New Bike: 2007 Kona Caldera or 2008 Kona Caldera
 

This coming spring, I am looking to buy a bike around 1000 bucks canadian snd then upgrade it from there once i get more money. So the two bikes i am looking at are: this year's (2007) Kona Caldera and next year's (2008) Caldera. I am 5' 10" and 190 pounds and i want to get into light all mountain riding. The upgrades i was thinking about would to be:

-2008 Fox 32 Vanilla RLC fork,

-Sun Ringle Single Track Rims laced to Shimano XT hubs http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Wheelset.aspx

-Avid Juicy 7's with 6" rotors

-and some other components later

I one problem i have is if the Fox Vanilla would fit on the frame and if the frame could handle it (the 2007 frame looks a bit more beefier than the 2008), would putting this fork on the Bike void the warranty??


Here are the stock spec's for the 2007

2007 Kona Caldera

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1...alderabmd6.jpg


specs
Frame sizes 14", 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"
Frame tubing Kona All-Mountain Butted Aluminum
Fork Marzocchi MZ Race
Headset TH
Crankarms FSA Alpha Drive ISIS
Chainrings 44/32/22
BB RPM ISIS
Pedals Shimano PD-M505 Clipless
Chain Shimano CN-HG53
Freewheel Shimano Deore (11-32t, 9speed)
F/D Shimano Deore
R/D Shimano Deore XT
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebar WTB CXC Riser
Stem WTB CXC
Grips Kona Jack****
Brakes HAYES HFX-9 XC W6 w/2-finger Lever
Brake Levers HAYES HFX-9 XC W6 w/2-finger Lever
Front hub KK Disc
Rear hub Shimano FH-M475 disc
Spokes 15g front and 14g rear stainless DT
Tires Maxxis IGNITOR 26x2.1
Rims Sun Black Eye
Saddle WTB Laser V SPORT
Seatpost WTB CXC
Seat clamp Kona QR
Color Black


2008 Kona Caldera

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/6...calderast9.jpg

Specs
Frame sizes 14", 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"
Frame tubing Kona All-Mountain Aluminum Butted
Fork RockShox TORA 302 Coil 100mm
Headset TH
Crankarms FSA Alpha Drive ISIS
Chainrings 44/32/22
B/B RPM ISIS
Pedals Shimano M505 Clipless
Chain Shimano HG53
Freewheel Shimano Deore (11-32, 9spd)
F/D Shimano Deore
R/D Shimano XT Shadow
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebar WTB CXC riser
Stem WTB CXC
Grips Kona Jack****
Brakes Hayes Stroker Trail Hydraulic V6
Brake Levers Hayes Stroker Trail Hydraulic
Front hub KK Disc
Rear hub Shimano M475 disc
Spokes 15g front and 14g rear stainless DT
Tires Maxxis Ignitor 26 x 2.1
Rims Sun Black Eye
Saddle WTB Laser V Comp
Seatpost WTB CXC
Seat clamp Kona QR
Color Red




So I want to know if in the spring should i buy a 2007 Caldera or a 2008 Caldera and in what size?, and if it will work with the upgrades i want??

Thanks,
Parker Edwards

ride them and then decide.

Is it just me or does the 08 caldera have much smaller tubing?





























does!
it
think
i

I'm 5'11" and about 195lbs and I have a 2007 Caldera in a size 18 and love it! Around here you can get a `07 Caldera for about US$150 less then a `08 model.

Kona recommends not to go above 100mm of travel with this frame. I have a Fox F100 fork on mine with a CK headset and an `08 XT Shadow rear derailleur and a `08 XT front. I'm looking for a heavy duty crank because I spend a lot of time climbing out of the saddle.

I have no complaints.

What would you recomend for a heavy duty 100mm travel forks, but not any that are meant for DJ's???