They’ve held up quite well though. Despite giving them a pounding on the fully rigid bike, they’re only slightly out of true.

It’s fair to say that the wheel set is fairly average. Both wheels are heavy, but get the job done. Mind you, replacing them with any off the shelf 29′er wheelset would be a sizeable upgrade.

As for your question on the sliders (sorry I missed it all that time ago), I’ve got absolutely no idea!

Check out the slider bolts on this 2010 green unit. I have see both stock in photos

Why the difference do you think?

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=570444&highlight=kona+unit

Yep, I’ve been for a few rides on Greeny and have kinda collected my thoughts (in my head at least). Really need to do another post with all of them spewed onto paper though ;-)

Rear Hub is SS specific. Ain’t no way you’re fitting a cassette on there. But yeah, with a different wheel set, all the braze ons are there and ready for a geared setup.

The chain stay protector is there and it’s a lovely swirly pattern that you see.

I’ve done a whole bunch of comfort upgrades… longer seat post, longer stem, hydro brakes as well as chucked a meatier tyre on the front. Those will do me for now, but eventually a suspension fork and new wheel set (gotta be done together cause I won’t be staying on 9mm Quick Release) will be the upgrade that sees the most change to the bike. But that’s a fair way off given that they’ll double the value of the bike ;-)

Jarod.

Is the rear hub SS specific or is it spaced and dished for a cassette as well? I see the cable guide braze for a rear and front mech for a geared option.

What is going on with the chain stay protector. looks psychedelic or is that a reflection

@Tom, I know a guy who bought one of those offered on ebay from the same seller you are looking at and his arrived with the headbadge not the sticker in the add so you might be in luck.

I know what you mean regarding suspension vs rigid but the traditional steel tube lines on this bike are too pretty to add a fat fork IMHO. I spend more time looking at my bike in the garage however haha

peace

I can’t comment too much on the forks as they’re the only set of off road rigids I’ve ridden in about 10 years. Coming from a world of 80-100mm suspension you certainly notice that they don’t have as much give in them.

A couple of times now I’ve been just riding along and hit a smallish bump/tree root and it’s knocked me about. Serves myself right for daydreaming on a fully rigid mtb. Gotta always be paying attention and picking the right line with rigid forks.

Jarod.

I’m just short of 5′ 8″, inseam of 31.5″ and I must say, the 16″ Kona on paper is a little small for me. That’s okay though, I prefer a smaller frame and longer seatpost/stem.

The standard seatpost on the 16″ is only 350mm, so I’ve got a 410mm seatpost on order to get it up to the right height. I’m currently running a 115mm stem which feels good, but I haven’t ruled out a 120mm.

Hope this helps with your decision making.

Jarod.