 4/5 years ago talking about this bike)
5 turds on value, because it took a heck of a beating... even flew off the roof of my car doing 65mph.
overall - a 3 because well, the base bike/compenets etc. are kinda crappy/ frame i great.
bottom line: frame is still great. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geordie racer
a Weekend Warrior
from newcastle, england
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | south downs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | secondhand | | Strengths: | Reassuring frame feels steady as a rock - good ride position compared to my 04 marin rift zone which always felt twitchy but is heavier than the marin - single pivot back end better for big hits not as good for for rapid succesive hits like the marin quad link but overall i love it more dont ask why it just "feels right" and i feel i could hit almost anything on it and stay alive - never got that from the rift zone marin. | | Weaknesses: | components but there upgradable over time you pay for the frame and most componentry is ok for my style of riding - would mainly upgrade for weight saving purposes - fork is a bit crap both fork and shock could do with lockout for climbing/riding to the trails as it bobs like a bee-atch. | | Similar Products Used: | rift zone marin, trek fuel 98 carbon, specialized epic. | | Bike Setup: | nokian gazzaloddi rear tyre, panaracer fire fr front tyre,hayes 200mm front rotor | | Bottom Line: | quality frame, confidence inspiring, most comfortable ride position i ever found - will suit me fine with better shock/fork. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sidney
a Weekend Warrior
from Corpus Christi, Texas
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Flat Rock Ranch, Comfort TX | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Frame. It loves punishment. Very comfortable to ride for long periods of time in just about any terrain. | | Weaknesses: | EXR Comp fork. No setting seems to suit me. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush, Prophet and my old reliable Raleigh hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Selle Italia seat replaced the stock Kona, and rear shock replaced with spring loaded fox float. | | Bottom Line: | Bike feels like a BMX big brother. Feels great on drops, jumps and cornering. Great for climbing too. A little heavier than most bikes but great all around. If I can only have one bike, this is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Lawder
a Cross Country Rider
from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | i race it and i have no complants. | | Weaknesses: | shimano deore rear derailler i broke the aluminum arm on it and it went it to my spokes | | Similar Products Used: | no kona's the best | | Bike Setup: | Maxxi swamp things, Mavic 117disc rims, lizard skin kallroy 400mm seat post. | | Bottom Line: | its for people that like a bit of all worlds its good on the road, fast single track, fast dubble track, farly tequnical sections,over logs, and it doesnt ming going over the odd drop or jump it's a great all around bike and i love it.............by the way Mavic 117disc rims are not the best for the way i ride ive bent the rear one like 3 times | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
konarider
a Weekend Warrior
from ottawa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | Bertrand cycle | | Strengths: | Just gota love that frame, handle well and can take masive hits (well it's still holding) great for climbing(Could be better..) | | Weaknesses: | Total front end was change the original suspention was realy crappy and the total thing was wabelly | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi All Mountain I Easton handle bar was my main expense on this, new 2.5 tire and a lizard skin made the job | | Bottom Line: | For what i payd for this bike it just worth it i guess.
Didn't like the main composant on the bike but if you dont really care if you demolish it in the woods well will be fine for you, the angle are just perfect for me you sit realy confortable ider for climbing or downhill, even drops, just dont exagerate. if your staring or not this bike is for you.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Cross Country Rider
from nj
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | campmour | | Strengths: | Frame is very strong and can take a beating. | | Weaknesses: | Bike is a little heavy which makes climbing a tad more difficult. Downhill it handles excelent | | Bike Setup: | upgraded front fork to a fox, made a big difference. Rear cassette upgraded also to a 34, came with a 32. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for begginers who fall alot, frame takes a beating.
components can still break as they can on any bike given the right crash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel xc
a Cross Country Rider
from tel aviv, Israel
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | all terrain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$890.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand | | Strengths: | Suprisingly it's very light.Climbs.Comfortable.Cool for every purpose. | | Weaknesses: | Frame-it's seems to be weak and made of regular aluminium.I don't trust it.The paint sucks, very easy to make scratches. | | Similar Products Used: | - | | Bike Setup: | changed just tires and grip | | Bottom Line: | Good machine for beginners, i think it's not worth to upgrade.I'll fly on it for a few years, then i'll buy something REALLY serious. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Garner
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN USA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Montgomery Bell | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Harpeth Bicycles in Franklin, TN | | Strengths: | Super bike - especially for the price. Fork & rear shock are really forgiving. I ride all kids of terrain, from fast singletrack to technical & the Dawg Matic performs very well. I just switched to full suspension & have noticed my bike handling skills have improved dramatically. It handles logs, ledges, etc. particularly well. | | Weaknesses: | The front wheel is a little difficult to line up in the disk brake. Sometimes it rubs - even after I've made adjustments. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSRxc, Trek Fuel 70, Trek Fuel 80, Litespeed full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a full suspension under $1500, I'd highly recommend at least test riding one of these before you purchase. It's a sweet ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
corey
a Weekend Warrior
from raleigh, nc, usa
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike store | | Strengths: | tough frame and welds. for 2.1, the tire treds really grip the trails. strong gears. nice handle grips that come standard. | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy. wish the handlebar stem as longer and a had a taller headset.
