|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
Hi there,
I am planning to buy a new mountain bike in the fall. I was wondering if you could give me help with reagrds to which bike to choose. I am 6'2", and weigh 180lbs. After carefully researching bikes from several companies, I have narrowed my choices to the 2004 Kona Kikapu Deluxe http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_kikapu_dlx.cfm , and the 2004 Kona Dawg http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_dawg.cfm. I plan to ride the bike both on pavement, for pleasure rides in Vancouver and surrounding areas, as well as on trails. While I have riden toy bikes since childhood, I am not an agressive rider, nor a brave rider, so I certainly don't expect to be taking the bike of any big drops, or anything of that nature, but I do want to be able to plow down rough trailes without worry. I also want a reasonably lightweight bike that will allow smooth confident hill climbing both on the trail and on the road. While racing is not on my radar screen right now, it might be fun to try in the future. My immediate inclination was to go for the 2004 Kikapu Deluxe, it has an great feature set and good looks. My only concern stems from some reviews I have read at www.mtbr.com of previous and current model Kikapus/Kahuna bikes, inluding the King Kikpau. Heavier riders have mentioned breaking thier frames during basic cross country rides, and more than once has recomended that anyone over 160lbs look towards the Bear/Dawg line of bikes instead because of the stronger frame.. Because I wiegh 180lbs, I have been concerned about this, and have thus begun considering the 2004 Dawg instead, although it the extra extra five pounds of weight doesn't thrill me. I guess my queston is, given my description of my riding style, and my weight, do you agree that I would be better off to choose the Dawg? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
"Jonathan" wrote in message ...
Hi there, [snip] I used to own a Kona FS bike, and I liked it OK, but after doing a lot of research, I figured out that they are quite overpriced for what you get. If you can get a deal on an '03 bike, it might work out fine, but really - what does Kona provide that the other companies do not? Which bikes did you research? Normally, I won't get into a discussion over "what bike should I buy" because it's such a personal thing, but your weight plus your stated riding style match mine, so I feel I can be of some use to you. Spider |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
"Spider" wrote in message om... "Jonathan" wrote in message ... Hi there, [snip] I used to own a Kona FS bike, and I liked it OK, but after doing a lot of research, I figured out that they are quite overpriced for what you get. If you can get a deal on an '03 bike, it might work out fine, but really - what does Kona provide that the other companies do not? Which bikes did you research? Normally, I won't get into a discussion over "what bike should I buy" because it's such a personal thing, but your weight plus your stated riding style match mine, so I feel I can be of some use to you. Spiderwell, thank you for your concern about my finaces, but it's really not a huge issuse to me. I have chosen to buy a Kona after researching bikes from Trek, Santa Cruz, GT, DeVinci, Specialized, Norco, and probably a couple other MTB makers that I have forgotten to mention. What I found was that most of these companies offered several bikes that could be a good fit to me, if only I could mash them altogether into one! I have concluded that Kona is the best bet for me, they have good lookibng bikes, proven designs, and so on. Also, when comparing the 2004 offerings to thier 2002 catalog, it appears that their prices have come down considerably. So please don't try to persuade me that I should be buying a different brand, in this instance, my mind has been made up. :-) On the other hand, if you can give me some much need advice about buying to correct frame for my riding style/body size/weight, that would be very much appretiated, and a huge help to me. Thanks in advance, ---- Hi there, I am planning to buy a new mountain bike in the fall. I was wondering if you could give me help with reagrds to which bike to choose. I am 6'2", and weigh 180lbs. After carefully researching bikes from several companies, I have narrowed my choices to the 2004 Kona Kikapu Deluxe http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_kikapu_dlx.cfm , and the 2004 Kona Dawg http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_dawg.cfm. I plan to ride the bike both on pavement, for pleasure rides in Vancouver and surrounding areas, as well as on trails. While I have riden toy bikes since childhood, I am not an agressive rider, nor a brave rider, so I certainly don't expect to be taking the bike of any big drops, or anything of that nature, but I do want to be able to plow down rough trailes without worry. I also want a reasonably lightweight bike that will allow smooth confident hill climbing both on the trail and on the road. While racing is not on my radar screen right now, it might be fun to try in the future. My immediate inclination was to go for the 2004 Kikapu Deluxe, it has an great feature set and good looks. My only concern stems from some reviews I have read at www.mtbr.com of previous and current model Kikapus/Kahuna bikes, inluding the King Kikpau. Heavier riders have mentioned breaking thier frames during basic cross country rides, and more than once has recomended that anyone over 160lbs look towards the Bear/Dawg line of bikes instead because of the stronger frame.. Because I wiegh 180lbs, I have been concerned about this, and have thus begun considering the 2004 Dawg instead, although it the extra extra five pounds of weight doesn't thrill me. I guess my queston is, given my description of my riding style, and my weight, do you agree that I would be better off to choose the Dawg? |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
"Jonathan" wrote in message ...
