Kona Bicycle Co. Dew

Price Paid:  $499.00 at Cyclesmith

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
dew

Bike Setup:
stock, rack and lights

Summary:
Bike is actually a 2008. I have used this daily as a commuter of 40k per day and have been so pleased with the Dew Plus (disc brakes) that I am giving it to my son tommorrow and replacing it with the exact (all but color) 2009 model. This bike is light, responsive and fun. I will do a little for with the stem to give me a wee bit more lenght. I;m 5'11" and I find the lenght (seat to bars) a bit short when I want to sit down and power. Other than this the bike is a gem and the addition of the disc brake option is a trmendous advantage on the rainy east coast. I choose the Dew because of the disc option which is not available on other bikes in this price range.

Strengths:
light weight, disc brake option, simple yet slick and sexy!

Weaknesses:
cheap paint (who cares), short lenght

Similar Products Used:
tried the trek soho, not worth the extra cost.

Price Paid:  $521.00

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Daily commute - 15 km each way

Bike Setup:
Removed one spacer to lower the handlebar, didn't like the too upright position, now it's just on my taste.

Summary:
2008 model actually. Really good all-rounder. Not too fast, not too off-road, not too fancy, but certainly not dull. It is a very good city/medium commute bike. I ride about half the commute on the road that links the suburbs to the city. Rode about 500 km on it so far. It's a entry level bike for nothing too specific. You can commute with it, ride it around town, on a smooth track. Obviously it's not good for off-road use or long distance travel. This review is more of an usability review, since in the price range the components are about the same for all bikes.

Strengths:
Light - 11.5 kg on a bathroom scale. The frame is awesome IMO, it's stiff and well proportioned for me (i am 178 cm in height, 54 cm frame). And again, light :). I like the 28" wheels compared to 26". All the components are quite tough under medium stress. Primarily good for the road, it's faster than a mtb and more affordable than a road bike. It handles quite well on an unpaved country road if it has to. It's not an instant eye-catcher, so it's a bit thug-proof. Also a + is the 120 kg weight limit.

Weaknesses:
Entry level derailers, but they work well so far. Tires are good, narrow enough, but could be slicker... although on gravel they have advantages.

Similar Products Used:
A friends' mtb with front-suspension, Cannondale frame, XT equipped to see how a very good mtb handles in the city... and i like the Dew better for city use.

Price Paid:  $350.00 at The Hub Cycle Works

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
New Forest, Hampshire - UK

Bike Setup:
No change to factory setup - lowered the bars and angled them forwards to correct the overly upright riding position, making it faster, if a little less comfortable.

Summary:
I have the 2006 version, not the 05 version as stated. Also - the price was £s not $s

If you are in the market for a high quality value for money bike that will genuinely do anything then look no further. I purchased this bike looking for a tough urban commuter that would be good to me on longer rides out of town and be suitable for fitness training too. The kona Dew does not dissapoint!

This bike makes no compromises and I would not recommend it to novices. (Or to anyone bigger than 15st, you'll look silly) It is really light, really strong and damn sexy. It is quite short wheel base which makes it harder to ride but it feels and rides like a performance bike. It also has a very upright seating position (great for watching the traffic when commuting - less good for long distances and speed) - swap to a flat bar and the problem is solved.

With a decent shimano 24 speed setup it really moves, plus with skinny 700c wheels it has an unbelievable rolling resistance - I can even keep up with dedicated roadies riding £1000 plus machines for short distances.

I have also done a little light trail work on it and it performed well - however, if you ride on anything rougher than a bridleway or footpath then don't bother - it's too rigid and will hurt!

With a change of saddle this would also be a great touring bike

So far it has proved more than a match for anything the city has thrown my way. Value for money is not a strong enough term. This is my regular rider and will continue to be so for the foreseable future. Buy it.

Strengths:
Light, strong, fast, good looks, high spec parts, teriffic value, need I say more.

Weaknesses:
this paint chips easily, rims/hubs are not as high spec as you would hope for, stock tyres are not good for city work - too many punctures.

The biggest weakness is its short length - if you are not careful it is easy to clip your toes on the front wheel while cornering. Also, the cranks are a bit long and the pedals have hit the tarnmac occasionally when cornering at speed.

Price Paid:  $400.00 at Geo Plein Air, Valle

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Kona Dew

Summary:
When I started cycling a few years back, I was living in Northern Quebec, in a town that had a lot of iron mining roads and pits. Shopping there was a problem, so I ordered a bike from Sports Experts...a Nakamura TNT with dual suspension, Shimano brakes, and Richie shifters. I disliked this bike from the first ride. It weighed in at 43lbs., the grips on the bars weren't as wide as my hands, and the shidters were not precise. To make matters even worse, I would have to adjust the derailers myself every few kms because they were never adjusted at the shop.

Last year I relocated to civilization, and began cycling frequently as my main source of exercise. I was, and am doing about 20 km/day, and came to realize that a 40+ lb mountain bike is not the way to go (especially when you attach my son and his chariot to the whole affair). I began looking for a plain, no-nonsense bike that was more suited to street riding, but wanted to have the quality of a better brand name. I have always liked Specialized, but I couldn't find anything available in an affordable hybrid setup, but I was glad of this because I got a great deal on the Kona Dew. I have had this bike for 2 months now (gave my Nakamura to the Salvation Army to give to some kid who might want a bike - $700 down the drain for me, but I hope he / she enjoys it), and I just love it. It will roll forever, but it is geared perfectly for street riding. At 6'3, I took the higher model ad had the handlebars extended out another 3' (the store did this for free).

Strengths:
Weight - it is as light as a feather
Looks - very sharp looking ride
Quality - no problems so far
Gearing - excellentfor street
Price - a very good, utilitarian bike for a great price (you would pay more for a Schwinn or CCM at Canadian Tire and have nowhere near the quality)
Freewheeling - it will roll forever

Weaknesses:
The only complaint I could possibly have with this bicycle is based on the pedals. It has a long pedal stroke, and it comes with the foot holders (technical term???), which extend the length of the pedals themselves. I have hit the frot tire while turning and pedalling on various occasions, and if you are pedalling and leaing into a turn, you can't lean too far before grounding out the turning side's pedal. I am going to remove those little holders anyway. Also, I am sorry I didn't get the Deluxe with the disc brake system...the brakes on this model are not as crisp as I like, but they still perform well in dry or wet conditions.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing.