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Kona Cinder Cone
by p-boy-d
The first thing that simply just MUST be said is What a wonderful bike!
I started using this bike just over a year ago when I took up mountain biking. Since then the bike hasn't let me down once.
*The bike itself*
A list of the components
Frame Size 18"
Frame Tubing Kona All-Mountain ... Butted Aluminum
Seat Post Kona Thumb
Seat Clamp Kona QR
Saddle WTB Pure V SPORT
Stem Kona Control
Forks Rockshox DART 2 w/Turnkey 100mm Travel
Headset Hope Integrated threadless headset
Gear Shifters Shimano Deore
Grips Ergon GC2 Series
Bar Kona Riser
Bottom Bracket FSA Powerdrive
Front Wheel
Rim Sun Black Eye
Hub King Kong KDF2S
Spokes Stainless 14g fr/14g rr
Tyres (Summer) Maxxis IGNITOR 26x2.1
Rear Wheel
Rim Sun Black Eye
Hub Shimano FH-M475 disc
Spokes Stainless 14g fr/14g rr
Tyres (Summer) Maxxis IGNITOR 26x2.1
Cassette
Chain Shimano CN-HG53
Chain Set
Crank Arms FSA Alpha Drive Powerdrive
Chain Rings 44/32/22
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Pedals Shimano M520
Freewheel Shimano Deore (11-32t, 9speed)
Brake Levers Hayes Sole
Brakes (Front) Hayes Hydraulic Sole
Rotor & Size Hayes Disc Rotor
Brake Pads
Brakes (Rear) Hayes Hydraulic Sole
Rotor & Size Hayes Disc Rotor
Color Orange
*My experience*
Although the bike has been ridden for over 2,000 miles it has NEVER failed me. I prefer to ride the Cinder Cone using clip in pedals as it increases the benefit on your muscles behalf, holding your feet in perfect position at all times. However, as the Kona is also used heavy duty offroad aswell as smooth trails/roads it comes as a bonus to have half pedal-surface half clip in pedals. Whether it is riding on roads or riding on a jagged downhill dash, the bike is supremely dominant and has never been defective.
One key feature of the Cinder Cone is its outstanding front forks, these beasts truly make a difference when cycling on rough terrain, they truly do bring out the inner greatness of this bike. Aswell as the forks, the brakes are wonderful, providing sharp, responsive feedback and generally working a treat whatever the circumstances. Every feature of this bike is truly outstanding.
Overall I'd honestly recommend anyone looking for a tough, durable, high performance hard tail to strongly consider this beauty, as I expect it will never let you down, just like it hasn't with me.
Although this may be a bit of a short review, I've found it rather difficult finding things to write about the bike so any feedback in the way of how to improve would be well appreciated. Thanks for reading.
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Kona Hahanna
by th0mas25
My review is based on the older Hahanna (2003 or 2004 I think) which I bought for my wife a few years ago. Newer models had a few little changes over the years but were essentially still the same bike, and it may be discontinued altogether now. But, as the older models now represent a good used buy I hope this review is still of ... use.
The Hahanna was one of Kona's cheaper/beginner mountain bikes, slotting between the Lana'i (bottom of the range) and the Fire Mountain. I bought my wife's Hahanna from Halfords for £300. They were a little cheaper elsewhere but at Halfords I had the option to pay it over 6 months and that was worth a few more quid to me.
The Hahanna came in a lovely dark metallic blue colour (matching my wife's car!), with black stem, handlebars, seatpost and front fork. I chose the Hahanna as I wanted a good quality, well built bike, suitable for road and light off-road use, and for this it was perfect. The bike is fairly light but strong and chunky looking, being made from oversize alumium tubing. The front fork is an RST suspension fork, basic but helps smooth the ride over rough surfaces just fine. The bike has 24 gears (enough for most) with the derailleur, shifters etc. all being Shimano items, lower range 'Acera X' stuff, but decent quality items from a trusted brand. Brake calipers and levers are Tektro items and perfectly up to the job. The rest of the componentry is mostly Kona's own brand equipment, but again, is good quality.
In the 5 or 6 years that she's had the bike my wife hasn't ridden it a lot, mostly due to us having a baby, but now that he's older and also cycling, we are using our bikes more again. Before we had our son we used to cycle a lot though, mostly on cyclepaths, on canal towpaths and occasional proper mountain bike trails. The Hahanna was perfect for all these, and has never needed anything other than having its chain lubricated. It's still in great condition and rides perfectly.
At £300 the Hahanna was worth every penny, and I have seen used models for a lot less, (some of these will have only been ridden lightly making them a good 2nd hand buy, but beware any that have been thrashed). I'd also like to advise that if you are looking for a new mountain bike and have a limited budget, say £300 in this case, then it's much better to buy a good basic bike from the likes of Kona, Specialized, Trek etc. than to buy a cheaper brand that looks better specced, with rear suspension, disk brakes etc. To offer that sort of spec at that price corners have to be cut, and you'll usually find that the components are of poor quality, frames heavier etc. But that's just my opinion.
As for the Hahanna, it's been a great bike for the money, and having an older Kona Lavadome mountain bike myself I like the brand, and would happily buy another another Kona again.
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