Retro Vs Modern Kona XC Mountain Bikes!

[@fud1376]

I would of liked to see a photo-shot overlay of both bikes , just to realy see the size,geo etc difference....

[@gmbn]

Thanks for the feedback! 👊

[@martinzorro640]

Im mtb-born in 90s I dream whit a kona hei hei, titanium frame, Rock Shox mag21SL, and full XTR…. Ahhhhh love It…. Love 90s Chears from Argentina 🇦🇷

[@GoodwinGlassworks]

I had the titanium Hei Hei frame(a few years later though)...loved it! I was big into XC racing, lots of training..and getting as wild on jumps as we could, which meant going through loads of wheels and most other components. I rode Kona for ten years...I'd break a frame and they'd upgrade me, until I had a team painted steel frame(rad lime green with yellow flames..red pin stripes), I folded that frame too and they sent me the ti Hei Hei! The only frame I didn't bend or break! I could get the rear end to pop up in turns because the ti had enough flex in it to generate the bounce, like preloading a shock

[@YuunaAndCuddles]

Much respect to the vintage era MTB's. They still do the job. My bro-in-law owns a Scott Impulse, retrofitted with modern components to make it roadworthy, as the legacy components were already worn out. While the model doesn't have the shocks compared to modern MTB's, it still does fairly well on an unpaved road in the Philippines.

[@irishpotatogamer1850]

Good to see you at degla Neal! My favourite local trail centre.

[@rossfraser7284]

literally just bought a 2022 cinder cone hardtail, cant wait to get out on it!!

[@gmbn]

Hey Ross! Nice! Enjoy it and safe riding. 👍

[@Rustyfox46]

Nice to see you riding around my local trail at OPA, 👊🏻

[@mariusreiter9493]

What does OPA stand for? I’m currently exploring mountain bike trails in the UK and this place looks stunning

[@Rustyfox46]

@@mariusreiter9493 Hi, OPA = one planet adventure. Llandegla. North Wales. Well worth a day out, 👊🏻

[@chidlenthejobby6274]

I recently bought a kona mahuna 2022 xc hardtail. My previous bike was an ancient xc hard tail from kona as well. Literally from 1990 just checked it. It was cool seeing the difference

[@japanunfound]

Did you make this vid. for me? Kona was so cool when I was a teenager in the 90s. To me they are like the Subaru of MTBs. The fire mountain was all we knew back then; but I was lucky enough to get the 29inch process 134 when I came back to MTBing last year. So stable and solid. Can't wait to get on the recent 27.5.

[@dabber1]

Great video. Had my 2021 Hei Hei CR/DL a few months and just love it. So capable.

[@ZeeDroid75]

I had a 1996 Kona Muni Mula Fun fact: Kona was very clever with this bike. It was Aluminum, American spelling, with a space. So Alum inum backwards.

[@andrewlanhart7249]

I have a 97 in my garage. it was my dads first MTB after his stify got stolen. we still use it. we are waiting to see if we can make them fulfill that lifetime warranty!

[@adammiller6932]

My first proper bike was a Saracen Race Elite with the high tech option of direct steering straight forks! I honestly had as much fun on that on Peak District Classics as I do on my modern bike around trail centres.

[@stevecrump1375]

I love the paint work and decals on 90 s bikes

[@gmbn]

Same HERE! 🔥

[@newtonsantos_photo963]

I LOVE my Kona Kahuna 2015 🤩 and, I have made a few upgrades in the last couple of years: Highline Dropper Post, Syncros Integrated Handlebar, M7000 1x11 Group, Saint (Brakes and Crankset) for a start 🤙🏻 Those guys fron Kona really do a great job developing & improving the MTB Universe !!! Take care, blue skies, see ya 🙏🏻🍀🚲

[@gmbn]

That sounds awesome! The integrated handlebar must make it look so aero! Kona is a brand with so much history. Thanks for the support! 👊

[@TheWeardale1]

both bikes look lush... i bought my first 'proper' mtb (after owning some Raleigh atbs - mustang, then the montage around 1990) a white 18 inch trek 950 in 1991, later bought some 2.1 porcupine tyres and loved it... paid 500 quid for it too... :)

[@jeffreycalder8185]

I still have my Kona AA. I rode it up until a couple years ago. Upgraded to v-breaks, XT rear derailleur and click shifting. On its third shock and 5th saddle. God only knows how many tires. Last time I rode it was in Ketchum nearly two years ago. I came home and found a nice SC Hightower.

