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Average Rating
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4.69/5
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# of Reviews
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13
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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More Products from Kona
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Description:
- Rear Shock: Fox Float RP3
- Fork: Fox F100RL
- Pedals: Shimano PD-M520 Clipless
- Chain: Shimano CN-HG53
- Shifters: Shimano Deore XT
- Grips: Kona Jackshit
- Tires: Nokian NBX Lite 26 x 2.2 Kevlar
- Saddle: WTB Rocket V Race Carbon
- Seatpost: RaceFace Evolve XC
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Submitted by
Duder
a Cross Country Rider
from DC
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, light | | Weaknesses: | little slow off the gun...oh wait thats just me | | Similar Products Used: | Kona The King 2005 | | Bike Setup: | RockShox Revelation 80-130mm, XT with Sun Rinolytes, Float R, Sram 9.0, Avid BB7 | | Bottom Line: | I cracked my 05 the King at the weld of the seat tube and top tube. Took the bike to my LBS, and they got it replaced by Kona under warranty. Its nice to have that kind of product support. The 08 is a very nice improvement over the 05. I particularly like the added gussets to the seat tube top tube joint(obvs), and the down tube. I cant tell if the rear shock mount is forged or machined, but its MUCH stiffer than the 05 King....a very nice upgrade, as was the added travel. They changed frame sizes between the 05 and 08 frames which meant i went from a 21 inch in 05 to a 20.5 with the new one. I wouldnt think this would make much of a difference, but the newer frame feels a little bit more stable and faster. The revelation is a great match for this frame, though 130mm of travel is too much for the geometry, so i tweak it down to 110. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Powderface | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Strengths: | Very stiff frame, no flex and light. Great performing suspension components and full XT which is nice. Tires roll very fast on hardpack, but lack traction in loose conditions | | Weaknesses: | Wheelset flex is a problem. It takes away from the rock solid frame....this is noticed on choppy or rocky sections (maybe I am too heavy for this set but at 185lbs I am not impressed with the amount of flex in the wheels). Tires offer minimal traction and lower air volume. A true 2.1 tire with better traction would suit my riding environment. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar, K2 hardtail, Jamis Dakar | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A great XC ride, would be perfect with MAXIS Enduro and Kenda Nevegal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Peery
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sunset Trail in Flagstaff | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Farm | | Strengths: | Due to the use of Scandium, this thing is light for a 4" trvel bike. Over all the 4 bar system works great and OEM Fox fork and shock are very high quality items. | | Weaknesses: | None yet found | | Bike Setup: | Over all the King is set-up well out of the box, but I subbed out Mavic Cross Trail UST wheels for the FSA hoops as I had heard nothing good about FSA wheels, a Chris King headset, a larger front rotor, Thomson stem and seat post and some 2.35 UST Maxxis Ignitor tires, On One Mary bars and Ergon grips. The tubeless upgrade was amazing - changed the bike completely. | | Bottom Line: | The ride is amazing - agile in slow technical stuff and rock solid in fast technical terrain. The bike is flickable and light enough for XC use, but has the cajones for all out downhill bombing. A GREAT DO IT ALL BIKE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean
a Racer
from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | "trail" to the Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The bike came with pedals, it's light & reliable; a great machine for the price! | | Weaknesses: | Poor wheelset (the spoke nipples bust under easy riding conditions), poor handgrips. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Cadex CFM | | Bike Setup: | stock: Fox Float RP23 rear shock, Fox F100RL 100mm travel fork, Shimano PD-M520 clipless pedals, Shimano XT derailleurs & shifters, HAYES HFX-9 XC Brakes & Levers, FSA XC-300 Wheelset | | Bottom Line: | A great bike that takes in whatever I throw at it from rocky Sudbury. I was sad to let go of my very old carbon bike but this is a great replacement. I was skeptical about the weight due to the full-suspension but my body thanks me as I don’t feel the bumps as much anymore; I now accelerate to climb small, very rocky climbs!
