You Mountain Bikers will Appreciate this.

[Lugboot]

I emailed Kona about their Hei Hei 2-9 full suspension rig that is spec'ed with a Reba fork. I wanted to know if the Fox F29 fork would work with the frame geometry (clearance, rake, etc.).

Here's the response:

"Does that fork exist yet?

Generally speaking it should be pretty close to the Rockshox crown to axle and so forth but it’s tough to guess for sure with the info that isn’t out there."

Wow. Someone works for Kona, doing Tech support, and doesn't know that the biggest name in bike suspension has a 29er fork on the market?

Just, wow.

 

[cary]

At least he didn't say "Fox, who is that?" I think the guy is really a Gary Fisher (Trek) employee that is working at Kona to spy. :^)

 

[Lugboot]

Maybe he's trying to horde all the Fisher-specific F29 forks and keep a competitive edge.

I sent him links to the website and to Speedgoat's review and he/she/whoever did get back to me with some useful info.

"I wonder why that didn’t come up when I searched?"

 

[Spud]

I called trek tech support one time to ask the ERD, (effective rim diameter), of a rim that they sell, actually a bontrager rim that is distributed by trek.

The tech dude did not even know what an ERD even meant. It is an essential measurement to calculate spoke length and in general is listed as a value when ordering a replacement rim.

Anyway, that got a good laugh around the shop.

 

[tonkota]

Kona is still a good quality bike though right? I'm going to ride one tonight and see what I think. 2007 Cinder Cone.

I'm new to mtb but I am learning over at mtbr.com. That is one huge site.

 

[Spud]

Kona is still a good quality bike though right? I'm going to ride one tonight and see what I think. 2007 Cinder Cone.

I'm new to mtb but I am learning over at mtbr.com. That is one huge site.

I say, yes Kona's are good bikes...

 

[Lugboot]

I say, yes Kona's are good bikes...

I second that. They are good bikes. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be asking them about putting a Fox on one of their frames!

Might be a more affordable option than a Titus, Turner, or Ventana 29er for me this season.

 

[wesintl]

The dude is probably making $8 an hour and wants to be a porn star.. give him a break.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Yeah.. works both way. I went into the local uppity bike shop and asked if they could order a fisher 29er. The guy didn't know what I was talking about and had to look it up in the catalog... after which he quotes me a price a few hundred more than retail. Of course he told me the bikes in the store were better and I should buy one of those...



and yes they were a fisher dealer

 

[Spud]

I was selling bikes once and a customer jangled in...He commented that he was in the first stage of purchasing so he would not be buying today. I asked him how many stages there were to buying a bike. He replied oh about 6 or 7. I told him to come back when he was at level 6 or 7 and I would help to narrow it down. He was what is sometimes known as a time hole.

 

[nat]

I put a Fox fork on the wife's Kona Queen Kikapu bike. Works just fine

 

[Lugboot]

I put a Fox fork on the wife's Kona Queen Kikapu bike. Works just fine

Seems like this is more cut and dried in the 26er world. I wouldn't have asked the question if it were a 26er bike. Some 29er frames have clearance issues for some 29er forks and there's a decent difference in fork offset between the Reba and the Fox F29, which could have other unwanted effects. So, thought I'd ask the question. Wouldn't want to drop coin on the bike and then on the fork to find out they didn't like each other!

 

[Fast Eddy]

I'm new to mtb but I am learning over at mtbr.com. That is one huge site.

MTBR rocks. I ride with the founder, Francis, fairly regularly. Great site and a great crew over there.

 

[cary]

MTBR rocks. I ride with the founder, Francis, fairly regularly. Great site and a great crew over there.

Oh, great, now he is showing off. Next thing you know, he is going to talk about how he and Francis are single speed buddies.



Just kidding. I'm glad to see that Francis is doing so well, he has put a lot of time into that and the review sites. I've been hanging out there for going on 9 years.

 

[Lugboot]

Oh, great, now he is showing off. Next thing you know, he is going to talk about how he and Francis are single speed buddies.



Just kidding. I'm glad to see that Francis is doing so well, he has put a lot of time into that and the review sites. I've been hanging out there for going on 9 years.

SS is so passe. More likely 650B fully rigid fixie buddies. Taking mountain biking waaaay back, like 100+ years back!

ahh, I'm just kidding, too. MTBR is pretty rockin'. It's cool you know the founder. I met Woody once--he owns this cool Landcruiser site. . . maybe you heard of it?

 

[tonkota]

I tested the Kona yesterday. Nice bike, but I have short legs and it was the last of the year end models. Today I tried a Gary Fisher 29er that was effing nice, but again, with the smallest frame, I would rack myself. Damn short legs. After work, which should be pretty soon since I am bored, I think I will try out some others at another bike store.

The review section of mbtr is how I found that forum. Good job on that.

 

[cary]

I tested the Kona yesterday. Nice bike, but I have short legs and it was the last of the year end models. Today I tried a Gary Fisher 29er that was effing nice, but again, with the smallest frame, I would rack myself. Damn short legs. After work, which should be pretty soon since I am bored, I think I will try out some others at another bike store.

The review section of mbtr is how I found that forum. Good job on that.

Stand over clearance is the least of your worries. The most important factor on a bike is top tube length. If the reach is not correct, nothing else matters. IF you are torso long for your height, you will ride the same size or a size larger frame than most people your height. Despite what most people think, when you stop, you don't do so with both feet flat on the ground, you usually have one foot on the pedal and the other on the ground, giving several inches of extra clearance on the toptube.

 

[tonkota]

Thanks for the tip. It felt good to ride. I was just worried about the boys and my clumsy nature. The Gary Fisher 29er felt better to ride. I guess I will have to go back and have a second look in the AM.

 

[cary]

Thanks for the tip. It felt good to ride. I was just worried about the boys and my clumsy nature. The Gary Fisher 29er felt better to ride. I guess I will have to go back and have a second look in the AM.

The most important thing is how the bike rides and how comfortable you are while riding it. When looking at bikes at similar price points, don't worry about bike A having different components than bike B, worry about how they feel to you (make sure the tires are inflated property and use a tape measure to ensure the saddle height to the center of the cranks is identical on all bikes you test ride). Bikes are like women, when you get on the right one, it just feels and works right.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Oh, great, now he is showing off. Next thing you know, he is going to talk about how he and Francis are single speed buddies.

Now that you mention it, photo credit to Francois, Phil Wood SS, since 'upgraded' to a Kelly rigid fork: