KOna bike

[mikecsulb]

I have the oppertunity to get a Kona Kikapu Full Suspension bike new for 600 $ including shipping. Should I go for it. Trade in my 4500 for this Kona. it's a 16" frame and im 5'7 so I assume it's a good entry level full suspension? Any input is appreciated.

[Pho'dUp]

I've got the same design as the Kikapu but it's called a Kahuna.

Sure it's not a Horst link but it's lateral stiff and I've never had a problem with any of the pivots.

$600 complete isn't bad especially for your first FS bike. It's a definite upgrade from a Trek 4500.

I'd be sure to measure the effective top tube of your Trek and compare it to the Kona's.

What year are you looking at?

[LBmtb]

If there are any local shops that carry konas, you should head over and see if you can test ride a Kikapu in that size just to see how it fits you.

$600 is a good deal though as long as you like how the bike feels and fits.

Is it with these specs? http://www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p5113 . What year is it?

[mcgrath]

Talk to Brandi (sp) at the PATH in Tustin. They deal Kona. Bring you 'A' game though.

[Schecky]

What is the fork and rear shock?
IMO, you get what you pay for, and a $600 full squishy isn't going to be super capable.
Kona makes very good bikes, but for $600 you probably wont get disc, and the suspension is probably questionable for anything beyond fireroads.
A $600 steel hardtail would have better odds of a good fork and good mechanical discs.
I'm not trying to discourage you and I understand the desire, but you'll probably be happier if you hold off for a couple of months. There are good close-out deals at the end of the year.

What about FXRob's weyless? Too big?

[ECOdork]

Good comments from all.

Most importantly, go and try one out (and other rides to) and see if you like it!
Also, see what you could get for a similar price in other brands just to see where you would stand.

While I'm a big fan of Kona bikes, I'd second that comment about FXRob's weyless. Looks like more bike for the $$$.

Give us the specs Mike. *Like Sheckster says, it might not be all that great of a deal if the components are crap. The Kikapu is also a cross-country model of bike. You come off as someone who would be burly/agressive when riding and would trash that frame pretty quickly. If I were you, I'd look into finding a KONA DAWG or a KONA COILER if you want to stick with KONA. The Kikapu offers 4 inches of travel, the DAWG offers 5 and the COILER offers 6.

Again, post the specs so we can see what this bike has/doesn't have and we would be able to advise you from there. Chances are it has a crappy Marz. EXR fork on it, with v-brakes and low end componentry. Then, if you decide to upgrade later you'll dump more money into it and with that money you could have saved up a little more and gotten a complete DAWG or COILER with all you spent on the upgrades.

I'd agree with the Rob's Weyless being a killer deal. You could go as huge as you want with that frame and not worry about breaking it (for the most part).

[TURNERob]

It seems as a whole that Kona's come with crappy components unless you buy the top of the line model. Like the others have said we need to know what components it has and what fork etc etc. A 16" frame may be too small for you also, you never know.

[mikecsulb]

Frame Clump race butted 7005-aluminum, 100mm

travel
Fork Marzocchi MZ Comp 100mm travel
Rear Shock Fox Float
Rims/Wheels Sun Black Eye
Hubs Front: KK Disc, Rear: Shimano M475 Disc
Spokes Front: 15g, Rear: 14g
Tires Tioga Red Phoenix 26 x 2.0
Crankset TruVativ Blaze ISIS
Chainwheel 44/32/22
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Rear Cogs Shimano Deore, 9-speed: 11-32
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebars Aluminum riser
Tape/Grips Kona Mooseknuckle
Stem Kona Control
Brake Levers Avid FR-5
Brakes Shimano M475 mechanical disc
Pedals Shimano M505 clipless
Saddle WTB Pure V Sport
Seat Post Kalloy



or should I wait a while and get good on the Trek 4500 Hardtail. I see it mabye if I get good on a hardtail it'll be a better learning lesson. I am not going to upgrade anything on the bike I have unless it breaks. Mabye I should save up my money until summer and get something worth buying that will last a while. The only thing I will buy for mt biking is prob new tires,mini pump, camelbak mb like a jersey shirt thingand perhaps gloves.

