2012 Cinder Cone - New Member

JTR4337

Just treated myself to a 2012 Kona Cinder Cone. Haven't been out biking for almost 5 years due to a BMX accident. Have been dying to get back into it. Took it for it first ride this morning and handles like a dream. After testing a few bikes, the feel of the Cinder Cone suited my height, weight and riding style perfectly.



Cheers,
Joe

Lewis A

nice bike, specs? love the colour..

JTR4337

Cheers mate. Have taken specs straight from Kona, easier than typing each one


Fork: RockShox Recon TK 100mm
Headset: TH No. 10
Stem: Kona XC/Road
Speed: 27
Front Mech: Shimano Alivio
Rear Mech: Shimano SLX SGS
Chainset: Shimano M521 42/34/24
Bottom Bracket: Shimano
Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-34 9 spd
Chain: Shimano HG53
Front Brake: Avid Elixir 1 180mm
Rear Brake: Avid Elixir 1 160mm
Rims: Mavic XM119
Front Hub: Formula Disc
Rear Hub: Shimano M475 Disc
Tyres: Maxxis Aspen 26x2.1 Front Maxxis Aspen 26x2.1 Rear

ThePriory1978

I miss my Kona's. They are great handling bikes.
Kona have been refining the frame for years and its near perfect. Mine went through phases of being built up long and skinny for XC use, then modded for jumping and then being toughened up with a various components like longer fork, wide bars, fat tyres and used for downhill in Wales before finally being sold and buying another Kona.
The bike never once complained whatever i threw at it.
A great choice.

JTR4337

ThePriory1978 wrote:

The bike never once complained whatever i threw at it.

Good to know!

This is my first Kona but have had recommendations from friends who have had for ages. After testing a mates coiler and caldera I was sold. For now I am just getting used to MTBiking again but soon will be throwing it at all trails I can find. The Cinder Cone has a perfect base for me to build on, especially when the trails become tougher haha.

Lewis A

JTR4337 wrote:

Cheers mate. Have taken specs straight from Kona, easier than typing each one


Fork: RockShox Recon TK 100mm
Headset: TH No. 10
Stem: Kona XC/Road
Speed: 27
Front Mech: Shimano Alivio
Rear Mech: Shimano SLX SGS
Chainset: Shimano M521 42/34/24
Bottom Bracket: Shimano
Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-34 9 spd
Chain: Shimano HG53
Front Brake: Avid Elixir 1 180mm
Rear Brake: Avid Elixir 1 160mm
Rims: Mavic XM119
Front Hub: Formula Disc
Rear Hub: Shimano M475 Disc
Tyres: Maxxis Aspen 26x2.1 Front Maxxis Aspen 26x2.1 Rear

Nice spec, how's the fork, been thinking about upgrading my xc28.

The bike really is a looker, much better than last years red. (only one ive seen)

JTR4337

Lewis A wrote:

Nice spec, how's the fork, been thinking about upgrading my xc28.

I have only tested the XC28 for 29" on the new Rockhopper Comp and I couldn't really test it as Evans wouldn't let me stray outside their paved car park haha. If I remember correctly the Recon forks are pretty much the entry level trail fork behind the Reba and Revelation but have good reviews here and there. I have only tried small trails but the fork coped well, as it should. I will say that it soaked up the bumps smoothly and my arms/hands/shoulders didn't feel any strain after I was done.

Lewis A

JTR4337 wrote:

Lewis A wrote:

Nice spec, how's the fork, been thinking about upgrading my xc28.

I have only tested the XC28 for 29" on the new Rockhopper Comp and I couldn't really test it as Evans wouldn't let me stray outside their paved car park haha. If I remember correctly the Recon forks are pretty much the entry level trail fork behind the Reba and Revelation but have good reviews here and there. I have only tried small trails but the fork coped well, as it should. I will say that it soaked up the bumps smoothly and my arms/hands/shoulders didn't feel any strain after I was done.

sounds good, i have only tried a 120mm recon gold which is just below a reba(?). and they seemed good, I struggle with coils as I am quite light (9.5 stone).

Sorry to hijack your post

JTR4337

Lewis A wrote:

Sorry to hijack your post

Im not bothered by that. Best to try as much as you can. The Rebound and preload settings are definitely noticeable between positions when I adjusted them but again I only do light trail rides, for now. Im sure you'll find something suitable.

Jomox

ThePriory1978 wrote:

I miss my Kona's. They are great handling bikes.
Kona have been refining the frame for years and its near perfect. Mine went through phases of being built up long and skinny for XC use, then modded for jumping and then being toughened up with a various components like longer fork, wide bars, fat tyres and used for downhill in Wales before finally being sold and buying another Kona.
The bike never once complained whatever i threw at it.
A great choice.

Same feelings here, use to love my old Kona's, lovely handling on all of them, will be looking to get one again in the future.

Nice bike also to the op.

JTR4337

Jomox wrote:

Nice bike also to the op.

Thanks very much Jomox.

Carl170

Nice.

I also have a Kona (Blast), and you can throw just about anything at them.

The only complaint is that some of the bits don't last, but they are one of the fewer companies who give you the choice of a great frame with lower specced bits (Blast etc), if you cant afford the more expensive bikes. I got my Blast as it was the previous years display model for £399.

These frames are ripe for upgrading!.

Regards

Carl

JTR4337

Carl170 wrote:

The only complaint is that some of the bits don't last

Thanks mate.

I had similar components before on other bikes and never had a problem, but it turned out my BMX was more troublesome than my old MTB despite having very few parts compared to MTB haha. No doubt ill beat the heck outta this Kona but hey its all good fun.

JayKay3000

Mmmmm.

Just looks 'right'. Remove the rear reflectors and it'll be good for stock.

JTR4337

JayKay3000 wrote:

Mmmmm. Just looks 'right'. Remove the rear reflectors and it'll be good for stock.

Well the photo was taken about 5 mins after assembling it, plus I had a night ride that day so left the rear reflectors on. Many changes will happen soon enough.