Looking at Konas
 

I live in Ruston, LA. Apparently we have Lincoln Parish Park, which is known for being one of the best mountain biking trails in Louisiana. I was wondering which one would better suit me for this park.

Kona Kikapu Deluxe or Kona Dawg?

There is also a Trek and Specialized dealer near by. Should they be worth checking out, and what should I be looking for?

What kind of riding do you intend on doing?
Test riding a number of bikes is often advised since it gives you an opportunity to feel different geometries, fits, etc.

I am going to be doing mostly trail riding. I tried out the kikapu deluxe and the dawg today and I liked the kikupa much better.

Definitely go and try out the bikes Trek and Specialized have to offer. The more you try, the better off you will be. When you fine "the one," you'll know :)

I guess my question was more geared at XC, downhill, etc...

XC and the park trails

Kikapu or Dawg will work for that. I still believe that test riding a few different brands is worthwhile, though.

....that exteme LA. downhill. Wicked nasty!

Touché

I wented around and tested out a good bit of bikes today, and the Kona Dealer in town was doing 25% off on 2007 models. I got a King Kikapu for $1500.

Excellent. Pictures.

To get the 25% off they have to get it directly from the factory's warehouse to open up room for the 2008's. I should be picking it up next weds or thurs.

Here is a link if anyone wants to look at it:
http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/K...APU/index.html

I'm sorry but generic pics are not doing anything for me, I need real photo's with mud, blood, and a frappacino, as soon as you can! Nice bike by the way!

I tried the Dawg myself and was really impressed. I'd say take that over the Kikapu....just my opinion though. I ended up with a CoilAir myself....and love it! After seriously beating the snot out of it time after time, I'm sticking with Kona as it hasn't let me down yet.

I tried out the Dawg and it had a LOT spongier suspension which I wasn't a fan of. I also want to eventually do some races and the Dawg is kinda heavy. I can't wait to get my bike, should be ready by weds. next week.

I didn't own the same bike that you are looking at, but for a long time I rode a 2001 Kona Stuff. Kona knows how to make good bikes. Can't go wrong with them.

...dawg is a "light" fr bike....the suspension needs to be tuned to the rider so spongy is a crap observation and heavy is relative...yes, it is heavy for xc racing...but its light for the riding it is designed for (light freeride)

Maye you should have tried the king kikapooooo...

I never really fell in love with my Dawg, we had some good times though. It was dependable, that's for sure, never gave me a single problem that I didn't cause myself.

so true. nothing compares to getting on a bike. you can look at all the specs you want, poll the forums etc. but your opinion almost certainly will change as you test ride.

Interestingly, I would bet that if you didn't test ride and you ordered a bike over the net after extensive research and recommendations, you would end up liking the bike fine.

however, if you test rode the same bike with a bunch of others, I'll bet you'd end up choosing another bike. And it could end up being a bike that's not even on your list.

The only bikes that I was able to test ride were Treks, Konas, and Specialized. I liked the Konas the best, and i test rode the Kikapu, Kikupa Deluxe, King Kikupa, and Dawg, and Dawg Primo.
For what I want to do, the King Kikupa felt the best.

Also I didn't order it online. I test road everything at the LBS and they ordered my size for me...