Mountain Biking - Kona Dawg anyone?

looking at upgrading to a fs rig soon, and had my eye on a Dawg at my LBS. Just wanted to know of anyone's experiences with them. How does the suspension design compare with others and does it perform well? How badly does it 'bob'? I haven't ridden it yet but I intend to soon. Will buy frame only, and maybe upgrade to a Float RL.

The reason I am looking at the Dawg is that I am a bit rough (already broke my Rockhopper) and wanted something a bit more durable than an XC rig. I want to start riding off bigger things too. Oh yeah, 6'2 and 180lbs. I like climbing and descend pretty quick on certain trails. I do a little urban too.

The Dawg is the revised version of the bear. My freind had a bear and he liked it very much. However, he used it for freeriding. it held up pretty well seeing how he broke 3 derraileurs and whatnot, but my point was that he rode it pretty hard and it still held together(also due to the gusseting on Kona's bikes). Hes actualy trying to sell it, and its a 20". let me know if your interested, his has a Float RL btw.

sounds like they're tough then! I'd like to know how well they pedal as I do some longer rides and would like some efficiency in the suspension design.

Thanks for the offer of the bear, but postage to Australia would probably buy me a new one over here :o

I like this one better. Somewhere around 33 pounds. Its the 04 Coiler.

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/images/low/2K4_Coiler_650.jpg

Originally posted by troie
I like this one better. Somewhere around 33 pounds. Its the 04 Coiler.

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/images/low/2K4_Coiler_650.jpg

What do you know about those DropOffs? It looks like they're using that and the MX line on the cheaper OB Hardtails in 04, and I'm wondering how it holds up.

I know alot of freeriders run the Z1 on their rigs. It gets suggested alot at pinkbike.com so I guess theyre good. Im still running a crappy RST until my MX Comp comes in :(

Keep in mind the new dawg is not simply a revised bear anymore. They have designed bikes in order of exdtreme's now with the dawg being the xc trail bike.

Dawg - xc trail bike
Coiler - light freeride
Stinky - freeride bike

So depending on how you plan you abuse it, buy accordingly. :)

The z1's are fine and durable...especially if you wait till the 2004 model which should be even stronger than the 2003's.

Well I lashed out and got the Dawg frame :D and a set of Armor hydraulic disc brakes, and transferred the rest from my Rockhopper. Only had a chance to take it down the park so far, but I'm planning to really test her out tomorrow. I'm pretty happy so far.

Good choice. The DAWG is a great all around bike. My only suggestion, if you are planning on doing alot of very aggeesive riding (ie jumps and drops say 3'+) then up grade the rear shock to a good coil over, but do not do it until you blow the one you have now. Or you could seel your shock and purchase a new one.

Air shocks are not the best for taking drops.

Again, great bike and welcome to the "POUND":D

:beer:

woof woof :D

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will stick to this shock for a while as the bank balance is a bit battered after this purchase, and I won't be able to justify another for a while (to myself and the minister of war and finance ;) ). I have to pay off my 'tab' at the LBS too.

and for some reason my mates have been ringing me up and barking at the phone :confused: :confused:

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Keep in mind the new dawg is not simply a revised bear anymore. They have designed bikes in order of exdtreme's now with the dawg being the xc trail bike.

Dawg - xc trail bike
Coiler - light freeride
Stinky - freeride bike

So depending on how you plan you abuse it, buy accordingly. :)

The z1's are fine and durable...especially if you wait till the 2004 model which should be even stronger than the 2003's.

How is that Coiler only LIGHT freeride? I'd think light freeride means more along the lines of the dawg


BTW that really is a nice rig. Happy trails

skdsl, what size is that frame. How much does the whole bike weigh?

The Coiler looks like a cramped cockpit to me. It also likes like it has taken place of what the Stinky was a few years ago, and the Stinky is now more hardcore.

Nice rig dude!

Originally posted by PeterG1185
How is that Coiler only LIGHT freeride? I'd think light freeride means more along the lines of the dawg


I am not saying what I think I just have spoken with the kona reps and the dawg has been moved back to more of a trailbike where the coiler has taken over the light freeride spot. Quite simply what Kona is calling light freeride is pretty big. But in comparrison to the 'going big' freeride market the Coiler wouldn't hold up. Stinky is for the hardcore guys. I was just relaying what what said to me. And really last time I checked the dawg is a short travel bike in comparrison to other 'freeride' bikes.

Fuber, Kona designs the cockpit like that on purpose. Most of their bikes have a noticebly small cockpit to allow for greater movement of the bike. Especially in the very tight and technical shore. In the bike discussed there is definately no bike that is great for long distance xc :)

I hear what you're sayin Mael. I looked in a mag today and read all about it. For me the dawg would be plenty of a freeride bike and really in most of MI its enough, but you're at the center of it all. Just cant really see why the Coiler wouldnt be strong enough

troie: it's an 18" and weighs around 14kg (according to bathroom scales) which I think is a shade over 30lbs. It certainly doesn't feel like it's 2kg more than the Rockhopper!

I think everybody I ride with is sick of me raving about it, but THIS THING IS AWESOME!! Climbs well, jumps really well, descends really really well, and the brakes....