I got to test ride a Kona Kula Deluxe because I was looking for a nice xc racer. I have never raced before but decided to turn a little more serious. I tried the Kula the Kula Deluxe a Bianchi Denali and finished up with a Gunnar Hardrock. The Kona's were small, responsive, incredibly light bikes but they kinda reminded me of my short , psychotic friend who always drank too much coffee, very high strung and a racer thoroughbred. It's definitely a bike for racing and not much else (my opinion). I fell for the Gunnar immediately because I felt this bike could be my good buddy that may not be so stiff that your bones rattle but the two of us could have a relation on and off the race track. Does that make sense? Ride the bikes and see which one is YOU.