| |
Submitted by
Larry Smierciak
a Cross Country Rider
from Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Ballinastoe (right now!) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Sharp responses to inputs, great controllability over a wide varity of terrain. Brakes are great. Frame is a wonder to behold solid as a rock with some pretty exceptional welds. Tires have performed very well on a wide varity of terrain from gravel, to mud and clay as well as rock. Very good gearing, seems to suit the type of riding I am doing. A variety of climbing on logging roads and then singal track both up and down. Terrain ranging from gravel to clay and mud. | | Weaknesses: | Chain got very noisy after a couple of days of riding in the muck. Lubed the chain and all was well again(Used Ice Lube). Other than that nothing I can find yet | | Bike Setup: | Bog Standard | | Bottom Line: | So far I really can't fault this bike. It rides very well and I haven't had any problems with any of the components. The Hayes Brakes have been stopping me with no problems both in wet and dry conditions. Keeping in mind I am a big enough guy, 220lbs. For the money, the components are brilliant and the bike is outstanding. Kona just seems to have it all right for me with this bike. People saying it's a bit heavy must be used to carbon fibre or something! Climbs very well and the Pro Pedal on the Fox shock works very well. Higly recommend this bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex aldridge
a Cross Country Rider
from vail, co usa
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Full Fox suspension very plush. Kona frame is solid, sturdy, and works great with suspension set up | | Weaknesses: | Hayes hydraulic brakes require constant adjustment, mine got warrantied as well. Cheap shimano hubs crapped out, warrantied those. Derailleurs not very smooth. | | Similar Products Used: | None, but solid season riding hard in Vail | | Bike Setup: | Standard 2007 Dawg Primo setup. Replaced wheels with Mavic Rides, replaced saddle. | | Bottom Line: | When I'm going downhill I love this bike, it conquers for a 5 inch bike. However, I've had many problems with this bike and many unsatisfied rides because of it. Derailleurs, brakes, and wheels really didn't stand up. After one season I want to either sell or upgrade (expensive). I still love the Kona frame and Fox suspension setup, that alone is worth a lot. I recomend either the standard Kona dawg or upgrade to Coiler. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte NC
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | White Water Center | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$15000.00 | | Purchased At: | Craiglist | | Strengths: | Strong frame, plush ride. One bike to do it all! Good for people who cant afford a fleet of bikes | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode Gary Fisher HiFi | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with eggbeater pedals | | Bottom Line: | I got a great price on a bike that had only been ridden once. I was new and just getting into riding and getting this bike has got me hooked to the sport! I just love being on the bike. It gives a new guy like me a lot of confidence to ride a bike like this | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Burly, Versitile, comfordable, affordable | | Weaknesses: | A tad heavy, poop brown color | | Similar Products Used: | SC Superlight, heckler, 29ers | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi AM2 fork , xt/xtr drive train, fox RP2, Mavic laced to XT wheels Avid bb7s | | Bottom Line: | Built this from the frame only as my second bike. I used the parts i had available and a few web special, so this is not a 'dream build', but a good solid set up.
So far so good. Kona has, in my opinion, the most confidence inspiring geometry on the planet. Descends well, and climbs just fine for a 5.5 inch travel bike.
What would I do over? A lighter fork for one. The AM2 is plush, but weighs a ton compared to the RS and fox air sprung forks of the same type.
Kona has succeeded in making a do it all bike that is affordable, and ok at just about evrything from lift serve downhilling to all day XC. Is it the bike of choice for any of these activities? probably not, but it is a fun and reliable everyday XC bike that can be jumped bashed and ridden harder than the average 5 inch ride.
