Well im looking for a new dh bike and i wanted opinions on which one to consider getting. Like some feedback plz.
Demo 8 I Or Kona Stab Supreme
- Thread starter MilitiaRiders
- Start date
I liked how my Stab Supreme rode, not much has changed except the new one has a machined out rocker arm, and a Fox 40 instead of the 888. Not bad for the dough.
How big are you, what' s your riding style like and are you using it for racing/hucking/freeride/ect?
Generally I would think of the Demo as a better bike for racing, although there is nothing wrong with either. Honestly I would get the demo purely based on resale value. Nobody wants the konas anymore.
Generally I would think of the Demo as a better bike for racing, although there is nothing wrong with either. Honestly I would get the demo purely based on resale value. Nobody wants the konas anymore.
Yeah - it depends on your riding style and what you intend to use it for.
The Demo 8 I have is great - low center of gravity, short chainstays, long WB for stability at speed, nice HA - about 66 deg. for racing and FR...
The Demo 8 I have is great - low center of gravity, short chainstays, long WB for stability at speed, nice HA - about 66 deg. for racing and FR...
demo 
demo, konas aren't good bikes, fabien only wins because he isn't riding a real kona...
I've never ridden the Stab but Specialized makes very high-quality bikes for a good price. The Demo is also an awesome bike.
Keep in mind that Fabien Barel's Kona is heavily modified, and this board is strongly pro-Specialized. I doubt you'll get many votes for a Kona.
Keep in mind that Fabien Barel's Kona is heavily modified, and this board is strongly pro-Specialized. I doubt you'll get many votes for a Kona.
The Kona is cheaper by far. For a lot of people, besides the rabid Specialized enthusiasts on this board, that is the biggest factor. It's axle path lends it more to big hits and rockgardens than the Demo, which would probably corner much better. I am not positive on the weights, but the Demo is probably a bit lighter as well.
Fabian is on a real Kona. There is nothing he has done to his frame that nobody else could do. If you want the lower BB, flip the rocker plates, or throw on a shorter shock. The rest of the frame looks the damned same to me. I've also heard (from good authority) he's running stock 888 internals as well with no more fine tuning than the average person does. It's the rider, not the bike.
Fabian is on a real Kona. There is nothing he has done to his frame that nobody else could do. If you want the lower BB, flip the rocker plates, or throw on a shorter shock. The rest of the frame looks the damned same to me. I've also heard (from good authority) he's running stock 888 internals as well with no more fine tuning than the average person does. It's the rider, not the bike.
riiiiiight.santacruzer87 said:
Fabiens bike is highly modified BUT I guarantee that if you rode it you'd hate it. Fabien likes his bike to behave very much differently from how most people like their bikes to work. Fact is a good rider can go fast on any of todays modern bikes. Perfect example, we have two guys here at my shop who ride Stab Supremes both are really fast. One guy has spent his time and money lightening his Kona AND perfecting his riding, he has gotten the bike down to 40lbs even and his riding to sub 14 minutes on Tunnel non-stop, that's FAST. The other guy sold his Kona and built a pimped out M3 because M3's are sick brah. Well after quite a few rides on the new whip it turns out guy#2 is not any faster on his M3 than he was on his virtually stock Stab Supreme AND guy#1 still beats him down tunnel on a "crappy Kona".
The Kona is a better value for sure BUT both bikes are sick and very capable in the right hands.
yeah, im into DH and some FR, I wigh 180 pounds and im 5'11"
I rode the demo and it seems nice, but the weight distribution of the frame doesn't seem to be optimal for cornering. In addition, the geometry of that frame does not offer proper distribution of the forces throughout the frame. For instance, when you drop straight down, the forces are not distributed evenly, what could reduce the life of the frame.
Barel does a good job on the Kona.
Barel does a good job on the Kona.
How does the weight distribution not lend itself to cornering? The center of mass is fairly low in the frame and towards the rear, or more under the rider in the attack/dh position. Exactly how are the forces less evenly distributed under compression than the Stab? If you're referring to the odd shock angle, look at the way the center of mass changes vertically throughout the compression. You'll find it's probably a lot less dramatic of a change than that of the Stab (though I don't know this for sure - never checked it out on the Stab).
Either way, small uneven force distributions in the frame's compression (between the linkes) probably wont have a significant effect on its longevity. If it is going to break, it will probably be abused very heavily and it will break regardless. Those uneven loads are miniscule compared to the magnitude of the hits that the headtube and dropouts take, so I don't think thats a huge reason for concern. Most downhill frames have some kind of unbalanced load somewhere through their compressions as well. I don't think there are many that don't have that attribute. Well, maybe the new 303, but who knows.
Either way, small uneven force distributions in the frame's compression (between the linkes) probably wont have a significant effect on its longevity. If it is going to break, it will probably be abused very heavily and it will break regardless. Those uneven loads are miniscule compared to the magnitude of the hits that the headtube and dropouts take, so I don't think thats a huge reason for concern. Most downhill frames have some kind of unbalanced load somewhere through their compressions as well. I don't think there are many that don't have that attribute. Well, maybe the new 303, but who knows.
bomberboy11 said:
The Demo 8 II is 4900 at MSRP, the stab supreme is 4999. Sounds to me like the Demo is cheaper. The parts spec on the two bikes is extremely comparable. Same fork and shock, comparable wheels(Ill take the mavics), cranks, guide ect. The XO derailleur on the demo is nice touch, but not enough to swing it one way or the other. Neither is really gonna make you any faster, but like I said before I would buy the demo based purely on resale value. And I suspect it would corner better although with the quality of the suspension both could be set up to ride quite nicely. Also, if you want a medium Demo 8 II and cant find one locally, go to www.rhythmcycles.com and call the shop, we have one in stock and will ship to you. They sold out of them really fast so it may be tough to find. I can pretty much gaurantee they didnt sell out of Stabs.
Sorry, I was referring to frame only.TheInedibleHulk said:
punkassean said:
RM Moderators:
Can we make this a set response for all frame debates?
Amen bruddah.......Amen
