dorsalis

my kona kikapu deluxe got stolen so i'm looking for a replacement in about a month or two when the new paycheck comes out.

trails i ride have decent drops, pretty aggressive, and found out my kikapu bottomed out on a few.

please gimme ur pick, i want to be able to drop big but also survive the climb/climb w/ ease.

so i've narrowed it down to....

gary fisher cake 2 deluxe, kona dawg deluxe, trek remedy 5

if u have a better idea of a ~4.5'' rear travel bike then plz tell me.

Specializerider

I like the Kona Dawg Deluxe!

vw addict

x2 for the ones you listed.

theeric

I don't know what size frame you need, but about 2 months ago I was in the same spot as you are. I was down to and Enduro comp (05, small) and a dawg delux (i think 06, 16"). The Enduro looks heavy as hell, but at the bike shop I put them both on the scale, and the Enduro was 2 lbs lighter than the dawg delux.
Dont know if you're concerned about weight, but I was suprised to see the Enduro 2 pounds lighter.
I've got no complains about my enduro so far.
Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents

Maelstrom 

Dawg and remedy 2nd.

Chone

Iñd pick the dawg deluxe too heh , I have a thing for Konas.

Jason222

Trek remedy all the way!

dorsalis

i've decided on specialized stumpjumper fsr comp

tried gary, cannondale's lefty arm

snazz

Kona= sucks, just internet hoopla

zx108

dawg all the way.

Dannihilator

Pacific Cycles=Deathwish on wheels.

sherpaPeak

why do you say that? can you elaborate, please.

zx108

he is just trollin for an arguement. dont even bother.

dorsalis

i like kona...they're so affordable lol

CrashVector

My old bike was a Cannondale Super-V DH. My new Kona Dawg Deluxe is superior in every way to my old bike.

I paid $1986 for it including taxes and registration in three parishes.

I took the bike to be dialed in two days ago, and today was the first day I was able to take it out on the trail.

Obviously, I'm still getting to know the bike's balance and general feel, but overall I feel extremely confident in this bike. It's not a true XC bike. According to Kona, a Dawg is 50% XC and 50% FR. What that means is that you get a bike that will climb well, and still handle moderately big drops.

So far, I've taken a 5-footer without bottoming out either the front or back suspension. As i get to know the bike better, I'll get more daring.

One thing I've learned for SURE from owning so many different bikes: Every bike feels different. I know this sounds obvious, but a lot of people don't take this into account. Every bike will handle differently and has a different center of gravity along with different balance.

Before you go out and try crazy stuff with a new bike, it's best to take some time with it first and get to know it better.

All that being said, I think the Dawg Deluxe I just bought is a LOT of bike for the money.

dorsalis

hmm stumpjumper fsr comp vs. kona dawg deluxe?!

,......

CrashVector

Just remember, you are comparing two different kinds of bikes with the stumpjumper and the Dawg deluxe.

The stumpjumper is an XC bike. The dawg deluxe is an xc/fr bike.

Girlscout13

The 120 stumpy is not really a XC bike it's more of a trail bike. When I think of xc bikes I think of bikes like the Epic.

C Law

I think that is a good apples to apples comparison.

5'' bike vs 5'' bike. They are both 'all mountain' 'trail' or 'LT XC'. One bike is a bit lighter and pedals better. They both aren't meant for large drops and hucks but each could hold up to a bit of thrashing.

I think the biggest difference is more in how they are marketed.

junkyard

so does your mother

iamlucky13

I think you get a slightly better shock and fork on the Trek, but the Kona's got a solid reputation for being a beast. Kona's also had a little more experience with that suspension design. I say Kona. That's what I'm currently looking at.

CrashVector

The Kona Dawk Deluxe = $1800
The FSR = $2200

You are paying an extra $400 for a SLIGHTLY better fork and rear shock.

Just think about it this way, You can get an entire entry-level bike for the $400 difference.

From what I've heard from other people, and what I have experienced myself so far (since my bike is just a week old), the Kona's are extremely tough bikes.

Tag1

Really? I thought Trek has been using that design for a million years. I'm not doubting you, but what are you basing that statement on, out of curiousity?

Philly

what about bikes like the yeti 575 or giant reign or trance.

CrashVector

just to make sure everyone is clear on my opinion...

I not some new Kona fanboy because I bought a Kona. Truuuust me....if I had just shelled out 2 grand for a freaking bicycle and I didnt like something, I would be screaming about it from the rooftops.

That being said, I have the following criticisms for Kona:

1) I paid 2 THOUSAND dollars for my bike. At least put a halfway decent saddle on the damned thing.

2) Not everyone will use the Dawg for FR. Again, for two thousand dollars, one would assume Kona could afford to offer the buyer a choice of tires.

3) Grips = suck. They're some Kona-designed rubber that provides basically zero cusioning. Again, I paid two thousand dollars for this bike...give me decent grips!

4) Water bottle cage/bottle should be standard equipment on ALL bikes that cost more than $300, much less $1800-$2000. It's $0.25 worth of aluminum and maybe $0.05 of plastic. Include a water bottle with your bikes.

5) If my bike came with air shocks and costs me more than $750, GIVE ME A DAMNED PUMP INSTEAD OF MAKING ME HAVE TO BUY ONE FOR ANOTHER $30.

There...that is everything I can think of that gets on my nerves about my new bike. Just so no one can say I think the bike is perfect just because I bought one.