http://home.comcast.net/~kodack10/KonaHoss.jpg

I picked it up at XL bikes in Plano this afternoon.

I've got the preload set up all the way and it's rideable but I ordered a Kona Project Two Jump Fork from the store and they are expecting it in Wed of next week.

The stock 'clipless' pedals had to go. I couldn't even get them right side up when I rode it the first time. So I had some rubber gripped, low profile, wide pedals put on to fit my size 14's.

I added a sunlite micro pump, bottle cage, and Enduro 8 computer. And of course I knew I was forgetting something, but I was already riding when I remembered I forgot a good lock. That's probably just as well, I'm an amateur locksmith (we all have our hobbies) and plan on putting something a little more complex than the 5 pin kryptonite (ball point pen edition) on it. I need to find a good cable that's hard to use bolt cutters on. Any advice? I know locks, not chains.

Ok so the buying experience.

I had talked to a young fellow the day before and explained my predicament and he seemed very knowledgable and confident. Both he and the owner were in today and they helped set me up. I have to say that I liked XL a lot better than Richardson bike mart just because of it's smaller, more personal atmosphere. It reminded me very much of my favorite LBS back in Richland Hills. The kid I talked to also seemed wise beyond his years when it came to working on bikes. He offered to hand true my wheels for free (Awesome) to make sure the load is distributed equally. He also mentioned that he has built some uber sturdy wheels for some wheelchair rugby players using 10 gauge spokes (damn!) so we will see how the stockers do.

I was able to bring it home tonight but I have to take it back next week to have the fork swapped out. He said he couldn't do a straight swap so I'll either hold onto this one (most likely) for lighter times ahead, or ebay it.

The front disc binds ever so slightly so that the wheel stops spinning after a few revolutions but he said that would stop once the brakes broke in a little, the back wheel spins perfect, no deviations.

So they pull a 20" off the display, air up the tires and we go out back to try it out. It took me 3 attempts to actually take off and start pedalling, mostly seat height adjustments and then those damn clipless pedals. And then it happened, for the first time in years and years and years and years I found myself with a breeze in my hair, and under way on my own power. I only rode it a few minutes because I was so afraid of crashing and I wasn't used to riding. When I got off my adrenaline was at max and I was shaking a little.

That over with, they set up the bike with the new parts, ordered the rest and I was on my way. I took it for a lap around my apartment complex and I'm done for the day. I am going to need some appropriate clothing, my pants are too loose and the crotch keeps catching on the seat horn.

In any case I'm a grand more in debt but that's powerfull motivation not to quit. I liked one of the bike shop guys remark "I like Kona, because people actually ride em. Half the Trek's out there are sitting in a garage collectin dust".

I'm in the club now.

I just want to thank everybody again for all of their help. PWRTRD especially for the excellent
recommendation.

The image is showing sometimes and disappearing others. Here is a direct link to it on my Pbase gallery

http://www.pbase.com/kodack/image/42077917/original

LOL. (That's a funny comment)

That is a nice bike. Did they do anything to the fork?

Makes me want to get one.

Awesome. Congratulations!

My first time adding an image here. I had to figure it out. It's working now.

All they did to the fork was crank up the pre-load all the way. Looking at the shocks I am surprised at how similar to motorcycle shocks they appear. Does it make me a geek that I can read the Japanese Hiragana on the tires? Hehehe.

Mikeabike,

Congratulations! I expect to see you cruising around white rock at
some point in time!
Just a last bit of advice, go slowly on the build up of milage.
Yah, ride it just don't overdo it, ok?

again, congrats.

Marty

Good for you. You have a nice ride. It's hard to beat a Kona. I'm glad to see you spending your $ on something worthwile instead of some department store junk. Please keep us updated on how it goes. And did I see you write "Richardson Bike Mart" like it was just another LBS and not a place with a spot in our history? Man, that thing should be on the National Register of Historic Deeds.

I didn't know it had any history, tell me about it.

I don't dislike them. In fact they are where I bought my Schwinn Aerodyne. I just liked XL better, it was a more personal experience.

Jim Hoyt the owner took interest in a local kid, took him under
his wing and turned him into a pretty good triathelete.
The kid went on to become Lance Armstrong 6 time Tour de France winner.
If you go back in check the front of the store, above the
autographed L.A. coke machine, its a pantheon to Lance.
Also some neat photo's of lance when he rode on the
RBM team in the back by the service dept.
Jim is a hell of a nice guy, cracks me up everytime my wife and
I go in and he comes over and says "how are you kids doing?"
kid, I haven't been called kid in eons.

Marty

I'm not really up to date on cycling as a sport. In other words I had no idea. I thought Lance got his start in Austin? I know his mom used to have a house in Dallas (a friend used to clean for her) but I thought he was an Austin guy.

That's pretty cool though.

Nice bike, Mikabike. I see photgraph taking is your another hobby? Not many people use 50mm normal lens these days.
Is that a bamboo sword (shinai) behind the bike? What you use that for?

you should post this over in the MTB forum too... the MTB guys will appreciate it. :)

Who was he before meeting Jim Hoyt?

Wow man cool for you--makes me want to get a mtb! Excellent photos too. I have size 13 feet and use Look pedals--had to put a spacer washer between the pedals and the cranks because the inside of my foot would rub the cranks--otherwise they've been fine. I crushed some speedplays (the cleat part) before I read about the "180 lb. rider weight limit" disclaimer HA! Have fun out there!

LOL :) :)
hey very cool bike purchase - congrats

holy crap! :eek: you must be 6'6" or something, right? And you're 500# or so? You're one giant of a man!

Note to self: be nice to Mike.

PS: Super Congo Rats on the awesome ride!

now go ride and ride and :) and ride and :D

Hah, Yes it is a shinai. I play at kendo with friends and they are almost unbreakable. I like using a 50mm prime because it's one of the sharpest lenses you can get for Canon, yet it's also one of the cheapest. I also shoot in low light a lot and it has a good 1.4 aperature. I also use a couple of variable zooms but do my serious stuff on the primes. 50mm's are great for portraits because of their depth of field and flattering bokeh.


Regarding the Kona,
I posted a pic of it on the MTB forum. Since I'm using it as a road bike I will mostly be posting in the roadbike forum.

I'm 6'2" with size 14 feet. I'm a pretty gentle guy though. Hehe

Just read your other post and all I can say is WOW. Congratulations and best wishes for your efforts. What a great machine the bicycle is, huh? Everyone should ride one!

Dude,
That Kona just looks tough! Congrats Mike, and definitely keep us all updated. I really am stoked for you.
Enjoy

LOL.....Mtn Bike Forum doesn't get any action anyway. We'd rather have you over here. :)

Yes, yes it does. It's okay though, we're all geeks here, just in our own ways. :o

Sweet ride. Keep us up to date on your progress. Good luck!

what, no helmet? :rolleyes:


congrats and nice ride!

very nice bike!
I really like XL too, Bruce is a great guy, I've ridden with him on pba rides and he's always pretty helpful even though I didn't buy a bike from him. They have some really sweet mtbs, I just wish they had more road bikes for me ;). You need to go have some fun at arbor hills on that...

Not on the test ride out back. Hehehe. I think I need to exchange the helmet I got for a larger size. It fits snuggly to my head but any time I use my jaw muscles, like clenching my teeth, yawning, etc. It puts awkward pressure on my head that makes me think it will give me headaches. I've also got it adjusted 'out' as far as it will go. That tells me I need a slightly larger helmet.

I can see the pounds shedding already

The welds on the bike look very different than what I have seen before. They used a very thick bead. Do you think it's due to the 7005 alloy they went with?