V brakes actually stop better than their equivalent discs (price point) in dry conditions- however because they brake directly onto the rim their performance is quickly diminished in wet / muddy conditions. That's why most MTB's have moved towards mechanical discs low end or hydraulic brake mid+. Don't be put off by V's they are more serviceable and up to the job for 99.9% of people.

Most of the money on this bike is in the frame and fork. The project 2 is arguably just about the best rigid fork ever made, direct light and forgiving.

Well according to Wiggle the project 2 forks are aluminium on the Dew 2016.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-dew-2016/

There are other reports that there's were high tensile steel. Also some Dews seem to have paintwork on the frames that chips off very easily. Kona appear to use multiple factories for Dews I guess whoever is cheapest at the time on a year by year basis. Frame seems to have varied between 7005 and 6061.

It seems in the past Kona sold project 2 forks separately and those were chromaly as well as on the bikes of the time but now they just call any rigid fork project 2 whatever its made of from the actual taiwanese or chinese factory. That would also explain why some of these frames are appallingly badly painted and chip easily.

Again visiting Halfords would allow you to see the quality. Maybe even a magnet to see if you are getting harsh aluminium forks?

The big difference between Halford's own Carrera brand and Kona is both Kona and Halfords need to make money on the Kona bikes but Carrera is their own brand anyway so just one party that needs money. That's why Carrera often gives you far better value in components and general quality for the same money unless there is a promotion.

Clearly it is claimed that the Kona bike has a huge reduction but the newer Dew 2016 has far better components in a few places like Altus chainset and deraileur plus other bits and only costs about £70 more at Wiggle. Hardly much of a promotion offer if the £70 offers many upgrades. Still both bikes feature a freewheel though the same Shimano Tourney freewheel as cheap and nasty sub £100 bikes.

Well we certainly will have to agree to differ. I'll leave others to decide if this bike frame represents unique geometry and has classic forks or is just marketing for generic parts. I can't even find what material the classic forks are made of. Hi-ten steel?

I don't accept the frame is better than cheaper competition but whatever you are still left with low end parts around it.

Halfords stores aren't exactly rare so I can only suggest people go there and check out this or the newer version of the Dew for themselves.

​OK, right you are. Definitely generic and not at all the classic Kona frame layout with Kona's signature extended seat tube, sloping top tube and classic project two forks. Can I ask how old you are as Kona have been making bikes to this design for over 25 years. But hey, what would I know, I haven't got 3 Konas to miraculously drop into the equation.

As for brands not mentioning butted frames.....it's an expensive process, they ain't just going to leave it unmentioned.

No that's the point the frame isn't that great, Kona buy generic taiwanese/chinese frames for the bottom end and the bike is fitted with tourney gearing. A common complaint on cheap bikes is the Shimano Tourney gearing so your so called great budget bike has crap gearing. Also freewheel based rear wheels are weaker and more problematic than cassette based. Is that a great wheel no its rubbish wheel at least at the rear.

I know the benefits from butted tubing and have stressed the weight advantage its not uncommon on budget bikes. Many bikes feature it without using it in marketing its pretty common. Many of the retailers put 3 year warranty on the frame as that is the standard warranty without registering other brands offer lifetime warranty without registering.

There isn't a single Kona frame factory they buy taiwanese frames as do btwin, Carrera and many other brands. As with many top bike brands for their entry level models they really don't do anything but buy off the shelf parts. The geometry of that frame is pretty standard.

A freewheel based bike with low end tourney gearing and generic frame for £223 is not great value whatever the brand.

If your buying a bike and considering this one make sure you check out the competition you may be able to seriously do better with regard component quality.

This isn't a dig at Kona, as I say I have 3 Kona bikes myself its just these brands do entry level bikes of low quality just to give themselves a profit boost. They rely on brand obsessed idiots to buy these models rather than use common sense when buying.

​Muddy Fox bikes were suggested up there, have a look.

If you're going to suggest that butted tubes are someway inferior to plain tubing then you've just managed to turn the bike industry on its head. Butting tubing leaves the end of the tube thicker where 99.9% of all breakages would occur and the centres thinner. This gives you the same strength for less weight and a livelier feeling frame to ride. As has also been mentioned you get a lifetime warranty anyway with Kona.

