Hey All,

Be careful of Kona's Tech support, I was given incorrect information regarding a bike build from the techs! Kona dropped the ball and tired blaming it on someone other than itself.
Once again, be aware of Kona inability to relate to their customers!

Hey All,

Be careful of Kona's Tech support, I was given incorrect information regarding a bike build from the techs! Kona dropped the ball and tired blaming it on someone other than itself.
Once again, be aware of Kona inability to relate to their customers!

You come on the Kona boards bashing Kona, our beloeved brand, but do not prvide any details of the situation. If you have to say something negative please provide some insight into why you have these feelings. Until then your claim is uncredible and does not hold water. I can say "Oh man GT Zaskars suck balls so bad, beware of them!", without any details on why I said this no one will take me seriously. Now we all know that Zaskars are gnarly frames, and Konas are sweet bikes, so can't we all just get along?

Let's see, it's you're very first post, no details provided, holy crap, I better sell my Stinky tomorrow cause Kona's must suck.

You come on the Kona boards bashing Kona, our beloeved brand, but do not prvide any details of the situation. If you have to say something negative please provide some insight into why you have these feelings. Until then your claim is uncredible and does not hold water. I can say "Oh man GT Zaskars suck balls so bad, beware of them!", without any details on why I said this no one will take me seriously. Now we all know that Zaskars are gnarly frames, and Konas are sweet bikes, so can't we all just get along?

Well, you want details, I shall provide them. I emailed Kona back in Sept of 2003 to inquire about what the seatpost size and front derailluer size would be for a 2002 kona stinky frame. Wheelworld was having a closeout on these frames and some of our group memebers, decided to buy them.
Several days later, Kona replied with this information:
From: "Tech" <tech@konaworld.com>

> > > > 30.0mm seatpost.
> > > > 34.9mm top route, top swing front derialleur.

Well, we went ahead and picked up some XT's according to Kona. So now, we have finally purchased all the goods to build our bikes, only to find out that we were given the WRONG DERAILLUER SWING by Kona! When I emailed them to find out what the deal was, they basically blew me off until I sent another email. They replied that we probably have a pre 2000 frame. I contacted Wheelworld again, and they checked our information and garunteed us we had 2002 frames.
So, to make a long story short, I replied to kona with this information and still haven't heard anything back from them. So, I far as WE are concerned buyer BEWARE Kona, BTW, I own several Bikes one of which is the indestrucable ZASKAR LE and a BRODIE and A giant NRS! So, I enjoy all Bikes no matter who makes them!

Let's see, it's you're very first post, no details provided, holy crap, I better sell my Stinky tomorrow cause Kona's must suck.

Wrong bud, I have been a member of MTBR from several years back. Your right though, I don't post much, unless I feel its necessary! This was the case here and your right again, Kona does suck! Well, at least their tech support does!

Well, you want details, I shall provide them. I emailed Kona back in Sept of 2003 to inquire about what the seatpost size and front derailluer size would be for a 2002 kona stinky frame. Wheelworld was having a closeout on these frames and some of our group memebers, decided to buy them.
Several days later, Kona replied with this information:
From: "Tech" <tech@konaworld.com>

> > > > 30.0mm seatpost.
> > > > 34.9mm top route, top swing front derialleur.

Well, we went ahead and picked up some XT's according to Kona. So now, we have finally purchased all the goods to build our bikes, only to find out that we were given the WRONG DERAILLUER SWING by Kona! When I emailed them to find out what the deal was, they basically blew me off until I sent another email. They replied that we probably have a pre 2000 frame. I contacted Wheelworld again, and they checked our information and garunteed us we had 2002 frames.
So, to make a long story short, I replied to kona with this information and still haven't heard anything back from them. So, I far as WE are concerned buyer BEWARE Kona, BTW, I own several Bikes one of which is the indestrucable ZASKAR LE and a BRODIE and A giant NRS! So, I enjoy all Bikes no matter who makes them!
Just think about what you are talking about. You contacted Kona and think you got the wrong info from the people who know about thier own bikes, but you want to believe a person at Wheelwolrd , a internet company, that probaly has non-trained people answering phones trying to sell you a product that they dont know that much about. Also a company like wheelworld would never sell you a older frame and tell you it is a newer year, c'mon get realistic here.

I don't even get why it's THAT big of a deal....

