Bike upgrade advice...

[hellboundheroic]

I have an '07 Kona Coiler and I've been thinking about doing a few upgrades. If anyone has any opinions or information on these it would be appreciated.

- I weigh about 205lbs. For that reason I've been thinking about changing out the stock spring on the rear suspension. Hopefully this would give me less bob and better rear wheel control. Any thoughts on where I can get a replacement and what size spring I should use?

- I've read a lot about the floating brake system that Kona (and some other manufacturers) offer. Has anyone used this? Does it make a significant difference in control when using the rear brake on downhills?

Any other crucial upgrades? Opinions welcome! Thanks!

[mtnbikerfred]

you need a 700lb or 750lb spring. You should be able to get one at your LBS. If not call Adrenaline or The Path. They have plenty.

The D.O.P.E. system eliminates "brake-squat". If Konas suffered from "brake-jack" like others, I'd go for it. I suppose absolutely neutral braking would allow for the most active suspension. But, and you need to think about this, I kinda like a bike that gets more-slack (squats) as I use the brakes while descending. I have it on good authority that at least one pro-racer went as far as to set up a Brake-Therapy kit (again, designed the eliminate brake-jack) specifically to promote squat under hard braking. IMHO there are better things to spend you money on.

[faded1004]

what is your current tire setup? if they are bad, i would think that should be first setup?

what is your riding enviorment like?

[RacinJason]

Show pics and more details.
Whats on it Forks,shock,shifters,Bars,stem,tire,cranks,wheels, brakes,
Without knowing whats your bike has it is hard to give improvement ideas.

Originally Posted by hellboundheroic

I have an '07 Kona Coiler and I've been thinking about doing a few upgrades. If anyone has any opinions or information on these it would be appreciated.

- I weigh about 205lbs. For that reason I've been thinking about changing out the stock spring on the rear suspension. Hopefully this would give me less bob and better rear wheel control. Any thoughts on where I can get a replacement and what size spring I should use?

- I've read a lot about the floating brake system that Kona (and some other manufacturers) offer. Has anyone used this? Does it make a significant difference in control when using the rear brake on downhills?

Any other crucial upgrades? Opinions welcome! Thanks!

[hellboundheroic]

Originally Posted by faded1004

what is your current tire setup? if they are bad, i would think that should be first setup?

what is your riding enviorment like?

I have the stock tires, Maxxis Minion 26x2.35 front and rear.

Most of what I do is single track in the Los Angeles and Ventura county areas. There are a good amount of local trails which bring you up into the hills and then it's quick downhills. Most of it is hard packed, some loose rock which can get technical.

My last bike had Continental tires
Front:
http://agouracycles.com/images/libra...dking_07_m.jpg
Rear: http://agouracycles.com/images/libra..._view_06_m.jpg

These were a huge improvement over the stock tires before...

Originally Posted by RacinJason

Show pics and more details.
Whats on it Forks,shock,shifters,Bars,stem,tire,cranks,wheels, brakes,
Without knowing whats your bike has it is hard to give improvement ideas.

I picked up the bike about a month ago, haven't changed anything yet. Here are the stock specs.

Frame Kona Clump 7005-aluminum Fork Marzocchi Drop-Off 4 w/20mm through-axle, 150mm-travel Rear Shock Fox Vanilla R, 150mm-travel Rims/Wheels Sun SingleTrack SL-1 Hubs Front: KK, Rear: Shimano M475 Spokes 14g stainless-steel Tires Maxxis Minion, 26 x 2.35 Crankset Race Face Ride XC ISIS Chainwheel 36/24 w/bash guard Front Derailleur Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore LX Rear Cogs Shimano Deore, 9-speed: 11-34 Shifters Shimano Deore Handlebars Kona DH aluminum, 31.8mm Tape/Grips Kona LOG Stem Kona XC/BC Brake Levers Hayes BFL Brakes Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9, w/7-inch rotors Pedals Kona Jack Saddle WTB Pure V Sport Seat Post Kona Double Thumb

[RacinJason]

The tires should be fine.
I would throw a 8 inch disc in the front. Little better braking.
Maybe an XT rear Cog. Lighter
I personally run monkey lite Carbon DH Bars light wide and strong. 28 inch wide rules for me. =Stable

I would keep riding it and get some use out of your current parts then start upgrading drive train parts one thing at a time XT shadow rear der XT shifters etc.
All that xt stuff will be a little lighter but you wound notice the difernce that much in performance.

Originally Posted by hellboundheroic

I have the stock tires, Maxxis Minion 26x2.35 front and rear.

Most of what I do is single track in the Los Angeles and Ventura county areas. There are a good amount of local trails which bring you up into the hills and then it's quick downhills. Most of it is hard packed, some loose rock which can get technical.

My last bike had Continental tires
Front:
http://agouracycles.com/images/libra...dking_07_m.jpg
Rear: http://agouracycles.com/images/libra..._view_06_m.jpg

These were a huge improvement over the stock tires before...



I picked up the bike about a month ago, haven't changed anything yet. Here are the stock specs.

Frame Kona Clump 7005-aluminum Fork Marzocchi Drop-Off 4 w/20mm through-axle, 150mm-travel Rear Shock Fox Vanilla R, 150mm-travel Rims/Wheels Sun SingleTrack SL-1 Hubs Front: KK, Rear: Shimano M475 Spokes 14g stainless-steel Tires Maxxis Minion, 26 x 2.35 Crankset Race Face Ride XC ISIS Chainwheel 36/24 w/bash guard Front Derailleur Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore LX Rear Cogs Shimano Deore, 9-speed: 11-34 Shifters Shimano Deore Handlebars Kona DH aluminum, 31.8mm Tape/Grips Kona LOG Stem Kona XC/BC Brake Levers Hayes BFL Brakes Hayes Hydraulic HFX-9, w/7-inch rotors Pedals Kona Jack Saddle WTB Pure V Sport Seat Post Kona Double Thumb