Jknobs27

Hey All,

Just got a 2017 Kona Splice Deluxe. I am loving the bike and extremely happy with the purchase but I have a question. I know this is a hybrid bike but I am wondering how intense I can go with beating it up and taking it on the trails? I don't plan on doing any insane downhill mountain biking but i am definitely interested in being able to take it to the woods and blast over some terrain trails with rocks, branches, smaller kickers, etc.

Just nervous that I will break something on what was a pretty expensive purchase. Any info/advice y'all can give would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

hokiefyd 

Welcome! Bikes like these are best suited to light trail riding and gravel/dirt, etc. I have a similar bike (a Giant Roam) and have started doing single track that I think is a little more intense than what I should be doing with it. I think the limiting factor is the fork -- it's a hybrid fork that just isn't designed for constant battering on roots, rocks, etc. The frame itself should be fine. Mine even has a mountain group Shadow derailer that minimizes chain slap. Your bike has a conventional derailer that will allow for some more chain slap on your drive side chain stay if you do a lot of rougher riding with it.

Rather than tear up my nice hybrid bike, I plan to augment it with an inexpensive mountain bike, one with a longer suspension fork and one that I can upgrade over time to suit trail riding, and leave my Roam for the majority of riding that I do -- gravel, rails to trails, multi-use paths, etc.

Roamer2

I'd agree w/ hokiefyd above.

It really all comes down to rider skill + the level of trail difficulty.

I have a Roam 2 also....and I take it on some pretty gnarly rides now & then. (single track, water crossings, etc) But I keep the speed down to what I can handle & still be in control. The stock tires are a limiting factor & keep me from pushing too hard. It's survived 2+ years on rolling MTB trails without any breakage.

These are pretty tough rigs....but I'm sure if I swapped on full knobbies that I could go fast enough to break something. The old-school Mountain bikes (pre suspension days) certainly chewed thru parts on a regular basis...

You use of "intense" and "blast" suggest that you may be looking for more speed in conditions that are a bit outside the intended use of these bikes.

badger1

As posters above have implied, kind of depends on what you mean by "blast"! If you're planning on doing multiple six-foot drops-to-flat, or bombing a technical DH course, you might want to think again!

However, if you're thinking of rides at a decent speed that include a few rocks, ruts, roots, and "smaller kickers" I think you and the bike will be fine. Two reasons: first, Kona's frames are notoriously robust/overbuilt, so I don't think you've any concerns on that front. Second, if your Splice DL is a 2017 your fork should be a Suntour NCX -- steel steerer and stanchions, but (important) you have 30mm as opposed to 28mm stanchions, and hydraulic damping. If so, the fork will be fine. Not ideal, but it likely will hold up pretty well, especially if you 'ride light' -- which you should do anyway! You'll probably break parts at some point, e.g. rear derailleur, but that's normal for mtb. The other thing to do is check for tire clearance, and slap a set of 38s or even 44s on there if possible. Would make a lot of difference.

I'd give it a go, and then move on up to a 'proper' trail or xc mtb if you really get the bug.

rumrunn6

give it a try. it will become self evident what you feel comfortable riding with it. personally, on my hybrids (no suspension forks) I prefer unpaved rail trails & other hard packed roads, rather than foot trails, mountain bike trails, or single track trails. I really don't care for rocks & roots

Jknobs27

Appreciate all the feedback. I don't plan on doing downhill trails but just want to get out in nature and not be afraid to run over some rougher terrain. From the sound of it, I think I should be fine and look forward to getting out there!

Thanks again,

ksryder

Send it!

GrainBrain

My advice would be to look at a higher performing tire. I love the Continental x-kings on my 29er. The key for Continental brand is to get the black chili compound, expensive but worth it. I do probably 75% pavement/25% single track and I've hardly worn down the tire, plus it has so much grip in snow, dirt, pavement. I run 2.2" f/r, but they make them narrower.

Put as wide of a tire on the front as possible, and you'll be good to go. 40c will be fine but if you're worried about breaking something, I'd say bending/damaging the front rim will be the most likely thing, or the rear. The rear tire width/grip isn't as critical as the front, so you could buy a nice front tire then leave the rear stock.

Fwiw your bike is close to what my stock 29er was ('11 Giant Talon) before I did a couple upgrades: 9 speed, 100mm Suntour fork, 2" cheap tires. I took that sucker to the Rocky Mountains for a week, and I was fine.

rumrunn6

approx where do you live?

cpl years ago I got the bug to get a hybrid & explore unpaved trails. one website helped me find a cpl

https://www.traillink.com/

just for fun, I made a list of the trails I've been messing around on mostly w a $50. beater. the links can show you a fun variety of surfaces you can maybe look forward to finding in your area. (it was a fun challenge to hunt for trails) I particularly like a dusting-1" of snow, just enough to make things interesting. every now & then I'd hit a trail that was better for mountain bikes, &/or even tame comfort bikes ... but the better ones got a 2nd & 3rd visit!

• SNETT (Southern New England Trunkline Trail)
• Mass Centrail Rail Trail
• Douglas State Forest
• Groton Town Forest
• Reformatory Branch Trail
• Island Line Trail, Vermont
• Myles Standish State Forest
• Battle Rd Trail
• Air Line State Park Trail Connecticut
• Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge & Rail Trail Corridor

here's a favorite pic from the SNETT. these whoop de doos were pretty fun. it's not wut you got, it's wut you do with it! ;-)

Jknobs27

Hey All,

Happy to say after a total of 6 hours out on the trails over the last 2 days my bike has performed amazingly. My front suspension was able to handle the rough terrain and muddy trails as well as get a good understand of what it can handle. This leads to my next question.

With a ton of dirt and filth all over my chains, tires and frame, what is the best practice for cleaning? Curious of what types of soap and water everyone recommends to prevent rust and other long-term damage.

Is there any tricks to getting all this dirt out of my chain or is this something not to worry too much about?

rumrunn6

I prefer brushes with soapy water from Dawn liquid dish soap

check out the car section at Walmart for a long handled soft brush. easy peasy dunk in mop bucket (get one of those too. no wheels) then brush away at the drivetrain. just a few swipes not detailing here. dunk & wash dunk & wash. don't forget under the downtube & bottom bracket/crank area. then rise with a gentle hose spray. turn the chain & hold a cpl shop towels around the chain. you'll go thru several. but this is not meant as dedicated drivetrain cleaning. not stripping off lube if we can help it. you don't necessarily have to relube after every wash