[@whollyspokes3645]

I still ride my 92 cindercone its original with full suntour groupset ...also own a full sus and a 29er but sometimes retro is nice ! Especially when riding around high crime areas ! Good commuter bikes

[@simonpowell2559]

My old Scott racing comp still works a treat, saying that the only thing original is the frame and forks. Now time to upgrade, but I can't leave my baby behind.

[@kirkstewart4863]

Great bike!! Got it back in December. Love it.

[@Flyanb]

Last year I bought my 16 YO son a Hei Hei 29’r alloy, to race. The carbon DL with wireless shifting is insane but the alloy frame is incredibly light. It’s very close to the Carbon bike and same group set for 1,000$ less. No need for a 7,500$ bike👎He had a alloy Process 134 before and that was MUCH more DH, enduro, than XC. He loved the rigid, long travel, 27.5. But he is faster on the new bike. Cool video nice to see a Kona🤟!

[@molybdnum]

The modern HeiHei is such a looker. I'd love to have one of those or a Salsa Spearfish one day as a luxury, but the closest I'll be able to get without saving for years and years is a Polygon Siskiu - at least the geometry and shifting will be on par.

[@rolux4853]

The polygon siskiu is an amazing bike, don’t look down on it! Today all the bikes are so good, that the „budget options“ of today are so much better than the high end bikes from 5 years ago! And I say that as a Specialized and Santa Cruz rider! You don’t need bikes from the luxury companies, the bang for the buck bikes are just as good!

[@tmitchell3131]

Talking of retro bikes, my dad found an old GT Lobo in a barn back in 2011. Paid £95 for it. What a beast that was, took quite a beating!

[@nukedathlonman]

Nice to see vintage metal in such outstanding shape.

[@andynelson1977]

So good to see the progression of the sport! I remember seeing that Ti HeiHei in the mags as a teenager - bet it's worth an absolute fortune now!!

[@05GDF]

Love my Kona process 134🤘2015 still playful and poppy🤙

[@itastain]

Love my Kona unit. Currently it's full rigid, but I plan on getting an adaptor so that I can make it a hard tail

[@gman6059]

Back in the day, that Kona wasn't an XC bike. It was what we called a "mountain bike". ;)

[@Jacob99174]

Excellent video! That colour looks so delicious

[@gmbn]

Glad you enjoyed this one, Tim! The yellow pops so nicely! 😍

[@thecakeisalie7070]

Does Neil write the scripts for these features? Enjoying the clear and plain language!

[@richardbennett6620]

Great vid!! Always had a soft spot for Kona. Makes me miss my 2000 Muni-Mula. Upgraded to hope hydraulic discs (after a brief spell with magura hydraulic rim brakes), RockShox Sid XC up front in lime green/white colour scheme. Was a beaut. Where was this video filmed? Looks a bit like Coed Y Brennin ...

[@southseaawesome3091]

Love the Dirt-esq sound track. Im riding a 95 Marin RockyRidge. Crazy bike, super nervous and weighs nothing. Climbs like a rocket. Was £1500 new, got it for £80 a year ago. Wild.

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

The only trouble with superlight is that if the rider position isn't kept very central and as far down as possible then the centre mass point is high and what's under it isn't going to stop it going sideways or OTB with sometimes comedic effect.