Buy a Kona. they make nice bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Nebo Ridge Bikes (Indianapolis, IN) | | Strengths: | Great frame, good component set, smooth turning, reliable | | Weaknesses: | slippy tires, Fox Float R Fork durability | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | full xtr drivetrain, WTB Timberwolf 2.35 front & WTB Weirwolf 2.35 rear tires | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden this bike for almost 6 months, I took my bike into the LBS the other day to have them look for some noise up front. It turns out that the crown has bent back a few millimeters which makes the fork sit more upright and has started making some sound. The LBS said they see this quite often with this 2006 fork due to how the fork is built, using glue to hold it together. The fix is 100 in parts alone, I think I am going to buy a different shock that is not GLUED together. The fork issue is very dissapointing. I have always been told of the Fox fork performance and durability but I guess I just got a shock that is prone to issues. I really like the bike overall and prefer it to ride broken rather than my other bikes. It is a very comfortable bike to ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Shriver
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissaickon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Therapy | | Strengths: | Everything. Fox Fork is so plush and rear RP3 will roll over anything. WTB laser is great seat as well. Also very light bike | | Weaknesses: | Tires could use an upgrade. Paint does chip pretty easily but honestly who really cares. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign, Kona stinky, Rocky Mountain ETSX | | Bike Setup: | Fox R Fork
Fox RP3
XT derailer + parts
Race Face Crank
| | Bottom Line: | This is my first FS bike but so far it rides like a dream. It can roll over anything and takes drops like a champ. Have also taken it jumping a bit and has super smooth landing. I have really noticed that the fs makes climbs smoother and easier and the wide tires help as well. No question that going downhill is where this bike excels. I just point and go and it flys over everything. This is def the nicest bike I have ever owned and It will do great on long epic cross country rides even downhills at a mtb mountain park. Rides like a DREAM!! Anybody looking for a do it all bike that can climb well and excel on Burly descents should look into the Dawg line. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sebastian
a Weekend Warrior
from Madrid, Spain
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | too many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Mammoth MTB's | | Strengths: | It handles everything i can throw at.Bombproof.Love the green color.Good set up for the price.Looks ...Love the looks | | Weaknesses: | Paint cheaps too easily.Stock tires.Hubs | | Similar Products Used: | First FS bike.Tested some FS bikes only(Spec.SantaCruz.Giant.GT) | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2006 Dawg Primo. Maxxis Ingnitor 2.35 tires(not good enough to me) | | Bottom Line: | I had tested some other FS bikes, but this is my first FS bike so I can’t compare too much, but I can say that this bike handles roots, rocky technical so good that I find my self amazed at the end of the trails every weekend, even in places where my brain says no, my bike says yes, and go. In fast singletracks it flows like a dream, and going up …it just goes up, on everything, not as fast as my old HT, but much smoother and easily, don’t feel too much difference with the ProPedal on, but enough to reach the top with a fresh smile. I’m 70 kilos (about 155 Pounds) but in the first rides I bottomed out a couple of times (3 or 4 feet drop) pretty hard and with the right preload on the shock, the solution was to set the shock in the other position (closest to the seat stay) and it worked perfectly, still very linear in the beginning but much progressive in the end of the travel. No bottom out since, even in 5 foot drops and with the right sag. I still can’t find the right tire choice, the stock Nokian are a shame and the Ignitors just don’t grip. Will upgrade some components and save some weight when they wear or break, don’t really like the hubs, but I can live (and ride) with that. I ride epics 3 to 6 hours, with everything in between, more than anything, and this bike delivers, it doesn’t make a better rider, but I ride better ;-) …if you are about to get a 5” travel bike, you should test one of this dogs …it might became your best friend ! …peace | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ATW
a
from Arvada
