Mountain Biking - Kona Stuff - First Bike? Advice Please

Hope you can help a newbie.. have got a friend selling a Kona Stuff for a bargain basement price (good friend so can be trusted!). However as I am new to m.biking would this type of bike be suitable? Noted it is a hardtail (stock standard - 2 years old) and would be using for messing around with to start until i find my calling!! I realise a Kona Stuff is better suited for jumping etc...

also i am 6'3'' 190pounds, the frame size is 17" is this big enough for me... i have checked that the biggest frame for this model is 17.5".

look forward to your 'expert' advise.. apologies in advance for the 'stupid' questions ...

this bike will be fine for that , just a few questions.... What year is the bike, and how much does he want?

Make sure it fits. Not only is it meant for more jumping style but sized for it to. You may find you are not comfortable on it on trails. It all depends on the type of iding you wish to do and your background. :) If you come from bmx the bike will likely feel fine, however if you are looking for a more tradition trail bike, it will definately feel to small :)

All that said, test it....if you like it, buy it :)

Thanks for the feedback guys. Heard many good things regarding Kona on this forum, just go to make sure the model/size is right for me.

To answer you questions its approx 2 years old, not sure if 2002/2003 model, but has the grey paint job. Friend has sent me pics. but as he lives some distance from me I don't want to travel all the way unless I pretty sure I am going to buy - also got to make a decision soon or he may sell it.

Regarding price around the USD350 mark (equivalent). Is this a fair price for a 2 year old Kona Stuff that hasn't been used to much.


My other option is a Specialized Rockhopper - 17" that someone in my area is selling that i can get for around $200.00 - has a Manitou Fork ? only been used for commuting mostly!


Thanks again.

I have a friend who rides a Stuff and he's pretty hard on it. If you think you'll be drawn to more aggressive riding go with the Kona if it fits.

Make sure its not broken. (ride it, shift it, brake it)

I got a used '04 Kona Scrap and am very happy with it. Its has a few miles on it and is very sturdy. Only thing I can see is maybe upgrading a few of the components in the future as they wear. I highly recommend anything by Kona..

Thats a 2002 btw. Before they shrunk the bike to be a dj bike. The 17 is pretty big actually but still small for a 6'3 guy. (my gf owns that bike and size)...I can ride it for djing only but even then the TT is very short.

If it is comig stock (especially with the 02 fork which is an exr) 350us is too much. Brand new it was 750us at that time. Unless he has upgrade the main part like the fork (heck even the wheels which stock would crumble under your weight) it isn't worth it. The frame is only worth 100 to 150 used tops.

Thanks for the advise Maelstrom.. Spoke to my friend again today who has had an offer of USD400 for it.. told him to sell it as I am not paying that much for a 2002 model !!

After further checking found out the 2002 model goes up to 19" frame , the 2004/2005 model up to 17"... must be "Before they shrunk the bike to be a dj bike" as you stated.

Therefore guess I should be looking for the largest frame possible.

One further question regarding your comment about the "(heck even the wheels which stock would crumble under your weight)".. is this right?? Should I be looking for a stronger model altogether? As is mentioned earlier I am approx 6'3'' floating around 190pounds (ish). I have heard that the Kona bikes are pretty heavy duty... im not that heavy am i??

Now I am considering shopping around for a 1 year old bike but I am going to have to try before I buy to make sure the size is right. so bit of a catch 22 situation, as im not used to riding mtb I wouldn't be sure if the size is right anyway..guess the only way is try a few different bikes.. might look at specialized also (although deep down I feel the need for a Kona)! Will keep my options open and see what I can pick-up.


Thanks for the help.

To be honest the frame is solid. I ride the 2002 kona roast and my gf rides the 2002 stuff. They just happen to come stock with weaker parts. The frame will definately be more than enough.

At 6'3 you need a longish tt. Height is almost irrelevent. If you could find a 2002 kona roast/stuff that would be ideal. Also look at the kona hoss series. They are built like the 2002 series stuff/roast. :)

Thanks for the advise Maelstrom.. Spoke to my friend again today who has had an offer of USD400 for it.. told him to sell it as I am not paying that much for a 2002 model !!

Thanks for the help.

I didn't mean to turn you off it. He might have changed out parts. Check that first. If he has put on a better fork and wheels etc...it may well be worth 400 :)

. bike is totally standard (only changed the pedals)..!! So I'm not willing to pay that price.

Will take on board you advice and take a look at a roast or stuff also. Don't know if its better sometimes to find a stock standard bike (which may lead you to believe it hasn't had much heavy use) or go for a upgraded bike which may have had the guts thrashed out of it.

Currently in Sydney, Australia where there does not seem to be many 2nd hand Kona's for sale, never mind trying to find a particular model in the right size. Will keep looking.. best to wait a bit and get it right.

What about a 2003/2004 Roast/Stuff? They haven't shrunk these as well have they??

In newer models look at the hoss. They are the old sizing. And yes the entire out of bounds line up from 2002 was shrunk to make better djing bikes. Even in 2003 when they had a 2003 stuff in 19", it was TINY...

Still too big for me for what Im doing - trials/learning how to control the bike better. I've a 13 inch (I think) 04 scrap.

You think you are 13?