no pics, but i did try one,size 19'' and i liked it! nimble, great geometry, and i think it could be a fast bike(need more ride time...)

 

Just bought a Kula Supreme frame. Not assembled yet. Noted the following points:-
Frame feels filmsy;
Not as light as expected (by hand feeling only);
No choice on color, only yellow/white

 

http://www.konaworld.com/09_kula_c.cfm
and it looks like a solid racer.... but i'm more of a AM-FR myself so others might have better info. Welcome to MTBR BTW:thumbsup:

 

Frame feels filmsy;

Yeah...I can squeeze the down tube of my Hei Hei frame and see it flex. Freaks out a lot of people

 

But thats xc race for you... you can only use two of the three words here; light, strong, cheap. Unles you spent a fortune or carbon it will always be a problem, but the hei-hei it still sweet looking... and has at least a four year warranty

 

hmm i would avoid those scandium frames if they flex this much.i wanted durable so i went with caldera...

 

I have an '06 Kula made with an Easton Aluminum tubeset. Do they still offer that one? I wouldn't begin to call it flimsy but it is a very smooth riding frame.

 

Your "flimsy" frame is not flimsy. You must have a warm fuzzy on the fact that frame has a lifetime warranty. Have fun out there.

 

Don't fear the scandium frame strength. My heavy a$$ has been riding one XC-TR since 2004. I don't abuse the bike, but do use it as it was intended.

 

Finally have my 09 18" Kona Kula Supreme weighted:

Frame + stock seat clamp + D hanger + stock bottle bolts (4) = 1503 g

Quite disappointed as a USA made Cannondale Cafferine, which costs nearly the same, weighs less.

 

hmm than what material is caffeine from? more weight, more punishment it can take, who cares about few grams.

 

hmm than what material is caffeine from? more weight, more punishment it can take, who cares about few grams.

6000 series aluminium. By gut feeling, I would bet caffeine can take more punishment. I should have seriously considered the caffeine.

Anyway, Kula Supreme is still a good frame. Will post bike once assembled.

 

6000 series aluminium. By gut feeling, I would bet caffeine can take more punishment. I should have seriously considered the caffeine.

No, I'm sorry, that has to be wrong. Physics is physics. Scandium is quite a lot stronger than 6000 aluminium, weight for weight. If the two frames weigh the same, it'll be the scandium frame that is the stronger of the two.

 

Glad to hear that. I thought so because I've been on Cannondale for many years.

I wish my Kona Kula will last. But if you tap the middle down tube of the Kula Supreme by hand, it doesn't feel that convincing.

 

It's not the middle of the down tube you need to worry about. Unless you ride through a quarry.

Welds and stays are the stuff to watch. And in the experience of friends who have had the scandium frames, in particular the junction of the top tube and the seat tube.

 

Just got my 18" Kula Supreme built up the final weight is 22.3lb as follows:-

Fork: 05 SID Team with remote lock
Wheel: 08XTR
Brake: 08XTR 6" F/R
Tyre: Kenda small blocks UST with stan
Crank: 07XT
RD: 08 X9
FD: LX high clamp
cables: Jagwire set
Saddle: SARS
Seatpost: 27.2x330 thompson
Paddle: M540
Bar: Easton EA70
Stem: Element
headset: CK nothreadset
Grip: Ritchery foam

It is about 1/2 pound lighter than my Cannondale Optimo/super fatty with the same components.

Will post photo after going for a test ride

 

photo

Photo done

 

Really nice color scheme. What's the new symbol on the headtube?

 

Really nice color scheme. What's the new symbol on the headtube?

Don't know. It is a strange symbol. The frame came this way.

comment after first ride:-

I only bought an 18" frame for about Hong Kong dollar 3400 or 436 USD.

The frame (with seat collar, holder bolts and D. hanger) weighs 1503 g

I also noted that the cable route is under the top tube while the the one on Official Website is above the top tube.

Geometry is nice for me, my inseam is about 33 in and I have more than 3" of mid tube clearance.

The SID in front is too flexy. The rear end feels very good and every pedal stroke is transformed into forward motion.

The mid downtube and mid top tube is very week. I accidentally dented it slightly (at mid top tube) before getting it assembled.:madman: The frame is strong but it cannot take abuse that not mean to, eg mid tube hitting a rock after falling. It is definitely for racing and not for bashing around.

 

Can you post a photo of the dent?

 

small dent

Can you post a photo of the dent?

It's minor. Photo cannot show well. It's at the tip of the finger. the light pattern shows. I can feel it by my fingers.

 

Don't know. It is a strange symbol. The frame came this way.

comment after first ride:-

I only bought an 18" frame for about Hong Kong dollar 3400 or 436 USD.

The frame (with seat collar, holder bolts and D. hanger) weighs 1503 g

I also noted that the cable route is under the top tube while the the one on Official Website is above the top tube.

Geometry is nice for me, my inseam is about 33 in and I have more than 3" of mid tube clearance.

The SID in front is too flexy. The rear end feels very good and every pedal stroke is transformed into forward motion.

The mid downtube and mid top tube is very week. I accidentally dented it slightly (at mid top tube) before getting it assembled.:madman: The frame is strong but it cannot take abuse that not mean to, eg mid tube hitting a rock after falling. It is definitely for racing and not for bashing around.

Yeah, my King Kahuna is pretty thin in the middle as well. I think this is typical for a light frame though.

 

I had a Klein Attitude that I could dent with my mind.

 

I had a Klein Attitude that I could dent with my mind.

Haha