Kona 2009 Launch - Big Travel Machines

Aug 28, 2008

With 88 bikes in their line up, Kona has a lot of styles to cover. Thankfully here at Pinkbike, we're more concerned with their gravity offerings for 2009.

Here's a look at the Stinky, the Stinky Deluxe, the Minxy and the Stab Supreme:
Ladies freeriding is an ever growing portion of the freeride market and bikes that help meet their needs are always welcome. For 2009 Kona is unveiling the Minxy and it is for all you lady rippers out there. It's based around the Stinky, but with ladies in mind-lighter tubing, women specific parts, tweeked geometry and a lower stand over height are all part of the new package.


Canadian Retail of $2299


Sticking with the Stinky line of bikes lets have a look at the entry level Stinky Six, coming in at $1999 CDN. The Stinky Six is the only 6 inch travel version in the Stinky line up. It is built with budget in mind for those that want to climb up to their descents-only one in the line up to feature a granny gear too. This is the do all of the Stinky line up.




The Stinky Deluxe is the abuse ready offering for 2009, with 7 inches front and back thanks to a Marzocchi 66 RC3 Fork and a Marzocchi ROCO TST shock. Kona/Brake Therapy floating disk brake system cut out the brake jack from the gnarliest of descents. The 1.5" head tube adds some strength to the front end. The all new rocker arms add strength to the package, while the laser etched alloy fasteners let us know just how much torque to apply when tightening the whole thing done. The bold color mix really stands out too.


Canadian Retail $3999


From a visual stand point, the 2009 Kona Stab Supreme was my favorite bike in the line up-simply stunning to look at. This is their flag ship downhill race machine with no holds bared on the parts package. Full Shimano SAINT drive train and brakes, Marzocchi 888 RC3 WC fork, Race Face parts, DOPE Floating rear brake, ya that parts list goes on and on. The new rear drop up will work with any 150x12mm rear hub.


Canadian retail of $5999



Show and tell of the 2009 Kona Bikes and off we go riding:

After the show and tell was over and lunch was consumed it was time to take a few bikes out on the mountain. Kona hired some guides and we all got to head up the peak chair for our afternoon ride on the Khyber trail. To say it was hot out would be an understatement, I was dying, but wow the views from up there were oh so worth it!


Up we go to the Peak

By the time we got down to Creekside a few of us were pretty tired, so I was super happy when Francisco told me that his wife was coming to pick him up and that there was room for 3 more-Done I am in! Unfortunately for us, we got pulled over for a seat belt infraction on Lou's part. Ok maybe had to do with me yelling out the window to a buddy, but Lou got the seat belt ticket-sorry Lou.


The day ended back where it all began at the Kona tent and trailer at the base of the bike park.


You can check out the Shonky and the Bass HERE.
Please visit www.konaworld.com to learn more.

