Mountain Biking - new bike

new to the form thing. But need advice on new bikes, I have it down to 2 bikes

2001 rocky mountain soul. Great frame alright parts.

2002 kona lava dome alright frame but better parts.

which do you go for?

thanks for the help in advance.:beer:

I don't know much about those two bikes, but you might want to tell us a bit more about the type of riding you intend to do so that others can give you more relevant advice. :)

Personally I'd go for the better frame then upgrade whichever bits you're unhappy with as when you've saved up a small amount/found them on sale. Even bottom of the range components do a reasonable job generally.

Richard

Originally posted by Richard D
Personally I'd go for the better frame then upgrade whichever bits you're unhappy with as when you've saved up a small amount/found them on sale. Even bottom of the range components do a reasonable job generally.

Richard

Yep, I'd tend to agree with Rich...both Kona and Rocky Mountain make pretty hardcore bikes, if the Rocky Mountain frame is better, then you may be better to go with it, and upgrade as components break....again, as Chris suggests..let us know what type of riding you intend to do, and that might give us a bit more to go on.

Cheers...........................Rich

How is the frame on the Rocky better than the Kona?
My first thought would be to get the better frame. A good frame will last longer than good parts.

thanks for the help so fast. Most of the riding I do is X country with a few thrilling down hills thrown in for a twist. nothing to out there have to work on mondays. and I don't recoup from being thrown from my bike as quick as I used to. 30km. every sunday morning at 6 am. with a friend and a few night rides duing the week . the Kona seemed to not talk about there frame material but the rocky mountain was easton. also thinking about a biking holiday on the kettle valley railway. central British Columbia. anyone heard of it, looks great.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN - ROCKY MOUNTAIN!

Originally posted by MtnBikerChk
ROCKY MOUNTAIN - ROCKY MOUNTAIN!


Ok MBC, you just don't talk so much OK? We all know Kona is way cooler.

Stumpy, Easton is a good aluminum tube set. But, I don't think you'll notice a difference. Since you ride primarily XC, I would recommend the Kona, for the better parts. I think in the long run you will be more satisfied with better parts than slightly better tubes. The Kona is probably made with Kona Clump aluminum, and there isn't anything wrong with that.

I hope this works??
Here are the kona specs:

Now if this works??
Here are the RM specs:

Also in all fairness here is the Kona pic:

Now what bike would I choose?
I say the Kona. The double butted Cromo frame will ride better, the Mavic X139 rims are better than the Sun Cr 18 rims, the drivetrain on the kona is better thru out and is 9 speed, the Kona has Avid brakes, and the truvative cranks are way, way better than the cheap shimanos on the RM.
Oh yea the Kona looks better!!:D

I must admit that we have 3 kona's now and I have owned others in the past. My wife has a Steel double butted Cromo Kona and the ride is amazing(yes I have ridden it on the trails).
Again if you look at the parts I say go with kona. And Kona is famous for the way their bikes ride like no other!!

Ya can't really argue with Spic-Mic on this one! Both are great bikes. I would like to add the comment, "Buy the one that FEELS better!" You'll be riding the bike for years to come, so buy the one that fits you better!

L8R

The parts spec on the Kona is way better. Plus it is 9-speed, a bonus. You may not need 9-speeds, but 8-speed is becoming obsolete, which will make it harder to get new parts. So hands down the Kona is a better deal.

Sorry MBC, but I'd have to go with the Kona too!:)

the help here is outstanding i'm leaning towards the kona, I've never been to hard on any bike i've owned so not sure if the frame question comes into play.thanks for all the help and I will keep you posted as to my decision on the bike.

Originally posted by stumpy
the help here is outstanding i'm leaning towards the kona, I've never been to hard on any bike i've owned so not sure if the frame question comes into play.thanks for all the help and I will keep you posted as to my decision on the bike.

Well I mentioned the frame because: the steel Kona will have a better ride quality than the aluminum RM. You would have to get an alum. frame that would cost double what these bikes cost for it to ride as well and smooth as the steel frame on the Kona. Both the Kona and the RM frames sould last you years and years.

Just something to think about.
Glad we could help you out.
Good luck and do take a2psyklnut's advice, buy the one that fits and feels the best. Try to ride each bike as much as possible, then make your decision.

And no I do not work for Kona.:D But if you guys and gals here could put in a good word for me there, who knows? ;)

I might get a slap for this...but out of the two, I'd go for the Rocky Mountain....it's going to be a lighter frame material, and personally I like the ride of an alloy frame compaired to a cro-mo one.

Fubeys comment on components is a fair one, but really, I'd say the most important part of the bike is the frame...start with a nice light one, and you won't go far wrong.

Have you checked out the lower end alloy Kona framed bikes? My friend had a Kona Nu Nu which had the same frame as the Kona Cinder Cone...might be worth a look.

In the end, it's the bike you like, that fits you right that counts...good luck with your choice, and let us know how it goes! :)

Rich

Rocky Mountain, all the way.