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2010 Kona Bikes - Spy Photos
by spoiledgoods
Posted: Aug 6, 2009
Kona Bikes Canada recently called upon us to come take a look at their new bike lineup, and allowed us to take some photos. Sorry, no we can't provide you with the top quality shots we got, as this is a sneak peak, but here are some of the bikes, and future changes you can look forward to. Kona has clearly gone for a more simplistic graphic design for 2010, moving away from the multi-colored bikes and started looking more and more at visual aesthetics.
Here's a sneak peak at the 2010 Kona Bikes lineup...
Here's a sneak peak at the 2010 Kona Bikes lineup...
For 2010 Kona has focused a ton of time into their art department, and have done a ton of research to see what they think looks good, and what would suit the industry appropriately. For 2010 it looks like big bike manufacturers are looking at more simplistic paint jobs, decal details, and keeping the bikes as "low-key" as they can. Here's a small walk through of what you can look for from Kona for 2010.
For the Downhill scene Kona's Stab Supreme has taken a more "old school" decal look compared to other years. A raw/bronze color coats the frame, which has been clear coated for a deep look to it. The decals are very subtle, and are worked into simple lines, and shapes. They have gone for a white component spec, but not overly coated in white. The wheels, chain guide, rocker links, seat, fork, and grips are white, while the accent is on black for everything else. Very subtle gold hints are on the Stab Supreme, including the cap's covering the pivot points, the Saint mech, and the floating brake attachment. This floating brake system, like the past years, has been refined to work as effectively as possible, eliminating brake jack, and allowing suspension motion under hard braking.
The next bike we're going to look at is the Stinky Deluxe. We have seen the Stinky goes through a lot of changes in its freeride bike position in the Kona Bikes lineup. This year Kona has taken a more aggressive freeride and all mountain setup to the Stinky Deluxe. Spec'd with a HammerSchmidt FR, strong Avid Code brakes, and Marzocchi suspension the Stinky Deluxe has a good mixture of freeride strength, and all mountain weight components. Mavic Crossline wheels are a little on the lighter duty side of things, but still have the depth and width to support your large 2.0-2.5" tires. Equip with Kona's D.O.P.E. Floating Brake System the Stinky Deluxe is more all mountain, then freeride for 2010. The paint and decal department has hooked the Stinky up with a glossy black frame finish, with subtle white hints, and clean grey decals.
The Bass has been a big selling slopestyle bike for Kona for quite some time now. For 2010 they have looked into a more "flashy" design, so Kona stepped into the world of chrome. For 2010 the Bass features a single speed design, with adjustable drop outs, with an emphasis on simplicity. A chrome and white paint job make this bike flashy, but not overly blinging. Little to no graphics keep the overall look clean, while the simple component spec ensures reliability. The Bass did not change to much compared to last year, however, the visual changes make it appear much cleaner, and have smoother lines.
A lot of companies are looking more and more into women's specific bikes, a mens bike would just not be fair to them. Kona has stepped into the realm a little further with the creation of the Minxy, the women's specific freeride bike in Konas 2010 bike line up. Air suspension front and back, and shortened cockpit, while still holding onto the freeride geometry we all love. Small grips, a slightly smaller seat, and a slightly lower standover height aid this bike in being more comfortable under women, while not being overly "feminine". Pink bar ends are a nice touch to this bike, while the graphics and overall color scheme has stayed plain so the women don't stand out too much on the trail.
One of the most controversial changes for 2010, but more realistic changes, were some changes made to the Shonky, Kona's budget dirt jump, and street bike. The Shonky last year was equip with a rigid fork, however, for 2010 Kona has stepped it up and put a suspenion fork on it. This change should not effect the price to greatly, but will help provide a more well rounded bike available for a better price point. Disc brakes front and back ensure good stopping power, and shortened drop outs keep the rear end clean. The component spec has not changed to much, and Kona has carried on the color matched components onto this bike as well, with a green frame, front wheel, and pedals.
Last but not least is Kona's newest addition to the all mountain and cross country genre of the sport, named the Abra Cadabra. The Abra Cadabra is a light weight, hill killing machine that is going to utilize Kona's Magic Link. Its been designed around being light, responsive, and versatile, so the average rider could take it out and enjoy the rugged uphills, and the fast downhills. Following along with the clean lines and subtle decals, the Abra Cadabra has a clean glossy grey paint job, with small white accents on the frame, fork, and wheels.