-Tyler "Brule" Maine

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143 Comments

  • + 52 props
flag philipstonier (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
its good to see kona changing the frames abit, i mean by got its been at least 10 year of vertually the same thing with different names
  • - 27 props
flag brandyn16 (Aug 28, 2008 at 7:26) (Below Threshold) show comment
i like the same old , same old frames, you know , the fundamentals.
  • + 5 props
flag theaggressor (Aug 28, 2008 at 9:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks like the fourth guy riding down puts some nice scratches on the bike; hits a rock then a second later biffs it lol.
  • + 2 props
flag LloydHarper (Aug 28, 2008 at 10:19) (Below Threshold) show comment
Haha. That forth guy made me laugh! And the phrase 'biffs it' was a nice way to put that crash!
  • + 7 props
flag Evergreen-P (Aug 28, 2008 at 12:22) (Below Threshold) show comment
personaly i think they seem like they will perform better but i like a bike to look like a machine not a toy.
  • - 11 props
flag kaibrabo (Aug 28, 2008 at 12:39) (Below Threshold) show comment
why are you cad's hating on the kona bikes... they are canadian. they are the grandfather of freeride bikes. but im going to stick to american bike companies like specialized and trek and black market and gary fisher and giant.
  • + 0 props
flag bisk (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:00) (Below Threshold) show comment
dno why people hate kona's because they are the same design for like 10 years, why change something that works?. fair enough the 06-08 stinky's sucked abit but looks like the 09 are back to the good old 04/05 style
  • + 0 props
flag o8demo8 (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
88 bikes in their line up and all use the same suspension design. (ok the full sus ones) knew someone would burn me bout hard-tails
  • - 12 props
flag TheSandman116 (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:46) (Below Threshold) show comment
f*ck pigs
  • - 1 props
flag bisk (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:49) (Below Threshold) show comment
@ 08demo8- they also have the magic link frame suspention design in their range too.
  • + 1 props
flag adrenaline-rush (Aug 28, 2008 at 16:56) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks to me like Kona is finally making some good looking and functioning bikes!!!
  • + 1 props
flag Louis007 (Aug 28, 2008 at 17:34) (Below Threshold) show comment
Seriously, Kona never innovate on nothing, open your eyes! Trek have the same system but with many improvements, alway minimum 5 lbs less than this and have same price, so why buy a Kona enh? This big corporation sit on ther fat ass and do nothing great but burn your precious bucks!
  • + 0 props
flag bighit580 (Aug 29, 2008 at 7:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
how come he didnt show us the 2009 kona bass its a beautiful bike
  • - 1 props
flag giantman817 (Aug 30, 2008 at 11:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
oh SHIT f*cking sickASS bikes
  • + 0 props
flag Eric-Chapman (Aug 31, 2008 at 20:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
Kona never innovates huh? what about the shonky and the new geo on all their hardtails
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  • - 55 props
flag TBRADS (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:19) (Below Threshold) show comment
the white on the stab looks horrible, but other than that it looks like a nice ride
  • - 12 props
flag chrisbee (Aug 28, 2008 at 2:03) (Below Threshold) show comment
Wee, it looks to me as if someone has stumbled over a bucket of white paint over there... Some parts are okay... but for f**ksake... Not the whole bike... The color of the stab looks soo damn ugly... It looks like a pimp bike for wannabes riding down the city streets with a hucking bike without actually knowing, what it was built for... Get over this white shit... The 2005 line up was just great... the colors, the tubing, the parts... lets spray a bike for bikers...
Actually you will probably win a first prize with the stinky dee... I think it is the ugliest color i have seen in the last 16 years of riding. Well done.
That is a way of getting attention as well...
  • + 12 props
flag whitemiscief (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
wow, you're making a lot of stink about a color scheme, just cause it's white, doesnt mean people are gonna buy it just to pose on, you ever think that maybe trends are followed to maximize profits?
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  • - 63 props
flag vppbikedeefer (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:20) (Below Threshold) show comment
I know for sure that I will never buy a Kona. They have to be the ugliest bikes out. Look at the graphics! Barf!
  • + 18 props
flag dotca (Aug 28, 2008 at 2:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
I betcha they're stickers, and guess what? You can remove them!
  • + 0 props
flag vppbikedeefer (Aug 29, 2008 at 22:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2406028/

With the stickers removed this don't get any better! Ugly as H E double hockey sticks!
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  • + 1 props
flag speedyreidy (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:20) (Below Threshold) show comment
this ones for the testers, do the 2009 888 on the stab seem to be an improvement from the drastic fail of 2008 marzocchi forks?
  • + 2 props
flag joedaho (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:25) (Below Threshold) show comment
The issue with 08 zocchi was the reliability, hardly something you are going to see about from a product launch?
  • + 0 props
flag brule (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:34) (Below Threshold) show comment
Only 2-3 people at the launch were on 2009 Stabs, while the rest were riding Coilairs. I had no issues with the 888 during the afternoon of riding, but like joedaho said, it's long term not a few hours.
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  • - 23 props
flag speedyreidy (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:30) (Below Threshold) show comment
and the horrible feel of them in most aspects
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  • + 0 props
flag brillomaster (Aug 28, 2008 at 0:51) (Below Threshold) show comment
yeah... not the prettiest things out there... looked better about 3-4 years ago imo.
  • + 0 props
flag whey-dh (Aug 28, 2008 at 1:11) (Below Threshold) show comment
i agree, the 2006 ones looked better
  • + 1 props
flag biscuito (Aug 28, 2008 at 10:23) (Below Threshold) show comment
The konas have looked fairly similiar for the past few years- maybe different angled top tubes and alike but essentially the same. Would be nice to see something a bit different from such a big company- perhaps follow norcos footsteps (for example) who have made a massive effort with their aesthetics over the last year or so.
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  • + 2 props
flag dg85 (Aug 28, 2008 at 1:49) (Below Threshold) show comment
the new konas looks very nice. i like the stab most.
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  • + 0 props
flag slayer1979 (Aug 28, 2008 at 1:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
the stab looks amazing, all white on the night!
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  • - 15 props
flag Philly-bnb (Aug 28, 2008 at 2:01) (Below Threshold) show comment
these honestly couldnt get any more ridiculous looking
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  • + 3 props
flag andee72 (Aug 28, 2008 at 2:17) (Below Threshold) show comment
no to the white, no to the 09 zocchi decals aghhh!
  • + 3 props
flag hardtailfreerider93 (Aug 28, 2008 at 16:05) (Below Threshold) show comment
OMG FINALLY SOMEONE WHO AGRES ALL THE MARZ. STICKERS LOOK TERRIBLE AND THE 888 IS THE WORST
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  • + 15 props
flag Junior-DH (Aug 28, 2008 at 2:22) (Below Threshold) show comment
Although a big Kona fan, I think their logo this year is SHIT!


