Dallas UndrGrnd

Hey Guys, Thinking of buying this bike new for $500. Would you do this? Im a new to biking and dont know much about them so any feedback would be greatly apprecitated.
It's Kinley FX F/S: Check It Out Here

LowCel 

Honestly I wouldn't be caught dead on it. At that price range you would be much better off looking at hardtails.

nodnerb

Normally I would agree and would say to stay away from sub $1000 bikes. This bike seems to be decently put together though. The fork isn't the greatest but should suite your needs fine for now and then you can upgrade if you want. I think it's pretty good for the price and for someone just getting into the sport. I don't think I've seen a better equiped fs at that price ever. Other than the fork, it is on par with ~$1000 fs bikes I'd say.

LowCel 

So how efficient do you think that suspension design is going to be? The bike does have decent components for the price. That is probably to make up for the quality of the frame design. I doubt that the frame is going to be efficient at all, most likely it will feel more like a pogo stick than a quality bike.

Pay special attention to the rear shock. It may be a RockShox but it is a bar w/o adjustment.

A piece of crap frame with nice components on it is still a piece of crap.

BoSoxYacht

If you are new to this, GO TO YOUR LBS , they will help you get the right size and point you in the right direction .

free_pizza

That pseudo seat tube thingy looks like it would snap like a twig

nodnerb

I'm not saying it's the greatest bike in the world. If the op had said that he has been mountain biking for years, or wanted to race, do drops or whatever, I would have suggested looking at something better. Since he is just getting into the sport and may not even do it for the long haul , for the money, it is a pretty decent bike. Hell, it's a damn nice bike for the average joe rider. None of us can say it's either good or bad for certain from a pic and some component lists. My opinion is that it woul dbe a great bike to start on and then if biking isn't his thing, he still has an excellent putt around bike that he didn't waste $1500 on or come from wally mart.

LowCel 

It could also completely turn him against it due to being inefficient. I know even as a beginner I would not have enjoyed bouncing around all over the place when I tried to pedal. Would you?

I have been around plenty of cheap dual suspension bikes. I haven't seen one yet that I wouldn't traded for a hardtail in the same price range.

For the same $500 the OP could be riding a nice entry level specialized, trek, giant, cannondale, etc.

mcoine

The design, other than the top tub/down tube, is just like the old cannondale super v design.

LowCel 

There ya go, more proof of it being an expensive pogo stick.

mcoine

yep, I remember riding the first year sv2000 that a friend bought.. I thought it was awesome at the time ('95 or so), but not by todays standards.

LowCel 

My brother had one of the first year super v's. He sold it a couple of months later and refused to even try another dually until two years ago. He couldn't believe how much the technology had changed. I tried his out one time for just about a mile. I bounced so much I started to get sea sick.

KeeganB1991

Yeah Im looking at that frame, it looks kind of iffy to me. Id say, if your not stuck on getting a fs bike, get a hardtail. You can get a really nice hardtail for that price.

junkyard

i agree, it just doesn't look right. i'd suggest a hardtail as well. and since i'm a little bit biased, try kona.

Dallas UndrGrnd

Thanks a lot for your input guys! I guess Ive learn quite a bit just from all your posts. So it seems a f/s set up is not as desireable as a h/t?!?. Can the bouncing not be adjusted? How about the company themselves, Kinley??? What is their reputation?

Thanks!

Waldo

Cheap F/S is not as desirable as a hardtail-you generally get an older, more inefficient suspension design, add weight, and sacrifice component quality. You can stiffen the suspension by preloading the shock, but that's not a cure-all by any means. Simply stated, don't do it.
As someone else suggested, visit the shops in your area and see what they have to offer and suggest. If you're new to this, buying a bike direct is not going to be a good bet, not the least because of the typical assembly issues that arise.

maresias

I'm new to this forum (actually it's my first post on any forum). I was researching fs bikes a few months ago and I stumbled upon Kinley. I am a total novice to the sport and had no idea what to look for in a bike. I decided to buy the Kinely FX after going to many stores and and seeing the positive feedback it has received in the mtbr.com forum. I've had a great experience so far and have found the bike to be very stable ( I don't feel like I'm bouncing around). I am no expert, so this was definetely a great bike for me and it made it a lot more confortable to have the full suspension.
I think it's kind of hard to judge a bike simply from the pictures. I copied some of the feedback that this bike has received on mtbr.com from people who actually purchased the bike. (see below)
Hope this helps. Good luck!



