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I wouldn’t say I regret having bought the Kona with its reasonable weight and specification, it certainly seemed to perform pretty well off-road. My Stinky is now a couple of years old and this is the model which I will review although I can say that the newer model does strike me as being ... Read review
A review by chrisradband on Kona Stinky October 26th, 2004
Author's product rating:
Value for money
OK
Durability
OK
How does it compare to similar products?
Good
Advantages:
Great fun, 'do anything'
Disadvantages:
Poor customer service
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
A Stinky was my first 'proper' downhill bike although not necessarily my first choice, I would much rather have had an Orange Patriot but the five month waiting list deterred me.
I wouldn’t say I regret having bought the Kona with its reasonable weight and specification, it certainly seemed to perform pretty well off-road. My Stinky is now a couple of years old and this is the model which I will review although I can say that the newer model does strike me as being of a much higher spec and better value for money.
So, I bought my Kona and the first thing I did was upgrade it from v-brakes to disk brakes (come as standard now) and the bike rode fantastically, especially once the Marzocchi forks had bedded in, no complaints whatsoever.
For the next few months the bike rode beautifully and I was more than happy, no problems whatsoever but then one day quite surprisingly my rear triangle snapped, shocking when I'd only had the bike around three months. Becoming increasingly more frustrated I waited almost three months for a replacement part, gutted…
Once this was replaced, the bike rode perfectly again and still, a couple of years on, most the parts are in full working order and it’s certainly fair to say that I did some things which could have broken plenty of other bikes!
Please note, I haven’t reviewed the specification as it has changed on the newer models, rather I would say that in my opinion the quality but budget hardcore accessories were good value considering the price bracket at which the bike is targettted.
I'd recommend this bike but equally would never recommend buying any bike without having thoroughly checked out the market to make sure what is best for you and preferably having taken a test ride on two or three of your favourites...
If you would like more detail then the Kona website at www.konaworld.co.uk is fantastic and if you’d like any personal info regarding opinions etc feel free to leave a message in my guest book.
Advantages: Bombproof, it will take anything you throw at it and come back asking for more Disadvantages: Bit on the heavy side at 40lbs but its not really an uphill bike
Advantages: Solid bike, which will stand up to almost anything. Disadvantages: Not realy suted to the all round rider. Only to one who is only interested in Down hill
...The Stinky De-Lux is by all accounts a very reliable bike. I was first attracted to the Stinky as it was, of corse, a top of the range Down Hill mountain bike. When i investigated further i realised for a reletively small ammount more i could affort the Stinky De-Lux. When thinking about it i thought that the ammount more i would have to pay did not compare to the increase quality i would recieve. The Stinky, although a very nice bike does lack a few featues. The rear suspension is not by and means close to the quality of the De-Lux version. The front suspension forks also contribute to an all round better ride. The origonal Stinky is an ausome bike but had a few finishes needed which where met with the De-Lux. I would say to anyone who was thinking of buying a quality Down hill bike for a high price should consider how much more...
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