Review : Kona Big Kahuna

Words & riding by Sasha LeBaron

There I was just a walking down the street singing… Wait a minute! I’m not walking
I’m riding and I am pissed off! Why you might ask? Is it because of this chocolaty brown, smooth rolling Kona Big Kahuna 2-9er I am on? NO! Its my darn family. Or maybe its me. Anyway, when Jeremy Payne from Hornby Outdoors said “Lets go for a ride”, lets just say he didn’t have to ask me twice!

I was stoked to be the first to try out Kona’s 2009 mid level 29er on Hornby’s amazing sweet, flowing singletrack. Initially I had some misgivings,

I am 6’2” and the bike was labeled as an 18”, but when I threw a leg over the 23” top tube and got a handful of the 26” wide quasi-riser bar I felt right at home. The 7005 aluminum frame comes with the Rockshox Tora Solo Air (with all the adjustment you might need). The frame looks great and has some cool features that are worth mentioning too, including a butted downtube that starts out round and morphs to square that is then further bent to increase head tube welding area, while the updated graphics over the pearl white and deep chocolate paint job really shine.

On the trail there wasn’t much to dislike. Some spoke pinging as the giant Sun hoops settled into place, though after roots, swoops and a few jumps the wheels were still rock solid while the Maxxis Ignitor 2.3 tires hooked up surprisingly well. I expected the Shimano Deore hydraulic disk brakes to take some breaking in but they and the dual action shifting were spot on from the first pedal rotation. The lack of a seatpost QR was a bit of a letdown on this otherwise well spec’d trail cruiser.

photo : Sasha LeBaron

The XT Shadow rear dérailleur and included clipless pedals were a pleasant surprise and I am happy to report that after an hour on the basic WTB saddle all was still happy at the end of the ride! The overall feel of the bike on the trails was subtly different after years of 26′ wheels. It takes a bit more to get the 28.5lb bike rolling but once it is in motion, wow! It shrugs off roots and stutter bumps with aplomb and climbs well, as each pedal stroke is driving you that much further up the trail. The Big K was stable in the air and carved the big berms of No Horses faster than my Karpiel that’s for sure!

photo : Jeremy Payne

At the end of the ride, as I just about high sided after a 89′, heel dragging power slide to Jer’s truck, with the guys in close pursuit, a big grin on my face and a nice burn in the legs I thought to myself, “What was I so angry about 90 minutes ago?”

photo : Sasha LeBaron

Moral of the story? Ride a 29er, keep your friends close and go for a ride, you won’t go wrong!