Brake pads worn out fairly quick.
wish you could put bigger tires on it. | | Similar Products Used: | just an old wal-mart bike | | Bike Setup: | easy is standard, except I added platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike! It really climbs! Gives me great balance and control for variable terrain. Tires are holding up nicely.
If you ride trails with roots, log rolls, elevation and descents, this is a great bike. The weight might keep you from getting the air you want if you are into the big jumps. But the bike is great, recommend it for any hitting the trails who want a bike that will take it lumps and keep going. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, On, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Toronto Bike Show | | Strengths: | Beefy Frame
Decent stock components (for the price)
Handles well on the trail
Nice Looks | | Weaknesses: | Rather Heavy
Takes a bit to get used to the steering | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this bike at the Toronto Bike show in March. It was an amazing price for a full suspension (that was a factor in purchasing it). It handles very well on the trail, climbs well for its weight, combines freeride & XC qualities so you can use it to race and punish on drops/jumps (don't go to crazy though). It also handles quite nicely on the pavement. It took me a while to get used to the steering but otherwise an all around decent trail bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J cro
a Weekend Warrior
from nyc, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | rinqwood | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | campmor | | Strengths: | frame, surprisingly good brakes | | Weaknesses: | front end (stem, headset, bars, shock), tires, pedals, seatpost. | | Similar Products Used: | nrs 1, kona bear, gary fisher cake 3.5 dlx, jamis xlt 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Upgrades:crankbros mallet C, manitou minute 2, thompson stem/seatpost, azonic doublewall riser bars, chris king head, michelin hot s 2.1 tires with stans notubes. | | Bottom Line: | solid frame will keep for at least 4 years. perfect for aggresive xc riding/endurance riding. ive given this bike a serious beating and its still riding new... well despite all the upgrades i threw in, but its a hobby.
the exr comp drove me nuts so i had to get rid of it, and i opted to do the front end over... if your gunna do it do it right, and i think i did it alright.
the bike wieghs in at a beefy 34.x lbs, (17"), with the up grades i did so far its probably teetering on breaking 30 lbs... HUGE DIFFERENCE... good frame, thats the bottom line | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Foster
a Cross Country Rider
from Macomb, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountain Goat | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1293.00 | | Purchased At: | Little Ades | | Strengths: | Awesome bike! Nice rear shock and Marzocchi fork, Brakes, Rims, Solid Frame, Good all round bike for still being able to climb hills for Xc as well to play around on some jumps and drop offs. | | Weaknesses: | Components, handlebar/stem. Those are the only things really.........haven't really had it any longer to find anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | khs, Shwinn | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike for the money. The components are a little week but thats what you get for that amount of money. I would definetly get different components and new handle bar/stem. Overall it's pretty dang sweet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ry
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacific Northwest
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Old Town bicycles, Tacoma, Wa. | | Strengths: | Bullet proof Frame. No flex at all. Shes a very stable platform. I ride the largset size frame and am around 215 pounds. Very comfortable riding position when set up correctly by your local bike shop. I have taken her out on a mixture of mild single track and some good climbs and mild descents, fire roads and trails. Seems to handle it with ease. I feel that I can push her harder on some steeper descents and even get a little air without worrying about any problems. 4 inches of travel works well all around. | | Weaknesses: | Some components leave a little to be desired for..drivetrain. I havent seen many reviews on the suspension package on this bike, but it seems to work well when properly set up. I owe the Dawg a few more rides to really see where she stands across the board, component performance wise. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for an Easton EA-50 Stem and EA-70 bar | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike for a rider wo is already experienced in XC looking to step it up and go with a little more travel and a stiffer, heavier frame thats very relaible. I eventually will upgrade the drivetrain..probably XT or XTR and maybe a different suspension group after a while. Shes good for now though. No complaints. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darryl Swartzentruber
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | woodstock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail Blazer Cycles | | Strengths: | strong frame,good feel,handle 5-7 foot drops for entry level freeriders yet like enough for trail riding,fairly nimble | | Weaknesses: | suspention- the rear does have a stiffness adjustment nob and come with a 500 or 550 pound spring | | Similar Products Used: | giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | stock xcept new pedal | | Bottom Line: | good bike for entry level freerider or people without a big budget, good bike and really does meet up the work all mountain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Cronin
a Weekend Warrior
from New york
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ringwood NJ | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | campmor, paramus, NJ | | Strengths: | Frame, dimensions, 4-bar link system. the sales people at campor, cool guys that will take time with you and discuss what you need. | | Weaknesses: | drivetrain, front shock. | | Similar Products Used: | gt i-drive 2.0, gary fisher cake 3.5 dlx, giant nrs 1. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | i just made a pretty serious transition from a cannondale 500m (the bike that introduced me to the sport, bought it for 200 bucks on ebay upgraded from a rigid and put some v brakes on). it was a crappy bike but it treated me well. now it is set up on a trainer for my 'rides' after work.
