Kona Blast Hardtail 2021 Review (from a mechanics point of view)

[@bruceh92]

New sub because a) your reviews are actually perfect; no nonsense reviews with focus on mechanical and b) thanks for your reviews of Kona bikes - i just started out with a new Dew and im a big fan of their product. Great job my friend, greetings from Toronto.

[@mbrad7674]

For the money, you really can’t beat it. I have a 2019 Blast. A few upgrades aside, and you can ride it pretty much anywhere.

[@uzoge]

I have a 2019 Blast but unfortunately it's QR at the rear.

[@nicholaspargeter6913]

That bike is the same as the 2023 cinder cone just a different colour. Just bought one and I feel it needs upgrading parts but is it worth it being quick release wheels. Do I spend like 5 600 quid or wait and just buy a better bike or buy better components and stick them on a better frame. Any advice welcome.

[@smills1010]

Love this bike. Am a roadie but bought this on the basis that a) my first mtb back in the day was a fully rigid Kova Lava Dome and, b) good vid

[@matthewdenlinger5475]

Is this basically the same as the 2022 Cinder Cone?

[@SKOMPAS]

Thanks for the video, I am going to look at one of these second hand later this week and have been trying to learn everything about them, especially there weakness’ all going well I will have one for the weekend for some downhill trails!

[@thefrothybikeco]

Great to hear!

[@SKOMPAS]

@@thefrothybikeco thanks I ended up getting it, came with all its paperwork and original receipt!! Such an amazing bike, done the road I’m thinking about upgrading the front shock to something thru axle

[@LexGrossman]

For the current model year the Blast and Cinder Cone appear to be spec'd the same beyond frame color. I'm guessing this is based on supply chain issues. Do these bikes normally come spec'd at more than the $50 additional for the Cinder Cone Any insight on difference?

[@thefrothybikeco]

hi Alex, for the 2021 there was a lot of similarities, i do now have both models for 2022 instock and will be dropping a video on them as soon as possible, i may also drop a comparison video

[@davidr9303]

Is this a good choice for an all around bike? Mostly road and the occasional trails on the weekends? I’m also 6’2 and 280 lbs… the guy at the bike shop recommended this since I’m a “big guy”

[@thefrothybikeco]

Ye more aimed at trails but with a higher tyre pressure or tyre swap this could be used more easily on roads and paths The low gear ratio may be slower going on the faster road sections but if your not looking for road speed and mainly comfort it would be a good choice At 6,2 it’s the XL you want for sizing

[@Baha45315]

Good video, any chance of a close up of the colour, at first I thought it was black, but on looking online discovered it was chocolate Cheers Evan

[@thefrothybikeco]

ye the chocolate is a love hate kinda look

[@uzoge]

Hey, what you haven't mentioned at all and I'm wondering is the rear hub. It's 135×10 with a 5mm QR axle. Can this be swapped for a 142×12 thru axle? Cheers.

[@thefrothybikeco]

unfortunately the QR setup is permanent and cannot be changed out for bolt through

[@uzoge]

@@thefrothybikeco Thanks for the reply, lots of questionable info on the internet.

[@simongula2197]

HI, I have a question. Whats better? FIRE MOUNTAIN or LAVA DOME?

[@thefrothybikeco]

lava dome for the components

[@matthewashpole331]

Just ordered this today. If you could do that video on how to switch over the brakes that would be awesome.

[@thefrothybikeco]

Right you are I’ll get the video up ASAP keep an eye on the channel

[@andyr4611]

Thanks for that informative video, was wondering though about the frame. Kona call it racelight 6061 alluminium as opposed to plain 6061 alluminium for their other similar bikes. Is the Blast frame actually any lighter than the Cindercone frame?

[@thefrothybikeco]

cant confirm on the alloy specs but I can say I highly doubt they are that different

[@chudei]

can you put 29's in this?

[@AlejandroHuerta]

What's better? FIRE MOUNTAIN or BLAST?

[@thefrothybikeco]

blast is up 1 level from fire mountain, gears and suspension are far better quality

[@AlejandroHuerta]

@@thefrothybikeco Thanks. I'll be waiting for the 2022 version.

[@dirtyfingersninja]

Great job, looked at this yesterday

[@thefrothybikeco]

Thank you for the comment 👌

[@OleksandrMykhailiuta]

Where to buy it? Size M

[@thefrothybikeco]

late reply sorry, we only have small left on the shelf

[@ytnsanw]

2:39 - pretty sure it's a tortoise - not a turtle. This according to the Society for Pedantry in Zoology...

[@thefrothybikeco]

Fair enough 🤣🤣

[@GoProGoalieUzi]

Is this bike good for pavement, dirt roads, and some off road trails with minor drops or jumps? Thx

[@JimmyStrings]

I find it a grind on pavement compared to my old road bike. I think it's the combination of 27" knobby tyres and 11 gear cassette. Difficult to pick up speed and slows down very quickly. I believe a different tyre with a smoother centre strip and knobs on the shoulders of the tyre would be a good compromise.

[@JimmyStrings]

something like the Specialised Pathfinder

[@poonjammer7616]

$1000+ dollar bike with square taper bottom bracket. Shameful.

[@thefrothybikeco]

Don’t shoot the messenger, but from an mechanics POV, there far more reliable and readily available than modern versions. Out of sheer curiosity what price point should they stop at?