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
what's so bad about faux bar?
does it mean they are shit??
no...
but...
RS are shit
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!
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.
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.
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?
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?
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
Rocco AIR A++++
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...
With the stickers removed this don't get any better! Ugly as H E double hockey sticks!