2008 Lugged Steel Kona!!

[KnottedYet]

Oooh, baby....

http://www.dirtragmag.com/gal/showph...o=3622&cat=668

[DebW]

even chromed lugs

[mimitabby]

pretty bike!

[divingbiker]

Oh, man...I love those shiny lugs. I've got bike lust for a custom steel bike in dark metallic red with polished stainless lugs. Very pimped out, but gorgeous!

[abvnx]

wwooo...nice! *drools*

[Zen]

Knott looking at lugged steel = 14 year old boy looking at porn
you know what I mean

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Too bad it's designed such an extreme racing position.
They can't make up their minds- why combine heavier lugged steel with an extreme racing posture? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect it will appeal to "poseurs" who want the cache of chrome lugged while looking like a TDF racer. The two don't really go together, practically speaking.
It's all about image on this bike.

[KnottedYet]

I just looooove it that lugs are "cool" again!

[Veronica]

Too bad it's designed such an extreme racing position.
They can't make up their minds- why combine heavier lugged steel with an extreme racing posture? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect it will appeal to "poseurs" who want the cache of chrome lugged while looking like a TDF racer. The two don't really go together, practically speaking.
It's all about image on this bike.

Isn't every bike about image? And who says lugged steel is heavy?

Why combine the two? There is no question that position is more aerodynamic and steel has a certain feel on the road which appeals to many folks, including racy types.

That's a lot of seat post showing. I suspect that a more comfortable riding position could be achieved.

V.

[KnottedYet]

It is all about image: I love passing guys in full kit and clipless on elegant carbon, while I'm on a steel bike with big ol' bags and in a flowered skort wearing flip-flops! Gotta love *that* image!
(funny how they never say "Hi"...)

[northstar]

Dang, Knot, yet another bike to stare at and drool...why do you keep doing this to us?

[7rider]

Too bad it's designed such an extreme racing position.
They can't make up their minds- why combine heavier lugged steel with an extreme racing posture? Makes no sense to me.

I suspect it will appeal to "poseurs" who want the cache of chrome lugged while looking like a TDF racer. The two don't really go together, practically speaking.
It's all about image on this bike.

Sting!
Ouch, Lisa, you were the LAST person I'd expect to see/hear strike such and exclusionary tone. Why should a lugged steel frame be the sole province of touring riders, utilitarians, and go-slowbies?
There are just as many riders out there as their are bikes to fill their niche. Someone who wants to ride fast, but do it on a retro-syled bike is certainly not necessarily a poseur. It's sort of like driving a '53 'vette. It's not cutting edge, but it cuts a certain picture when you're cruising down the road.
Nothing at all wrong with that!

[skyhand]

I loves me some steel bikery! Ridden other types and always and forever return to steel. Shmooooove ride, every time. (Unless I'm traversing over gravel. Smooth goes right out the window.)

[Veronica]

Sting!
Why should a lugged steel frame be the sole province of touring riders, utilitarians, and go-slowbies?

It's not.



Have I mentioned how much I love this bike lately?

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sting!
Ouch, Lisa, you were the LAST person I'd expect to see/hear strike such and exclusionary tone. Why should a lugged steel frame be the sole province of touring riders, utilitarians, and go-slowbies?
There are just as many riders out there as their are bikes to fill their niche. Someone who wants to ride fast, but do it on a retro-syled bike is certainly not necessarily a poseur. It's sort of like driving a '53 'vette. It's not cutting edge, but it cuts a certain picture when you're cruising down the road.
Nothing at all wrong with that!

This bike would be ok for cruising down the road...but then why have your a** 3 feet above your head? (just teasing...sort of)

No, nothing wrong with enjoying an image- I do it all the time!
But I'm questioning the practicality of combining an extreme racing position with a heavier frame. Yes, lugged steel frames ARE usually heavier than carbon or titanium (or aluminum for that matter) frames. Steel frames are arguably the most comfortable frames you can ride, while racing position is arguably the most UNcomfortable position you can ride in.
For me, it comes down to picking a bike for the task at hand. Want to go really fast?- use a carbon racing bike with aerodynamic racing position. Want to be comfortable when riding for fun long distances through the countryside?- use a steel bike with relaxed geometry and a more comfortable body position.
Image is great. But as an extreme example- it would not be a good idea to do a triathlon in Dansk clogs, however great they look and comfortable they are.

I'm not saying nobody would enjoy owning/riding a bike like that Kona. If they like it, great. But I still question the contradictory elements in its design- what is it trying to be and do? As a "racing" bike it is likely too heavy, as a touring bike it would be way too uncomfortable. In my humble opinion of course.
It appears to me to have been created not for practical riding reasons, but rather to satisfy riders only interested in appearing to be both racers AND tourers at the same time....but neither job of which I feel this bike will do very well.
Honestly, I don't think this bike will be very practical for either purpose. Again, my humble opinion and others will have differing opinions.