cyclingshane73

I'm so stoked its not funny.

I finally came to my senses and bought a road bike. Its a Kona, Kona Deluxe with the fully black 105 grouppo, carbon blade fork and Columbus aluminum tubeset. OK, so not a "traditional" make of road bike in that sense being a Kona and all, but it is what it is.

I just rode it into work from the LBS, a short jont but I've never felt so fast before. Didn't think I'd be able to huff it in the big ring at first but it wasn't bad at all.

Couple of initial observations:
1) The position on the bike is gonna take some getting used to. I've been riding MTBs since I seriously got into cycling and I'm used to sitting more upright.

2) She's damn light! My freeride hard tail is almost 30 lbs, built to take a sh#t kicking. But this bike is sooo light. Weeee!!!

3) Got a flat a few blocks from work! Don't know what caused it yet. Hopefully this isn't habit forming for those damn skinny tires.

If you wanna know what it looks like check out the kona website at konaworld.com. It is almost identical except the levers, and front derailluer are both entirely black. No crome components on this baby.

WHOOOO!!!!WOOOO!!!

The Rob

Nice-looking bike! I wasn't aware Kona was in the road bike bidness. Enjoy!

djwid

That looks like a great bike. I am just about to buy a new bike as well. It too will be my first real road bike. I haven't ridden anything like a road bike since 1987.

I am going for the Fuji Cross, since I can't commit to straight road. I hope to pick up mine on Wednesday.

Good luck with your new ride. It looks amazing.
-Duncan

cyclingshane73

They just got into producing them this year actually. I'm guessing that next year they'll have three models, Kona, Deluxe and Primo. Primo being the top end one with like an Ultegra or Dura Ace set-up. Like their MTB line-ups usually go. But who knows.

I think I found the problem to my flat. The wheels come stock with that flimsy rubber band rim strap to cover the spoke holes. I noticed that there is, ( soon to be was ), a nice sized puncture on the inside of the tube in the exact area where the hole would be. The rubber band has a split in it most likely allowing the spoke hole to become exposed and pop the tube. I got an idea for a quick fix to cover the holes until I can get some proper rim tape for the wheels.

I had to laugh when it happened because the tire made this like fart poppiing like sound, then hiss, and whoops no air in less then a second. I guess when you get a flat on a road bike you know about it instantly eh? Anyways now I'm rambling.

BTW. Thanks for the compliements guys. I can't wait to go for a serious road ride.

Shane

Noob

Glad to hear such good reviews of Kona bikes...in fact tomorrow I'm thinking about purchasing a Kona Kona road bike w/ a upgraded drivetrain using all 105 components...

bikerchas55

Flats should not be a recurring problem for you just because you ride a roadbike. Anyone can hit a bit of glass or a staple at anytime, just bad luck. Make sure you use the utmost care when remounting the tire; make sure that there are no foriegn bodies, grains of sand etc. in the tire, and make sure, doubley sure that the tube isn't pinched somewhere between the rim and bead. I think this happens more often with road tires. Inflate one stroke and go aropund both sides and massage the bead into the rim, making sur the tread is centered, deflate and reinflate until you are sure there are no pinches and spin to make sure the tread is running straight as an arrow.

peloton

Funky square tubing. I hated the way the Kona Deluxe looked at first in our shop, but it kinda grows on you.

Kevan

At the risk of being insulting, what tire pressure are you using? People new to the sport are a bit shocked that road bikes require some 115psi for clincher tires. Also, tires need to be reinflated each time the bike is going to be used.

I agree, lose the rubber rim tape and aim either for the cloth or plastic variety.

Enjoy the bike!

cyclingshane73

No worries, I'm not offended. I'm running 110 - 120 ppi in both tires.

It was the funky rubber rim band that caused the flats. Since then, I've had the rims taped with cloth rim tape, except for a time I picked up a piece of glass, so far so good. (Probably just jinxed myself there.)

Couple errors in my initial posts. Kona has been making roadies for as long as they have been in the business. They just didn't produce any last year for reasons unknown to us, the general public.

Secondly. After a couple of stem changes I believe I am closer to a more comfortable position for me. I figured after a few solid rides, I'd start experimenting with different rises and lengths. So far I think I've got it.

That's all for now. Gotta go for a ride tomorrow. Its the last day of my holidays before returning to work.

Shane

ParamountScapin 

You may wish to try some Kevlar belted tires like Continental Gatorskins or Specialized Flakjackets. They are amazingly puncture proof for everyday or training rides. I've had one flat in three years (~10,000 miles) of riding and it came from a rock that slit the sidewall. Enjoy the road!!

cyclingshane73

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check them out.