"Spider" wrote in message om... "Jonathan" wrote in message ... Hi there, [snip] I used to own a Kona FS bike, and I liked it OK, but after doing a lot of research, I figured out that they are quite overpriced for what you get. If you can get a deal on an '03 bike, it might work out fine, but really - what does Kona provide that the other companies do not? Which bikes did you research? Normally, I won't get into a discussion over "what bike should I buy" because it's such a personal thing, but your weight plus your stated riding style match mine, so I feel I can be of some use to you. Spiderwell, thank you for your concern about my finaces, but it's really not a huge issuse to me. I have chosen to buy a Kona after researching bikes from Trek, Santa Cruz, GT, DeVinci, Specialized, Norco, and probably a couple other MTB makers that I have forgotten to mention. What I found was that most of these companies offered several bikes that could be a good fit to me, if only I could mash them altogether into one! I have concluded that Kona is the best bet for me, they have good lookibng bikes, proven designs, and so on. Also, when comparing the 2004 offerings to thier 2002 catalog, it appears that their prices have come down considerably. So please don't try to persuade me that I should be buying a different brand, in this instance, my mind has been made up. :-) On the other hand, if you can give me some much need advice about buying to correct frame for my riding style/body size/weight, that would be very much appretiated, and a huge help to me. Thanks in advance, It was less a concern about finances than a "bang for the buck." When it comes down to the operation and care of a bicycle, the components can make a big difference. Small things, such as who made the wheel spokes, can make a difference between riding out after a mistake, or walking out, or having to be carried out. While that might be overstating it a bit, it's not completely outrageous to suggest that you might find other manufacturers to offer more and better for the money. You seem to suggest that money is no object. If that is the case, buying a Kona would be a big mistake. If your mind is made up, then all you are doing is looking for validation of your choice. I'm not going to give it to you, because I do not think either bike is the best choice for light XC / trailbike antics. Have fun with whatever you do, and good luck. Spider |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
"Spider" wrote in message om... "Jonathan" wrote in message ... "Spider" wrote in message om... "Jonathan" wrote in message ... Hi there, [snip] I used to own a Kona FS bike, and I liked it OK, but after doing a lot of research, I figured out that they are quite overpriced for what you get. If you can get a deal on an '03 bike, it might work out fine, but really - what does Kona provide that the other companies do not? Which bikes did you research? Normally, I won't get into a discussion over "what bike should I buy" because it's such a personal thing, but your weight plus your stated riding style match mine, so I feel I can be of some use to you. Spiderwell, thank you for your concern about my finaces, but it's really not a huge issuse to me. I have chosen to buy a Kona after researching bikes from Trek, Santa Cruz, GT, DeVinci, Specialized, Norco, and probably a couple other MTB makers that I have forgotten to mention. What I found was that most of these companies offered several bikes that could be a good fit to me, if only I could mash them altogether into one! I have concluded that Kona is the best bet for me, they have good lookibng bikes, proven designs, and so on. Also, when comparing the 2004 offerings to thier 2002 catalog, it appears that their prices have come down considerably. So please don't try to persuade me that I should be buying a different brand, in this instance, my mind has been made up. :-) On the other hand, if you can give me some much need advice about buying to correct frame for my riding style/body size/weight, that would be very much appretiated, and a huge help to me. Thanks in advance, It was less a concern about finances than a "bang for the buck." When it comes down to the operation and care of a bicycle, the components can make a big difference. Small things, such as who made the wheel spokes, can make a difference between riding out after a mistake, or walking out, or having to be carried out. While that might be overstating it a bit, it's not completely outrageous to suggest that you might find other manufacturers to offer more and better for the money. You seem to suggest that money is no object. If that is the case, buying a Kona would be a big mistake. No, I'm not suggesting that money is no object, far from it. What I am saying is simply that I do not feel that Kona's lack bang for the buck, as I assume you do. As with any sport/hobby, we all have our biases. I dabble in home theatre and photography as well, and it's no different, HT people insist that Bose sucks, photogrpahy geeks argue day in and day out over Canon vs Nikon vs Olympus. As I am new to mountain biking, I began my search with no bias. I looked at all the companies I mentioned above. I ruled out Santa Cruz because I was simply to confused by thier offerings and couldn't tell what was what. I ruled out Canonndale because thier mountain bikes seems to recieve second billing next to thier road bikes. I ruled out Norco because of thier wacky suspension schemes, horrendous looks, and so on and so on. I ruled out many other bikes as a result of reviews I read from various sources, some mentioning excessive pedal bob, and other stuff like that. I recognize that goo quality components are important, which is why I did not buy the Kahuna, which I could afford now, and opted instead to wait until fall when I would have more money to spend. I am glad you responded to my post, since you are the only one, but I think you misunderstodd my purpose. My only real question was, for my size and weight, do you think the Dawg frame would be a better choice than the Kikapu? If your mind is made up, then all you are doing is looking for validation of your choice. I'm not going to give it to you, because I do not think either bike is the best choice for light XC / trailbike antics. Have fun with whatever you do, and good luck. Spider |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
"Jonathan" wrote in message ...