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Apex or Mountain Lion | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Kona | | Strengths: | Solid design, strong frame, spot on geometry, good looks, capable. | | Weaknesses: | Umm......I think the paint chips a little easy, but thats the only thing. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Giant, Haro, Transition, Astrix, Jamis, Ellsworth, Yeti, and many more both dual sus, and hardtail | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Kona Dawg Primo Frame, RS Pike 454, X.0, Truvativ, sun rims, Maxxis tires, Thomson, etc. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the frame only. I purchased this from Kona on EP. I own a bike shop in CO, so I have my pick from a number of companies. This is my first Kona and I must say I am impressed. 5" of plush travel, perfect geometry, and bombproof construction. I can honestly say this thing, can and does handle everything I throw at it. It has been all over the front range, keystone mountain, including racing the superD and downhill at the keystone climax. I've even jumped this thing at lake arbor with no issues. For a all around bike that can climb, descend, jump and rial with the best of them. Oh and I way almost 200lbs, so yeah this thing is tough. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Buy My Bikes | | Strengths: | Bullet Proof, what can I say its a KONA. Perfect set up for my type of riding, technical singletrack down hills to the blitzing downhill of the San Juan Trail and heh it climbs pretty decent too. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't found one yet. | | Similar Products Used: | I had an old school GT LTS-3. I put that bike through torture. | | Bike Setup: | Stock Kona Dawg Primo. (2006) | | Bottom Line: | This is the bike for the person who doesn't want to get stranded. My typical rides consist of 4 to 6 of us throwing everything at our bikes. The bottom line the KONA has never let me down. Nothing major has ever broke and it always gets me home. I can't say that about th bikes my boys ride (Giant, GT, Specialized, Intense). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Siewers
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC, US
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Cawtaba River Front | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | Southpark Cycles | | Strengths: | Dependable handling with strong reputation. Bought leftover 2005 Dawg Primo (now supreme) Bike had a great components mix. Added new Industry Nine wheelset at time of purchase. | | Weaknesses: | Fox Float RP3 shock already blew in < 8 months(under warrenty). Going past second week and still no response from dealer or fox. Broke spoke off in rear hub that local bike dealer was able to fix. | | Similar Products Used: | Sent my old "Cannonjunk" Super V 2000 to a reserve role/ friends to use. Replaced everything but the frame at least twice. | | Bike Setup: | Ex Moto-Crosser & Rugby Player, Must be real hard on equipment. Upgraded front Hayes 6" rotor to a 8" for improved braking power. Installed longer Race Face Stem for a more X-country layout at time of purchase. | | Bottom Line: | Vast improvement over last bike. Kona's reputation for durable bikes and local bike dealer was reason for purchase. My riding style and build (+-l90 lbs) is best discribed as physical. Bike seems to meet my needs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, Washington
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Second Ascent in Seattle | | Strengths: | Coming from a hardtail XC bike that was 11 years old - I'd say everything. FS is new to me so it took some adjusting in my riding style. It sticks to the trail on fast descents and corners and I can navigate terrain that would have previously killed me. | | Weaknesses: | That darn RP3 stuck down issue. Mine stuck down on the 4th ride - Fox fixed it and no problems since. The 2007 models have the RP2 so maybe they changed something...this is a Fox problem, not a Kona one.
The grips bite - they were the first thing to go. | | Similar Products Used: | Uh...95 Stumpjumper with rim brakes, 92 Cannondale S1000, old school Giant Iguana from 88. GT something or other from 87... you get the idea. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Oury grips, Chris King headset and XT hollowtech II cranks - also swapped out to platform pedals for now and will add eggbeaters soon. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike all around - new worlds opened up, bones broken, and riding the muck in Western Washington has never been more fun. I still haven't tested the limits of the bike yet, but think it'll take more than I can.
I traded my old stumpy and some gear in plus a couple of sandwiches for the shop guys and walked away with a new bike - my cost was $30 for the bike, $300 for the E room. $50 for the Orthopedist...
If you're new to FS - get some knee/shinguards and get ready to endo. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Ries
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, IN USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown County State Park, Indiana | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Nebo Ridge Bicycles, Indianapolis | | Strengths: | Rolls right through technical sections, over rocks and roots and logs, even going uphill. | | Weaknesses: | The weight, although it's less of an issue than you'd think and the tradeoff in increased durability is worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | Most recently a Specialized Stumpjumper FSP Comp. | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock, except that I trimmed an inch off each end of the Race Face Evolve DH bars. | | Bottom Line: | The Dawg Primo has consistent, reliable handling. No quirks. No surprises. Okay, one surprise. The weight (31.8 pounds for a Large/18-inch) is much less of a hindrance than I'd expected. It's slower on extended climbs, but very capable on technical climbs. It's well-balanced and easy to navigate through technical features at low speed, yet stable on fast descents. If weight trumps bomb-proof design for you, shop for another brand. If you want a bike that offers great performance in a broad range of conditions and can survive some rough treatment, try out a Dawg. Also, buy from a really good dealer. I did. Nebo Ridge Bicycles takes countless little steps to make sure the bike is spot-on when you roll it out the door. You can read a full review on the Stuff We Use section of my Web site, www.bigringadventure.com. