Mountain Biking - Help me choose between a 2005 Kona Blast and 2004 Kona Cinder Cone

Hi all,

I have the choice between getting a new Kona Blast 2005 or a used Cinder Cone 2004. The cinder is in good condition apart from a few scratches

Price will be £350 (aproximetly) for either bike.

Here are some pics of the Cinder, sorry they are not that clear.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/af_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/45_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/13_1_b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/7d_1_b.jpg


Which would you rather have? Please give me any help/advice - will be much appriciated :)

Thanks

Rich

350 GBP for a 2005 Blast sounds like a good price.
350 GBP for a used 2004 Cinder Cone sounds a little pricey but I don't quite know the rate of devaluation for used mountain bikes.

The Cinder Cone is better spec'ed so I would be tempted to say the Cinder Cone if it is in really good shape and none of the good bits were swapped out for cheaper ones.

Go to the Kona site and get the 2004 spec list for the Cinder Cone and make sure the bike matches the spec.

Good luck.

If the cinder cone wasn't to abused, I would get it.
Hard to tell from the pics just how used that cinder cone is.
But the Cinder Cone has a nicer fork, and an XT rear, assuming of course that it is stock.
I dig the paint job on the cinder cone more too
That's my 2 cents.

Thanks for replys,


Santiago >You mentioned you dont agree with the clipless pedels (which are on the Cinder), why was that? Is it not a good feature to have?

Thanks

Rich

Thanks for replys,


Santiago >You mentioned you dont agree with the clipless pedels (which are on the Cinder), why was that? Is it not a good feature to have?

Thanks

Rich


I'm not against clipless pedals. I just did some research and determined that for me the Crank Brothers Eggbeater or Candy clipless pedals are better than the Shimano pedals that are OEM on the Cinder Cone.

I looked up the MSRP prices for both bikes:
2004 Cinder Cone MSRP: 700GBP
2005 Blast MSRP: 550 GBP

Given that, the brand new Blast looks like a decent discount (although inline with what is a normal North American price) and the Cinder Cone is selling at 50% which sounds fair.

Like it was stated, the Cinder Cone has better components and if the bike is in good shape and none of the good bits were removed I would go for the Cinder Cone. You have to also be sure that this bike fits you. Don't get a bike that doesn't fit you just because you get a good deal.

I finally got the Kona Cinder Kone :).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/IMAGE_034.jpg

It's seems to be in V.good condition, the ride is perfect aswell as the height. I put it together (wheels,disk-brakes etc) as best as I could - still very new to all this. And it seems fine. However, there is one problem - the brakes. They seem unressponsive when riding. Ive included some pics, would appriciate if someone could tell me If I have set it up correctly?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/IMAGE_035.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rtr86/IMAGE_036.jpg

Also when I lift the bike above ground and spin the wheel, they seem to be (very slightly) touching the brack disk and therefore the wheel is not 'free-spinning', is this normal?

On my Kona Blast I have Shimano mechanical disk brakes and I can adjust how far in the pad goes. If I put the pad too far in then it impedes with the wheel spinning freely. On my calipers there is a 4mm hex bolt head that allows me to adjust and is very clearly indicated. Do you see anything like that on your calipers?

Thanks for replys :)

I tried to adjust the the brakes by its cable which therefore moved the capiller closer. But it still seems slack. I think I will need to replace the pads.

Santiago if I posted a pic of showing the bolt heads around the capiller do you think you could give me a rough idea what they do exactl?. Im so new to all this.

Thanks

You're talking to another newbie. However, I looked up the specs of your bike at http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=236&parentid=188 and assuming you have the OEM brakes then you have the same mechanical disks that I do. Right on the caliper is an adjustment bolt that allowed me to bring in the pad. I had brought it in too much and the wheel was catching so i turned it back a little until the wheels spun freely

The adjustment screw for the inner pad I didn't do because htis one appears to be locked down with a washer that's been turned up to block the bolt from moving. I'm not sure how permanent that one is supposed to be.

Post up some pics and I'll do the same when I have a chance.