I prefer the old, military style one.
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  • + 4 props
flag Haarlem (Aug 28, 2008 at 2:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
my god these are ILUMINOUS and the BRIGHTEST bikes i have ever seen... they design these in paint?
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  • - 1 props
flag Alberto94 (Aug 28, 2008 at 3:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
oh!! is the best downhill bike in the world the new kona isamazing i have one for me
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  • + 0 props
flag bkbroiler (Aug 28, 2008 at 3:39) (Below Threshold) show comment
Scared to get that rocker in the ass...don't think I'd ever get one
  • + 0 props
flag bigburd (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:21) (Below Threshold) show comment
its not possible for the rocker link to hit you in the ass..... as the link swings upwards/inwards
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  • + 5 props
flag tomo12377 (Aug 28, 2008 at 3:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
Kona was nowhere in 08 in DH and will continue to be nowhere until they invest in a new frame design that doesn't weigh the earth and pedal like a donkey - still sure plenty will buy it just because its white!
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  • + 2 props
flag timikiwi (Aug 28, 2008 at 3:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
More to the point Barel wasn't riding for them this year and Tracey Moseley just isn't that good compared to the younger batch of female riders
  • - 1 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:34) (Below Threshold) show comment
Correct. If they hire a top rider they'll get podiums again.
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  • + 2 props
flag DHR4C3R (Aug 28, 2008 at 4:13) (Below Threshold) show comment
Kona is becoming bullshit...Go see in Broken Bikes in "photos" and you'll see, almost every broken bike is from kona...and they're ugly..Too bad Kona..You've lost the goodness
  • - 1 props
flag olaffons (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:37) (Below Threshold) show comment
yeah,and allmost every broken fork is Boxxer or the other RS...
does it mean they are shit??
no...
but...
RS are shit
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  • + 1 props
flag yetiboyjay (Aug 28, 2008 at 4:28) (Below Threshold) show comment
Shit bikes, about time they changed the design, if it was a timeless suspension design then fine, but it does have many flaws. About time for a change!
  • - 1 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
Whatya talkin about - the 4 bar suspension design is a clssic. The only thing that's more of 'timeless suspension design' is single pivot.
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  • + 1 props
flag fireball-92 (Aug 28, 2008 at 4:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
09 a bad year for kona
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  • + 2 props
flag OMGBBQ (Aug 28, 2008 at 4:42) (Below Threshold) show comment
bike i like the most from Kona is the brown hybrid station wagon with the longboard for a rack.(128.9) flowing the Hawaii colours, with a name like Kona.....yawn i get it.
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  • + 0 props
flag terasmies (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:01) (Below Threshold) show comment
I think those bikes keep getting cooler and cooler every year... only thing i don't like is the new logo
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag Fender978 (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:07) (Below Threshold) show comment
they look pretty sick!!
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag powderturns (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
seriously, are they still making 60lb tanks because they're too lazy to do any quality control or innovative design work? what do those beasties weigh?
[Reply]
  • + 4 props
flag wehlami (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
konas frames are lightyears behind other frames. only good thing they have is the marketing office. always same shit with uglier and uglier graphics. overpriced too.
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag gravelslider (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:28) (Below Threshold) show comment
the biggest change which i can see, is that the right chainstay is no longer polished. Maybe this is just for the pre-production bikes. this was always the most important unique selling point for kona's imho.
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag ag144 (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:40) (Below Threshold) show comment
they need to come out mith a completly new frame design
  • + 0 props
flag jonnydh (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
why?
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  • + 5 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:43) (Below Threshold) show comment
The colours and decals of the new range are terrible. I hope this is the last year we see white.
Yes, I think 06 was the classic year for the Stab Supreme and the Stinky Primo. 07 was the year of the last and best Coiler range.
The 09 Stinky Six is obviously the replacement for the Coiler but I don't think it looks as good. I'm sorry, but I can't stand curved top tubes. What's wrong with the good ol'low slung straight tube with a seat tube gusset?
On the subject of curved tubes the new Norco DH has to be the ugliest thing I've seen in years - it makes the new Konas look stunning.
[Reply]
  • + 5 props
flag happystinkyman (Aug 28, 2008 at 5:50) (Below Threshold) show comment
Most of you seem to not know what the heck you are talking about as they change something framewise nearly every year, it is called "refinement". If it ain't broke, don't fix it! IMO, best new 09 change is the new pivot mounting bolts with torquing-guidelines, NO MORE exposed bearing rings,YEAH! White is dope regardless of what some say.
