Kona Paddy Wagon 08

Can any of you guys help please? as a newbie to fixed wheel/singlespeed how would you rate this bike as a starter ride? Any info greatfully received.

Brett will probably post a reply - I think he got one to replace his nicked Langster.

As far as I know, it's not the lightest off-the-peg out there, but has functional clearances (ie mudguards etc), and probably has spot-on all day comfort geometry being a Kona.

If they produced a super-light tubeset version at some point, I reckon I'd get it to replace my alu Condor (I'm a climber, so low weight's high on my priorities for frames). Hopefully Kona will start production on this hypothetical frameset around the time my Condor refuses to be honked and grinded up any more inclines :p

Yep, mine's an 06 but I like it. It all depends what you're after really.
The frame is a tad heavy due to the oversized steel tubing, but it's still nippy enough once you've removed anything unnecessary and being 78kg in the first place I don't really feel like the extra weight hinders me.
Of all the off the peg SS/Fixed I think it probably comes with the most functional features: 2 sets of bottle mounts, front and rear guard mounts, clearance for up to 27c tyres etc.
But, as with all OTP fixed bikes the stock components are possibly a bit liable to wear out quite quickly.
Oh, and I've just realised on the comfort front that the one-sided lower back pain I had with the langster has disappeared since I've been on the Kona.
Hope this helps!

Deda frame, Sun rims, Formula hubs, could do worse for the money.
Oh yeah, relatively understated graphics and decent colour for 08 too.

Thanks for the input, i had ordered one anyway so i guess it was a bit too late to cancel it, am new to fixed/ss, not riden one since i was about 8 years old. this will either kill me or make me super fit. have been on geared bikes for years and a regular rider for 3 years now, i commute to the centre of london everyday. i started with 27 gears, then went down to 12, now i am on 6 and soon 1 i guess, thanks for the advice chaps.

I've had the 08 Paddy Wagon for a few months now and gotta say I love it. The new colour scheme is great, quite understated compared to the metallic blue of yore. Admittedly it is on the heavy side but I like to think that it will equate to longevity. The frames quite nicely finished and the brake bridge on the back is quite detailed for the price. I think they reduced the RRP from 500 quid down to 450 for 08, so I think it makes good value, along with the above mentioned features such as mud guard eyes, good tyre clearance etc. The brakes are OK but it'll take a while for the paint to get worn off the side of the rims as they're not machined. The ride's really comfy on the big tyres, and I was quite surprised at how comfy the stock saddle was. I've played around with the stem height and spacers and ride with the stem flipped over. I say if you can live with the weight then it's a great bike that you won't regret getting. As with Brett above, I'm 90+ kilos, so a heavy bike's not really an issue for me.

http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k8/images/1000/2K8_PADDYWAGON.jpg

Cheers H.O.F.

i have had an 06 paddy wagon for 18 months.

i do a lot of east london miles everyday and it is still going strong.

yeah i have flipped the stem and upgraded some parts when they wore out.

(it possibly is heavy) but i have never noticed and i end up carrying it up blox of flats etc.

yeah the 06 is possibly not a great looker but for me its a good bike.

(i have since built other fixers but keep riding the paddy wagon). it works for me and the miles i do in east london.

good luck and enjoy your riding.

thanks Phil, i am intrigued to see what a fixed is like to live with. i am attracted to them by their neatness and simplicity, will be interesting to see if i get addicted to the single gear?

[quote]Hairdresser on Fire

Good username...

Thanks :o) You can always rely on Morrissey for a good username.

Hairdresser on Fire Thanks :o) You can always rely on Morrissey for a good username.

What, like "Girlfriend On A Kona"?

Also if you are riding with 28s you should switch to Schwalbe Marathon plus tyres (smallest 700x25)
Been riding them brakeless for several months, sliding heavily, treating rough - punctures zero.
Expensive at first but big time/money(tubes) savings down the line.

I had the 06 07 and was generally happy with it.

Very comfy ride, not the stiffest though. The standard brakes suck out loud, however.

Talking of brakes....

They take the paint off the rims in no time. It's worth deciding if you're gonna run one on the back before you goose the rim. Didn't occur to me til it was too late, but obviously when you tension the chain the brake will then contact a slightly different bit of the rim and wear off a different bit of the paint.

Obviously if you're not anal/OCD this won't be an issue.

But don't try and tell me most people who ride fixed aren't.

Unless the ride the London Wrongster, natch....

BringMeMyFix [quote]Hairdresser on Fire Thanks :o) You can always rely on Morrissey for a good username.

What, like "Girlfriend On A Kona"?[/quote]
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