Kona Bicycle Co. Dr. Dew

Price Paid:  $700.00 at Recycled Cycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
anything in Seattle

Bike Setup:
stock + fenders

Summary:
I was tired of commuting on bikes that weren't really meant for commuting (Trek 1000, Giant mountain bike with slicks), so decided awhile back to get a flat-bar roadie. I had my eye on the 2008 Kona Dr. Dew for a bit, but just so happened to find this shop getting rid of the '07's at a screaming deal.

Thus far, the bike is great. This is my first disc, and the stopping power is scary-good - nice to have in a place with hills and rain. The geometry is near perfect for commuting - not too aggressive, but not sitting straight up either. My only (minor) beef is that the front end gets a little wobbly on fast descents, but I've learned to account for that.

Components are not fancy but are solid: FSA bar & crank, Deore rear derailleur, Hayes brakes (low end of their line), Sun wheels, Shimano pedals, WTB saddle

Strengths:
killer paint job (although that could be a liability for theft, I guess)
solid components
disc brake

Weaknesses:
jittery front end with descents
slightly heavier than I had hoped

Similar Products Used:
Felt F45 road bike for racing/weekend rides
Trek 1000
Giant MTB with slicks

Price Paid:  $999.00 at Jubilee Cylces

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
To Work & Back

Bike Setup:
Stock except for a road cassette 12-25 and cheap, but much better, grips!

Summary:
Finally Decided to get a new complete bike after having made do with secondhand and home built. It was a choice between the Kona and a Cannondale Bad Boy Disc. I should have a least tested the Cannondale but I didn't like the look of it (flat black paint!) and thought the 48 chainset was inferior to the Kona's 53 (I like a fast commute!). I was only going to test ride the bike and then order it. Turned out it was on sale (that is $100 off the Canadian price) and the 2007 were unorderable any more. I find the ride very positive and the braking great (so far). On the first full ride I had a "race" with another commuter on a fairly average bike (basically I caught up and passed him several times without much effort!). The shifting is pretty good but we'll see after a winter of crap weather that takes a very heavy toll. I may change the saddle to something sleeker and I have reservations about the discs (they are the bottom of Hayes's range and do not adjust automatically)- this way I'll have something to try out on those long, dark, wet days this winter.

Strengths:
Price compared with other hybrids with a decent component list. Wheelset looks as if its pretty tough (front hub is unbranded so I wonder?).

Weaknesses:
Brakes and those handlebar grips just suck!

Similar Products Used:
Various junk bikes, Norco Terrene (self built into a Hydrid), Tomasso Road Bike.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
Original, next to tires (switching betweeen 28 mm slicks on asphalt, 35 with small nobs for allround use and 45 mm with spikes in winter) and a curved handlebar.

Summary:
A next to perfect bike for my needs. I use it as an allround bike for transportation as well as training, all year around. I ride in the city, on gravel roads and trails in the woods.

When I first tried it I was surprised at the response and the "stiffness" of the transmission (sry, english is not my native language, hope you get what I mean). I just put on some 45 mm tires with spikes for use in winter. There wasn't enough clearance for fitting a proper fender at the front with these tires, so I had to use a short one. It's handling very well, rather quick steering but very stable - no problems in muddy and mushy conditions.

Unfortunately I've had constant problems with the Hayes HFX-9 XC disc brakes, with sticking calipers and dragging brakes. They have been needing adjustments frequantly, and now the front brake broke down because of dirt that made the calipers stick, and they had to be replaced. When the brakes work, they are excellent however, with a brutal stopping power. I totally love the concept of disc brakes, and I never want to use rim brakes again. But I want to get rid of the original brakes because of the problems, and I'm thinking of buying Avid mechanical brakes. Also thinking of making the bike more cyclocross like the coming suummer, and switching to a road handlebar with shimano 105 integrated shifters/brakes. In winter I would use a straight mountainbike handlebar. The 2006 Dr. Dew have got the brakes replaced, hopefully to something more robust.

Strengths:
Handling and balanced characteristics. It would be hard to make a better all-purpose bike. Looks - I love the thin sloping frame, and the green-black color theme.

Weaknesses:
The hydrualic Hayes HFX-9 XC brakes.

Similar Products Used:
Some different mountainbikes with road wheels, a Nishiki hybrid citybike, Crescent road bike, and loads of ordinary classic bicycles.

Price Paid:  $827.00 at cove bike shop

Bike Setup:
everything stock except: truvativ stem & serfas reactive gel lycra saddle

Summary:
i bought this bike because i know a guy that works their. thus the price reduction. i was very inpressed by the power of the hydraulic hayes brakes. i had a bit of trouble centering it, but even when they aren't the wheel still spins for quite some time conpared to other bikes. oh yah, this bike is very light! i can pass people downhill without pedaling are they are pendaling at the highest gear. i love this bike even if it doesn't have any suspension, it makes up in speed, control and enjoyment to ride. i would 100% recommend this kona if you can afford it.

Strengths:
light, fast, under control with nice hayes 9 brakes, looks awsome

Weaknesses:
jacksh!t grips(you'll need gloves unless you have thick skin)

Similar Products Used:
trek hybrid 7700fx, marin point reyes, marin mill valley, marin argenta, specialized sirrus comp