The 'classic' which bike thread - MTB's/Kona's
Discussion
Time has come to stop using my 18 year (gulp) GT and having always wanted a Kona, this is where I've been looking.
At the approx £1000 mark, everyone considers a Cinder Cone...
http://www.konaworld.com/cinder_cone.cfm
But I've also been looking at the Kahuna...
http://www.konaworld.com/kahuna.cfm
Now, the whole 29inch thing is an entirely new development to me (I'm from the era of primary coloured suspension forks and anodised componentry), so I have nearly no knowledge of what that means. The very friendly local bike shop suggested they are faster, but harder to get going, as if this makes any difference to me, I've never been particularly fast!
Like most folks who don't entirely understand what they are looking at, my assumption was that extra £100 therefore made it better, however the LBS said the componentry and forks on the Cinder Cone are better, and indeed it felt lighter than the Kahuna. He also said the fork was better (air v coil - although coming from my GT with RS Quadra 21R's and their highly advanced elastomer gubbins, anything would feel advanced?).
So I'm torn, between the orange shinyness, more gears (really, does it matter?) and apparently less good spec of the Kahuna and the time tested, reliable and lighter (to my hands anyway) Cinder Cone. I literally have no sodding idea.
I mainly ride is forests, dirt tracks and disused railway lines. Going to have a go in the bike shop car park on my next visit, but would like to be armed with some PH opinions in the hope of making a halfway sensible decision.
Many thanks in advance!
At the approx £1000 mark, everyone considers a Cinder Cone...
http://www.konaworld.com/cinder_cone.cfm
But I've also been looking at the Kahuna...
http://www.konaworld.com/kahuna.cfm
Now, the whole 29inch thing is an entirely new development to me (I'm from the era of primary coloured suspension forks and anodised componentry), so I have nearly no knowledge of what that means. The very friendly local bike shop suggested they are faster, but harder to get going, as if this makes any difference to me, I've never been particularly fast!
Like most folks who don't entirely understand what they are looking at, my assumption was that extra £100 therefore made it better, however the LBS said the componentry and forks on the Cinder Cone are better, and indeed it felt lighter than the Kahuna. He also said the fork was better (air v coil - although coming from my GT with RS Quadra 21R's and their highly advanced elastomer gubbins, anything would feel advanced?).
So I'm torn, between the orange shinyness, more gears (really, does it matter?) and apparently less good spec of the Kahuna and the time tested, reliable and lighter (to my hands anyway) Cinder Cone. I literally have no sodding idea.
I mainly ride is forests, dirt tracks and disused railway lines. Going to have a go in the bike shop car park on my next visit, but would like to be armed with some PH opinions in the hope of making a halfway sensible decision.
Many thanks in advance!
Ha, as I'm so out of all the innovations and trends this last ten years, I have literally no idea what the deal is. I mean, when I bought my bike grip shift and yellow forks was about as cool as it got, now every things black and white and no bike shop wanting to sell to the enthusiast seems to have anything grip shifty at all. How things change.
So whats the deal, where did the 29er thing come from, and why are 'normal' wheels now 27.5 and not 26inch. I feel out of touch! LOL. OMG, totes amaze balls and all that.
So whats the deal, where did the 29er thing come from, and why are 'normal' wheels now 27.5 and not 26inch. I feel out of touch! LOL. OMG, totes amaze balls and all that.
That Cinder Cone does look nice and would probably suit your riding better than the Kahuna, which looks as if it's aimed at xc. Wheel size wouldn't bother me if I was looking for a new 'bike, which I'm not, but I would say that 29" wheels are further sizewise from 27.5s/650bs than 650b is from 26" so you'll feel less difference going with a 650b (if you see what I'm getting at). Only drawback with 650s is a smaller choice tyrewise but I guess that will change, as it has with 29ers. I think Specialized are doing 650b bikes now so I think they're here to stay.
My first "real" mtb was a '92 Cinder Cone, steel frame then, in bright red, and I've always thought that their hardtails looked better than anybody elses. Not always good value specwise compared to some of the opposition so worth doing some comparisons but on looks alone I know what I'd be going for.
My first "real" mtb was a '92 Cinder Cone, steel frame then, in bright red, and I've always thought that their hardtails looked better than anybody elses. Not always good value specwise compared to some of the opposition so worth doing some comparisons but on looks alone I know what I'd be going for.
Found this rather excellent (if you're an idiot like me) guide on bike radar...
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/what-is-...
Still none the wiser about what to buy.
http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/what-is-...
Still none the wiser about what to buy.
I'd look at a Charge Cooker, a responsive steel frame which will have traditional geometry similar to the GT and Konas of old. Alu Konas are still not a patch on their steel namesakes. Either that or a second hand Cotic Soul,
I could do you a deal on a Mk1 Soul if you're interested...
29ers, well basically bigger wheels = faster rolling and better obstacle clearance, tradeoffs? they dont do the uber-technical tight UK trails as well as 26" wheels imho but if wider fireroad stuff or rolling XC is your bag, then they may be a revelation.
Have a look at bike-diso
.de for some great value european models like Univega and Radon which just dont have a UK distributor but are popular on the continent. Sadly UK customers get ripped off by the likes of Giant and Trek.
I could do you a deal on a Mk1 Soul if you're interested...
29ers, well basically bigger wheels = faster rolling and better obstacle clearance, tradeoffs? they dont do the uber-technical tight UK trails as well as 26" wheels imho but if wider fireroad stuff or rolling XC is your bag, then they may be a revelation.
Have a look at bike-diso
.de for some great value european models like Univega and Radon which just dont have a UK distributor but are popular on the continent. Sadly UK customers get ripped off by the likes of Giant and Trek.
Who are 29ers aimed at? Hmmm, don't want to get into yet another 26 versus 29 "discussion" but I have a theory about this. Road bikes as far as I know have always had 700cc wheels and I don't remember hearing anybody say, lets all change to 800cc or 900cc. And mtbs have always used 26" wheels, until the 29" thing came along, and I don't ever remember anybody complaining about wheel size, we all put up with bumps on the tracks, after all, what is mtb'ing all about. If you want to ride on a smooth surface, get a road bike. The problem, if you can call it that, with mtbs is that they're upgradable. So that when suspension forks, hydraulic disc brakes, etc came out, you could buy them and fit to your existing 'bike, more or less. It meant that we didn't buy as many 'bikes as the manufacturers would have liked, even if a new wheel set was needed to fit brake discs and so on. But...........if you want the public to buy complete 'bikes, a completely new wheel size requires a new 'bike as they won't fit your existing frame. Equip the factory riders with 29" bikes and pay them and they'll say what you want, especially in the USA, where attention spans are minimal and hey presto, loads of new 'bike sales with the rest of the planet following on later (and the media joining in by telling us 26 is dead.....they need the advertising and the trips to 'bike launches). Draw your own conclusions, and no, I'm not cycnical, not in the slightest.
Interesting, thanks for the thoughts. Didn't expect the recommendation to look at steel, that was all one the way out in the 90's, I assumed it had gone for good.
And thanks for the 29er thoughts, a bit of reading of old issues of MBUK, MBR and What Mountain Bike have covered everything now I think. My only worry about the 29er is the weight, the Cinder Cone (a 27.5er) felt noticeably lighter.
That said, spec wise I'm confused, the Kahuna has pretty much deore all round, whereas the Cinder Cone has a mix up of SLX, alivio and other bits and bobs, which on paper look a poorer spec but the LBS did say the Cone was a 'better spec', I assume just down to the fork.
Generally speaking, both these bikes are going to be ace really compared with what I'm used to, so like a wise poster said, I'll go with the gut instinct, likely related to colour and just pick one.
And thanks for the 29er thoughts, a bit of reading of old issues of MBUK, MBR and What Mountain Bike have covered everything now I think. My only worry about the 29er is the weight, the Cinder Cone (a 27.5er) felt noticeably lighter.
That said, spec wise I'm confused, the Kahuna has pretty much deore all round, whereas the Cinder Cone has a mix up of SLX, alivio and other bits and bobs, which on paper look a poorer spec but the LBS did say the Cone was a 'better spec', I assume just down to the fork.
Generally speaking, both these bikes are going to be ace really compared with what I'm used to, so like a wise poster said, I'll go with the gut instinct, likely related to colour and just pick one.
I have owned Konas for around 7 years now. All of them were of the 'gravity' type. I only had 1 major problem with a 2007 Kona Cowan DS.
I spent a day doing various jumps and drops with no issues, started cycling back to my car and decided to pop a wheelie or 2...as you do. Then, snap! The chain stay snapped clean in half.....and not even on a weld!
I called Kona the next day and had a brand new chain stay in the post. It arrived in the wrong colour but I wasn't bothered as some kid offered me a stupid amount of their parents money for it....
I currently have a 2009 Kona stinky air and it is outstanding even though it was designed for a rider far more capable than myself.
I spent a day doing various jumps and drops with no issues, started cycling back to my car and decided to pop a wheelie or 2...as you do. Then, snap! The chain stay snapped clean in half.....and not even on a weld!
I called Kona the next day and had a brand new chain stay in the post. It arrived in the wrong colour but I wasn't bothered as some kid offered me a stupid amount of their parents money for it....
I currently have a 2009 Kona stinky air and it is outstanding even though it was designed for a rider far more capable than myself.
Thanks for the experience, I see some posts indicate Kona (and other brands) have lost their way, who knows, the bikes look good to me.
When I was last into biking Kona were making nice riding, if expensive, bikes with really nicely built frames. I've no idea if that reputation is still there!
What's for sure, there's an even bigger array of choice now.
When I was last into biking Kona were making nice riding, if expensive, bikes with really nicely built frames. I've no idea if that reputation is still there!
What's for sure, there's an even bigger array of choice now.
I've been umming and ahhing about my 2nd bike for a while, even have another thread asking for advice, have seen 2012 and 2013 Cinder Cones going for less than £600.
Head says go for a knock down Trek or Spesh but the Konas are just stupid fun.
My 1st proper mtb was a 1999 Cinder Cone and regret selling it to this day
Head says go for a knock down Trek or Spesh but the Konas are just stupid fun.
My 1st proper mtb was a 1999 Cinder Cone and regret selling it to this day
toon10 said:
I do love a Kona. I bought a basic Hahanna many moons ago and it was the best bike I've owned. I can't help you with any advice, I ride a bike on occasion and certainly not seriously or with that in mind, I'd go with the one which looks cooler. The orange one 
I have an old Hahanna as well. It's on semi slick tyres and is used occasionally for 'urban trails'. I love it dearly and see it as a thing of beauty (even if no one else does!)TheBALDpuma said:
I've always thought of Kona bikes as being under specced and pricey.
Compare it to this On One linky which is £100 cheaper, and slightly better spec.
Yes, you are right in that case, the fork in particular is a model up from both the Cinder Cone and the Kahuna.Compare it to this On One linky which is £100 cheaper, and slightly better spec.
I'm getting lost in specs and comparisons, need to go have a ride of some of these as ultimately its down to feel. I always felt my friends Kona way back in 96 rode far better than my GT, as nice as that was.
TheBALDpuma said:
I've always thought of Kona bikes as being under specced and pricey.
Compare it to this On One linky which is £100 cheaper, and slightly better spec.
Just to expand on this, given what you and others have said about specs, I've been considering the Cube LTD 29er. Its bang on the same money as the Kahuna, but comes with a bits of XT and SLX groupset and a fork a few rungs up. Never heard of Cube, but so many of the shops I used to frequent for kit in the 90's now seem to stock them, which is a good sign. Will try and get to a shop to have a look and try.Compare it to this On One linky which is £100 cheaper, and slightly better spec.
I did however get a ride on the Cinder Cone and Kahuna in the LBS car park, both felt nice in as much as you can tell from a dozen laps of the car park. What strikes me is the change in cockpit ergnomics, I felt instantly comfy on both bikes, although my old GT does have a stupidly long stem for reasons I can no longer remember.
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