So they made a little mistake when telling you something about a 2 year old bike? That derailleur cost what? $25? It might be an inconvienience but its no reason to totally diss the company.

Just think about what you are talking about. You contacted Kona and think you got the wrong info from the people who know about thier own bikes, but you want to believe a person at Wheelwolrd , a internet company, that probaly has non-trained people answering phones trying to sell you a product that they dont know that much about. Also a company like wheelworld would never sell you a older frame and tell you it is a newer year, c'mon get realistic here.

I don't think there bud, I know!!!! Kona messed up and gave me the wrong information. I have posted their reply email, which stated the facts! Its not an OLD FRAME nitwit, but a brand NEW leftover! BTW, our local shops TOLD ME what I needed and KONA was WRONG! So, with that said before you open your mouth to me, know what the FREAK your talking about. Also, where talking about several frames not just one! So, KONA in my opinion SUCKS!!!!!!!!!! BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't even get why it's THAT big of a deal....

So they made a little mistake when telling you something about a 2 year old bike? That derailleur cost what? $25? It might be an inconvienience but its no reason to totally diss the company.

They made a big mistake considering the facts! BTW, I had given them plenty of time to respond and straigthen it out, but they didn't even CARE to correct their mistakes!!
So, to me the company sucks ASS! You want a real company, buy BRODIE! BTW, they lost our clubs entire sales for any new equipment or bikes we would purchase!

.....

blah blah blah....is there someone yelling? hmmm, not that i see.

People who join just to diss a company suck.

Why didn't you look for pics of the 2002 Stinky to make sure you were ordering the correct part?
look at the picture, Kona told you right, wheelworld screwed you. We will see if you make any more posts to apologize for your actions.

http://kona.dk/bike-pix/126.jpg

visit http://kona.dk before making accusations next time.

Are you ignorant? Did you not understand what I've been saying! KONA KONA KONA gave me the wrong information! Wheelworld didn't screw me, they sold US a bunch of new frames, and thats it! Kona, doesn't even know what derailluer they use for their OWN bikes! Come on bud get real. And as far as being a member I've been on this site as far back as the orginal MTBR webpage! Its seems to me that you recently joined so speak for yourself! Kona didnot tell me right, they told me WRONG and the local bike shop had confirmated that!

From my own experience, I'm inclined to agree with Zaskar on this one. I own a '98 Explosif, which I love to death, but I really wasn't impressed by the service from the tech guys. In brief, I wanted to highlight a very minor design fault of my frame (gasp! yes, it's not perfect) and get clarification (a standard rear rack would not fit because of bad dropout design/eyelet position), but after a series of emails, they refused to acknowledge the problem, at least to me, and ended up not giving a satisfactory answer and not replying to my mail. So what... I still love my ride.

In short, everyone makes mistakes, now and then. It's how you respond to your mistakes and make them good that matters. Kona tech guys (it seems) aren't too good at acknowledging their mistakes and making amends.

Personally, I think all of you have over reacted to a relatively minor issue...IMHO

i edited my reply, because i was wrong and i will admit that.

perhaps you could do the same?

i edited my reply, because i was wrong and i will admit that.

perhaps you could do the same?

I can appreciate that, I agree that its minor, but its all about principle. Anyhow, thanks for being a stand up Guy and admitting your mistake. Thanks a bunch and ride on!

From my own experience, I'm inclined to agree with Zaskar on this one. I own a '98 Explosif, which I love to death, but I really wasn't impressed by the service from the tech guys. In brief, I wanted to highlight a very minor design fault of my frame (gasp! yes, it's not perfect) and get clarification (a standard rear rack would not fit because of bad dropout design/eyelet position), but after a series of emails, they refused to acknowledge the problem, at least to me, and ended up not giving a satisfactory answer and not replying to my mail. So what... I still love my ride.

In short, everyone makes mistakes, now and then. It's how you respond to your mistakes and make them good that matters. Kona tech guys (it seems) aren't too good at acknowledging their mistakes and making amends.

Personally, I think all of you have over reacted to a relatively minor issue...IMHO

Hey man, thanks for the support. I do agree that's its a minor issue, but its also about customer service/support. Kona, is not what they are cracked up to be.. Happy Trails!

....but it is somewhat indicative of their support at times. It seems if I talk to Joe, I usually get good service, but a couple of times, he's blown me off or gave me a half-answer. Most of the time, it's good though. In general, I think we agree that Kona's products, in fact, are pretty solid. Certainly not as gucc as Turner or Intense, but every bit as durable and equally fun to ride!