All the new Kona bikes look awesome, so stay tuned at Pinkbike.com for more information come the weekend!
For the Downhill scene Kona's Stab Supreme has taken a more "old school" decal look compared to other years. A raw/bronze color coats the frame, which has been clear coated for a deep look to it. The decals are very subtle, and are worked into simple lines, and shapes. They have gone for a white component spec, but not overly coated in white. The wheels, chain guide, rocker links, seat, fork, and grips are white, while the accent is on black for everything else. Very subtle gold hints are on the Stab Supreme, including the cap's covering the pivot points, the Saint mech, and the floating brake attachment. This floating brake system, like the past years, has been refined to work as effectively as possible, eliminating brake jack, and allowing suspension motion under hard braking.
2010 Stab Supreme
The next bike we're going to look at is the Stinky Deluxe. We have seen the Stinky goes through a lot of changes in its freeride bike position in the Kona Bikes lineup. This year Kona has taken a more aggressive freeride and all mountain setup to the Stinky Deluxe. Spec'd with a HammerSchmidt FR, strong Avid Code brakes, and Marzocchi suspension the Stinky Deluxe has a good mixture of freeride strength, and all mountain weight components. Mavic Crossline wheels are a little on the lighter duty side of things, but still have the depth and width to support your large 2.0-2.5" tires. Equip with Kona's D.O.P.E. Floating Brake System the Stinky Deluxe is more all mountain, then freeride for 2010. The paint and decal department has hooked the Stinky up with a glossy black frame finish, with subtle white hints, and clean grey decals.
2010 Stinky Deluxe
The Bass has been a big selling slopestyle bike for Kona for quite some time now. For 2010 they have looked into a more "flashy" design, so Kona stepped into the world of chrome. For 2010 the Bass features a single speed design, with adjustable drop outs, with an emphasis on simplicity. A chrome and white paint job make this bike flashy, but not overly blinging. Little to no graphics keep the overall look clean, while the simple component spec ensures reliability. The Bass did not change to much compared to last year, however, the visual changes make it appear much cleaner, and have smoother lines.
2010 Kona Bass
A lot of companies are looking more and more into women's specific bikes, a mens bike would just not be fair to them. Kona has stepped into the realm a little further with the creation of the Minxy, the women's specific freeride bike in Konas 2010 bike line up. Air suspension front and back, and shortened cockpit, while still holding onto the freeride geometry we all love. Small grips, a slightly smaller seat, and a slightly lower standover height aid this bike in being more comfortable under women, while not being overly "feminine". Pink bar ends are a nice touch to this bike, while the graphics and overall color scheme has stayed plain so the women don't stand out too much on the trail.
2010 Kona Minxy
One of the most controversial changes for 2010, but more realistic changes, were some changes made to the Shonky, Kona's budget dirt jump, and street bike. The Shonky last year was equip with a rigid fork, however, for 2010 Kona has stepped it up and put a suspenion fork on it. This change should not effect the price to greatly, but will help provide a more well rounded bike available for a better price point. Disc brakes front and back ensure good stopping power, and shortened drop outs keep the rear end clean. The component spec has not changed to much, and Kona has carried on the color matched components onto this bike as well, with a green frame, front wheel, and pedals.
2010 Kona Shonky
Last but not least is Kona's newest addition to the all mountain and cross country genre of the sport, named the Abra Cadabra. The Abra Cadabra is a light weight, hill killing machine that is going to utilize Kona's Magic Link. Its been designed around being light, responsive, and versatile, so the average rider could take it out and enjoy the rugged uphills, and the fast downhills. Following along with the clean lines and subtle decals, the Abra Cadabra has a clean glossy grey paint job, with small white accents on the frame, fork, and wheels.
2010 Kona Abra Cadabra
All the new Kona bikes look awesome, so stay tuned at Pinkbike.com for more information come the weekend!
143 Comments
- + 8
Kawasaki80
(Aug 6, 2009 at 17:28)
Sick Sick Sick!
nothing special, there always the same, so plain on the design, i couldve have told you what the 2010 line up was already going to look like, negative prop me as you choose but its a personal opinion, i like the bass cause they got rid of the butterflies in the graphics 
but other wise i will never be impressed with kona untill they change something other than the graphics,
but other wise i will never be impressed with kona untill they change something other than the graphics,
yep, couldnt agree more! already said the same thing on another site. as usual all they've changed is the paint jobs
wich look a HELL of a lot better than last years but still the same old konas!
