Kona Condercone 2022 - Should I!?

Been looking at changing by bike having just sold my Specialized Fuse Comp 2021 as I just didn't really get on with it.. was a great bike, but my first 29er and I'm not taken by it.

Previous bike to that was a Kona Hei Hei Carbon Trail with 27 inch wheels which I much preferred, so looking to go back to that size.

Budget around £1200 mark and due tot he type of riding I do these days doesn't need to be overly capable for the river toe paths and odd trail center when I'm feeling younger!

Been looking at the 2022 Kona Cindercone, there are a few bits which are budget on it, but nothing I can't sort out should I feel it needs it.

What I can't find are any decent reviews on the bike, which could be too early perhaps... so wondered if anyone has one or riden one that can give me some insight?

Comments

  • steve_sordy
    steve_sordy Posts: 2,452
    I am well-disposed towards Kona hardtails as the Kona Kula was my first mtb. I had it for years before I sold it to a friend. He only went and got killed before he could pay me and I didn't have the heart to chase his widow for the money.

    Here is the first review I found, from a company I have never heard of. Caution: the review is not dated, so it is unclear what year they are reviewing. They gave it 10/10 despite their criticism.
    https://www.icebike.org/p/kona-cinder-cone/

    This next one is from mtbr a regular owner's review website. The 97 user reviews are dated from Nov'20 all the way back for over ten years. But they gave an average of 4.4 out of 5. (So that is almost 9/10)
    https://products.mtbr.com/product/bikes/xc-hardtail/kona/cinder-cone-363358.html

    I found this next website useful because of the spec and geometry info it provides. It also shows where the Cinder Cone fits on a spec vs price chart (in the middle) versus other cross-country bikes. Follow the link on the website to see how they calculate that.
    https://99spokes.com/en-GB/bikes/kona/2022/cinder-cone

    I hope that helps, it seems to be a good value bike that is liked by its owners.
  • Brilliant thank you!

    My third Kona was a Kula, loved that bike... sadly sold when I lost a job once as it would cover the mortgage for that month!

    Will check out the links!
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    well, yeah, course ya should.

    new bike? obvs, innit.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • I bought a used Kona Lanai which shares the same frame as the Cindercone, it was virtually the only mtb I could find which had a 44cm reach without being overly slack . I replaced virtually everything on the bike so I can only comment on the frame which suits me to a T. Changing the wheels for some lighter hand built ones made a big difference to comfort which I hadn't expected, made it ride like a very different bike but I think the Cindercone comes with better quality wheels than the Lanai.