"Spider" wrote in message om... "Jonathan" wrote in message ... It was less a concern about finances than a "bang for the buck." When it comes down to the operation and care of a bicycle, the components can make a big difference. Small things, such as who made the wheel spokes, can make a difference between riding out after a mistake, or walking out, or having to be carried out. While that might be overstating it a bit, it's not completely outrageous to suggest that you might find other manufacturers to offer more and better for the money. You seem to suggest that money is no object. If that is the case, buying a Kona would be a big mistake. No, I'm not suggesting that money is no object, far from it. What I am saying is simply that I do not feel that Kona's lack bang for the buck, as I assume you do. It's not about "feelings" but about hard data. Research is supposed to provide data. As with any sport/hobby, we all have our biases. I dabble in home theatre and photography as well, and it's no different, HT people insist that Bose sucks, photogrpahy geeks argue day in and day out over Canon vs Nikon vs Olympus. True. But for someone who is very inexperienced, such as yourself, how can you possibly have a bias rooted in fact? It doesn't make sense. I've riden Kona, Trek, Giant, Specialized, Fisher, Klein, Rocky Mountain, GT, Cannondale and Diamond Back MTBs. Ridden some more than others, but each enough to grasp the stengths and weaknesses, in a general sense. As I am new to mountain biking, I began my search with no bias. I looked at all the companies I mentioned above. I ruled out Santa Cruz because I was simply to confused by thier offerings and couldn't tell what was what. So, instead of getting some input to straighten out your confusion, you just chuck the whole mess? The Blur might be a good bike for you. I ruled out Canonndale because thier mountain bikes seems to recieve second billing next to thier road bikes. LOL. What does that have to do with what kind of riding you do? I ruled out Norco because of thier wacky suspension schemes, horrendous looks, and so on and so on. I ruled out many other bikes as a result of reviews I read from various sources, some mentioning excessive pedal bob, and other stuff like that. As a beginner, bob is the least of your worries. And if you know how to pedal, bob is minimized. I recognize that goo quality components are important, which is why I did not buy the Kahuna, which I could afford now, and opted instead to wait until fall when I would have more money to spend. Which would open up your options some. I am glad you responded to my post, since you are the only one, but I think you misunderstodd my purpose. My only real question was, for my size and weight, do you think the Dawg frame would be a better choice than the Kikapu? Neither. I think that I made this pretty clear. There are better bikes for the money, more suited to your build and riding style. I mentioned one already. You can ignore or take my advice as you see fit, but in the end, it's your money, and not mine. If I had it to do over again, I would not have bought the Kona. I would have spent just a little more for a much better bike. Spider |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
HELP kikapu vs kona dawg, which to choose?
Dude the Dawg is more of a northshore kind of bike ,At 32lb it a hheeaavvyyy
XC bike ,Good luck but don't say you were not worned .The other bike mite be a little more for xc riding .And your not that big I'm 6'1" 215 and ride xc ..and don't like heavy bikes.Just my Opion?? -- J/O Trailblazer At large !! |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Kona Dawg, or Trek Liquid? | Jimmy Boffo | Off Road | 1 | February 8th 04 07:40 PM |
Kona Dawg Delux or Jamis Dakar XLT 2 | justwright03 | Mountain Biking | 1 | October 16th 03 04:05 PM |
kona kikapu delux vs dawg, HELP! | Jonathan | Off Road | 0 | July 27th 03 10:25 AM |