On Saturday I brought my new bike home. 2003 Kona Stinky. My LBS gave me a new '03 JrT for $300,
including the hub and rebuilding the wheel. I immediately changed the grips; didn't like the Kona
'Jackshit' grips that it came with. I prefer the Profile Design DD's myself. The rear shock is a
plain jane Fox Vanilla coil; need much more riding to decide whether or not to upgrade. Options seem
to be a Vanilla RL, Vanilla RC, or a 5th Element. Price in ascending order. Now on to Big Finn Hill.
Sunday: I met up with a friend at the bike shop across the street from where we were going to ride.
While there, I purchased a pair of 2.6 Gazzaloddi tires. (Happy, Shaun?) Haven't mounted them yet,
but I expect a short ride the week, and hopefully a trip up to Blanchard Hill this weekend. Five
grueling miles up and five screaming miles down. :-) Gotta get the new rubber on before that.
This was my first real test ride, since my LBS is in a flat, urban area. The bike felt great
cruising around and hitting curbs up and down. Yet since I couldn't hit a real trail, I still had
some trepidation's about how this bike would feel in use. Way wrong....
I was expecting to do quite a bit of pushing, considering the 7" and 6" of travel on my ride, not to
mention the downhill nature of the cockpit. But to my very pleasant suprise, this bike turned out to
be a capable climber. Not that I would try and ride long uphill's, since I could feel all 38 pounds
under me on level trails. Then there was the downhill runs. Woooohoooooooo!!! Rides like the
Elevator Shaft, which have always spooked me before, ended up being easy, comfy, casual. The balance
I felt after just a few minutes was fantastic. I bought the 17" (medium - I'm 5'9"😉, and it turned
out to be a purrrrrfect fit. Then there is the numerous log crossings. Many of them have been rough
on my K2, but felt like sapling roots on the Kona. I also noticed a big difference between front
forks. I have an '02 Rockshox Psylo on the K2, and a Marzocchi JrT on the Kona. The feel of the two
is both subtle and yet profound. After one ride I am definitely a Marz fan. :-)
I don't think it needs to be said, but just in case: the bike is worth every penny I spent.
Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to treat myself to a half pound cheeseburger.
--
Cameron