  • - 1 props
flag tomo12377 (Aug 28, 2008 at 6:00) (Below Threshold) show comment
But its been broke from the very start!!!!
  • + 1 props
flag happystinkyman (Aug 28, 2008 at 11:37) (Below Threshold) show comment
Right, that is why they have sold thousands of bikes over the course of ten years! Once you get comfortable with the four-bar suspension, you don't want anything else.
  • - 1 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:14) (Below Threshold) show comment
You said it - there's nothin' wrong with Kona four bar suspension. I don't like the 09 paint jobs much but love Kona bikes for the ride.
  • + 0 props
flag NEVERSTOPRIDING (Aug 30, 2008 at 9:09) (Below Threshold) show comment
what that person said kona just hast find a way to liven up their suspension
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  • + 2 props
flag Irate-Kate (Aug 28, 2008 at 6:38) (Below Threshold) show comment
The Minxy looks cute! And I like the all white on the Stab! Just cant say much about the decals - woahhhhh easy on the bright colours!!
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag nightmareterror (Aug 28, 2008 at 6:42) (Below Threshold) show comment
I was never a real big fan of Kona.. they'll never get my money and this proves it. Oh well.. to each their own.
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag lemonade (Aug 28, 2008 at 6:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
The new paintjobs are wicked!
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag mattymoto (Aug 28, 2008 at 6:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
bollocks, its nice for a change but the old colours were a hell of alot better, all white? wtf???i think they forget its a downhill bike, its eventually just gona go light brown anyway !?!?
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag ridehardordontride (Aug 28, 2008 at 6:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
accually, those bikes aren't that bad. Great parts, Fabien Barel inspired geo. and I'd be willing to bet that the colors will be changeable for those who wine about white
[Reply]
  • + 8 props
flag cjf1972 (Aug 28, 2008 at 7:24) (Below Threshold) show comment
Wow, Kona sure seems to be in the-line-of-fire for a lot of peoples negativety... And we all know were it comes from... one person talks Kona down and then the next person does the same thing w/o ever taking a Kona out for a spin. I know first-hand they are a great company... if they were not, they would not have 88 bikes in their line-up to choose from. Kona has a bike for everything... that is what I call a diverse, on-the-ball company. If Transition was not around, I would be riding a Kona hands down.
[Reply]
  • + 11 props
flag fleuris (Aug 28, 2008 at 7:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
Interesting how new Kona's only are rated on the new paintjobs they have. Ah wait! That's the only thing they change every year!
[Reply]
  • + 12 props
flag makattak (Aug 28, 2008 at 7:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
I beg to disagree- a large stock of bikes does not make a good company, just a company great at marketing. At one time Cannondale was a large company, and so was Schwinn. I have watched Kona grow first hand in BC. Yes they are a nice company with good people working there but they do not have a real design component to their company and it shows- no innovation just selling a repackaged 4 bar linkage year after year.
  • + 0 props
flag runner (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
so are so many other bike companies too...
what's so bad about faux bar?
  • + 0 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 18:30) (Below Threshold) show comment
Nothing! It is actually 4 bar. Faux bar is a term used by people who think you have to have a Horst-Link to call it 4 bar. This will probably get a swag of comments. Anyways whatever you want to call it the Kona suspension design is tried & proven there isn't any reason to change it (apart from marketing). If all you people who hang shite on Kona were to look around you'd find that a lot of dual suspension bikes on the market are single pivot or 4 bar without Horst-Link.
[Reply]
  • + 3 props
flag freeridermaster (Aug 28, 2008 at 7:59) (Below Threshold) show comment
Pretty sick. I like them more than last years.
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  • + 2 props
flag Jamieep (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:04) (Below Threshold) show comment
wow, they made kona worse.. im impressed
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  • + 5 props
flag mcrippa (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
I think its good to see some bike/parts companies trying to get a little style into their product. I think this sport needs some snowboard/motocross style because like it or not MTBers are the geeks of extreme sports. Good to see that starting to change. Oh and btw you can wash your bike... that way it stays purtty an white.
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  • + 7 props
flag robc (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
Do they give you a fake red afro and a big red rubber nose to wear while your riding them?
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  • + 1 props
flag nateb (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:49) (Below Threshold) show comment
Great looking color schemes - better than the '09 Norco's in my opinion. I don't think there is anything wrong with Konas....I bet more people have started their 'career' so to speak riding a Stinky than any other bike out there.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag captainkona16 (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:50) (Below Threshold) show comment
