OK which one for XC/general scooting round the woods?

I like twisty and climby stuff.

Was first tempted by the Kinesis MAxlight XC2 but then saw the Kona on offer for a bit more money but still in budget.

Ta

Just ordered one.

£249 plus free delivery, sound good to me. Its just all the other bits I have to save up for now.

May get to ride it by the end of the year...

Which did you order?

I've got a Kinesis XC2 in Black-

 I know I know,cables are tight to the rear mech from toptube-this is old picture,they've been replaced and I now have a 203mm Rotor too just to keep Dylan Happy! 

 Mine was £190 Faced and Headset(hope £50) fitted free...altogether a better deal than CRC through my LBS-just proves a good relationship with them is worth having!

Got the Kona, sorry FSL.

Your bike does look lovely though, black and red are good together.

What does faced mean?

Got to be Kona all the way! Ive got a 4 year old Explosif and had a Cinder Cone before that. I know both are steel, not aluminium like the Kula, but Kona frames are all awesome regardless.

Kona, Kona, Kona!!

Are Hollowtech cranks good?

Always has the ususal BB. How fast do they wear out compared to having the old fashioned ISIS do-dars?

depends-I like mine especially the stiffness....Some say they wear out real fast but I personally don't know-I bought mine second hand-used em(The BB) for about 9months-Year then decided I buy a Acros Ceramic BB(at a discount due to bike shop error)-really smooth now just hope they last(got a 2 year guarentee.

I'd say they last longer than ISIS and are stiffer but its opening a can of worms...

I dont have a Kona Kula now. The web site I ordered it from has sent me an e mail saying they are out of stock despite what the site says.

(

Sad flossy

hmm, I know its shallow but I do like the paintwork/colour style thing on the Kinesis.

Seen a few Kona Kula Primo frames but for £100 more than the kona I saw, is it really worth it after I fell in love with the Kinesis in the first place?.....decisions decisions...this is the problem with being a woman...you see something you like but then wander around for ages looking at everything else until coming back to the one you liked the first time.

xx

Flossy - what did you decide on? I'm trying to make the same decision although it's hard getting hold of the Kona now?

I've heard some of the Konas don't use Easton tubing - maybe the newer ones??

 Also wondering if a 42cm Kinesis will be too small - I'm 178cm

Let me know

Thanks

I'm looking at another hardtail: 

Looks good, what forks are you running?

And size-wise I'm 6'2" with a long leg - what size would suit?