Comments on: 2009 Kona Coilair Supreme with Magic Link Review Bike

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:04:04 +0000

2008 CoilAir – basic model. Only the best of both worlds – Taken to Seattle area and rode perfect –

1. Tolt MacDonald (Carnation)
2. Lake Sawyer (Black Diamond)
3. Paradise Valley (Woodinville)
4. Japanese Gulch (Mukilteo)
5. Colinade Cycling Park – below I-5 suspended freeway

But live in Boise, ID – foothill XC trails and McCall, ID – XC, freeride and lift assist. This bike does it all, set-up was easy, only needed to blue loctite lower rear pivots and rear hub – all it really needs is a wheel upgrade eventually. This design works – only need to flip the RP2 to (+) for climbing and (-) on descents, 55TST2 fork is very user friendly w/PL adjust and lockout. For the $$ you can’t get anything better for a one bike does it all, maybe a bit more effort is needed on a XC climb but worth it when descending and ripping rock sections your friends are walking.

Hope to see more out on the trails. Have ridden everything from SS, Ti, Carbon, 29er, Blur, Bullit, FSR, Maverick, Gemini, Lefty, Foes, Fuel, Session7, Titus, Bianchi, Reign, NRS, Explosif, King, Coiler, etc. plus numerous Interbike Demos. One of my Favorites so far.

nwbiking@hotmail.com

By: LordOnOne

LordOnOne — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:49:59 +0000

@ Paul
Yes it flex’s quite a bit for an AM bike and there are a few other things that need to be perfected on the Coilair but the suspension really does work. It’ll never be up there with the likes of Maestro or Trek’s ABP/Full Floater but you can feel the Magic Link suspension working straight away.

However I do find it amusing when Kona advertises the fact that they tweak an already proven design rather than just jumping on the latest suspension system…which is exactly what they’ve done here!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:13:08 +0000

I hear that the rear flexes something rotten on these bikes. What’s the point of all this tech and a flexy rear?

To keep weght down to make a bike that “does everything” the basics are ignored it seems….

I reckon it is the start of the end for good old Kona.

By: 198

198 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:05:57 +0000

@ Bri

I would have to agree with you with the riding I have done so far. I haven’t completely gotten the suspension dialed yet…but I was having a slight issue with getting the front end to turn in the tight stuff. Currently…I am blowing through travel too easily…so there are still some adjustments that need to be made.

By: Bri Allison

Bri Allison — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:20:15 +0000

I rode this bike last year on the Glentress black run (Scotland). I usually love kona bikes but I was not as impressed with this bike as I was expecting. The weight made it sluggish on the climbs and was not that responsive in the tight stuff. As with all kona’s it came down brilliantly. It had the solid big bike feel on the down hills that allowed you to sit back and wallop through things. I’d say it’s more of a light park bike that can be made to go uphill rather than a true all mountain bike.

It’s ride is closer to a Stinky than a nomad. Saying that it didn’t kill me on the 25 mile black I took it on and did have me hammering the DH sections.

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:44:37 +0000

guys sorry for my typos. just woke up and having my first cup, as i got excited to leave a post for one of my favorite bike makers!

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:30:50 +0000

Kona has great frames.

they are not intended for what they are “labeled” but more.
I.e. all mountain frames can take the punishment to do more.

I am an owner of a cindercone (2007).
VERY HAPPY.

however, it gets to me somehow that the peripherals on Kona bikes are a bit…low.
apart from the high end models, which again for the money you can get better components (but again it is a matter of preference)

six monthe ago i needed a full suspension and i gor a Yeti 575 carbon frame.

I am really sceptical on the leterature under all these primising linckages. the reason is that 575 has a single point linkage, that is acused by all that performs poor under braking. I have found thet 575 brakes very nice, even at downhills at speed (70 – 80 km/h). to be honest i do not have the skills to test it in race conditions….

apart from the above scepticisms I an sure that Kona has produced just another great bike

harry

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:18:32 +0000

Hey, if they can get this thing down close to the competitive trail bike weight class under 30lbs. it may be the ultimate do-it-all sled. We’ll just have to see.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:25:34 +0000

not digging it. seems overly complicated.