'05 Kona Coiler in either emergency green or electric blue with the military letters...doesn't get any better looking than that. I agree...these new one's make me ashamed to say I ride a Kona...even if it is a cool 05 model.
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  • + 1 props
flag runner (Aug 28, 2008 at 8:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
1.5 headtube on the stinkys finally
unfortunately, they're fugly.
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  • - 2 props
flag tingeybiker (Aug 28, 2008 at 9:14) (Below Threshold) show comment
HOLY SHITTTT kona finally is putting some quality drive train parts on thier bikes and it actually looks like it will hold up
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  • + 1 props
flag dhiflyer (Aug 28, 2008 at 10:26) (Below Threshold) show comment
Dope! you can send the green one to me, I'll write another review or something... PM me for address!
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  • + 3 props
flag omalley323 (Aug 28, 2008 at 10:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
man it seems that more people are bitchin about what the bikes color is. you sound like a bunch of girls. you can change the f**king color. its called paint. it been around for a while. kona put out some nice bikes and people just wanna bitch about the color.... wow
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  • + 0 props
flag ajlariviere (Aug 28, 2008 at 10:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
cool
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  • + 0 props
flag Rolino (Aug 28, 2008 at 11:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
sexyfied!! Paint job A++
Rocco AIR A++++
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  • - 2 props
flag D-Owen (Aug 28, 2008 at 11:30) (Below Threshold) show comment
props to kona for making nice bikes! Kant wait for 09!
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  • + 2 props
flag captainmorgan (Aug 28, 2008 at 11:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
These bikes are FUGLY in colour and design.
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  • + 6 props
flag jaydubmah (Aug 28, 2008 at 11:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
Kona has a kick-ass marketing department that is somehow able to convince people to buy the same old design year after year. Honestly - those guys are geniuses! Their suspension is outdated and performance wise, these bikes get left behind. Just look at that "Brake therapy" floating brake thing - stick on another goofy chunk of metal to compensate for a flawed design. Do you buy your bike for the paintjob? Or how it rides?
  • + 2 props
flag z-man (Aug 28, 2008 at 12:49) (Below Threshold) show comment
straight the f*ck up
  • + 0 props
flag kootenayrider99 (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:01) (Below Threshold) show comment
Kona summed up in a nutshell - shitty designs/service but flashy cool marketing. I think the Ute is their best bike this year HAHA
  • + 0 props
flag wehlami (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:07) (Below Threshold) show comment
spot on!
  • + 2 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:42) (Below Threshold) show comment
I buy a bike for how it rides - that's why I've got a Kona Coiler! Rather than outdated I'd say the suspension design is an all time classic. Gee whiz the same company that designed the floating brake for Kona also make them for Turner, Ellsworth, Trek, Santa Cruz, Cove, Intense, Banshee, Marin, Cannondale, Giant, Yeti, Iron Horse, Specialized, Orange, Tomac, Foes, GT and others. Could it be that no suspesion design completely eliminates brake jack?
  • - 2 props
flag Gout-Scout (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:00) (Below Threshold) show comment
The DW link suspension on the IH eliminates, or comes close to stopping brake jack(I ride one). This without the two pound bar added to the frame. I do have Gemini too, and that sucker is the king of brake jack.
  • + 1 props
flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 21:16) (Below Threshold) show comment
My Kona Brake Therapy kit weighed in at exactly 1 pound. Some suspension designs do a pretty good job at reducing brake jack (like your IH)- the point I'm making is that no design is perfect and if Kona don't see a need to change theirs, so be it.
  • + 1 props
flag Gout-Scout (Aug 28, 2008 at 21:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
Right on mon, 1 pound for brake therapy isn't bad at all. Thanks for the insight on this as I was wondering about that bar. I agree with you that there is no one perfect design that would fit everyone. I personally like Konas' and would consider getting one in the future.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag braedentheone (Aug 28, 2008 at 12:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
sick bike this year the stinky air looks the best
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  • + 1 props
flag mikeyp123 (Aug 28, 2008 at 12:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
sick bikes
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  • + 1 props
flag wazard (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:12) (Below Threshold) show comment
now is the same thing with diferent colours.
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flag jonesyman (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:39) (Below Threshold) show comment
the graffics are old skl !
it looks like the best kona out
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  • + 1 props
flag Stinky-Droper (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
kona bikes are the shit,i got an 04 stinky and i love it and my opinion konas bikes are only getting better
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  • - 1 props
flag giantfaith4567 (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:51) (Below Threshold) show comment
i like the new stinky i hate last years model it looks retarded