[@kona6812]

Dear Neil, I used to have almost the same retro Hei Hei only with RF Ahead Set and Answer components and a friend is still riding his today. We did progress and ride mainly our e-bikes, but we still love our Konas. And the track you ride in this vlog I guess I would go as fast with the Hei Hei. Sometimes we joke what we would change at our retros, conclusion are disc brakes and dropper post. And the first rides of the year are always on our retros to learn riding again, cause no huge suspension is saving your ass only your riding skills!

[@mobilewintercamp7515]

You are so right. I’ve never felt really comfortable or all good on any of my old bikes. With all the fun I had I can’t look at a retro bike and have I want to try it feeling. The only old bikes I started really feeling comfortable on were the late 90s full downhill bikes.

[@romelomas7611]

I'm learning how to downhill but I only have cheap bike and I'm not comfortable riding it.....I want to buy new hard tail bike but I have no money..... I'm new subscriber from Phillipines.....I watch almost all your videos☺️

[@bambamty]

When I was a teen I had a GT Karakoram steel frame triple triangle in that weird lava colour! Inherited it off an uncle and I think it was made in 92? Older than I am! Crap compared to the bike I have now (my first proper MTB) but I still love it as it’s reliable!!

[@stzydyz]

The geo & kinematics form today bikes feels very good and versatile right now...in my opinion. But I love the look and vibe of the old bikes so much👍🏻...maybe because I came from a 1985 GT performer 😉😂

[@JimacGTti]

I think somewhere between them would be great (for me). The geometry of the Ti HeiHei/King Kahuna changed quite a bit through the 90's - by 98ish, they were much more capable on technical stuff, but still retained the cool aesthetic etc. I've been looking for a circa 2017 Kona Raijin Ti frame to build up with modern components and some old-school Kona decals - that would be my ideal.

[@13gallonreefinging55]

It’s a dope channel keep up the awesome work

[@gmbn]

Thanks so much! Stay tuned for more sick content coming your way! 👊

[@TwoHorndUnicorn]

Don’t you sit there and sass my cantilever brakes, they are a bitch to set up but they WORK!

[@bicyclelife7088]

I had a 1994 Kona Cindercone, and now a Process X Carbon as well as a bunch in between.

[@stu7588]

I have a 2020 Kona lava dome and ave changed everything one it got rid off the xcr suntour fork for boost Judy rl gold and hope pro2 hubs and ethirteen dropper it's changed the bike completely it's my first MTb since a was 14 now 27 haha going for a nukeproof scoutt next

[@Danny_Transition_Patrol]

My son rides my 1999 Kona Kuku XC Bike still, and my youngest rides a Proflex K2 900 that we had from around the same year.

[@DizRidesMtb]

I do luv Kona bikes tbh. Got a Stuff & Operator Dh

[@derpycyclistjr.1943]

Wow. 2 Konas and with head tubes still attached. Marvelous. (If you know you know)

[@dyzoly]

The old one's still much faster on gravel, but the XC we do today used to be called downhill back then.

[@MindUnwindSleep]

The 29 will still be quicker, 26 wheels don't cut it.

[@dyzoly]

@@MindUnwindSleep the bigger, the better? Sounds like you'll never ever need a gravel bike or a road bike, because your 29er is just faster in any situation.

[@dyzoly]

@@MindUnwindSleep although I have to admit, my current favorite gravel bike is a fully rigid all cromoly 26er, with a 29er front.

[@joelramo4185]

@@MindUnwindSleep 26 should actually be faster. Reduced aerodynamic drag and weight due to smaller size will easily make up for the increased traction in bearings due to higher RPM. The 90s bike also has significantly higher gearing, which should already be enough to drop the new Hei Hei on flat roads and descents. The 90s bike is also overall atleast a kilo lighter, and the old hunched riding position is certainly faster in high speeds than the modern upright geometry. Of course, none of this matter in modern mountain biking, which is what the new Hei Hei is made for.

[@Logonnect]

Can you make a video about upgrading the old ntb with stem, bars, breaks, pedals, tires, new suspension, crank with one gear, big 8-speed cassette and see how good it will go, of course, it wouldn't be better than the new one for downhill and that kind of ride, but you will get extremely quality, long-lasting and fun bike to ride?

