Mountain Biking - '05 Kona bikes

I'm interested in the Dawg Dee-lux and the Kikapu Deluxe. Does anyone know the approx. weights of either of these bikes? Pros and Cons of either? I will be riding primarily in the Ozarks in Northwest Arkansas. Any comments and/or advice will be appreciated

If I had a paycheck dee-lux I'd get a Dawg dee-lux, too.

I can't tell you how much they weigh, though, I'm just posting cause I'm bored at work.

KonaRider24 can help you out I bet. He knows the most about Kona's. (As far as I know)

I believe you are looking at low to mid 30's if I remember right :)

Also, the Kikapu is more xc oriented and the Dawg is more trail/light freeride so the geometry is different. Meaning the Kikapu will have you in more of a race position (leaned over more) and the Dawg will have you more upwright.

:beer:

Thanks too all. I would love to have the King Kikapu but was looking for something a little less pricey in the Kona line, seems like a big step down (in price and componentry) to the Kikapu Deluxe, the Dawg Deluxe fell between the two and also will be available in 17", which is the size I think I need by looking at Kona's sizing charts. Unfortunately, where I live it is difficult to find a bike in the proper size to test ride.

I emailed the techs at Kona regarding bike weight and they said the weights should be online in a couple of weeks.

I am a 33 yr old female 5'4", 120 lbs. I have been road riding since '00 and my last mtn bike was circa '89. I currently have a loaner ridgid trek early '90's model. I have been doing some single track with beginner and sport class XC riders, I am interested in racing next year if I can get enough trail experience in before the season begins. (I don't think humiliation will be a good motivator ;) I just hope I don't maim myself the first time using disc brakes. I can foresee myself coming to a screeching halt 20yrds ahead of the anticipated stopping/slowing point the first few times!

I really enjoy the technical aspects of the trail, learning the adroit maneuvering it requires. I guess this is the ultimate reason I am leaning strongly toward a FS bike. It seems like now I spend most of the time on the trail standing on the pedals, with a death grip, this is really going to change my riding style.

Thanks. Damn, lucky you, Whistler, eh?

Sounds like the Kikapu Deluxe is the one you want if you are light and want to do XC & XC racing. One word of caution, I've heard from numerous sources that the Kona design sacrifices pedaling efficiency & weight for a more plush ride and strong frame. With the 'stable platform' rear shock they come with they might be OK, but still not top notch.

If you want to be more competitive on an FS bike I'd look at models like the Giant NRS, Specialized Epic, Rocky Mountain Element, etc. All of which are less bob prone than the Kona, again, or so I've heard.

I'll put in a hardtail plug while I'm at it, if you want to race think long and head about going with a FS bike. A Kona Kula Deluxe is only marginally more than an the Kikapu
Deluxe, weighs much less, has far better components (love that Raceface crank!), and obviously does not suffer from bob. Also you'll find that having front suspension will make a huge difference compared to your old fully rigid bike in terms of ride quality and performance. If I needed a new race bike for next season the Kula Deluxe (along with 05 RM models :) ) would be at the top of my list.