Please Rate My Kona Dawg

mattwhi1

I have recently found a 2007 Garbanzo Dawg frame which I really liked and bought to build up, this is my first build all my previous bikes have been stock ready bikes so any comments on the spec would be gratefull on the pro's and con's, the bike will be used for aggresive cross country, the front forks need replacing so any suggetions on those please.

Frame:Kona Garbanzo Dawg 2007 19"
Brakes:Hayes Stoker Trail 160
Chainset:Shimano SLX 2009
Front Mech:Shimano SLX 2009
Rear Mech:Shimano XT
Wheels:Sun Black Eye
Tyres:Maxxis Swamp Thing
Front Forks:Marzocci MX3(soon to be changed)






http://www.repairitware.co.uk/
http://www.hilltopmetal.co.uk/

Soggz

Whats the weight?

mattwhi1

I haven't had chance to weigh it yet, I estimate it to be around 35lb mark, but this is due to the heavy front forks being coil sprung, I will be getting air sprung forks later in the year which should bring the weight down.

Banned!

thats pretty heavy for an XC but i dont think its down to the forks, thats only going to add, at most, a pound or two over a lightweight set.

if you want to shave a bit off then you need to do it in little amounts over a big area. a lighter wheelset, then a lighter drivetrain, then lighter brakes, cut the seatpost to its minimum safe height, lighter tires and so on. you can save a lot of wieght when you add all this up. its expensive though.

mattwhi1

as I say the weight is only an estimate i might be way off the mark with 35lb, I had a Kona Kikapu for the last 2 years which I thought was bulky and heavy and hard to control this does seem a lot lighter and handles like a dream.

I will be changing the tyres soon and have been looking at Maxxix Ignitors any ideas on a better tyre?

Also can anyone suggest a good handlebar and stem, I am looking for an All Mountain combination as I find XC handlebars too narrow, want something quite wide but also not too expensive.