Advantages: Great handling, climbs like a mountain goat Disadvantages: Can be a handfull on rough, fast decents
To date I've owned three Kona Kulas, spanning a perod of nearly ten years. I've ridden 100km marathons on one, ridden the trails of South Wales on one, and commuted on one, so from that you could surmise that I like the bike. Well yes I do, but as technology has moved on is there still a place for the Kona Kula in todays market place?
When it comes to riding fast, smooth singletrack, either up hill or down, the Kula is superb. The bike climbs very, very well, and the twistier and tighter the singletrack gets, the more the bike excells. Fireroad climbs are eaten for breakfast, and the geometry of the bike is such that it can be thrown back down with gay abandon. However, once a few rocks start appearing, you'll need to sharpen up. There's no ploughing headlong through rock gardens on this bike. The back end will give you a swift kick ...
Greasylake 22.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Kona Kula
Advantages: Singletrack, Marathon Machine Disadvantages: Don't try jumping on it
I already owned a Kona Kula, but the rocks of Glyncorrwg had finally wrecked my ageing body, and I needed a full suspention bike. I loved the sharp handling Kula, and so The King seemed the obvious choice. I wasn't to be dissapointed.
I'm about 5'11" tall, and went for the 19" size. It fits like a glove. With "only" four inches of travel there are plusher bikes out there, but The King loves twisty singletrack, and that was the main reason for me going for it. This bike loves singletrack. There's enough travel to get you through the rockiest sections of Afan Argoed, and it climbs very well. It's by no means superlight, coming in at about 26lbs, but the bike rides light, and is a great marathon machine.
I swapped the FSA wheelset, fo a Chris King wheel set I had lying around, and put the FSA set on the bike I ride to work. They ...
Greasylake 05.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Kona The King
Advantages: Excellent lightweight and bomb-proof frame. Strong durable components. Disadvantages: Slightly pricey with mid-range components.
In 2006 I purchased a 2005 Kona cowan frame that i could custom build. This review is based on my experience on using the frame rather than the full bike supplied by Kona. Despite this I can comment on the specification and value for money of the full bike. The best feature of this bike is certainly the frame, retailing at around £499 alone. The components on this bike are chosen based on there performance as jump bike components. Taking into account what this bike will be used for, all the components are strong and durable. The more you pay for bike components, the lighter and more efficient they become without sacrificing any strength. The components on this bike are fairly average when compared to the quality of the frame. Therefore I think the bike is a touch over priced at £1000 rrp, but certainly worth the money. The frame itself ...
Jonny5Review 16.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Kona Cowan
* Frame: Kona Clump Race 7005 Butted Aluminium frame with 4 inch travel
* Forks: RockShox DART 2 100mm travel
* Gears: Shimano Deore front and rear derailleurs
* Shifters: Shimano Deore
* Chainset: FSA Alpha Drive Powerdrive with 42/32/22 tooth rings
* Brakes: Hayes MX4 Mechanical
* Wheels: Alex ACE-18 rims built on KK Disc front and Shimano FH-M475 rear hubs
* Tyres: Maxxis IGNITOR 26x2.1
* Handlebars: Kona Riser
* Stem: Kona Control
* Saddle: WTB Laser V SPORT
* Seatpost: Kona Thumb
* Pedals/Extras: Wellgo LU-A9 with Toe clips and straps
