[bikejunkie6]

I've had a 2006 Kona Stinky for about a year now and am ready for some upgrades. Any suggestions on where to begin?

http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2k6bikes/stinky_2k6.php

Here's the link for what the bike currently has.
And what are the +/- of having a dual crown vs single crown?

 

[Manifesto]

How much money do you have to spend?

 

[bikejunkie6]

I have plenty of money to spend. My main thing is that I want a bike that can still be pedaled. I end up ride alone a lot and need to get myself to the top of the mountain. My headset also busted yesterday so that might be a good spot to start haha.

 

[mellow_sparky]

I think Kona goes cheap on wheels for their stock bikes (though they have gotten a bit better) - you might consider a handbuilt wheel-set. You can save some weight here and you can get something stiffer and stronger than what the bike came with.

 

[chance199]

yeah i agree with mellow get some new wheels, i have Syncros im loving them, maybe some juicy sevens, Nevegels work great fro climbing and everything,

 

[Inkhell]

Headset, fork (good 6" single crown maybe), wheels, tires, grips, pedals, drivetrain

 

[bikejunkie6]

Thanks for the help guys. Any advice on good fork and headset? I've been looking at Fox Van and Rockshox Domain. No clue on the headsets.

 

[psychobiker]

i upgraded mine with a chriss king headset, marzochhi 888 rc3, fsa gravity gap crank(22/32), e-13 drs, got the 07 ricker links from kona to stiffen up the rear, went with a non qr seat post collar and thomson seat post, and top it off with sunline v 1 bar. the longer front end has helped with the high speed stability.

 

[creddy]

My opinion would be to get a good single crown fork. Fox's 36 series is amazing, and has great dampening. The Rockshox Totem, which has the same axle to crown height as the 36, and an additional inch of travel, would be a great choice as well. They'll be in the same price range, but the Totem would probably be a little better for freeride. The 36 would pedal much better, as well as be a little lighter. If you get the Rockshox, don't get a King headset, as Rockshox's steer tubes seem to make a lot more noise with King. Cane Creek makes some killer headsets for a lot cheaper, with better reliability.

Getting a new rear shock will also be a great upgrade, and will give you loads more traction. The DHX series is the way to go. The new RC4 looks very promising as well. Rockshox has the Vivid, which many people claim to feel better than the DHX, but I haven't seen too many people compare it to the RC4 yet.

Wheels and tires will make probably the most noticable difference. A light set of wheels, with tires with lots of tread, will make the biggest difference, and benefit you the most in the long run. Having a lighter set of wheels allows to you brake faster, accelerate faster, and you can even get a loud hub, and be super badass.

 

[shift96]

Huh? I have a King headset with a RS Domain. No noise.

 

[creddy]

Huh? I have a King headset with a RS Domain. No noise.

Not all of them do, but some do. My buddy's Boxxer with King headset creaks like a bat outta' hell. My Boxxer and my Reba both creaked a lot. Repacking with Philwood grease helped for about a month, then it started again. Maybe it's just a Boxxer problem.

 

[bikejunkie6]

I'm thinking I'm going to grab a Fox 36. What are the +/- to have an air vs coil fork? And what suggestions do you guys have hubs?

 

[creddy]

Coil has a much smoother feel over air. Air feels great, but it ramps up quick, you have to sit pretty far in the sag to use all the travel like you would on a coil fork. Coil is half a pound heaver, but is still loads lighter than any dual crown fork. If you're going to be doing DH and FR mostly, coil is your best bet because it's the most linear, feels the best, and requires less maintenance than air. Air can also heat up fairly quick in rough conditions, and the performance of the fork decreases.

 

[shift96]

Boxxer WC is lighter than my domain. I've ridden a WC and it felt very good

 

[shift96]

Air can also heat up fairly quick in rough conditions, and the performance of the fork decreases.

O C'mon now Who told you that

 

[creddy]

Boxxer WC is lighter than my domain. I've ridden a WC and it felt very good

Yes, but a Fox 36 Van is 1.2 pounds lighter than the Domain 318. Making it .7 pounds lighter than the BoXXer.

 

[shift96]

Yes, but a Fox 36 Van is 1.2 pounds lighter than the Domain 318. Making it .7 pounds lighter than the BoXXer.

You are officially the Rainman of Freeride

 

[creddy]

You are officially the Rainman of Freeride

Who's Rainman?

 

[bikejunkie6]

So I've been looking around at wheelsets and Jenson is having a pretty nice deal on azonic outlaws. Good or bad you guys think? I've read great things and horrible things about them in the reviews.

 

[trib]

solid but weighty, if you can afford it hope hubs with mavic rims are a strong, light and not super expensive option