[@ilexable]

I would love to see an old vs modern Enduro/dh Bike but not from like far from the past more from like 2010 to 2015 vs today. It doesn't sound that far away but it's already 7 to 12 years gone.

[@crazymv]

I had a 1994 fire mountain. I had a set of slicks and used it as a courier bike.

[@eastshoretrailandbike185]

I had a Ti Hei Hei back when they were new. Great bike then but I couldn’t ride it today after having modern day bikes.

[@garethhughes5745]

I remember that splatter coated Lava Dome, It was all the rage of proper XC racers at the time. I could only afford a Clockwork Orange at the time, but that was still good. I actually prefer 90s bikes, smaller wheels = faster acceleration and less weight! just needed and update in geometry to not feel like they are throwing you over the bars all the time. My old Green Stumpjumper was very light had Titanium bolts and the first gen of hope axles and lightest rims and tyres possible. Could pick it up with your little finger no joke and no carbon. They were absolute beasts on tight forest singletrack. But nowadays you struggle to even lift a big 29er tyre with your little finger. and i'm sure, the acceleration is much worse and harder to handle going through a forest. which defeats the object of mtb imho. Exploring, not racing.

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Not quite true, I'm a big 26 fan, tried a 27.5 and didn't really see the point. Built myself a 29er hardtail before the epidemic from a mix of new and second hand parts. Oh hell it's fast, and still nimble, and the wheels are light. If you think about it there is only 3.5" difference in the rim diameter, so that's 1.75" inch from the axle centre, about a 12% increase, no reason to not get that weight down with more modern rims, tyres, and hubs. And I only spent £300 to £400 and built it myself. If someone threw actual money at it and used carbon rims and other things, you could make a truly ridiculous bike.

[@garethhughes5745]

@@user-yv2cz8oj1k fair point mate. I guess one day I'll end up with a 29er as its mostly all that's available. Glad you found it to be worthy, certainly helps coming from a 26" fan :)

[@Cyberdeamon]

Still after riding my old mans retro/classic Avanti for 6 months while I was waiting for the shop to sort something out for me (not their fault) with a 3 by they still have there place in 2022.

[@juluisreyes9094]

That modern kona aa looks more like a trail bike but much easier for ascending.

[@rayred74]

which trail were you riding and where is that?

[@skooterbrah]

A 130mm stem? Seriously, that is longer than the stem on my road when I was road racing in the same era. I just can't imagine how squirrelly this bike must handle!

[@mokotramp]

Very common for bikes of this era! I personally rode with around 100-110, anything shorter and it starts to upset things a little...✌️

[@mikegc3816]

I miss my GT STS, got nicked many moons ago

[@drakeslife4021]

Is Kona a good brand?

[@stuartbowen8419]

The stunning Llandegla forest

[@tg8848]

I’m from Germany and thought for a moment it could be Penmachno. But then I realized some sections that I did not know. I have been in Llandegla too, but it rained a lot and I do not have much memories. Looks nice, I should come back. 👍

[@robertmartin6513]

Can't beat an old kona, my stinky garbanzo is a beast 😉

[@georgecoffin2044]

Nice to see a Kona on the channel. Love my 153

[@gmbn]

We're glad you enjoyed the Kona feature, George!

[@anggaksabtrueday929]

The really I missed from old mountain bikes is high end triple / dual crank with 44 or 42 chainring (such from XT/XTR/X0) lineup for XC hardtail. I think that the reason gravel bikes was born, for speed oriented such as XC machine using tiny chainring is laughable, being over spinning on the flat or when going downhill. Still riding XC bikes with older triple XT M780 crank with non series chainring which is heavier because I can't found for the genuine XT chainring replacement anymore. Still capable for blue trails and black trails, just pick the lines very carefully, and able speeding faster to compete on the gravel or tarmac easier. No sketchy feels on the gnarly train compared with flared drop handlebars. Another bonus : granny gear for bailout situation, and I can ditch dine plate sized cassette for sure, 11-34/11-36 is just perfect.

