comparing the two bikes is never fair unless you testride to similar builds . I know transition is all the rage right now, heck I even ride a dirtbag right now. I personally would rather have a stinky if it were not for the pink color. Kona has a floating rear brake caliper and more standover clearance. They both have great warranty programs. Too bad kona is so last years fad. As far a the bearing vs bushing, Turner has the answers to that one on their website. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/mtbbaboon/smilies/crazy.gif