Owners opinions if possible please.

[justanother5tar]

Hi all,
Looking at getting into biking to help shift some weight and also as a hobby.
I've been looking at a few bikes and a couple have caught my eye.
Has anyone had any experience of Kona Shred or MuniMula bikes?
Thanks in advance guys!

[Deanno1dad]

Depends what prices you paying and from where..Look at getting a 2013 model..Wiggle do some cracking deals..I've just got the Kona Kahuna 29er 2013 from there,at half price of the 2014 model..what's your budget?

[justanother5tar]

The reviews for the 2013 Shred aren't as favourable as the 14, apparently it's been heavily revised and improved.
I'd be looking at 14 models with a top budget of £900, preferably less.

[anonymous-user]

Although its a good bike, its designed for dirt jumps and somewhat more aggressive trail riding than I suspect you are going to be using it for. If you look at the frame geometry, the angles are very slack, it all suggests that it is designed for people who spend a LOT of time out of the saddle. Have a read about head tube angles and how they affect the bikes handling, I wont be able to explain it very well but this article does it well! http://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-frame-geometry-2...

Factor in the gearing, a 36/24 chainset and an 11-32 cassette and I suspect you will be quickly frustrated by its limitations and get bored, unless you want a downhill centric bike and dont mind spinning like a hamster in a wheel on the flat bits...

Given its designed for jumps and things, its pretty heavy and will be hard work on cross country trails, if you want to get fitter you want a bike that is comfortable over longer distances like this
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Acid-29-Mountain-Bike...

[justanother5tar]

Thanks pablo.
I've spent many a year riding dirt... I used to have a custom Identiti 666. Aside from riding it on the road to get healthy, I'd like to be able to throw it down some hard trails too, this is why I've looked at these 2 bikes.
I've had friends who've throw absolute death at Konas and they've took it all.

[justanother5tar]

I've looked at a couple of (very much more expensive) Norco DH bikes, but decided against as I assume they'll be absolutely terrible to use on road. What I want is a bike that will be usable on road and strong/reliable off too.

[anonymous-user]

Ah, well, if you're happy with slack angles and used to that sort of thing it sounds ideal for the dirt but 36-11, big tyres and those forks will be evil on the road!....

[justanother5tar]

pablo said:

Ah, well, if you're happy with slack angles and used to that sort of thing it sounds ideal for the dirt but 36-11, big tyres and those forks will be evil on the road!....

Just how evil?
I'm not going to be doing 50 mile rides or anything like that, will it be tolerable?
(bearing in mind my old 666 was a single speed, with Maxxis dirt tyres and a 170mm shock)
Thanks for the help.

Edit: Which of the 2 sounds the better option in your opinion?