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flag jpfreeride2007 (Aug 28, 2008 at 13:56) (Below Threshold) show comment
ive never been a big kona fan but that stab supreme looks awesome. especially with that paint scheme
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flag ReignX0Rob (Aug 28, 2008 at 14:01) (Below Threshold) show comment
God that stinky dee looks hideous!
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flag tommyp (Aug 28, 2008 at 14:04) (Below Threshold) show comment
those bikes look so bad, what are kona doing, load of rubbish!
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flag bentley (Aug 28, 2008 at 14:04) (Below Threshold) show comment
I just had a tuna sandwich. MMMMMMMM it tasted good
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  • - 8 props
flag skivt27 (Aug 28, 2008 at 14:43) (Below Threshold) show comment
konas suck
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flag mattymoto (Aug 28, 2008 at 15:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
konas are f*cking good bikes but as i said, they will eventually go light brown(yh u can wash them) but there not gona stay stain free 4eva !
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag konastuff06rider (Aug 28, 2008 at 15:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
the only somewhat nice bike is the stinky delux(paint wise), if they got rid of their stupid logo and put back the old military writin on that lime green. itd look great
  • + 0 props
flag twowheels (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:16) (Below Threshold) show comment
Personally I think kona should go back to the logo art they used on their 01, 02 ect. bikes.
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flag knopf (Aug 28, 2008 at 16:06) (Below Threshold) show comment
It would be nice to see Kona come up with a rear suspension design that doesn't require bolt on after market parts to make it work.
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flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 18:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
Gee whiz the same company that designed the floating brake for Kona also make them for Santa Cruz, Tomac, Turner, Ellsworth, Cove, Intense, Banshee,
Marin, Cannondale, Giant, Yeti, Orange, Iron Horse, Specialized, GT, and many more. I wonder why? Could it be that no suspension design completely eliminates brake jack?
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flag SubaruBiker (Aug 28, 2008 at 16:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
How do You Manage to Hit One small Rock And Fall Off 50ms Later
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flag fogger808 (Aug 28, 2008 at 17:07) (Below Threshold) show comment
what is kona doing with paint jobs this year?!?!?!? These colors are a little too crazy for me
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flag Louis007 (Aug 28, 2008 at 17:31) (Below Threshold) show comment
Seriously, Kona never innovate on nothing, open your eyes! Trek have the same system but with many improvements, alway minimum 5 lbs less than this and have same price, so why buy a Kona enh? This big corporation sit on ther fat ass and do nothing great but burn your precious bucks!
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flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:49) (Below Threshold) show comment
You reckon Kona is a big corporation? You got it backwards. I wonder which frame is gonna last longer - the Kona or the lightweight Trek?
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flag masonloves4 (Aug 28, 2008 at 17:57) (Below Threshold) show comment
i love kona and i always new that they would come back and have some more sweet bikes i hope that who ever is cussing at kona gets there asses kicked
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flag irockleafsrock (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:33) (Below Threshold) show comment
I Kinda like the new kona look.
but I would personally spend the extra cash and get a Transition.
but i've riden kona's before and have had no problem
and i think the new design is overall preety sic
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flag ownagedh (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:39) (Below Threshold) show comment
holy f*ck that bike is amazing
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flag sweetchiba51 (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
yea, think ill pass on Kona...
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flag bfdrider (Aug 28, 2008 at 19:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
never cared for konas and as far as Im concerned the stab the stab looks like a really f*ckin ugly knock off of the new trek sessions, And they dont possess half the technology that trek applied to their sessions.
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flag wyldeman1 (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:16) (Below Threshold) show comment
UMM? all this whites , gone a bit - sh$te,!!and i don t think there built like tanks,either,i ll stick with me 06 coiler!
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flag transitionrider1993 (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
it's good that some of the bikes have changed, but the stab and stinky just
look like they had a paint job and they call it a whole new bike.
And ownagedh, (the dude up there^), there not that great of bikes.
I'll skip
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flag someone99 (Aug 28, 2008 at 20:32) (Below Threshold) show comment
yea they could change a lil more then just the paint....
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flag pasales (Aug 28, 2008 at 22:03) (Below Threshold) show comment
I have owned 6 Konas.
in this time the have not made any significant change to their suspension design, while everyone else is evolving in leaps and bounds.

