Attention ATOT Cyclists: My new ride

[DivideBYZero]

Just went on a test ride today at a Primo Dealer. Loved the bike so slapped down the plastic:

2004 Kikapu Deluxe

Arrives on Friday

 

[sygyzy]

Wow, very nice looking!

 

[TheAudit]

Kona!

Take some pictures when it arrives.

 

[NTB]

Neat bike. But what the helll is a "kikapu"?

I just took my bike in to get it checked over; should be riding again after they get done with it. I don't think anything major is wrong with it, but it's been sitting in my garage for a couple years while I've been in college.

Nate

 

[newbiepcuser]

:thumbsup:

 

[DivideBYZero]

I have no idea what a kikapu is. Kona are just wierd with their names. Pics will be posted when it gets here!

The first mod is the tires. Those Tioga red phoenix things are pure cr@p. Getting Continental Vertical 2.3's on there (they come up like 2.0's) with the endless edge tread. These things rock!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Sweet! I have always liked Konas. I am pretty old-school in the MTB arena (my hardtail MTB), and have never ridden a quality FS bike over any really demanding terrain, but I'd have to think that beast would do very well indeed.

 

[Mr N8]

The rear suspension on that is crazy looking. Any advantages to that setup?

 

[notfred]

Your new Kona is cooler than my new Kona.

Sweet bike!

 

[sygyzy]

It's for downhills.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
The rear suspension on that is crazy looking. Any advantages to that setup?

It's actually a pretty typical multi-bar linkage suspension (there are many variations on this basic design). Compared to the single-pivot swingarm designs found on motorcycles, it is more responsive, and less prone to kicking excessive suspension feedback through the drivetrain back to the rider.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
The rear suspension on that is crazy looking. Any advantages to that setup?

That is a classic common long(er) travel design found on for example Trek Liquid, Ellsworth, Ventana and so on.
Reliable and simple. Some brands offer adjustable rear travel too. Another advantage is that it uses standard shocks so you can upgrade and switch between brands easily as opposed to for example the Klein Palomino and Specialized Epic which uses a proprietary design.

 

[DivideBYZero]

It's only got around 3.5" of travel, so it isn't for downhill. This is Kona's XC bike, as that is all I do.

Upgraded from a BLOODY HEAVY Hardrock Pro Disc. The two are like night and day!

 

[GasX]

Kikapu, I choose YOU!

that's a sweet ride. What did it run you?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Kikapu, I choose YOU!

that's a sweet ride. What did it run you?

£1400, but I got £100 of free stuff.

Don't do the conversion, it doesn't allow for export costs and the weak $. Suffice to say it's a good price for a bike of it's class in the UK market.

 

[Czar]

kikapu is the kiswahili word for a basket
kikapu is one of the few kenyan businesses operating online
kikapu is a net label
kikapu is this long
kikapu is a netlabel
kikapu is 24 pounds
kikapu is one of them
kikapu is king of the trails
kikapu is too small
kikapu is the same bike ridden by the kona factory team cross
kikapu is a straw basket that has been made by east african women for centuries for carrying their goods to and from the market
kikapu is introducing a range of south african sauces
kikapu is located southwest of lake nakuru in the rift valley province of
kikapu is now on try 5th of november 2002
kikapu is only 24

 

[Calin]

One wonderful bike... I still prefer the no-suspension types... maybe if I would go more in the nature this would change

I am thinking at making some changes to my bike... Is it so good to have a disk front brake? If so, why? (The original front V-brakes are now squeaqy, and the original - 4 years old almost - brake pads are less than half used)
My bike? I don't have a picture, but it is the standard classical bike, 18-speeds, the rear wheel and brakes recently changed. Is changing the entire front wheel and fork and brakes to disk brake any good, and if not, it is worthy?

Calin

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Calin
One wonderful bike... I still prefer the no-suspension types... maybe if I would go more in the nature this would change

I am thinking at making some changes to my bike... Is it so good to have a disk front brake? If so, why? (The original front V-brakes are now squeaqy, and the original - 4 years old almost - brake pads are less than half used)
My bike? I don't have a picture, but it is the standard classical bike, 18-speeds, the rear wheel and brakes recently changed. Is changing the entire front wheel and fork and brakes to disk brake any good, and if not, it is worthy?

Calin

It would cost you too much to upgrade to disks. If you want then, you'd be better off buying a bike that already has them.

 

[imported_Rusty]

Congrats on the nice bike. Although personally I would keep the tires. They are better than the older Tioga offerings and seem to hook up well under most conditions around here. If you really want to switch tires I would suggest a Kenda Tomac Series or WTB Weirwolf over the Continentals.

 

[DivideBYZero]

It's arrived! Pics soon...

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Rusty
Congrats on the nice bike. Although personally I would keep the tires. They are better than the older Tioga offerings and seem to hook up well under most conditions around here. If you really want to switch tires I would suggest a Kenda Tomac Series or WTB Weirwolf over the Continentals.

Well on the test ride they sucked ass. I'm in an MTB club and most members swear by the Vert's. The shop recommended them too, and as I was blagging them for free, had no need to push one of the highest priced tyres in the store to me.

 

[Anubis]

nice nice