Sub-$500 MTB/Urban

[mimitabby]

congrats on finding a bike you liked, and getting it set up for you!
I don't get why you would have a ground clearance problem, it sounds like
a great bike for off road, but i am no expert in that area.

we want to see a picture!

[Aseradyn]

I'm a little fuzzy on the ground clearance issue myself. I think it's a combination of two things:

1 - The bottom bracket seems to be a little (maybe 1/2 - 1 inch) lower than my Woodlands. I haven't figured out why. Both bikes have 26" wheels and comparable tires... Maybe the chain stay is angled differently?

2 - The crank is a little longer than what I'm used to.

At the bottom of a revolution, there's about an inch or inch-and-a-half clearance from the ground. (I haven't measured - that's an estimate). If I point my toe down at the bottom of the stroke, I can scrape my toe on the road.

When I turn, I tend to lean (probably more than is strictly necessary), so if I pedal down on the inside of the turn, the pedal hits the ground.

It's not a problem in town - I just have to teach myself to be aware of where the pedal is. And on relatively flat trails, probably not an issue, either. But I can so easily see myself descending a bumpy trail, pedaling a little to keep the chain tight, and winding up with my pedal buried in the ground. And then, obeying the law of conservation of energy, there's me, flying off the bike...

I'll run down over lunch and see if there's enough light in the garage for a picture

[Trek420]

Aseradyn "The Smoke just doesn't have enough ground clearance for that - and I knew that when I bought it. I've managed to dig the pedal into the ground just turning a corner, so I'm teaching myself not to pedal through sharp corners. "

pedal on through that corner grrl, you'll just get used to the timing so the outside pedal is down on that outside edge of the turn.

pedaling out of the corners makes you faster and more secure on the turn.

outside leg down will make you more secure on descents!

have fun on your bike!

[Aseradyn]

Okay! Picture time. I lock up in the parking garage, to the railing around the smoking area. Nobody actually smokes there. They all hang out by the back door of the building, sitting next to the No Smoking signs.



Just realized, looking at it, that I also had them replace the rubber grips with foam - the rubber started to hurt after riding for a few minutes.

And I'm also reminded that I still need to get another or a longer lock so I don't lose that back wheel... There's always something else to buy.

[mimitabby]

Looks like a mean machine! enjoy your bike. I am so glad you found it.
m

[KnottedYet]

Nice bike! Smoke was the other Kona I was interested in, but I got the Dew because I fell in love with it the minute I rode it.

Can't argue with love.... sigh.

Congrats on your gorgeous bike! (and welcome to the Kona universe! ) Looks like a fabulous critter!

[HillSlugger]

Nice bike. Have fun with it!

I felt like they would shake themselves to pieces. Sort of like a Geo Metro.

I had a 1990 Geo Metro. It was OK as a commuter car on local roads (35mpg) but if you took it up to anything near highway speeds it felt like you were losing all contact with the road I got rid of it fast when it became my only car after my splitup.