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Dry Fork/Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd Avenue Sports | | Strengths: | Bomber, geometry is stable, goes where you point it. Will make you go faster and smile wider. Fox shox. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than some. | | Similar Products Used: | None, ridden Cannondale and Trek hardtails for years. | | Bike Setup: | Stock - Fox float and RP3, with eggbeaters and Maxxix Minion FR tires (heavy-ish but grippy!) | | Bottom Line: | A great trail bike for heavy, aggressive riders like myself. Comfortable for all day rides, yet strong and stable in the air and on the ground for freeride. First ride coming from my hardtail, this bike felt heavy up the first hill. At the bottom of the first downhill I had a grin a mile wide! Now I'm used to the extra weight I feel like it climbs better, if a little slower, than my hardtail - really well balanced and very comfortable. You can point the bike and spin the pedals while the suspension deals with the bumps, ruts, rocks, whatever. RP3 works and means you don't have to keep the shock full of air and stiff to climb quick. Downhills and corners like a beast. Stay off the brakes and relax... Truly point and shoot. Also takes jumps and drops like a creamy dream. A lighter wheelset and tires and this thing could be lighter and accelerate faster, but I'm having plenty fun right now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Des
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very nice package of components. Raceface! Hayes! Fox! Versatile. | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy. Versatile. ;-) | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Kula Deluxe, 1996 DBR V-Link 3.1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock + eggbeaters + wireless cateye + gunk guard + tool bag | | Bottom Line: | I'm reviewing the 2006 model. I'm basically a hardcore commuter and weekend rider, 90% offroad, 8 time Karapoti Classic sport class rider (but not on this bike ;-)
Awesome bike. I love it and will eventually replace with 2008 model.
Kona have put together a very nice package of components. This is ALL good stuff. I'm just coming up to 2000ks and all I've replaced is the rear tyre. In fact, I haven't serviced a thing apart from keeping the chain clean.
Fox forks....stunning!!!
After cracking swingarms a number of times of my DBR with its 2" travel (!), I was skeptical about doing another FS. I guess its hard to provide a lot of travel with low weight. The upright riding position is super comfortable, I don't know why I was previously attracted to "sore back" race bikes....
So lets try and clear this up. You can go fast downhill on this bike, you could race it....you could win if you were any good...but then you'd need to specialize. You can go fairly quickly XC if you wanted to as well. You can cruise the streets and have a darned good time too. Hey, don't take it too seriously...unless you're planning on being the next world champion...or you could drop the weekend lycra and sunnies look and lighten up and just have some fun....
This bike does a whole bunch of stuff pretty well...I'm a nobody who's been riding for 20 years, and its going to take a major shift in pricing vs components to stop me from buying another one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kent Vogel
a Weekend Warrior
from Redmond
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | voodoo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2075.00 | | Purchased At: | Bend cyclery | | Strengths: | strong frame and wheels with pretty decent set of components.
The bike feels very solid, stiff for accelertion and plush in the ruff stuff. | | Weaknesses: | My only disappointment with the bike so far is it does not hold a fine tune for long and requires constant tweaking. However, I have been riding alot of rocky terrain and I crash
a fair amount. | | Similar Products Used: | owned a Klein pulse. Demoed C-dale Prophet, Gary Fisher Cake,
Ellsworth moment, Kona dawg, Giant trance | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for changing out the Shimanno XT rear derailleur
for Sram X-9 shifters and rear derailleur. | | Bottom Line: | I chose the Kona due to there reputation for being over built, durable bikes,of course cost was a big determening factor as well.
My absolute favorite thing about this bike is you can ride it day in day out with out being affected by terrain fatigue that
you would get from a hardtail. I have not noticed my climbing
to be substantialy slower due to the weight gain of a F/S rig
but the decents are a huge improvement, fast fun, and smooth.
I have riden 1000 miles on this bike in 3 1/2 months, my riding has improved more in that time than my 6 previous years
of riding.