[@amelb6533]

i got 2019 kona lava dome awsome bike

[@wjcbbike4]

Love Kona's. First ride on my new Mahuna today. Also where was this filmed?

[@nateums]

It looks so good 😊

[@gmbn]

💯%

[@williamscott791]

Awesome video as always I got a question for you guys I'm in the US what would be a better bike the canyon spectral 29 CF7 or the jeffsy core 3

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

What about comparing it against the Intense Troy Lee Palmer full suspension bike running Magura hydraulic rim brakes, instead of that rather backward old Kona. Not the only advanced full suspension design that had it nearly right considering the materials and processes available in the 90s. Or maybe even something 25 years old from 1997 with Magura Gustav disc brakes.

[@theradrider675]

Crazy to think I complain about my suspension 😅

[@craigevo]

Where was this filmed ? 🎥

[@DRM1891]

I’ve recently dug out an old Diamondback mountain bike. I think it’s at least 20 years old. It says WCF on the frame as well - so maybe that’s the model? Either way, I’m not expert at fitting parts so I took I to a local bike expert and paid around £100 to change the cassette, chain, crank set and brake and gear cables. It’s now running pretty well. I took it on a first trail ride for a while earlier this week and it seemed fine. I couldn’t help but think a more modern MTB would have been comfier etc - but for now it seems okay. At what point would you say it necessary to upgrade? Thank you.

[@justincoleman2740]

Still have my 1999 Hei Hei. This has me curious regarding its value.

[@djwieks3747]

Compare the first stumpjumer to the newest one

[@axelshepherd7975]

Sick guys

[@gmbn]

Thanks! 🙌

[@pc.9008]

What trails are those? Look 👌

[@nigeljones5240]

Llandegla 👍

[@pc.9008]

@@nigeljones5240 thanks 🤘

[@genXcripple]

lmao. i love this video, and appreciate the effort you put in posting it. mildly hating myself for building the bike i couldn’t afford at 14. but i’m almost done building a late 90’s full xtr, thomson… pointless really. but i’ll feel like i have brass nipples when i bike across town. then i have to pick a new full suspension for my broken skeleton 😂

[@Kingsoupturbo]

So I looked it up, the STA is almost the same on the two bikes, wheelbase is 100mm longer on the new bike, they don't publish reach back then, HTA is like 71 on the older hei hei, rigid, so pretty steep, but you know, still two wheels, gears, and pedals. Kona is pretty conservative on the new bike geo, probably a lot for a XC bike but not exactly ground breaking. A Ebike with an actual engine in it is a lot more different then any bike then these two proper bicycles from different eras.

[@SlyGuy2000]

I still prefer my Retro GT MTB, more fun to ride, i am not trail riding as much, but i am used to the mechanical and geometry

[@verdi6092]

GT Xizang is the retro bike to own..

[@endianAphones]

Now that you do Konas: get Blake a Kona Honzo ESD!

[@KevinT3141]

Until I started riding trails and watching your channel a year or two ago, I thought that full sus was still just a super heavy store brand gimmick.

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

They can be, got to watch what you bolt on there. I have a carbon full suspension bike and most of the weight was in the tyres which I had to change to something a lot lighter.

[@guyd4067]

I do not remember my late 90's Kikapu with fondness.

[@JB-1138]

What is that background music?

[@jondixon4937]

New bikes are far better for doing the jumps and drops you're doing in this video but a 90's mtb with a steel frame that costs less than £100 is far more versatile as a bike and will outperform a modern entry level mtb (which will invariably have long,low and slack geometry and handle quite nicely in a bike park) in almost every riding scenario bar gnarly trails.

