Review of Kona Scrap
 

Hello Guys,

I've decided to make a detailed review of the 2004 Kona Scrap, stock. At first glance, the kona scrap is a good bike and it is! For the price, it's actually amazingly decent.

The frame is really solid and it will withstand alot of punishment, made for dirtjumping or similar impact riding. It's not the greatest for XC because of the weight of the frame and the overall bike. Everything is thick and reinforced well, with "tipped dime" welds. The paint scheme is great in my opinion but I prefer the Cowan's colour.

The components are decent depending on how well they are tuned. The handlebars and stem are okay (I've been storing my bike on the saddle and handlebars, is that okay??). My alivio front derailler really stinks, I'm going to check it out soon, the chain skips sometimes and it jumps after about 5 seconds of being shifted. I'm sure it's just the tuning. The disc brakes are pretty good and offer good stopping power for someone who's about 118lb. The levers are pretty nice feeling and look good. The cranks are stiff and solid. The saddle is great for protection


The rims on the other hand are horrible and have to be trued quite often. The tires are somewhat decent on dry areas but shouldn't but can be used on wet conditions, depending on how your weight is shifted and extra caution has to be taken. I have not pinch flatted anything at all yet. The fork is not that great and should be better, but for the price that I got the bike for, it's what's to be expected. For this price one's usually stuck with an RST ( I got my bike on discount).

Pedals must be replaced. After 3 pedal stalls, 4 pins fell out. The pedals are absolute garbage. Get some sun-ringle zuzus or something decent.

Specs:
13"(XS), 15"(S), 15.5"(M), 17"(L), 17.5"(XL)
Kona Clump 7005 Aluminum
Marzocchi MZ Race 100mm
TH-877 Big Nut
TruVativ Hussefelt DH
Ring of Fire/32/22
TruVativ ISIS Drive Hussefelt
Kona Jack****
Shimano CN IG-31
Shimano CS-HG50 (11-32 8 speed)
Shimano Alivio
Shimano Alivio
Shimano Alivio
Kona DH Aluminum Riser
Kona Clump
Kona Jack****
Shimano BR-M475 disc
Avid FR-1 disc
Shimano HB-M475 disc
Shimano FH-M475 disc
Stainless 14G
Tioga Factory DH 26 x 2.1
Sun Ditch Witch
Kona DJ
Kona Double Thumb
Kona QR
Red

Ride Reports:

Amazing Manuverability, I was able to corner really fast and hit corners with confidence. The geometry is great and doesn't get in the way of urban assault and jumping. It's beefy so I don't have to worry about anything breaking. I can't say it climbs like a champ, but I can say it climbs pretty decently. The bike is great for quick sprints but not the greatest for long long hauls. As mentioned, after pedal stalling about 3 times on wood, 4 pins came out of one of the pedals, thus my reccomendation for getting better pedals should be addressed.

The descents on the bike are pretty fast and the discs will stop you pretty damn quickly. However, modulation is an issue on the lower end shimano disc brakes.

Drops on this bike feel nice and smooth even if you're not. The bike overall, is an easy to use, specialized in certain aspects, but good all around bike, that could do with some improvements.

The only thing that might turn some people away from the bike is the name. For the price, it's anything but scrap!

Loving it.

The pedals should be the kona jack****...and yes they suck...

How long have you been riding this thing. Might be time to replace the drive train

Wow, quite amazing. The exact thing happened to me (with my jack****s). I thought they would be decent, but I guess not. :( Sounds like a great bike and your having a blast.

BTW, I like you ending... I dunno why, I think it fits perfectly or somthing.

Why? What do you mean? I've had it for about 1 -2 months.

Also my chain jumps and jumps back, or it's gonna break AGAIN. I really don't know why, sometimes I think the front derailler just REALLY SUCKS.

Kona put crap drive train parts on their bikes, especially the low end. You might find you drive train is worn.

Sounds like your deraileur isn't giving enough tension. On big ring, big ring how tight is your chain?

Crap drive train?

What is drive train? The movement part as a whole? Derailleurs, chains cranks?
Ma front derailleur is fugged too and it makes so much noise when i put it in 3rd. Derailleur needs to be adjusted!

I have the same bike. I replaced the drivetrain with an X.9 setup (XT front der.) Replaced the brakes with avid mechanicals, put Azonic A-frame pedals on it, changed the saddle, and I'm pretty happy with it.

I still plan on getting a new wheelset. My rear wheel is a bit out of true, and the front hub sucks, it's really sloppy. Also, I'll probably get a Pike fork for it, too.

Drive train is everything to do with gearing.

The derraileurs are similar to mine, and mine have been fine since august, except for the chain jumping off when I land from a jump. I know I could get a chainguide, so I don't blame it on the parts.

Nice review, hope it helps someone to buy or not buy the bike.

So mael, are you saying that getting better deraillers will most likely solve my issue?

Also, is it safe to store my bike upside down on the grips and the handlebars and saddle?

It might not be great for the fork, might make fluid leak out or something.
Can't you lean it against something, and store it on its wheels the way it belongs? :p

Mine goes in the shed, leaning against the wall with 2 other bikes.

Yeah, I noticed a little grease like stuff coming out of the fork. :eek:

I was wondering, Is it safe to store them out side (in the shed, where they won't get snowed on) during the winter? Or should I move them inside the garage or somthing?

dudes! Flips it immediately!!!

lol
Yeah I thought the pedals were good shiet because they appeared to be quite pricy for platform pedals... Or at least averagely priced

Drivetrain: Wheels Chain, crankset, deraillieurs/Chainguide, cogset, chainrings, tires.

They are 50$ cdn...thats pretty cheap.

I see :(

I'd expect to get a used set o cliplllleeesssssss for $50 canadian!

I might sooner or later
Meanwhile, Maelstrom, got anymore mountain biking vids that are free? I don't care much for the tricks but I like seeing the trails.

Kthx!

Try http://www.petefagerlin.com/The_Hub.htm

rios:
My bikes have always been fine leaving them out in winter.
Once my chain froze because I rode through really icky slush before I put it away, then in the morning, surprise, it froze on :P

:roflmao: Lol, that would be...cool...If you didn't want to go riding that day :rolleyes: