Kona King Kikapu 07 vs Boardman Comp FS 2010

dardoz

Hi guys. I am just starting out mountain biking and I want to get a bike on the bike2work scheme so I can ride it to work as well.

I have done a fair bit of research of what I can get in the €1000 FS price range and I had basically come to the decision of getting a Boardman Comp FS from Halfords. But now a few of the UK shops are selling the King Kikapu for a similar price and some friends of mine are advising to get the Kona...

I'm confused because they have not researched the Boardman like I have so they are convinced the Kona is better just because of the name.

Any advice?

Gavin

Put up the specs for the two so as people can compare

dardoz

Kona King Kikapu

PRODUCT MODEL YEAR: 2007

Frame: Kona Clump Race 7005 Butted Aluminum, 4" Travel, Fox Float RP2 Lockout shock

Forks: RockShox Tora 318 Air
Lockout, Preload, Rebound
100mm Travel

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Chainset: RaceFace Ride X-Type 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket: RaceFace Ride X-Type
Chain: Shimano CN-HG53
Freewheel: Shimano Deore (11-32, 9spd)
Stem: WTB CXC
Handlebars: WTB CXC Riser
Front Brake: Hayes HFX-9 XC Hydraulic Disc
Rear Brake: Hayes HFX-9 XC Hydraulic Disc
Rims: Sun Black Eye
Front Hub: KK Disc QR
Rear Hub: Shimano M475 Disc QR
Spokes: DT Stainless
Tyres: Maxxis Ignitor 26x2.1 Kevlar
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Comp
Seatpost: WTB CXC
Pedals: Shimano PD-M505 Clipless
Grips: Kona Race Light

Boardman Comp FS

Frame Material: Aluminium
Frame Size: 16"
Gears: 21+
Gender: Mens
Suspension: Full
Alloy Rims: Yes
Approximate Weight (KG): 13.2
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: Truvativ Firex 3.1 GXP 44/32/22T
Exact Frame Size: 16"
Forks: Rock Shox Recon 335 Air, 120mm travel, adjustable rebound damping
Frame Colour: Black
Frame-: Lightweight 4 bar linkage full suspension frame with 120mm travel and butted tubing
Front Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors
Front Mech: SRAM X7
Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 9 speed
Handle Bars: Ritchey Rizer OS 31.8mm
Headset: Semi integrated cartridge bearing
Hubs: Sealed bearings, 20mm front axle
Number of Gears: 27
Pedals: Alloy platform
Quick Release Wheels: yes
Rear Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors
Rear Mech: SRAM X5
Rear Shock: SRAM X5Rock Shox Ario 2.1 Air shock with adjustable rebound damping
Rims: Ritchey Pro Disc 32H
Saddle: Cboardman, Cro-Mo rails
Seatpost: Ritchey 31.6mm
Stem: Ritchey Comp OS 31.8mm
Tyre size: 2.1"
Tyres: Continental Speed King
Wheel size: 26"

kona

Bikes have moved on alot in 3 years, the boardman will have the truvativ version of the Hollowtech BB, the Kikapu will not(small example).

Personally Id get the KiKapu and upgrade it. The Forks are the main weak point also the BB and cranks.(having said that Id be changing the Boardmans forks too) Kona also offer a far superior warranty.

Why not the 2010 Kona Range or even the 2009 range?

dardoz

price. I am looking for something that is going to cost me no more than €1000

Gavin

You definitely set on a full suss ? You'll get a quality hardtail for 1000, much better for commuting and starting off on mountain biking.

If forced, I'd probably go for the Kona too.

kona

Full sussers on the road are a pain the the ass, the effect on pedalling is a pain. I'd definatley look at the hardtails, Try the Kona Kula.

dardoz

ok, I guess I should clarify my situation. My cycle to work is about 3 minutes so its not the important part.

I'm going to use it on weekends for XC with friends. Since they currently go on 5/6 hour cycles across the wicklow way etc, yes I definitely want an FS.

Gavin

Might be worth trying out the boardman seeing as they are local and you could possibly get a test ride. The road bikes are decent value, so mtb might be too. I've heard the Tallaght halfords has some not completely half-wit mechanics who know what they're talking about.

dardoz

If I end up going for a boardman I'll be getting it up north as they are about €120 cheaper for the comp.

I've been doing a lot of research on both. What is really stopping me from straight out and buying the Boardman is that I have seen on some sites that the Kikapu is that the 2003 model weighed 10.9kg. The boardman comes in at 13.2kg. That being said, I can't find reliable info on the 2007 model anywhere online.

If it was a similar weight to the 03 bike, considering that the Kikapu has a lower spec, heavier fork. By upgrading to the rockshox recon fork that the boardman has, you could get the Kikapu down to 10.6kg. That seems a hell of a lot lighter than the Boardman which just makes me wonder if for the money I'm paying, how the hell is the Kikapu so light....