It's time for kona to hire a couple engineers instead of a marketing team.
it's either that or slowly disappear.
how many new Konas have you seen at whistler?

I won't be buying a kona until the have a proper engineer on the payroll.
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flag NEVERSTOPRIDING (Aug 30, 2008 at 8:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
thats kinda true I have a stinky and the suspension feels kinda dead compared to other bikes.
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flag ransom150 (Aug 28, 2008 at 22:47) (Below Threshold) show comment
kona bikes suck banshee all the way kona gets there ideas from banshee
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flag NEVERSTOPRIDING (Aug 30, 2008 at 8:51) (Below Threshold) show comment
banshee sucks their too heavy from what I herd
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flag rstwosix (Aug 28, 2008 at 22:57) (Below Threshold) show comment
You reckon they have no engineers at Kona? Yeah right.
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flag KieranA (Aug 28, 2008 at 23:13) (Below Threshold) show comment
that is a solid line up of bikes i dont care what anyone says
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flag jollyollie (Aug 29, 2008 at 0:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
They don't look bad, not bad at all...

If anything I give kona credit for keeping their own style. You know, the one that all the brands had when the riding culture wasn't 50 percent crap.

These days being 'innovative' can be just as generic as staying the same.
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flag bertieboi-dj1 (Aug 29, 2008 at 8:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
what a shit video.
hopefull the 09's will be a bit stronger and flex less but from what ive seen, apart frrom the nubes riding lol
but kona need to earn there rep back, have you noticed all there riders are leaving :O i wonder why?
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flag aethan (Aug 29, 2008 at 12:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
'09 marzocchi's looks good than the '08 graphics.. but still the '07 line up is way much better, keep it simple, having too much graphics on forks, frames and having different color schemes doesn't looks good at all when you put all of them in one bike set up..
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flag Chalkaraka (Aug 29, 2008 at 15:05) (Below Threshold) show comment
the decals look like they have been made by a 4 year old with florescent paint
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flag banshee-ripper (Aug 29, 2008 at 19:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
same "OLD" shit! I'm for cad, after all, I own a Banshee, but c'mon already! It's time for a change!
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flag benjitibobo (Aug 29, 2008 at 21:12) (Below Threshold) show comment
I was looking thru this, and seen all the comments about kona.
So i thought id write a lil something.
I ride a 06 primo with 66..
I like it, alot.
As for the new kona's...
I don't really like the new decals that much.
i like this years better..
And the marzocchi's i dislike there decals completely...

It seems like kona doesn't make to many changes to there frames lately.
The 1.5 headtube is allright i guess..
It's could that they made the singarms more beasly i think.
It would be nice to see them work on the weight of the bikes..
everything else looks allright.. but that is my opinon!

Uhmm.. about the new paint jobs... They are kind of bright don't ya think. And they look so bare. like. it would be cool if kona added a bit of something around the headtube area. I see alo of people putting stickers and stuff in that area and so do i. haha.

I seen someone say that kona's are always breaking, haha..
Well i guess that is true too.. I mean ive seen alot of broken ones before and i broke my swingarm last year on mine.