The major downside are the FSA wheels: the spoke nipples let go and I busted 3 spokes ON AN EASY RIDE! I bent the rim beyond repair. I’m now debating on getting either: Mavic CrossMax ST, I9 All-Mountain or Spinergy Xyclones.
The King is THE KING! Ride on!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff White
a Racer
from Victor, NY
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dryer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail Blazers | | Strengths: | The components are top notch and the frame is so very light. The easy adjusting front and rear suspension is perfect for any type of ride. I have the Orange/White color scheme and it will not be mistaken for any other ride on the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Stock grips were quickly replaced as was the seat, but there is nothing else that needs any upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Tempest from 1995. Going from hard tail to this plush ride was quite hard to get used to, but don’t worry I managed. | | Bike Setup: | Stock and loving it | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike and tell everyone who asks. Originally I was a little worried about the height difference from my hard tail, but after a single ride I knew there was nothing this bike could not handle. The thumb shifters work perfectly and the on-the-fly adjustability of the shocks help you tune your bike to you. The fact I picked up a demo model from my LBS who gave me a full year warrantee and tune-ups made the deal irresistible. If I had the money for MSRP I would definitely consider this bike a top contender, picking it up for less is a no-brainer. My main rides are technical single-tracks and serious cardiac uphill this bike is perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Racer
from Temecula, CA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | buffalo springs, co | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | beyond bikes | | Strengths: | light, simple and fast | | Weaknesses: | rim tape on wheelset | | Similar Products Used: | gt zaskar | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great out of the box. on first ride i was very satisfied, very plush and responsive. after tuning the suspension and flipping the stem for a steeper more rigid setup, i like this bike ever more. so far no problems. i have heard mixed reviews about the brakes, but no issues yet. great simple lightweight bike that can be used for both free ride and xc racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gustavo
a Cross Country Rider
from Venezuela
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Kona USA | | Strengths: | Scandium Frame is perfect, light and heavy. Rear suspensión in the best position ever. Shimano XT perfect, Rear Shock RP23, Saddle WTB rocket is great, Evolve XC rocks!! Wheelset FSA XC-300 | | Weaknesses: | Nothing !! :) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Rocky Mountain ETS-X, Turner Flux | | Bike Setup: | Components Shimano XT, steam handlebars and seat post race face Evolve XC, Hayes HFX-9 XC, RP23, FOX 100 RL. Wheelset FSA XC 300 | | Bottom Line: | Best Bike Ever Made. This is great Bike, very funny color and very soft suspensión. Perfect for the ascents and excellent control in the slopes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Weekend Warrior
from monterey ca usa
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | goat trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1611.00 | | Purchased At: | my bike shop | | Strengths: | freakin amazing, this thing can FLOAT over anything, and i mean float, u feel like ur not even touching the ground, its super light, came out to be 26 pounds out of the box just with new tires on and thats it | | Weaknesses: | XT sucks, ghost shifting and all the other problems, oh and bad stem and seat post | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | crossmark tires and gonna put on sram group set very soon | | Bottom Line: | worth every penny, its more than a bike, this thing i can do anything, go as far as i want, and have great fun on it, super light, great, durable, does everything i want when i want
love this thing | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fun Bobby
a Racer
from Edmonton,alberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | urmom | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | the bike ispretty wicked awsome, really good suspension and nice and light. Bikes performance is really improved with the use of spd's | | Weaknesses: | the paint job sucks i get beat up because people say the bike looks pretty flaming. The tires are not up to my standars so i bought new ones | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, Subaru trike and the arashi dotaiko | | Bike Setup: | is pretty pooonage nooobs just like what i did to your mother last night | | Bottom Line: | its good only if u race over 48 hours if u use it for less u miss out | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wes