[Big Guy]

Good enough components, for the money it's a good deal. But check with the Path, the 06 models are coming, they might be able to make a good deal on a 05.

You have a great XC frame with solid components, not the lightest but solid.

[LBmtb]

Oooor you could save up some money and hold off for a Yeti 575

[mcgrath]

Seroiusly, make sure it fits. I learned the hard way - still a beginner mind you. Im on my second frame already because I bought a bike that didn't fit all that well. Hardtails are great I think. They are a cheap way to get you in the sport. Besides, as a beginner you need to work on not falling. Granted a FS will help a lot, but you can do most trails around here perfectly fine on a hardtail. I do.

As far as the Kona goes, it seems like a good deal.

I would buy gloves - They are a tremendous help. At least for me, my hands sweat on the grips all the time. Spare tubes and a pump are a must.

You could hold off on the Camelback, its much more convenient however.

[Von-Diggity]

At $600 for the Kona, it is a good deal. Some of the parts may not be the best, but it does have some quality components. The frame size should be ok for you, but you may need to mess with the stem length to get a really good fit. The Full suspension should make your riding experience much better than your current hardtail. If the bike is in decent condition, I say go for it. (unless you have enough to get something like a Dawg or Coiler). Also the newer Giant bikes are really good values and have really good suspension design.


matt

[Schecky]

Based on the specs, that's a pretty decent deal. But I concur with Big Guy - You should check with the Path.

I think you are walking down a path that many of us have traveled.
Something like:
Whatever bike > break the bike > decent bike > spend lots on upgrades > still want something more > Awesome bike.
(Then comes the "I think I need more than one bike" stage )
What we knew three months after we bought our first 'real' mountain bike was leaps and bounds above what it was the day we bought the bike.
Good luck!

[Pho'dUp]

That is a good deal, but check with the Path. I know the retail for that bike is about a grand. The other thing, is if you plan on hucking you may think about getting a burlier frame. The Kikapu is tough but if you plan on dropping a lot things I'd look elsewhere.

My only concern is that the rear Shock doesn't have a rebound adjustment. For me, this is really important to fine tune the ride.
Maybe you can work with the Path to get at least a Float R on there.

Goodluck.

[TURNERob]

Mike I've seen your current bike and I honestly think you shouldn't waste your money on this Kona. It will have rear suspension yes, but a crappy rear shock and a pretty crappy fork which won't be much improvement if any over your current bike. If you want a full suspension rig, save up your money until you have enough to buy a better bike. Like George said a Yeti 575 frame is a killer frame for the price, and depending on what you want to do with your bike now some parts could be swapped over onto the new full suspension frame. I had a hardtail and bought a 575 and stripped the hardtail to build the 575 and couldn't be happier with that bike. I'd say just don't jump into this bike because the price sounds good and it has full suspension.

[mikecsulb]

yah ima save my money and beat my hardtail and learn off it. I rode fullerton today and kept up with all my friends with full sus bikes like fsr pro's etc. To be honest I'll prob wait till next summer and get really good on the hardtail. Ill jjust get the basics like camelbak, gloves etc.

[Big Guy]

Wow!

I would have a hard time resisting a new toy. There something hypnotic about having 2 or 3 or 4 bikes. It calls to our gatherer instinct.

or is it the mannnlyy hormooness haaaaooooooooooooooooooo!


yes dear, one bike is enough...

one bike? Noway! i need at least 4! The 5 inch trail bike, the cross country hard tail, the rigid single speed, and now, the latest and greatest 6 inch travel bikes.

[Big Guy]

Chumbawumba,

I really think you are right.

But, when you are married, you can be right or you can be happy...

...I have been happy for many years now!!!!

I will be riding tomorrow morning though!! \/