So basically, i think kona should start improving on more things on there bikes... It's pretty much the same thing every year. give or take a part or part of the frame.. A lot of other companies are comming out with new ideas all the time. and yah..

haha, that's all i got peeps.
Peace out.
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flag NEVERSTOPRIDING (Aug 30, 2008 at 8:46) (Below Threshold) show comment
dude kona changes the frames every 2 years if you pay attention
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flag jethromtbr (Aug 30, 2008 at 22:15) (Below Threshold) show comment
Guess what that new logo ain't. Reminds me of the old (like late 80s early 90s) logos on the Lava domes and Killeuau's when they were THE SHIT! I personally am rocking on a 2001 Deelux. Love it because it is tough as nails. Although I have to say that I am looking at a few new bikes not of the kona Design as there are definitely limitations with the "Faux-bar" design. The D.O.P.E system cures a huge head ache but not on the Six (first seen in 2001 as a mid season release as the biggest travel stinky with the first 6" single crown ever a special ed. Z3. That bike was purple and ugly! ha ha ah! Sorry Ryan.) The dope system adds a lot of weight if you wan to ride up (and if you ride most anywhere you have to a some point). The new magic link is intriguing but I think I'll wait to see how that pans out. And NEVERSTOPRIDING I can't say for sure but moving a pivot on a mm or two and changing the tubing may not be what people meant by "new frame design".
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flag skmatic (Aug 31, 2008 at 13:52) (Below Threshold) show comment
Not sure about the candy coated paint jobs...but the frames are lookin sick this year.
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flag sam-d (Aug 31, 2008 at 13:59) (Below Threshold) show comment
i still think kona bikes are weird looking, i wonder if they ride just as bad as i thought the others did :S hope not
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flag scottman (Aug 31, 2008 at 14:32) (Below Threshold) show comment
the les gets team has already got some!!!
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flag flikende (Aug 31, 2008 at 17:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
i cannot stand kona. they always use the same design, and never change anything. all they use is 4-bar. everyone i have known that have had a kona has worried about breaking them, or rattling them apart. plus, they have some of the worst brake jack ever, unles you buy a floating brake, which costs something in the neighborhood of $500. konas are sh*t. that is not up for debate
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flag nissebike (Dec 12, 2008 at 9:31) (Below Threshold) show comment
jjjhh
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flag nissebike (Dec 22, 2008 at 23:28) (Below Threshold) show comment
I was looking thru this, and seen all the comments about kona.
So i thought id write a lil something.
I ride a 06 primo with 66..
I like it, alot.
As for the new kona's...
I don't really like the new decals that much.
i like this years better..
And the marzocchi's i dislike there decals completely...

It seems like kona doesn't make to many changes to there frames lately.
The 1.5 headtube is allright i guess..
It's could that they made the singarms more beasly i think.
It would be nice to see them work on the weight of the bikes..
everything else looks allright.. but that is my opinon!

Uhmm.. about the new paint jobs... They are kind of bright don't ya think. And they look so bare. like. it would be cool if kona added a bit of something around the headtube area. I see alo of people putting stickers and stuff in that area and so do i. haha.

I seen someone say that kona's are always breaking, haha..
Well i guess that is true too.. I mean ive seen alot of broken ones before and i broke my swingarm last year on mine.

So basically, i think kona should start improving on more things on there bikes... It's pretty much the same thing every year. give or take a part or part of the frame.. A lot of other companies are comming out with new ideas all the time. and yah..

haha, that's all i got peeps.
Peace out.
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  • - 1 props
flag nissebike (Dec 22, 2008 at 23:28) (Below Threshold) show comment
i cannot stand kona. they always use the same design, and never change anything. all they use is 4-bar. everyone i have known that have had a kona has worried about breaking them, or rattling them apart. plus, they have some of the worst brake jack ever, unles you buy a floating brake, which costs something in the neighborhood of $500. konas are sh*t. that is not up for debate
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flag deemonik (Jan 1, 2009 at 11:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
take a close look and you will see a lot has changed on these bikes over the years.
First think you should notice is the much shorter chain stay length, spot on head angle and the 1.5 head tube.
i would like to see people really understand suspension systems.. No suspension system, except for a floatingbrake equiped rear end will ever eliminate brake induced suspension lock-up.Sure some come close (giant, vpp, Ironhorse), but none eliminate it...except for floaring brakes.
No stop the "Fuax" bar bull... horst link doesn't work as well as people want to believe... infact because of the pivot on the chainstay before the rear axle the system contributes to sloppy rear end, premature wearing of bearings and depending on additional bearing platements can cause failure in your shock because of lateral movoment on the rear end...

Kona recognizes this, and have thus in my opinion built the strongest rear end, and to make it top notch added a floating brake so you get the best of both worlds... rock solid bike that will last, and forever putting to rest the issue of brake induced lock-up!

before you start hating... educate yourself!
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flag bikerdudezxc13 (Jan 24, 2009 at 8:16) (Below Threshold) show comment
whats the song on the video?
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