BTW, I love it when folks use ALL CAPS throughout their posts to emphasize their points/arguments. I think they're the same people that talk louder in a conversation to get everyone else's attention and, in doing so, lose everyone's attention.

Zaskar, I think you're point is valid and I don't doubt you got an incorrect answer, but others saying "can you give us the entire picture up front?" is a reasonable request - especially if you're gonna post something negative about a company.

EB

P.S. Bummer about having to purchase a new front derailleur - even if it's only $25. Hope you can exchange or sell the other one....hopefully it didn't sour your taste for Kona's too bad.

will someone shut this muppet up, screwing up on a mech size isn't exactly a MAJOR problem, fook me i've thrown mine away cos i'm running a MRP now

will someone shut this muppet up, screwing up on a mech size isn't exactly a MAJOR problem, fook me i've thrown mine away cos i'm running a MRP now

Are you speaking to me NITWIT. Its a big deal when you have everything set to build and find out Kona screwed up again. BTW, who the heck cares what your running! If you don't have anything positive to add shut your mouth!

Are you speaking to me NITWIT. Its a big deal when you have everything set to build and find out Kona screwed up again. BTW, who the heck cares what your running! If you don't have anything positive to add shut your mouth!


Kona don't screw up you do.... besides a mech is hardly a serious fault in Kona's bike now is it?

and your good at making double standards, you've said nothing positive in this thread or forum... and your complaining about me? funny that

tbh no one gives a monkeys what your running either, nor your problems... so if I were you, SHUT UR MOUTH, if you have nothing to say in a good way about Kona don't bother, it seems you come in here just to complain about Kona,

there good bike and thats a fact....

and your just making a thread out of F all

Are you speaking to me NITWIT. Its a big deal when you have everything set to build and find out Kona screwed up again. BTW, who the heck cares what your running! If you don't have anything positive to add shut your mouth!


Kona don't screw up you do.... besides a mech is hardly a serious fault in Kona's bike now is it?

and your good at making double standards, you've said nothing positive in this thread or forum... and your complaining about me? funny that

tbh no one gives a monkeys what your running either, nor your problems... so if I were you, SHUT UR MOUTH, if you have nothing to say in a good way about Kona don't bother, it seems you come in here just to complain about Kona,

there good bike and thats a fact....

and your just making a thread out of F all

Yeah, it would have taken all of 3 seconds to look at the pic of the bike to figure out what kind of derailleur it needs.

What is Kona supposed to respond to you? Did you notice in the automatic email that it sends you it says if your question was already answered in some way they won't respond? You had by then figured it out and told them they were wrong or whatever, oops thier bad. It's a shame they did not email you back and beg for forgiveness :rolleyes: This isn't a big enough issue to say that Kona sucks, cause well, they don't.

This entire situation....including this useless thread...could have been avoided had you purchased your equipment on sale at your LBS, as opposed to relying on an internet mail order company.

Caveat emptor.

End of story, and hopefully this thread.

Zaskar44 maybe U shouldnt be buying from the net , when U obviously hardly know the front end of a bike from the rear. I think U`d be better off supporting yr LBS ( If u have one)
Its very easy to see what kind of FD is needed for a Stinky by looking at a picture
Cheers and enjoy yr bike , its a great bike.
Cheers

[QUOTE=zaskar44] Wheelworld was having a closeout on these frames and some of our group memebers, decided to buy them.
Several days later, Kona replied with this information:
From: "Tech" <tech@konaworld.com>

> > > > 30.0mm seatpost.
> > > > 34.9mm top route, top swing front derialleur.

Well, we went ahead and picked up some XT's according to Kona. So now, we have finally purchased all the goods to build our bikes, only to find out that we were given the WRONG DERAILLUER SWING by Kona! QUOTE]

I can understand you being choked about this, but my question is: why not just exchange the wrong parts you got? And so some kid who answers questions via email read a list of parts specs that might have been printed wrong, does this mean that an entire multi million dollar company is a write-off? If this was a regular problem, I don't think that Kona would be going very far, but yours is the first time I have heard of this situation, so it is a very good chance that you ran into an isolated ****-up.
ps - did you dump your frames or are you still planning on riding those bikes from that ******* company LOL