Level Cliff

Advantages: Quick, nippy, lightweight bike.
Disadvantages: Ride it too hard and it will break.

...Kona build some brilliant bikes... freeride, downhill, cross country, road and recreational. The Kona Fire Mountain is recreational also marketed as an entry-level Cross Country mountain bike. I bought the 2005 model for £450 in Halfords but I've seen the 2006 model for just £400 online at Evans Cycles. Older models can still be bought brand new from various suppliers and get knocked down dramatically in price. Now, I've owned this bike since May 05 and use it daily for travelling to and fro, and in that respect it's a very good machine, lightweight, quick and it looks great. But you have to remember that this bike is very much at the bottom end of the Kona range. The brakes are disc, which is good, as it gives great stopping power, but these are not fluid control brakes... they're cable controlled and brake 'cables' do have a tendency... Read review

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Advantages: Light, strong, perfect
Disadvantages: absolutely nought for my riding style

...Ok, first I should make it clear that although I'm writing an op for the Kona Manomano bike I only actually run the FRAME from the '98 Manomano bike which I picked up while working at my local mountain bike shop a couple of years ago now. The bike had been stripped down for various parts leaving the frame which I snapped up for a fair sum (£450). I now, and have been for the last 2/3 years, running it as a freeride/downhill rig and I have to say, its perfect. As I'm not one for hucking off cliffs and/or houses the 7005 ally structure is quite strong enough and the fox vanilla rear shock provides 3.5" of plush, lovely suspension even when I havent cleaned out the pivot bushings for ages and I've been riding it in British winter weather!? I run it with 5" Stratos FR4 dual-crown forks and various other dh gubbins such as MRP chain... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight and waterproof
Disadvantages: Wrist Strap

...I am a commercial fisherman who relies on both exact and dependability in a Gps navigation aid. The Garmin Gps 72 is a very dependable unit i use another brand on my boat while working and i have the gp 72 beside it and have found it to be a better unit allround, so i hear you all say, well this is why i mentioned my other unit, the other ones costs nearly £700 and is a fixed unit, with a smaller display. My gp 72 cost me £130 and is handheld and portable, also with the correct lead available from Garmin you can download and update data from your computer or laptop. I use mine for work when i am called out for the HM Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team that i am a member of and found it is very accurate and dependable. It has a clear display excellent features easy to use menus and functions, setup is easy as all you have to do is turn... Read review

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