Kona - Lanai deluxe or secondhand Cinder cone or Blast?

nigelad

Hi
I'm new to all this - got a Kona Caldera 2010 with cycle to work scheme, and started exploring and loving trail riding on weekends. Then my lovely Caldera got nicked from my shed
Had no insurance, so funds are limited getting a replacement. I commute 7 miles each way, about a mile of it on wood tracks, wasteland and grass.
I bought a Kona Lanai Deluxe from Evans - 0% finance, and tried it out in the woods and commuting. Found it disappointing, unlike the other Konas I have tried, where I loved the ride. So I'm thinking about taking it back and scraping together cash for a 2ndhand older model. I could get a Blast Deluxe 2009 or a Cinder Cone 2008, both in good nick, for £300.
Or should I just stay with the Lanai?

Any advice on what would be the best deal welcome and appreciated.
Cheers
Nigel

supersonic

In what way is the Lana'i lacking? I think spending your budget on a new fork and bits for it will work wonders.

nigelad

Cheers Supersonic.
The frame feels really heavy, and less responsive....than the caldera I got used to, but of course it would. the wheels also seem pretty heavy.
Also it took a bit of faffing to get the mechanical disc brakes working smoothly and not rubbing, straight from the shop.
I am worried the frame is not worth upgrading - the geometry is slightly different to the typical Kona, with an inch of upright between the sloping tubes below the headset.

I thought an older blast or cinder cone would be a better, lighter frame....plus hydraulic brakes and better forks, for the same money as the Lanai?

supersonic

The frames are pretty good on the budget konas - wouldn't surprise if the Blast and Lanai frames are actually the same one for the xc version, and the AM version is probably actually heavier.

The Cindercone has a nice step up in parts.

Is a hard one to call: the Lanai is let fown by the fork. My own way would be to upgrade, but the 2nd hand option will equally have fans.

nigelad

Thanks for the advice
The 2nd hand Cindercone is supposedly only a year old [but blue 2008 model] and been ridden a couple of times, so I'm leaning that way....despite the prospect of a trip from london to axminster to collect.
Is there anything I shoudl watch out for with a second hand bike?
Cheers
Nigel

supersonic

That everything works ;-) Give it a very thorough check, as remember you have no warranty.