"if it aint broke dont try an fix it" but
kona always seem a few years behind for example i notice a couple of the bikes got 1.5 head sets when other companies have already ditched em an moved on to taperd desighns...
wich look a HELL of a lot better than last years but still the same old konas!
"if it aint broke dont try an fix it" but
kona always seem a few years behind for example i notice a couple of the bikes got 1.5 head sets when other companies have already ditched em an moved on to taperd desighns...
Well in all honesty you could say the same thing about Orange that they dont change their designs but i dont see any of you moaning about them.
No Ben cathro said in an interview that the new 225 will NOT replace the 224 but will be sold along side it.
Remember, this is a "sneak peek"!11!!!!1!11!!!!. I'm sure Kona changed something but not really. They have their geo pretty much figured out. There's only so much you can do to change a Faux bar design. It's not a bad design, but what do you expect? In my opinion, Kona needs to pay their graphic design team less, and focus all of their money on a new DH/FR lineup. With all the money they've got, it should be easy. I love my Stinky a lot. It rides well enough for a first freeride bike, and is cheap, so I don't feel bad beating the frame to bits. When it goes, I'll buy a different, better bike.
. I'm sure Kona changed something but not really. They have their geo pretty much figured out. There's only so much you can do to change a Faux bar design. It's not a bad design, but what do you expect? In my opinion, Kona needs to pay their graphic design team less, and focus all of their money on a new DH/FR lineup. With all the money they've got, it should be easy. I love my Stinky a lot. It rides well enough for a first freeride bike, and is cheap, so I don't feel bad beating the frame to bits. When it goes, I'll buy a different, better bike.
I know i'm probably a bit biased, but if you look at specialized they realized they couldn't keep using the same designs with the sx, big hit and demo, so they changed the design completely 
, and the new bikes are supposed to be sick! kona need to realise that using the same bike over and over again 
just won't keep on working! rant over. 
, and the new bikes are supposed to be sick! kona need to realise that using the same bike over and over again just won't keep on working! rant over.
first norco changes theres bikes and gives them better parts and you wine and complain blah blah soo ugly but nice parts,then kona doesnt make there bikes look goofy and decks them out,and you all complain ohh same old kona blah blah,kona did a great job looks great i personnaly love kona's,its what i ride,no problems with them ever and props to the new models.
Everyone blows there loads over Transitions even though all there bikes use the same suspension design as Kona. Why is that?
only a couple of the transitions use the same suspension design as kona (dirtbag), most of them are completeley different (double, blindside, bottlerocket)
ya they saved weight on paint... big changes my ballsack, how about they finally change there design to something not shitty, and make a descent bike besides the Bass.
ever since the konas started snapping everyones been bagging on them.. including me. but in my budget i wouldnt have mind to buy the kona stinky as my second choice next to the bighit as my first.
Sookebiker, you are wrong: every single one of Transition's full sus bikes uses the same suspension design as all of Kona's full sus bikes. They both use a non-Horst link four-bar set-up.
most bikes are made by the same companies or factories as all the other brands too, so all this only konas snap or since kona started snapping and they arent good anymore crap is rediculous too. and transitions are no more special then kona's.
it's still a kona as far as I'm concerned. I'm not a "hey you're not a mountain biker because you ride kona" kind of guy. but I think kona's need to move forward a little bit and try something new. I love most of there rides but I think they have more potential. that's just my 
I'm so damn glad they ditched the old graphics. They were horrendous. I don't mind the design of the bikes staying the same. They perform well for being what amounts to more budget oriented DH and FR bikes. I used to ride a stab and it was a pretty decent bike for what I paid....before it got stolen.....*grumbles*.....
yea kona has never come close to making a good ht,thats one thing they gota do,atleast give one ht a good build,atleast one.
Yes mtnbker395. Compared to the top of the line DH and FR bikes the prices Kona offer their bikes at would be considered budget for people looking for a new bike. And if people are in the market for a used bike Kona's go for much less than other companies used bikes. Just check the buy/sell section of this site and see.
cheap forks,a seat from th 90's an plastic pedals on a mtb make the shonky a fail. kona = my first mtb!!
konad,how the flip can you say transition bikes are no more special than kona!!!! konas are coperate owned,mass produced in the far east an havent updated thier frames in years
transition,rider owned an run an desighned,new models updated costantly!! an hand made in the u.s by riders
konad,how the flip can you say transition bikes are no more special than kona!!!! konas are coperate owned,mass produced in the far east an havent updated thier frames in years
transition,rider owned an run an desighned,new models updated costantly!! an hand made in the u.s by riders
well we all have opinions im not surpised atall you like tranistion over kona,i find transitions slugish and heavy,especialy the bottlerocket for a 5 inch travle bike,the dirtbag is been the same design for 10 years,even stinkys have gone thorugh changes. i would ride my cowan ds any day over a double even though doubles are 100%sick,again thats my preference,and the only transition i like alot are top's they are 1 thousand times better then kona hardtails.
