Naw man Konaall the way my 2008Kona Stinky is the BOMB! Prodessional riders ride Kona More then Norco! Plus there are ALOT more World Records on Kona Bikes the Norco for Instande The World`s Longest jump was on a Kona! So go for Kona! That also what my friend said and he rode a Kona Cowan DS this year at CrankWorks!
...well konas are hardly raced. the only people that race them are fabien barrel and tracy mosely. and the longest gap was set on a V-10 and top speed was set on an intense, having said that it depends what u want to do. but generaly speaking konas are great bikes super reliable. i used to have a 06 kona stinky and it has got to be the most bomb proff bike iv ever ridden for free ride. and im concidering getting a stab for my 08 race season.
I prefer Norco to Kona. my One25 is like... bombproof, and has lasted many many many cases while I was learning to ride, I used to do a lot of stupid stuff to it, I've bailed so many times its not funny, and the bike still rides like a dream.
i think you should pay less attention to the brand and more attention to the bike. that way you will get the bike that suits you most. dont choose a norco over a kona just because people say they are better and vice versa
i think that you should get the norco cause with the new shores it just makes there line up so much nicer and i seems like Norco is trying out new things and actually making sick bikes wether its there new hardtail line up or there shores i like them better then stinky Konas (No pun intended ha)
I prefer Norco to Kona. my One25 is like... bombproof, and has lasted many many many cases while I was learning to ride, I used to do a lot of stupid stuff to it, I've bailed so many times its not funny, and the bike still rides like a dream.
PLUS
Norcos are Canadian made
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ah ha ha ha ha Canadian made Norcos are made like most over bike companies in Taiwan. check the box check the website "Designed and manfactured(parts put on) in Canada" i wouldn't be surprised if they were from the same plant.