Submitted by Keone Wilkes a Weekend Warrior from Ventura,CA
Date Reviewed: 5/25/2006 1:13:20 PM

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$700

Purchased At:
online

Strengths:
Price and components.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Tried:
GT Avalanche

Bottom Line:
This is the best dual suspension bike you can find for under $800.00

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by JD a Weekend Warrior from Portland, ME USA
Date Reviewed: 5/23/2006 5:39:55 AM

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$600

Purchased At:
Kinleybikes.com

Strengths:
Lightweight, rides nice. Customer service is great, when contacting the company (phone & email) I was dealing directly with the owner.



Bike Setup:
Full Suspension Kinley FX

Bottom Line:
Great Bike for the money, good components, sharp looking ride! Must be assembled and I would suggest an immediate tuneup but it is worth it for the value

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Katie a Weekend Warrior from New Braunfels, Tx.
Date Reviewed: 5/22/2006 12:18:22 PM

FavoriteTrail:
yes

Duration Product Used:
3 months

Price Paid:
$600

Purchased At:
Ebay

Strengths:
components, balance, workmanship

Weaknesses:
none encountered

Similar Products Tried:
schwinn high plains, fisher hkek

Bike Setup:
stock-see kinleybikes website

Bottom Line:
great bike for a great price! Kinley is a start up and they're doing things right. great communication throughout the sale and follow up. thanks Benno!

ks.

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Gary a Weekend Warrior from Duluth, GA
Date Reviewed: 5/3/2006 6:59:08 AM

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$650

Purchased At:
ebay

Strengths:
Parts, paint, price. Looks rich and much more expensive than it is.

Bottom Line:
I'm very happy with the Kinley. It's a beautiful bike, well built, great parts for the cost! The single pivot suspension is a little bit simple, but simple is good, too. Overall, a great bike.

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Dana Mohr a Cross Country Rider from Saco, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: 4/30/2006 5:59:10 PM

FavoriteTrail:
Mountain Trail in Windham

Duration Product Used:
3 months

Price Paid:
$599

Purchased At:
eBay

Strengths:
Price, Price, Price!!! XT components, great dual suspension frame, responsiveness, good fork and rear suspension, paint job, and above all....PRICE, PRICE, PRICE!!!

Weaknesses:
None yet.

Similar Products Tried:
GT, Giant, Gary Fisher, Rocky Mountain

Bike Setup:
All factory, only add ons were toe-clips.

Bottom Line:
There is absolutley no better deal on the net or in stores than this bike and the rest of the Kinley line. Benno rules! He goes out of his way to answer all of your questions and has put together an incredible product for us to reap the benefits from. It's one of the lightest bikes I've ever ridden and handles very, very well. The fork is raked out comparitively far, so this thing is out of a turn as soon as it's in one! Great for single tracking or getting out of a bind. The frame is very rugged with a great paint job, not cheap or prone to chips, I think it's a powder coated job... They did a great job on all the welds and cutting out unnecessary weight on the frame production, you can tell it's a new company that cares about their bikes. The best part is that they didn't skimp on the front derailleur. Rocky Mountain, Giant, Trek, etc. all have bikes with an XT in the rear but none have an XT in the front too! They cheap out with a Deore or the such, but here you have the best combo. This bike is easily worth three times what you pay! I've pushed this bike VERY hard in the time that I've had it and it hasn't even flinched!!

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Troy a Weekend Warrior from Tampa
Date Reviewed: 4/10/2006 7:35:19 PM

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$500

Purchased At:
kinleybikes.com

Strengths:
This bike has top of the line parts on it. It is also light weight and handles well on rugged terrain.

Weaknesses:
I think the pedals could be a bit bigger or have better grip on your feet.

Bike Setup:
Full suspension

Bottom Line:
I am very satisfied with the overall product. This bike is exactly what I was looking for with perfomance parts at an affordable price. The Kinley FX looks great and feels great on challenging terrain. I was most satisfied with the costomer service I recieved. They went well out of their way to answer all my questions and to make sure I was happy with their product. I have no doubts that Kinley will have future success with their business. Thanks Kinley.

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Lou a Weekend Warrior from Las Cruces, NM USA
Date Reviewed: 4/7/2006 7:19:55 PM

FavoriteTrail:
I didn't know I had to choose one

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$650

Purchased At:
eBay

Strengths:
Name brand adjustable suspension, shift components and it's even light. Great dollar to component ratio (especially comapired to local vendors).

Weaknesses:
None noticed.

Bike Setup:
Uncrated it and bolted it together. I had to get tire slime, but all desert residents know that. 30 minutes and I was out for a test ride and I have not messed with it again.

Bottom Line:
Get bike for the price. I just need to ride to work and for fun (and exercise). I have zero need for hydralic brakes and feather light frames. I'm not even that hard on the suspension, well at 200lbs I'm not very easy on it either.

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Jay Walling a Weekend Warrior from Carrollton
Date Reviewed: 3/25/2006 6:57:21 AM

FavoriteTrail:
Grapevine

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$650

Purchased At:
Kindley on ebay

Strengths:
Solid as hell and very light! Good warranty. The best componets on a f/s w/o breaking the bank.

Weaknesses:
havent found any yet. Not too many people know about Kinley.

Bottom Line:
I did quite a bit of research before getting a bike and lots of people told me to stay away from single rear pivot designs like this b/c they are unstable but this bike is as solid as any! and if it ever did wearout w/i 5 yrs i have piece of mind with the warranty. Highly reccomended. A++++

Value Rating: Overall Rating:




Submitted by Thomas Watkin a Weekend Warrior from Little River, NC US
Date Reviewed: 2/22/2006 1:32:54 PM

FavoriteTrail:
Slick Rock, Dupont Forest

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$620

Purchased At:
Kinley Bicycles

Strengths:
Moderately priced; extremely well-made; good product support.

Weaknesses:
None.

Bike Setup:
Very little required. Arrived with only minor assembly required.

Bottom Line:
Would by from Kinley again.

Value Rating: Overall Rating:

sabaka

Wait...we have Kinley shills on the forum now?

Peek the Geek

Take these "reviews" with a HUGE grain of salt. Consider that each of these reviews most likely fall under one of the following categories:

1. These people have purchased the bike they're reviewing. Why would they give it a crappy review? Psychologically, that would be akin to putting themselves down by calling into question their ability to make a sound purchase. People tend to justify their purchases, especially major ones, no matter how badly they may have gotten screwed on the deal.

2. The reviewers have purchased a low-end, inexpensive mountain bike. It's almost a definite that they haven't ridden many different bikes and just plain out don't know any better. They don't know how bad the thing rides because they haven't ridden better bikes.

3. The reviews are fake. Employees or other people involved with the manufacturer post fairy tales in the hopes that this will help sell more bikes. Judging by the above reviews, my money is on this scenario in this particular case.

The Figment

I Rode a GT Avalanche From Boston Ma. To Naples Fla....Would I do the Same On This,I Think Not



Submitted by Keone Wilkes a Weekend Warrior from Ventura,CA
Date Reviewed: 5/25/2006 1:13:20 PM

Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:
$700

Purchased At:
online

Strengths:
Price and components.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Tried:
GT Avalanche

Bottom Line:
This is the best dual suspension bike you can find for under $800.00

sabaka

Uh...I would hardly put GT, Iron Horse, and Raleigh in the same category as Trek, Cannondale, Giant, and Specialized...much less Jeep and Mongoose!

wheelhot

hmm, ok the pic you are saying is a 2005 model rite? Why dont you go for the 2006 model, It looks like a 4 bar design for 2006 and looks better then 2005 model, anyway from what I learned from Mountain Biking is dont buy a Full Sus which is less then 1k, its just risky you will be more happy with a Hardtail ^^

maresias

I had no idea what "shills" meant, so I looked it up. Honestly, why are you people so paranoid?? My brother, who's also looking into buying a Kinley after I bought it, has been doing some research on the bikes and saw that the bike I bought got bad reviews on this site. That's why I decided to post. You can think whatever you want....but all I know is that for the price this is a great bike. I think it's incredible that you guys are comparing this bike model to other brands that cost 3 times as much!!!! You're comparing apples with oranges.

Anyways, hope you guys continue to have fun with your consipiracy theories

valbowski1980

The components look good but I wouldn't buy unless I got to testride it first.

ronfreeman

Hey,

I just bought the new KINLEY RX DISK. Great bike. Easy to assemble and sells for hundreds more at the bike shop.