Kona Lava Dome (2014)

Entry level mtb for the masses

Pros

- Frame Quality
- Value Component
- Tires

Cons

- Cheap pedals
- Forks

Review

Kona do two things very well. 1) They always think of cool names for their bikes and 2) They always make quality, robust bikes for the dirt. Based on this, there's no reason to miss out on a test ride at your local Kona dealer. We checked out the Kona Lava Dome 2014; an entry level mountain bike to get you started.

The frame holding the Lave Dome together is a Kona 6016 Alloy Butted design, offering plenty of strength and superb handling geometries. When riding the bike, you can really feel the bike responding well to your input - both steering and acceleration. The Alex TD26 wheelset finishes off that Kona flare, featuring Joytech hubs and stainless steel spokes. A set of Vittoria Saguaro tires keep you upright!

SRAM have fitted a full assortment of drivetrain parts, mixed and matched to suit the individual needs of each component. A SRAM 3.0 front derailleur and X4 rear derailleur take care of shifting, while an S2000 crankset keeps the wheels turning over. We didn't think much of the Wellgo platform pedals, as they appear to be quite cheap compared to the rest of the bike, but are an easy upgrade.

It seems Kona have taken full faith in their products, by fitting their own brand of handlebars, stem and seatpost to the bike. By not sourcing these parts elsewhere, you've saved a couple of bucks!

The two other major parts of this bike are the hydraulic brakes and Suntour front suspension. The Tektro hydraulic brakes offer more than enough stopping power for this level of bike. The rotors are 160mm in diameter (the Lava Dome hardly needs anything more). The suspension forks do a fantastic job of softening the big bumps, but we do know that most spring coil suspension is a little dead when it comes to ride feel on smaller bumps. In saying this, we recognize the capabilities of a bike at this level.

Overall a perfect bike for those wanting to hit the trails without mortgaging their house. The Lava Dome is really a step off point into a big world of off-road cycling, or alternatively, a reliable bike for the casual cyclist. A good set of components on a sturdy frame will see you riding for many miles to come!