stinky|dan
Likes Dirt
Ok, i've had this bike since they were delivered in late January/ Early Feb this year (i forget when exactly). It was built mainly from parts from my 2002 Kona Stinky and a few new ones. It was built up right before the Johnny Waddell Fundraising Race @ Chittering which was held sometime in February. I had a great first run but things fell apart when i started pedalling a little harder in the second run and i ended up getting horror arm pump. End result, i lost hold of the handlebars and crashed over a jump in front of a big crowd, driving my left shoulder and head straight in to the hardpack dirt. One trip to the hospital and one hot x-ray technician later, diagnosed with 4th degree (i think) dislocation of the AC joint in my shoulder. Off the bike for a couple of months. Definately no DH. I have been doing a fair bit or urban riding and recently did a couple of xc rides on local trails at John Forrest National PArk and @ JArrahdale.
So now the review starts. Coming from a dual suspension i was pleasently suprised by the supple ride provided by the 4130 chromoly steel frame. Very forgiving in urban environments and to my suprise the thing absolutely railed around the burmed corners on my favourite XC singletrack in Jarrahdale. This past Sunday's ride was a very memorable one for me. I finally realised why i love the bike so much. It is just so comfortable in all kinds of situations. On my 10 DH runs before the accident it was also really easy to pilot around the corners, through rock sections and over jumps. I had no arguments with it. Although my atomlab aircorp rear wheel did. With no suspension to suck up the hits, it ended up with 4 bad dings in the side from sideways rock hits. Still rolls straight though! So the bike rules. Hopefully if you're thinking about buying one this might convince you to put your order in. I have no experience on other steel hardtails so you'll have to take my word for how good it is.
Spec.
FRAME: 2004 .243 large mtb bb.
FORK: Marzocchi z1 wedge 5 inch
HEADSET: FSA PIG loose ball
STEM: Kona Clump
HANDLEBARS : Kona Clump
GRIPS : Oury mtb (red)
FRONT BRAKE Hayes HMX, mechanical disc, 6" rotor
REAR BRAKE Hayes HMX, mechanical disc, 6" rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Hayes Mech Disc Levers
FRONT DERAILLEUR who needs one?
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Deore LX
CASSETTE Shimano , 9-speed,
CHAIN Whipperman (good one)
CRANKSET: DMR Chieftain 3pce chromoly (tough as)
CHAINRING: Blackspire 38 tooth
CHAINGUIDE: E-13 srs (BOMBPROOF, EASY TO SET-UP, RELIABLE)
PEDALS: Odyssey Southgate looseballed (love 'em)
RIMS Sun DitchWitch, 26" (front)
Atomlab Aircorp 24" (rear)
FRONT HUB 36 hole shimano, disc, sealed loose ball bearings
REAR HUB 36 hole shimano deore, disc,
SPOKES dt swiss champion (i think, who cares)
FRONT TIRE 26" Maxxis High Roller supertacky or Hookworms
REAR TIRE 24" Maxxis Highroller or Hookworms
TUBES maxxis DH
SADDLE: .243 MTB (sparkly)
SEAT POST: Titec knock-rated (lifetime warranty) 390mm (nice and long for XC rides)
SEAT BINDER: .243
So now the review starts. Coming from a dual suspension i was pleasently suprised by the supple ride provided by the 4130 chromoly steel frame. Very forgiving in urban environments and to my suprise the thing absolutely railed around the burmed corners on my favourite XC singletrack in Jarrahdale. This past Sunday's ride was a very memorable one for me. I finally realised why i love the bike so much. It is just so comfortable in all kinds of situations. On my 10 DH runs before the accident it was also really easy to pilot around the corners, through rock sections and over jumps. I had no arguments with it. Although my atomlab aircorp rear wheel did. With no suspension to suck up the hits, it ended up with 4 bad dings in the side from sideways rock hits. Still rolls straight though! So the bike rules. Hopefully if you're thinking about buying one this might convince you to put your order in. I have no experience on other steel hardtails so you'll have to take my word for how good it is.
Spec.
FRAME: 2004 .243 large mtb bb.
FORK: Marzocchi z1 wedge 5 inch
HEADSET: FSA PIG loose ball
STEM: Kona Clump
HANDLEBARS : Kona Clump
GRIPS : Oury mtb (red)
FRONT BRAKE Hayes HMX, mechanical disc, 6" rotor
REAR BRAKE Hayes HMX, mechanical disc, 6" rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Hayes Mech Disc Levers
FRONT DERAILLEUR who needs one?
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Deore LX
CASSETTE Shimano , 9-speed,
CHAIN Whipperman (good one)
CRANKSET: DMR Chieftain 3pce chromoly (tough as)
CHAINRING: Blackspire 38 tooth
CHAINGUIDE: E-13 srs (BOMBPROOF, EASY TO SET-UP, RELIABLE)
PEDALS: Odyssey Southgate looseballed (love 'em)
RIMS Sun DitchWitch, 26" (front)
Atomlab Aircorp 24" (rear)
FRONT HUB 36 hole shimano, disc, sealed loose ball bearings
REAR HUB 36 hole shimano deore, disc,
SPOKES dt swiss champion (i think, who cares)
FRONT TIRE 26" Maxxis High Roller supertacky or Hookworms
REAR TIRE 24" Maxxis Highroller or Hookworms
TUBES maxxis DH
SADDLE: .243 MTB (sparkly)
SEAT POST: Titec knock-rated (lifetime warranty) 390mm (nice and long for XC rides)
SEAT BINDER: .243