If your thinking of F/S for your next bike, DO IT! I highly reccomend this bike to any one, who wants to take there riding to a higher level. If you can have only one bike this one covers a wide spectrum. Your riding will improve on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Haarman
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Apex, Slickrock, Matthew Winters | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2299.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Shark, Saint louis | | Strengths: | Climbs well with little bob, Great in the tecnical, And it floats on the downhill....Like butta even. | | Weaknesses: | Yet to be found. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Gary Fisher hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far. | | Bottom Line: | If your not a xc rider and you want a bike that climbs well and handles well on the downhill this is it. With the Fox rp3 on the rear you really get alot of bike for you money. I am very impressed with the beefiness of this bike for its weight also. I ride a 19" and even with all that travel, it weighs in at like 32lbs. Not bad in my book. If you think that that is too heavy for an all-mountain bike....maybe you are just a sissy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Webb
a Cross Country Rider
from Ozona, TX
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Does everything well. | | Weaknesses: | Low standover height | | Similar Products Used: | Various hardtails and Giant DS-1 | | Bike Setup: | Fox RL-rear
Marzocchi Marathon S-front
Mostly XT components
Bontrager FS-2000 saddle
Deore hubs laced to Sun Rhynolite rims
Gripshift Rocket | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It does everything with a journeyman's aplomb. I bought the frame a year ago from Wheelworld (slow service) and built the bike the way that I wanted it. My favorite thing about the bike is that I can do 2+ hour rides and not feel like I have been in a fight. The bike is heavier than the hardtail that I own (GT Karakoram-finest hardtail made IMO) but the comfort that it affords my 44 year old body on long rides is worth the trade off. I would recommend this bike to anyone that wants a good all rounder. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Paterson
a
from Indianapolis, Indiana. USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | yankee springs in michigan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2299.00 | | Purchased At: | Nebo Ridge Bicycles Indianapolis -- These guys are committed to setting things up perfectly for you! | | Strengths: | Strong, Stable, Nimble & Fast. Amazing price from this frame and the components that it is spec'd with (especially when compared to competitors). I really liked the geometry and suspension as I noticed my lower back and arms were not tired toward the end of ten miles runs like they always are on my hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | I have not found any weaknesses thus far but if you are looking for a downside, the extra weight (over the hardtail that I have been on for the past four years) means that climbing steep stuff takes a bit more effort. Now this is quicker in every other context which works out to a bike that is faster and requires less energy overall. | | Similar Products Used: | Ventana El Saltamontes. Other bikes have included Giant Iguana & Gary Fisher Mt Tam 29er. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + XTR crank & rear derailleur, XT front derailleur, thomson seatpost & stem, chris king headset & time atac XS pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I am a really big guy (300lbs). I have always leaned towards lighter bikes but decided to try something beefier. This 2006 Dawg Primo is a great bike for a great price. It is comfortable, corners very well even in the tighest turns, and seems to glide over all but the nastiest of stuff! I really notice that in situations where I used to take it slow and choose my line with the utmost of care, I now fly through. This bike has increased my comfort at speed exponentially through technical stuff. The combination of the suspension, geometry and incredibly stiff & rugged frame the bike has never proved to be a week link in any situation! While I have only had this for a short time I am incredible happy with the purchase. I am not sure what other bikes even fall into this category (strong yet light/fast yet durable) but I think it is a great thing for anyone who is larger or who like to ride rough stuff! If you are looking for a great bike that is fast and durable make sure you try a dawg! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Samson
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfield, CA USA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterfall, Rockville Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Backcountry.net (Tahoe City & Truckee) | | Strengths: | Ride adjustability, handling, climbing, trail abuser, smooth and strong. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing yet. | | Similar Products Used: | GT RTS-1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Out of the box this bike has been a dream. I weigh a bit under 220 and it feels solid and comfortable. Most that I tried in the XC set could not withsatnd the beating I give it. There is no mush, I can adjust my ride front and rear on the fly. Climbing has no discernable sag and downhill has taken everything I can muster. The rock garden trail at Rockville is BRUTAL but this baby is point and shoot even when I am on the edge of disaster it is stable and quick. Handles tight technical like a dream... too although rides a bit tall in the saddle, I think I'll adjust. I'll review again as I really get this thing going. Oh yeah, the stock hydraulic brakes are scary good and frame is bullet proof thus far. First impression is = Thumbs up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Western WA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Cool Bike | | Weaknesses: | This bike is nearly impossible to find any details or information on. | | Bottom Line: | I have a frame coming, it looks like it works good but other than the '03 and 04' (both 4in" vs. the 5" 05 model which I have coming)reviews from this site I havn't found anything on this new 05 model. It's August 05 and there are no reviews of 05 dawgs. It Still should be a good bike for me.
