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Have been a riding mine for a couple of weeks. Perfect commuter/utility bike. This years comes with guards as well. Geo a bit odd, tiny seat tube, inline post and short stem (on the Large) but rides light and aside from a couple of slips and clangs from the nexus has performed excellently. Even the promax cable discs are perfectly adequate for commuting, ok power and good modulation, no stoppies though.
Thanks for the positive review.
Forks on the kona are ridiculous, are they 4inch spring/sealed cartridge damper?
TM
Love it.
As above, I changed the cranks to the 6600s, think that's made it feel a lot more solid in that area. Didn't really ride the square tapers long enough to specifically have a problem with them but they seem like pretty budget items.
Another thing I've done but haven't documented here is to change the rear brake caliper. The original Promax caliper had the cable stop stuck away out outboard of the mounting bolts and I hit my heel on it so fitted a Spyre which is a lot more centred due to it being dual piston. I just picked up a single caliper from ebay as the bike was totally unrideable in anything bulkier than Vans trainers and even in those I hit it pretty regularly. I'd like to change the front too at some point, more so they match than that there's any problem with it.
I think I'll change the tyres soon too. I've fitted a set of 45mm VO fenders and the 35c Sport Contacts are quite a tight fit inside them plus I'm finding that at low pressures they feel pretty draggy but comfort and grip very quickly diminish when the pressure is increased.
Other than those little grumbles though I think it's great. The bar end shifter is fantastic, the Nexus hub does groan and clunk a little sometimes, something that I never had with the Alfine I used to own but it's not really a problem, just have to make a conscious effort to ease off pedal pressure when shifting.