now the kona is obviously a much better bike. but i will no compare the 2. so far with the kona i have taken a single 22 mile ride with a series of steep down hill and 2-5 ft. drop sections.
strong responsive handling on the down hills and easy to line up the drops. i will probably shave down the handlebars 1/2 inch on both sides just for preference reasons. now i fully admit the suspension in the front (marzoch, exr comp) and rear (fox float) are not the most sought after. but surprisingly they complement each other well. the EXR has a slow rebound but i cannot say much about until it gets at least 30 hours of use.
east coast riding there are alot of rocks... so most xc riders looking for a good ride will set up on a full. this bike has a bit of a bite, it has trail bike written all over it. i had no problems with the bob up hill, as it was anticipated and the frame dimensions alotted solid climbing capability. on a ride you will make up serious time ripping through rock gardens and just rough sections with this bikes capable set up.
kona bikes are built to last. 'bomb proof' if you will. this investment you make will give back to you as much as you put in. it is the same frame as the PRIMO, so whatever mods you put on the better.
my plan is: XT drivetrain, probably race face cranks (change bb), seat post, stem and bars. and when the time comes a new suspension (whatever may be on the market at the time).
if you dont want to buy a frame dont buy a kona, go to jamis. (the jamis xlt is sick too, demo'ed, it is nice, 300 bucks more).
bottom line: xc riders looking for a bike to have fun with, or start up freeriders, game on.
I will probably put up another posting regarding the durability a couple months down the road. dont get too excited.
JC
-4 flamin' turds on value, just cause it is a bit pricey. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | N/A | | Strengths: | Good intro bike, Price is fair. | | Weaknesses: | Climbs-to much bob, components (they are relative to the price) | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 2 | | Bike Setup: | Access built with XT, Raceface, mavic X3.1 and a Giant NRS 2. | | Bottom Line: | This one of only a few F/S bikes I have ridden. It definitely is an intro level F/S. The bike is a bit on the heavy side with a fair amount of bob on the climbs. It did track well on the hard decends, but the is no comparison with my NRS 2. I would definitely recomend check checking out an NRS before dropping down the cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Castle Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Penny Sport | | Strengths: | Meaty and rugged frame, very responsive susp. and brakes. It's all good! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing apart from how long it takes for the brakes and susp. to settle in | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX 880 (hardtail) w/ Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | stock + downhill bearclaw pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is the ultimate all-rounder! It handles XC trails with speed and precision, and also does well on the DH tracks.
The frames geometery makes for a good feeling ride and gives you a lot of control over the bikes movement. It is also extremely strong, as compared to the kikapu... which allows you to ride a wider variety of tracks.
Those looking for a strictly downhill bike shouldn't buy this, as shouldn't people with little experience... as it serves little purpose. Only experienced freeride/XC riders should consider it.
I suggest buying it from Penny Sport Cycles! Great service, and great price. They directly import them, so you save NZ$1200 on the retail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Losaw
a
from Lenox MA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Burbank | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Mean Wheels | | Strengths: | All mountain for only $1300, Its as inexpencive as it gets. The frame is the highlight, its not going to fail, Ever. clipless pedals, tires are great, shimano mechanical disk brakes work very well. all the components are strong and wont break. This bike is very comfortable, you can ride forever on the road and down the easy trails because it pedals well but you can also take the technical downhills and ascents with ease, 4 inch travel is all you'll need, it sucks up everything. this bike also feels very good in the air, its confidence inspiring on the drops. | | Weaknesses: | components are not all the best, like the crank. most people will want a better fork. the handlebar and stem flex a bit and will viberate slightly on rocky desents.
It feels very strange if you dont take the time to correctly set up the shock and fork with the best pressures for you. | | Similar Products Used: | first full suspention bike owned, similar to the Enduro. | | Bike Setup: | stock with avid SD7 levers | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellant bike, especially if you are a skilled rider on a budget. It can be riden on anything for a long time, it pedals beter than my old hardtail. no big freeriding on this bike, althogh if your good you could probably do a good 10 ft drop on it. I cant though. it feels great on tecnical desents, largely because of the slack head angle. Kona is right thier bikes are reliable, you dont have to worry about the machine during the ride as long as you take care of it in between. my bike is one of the first 10 dawg frames made, I got it last september.
its a great deal, I can ride to work, ride the trails after and then ride home. ahh, the beauty of All Mountain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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