Kona Bicycle Co. Smoke

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Ramstein AFB

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Kona Smoke

Bike Setup:
Stock - just added an LED front light for nighttime

Summary:
The Kona Smoke (16" - I'm 5'6" and I like a small, maneuverable frame) was a birthday gift from my brother. I never test rode it but from the minute I hopped on, it was my favorite bike. From the get-go, I was really nervous about the grip shifters. No need. The grip shifters and related components have turned out to be the smoothest and most trouble-free I have experienced. My past exposure to Trek 7500fx left a bad taste in my mouth for reliable deraileurs... Kona has shown me how they're SUPPOSED to work. Smooth, effortless, etc.

The Smoke is cromolly so it absorbs more jiggles than an Al bike but it also makes it a heavier ride. Rolling around it is not noticeable; hoist it up 4 flights of stairs, however, and you're gonna feel it. I used the Smoke in Glasgow as my 4mi commuter down the busy main streets. The bike is very responsive to car-dodging, nice and tight maneuvers. The gear ratios were spaced well for getting up to speed and cruising but it's fairly easy to top out the highest gear. In the city, that won't matter but if you're on a lonely stretch or road you might feel limited.

Everything about the bike is solid and smooth... tank-like frame, great (and cheap to replace) components, smooth wheels and tires... only the fenders have sensitivity issues. Unfortunately, my bike was stripped away from me late one night when I chained it up in the wrong neighborhood. I hope the new 'owner' loves her as much as I did.

Strengths:
Bomb-proof build, smooth components and tires, fenders to keep the muck off your legs, grip shifters that actually work

Weaknesses:
a bit heavy for carrying if necessary - but really nothing else to complain about if you're going to use it as an inner-city commuter

Similar Products Used:
Trek 7500fx

Price Paid:  $314.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Daily Commute

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
This is a follow up review to the one I wrote last summer for this bike. I have commuted all winter long in New England on this bike and feel able to add some information now. First, this thing is a tank. It will get you through anything. It would not be good for longer commutes, but for mine (12 mile total out and back) it's perfect. I put studded snow tires on it and plowed through up to 6 inches of snow without a problem. I commuted one day at -10 degrees (probably stupid on my part) and the bike didn't complain one bit. I've had hubs on other bikes freeze up at 30 degrees. Only once did I have an issue with the chain freezing up as I left the garage, but that's only because I wasn't diligent at keeping it clean. All in all, this has been an awesome winter commuter bike. Even the cheaper stock components have held up pretty well considering what I put them through.

Strengths:
Reliable and tough enough to allow me to ride to work in the winter when I can stand the weather.

Weaknesses:
My only complaint is that this bike is naturally SLOW, but in fairness it wasn't built for speed.

Similar Products Used:
Thsi is my first hybrid/town bike.

Price Paid:  $314.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
All of them

Bike Setup:
stock ... including the horn.

Summary:
I bought the Smoke because neither my mountain bike nor my road bike were the ideal commuter vehicle. To get to work I have travel on some pavement, some dirt roads, cross a foot bridge, and zip over a short section of single track. The frame, fork and fenders are what sold me. This is the end of my first week of riding it everyday back and forth and I have to say I am very pleased. I am not sure it would be fast or comfortable enough for a longer commute (that's why they make the Dew I suppose), but it's perfect for my 12 miles a day.

Strengths:
Frame and fork and bomb proof ... hey, it's a Kona.

Weaknesses:
Not really a weakness, but some of the components are lower end (hence the $314 price tag) and I am not sure how well they will hold up in the long run. I guess we'll find out this winter.

Similar Products Used:
First "Hybrid" or "Town" bike.

Price Paid:  $426.00 at St-Foy bicycle

Favorite Ride:
Urbain

Bike Setup:
aucun

Summary:
Achetez ce vélo si vous aimez les hybrides Kona(la position de conduite y est semblable, à mon avis) mais que vous avez besoin d'une bicyclette plus solide, plus confortable et à vocation plus urbaine
Ne l'achetez pas si la légèreté ou le look sont des critère très important pour vous.

Strengths:
Bon rapport qualité-prix surtout par rapport au marin Muirwood qui ici(à Québec) se vend 200$can de plus
Confort supérieur par rapport à mon ancien Kona Yee-Haa
La bicyclette semble très solide
grace à un ensemble de composantes à caractère urbain bien choisis

Weaknesses:
Une des pédales avait un lousse dans le bearing, la bicyclette est un peu lourde,le look est un peu austère mais est idéal pour éloigner les voleurs. Le dérailleur Tourney à l'avant fait vraiment el cheapo.
L'origine du cadre made in Vietnam

Similar Products Used:
Kona Yee-Haa 2002 en alu 6061

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Adrenaline Pro Shop

Favorite Ride:
Bolsa Chica State Beach

Bike Setup:
Stock with Laseredge headlights and el-cheapo rack.

Summary:
I bought this bike to ride to the gym, around the beach, and do some light recreational commuting on. It is a good departure from riding my MTN bike on the street and am quite pleased with it. I researched several "Comfort" bikes and this one takes the cake. The components can be better, but with what you pay for, it is okay. Adrenaline was great on ordering and setting up the bike.

Strengths:
Simple, durable, sinister looking. Easiest fenders to setup. Great handling and decent ride on the rough roads of Orange County. Tires are great on asphault. Wouldn't change much on the bike.

Weaknesses:
Fenders weak, don't like abuse. Relatively cheap components, mostly the rear derailleur.

Similar Products Used:
Tried similar priced bikes from Trek, Schwin, and KHS, but actually ordered and bought the Kona without a test ride.