REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

is the coiler enduro or freeride?

1741 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Stinky Wiz, Sep 11, 2004

fanfare

Discussion Starter · Aug 8, 2004

I'm looking into getting a coiler .. I want something that I can ride xc but gives me good dh and a bit of 'hop and skip'. I recently demo'd a fuel and liked the xc climbing ability. It's really coming down to a giant VT, Kona Coiler, or a Trek Liquid (the fuel just didn't have the beef)

All comments greatly appreciated

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Lighty_

· #2 · Aug 9, 2004

I've been thinking about getting a Coiler. I'm saving up for the 05, which is suppose to increase travel to 6". I also like the new drab military color of the frame, which looks pretty mean.

I think Kona intended it to be a trail bike, and not just a shuttle/lift bike. It's got 3 chain rings and weigh around 35lbs I think. I think the geometry is still pretty comfy for climbing and long rides. It's definitely on the beefy big hit side of the trail bike category though, with the Marz drop-off fork, coil rear shock, and DH wheel and tires.

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fanfare

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 10, 2004

Hey Lighty,

Have you demo-d a Coiler yet? Keep in touch ... I'd be interested to know what you think

Lighty_ said:
I've been thinking about getting a Coiler. I'm saving up for the 05, which is suppose to increase travel to 6". I also like the new drab military color of the frame, which looks pretty mean.

I think Kona intended it to be a trail bike, and not just a shuttle/lift bike. It's got 3 chain rings and weigh around 35lbs I think. I think the geometry is still pretty comfy for climbing and long rides. It's definitely on the beefy big hit side of the trail bike category though, with the Marz drop-off fork, coil rear shock, and DH wheel and tires.

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Rix Raw

· #4 · Aug 22, 2004

Lighty_ said:
I've been thinking about getting a Coiler. I'm saving up for the 05, which is suppose to increase travel to 6". I also like the new drab military color of the frame, which looks pretty mean.

I think Kona intended it to be a trail bike, and not just a shuttle/lift bike. It's got 3 chain rings and weigh around 35lbs I think. I think the geometry is still pretty comfy for climbing and long rides. It's definitely on the beefy big hit side of the trail bike category though, with the Marz drop-off fork, coil rear shock, and DH wheel and tires.

So much for the drab military Coiler ,eh ? I was dreaming about that one too.

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Lighty_

· #5 · Aug 23, 2004

Rix Raw said:
So much for the drab military Coiler ,eh ? I was dreaming about that one too.

*sigh*

I guess it's the Stinky that gets drab olive. The Coiler Deelux is decent with a silver frame, but the regular one and Primo...ehh.

Have you demo-d a Coiler yet?

Only in the parking lot, unfortunately.

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coiler_casey

· #6 · Aug 23, 2004

I've been riding my coiler all summer, did a day at the Whistler MTB park and it ripped. I had no problems with any of the terrain, and kept up with other riders on "bigger" bikes without difficulty.

I've also ridden it XC (mostly in Squamish, BC) and it kept up just fine as well. I actually like riding it so much better than my XC bike that my Sugar 3+ has now been relegated to girlfriend duty. Hell, I'm thinkin about starting to commute on this thing, I'll take it anywhere/everywhere.

Its best called a "trail bike" in my opinion because it can take the jumps, drops, as well as keep up with your bros on lighter bikes. I'd also much rather have a beefier bike when trail riding, so I can stop and try some of the "detours" along the way. I'm really diggin' this bike - can you tell?

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Rix Raw

· #7 · Aug 23, 2004

Lighty_ said:
*sigh*

I guess it's the Stinky that gets drab olive. The Coiler Deelux is decent with a silver frame, but the regular one and Primo...ehh.

It looks like I won't have money for a Coiler this year anyway ,so I'm going to wait for the 2006 Coiler.

A Matt White or a Drab Olive Coiler is what I dream about.

coiler_casey said:
Hell, I'm thinkin about starting to commute on this thing, I'll take it anywhere/everywhere.

It really sounds like the perfect bike for the "I only own one bike" folks ,like me.

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fanfare

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 23, 2004

Whats with the OEM shocks?

I know they are Zokes but ... how the heck can ya read ratings on the shocks if they're OEM? I'm starting to like the Banshee Chap .. more and more.

Hey, heres a thought... I could just get a Banshee Scream for the rough stuff .... and get an NRS 1/fuel 100 for the light trails ....that way I wouldn't have to decide on something in the middle (coiler/chap)... I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind if I spent 6 or 7 K$ just so I could have two bikes! .... hmmmm .... I might need to buy a brand new SUV also ... after all, I can't be expected to ride around with these cool looking bikes ... on top of my old car ... I'll need something to match the new paint (after all). I'll also need to take at least 6 months off of work so I can properly test my new bikes/SUV. Maybe I'll run this new plan by her tonight ... see what she says.

Rix Raw said:
It looks like I won't have money for a Coiler this year anyway ,so I'm going to wait for the 2006 Coiler. A Matt White or a Drab Olive Coiler is what I dream about.

It really sounds like the perfect bike for the "I only own one bike" folks ,like me.

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Rix Raw

· #9 · Aug 23, 2004

The "I own only one bike" thing was mainly meaning that I WANT to ride only one bike that's good for everything. On the other hand it IS financial as well.

Good plan you got there man ,wish my GF would stop learning and get a job so she can sponsor my hobby.

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KONA_in_SB

· #10 · Aug 23, 2004

I've been riding my Coiler all summer. Went to NorthStar in Tahoe and bombed Mt. Hood on it numerous times. I love the thing. I choose it over the Stinky because of its XC capabilities. That's mainly the HA and three chainrings. Only problem is now that I have been riding it downhill I don't really care for XC anyone more and wish I would have gotten a Stinky. But the Coiler is a good all around bike. It does go up hill pretty easily for its wieght, but it is a beast. Mine wieghts 37 pounds. I also use it to commute, used to be 13miles one way, but now i moved so only 4 miles one way, I like it for that. Its really strong too, I have done up to 4ft drops on it ( I know not exactly big but i'm getting there) . I wieght 260 so I put a 750 pound spring in the rear, too stiff, now I am down to 650 in the rear, just right.
The cool thing about it is that you can increase rear travel with some after market kits and throw a dual crown on it and you have a freeride/hucker or you can buy expensive components and lighten it up to make it more of a XC/trail bike. Bottom line is its a great bike.

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Rix Raw

· #11 · Aug 23, 2004

Good to hear the Coiler is good when going downhill. Everything I read on this forum strengthens my love for that bike. Wish I had the money ,damn it.
What's your opinion on the stock Coiler ? (lessay the 04 base Coiler)

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Stinky Wiz

· #12 · Aug 31, 2004

Just got an '04 Coiler Dee-Lux frame (matt-black

). It's virgin runs came at Big Bear & it is a fantastic bike. I had a Heckler that I bent the swingarm on somehow, this sucker is stiff! I have the Z1FR up front & I got used to the handling right away. A really stable bike that just goes where you want it to with no drama. Ate up everything BB had to throw at it with only one incident of detectable bottoming in the back.

I did dent the downtube right above the bottom bracket with some chucked up rock though....classic location that my bud has the same dent in the same spot on his Stab (not worried). Doesn't turn quite as well as the Heckler on the steep switchbacks of my local trails though; I now have to drag the rear around some that my old bike would just rail around. Now I know why my buds,who have had Kona's forever, slide up the trail a bit more than I ever did.

I just took off my DH rubber for more standard 2.25 skins & man do those things look puny in that gigantic space they give in back! May have to get used to running 2.5's!

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Rix Raw

· #13 · Sep 1, 2004

I'm so jealous now..
I would settle with a 04 Coiler though ,don't need the Dee-Lux and I like the Matt Black-Matt White (Matt Grey?) color better.

By the way ,what's the answer to the question in the topic ? Is the Coiler and enduro bike ? If not ,wich Kona would you call an enduro bike ? The Dawg line maybe ?

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Stinky Wiz

· #14 · Sep 11, 2004

Heavy Duty Enduro or Light-Duty Freeride, it blurs the line. I personally don't mind pushing the 35lbs of bike up 6-10 miles to the top, that makes it Enduro for me. On the other hand, it wouldn't be my first choice for cruising the bikepaths. I consider the Stinky to be a full-on Freeride bike & the coiler is so close on the dh that keeping up & passing is not an issue.

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