Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - the Dawg has two faces. The bike weighs over 15 kilos and proves once again that Kona bikes are made on Vancouver's North Shore and not on the gravel ramps of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. You really struggle uphill, and the suspension rocker doesn't make the work any easier. But once you've made it up the climb, the bike shows its teeth. Fat, sticky Kenda tyres interlock with the ground, the weight ensures good road holding, inspires confidence and encourages high speeds. The suspension works well, but there is an imbalance in the suspension travel: 120 to 150 millimetres, that's a lot! The fork and wheels are very heavy and the level of equipment is low. Each of the testers would swap the very wide saddle.
Conclusion: Inexpensive mini freerider for technical trails. But: The high weight nips any sportiness in the bud.
+ Downhill a rocket
- Extremely heavy
- Tyre choice for All Mountain
- Drive influences
Web: www.konaworld.com