I don't really care they all look the same,ive just never liked how Kona's look at all,from the graphic's to the frame design.Transition's bikes look similar to each other and they pull it off well.
Kona is keeping it simple which I think is awesome. They continue to produce a great bike with great specs. And the bass looks great.
oi look they;ve changed f**k all, kona and specialised spend all there money on advertising so they seem a big deal but spend no money on development, no difference between now and 10 years ago
specialized changed this year... sx trails are different, sx super cross, different geo on the p3 etc.
I Suppose You didn't notice that the Bighit's Suspension pivots were Completley Re-modeled Either there Tommy P 
( refering to Specialized.. obviously ) Think.... then Comment.
( refering to Specialized.. obviously ) Think.... then Comment.
spesh have redesigned their whole fleet practically over the last 2years, making them lighter and ride better, theres no comparison im afraid.
it seems that a lot people think change is always better just for the sake of change , 4 bar is one of the best designs around its just that they discovered it 15 years ago and stuck to it
massive stanges... the stinkys and stabs look like the old one... hope they made them stronger for this season
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I like the new line-up. The Stabs look mint and the Bass looks nice and clean (And Shiny!). The Shonky looks nicer due to the fact that Kona slapped on some disc brakes and a suspension fork. But it's somewhat of a marmite bike; either you love it or you hate it. (Kinda like the 2010 P.3.) I personally love it, though it could do with a new seat. Just my
big changes for 2010!
For 2010 Kona has focused a ton of time into their "ART DEPARTMENT!", and have done a ton of research to see what they think "LOOKS GOOD!",(pssst!spoiled goods- you need a synonym finder)
WATCH OUT DAVE WEAGLE! HERE COMES KONA!
roflmao. kona kills me. if it wasn't for resort rentals, and naive grommatrons who look for the easiest bike name to remember when they ask mommy for a new dirt jumper-because all the other 10 year olds are getting them- kona would be out of business.
For 2010 Kona has focused a ton of time into their "ART DEPARTMENT!", and have done a ton of research to see what they think "LOOKS GOOD!",(pssst!spoiled goods- you need a synonym finder)
WATCH OUT DAVE WEAGLE! HERE COMES KONA!
roflmao. kona kills me. if it wasn't for resort rentals, and naive grommatrons who look for the easiest bike name to remember when they ask mommy for a new dirt jumper-because all the other 10 year olds are getting them- kona would be out of business.
Yeah.Actually Kona and Norco's paint jobs for this year look really good, but i just can't find integrity on companies that put out bikes last year with Teletubies colors creating a war between 15 year old trendwhores and people with good taste or plain comon sense, and then just go back to normality after realizing no one past 20 years of age could possibly buy their bikes. Apart from Brüno obviously.
haha. very clever. i have a thesaurus the is entitled "the synonym finder" and its a huge book, and i often use it whenever i attempt to sound wordy(its not handy at the moment-haha again). its a good book. but i get your drift. cheeky. quite.
It looks nicer? Yes, well maybe, but changes ? What changes ???
It's still the same heavy frame(s) with a suspension that won't work well when you brake unless you have a small linkage that creates vibrations.
Still the same teflon fragile and innefective pivots instead of bearings.
Great work kona see you in 2048 for the new colors !
It's still the same heavy frame(s) with a suspension that won't work well when you brake unless you have a small linkage that creates vibrations.
Still the same teflon fragile and innefective pivots instead of bearings.
Great work kona see you in 2048 for the new colors !
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i own a stab and i find it amazing that they are still useing the very average linkage design that they made in 2005. I want to work for kona, seems you get to sit on your ass all day.
well, no big changes at all, but somehow I always liked to ride konas, they are not pretty, light or anything but every time I was riding stinky or something it has really "playable" feeling - maybe the suspesion isn't good for technical dh tracks, but for fooling around - some jumps and freeride stuff it was good for me.