[@alanlau4941]

If Bumblebee was a mountain bike

[@gmbn]

Haha! It's such a good colour! 🐝

[@cjhards]

If you a decent rider & and have plenty of experience, half of these problematic situations wouldn’t be an issue for me. And yeah, would take the hey hey all day!!!🤜🤛

[@petesmitt]

7:48 doesn't look like a 9 speed cassette to me.. XTR M900 · Shimano, 1992 - 1995

[@Liverpoolarcool]

It is

[@scottersandman6408]

MSRPs?

[@TraceyAllen]

Trek had a Y frame carbon bike in 95.

[@Vetefanasså]

What bikes does y’all have

[@stu7588]

I have an custom Kona lava dome 2020 it's really good

[@garethhughes5745]

Had: Ridgeback (eww first mtb 1988) Orange Clockwork (1990) Cannondale M800 Beast of the East (1993) Specialized Stumpjumper (1994) Proflex 955 Custom build (1995) Giant ATX990 Goldtec DH Custom (1997) Yeti ARC (2001) Have: Specialised Rockhopper (2000) Giant Trance (2006) Intense Tracer 275 (Alu 2016)

[@gmbn]

Hey @Gareth Hughes! There are some serious bikes on that list. What a great variety of bikes!

[@garethhughes5745]

@@gmbn Thank you, every one was dearly loved and most of them raced xc dh and epic challenges such as Hell of the North in Cotswolds, and upgraded with all sorts of components over the years, Titanium Bolts, Middleburn Cranks, Ceramic Rims, EggRings and Teflon Coated ones etc.. :) Glad to see appreciation for the old bikes. Made my day replying thank you :)

[@markstorer7204]

Both me (54) and my bro(51) still ride 26er Kona's....... me a full sus 2007 kona the king, him, a 2008 kona kula deluxe.....both with a few more modern upgrades.......we both love them...... our advice is just het out and ride what you like......neither of us would get anything more modern, we just wouldn't make use of the improvements that has been made in the industry and as we have ridden 26ers all our mtb life, at our age they are just too much of an investment to justify.......

[@MajorBorris]

I too was one of those mid-90s mountain bikers, specialized Stumpjumper was my first but after a long Hiatus from the sport I've come back. I was completely surprised by the direction cross-country mountain bikes had taken and quite frankly they all seemed like downhill bikes with the weight of a tank and designed for the beginner/intermediate rider. Last year I purchased a down country Canyon and though it's not light or nimble it is much more capable and much much less squirrely. It took some convincing but after testing I'm convinced the new designs are better for most riders. PS I have a unused/new full set of the original 1994 XTR with s-works built xtr wheels. I'm thinking of putting it on pink bike or retro bike for $3,000

[@japanunfound]

Indeed. Riding my new bike is well, great for my cardio and safety, but it's not that nimble. Can't have everything though. About once every 5 rides I take the Canondale super V out instead. It's alot of fun and sharpens up my focus, but makes me realize how great the modern bikes are.

[@OldWorldNH]

Ironically I own this exact bike , a 1992 KONA Hei Hei Ti here at the 5:45 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWW9lHuFoJKfl7csi=C4dW5F_XMF9xUpz5 . What's crazy is that I found her at a thrift store for $50 , although some fool decided to replace every component of the bike with cheap early 2000's bike store parts and put the wrong stickers on it . The bike had basic Shimano deore 21-speed drivetrain and brakes , cheap rims , a 5lb Rock Shox Judy TT etc . The frame is like new with hardly a scratch as I decided to retro-mod it with a mix of 90's and 2000's parts instead of restoring it to original which I will do at some point but for now I ride the bike quite often . I've yet to put decals on it and may leave it the way it is until I decide to restore it back to original . The bike works well as my gravel bike , but it shines as an urban city bike as its small , light and nimble as its basically an adult BMX bike . I have taken it in the woods about a dozen times but yes a modern bike makes it look ridiculous , but in the City the Hei Hei rocks . This bike is incredibly rare and sought after especially in the KONA community as not many were made as MTBing was just starting to become popular and being Titanium not many people were coughing up $2,500+ during 1991 which is the equivalence of $5,500 today . I'm not sure how many of the Hei Hei's were made but my guess is around 1,000 ? 🤷‍♂🤷‍♂

