Kona 'Chromoly' Bike - better than Carbon Cayo?

antlaff

Hi

bought a Focus Maleta last year under companies C2W scheme and now looking to buy a roadie - have been trolling through websites for last couple weeks to get that elusive deal and have narrowed it down to
Focus Cayo 105 2009 £825
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360037591/
Focus Variado 2010 £836 with platinum discount
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360045297/
Kona Haole 2009 £914
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_ ... 360039330/

Heart is set on the Focus Cayo but the discount and spec of the Kona are great, but i just cant find any review on this bike. How does this 'Cromoly' frame compare to the carbon cayo or would i be better with the better drivetrain spec of the Variado? please help as limited stock. I know these 3 are all with wiggle but the 2010 spec bikes are so more expensive with poorer kit on the likes of CRC and Evans. Unfortunately being in Northern Ireland i will not be able to road test so your help would be of great benefit.

Monty Dog

Generally a steel frame will feel and handle differently from the alloy or carbon frames of the Focus - whch will be stiffer and feel more direct in comparison. Either Focus will be better if you are looking to race, bt might be tiring for longer rides on anything but smooth roads whereas the Kona frame is a little heavier and will probably be more forgiving - more suited to sportives and long days in the saddle.

antlaff

Monty dog - thks for the post - kind of siding the way of the Kona as will not be racing - main uses will be fitness and commuting.

solsurf

I have a carbon felt Z35 but I would love come up with some excuse to buy that Kona, that is one stonking deal!

If you get it can you post some pics.

cheers,

tenor

Focus if you want to race, Kona if you just want to ride. Great tube set and overall spec for the cash.

prawny

I'd go steel for commuting, my @rse wishes I did. I think I will be at some point this year.

antlaff

Thanks - taken the advice just waiting for Wiggle to comeback to me as the company is paying by cheque through our cycle scheme - the only flaw with wiggle is no phone contact!!! really hope it doesnt sell out before i get one!!

passout

I fancy the Kona too - looks great for long distance stuff & commuting.

passout

I fancy the Kona too - looks great for long distance stuff & commuting.

prawny

passout wrote:

I fancy the Kona too - looks great for long distance stuff & commuting.

No mudguard or rack mounts though, I hadn't looked at it before. Bit to good for a regular commuter.

It'd be a really nice sportive bike though and crit racing etc. A mate of mine wrapped a cromo gt I had round a concrete bollard it bent the seat stay but I rode it for years afterwards with no problems, if it had been carbon it would have been toast. I'd only had it a week 'n'all, bell end :roll:

balthazar

prawny wrote:

passout wrote:

I fancy the Kona too - looks great for long distance stuff & commuting.

No mudguard or rack mounts though, I hadn't looked at it before. Bit to good for a regular commuter.

It'd be a really nice sportive bike though and crit racing etc. A mate of mine wrapped a cromo gt I had round a concrete bollard it bent the seat stay but I rode it for years afterwards with no problems, if it had been carbon it would have been toast. I'd only had it a week 'n'all, bell end :roll:

I have a 20 year old 531 frame in which nearly every tube is either bent or severely dinged. I've straightened it a couple of times over the years and it still tracks roughly straight. CFRP frames are a lot more durable than people think, and might be more resistant to fatigue fracture than any other type; but you can't fix them with a hammer.

solsurf

What did you get in the end?

antlaff

solsurf wrote:

What did you get in the end?

got the Kona Haole 2009 - company payment went through today!! just waiting on the confirmation of despatch from Wiggle - i hope it is as good as i'm expecting. will post some pics when it arrives

antlaff

solsurf wrote:

I have a carbon felt Z35 but I would love come up with some excuse to buy that Kona, that is one stonking deal!

If you get it can you post some pics.

cheers,

posted pic in the below link
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12682459

antlaff

solsurf wrote:

I have a carbon felt Z35 but I would love come up with some excuse to buy that Kona, that is one stonking deal!

If you get it can you post some pics.

cheers,

posted pic in the below link
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12682459