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i love the stab... if anyone says thats its shit they have something wrong with them....
very nice guys
very nice guys
I dont have shit wrong with me, they are gross. They feel like tanks and arent agile at all. You just pack into rocks as opposed to going around them cause they arent flickable. The diesign hasnt changed in like 4 years whats the point of getting a new one besides the boxxer and new paint?
Instead of spending all their time in the art department, maybe they should actually try out some new frame designs and use Easton tubing again.
kona will always be kona!bikes look nice,tech is good.stinky will be mine,i'll sell my soul to the devil for him.
i think konas look quite good, but ive never seen the down side of them, probably cause ive never seen one in action, do they just snap too much or something?
think the bikes are looking good, wouldnt spend that much on them but no1 can really comment until the have had chance to ride them but people dont realise its not allways about the looks, its about how it rides and that will become obvious in time, they bikes cant be as bad as people think as kona isnt going bankrupt anytime soon are they
There were a few that snapped but just because they were so popular, and most of them snapped around the time when there was a craze for just throwing yourself off of big cliffs. I think they look a lot better than before because by the looks of things there are changes in geometry maybe very slight but still these are changes and maybe if the people who hate Kona so much would give the bikes a chance rather than just writing them off as not being any good before they are even available to buy or even ride. These people are always the same and will probably never change.
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I like Kona's bikes. I would agree with their philosophy to keep their reliable designs intact. I wish more companies would do the same, Simple, clean, stout bikes made for the abuse of woods riding, thats why I like companies such as Transition that keepthings simple for the sake of cost and function. But Transitions are "cool" so they dont get any flak, funny how that works - I like alot of the innovations that are going on, and from the component and suspension angle the konas dont lack, they are fitted with the latest and greatest in mountain bike goodies- so what is it people dont like about them?, the simple frame designs I guess right? Why wont Kona thin out their tubing to high hell and add a bunch of suspension arms and bearings and go fast guizmos???........Well I guess because there are plenty of those, but maybe not enough good old fashioned free-ride machines. To each his own.
DARKSTAR63 killed the nail on the head. I like Transitions for sure, but it is all about branding. They are simple modified single pivots with nice colours (crappy paint jobs though which is the funny thing) and all the sudden they are the best bikes in the industry while Kona is "old and unrefined". My biggest pet peeve is bike companies changing their frames every three years for no good reason. Take for example the specialized enduro. Not much better an all mtn/light freeride frame can be found, but its three years were up so all the sudden the SL comes out and it is nowhere near as good. But, oh it is lighter (I think the session 88 is pretty light too but I hear they break in a couple minutes)... well at least weight is something that can make the bike itself handle better. I don't think colours really improve speed... except maybe hot pink
there is nothing worng with konas, just a bad image cos lots of people ride them. the fact that as a brand they have more word cup and world champs than other bike companies would say they have a design that worked. if they were bad bikes no one would ride them. if you want a good reliable bike thats nice to ride then konas are a good choice. sure santa cruz and intense are producing cutting edge bikes but you pay for that. frames for the same price of a complete kona bike.
and sorry but im sure there is a whole new bike mentioned in the article if not two. stop giving kona crap and go and ride your bikes.
and sorry but im sure there is a whole new bike mentioned in the article if not two. stop giving kona crap and go and ride your bikes.
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I really like the Stab Supreme, the Minxy and the Abra Cadabra.. don't see a stick of change though.
I dont see the "big changes for 2010".... the bass is nice although i would've liked to see more originality in the paintjob, kind of like the 2009 one. this one just looks like the had no idea's and just put chrome/black everywhere. also the shonky is really ugly and does not impress me spec wise.
listen to me you all mf who know only to shit...
i can bet that 99% of you did't ride kona..
sorry for bad english...i have 5-6 beers in me...
kona is experiance..
it's something diffirent than the others..
doesn't metter colour,cool grafics and other shit...
it's about evolution...EVOLUTION!!!
ON CROATIAN LANGUAGE-
HRĐAVOM KURCU I DLAKE SMETAJU!!!
i can bet that 99% of you did't ride kona..
sorry for bad english...i have 5-6 beers in me...
kona is experiance..
it's something diffirent than the others..
doesn't metter colour,cool grafics and other shit...
it's about evolution...EVOLUTION!!!