[@mokotramp]

You can't call that a Hei Hei with that rear suspension, it's just wrong! I've got a few retro bikes, GT Xizang, Zaskar, Spesh Stumpie M2, etc. You really cannot compare them against a modern 29er, you simply ride them, realise their abilities and appreciate what they are, end of story...✌️

[@dpaterson42]

And I thought sl ti mag 21 was just ti hardware…and different paint …

[@alkyl_]

Should I buy the X Caliber 8 or Polygon Xtrada 7 or Roscoe 7??

[@Vetefanasså]

I would go with the roscoe

[@liewkampa2854]

Polygon xtrada 7 straight away. Identical to xc/trail you even get deore 12speed. I just upgrade to fox 34 performance which i bought in used. Really worth for the money

[@cyrustakem7993]

Am i the only one that doesn't like 1x drivetrains? I mean, fastest gear in the back is the same 11thooth, but now the chainring in the front is only equivalent to the second one, so you loose the fastest gears

[@yodapig]

You do, but that is compensated for a little by the larger rolling circumference of larger diameter wheels these days... for info. I run a 36T on the front (with 26" wheels) and an 11-42 cassette on the back (although you could go as large as 11-51 with 11-speed) which essentially gives you most of the range you had with a 3x other than approximately the top two and bottom two gears. If you spend more time at higher speeds and don't require really low granny gears, you could even go as large as 38/40 on the front with an 11/51 cassette?

[@cyrustakem7993]

@@yodapig 40? Is that a joke? I run 42 in the front and think thats not enough, i have a 2x, my old 3x used to be 50maybe the 3rd front gear.. It doesnt get compensated, i have 27.5, my friend has 29 with 32t front 1x and its a joke, sure its easy to climb, but its slow when pedaling down...

[@cyrustakem7993]

My comment sounds a bit harsh, sorry. What i mean is you lose top speed, and by a lot.. You have the same 11t on the back, but now most People use 32t in the front vs old 50t 3rd gear

[@yodapig]

@@cyrustakem7993 don't worry, I understand what you're saying - and yes, when I used to run a triple I had 24/34/44T... however, it does depend on where you are riding, if flat and/or downhill is mainly your terrain, then sure a large front ring makes more sense if speed is a priority (although on a lot of modern suspension frames there is not always enough room for such a large front ring these days), but for your typical 'off-road' trail riding, most people are not pedalling at more than 20mph anyway, so a 1x system works fine for that while still giving you plenty of lower gears for more technical and climbing terrain?

[@andymuhlemann8416]

The titanium Hei Hei is not retro, it's vintage, because "Vintage" is old and "Retro" is made to look old. That's a big difference.

[@SquevilSqueak]

I’d rather ride the hei hei any day on any trail.

[@rudy102r2]

But still It’s a joke when new XC bike coming without suspension lockout. How much more cost lever and cable even for cheaper version of xc bikes ?

[@TheJeeva143]

No issues with assembly for me kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L but I could see where some might benefit from using an experienced bike assembler/mechanic. I'm an older rider starting back after a 10 year break. This bike exceeds my capabilities and has been easy to get comfortable riding. I'm mostly on easy trails with almost no street riding and have not been disappointed with the performance of the bike. My fitness level is far below what I previously rode with and because of that the mileage is going on the bike slowly. While I'm losing weight slowly, the bike seems to tolerate my 220 pounds just fine. The bike has been used by several family members ranging from 5'5" - 5'9".

[@nicolasledoux355]

Ride the old bike ! if too expensive, compare with another one 90s mtb...

[@OGMTB]

So the old bike can’t possibly be more $ than a modern bike. Wish you could have ridden it. Bikes are meant to be ridden not just looked at.

[@mnihon]

Ignoring the competition, Kona pays GMBN to compare the Hei Hei to itself from 30 years ago. And the winner is…