Kona Coil Air magic link - anyone ridden it?

Naveed
Naveed Posts: 728
edited June 2009 in MTB general
I'm quite intrigued by this bike as it seems to offer the best of both worlds. I want a fun FR/AM/DH rig and I love the fact that this bike gives you 7.5inches of rear travel when descending and a stiff 6'' of travel when climbing.

The magiclink design is amazing, but the extra link does worry me in terms of maintenance and set up.

I've never ridden a Kona and would like to know if anyone's got this bike or ridden one. It definitely doesn't look like any bike on the market that's for sure.

Comments

  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    Not ridden one, heard the rear end is mega flexy though, to the extent of the cranks hitting the chainstays on some of them apparently - saw it on mtbr I think.

    Had a look at one in the shop in Grizedale and it seemed pretty cool though, the people in the shop were raving about it.
  • snotty badger
    snotty badger Posts: 1,593
    I had a little test ride as I liked the idea. the bike felt a bit burly and heavy TBH. And the frame was very flexy.

    Went for a Pitch Pro instead 8)
    08 Pitch Pro
    14 Kona Unit
    Kona Kula SS
    Trailstar SS
    94 Univega Alpina 5.3
  • Naveed
    Naveed Posts: 728
    Snotty

    There's some great deals going on for Pitch Comps - how is it? Would it make a good FR/DH playing around bike? Looks a bit small to me though
  • capoz77
    capoz77 Posts: 503
    what does is weigh in lb's?
  • Chaz.Harding
    Chaz.Harding Posts: 3,144
    Naveed - the Pitch is a damn capable bike, but it's best not to push it too far, as at heart, it's a XC bike, really.

    Whats your budget mate, maybe we could all pitch in and help you decide (see what I did there? :lol: ).
    Boo-yah mofo
    Sick to the power of rad
    Fix it 'till it's broke
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    The Pitch is an all-mountain bike, and the yanks definition of all mountain seems to include things like 20ft road gaps, so I wouldn't worry about what the Pitch can handle. I know of someone who races DH on one with a coil shock.
  • geordiefreerider
    geordiefreerider Posts: 888
    Just buy one, I would if I could afford it just make sure you stick the dope braking arm on it coz it looks the mutts nuts 4975_220172280505_889620505_7426679_6621687_n.jpg
    http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 230783.jpg
  • Chaz.Harding
    Chaz.Harding Posts: 3,144
    geordiefreerider - you DON'T want the dope breaking arm!!

    If the police caught you, you could be in alot of trouble!! :shock:

    :lol:
    Boo-yah mofo
    Sick to the power of rad
    Fix it 'till it's broke
  • Naveed
    Naveed Posts: 728
    The Dope braking arm has put me off ever buying this bike - it looks well naff and I can see it snapping after a few drops.

    Dope=Nope

    Tis a nice bike but my belief is that the longer the rocker arm the more flex you're going to invite. Also the extra link is vulnerable to the dirt and mud.

    Simplicity goes a long way and the Magic link is nice in theory but is a far cry from the jump on your bike and forget about it mentality.

    Geordiefreerider you're obviously a Kona man so I can see it's appeal.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Steve 'reprobate' Worland has ridden one - can't remember his exact words now, but wasn't that keen.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • elPedro666
    elPedro666 Posts: 1,060
    bigchazrocks wrote:
    Whats your budget mate, maybe we could all pitch in and help you decide (see what I did there? :lol: ).

    Someone call him a cab... :cry:
    :lol:

    Pitch is well up to the task as far as I can gather - seems to be a cult bike in the making...
    WTD:
    Green Halo TwinRail
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    700x28c CX tyres&tubs
    Flatbars 620mm 25,4mm & swept, ti in an ideal world
  • geordiefreerider
    geordiefreerider Posts: 888
    I'm a bike fiddler (and not in the illegal sense !) so the more moving parts on a bike the better ha ha !!! :lol:
    http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 230783.jpg
  • Naveed
    Naveed Posts: 728
    If the Reprobate gave it a thumbs down then I'm not touching it. There something about Konas that's just not right.

    I can't put my finger on it, they just look weird and the Horst Link suspension design they use hasn't changed in over 10 years.

    The Rocker plates look plasticky as well.

    At the end of the day the only REAL magic link is the one between my legs :lol:
  • tompug
    tompug Posts: 227
    I tried one for a day. Slow, cumbersome on slow speed corners, heavy and flexy are what I would describe its main characteristics as.

    The plus side is that you can pick em up cheap, loads of spares and the spec is good for the price.
    Doncaster mtb
  • Naveed
    Naveed Posts: 728
    tompug wrote:
    I tried one for a day. Slow, cumbersome on slow speed corners, heavy and flexy are what I would describe its main characteristics as.

    The plus side is that you can pick em up cheap, loads of spares and the spec is good for the price.

    This post has sealed the Kona's fate.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Have you seen the GT Sanction 1.0?
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • geordiefreerider
    geordiefreerider Posts: 888
    Naveed wrote:
    If the Reprobate gave it a thumbs down then I'm not touching it. There something about Konas that's just not right.

    I can't put my finger on it, they just look weird and the Horst Link suspension design they use hasn't changed in over 10 years.

    The Rocker plates look plasticky as well.

    At the end of the day the only REAL magic link is the one between my legs :lol:

    SACRILEDGE !!!!! :lol:
    http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 230783.jpg
  • capoz77
    capoz77 Posts: 503
    (IN 50 CENT STYLE)


    I GOT THE MAGGGGIIIIC LINK

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