2008 Konas
 

http://www.bike2build.nl/morepics/kona2008/index.html

A bit struck by the ugly stick this year it seems.

Holy XT Rear Derailleurs!!!

http://www.bike2build.nl/morepics/ko...mages/kapu.jpg

The only 2008 kona that looks good to me.

When I saw what kona had for '07 I scrambled to get a '06.

Hal

The new suspension looks interesting:

http://www.bike2build.nl/morepics/ko...upreme%202.jpg

the stab supreme is pretty ugly

yea, what exactly is the story behind all that...

I was just about to make the same thread.

Here are some better pics.:)
http://www.soulbiker.com/de/photos/a...ery/kona-2008/

Eh, not impressed.

http://www.konaworld.com/launch/laun...magicdemo.html

That should explain it.

Definatly don't like what Kona has brought out for 08. The bent top tube on some of the bikes is hell ugly. What happened to all the DC's on the stinky range?

The stabs look alright.

Interesting is a good word. It looks like it'd ride like an inchworm, although I'm sure it won't.

The Kapu is nice... why oh why does it not have Campy on it though?!?

I hate the looks of the bent top tubes on their XC bikes.

Liked the fact that Kona changed the boxy tubing (specially around the junction o fthe head, top and down tubes) on the Caldera and Cinder Cone. It (2008 tubing) looks more like the Pre 2006 tubing (which I really liked).

the coiler and the stab looks UGLY. were the designers high on buttuglyum or something...

Tubing on the kula is interesting (not necessarily in a positive way. its more like I am iffy about it). What..it looks like the Kula is trying to copy the Stumpjumper......

good picks.....thanks for sharing..

I must be the only one on here who loves the way these bikes look.......

it must be an aussi thing...

yea i dont think they look that bad. it is good to see some different colors than every single other bike manufacturer in the world.

Bent top tube isn't surprising. I don't mind them.

My bias is probably coming through, but the nicest looking bike this year is the Rocky Mountain Element 70. Paint scheme is beautiful. I was digging the 2005/2006 colors from Kona as they were quite unique. This year I am not a big fan.

Why did they get rid of the Cowan DS? Looks like they are replacing it with an identical bike called the Bass.
http://www.soulbiker.com/images/gall...1183026087.jpg

Okay a number of observations:

1. Dewy WTF? Some of these are hedious namely #2
2. More Moving parts on some of the Dualies, why, why, why, why
3. Jake the Snake and Major Jake appear to have all aluminum frame, no carbon
4. What's with the RD pulled at an extreme angle?

I'll have one of each please....

Look good to me. but it's a bad place for suspension, mud will get in there so fast it'll creak and squeal and will need daily lube/clean. Other than that, the bike looks alright to me.

the magic link reminds me of the old GT RTS.

I think those tyres are a wee bit skinny for the trails behind them...

I think they look pretty good. I really like the Stinky Air. The only thing I don't like, and its not Kona's fault, are the new decals on Marzocchi forks. I think they are hideous.

Ya, Marz definately got hit with the ugly stick. Definately following the white and odd colour trend again. Moving backwards to those DAMN ugly orange djers from back in the day.

That reminds me of those orange Hayes brakes that came on the Stinky a few years back. I've always wanted a pair of those.:)

I don't dislike all of them, but I wish Kona had stuck with the (now "old school," I guess) simple triangles that are part of their traditionally rock solid look. It works for other companies, but it's not a Kona look. Their top tube clearance is already very good...there's no need to drop the top tube down, and a bent tube isn't as strong as a straight one for the weight, and it's harder to make. The funny geometry around the shock mount on the Coiler (excuse me...CoilAir) is a little crazy.

Is there anything significantly different between the new Four and the old Kikapu other than a lamer name? (definitely not a Kona-ish name, and not quite a ripoff of Turner)

The Stab looks all deformed like it got ran over by a train. The ugly train.

The Stinky doesn't look so bad, although the filled in web on the rocker (carbon fiber, I assume) takes a little getting used to.

The Coiler's new suspension is interesting. I haven't got it entirely figured out yet. At first I thought it was yet another sneaky twist on VPP (a la Giant), but that's not actually right. The motion of the rear triangle is still like a 4-bar, but the shock mount is actually what moves. They've apparently figured out a way to continuously switch between the "linear" and "progressive" lower shock mount holes they currently have on their frames in response to different forces. Also, their Magic flash demo claims this also addresses some of the brake jack issues the 4-bar bikes are known for.

I'm from the K.I.S.S. school of thought, so I don't really like it, but I have to give them some props for rather clever engineering. I'd love to demo it and see how it works out in practice.

Anybody else notice the entire rear dropout is pinned to the chain stay instead of welded? Do people often damage more than just the derailleur hanger?

I'm kind of ok with the colors. They're distinct, but not quite as cool as the earthy colors everyone could recognize a Kona by in the past. :D

The 2005/6 colors are freaking awesome. I wasn't a keen on the sort of olive green on the Dawg Primo when I saw a picture of it, but as soon as I saw it in person I was in love.

My thoughts exactly.

What do you mean? Did someone say something about delays?

It takes to time to tool up for production of a new design. To save costs, prototype tooling is often only fit for making a few copies and requires a lot more focused attention than you can afford on a regular assembly line. Also, you've got to get any changes in your supply chain at least partially straightened out. There always has been and always will be some delay between demo and when bikes hit the dealers.

The names are funny. And you can give your bike its own name if you want :D

JTS and major Jake are Al with carbon forks. That means the frame is all aluminum, unlike last year, though I'm not convinced it's a bad thing. They might have slightly harsher rides, however it'll be more durable. Cross bikes take a lot of abuse.

Also, I know this isn't the xc forum, but it's also great that they appear to have bitten the bullet and put Tiagra shifters on the Jake instead of Sora. Sweet.

I like the bright colors. It's fun. But I'm odd that way.

I am curious as to their reasoning on the bent top tubes for the xc bikes. Easier dismounts? Not really relevant for xc, right?