Kona Hoss Mods ?
#2
The one thats not moving.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Candian west coast
Posts: 37
Bikes: 1996 Norco Kokanne and a 2006 Kona Hoss
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yeah, i got an 06 Hoss and so far the only borderline mods that I've put on are a new seat (first one was too wide) and front tire. (original one did not have enough traction) I'm lookin into the Shimano XTR derailer just cause the gears tned to jump even if I degrease and lube the chain, and maybe a new set of cranks cause I tend to dirt jump sometimes (I know the Hoss is a xc bike)
I am personally very happy with the bike stock and I think that there is little that can be done to make it significantly better.
I am personally very happy with the bike stock and I think that there is little that can be done to make it significantly better.
#3
Long haired freak.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Still stuck in hell.
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EXR fork is a bit crappy for a clyde I would think.
I owned one for a short while and thought it was solid.
I owned one for a short while and thought it was solid.
__________________
"the bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began...there was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land."
"the bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began...there was Cowboy Neal at the wheel of a bus to never-ever land."
#4
Custom User
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Originally Posted by CanadianKona
I'm lookin into the Shimano XTR derailer just cause the gears tned to jump even if I degrease and lube the chain
#5
The one thats not moving.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Candian west coast
Posts: 37
Bikes: 1996 Norco Kokanne and a 2006 Kona Hoss
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yeah, im really just lookin for an excuse to buy it, all the reviews on it are awesome but I cant bring myself to spend 200 bucks on it when I only have 220
#6
one less horse
You should never get a derailleur so expensive that you can't afford to replace it if it gets torn up on the first ride.
#7
Hardtail Freak
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Land O Lakes,Florida
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Bikes: Custom Kona Hoss Hardtail
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Hoss Upgrades
I have a 2005 Hoss. I have changed just about everything.
I absolutely love this bike, so as I have upgraded I have tried to maintain it's character.
For starters for a hardtail it is extremely heavy. That is fine as it is a Clydesdale bike, but It started out at about 35 pounds for an 18 inch frame.
The first thing that I changed was a no brainer here on the west coast of Florida. The Tioga tires were both soft and slippery. They were also heavy! I replaced them with Panaracer xc fire pros (the real ones made in japan, by Panaracer, not the tawainese versions made by someone else),This took a pound off like that. The fork, was soft and very very heavy, I replaced it with a Rock Shox Reba Race. This fork kicks butt, it is still strong as hell but it is about three pounds lighter. It took a little fiddling with the air pressure, but it is perfect now.
I replaced the wheels with Bontrager Earls. These wheels are All Mountain wheels, so while they are lighter, they are not super light. They have been perfect and fit the Clydesdale character very well. The hubs are sealed bearing and are sourced from DT Swiss. So there performance is good, and while combined with a SRAM 990 rear cassette, another pound cam off.
The cranks have been replaced with 06 Shimano LX' they are hollowtech, and perform perfectly. My front derailuer is an XT and the rear is XTR. XT shifters replace the stock Deores. This combination along with XTR chain, and two larger front rings, provides excellent shifting.
The pedals are Time ATAC XS. I had Crank Bros Candy C's but the Times are way way better. They allow for a little more natural movement. The clipping in and out is very positive with out being binding.
They brakes were a area of performance that was really lacking, they were basic Shimano Discs. Very heavy and terrible stopping power. I installed Hayes HFX-9. This is not the fanciest of all, but they are sooo good. I love them, as I am still a Clyde myself. (was 250, now 203).
Back when I replaced the fork, I installed a Chris King no thread head set. What can I say about that, probably the single most emotional upgrade of the bunch. It looks good and it is the best ,period.
I have had a few seats. You other Clydes no why, but my favorite is the current one. It is a WTB Laser V Team. It has Titanium rails and the seat is very compliant, so it is light and comfortable. Good combo.
I also have a matching set, my handlebar is the Bontrager XXX Lite carbon bar. and my seat post is a Bontrager X Lite ACC carbon post. I had broken two posts previously, the stock Truvativ and one that came off of a Kona Dawg Deluxe. This one is compliant and strong. It has a thin aluminum core that adds strength. The bar and seat post both look good and take a good bit of weight off.
Grips are a real personal preferance, but Oury lock ons. What can I say , Thick and cushy enough without taking away any control. Love em!
I made all of these changes very slowly and very carefully. I loved the way the Hoss handled, and really wanted to maintain or increase the strength. With the help of my local bike shop, I believe that I have accomplished that.
The bikes weight is now 27.6 pounds almost 8 pounds less than when I rolled out of the bike shop door 18 months ago.
I love my Kona!
I absolutely love this bike, so as I have upgraded I have tried to maintain it's character.
For starters for a hardtail it is extremely heavy. That is fine as it is a Clydesdale bike, but It started out at about 35 pounds for an 18 inch frame.
The first thing that I changed was a no brainer here on the west coast of Florida. The Tioga tires were both soft and slippery. They were also heavy! I replaced them with Panaracer xc fire pros (the real ones made in japan, by Panaracer, not the tawainese versions made by someone else),This took a pound off like that. The fork, was soft and very very heavy, I replaced it with a Rock Shox Reba Race. This fork kicks butt, it is still strong as hell but it is about three pounds lighter. It took a little fiddling with the air pressure, but it is perfect now.
I replaced the wheels with Bontrager Earls. These wheels are All Mountain wheels, so while they are lighter, they are not super light. They have been perfect and fit the Clydesdale character very well. The hubs are sealed bearing and are sourced from DT Swiss. So there performance is good, and while combined with a SRAM 990 rear cassette, another pound cam off.
The cranks have been replaced with 06 Shimano LX' they are hollowtech, and perform perfectly. My front derailuer is an XT and the rear is XTR. XT shifters replace the stock Deores. This combination along with XTR chain, and two larger front rings, provides excellent shifting.
The pedals are Time ATAC XS. I had Crank Bros Candy C's but the Times are way way better. They allow for a little more natural movement. The clipping in and out is very positive with out being binding.
They brakes were a area of performance that was really lacking, they were basic Shimano Discs. Very heavy and terrible stopping power. I installed Hayes HFX-9. This is not the fanciest of all, but they are sooo good. I love them, as I am still a Clyde myself. (was 250, now 203).
Back when I replaced the fork, I installed a Chris King no thread head set. What can I say about that, probably the single most emotional upgrade of the bunch. It looks good and it is the best ,period.
I have had a few seats. You other Clydes no why, but my favorite is the current one. It is a WTB Laser V Team. It has Titanium rails and the seat is very compliant, so it is light and comfortable. Good combo.
I also have a matching set, my handlebar is the Bontrager XXX Lite carbon bar. and my seat post is a Bontrager X Lite ACC carbon post. I had broken two posts previously, the stock Truvativ and one that came off of a Kona Dawg Deluxe. This one is compliant and strong. It has a thin aluminum core that adds strength. The bar and seat post both look good and take a good bit of weight off.
Grips are a real personal preferance, but Oury lock ons. What can I say , Thick and cushy enough without taking away any control. Love em!
I made all of these changes very slowly and very carefully. I loved the way the Hoss handled, and really wanted to maintain or increase the strength. With the help of my local bike shop, I believe that I have accomplished that.
The bikes weight is now 27.6 pounds almost 8 pounds less than when I rolled out of the bike shop door 18 months ago.
I love my Kona!