ON CROATIAN LANGUAGE-
HRĐAVOM KURCU I DLAKE SMETAJU!!!
yeah but they didnt EVOLVE! from what ive heard, kona's are pretty good for dh/fr. but street/park/dj is just not theyre thing. if it was, more pro's would ride for them, simple as that.
sorry katol but john cowan, paul bass, the lacondguy bros, chopper all ride for kona and are prob the best dirt jumpers about.
You're so naive gingerninja, you can win on everything, they got such riders because it is the part of the marketing, people like to ride on bikes used by winners, bike won't help you win comps but Kona provided their riders places and money to progress faster, when you're good you can basically ride everything for dirt jumping and slopestyle, especially if they are paying you enough money for doing it. I'd love to ride for Kona but theres nothing special about them, heavy, decent geometry bikes.
im sure the 6 years or so john cowan has had a signature bike means its going to be a good bike for dirt jumping. you wouldnt develop a bike thats not good for the riding you do!! im sure it's the same with paul b's bike, hes not going to have input on a bike and make it shit!!! im pretty sure at that level the bike will make a big differance to your riding and what tricks you can do.
at the end of the day kona make good value and quality bikes that arnt as cool in some people eyes as other barnds so they give kona crap. if you want a reliable bike that works get a kona. if you want to be a slave to fashion go spend a fortune on some bling, just dont hate thoese that dont.
at the end of the day kona make good value and quality bikes that arnt as cool in some people eyes as other barnds so they give kona crap. if you want a reliable bike that works get a kona. if you want to be a slave to fashion go spend a fortune on some bling, just dont hate thoese that dont.
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On the stab supreme fox 40 would be amazing but the boxxer is great too.All those bikes are nicer every year!
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Stop to say that kona are always the same thing. They're doing some researchs like for the magik link they took over 7 years to developpe this. Stab's frames are the same basic principe but they changed the geometry last year and the generation before was there for only 2 years...Stinky's frame also changing verry often like 2005 to 2006 brand new geometry and frame after they changed it in 2008 with some littles changes to put the frames stronger and finally last year a totally new geometry frame. If you don't think it's true take a look closer in geometry specifications and look carefully the tubes on the frames they're differents shapes. So stop to say they're doing nothing for their frames took norco for example : 2004 to 2008 it was the same damn frame without geometry modifications except for 2007 and 2008 at the headset but whe know the result of this change in the geometry (massive recall). I don't say that norco are crap and I don't say kona are my favorite brand but I only say they're working every year to make better stuff.
7 years to develop the Magic Link? Doesn't sound like they were really putting that much effort into it. And minor geo changes doesn't really count as "development". Okay, sure, they added the MUCH needed DOPE to their bikes, but again, they didn't develop that either. After market floaters were already available for Konas, so Kona just added it as a stock feature.
the magik link is sh*t anyway. ride it, justy some rubbish gimmick. little fiddly parts, more problems and more little fiddley parts that will brake.
any the porblem with the norco comment is, that they have changed, 3years the same frame types nowe a new overhaul, kona is at least 3years out of date.
any the porblem with the norco comment is, that they have changed, 3years the same frame types nowe a new overhaul, kona is at least 3years out of date.
Hey KONA, are you reading any of these posts?....take a hint. You guys need to step it up with some real improvement with your bikes. They have been the same, dare I say ugly, thing for years. Performance wise, you used to hold your own now you are peddling a dinosaur. Time for change no?
All this banter about the designs not changing is what's fueling the high cost of bikes. The cost of MTB's is a complete joke and I've ridden every design out there. I love the way Konas ride, that's all that matters. They're cheap too compared to other companies. How can you complain? If the whole industry settled on a few designs that work well, we'd all be buying new bikes for $500. People are paying for looks and negating what they're actually buying the bike for. It's all posturing.
its not fueling the high cost of bikes. its that people WILL pay that much for them on top of it costing alot of money to produce them. look at the market and see whats happening before you blame the high cost of bikes on people not liking konas! lol
There has to be a balance between cost and development. The problem with the Faux Bar suspension is the ridiculous loss of suspension under braking conditions. Sure, the floater resolves this, but floaters can be a pain to deal with when changing tires (or so I'm told). Also, it's not a very pedalling-efficient suspension either. So if we can get something better, then why not? Giant's Maestro suspension is amazing, and they've been able to keep their final product costs relatively low in comparison to many bikes.