A few token good parts eh? Like the frame and wheels and tyres, the three things that have the biggest effect on how well a bike rides. it's almost like a quality bike firm has been thinking hard how to make good bike. Funny that.

I've had Kona bike before, and they always offer you the lifetime warranty on the frame. You just have to register the bike within 3 months of purchasing and it needs to be from an approved supplier. This is no different and will come with a lifetime warranty on the frame, if you register.

I keep seeing people complain about a 3 year warranty, could someone tell me where they get this info from????

Not sure why anyone is getting all that excited about the warranty. I'm sure plenty of crappy bikes come with a long warranty that when you read the small print you find it isn't worth the paper it was printed on, if in fact said brand is still around in 10 years time. Kona I trust to stand by their product. 20 years ago they did a safety recall on some forks and were happy to replace mine even though I wasn't the original purchaser.
This bike might only have tourney but I see that the chainset is also shimano, plenty of the supermarket specials fit the minimum amount of shimano parts they can get away with. It also has formula hubs, wtb rims and kenda tyres, all good stuff.
Far from being generic the frame has the classic Kona sloping toptube geometry and project two forks they pioneered back in the day.
By all means buy yourself a Muddy Fox if it saves you 20 quid but you're buying a brand that ceased to mean anything 20 years ago and is now just another sports direct meaningless sticker. At least you know this Kona is an established model from an established manufacturer that has been evolving steadily over the years and will probably ride far better than its price tag would normally get you.

Why only child / teenager sizes ?

Don't be fooled by the brand name or RRP - this is a basic bike and you can do better at this price point.

Heat - Good brand, build and parts.

That might apply in reference to other Kona bikes but Kona frames are taiwanese/chinese frames sometimes they have design input in them but this looks very generic and an off the shelf part. 6061 is a common aluminium used on many low cost bikes including decathlon btwin and even some of those low cost Falcon bikes you see in supermarkets.

I could see some value if this bike was a great frame compromised by low cost components to reach a low price point and people could upgrade it when they can to a better bike but the frame looks as basic and low cost as the rest of it.

This bike has core components like gearing etc that are no better than the £50 specials that you see in Asda and Tesco etc and I don't think there is any argument against that. It is clearly shimano tourney gearing and they aren't hiding it.

I'm not arguing that you buy a £50 bike though my point is your getting much more for your money with a brand like btwin, Carrera and quite a few others for that money.

It's hard to believe Kona ever tried to charge £600 for this bike with such low end components. Kona should have included some better gearing and a cassette based rear wheel surely.

Same price on Halfords site;

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/kona-dew-hybrid-bike-2015

3 year warranty on a frame? Even cheaper brands offer 10 or 15 years.

This years model isn't much dearer and you get a better rear derailleur

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-dew-2016/

Here's a btwin alternative for a hybrid bike

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-300-city-hybrid-bike-id_8307664.html

The only negative with the btwin is the final weight but if you remove all the additional accessories the btwin has you'd probably make a good dent in the difference and the frame has a lifetime warranty but then what do you want a frame that you can depend on or a lighter weight frame that is much more likely to fail with a short warranty. The btwin has double rims, a hub dynamo and other weight increasing features but would you want to sacrifice those just to get a marginally lighter butted frame. Also the btwin frame is heat treated not mentioned on the halfords, wiggle or kona description.

Just had a look - this is much better for another £55 and is a deal in it's own right.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/kona-lava-dome-29er-mountain-bike-2015

To the bike guru's out there I notice this has v brakes but seen other cheaper / same price bikes like carrera with disc.. what's the verdict on brakes

The Kona frame is 6061 Aluminium. Why is it the no name bikes don't state what the frame is made out of?

What makes this so much better than a no brand bike? Same tourney gearing, tourney freewheel rear wheel. All looks very basic. You can get better for your money from Decathlon or even Halfords own brands. It's like your paying about £70 just for the Kona brand. I've got 3 Kona bikes but this one looks total crap.

similar bike for less money: http://www.muddyfox.com/muddyfox-tempo300-mens-933042?
saddle and pedals are crap and need replacing by proper ones, the rest is ok

not as good as the carrera that was £199 with disc brakes

Hot from me , few months ago i brought this from Wiggle and love it . Excellent Bike .

Shame Only size 59cm left.

also in store

Hot from me. looks a very nice bike. Very tempted. Cheers OP. :smiley: