dirtbikedude

Just picked up my wifes new rig. A 2002 Kona Bear w/Fox Float RL. Got a sweet deal on it, 725usd. She has been needing a new ride for some time now. I think I am more excited about it and building it for her then she is 'cause she can not ride for a few more days.
When I am done it will have full Shimano XT group, Hope Mini discs, Chris King Discotech hubs, RS Psylo Race, Mavic 317 rims and a few more extras. Here is a pic of the before I shall post an after once the bike is fully built, we still have to get the fork and some small parts.
Slainte

transient

Why are you going with XT vs XTR? Not that you should, but i'm just getting back into biking, and I don't know all that much about part quality vs. pricing yet. The last time I really looked hard at catologs was for my Trek Subvert 3.0.

Btw, sweet frame. You shouldn't have much trouble with bob while pedaling.

dirtbikedude

Reliability between the XT and the XTR, in my experiance, is the same. The XTR is a bit lighter and pricier so I go with the XT because the trails we ride are extreamly rough with lots of rocks that like to smack the drive tran hard. She is very happy with the frame. I had her ride different bikes from 6 diff. manufactures and she chose the Kona. I my self have been riding Kona since they were an unknown co. Since the shock is the Float RL it has lock out so there won't be any problem with bob.
Back to the XT vs. XTR, I would say get XT. Works as good but with out the price.
Slainte

transient

Sweet, i'll remember that. I'm still used to purchasing parts for my car, where usually if there's a step up from what you're buying, it's worth the extra money to pay for it.

I've never gotten a chance to ride a Kona, but I just put a down payment on a Giant NRS 3. Great suspension, and doesn't really seem to need a lockout on the rear due to the NRS system. I may change my mind on that when I really get a chance to push it, but on the test ride it felt like a hardtail until I went over bumps.

dirtbikedude

The NRS models are sweet rigs. They have a great ride and you can ride any thing from smooth fire trails to some nice 6 to 10' drops and they hold up well. You should be happy with it. If you do plan on doing free riding though just make sure you use the right type of fork and you should change out the rear shock. If you do not do any thing to serious though the bike will work great with out changing the parts.
Slainte

Dirtgrinder

Really nice frame DBD. I was just thinking about that bike today. If I had to pick a new MTB today, it would be between a Kona Bear and another NRS. (I have an NRS 2 right now.)
I agree with your assessment of XT vs. XTR also. Not enough difference in the two to make it worth the extra money.
Don't forget to post the 'after' pics. DG

transient

Well, I love to upgrade things anyway, so that will just give me an excuse

I probably won't be doing anything too tough for a while anyway.

dirtbikedude

Well, here it is. I had to put on her old fork,stem and tires because she wanted to ride it this weekend. Soon as the new fork gets here I'll install it. We decided to go with a Marzocchi MXR instead of the Psylo Race. We tested both forks and found the MXR was more to her liking.
Slainte