I'm looking for the best bike I can get for around $1k. I've always known Kona to be fine dealers in the bang-for-buck aspect, so I started peaking at their 2003 bikes. I stumbled upon the Caldera (https://www.konaworld.com/2k3/2k3_caldera.cfm) and wet myself. I'll grant, I wet myself a lot, but I was excited about this. My largest concern with it, however, was the Deore disk breaks. While the idea of finally getting my hands on hydraulic disk breaks is appealing indeed, I've never known Deore stuff to be especially impressive. That is, I've hated every piece of Deore I've had on a bike. Are these an exception? https://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=158 speaks somewhat highly of them, and I don't see many nay-sayers at https://www.nsmb.com/product_reviews/...stems&letter=S .

The practical side of me is making some annoying noises, but I'm not paying much attention to them. I'm more interested in getting my hands on some hydraulic disk breaks :cool:

I wouldn't buy them seperately. Here's more reviews https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/disc_bra...ct_88921.shtml As for that wetting problem Get back into LIFE! Use Depends undergarments!

The frame on the Kona is nice. I wouldn't cross the street for the wheelset. (It's very similar to the set that came stock on my bike that never left the shop) M475 Hubs are sub-Deore crap. Mavic X139 rims? You could do better: Rhynolites on XT disc @ pricepoint.com would be a good swap (That's what I got) XT rear d when everything else is Deore? (newbie impresser?) I'd like to see a better balanced system at that price level like an LX front and rear with the Deore shifters. But that's some nit picking. Personally I like the specs on this Fuji Tahoe This puppy's set up pretty nice IMHO. Though I'd STILL dump their wheelset. (Alex rims? Not if they paid me)

At first glace, it looks like you're getting a lot less nice stuff for a little less cash. Pilot fork, Deore everything except for the LX rear derail. What is it you like about the Fuji that isn't on the Kona?

I appreciate any feedback you have to offer

For one the EXR fork is at the low end of the Zoch spectrum (also it's really sub-contracted to SunTour) which was one of the main reasons I skipped the Caldera (I was looking at it honest) If you look the Kona is nothing but Deore and below except for the XT rear D. I'm really just not at all impressed with the Konas though others might disagree. If I was going to drop a grand on a new bike I'd look at the Specialized Stumpjumper I prefer Specialized to just about any thing out there right now. Fuji makes very nice bikes with balanced quality specs and they are worth considering IMHO (It was also the first thing I could think of at quarter to five in the morning that didn't cheap out too badly on basic specs just to give you a set of discs ). See what you think of the Stumpy then get back to me

The deore discs are VERY nice Dil. They pefrorm with most every other disc brake out there. I've tried them and they impressed me so much that i was convinced i needed discs(got some Hope Mini's) The main reason they're Deore is that the rotor is heavier than that of the XT(fewer drillings) and i believe the caliper design has something to do with it to but i'm not sure. They're golden though and i would look at them on a bike as a plus

The biggest complaint I hear about the disk breaks is that they don't like getting wet; to the point of whining and screaming in protest if they do get wet. But I'm glad I asked, definately something to think about! Thanks for the feedback guys!

I didn't know the marz exr was on the low end. In fact, I couldn't even find it on the marz site! Thanks for the replies Peter and Raiyn!

It is the lowest end fork they make. They made it to compete with the prices of rock shox and have a fork they can stick on OEM bikes. The fork works...thats all I really have to say about it.

you couldn't find it because it is a 2002 fork
https://www.marzocchi.com/eng/spa/pro...2002/aggro.asp

I went around town today looking at some different bikes, and I have to agree with you. The Stumpjumpers really look fantastic. I wasn't really planning on full suspension, (when I was still riding a lot no one raced full suspension) but after seeing the leaps and bounds its taken while I was gone... I think I might have to go with one. My biggest qualm with the s'jumpers is the Manitou Forks. I've never been a huge fan of them. I think I may have to do a little budgeting and spring for a FSR Comp. No spiffy disk brakes, but what fun would it be if a bike came exactly the way you wanted it?!

Thanks again for the advice guys

Actually my link is to the hardtail. And I totally agree on the Manitou fork that's why I swapped it out for a Duke on my Rockhopper FSR

Me too. The manitou wasn't very good, had no usable adjustment, and the lockout went south within a month. I got a Marzocchi and it's much much better.

The good news is that if you want to convert to disc all '03 Specialized MTB's are running disc hubs this year. The only thing you'd need would be the brake set. I'll suggest Avid mechanicals as you can use the levers that come on the bike. (I have them they work VERY well) Pricepoint.com has them on sale fo $69

Whoever is complaining about discs in the wet is definately on crack! The wetter the muddier the better discs work! This is where discs far outshine any linear pull (Vee) brakes.

If you've got squeling brakes, you've got some contaminated pads or a dirty rotor. I heard of people baking their pads to cook out any contaminants, but have never tried it. Use Rubbing alcohol to wipe down rotors (don't do this when they're hot!).

People who complain about hydraulics didn't set them up correctly! If they did, they'd never go back to cable actuated brakes (vee or disc).

L8R

Why not? You could kill two birds with one stone! Clean rotors and cooked decontaminated pads too! Anybody got some marshmallows?