Cycle geeks - Kona build quality - good?

[pete]

Been thinking of taking advantage of the cycle to work scheme and have my eye on a Kona Fire Mountain.

It's been ages since I looked at mountain bikes properly, but back then Kona were pretty reliable - is this still the case and/or what else should I be looking at?

Use is cycling to work (obviously) and weekend thrashing down trails.

[richardp]

Hi I just got myself a Specialized Hardrock 2010 Disc for £350 from evans cycles and I am very pleased with it. The frame is solid and well made and not too heavy considering the price tag. I hadn't ridden a bike for about 20 years until I got this one as a way of getting fit. I have to say that for me the seat was a little narrow and hard so I replaced it with a slightly larger gel filled one for a few quid which has made all the difference.

[nicholab]

I like Giant they seem good value! I ride a 10 year old GT to the station I am on the 3 set of tyres now and third chain!!

[fafster]

Everyone will have their own opinions on which bike is best. Specialized have a very good rep, especially for value. Kona seem to be overpriced, but their frames are meant to be very good for upgrading. Just don't expect as much quality kit attached to the frame as other similarly-priced bikes.

[tmcd35]

I nearly bought a Kona, did look a very nice bike but I didn't want 'white' . If you are cycling to work and buying a mountain bike make sure any suspension is lockable and consider replacing the tyres with something a little slicker. I used to ride 10miles to work on a full suspension MTB with thick knobbly tyres and it killed me everytime.

I currently ride a hybrid (cross between MTB and Road bike) with no suspension - A Felt QX75 - and it rides like a dream. Comfortable 15mile commutes to work now with reasonable speed and and being able to hold a conversation with someone when I arrive at work.

[plexer]

I ride an ebay special which I built.

Recently had to change the brake levers as the missus hit the bike against a wall and broke one, they were only plastic ones and I've now replaced them with alloy ones.

Needs a new rear tyre and I might look at changing both from normal MTB ones to something more suited to road only.

Ben