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
've ridden many road miles and are still going strong. I also put a set of Hope discs on The King, leaving the Hayes discs that came as standard for my road machine. I really like the WTB saddle on The King. I've always had a tender rear end, and the WTB saddle is a god send. The grips on the other hand look a bit naff and insubstantial, but after 18 months, they are still going strong. The Fox forks are very compitent as is the Fox RP3 shock
To date, other than changing a set of cables, and putting a new chain on it, The King has needed very little mantainence. The linkages are still working, although a little play is starting to develope, and I think the bushings will need replacing in the next couple of months.
If you already own, or have ridden a Kona, you'll recognise The King as soon as you throw your leg over the top tube. If you ...
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
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