Kona Bicycle Co. 2000 KAPU

Price Paid:  $600.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
kapu frame with carbon Kona mUDSHARK forks
Carbon token stem and matching water bottle holder.
Raceface handle bars
Full ultegra groupset with dura ace BB
Bontranger rear wheel and a carbon ZIPP wheel up front,
carbon airo seatpost and selle seat,
michlin pro carbon tyres

Summary:
I bourght this bike last year for about £250 just to use for work and after a couple of weeks i was hooked on it, i normally ride xc and downhill and was surpriced at what this bike could do. i have ridden a few kona's in my time and no that they don't make crap bike and this one is no exception.

Strengths:
Fast, very very light and you can see and feel the build quality.

Weaknesses:
none at all

Similar Products Used:
giant

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ATA Cycle

Favorite Ride:
MetroWest

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
I cannot believe how much bike I got for my money. Brand new 2000 model purchased in August 03. It's been a long while since I've had a road bike, and even then it was only mid-tier. This higher-end new bike is simply unbelievable. I am very impressed with the handling, comfort, and ease of use.

Strengths:
Weight, component group, comfort.

Weaknesses:
It was 3 yrs. old when I bought it, so it needed some additional maintenance on the rear hub.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Don't like STI so it has Dura-Ace bar-end shifters, der. and cogset

Summary:
Best road bike I've ever ridden. I've always hated aluminum road bikes for they're rough ride but this Scandium stuff really works! Rides great but still light and stiff like aluminum should be.

Strengths:
Fast, light, smooth.

Weaknesses:
Hate the puke green color. The Haole in red looks way better.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2300, Trek 5000, Litespeed, various old Italian steel frames.

Price Paid:  $750.00 at some dude's house

Favorite Ride:
every ride

Bike Setup:
kapu frame
aheadset
ritchey ergo drops of some sort
colnago bar tape
seatpost of unknown origin

Summary:
This is an amazing bike. I had been searching for over 2 months, for the my next road bike... Found a guy selling this for 750 in the paper, claimed "excellent condition". I figured he was lying, and figured wrong. Frame is in excellent condition, as is the componentry. I took it for a test ride and knew it was the right bike. I could honestly not be happier with my purchase. I dislike the flex in most mid-range steel frames, and wanted something light and strong.

This is the perfect ride for roadies like myself... People who spend 150+ miles a week on a bike, don't race outside of regional alleycats and want a reliable ride. Not to say that this bike isn't raceable... Maybe I'll take it out next season.

Strengths:
light, stiff frame. alluminum that won't rust. semi-compact frame with a sloping downtube.
great componentry.
carbon fork.

Weaknesses:
Some people dislike alluminum. If you're one of them then this is the bad thing about this bike.
Some people also look down upon ultegra.
I would not use this bike for courier work... Too good of a paint job to lock up to street signs and parking meters, my rims and hubs probably aren't the best for potholes and rough streets.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi track bike
Old steel frame built by some Itallian dude in a tiny factory before I was conceived with very old record drivetrain and a surprisingly reliable 105 brake system.

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Joes Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Tour de Gadsden

Bike Setup:
Ultegra components, Italia Saddle, Look Pedals.

Summary:
This has truly been a great bike. No doubt Kona makes a great product and the Kapu is tops! This bike is a solid comfortable ride, it accelerates great and is very comfortable to lean into and hammer. The more I ride it the better I like it. This bike is the real deal, if you are looking for a comfortable hard working bike that will last, buy the Kapu. This is the last road bike I'll ever buy! Thanks Kona!

Strengths:
Comfortable, very responsive and aggressive road bike. This bike is fun to ride, solid and handles great!

Weaknesses:
This bike has no weaknesses!

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale