Kona Honky Inc Bike. You Have One?

[Velocivixen]

Hey thanks. I was just trying to figure out if it was a "double" or a "compact double" as I forgot to ask. Would it be hard/complicated to switch it out to a compact?

I'm also considering a Salsa Casseroll and a Bianchi Volpe was suggested too. I do need to actually go test ride. This one, once they get it next week, will be my first real test ride.
Thanks for your response.

[ny biker]

Unless the chain rings and cassette on your current bike are exactly like the ones on the bike you're looking at, it is not enough to take into account the gears you do and don't use on your current bike.

This calculator will help you figure out the differences in gearing for different bikes:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

[Velocivixen]

Thanks ny biker. I looked at that before and had no idea of what he was trying to tell me. However, I went to a gear shifting class and have a very user friendly "Gear Chart for 700c wheel bicycles" that I think makes more sense. I will have to see what my current set up has vs any new road bike.
Thanks for the clarification.

[ny biker]

Thanks ny biker. I looked at that before and had no idea of what he was trying to tell me. However, I went to a gear shifting class and have a very user friendly "Gear Chart for 700c wheel bicycles" that I think makes more sense. I will have to see what my current set up has vs any new road bike.
Thanks for the clarification.

I had to look at it several times before it made sense to me. But ultimately it was useful. Sounds like a chart would do the trick, too.

[indysteel]

Hey thanks. I was just trying to figure out if it was a "double" or a "compact double" as I forgot to ask. Would it be hard/complicated to switch it out to a compact?

I'm also considering a Salsa Casseroll and a Bianchi Volpe was suggested too. I do need to actually go test ride. This one, once they get it next week, will be my first real test ride.
Thanks for your response.

It shouldn't be that complicated of a swap, minus a few adjustments. Talk to your LBS though if you go that route to see if they can minimize the cost.

[RidingBuddy]

Right, i just had my regular double switched for a compact. But I already had the compact and sweet talked my favorite mechanic into switching it out for me. So I don't know the cost.

I've never ridden a kona but I've always liked them. And I live the ride of steel.

[bluebug32]

I don't know anything about this model, but I love Kona and have owned three of their bikes. They're really solid and a great company to deal with if anything goes wrong or even if you just need info. about their products.

[pll]

If you are buying the bike new, it should not be a problem for them to replace the double with the compact double. Perhaps a minor additional charge (they keep a new double, which becomes part of their stock).

[Velocivixen]

Thanks everyone for the info. I don't think I used my gear chart correctly. My DH is more versed in this sort of thing, so I'm going to review my findings with him. This will be very important. I wondered how I'll ride hills on my test ride next week, but there are no hills in the area. There is, however, a four story parking garage a couple of blocks away. I will ride my current bike up the parking garage to gauge what gears I will use, then when I test ride I can try to ride up the parking garage. My [I]only concern[U] is that, since I haven't ridden a drop bar bike in 27 years or even know how to shift the gears, going up a parking garage may not be the best idea. (it is a very quiet, calm parking garage).

[RidingBuddy]

You could ask the bike shop to put the bike in a trainer in the shop and talk you through using the gear shifters. Then give yourself a little practice time on the drop bars to get a feel for them.