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What happend with the 888? I think no 2010 bike brings them!! And the mzochis 888 seem to be lighter in 2010
kona rocks. keeping it simple and clean. i honestly think their bikes ride as well as anything out there. i have owned spec, iron horse, banshee, kona, rocky mountain, santa cruz and i still think my kona rode as well as anything else i have owned.
simple and clean yes but they could redefine and improve on what they've already got, like what every other bike companies seems to do
Hahaha they changed the title of the article from big changes to spy shot. i gess that they realized that they didn't changed much.
Thanks for deliting my comment. By the way I ride a Kona and like them.. I just want to see all these broken Konas i keep hearing about.
Kona started the freeride bike while others were still making frail cross country weenie machines. Not only did they start it but they also made the bikes affordable. I used to pedal my 38 lb stinky uphill with all of the cross country guys. I still like kona. They are bulletproof and ride nice.
yes but dude, kona have for the last couple of years only changed the paint job on most of there frames and the new coiler systems is not much to go on about, not go bitching on but norco specialized santa cruz and even orange have redifined there DH bikes and freeride bikes to be better but stil the same basic design while kona trying to make a cash but sellin old frames coverd in new paint jobs and putting some more interestin parts of them
no kona hate i just wish they be as good as they used to be
no kona hate i just wish they be as good as they used to be
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A good rider on a Kona will beat a bad rider on a "(insert ANY bike manufacture here)".
Geometry changes are progressive to match new components .. so a change to a bikes geometry is quite significant.
I don't ride a Kona, but they have their place in the market. A new Kona is probably a nicer bike to own than 95% of most people's bikes out there who are slagging them.
Geometry changes are progressive to match new components .. so a change to a bikes geometry is quite significant.
I don't ride a Kona, but they have their place in the market. A new Kona is probably a nicer bike to own than 95% of most people's bikes out there who are slagging them.
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Does anyone else think the cranks on the Shonky weren't installed properly? And that seat is way too far forward (not to mention ugly).
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I'm not all that knowledgeable about bikes in general, but I've been riding a '07 Kona Coiler for about a year now and it seems pretty bombproof to me. I've been learning to DH on the bike so it's been down a bunch of times and beat up quite a bit....and she still runs solid. It's been an excellent bike to me.
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All of you who keep commenting that Kona needs to "step up" and make a completely new disign need to get a clue. Do you think that Honda completely re-designs their dirt bike line up every year??? No. They make small improvements as they are necessary and their dirt bikes EVOLVE. A large part of the reason that mountain bikes cost so much is because most companies are convinced that they need to re-invent their line up every year to stay on top. The simple fact of the matter is that Kona's rear suspension design is an extremely well proven one and there is absoulutely no need for them to change it.
You are very sharp to point out that Honda ref. They make alot of their bikes very much the same year after year because they keep what works and change what doesnt, its as simple as that, they make a good product and nobody complains. These kids bashing Kona do it for fun, Ive not heard one valid argument angainst their product.
I have to agree to everyone else about Kona's designs. Come on, this is like when Ford used the same platform for the Mustang from the med 70's to the mid 90's. When are they going to look around and realize that other bike makers are not really charging more but actually developing their product? I also have to agree about Marzocchi dropping the cheezy stickers and going back old school.
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The reason why kona's snap is because unlike most bikes they have alot of pivot points held together by allen key bolts that thread into the frame, the frames snap ( usually the chainstay) because people let the bolts come loose the only way to avoid this is to put a longer bolt through the frame with a nut on the end , saying that ive had a 2008 stinky and 2009 bass and theyve been great especially the bass !
Geez guys! Konas are like gay marriage...don't like 'em? Don't get one!! Seems that most of the whingers here don't really know anything about Kona OR their own preferred brands, either. Kona has broken heaps of new ground in their history. 1st Co. to make a production 7'' travel FR bike (the '06 Stinky) and the idea of automatic travel & geometry adjustment in MagicLink was really innovative (even if a few of us here didn't like it). As for other years, why stuff with something that works just for the sake of it?! They still have loads of great riders under their banner, and in the time that Stever above says it didn't "sound like they were really putting that much effort into it" they got 2 World Cups! Two major pivot points avoids many disasters- and the bolts that are threaded into the frame are helicoiled (fitted with a stainless threaded insert). Any bike can crack when pushed to it's limits in a crash (check your warranties nay-sayers), and lighter bikes by Merida, Specialized, Orange and Norco bikes have had much bigger issues with cracking. LOVE the new range. Spend big on boutique of you like, but you'll get no better assurances or performance!
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