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | goat creek to banff trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | bycicle cafe, Canmore | | Strengths: | sweetness | | Weaknesses: | lack of flaws | | Similar Products Used: | nothing | | Bike Setup: | Xtr: rdr, disc brakes, cranks
Xt: fdr
Race Face: Headset, seat post | | Bottom Line: | I cannot think of any better riding partner then this bike, it does what I want when I want and it really gives it up and down the hills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cheap for what you get! | | Strengths: | Greating handling, great suspension and better looking than in its pictures. Perfect for blasting or epic races. | | Weaknesses: | I agree with Eddie - it would be nice if they came with sealed headset | | Similar Products Used: | Scott RC, Specialized Epic and Giant Anthem | | Bike Setup: | Raceface Deus cranks and stem, Raceface Next seat post and bars, XT 11/34 cassette and Stans ZTR Olympic wheels. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike! They're very stiff, light (just over 26lbs standard), reliable and are very comfortable to ride. Plus they have that blast through everything Kona handling. I use mine for 24 hour and marathon races and no matter how ugly things get it never skips a beat. I have a lot of fun on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie O'Dea
a Racer
from Atlanta, GA USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pilot Rock, Pisagh NF | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Cartecay | | Strengths: | Light, accelerates quickly, no bob or very cushy depending on RP3 setting, climbs like a goat and descends very predictably. Great for XC racing or back counrty epics. Perfect for 24 hour solo racing. | | Weaknesses: | Cane Creek headset needs constant maintenance, replacing with Chris King. | | Similar Products Used: | Specilized Stumpjumper, Kona King Kikapu | | Bike Setup: | "The King" frame, SRAM drive train, Aerus bar & stem, Race Face seat post & cranks, Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals, Asipde saddle, Maxxis Ignitor tires, American Classic 350 disc, Hayes FX9 brakes, | | Bottom Line: | Kona makes a great bike within financial reach of all racers. Super durable, but not heavy. I race 24 hour solo races on this rig, ride back country epics and XC races...perfect all-rounder.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Davies
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge UK
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Marin Trail North Wales | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4040.00 | | Purchased At: | Triton Cycles London, UK | | Strengths: | Scandium frame fitted with Fox suspension front and back, good quality finishing kit, race face ShimanoXT, HFX-9 XC Carbon and FSA X300 wheel set. Once tuned in no detectable suspension bob and of all the bike tested, it just seemed right. | | Weaknesses: | Standard tubes fitted are very thin and puncture easily, foam grips are aweful, rear brake hose rubs the paint work on the top-tube | | Similar Products Used: | Test rides on - Orange 5 and Patriot 66, Scott Genius 30, Cannondale Rush 1000 and Prophet 1000, Rocky Mountain ETSX 30, Rocky Mountain Slayer 50, Kona Supreme, Giant Reign 1, Giant Trance 2, Whyte E5 XT and a Marin Mount Vision amongst others. | | Bike Setup: | Standard except for ODI Lock-on's and a rear brake hose clip on the top-tube | | Bottom Line: | After many years riding a hard-tail, my ageing body couldn’t take a full days riding, so full suspension it had to be and after several weekend test riding I bought a Kona King
Overall after 3 months of owning a Kona King, I am very impressed on how well the bike climbs and grips the trial – I can now clean sections that have challenged me in the past. Once set-up the rear end has no discernable bob and soaks up all that the trail throws at it, similarly the Fox forks have performance faultlessly. Shimano XT as ever crisp and reliable out of the box. Raceface finishing kit is a nice touch and to-date been completely faultless. The HFX-9 XC Carbon brakes, once bedded provide great modulation and stopping power. The frame angles are spot on for the bike intended use, coupled with a full range of sizes allows anyone to find the right bike for them The Kings overall low weight, 26lbs and 4 inches of suspension make this a great all day trail bike for someone who doesn’t want to drag around a 30lbs+ 6 inch travel bike.
The Kona King is a great bike with race potenntial
So far this bike gets 5 chili’s for value and performance, noting I didn’t pay full RRP. If I had to pay full RRP then value would have been a 4 chili’s - but I didn't so 5 it is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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