p.s. I would like to see more dimensions at www.konaworld.com. They didn't even list the headtube legth. as well as other important details. ? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
burt toast
a Cross Country Rider
from britishcolumbia
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | hwy 3 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | the cove;vancouver b.c. | | Strengths: | 04 xt groupo...fox talus fork...fox ava shock | | Weaknesses: | headset..nokian tires | | Bike Setup: | stock for now | | Bottom Line: | i've owned the bike for just over a month, and i have rode it 400 km's...this is my first full suspension bike...i'm 44 yrs.old,wiegh 185lbs...i live just north of vancouver b.c. on the sunshine coast and ride 4or5 times per week...most of the rides here consist technical single track 1500 to 3000 ft. climbs...and of course 1500 to 3000 ft. decents...the fox fork works extremly well,perhaps a little to much adjustment on the ride hight...the compression and rebound adjustments make fine tuning easy...the rear shock works well,allthough i have not addjusted it from 150psi. and full soft spring rate yet,but that will be my next addjustment....my previous ride was a 25lb. xc bike,and i do not find the bike to heavy...i do not race ,therefor wieght does not matter,it's not the bike, it's the person riding it...overall, frame quality seems good,components work well..i like the new xt brake/shifters and have no problem with shifting while braking...the xt brake calipers are a vast improvment over my previous hayes brakes...i will be changing the head set to kris king as well as the wheel hubs...i would not hesatate to recomend this bike,i like it... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erock
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento,CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay etc. | | Strengths: | Stong, stiff, fast and comfy. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Dean AL full suspension | | Bike Setup: | gripshifters, fox talas, raceface, avid mechs, superlight wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. It really wants to go fast. Mine weighs about 28lbs, but feels lighter. It climbs great with or without lockout. It's no downhiller, but if it's not too technical this baby flies and tracks like a dream. It's so comfy that 30+ mile rides have become di rigor. I don't know about the new xt stuff or the 3000 price tag, but 1500 I couldn't be happier!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | wheelworld | | Strengths: | Very Stout frame, no flex from front or rear of bike. Great feel over technical terrain | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, but It really doesnt matter does it | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Primo frame, Romic coil over, Minute 3, juicy brakes xt components, P. Wood wheels | | Bottom Line: | Ok my bike isn't the regular primo, I changed the rear shock to the romic coil but that is just because i wiegh over 230. This bike is a little heavy if you are under 200 but if you are over its the perfict clydesdale cross country bike. It has an extremely solid feel and stable ride. It offers the feel of my Heckler with a little less rear end flex. There is a slight bob but it really is negligble. I would recomend this bike to the heavier riders as a good trail xc bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Rosa, CA, US of A!
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Any, any time, anywhere... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, no flex, not too heavy, efficeint pedaler, handles well, good BB height. | | Weaknesses: | Paint on front half of frame scratches WAY to easily, back end could be a little more plush. | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyll, Enduro Pro | | Bike Setup: | Thompson post, King headset, Mavic 317's, Fox TALAS Fork, XTR shifter/disc brake pods, XTR & XT components, Panaracer Fire XC's | | Bottom Line: | I primarily ride XC and am not into big hits, (over 4'). I weigh about 185 and consider myself to be in pretty good shape. Now that I've had it for a while and gotten used to it, I really like the bike. I had to get rid of the previous ride because I didn't like to have to lock out on every climb, (I'm not an efficiency weenie, but it was ridiculous!), and clipping my pedals on anything larger than a golf ball, but enough about that.
Initially, I felt a little tall in the saddle, but I think it may have to do with the lack of sag. I'm used to now and really like being able to clear rocks and not being knocked out of my pedals. Body position is a little more upright, compared to a full XC bike, but that is what I was looking for.
Rear suspension is pretty good. You really don't know it's working because you just cruise over things. Could be a little more plush, but I'd rather have this than mush. It climbs really well and I find no use for the lockout. Shock still cycles and absorbs bumps, but doesn't rob power like others. On steep, long climbs, I tend to (cheat?) and use the TALAS fork to dial it down to 80mm. This has really helped me on a few climbs, but I don't feel it's necessary.
I think the overall handling is really good and it's built to take a hit... If you're into that sort of thing, but it does fly well and stable.
I think it's a good choice and I'm glad I made it. I bought it as just the frame/shock and swapped over parts from my other ride, so I think it's a pretty good value considering other frames of the same style are almost twice as much! I would definitely recommend this bike for XC riders who aren't too hung up on weight, want to go out for the "extended" ride and/or take a big hit or two.
Oh yea, mine is 28lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
|
$ 2999.00
