2014 Kona Unit Review

First three rides on my new Kona Unit frame. Bike setup is almost identical to what I had on the Canfield Nimble 9. I never thought I'd say this but I think I found a frame that I like better than a Canfield.

Me: I'm 5'7", 145 lbs. I'm into endurance XC racing and all day epics. I try to build my bikes so they are a jack-of-all-trades do anything bike, with a focus on "trail" riding if you must call it that. Location: Albuquerque, NM and the surrounding areas

2014 17" Kona Unit frame (5.77 lbs with sliders and hardware)
Manitou Tower Pro 120mm fork with 20mm thru-axle
Flows with Hope hubs (rear SS bolt on)
Maxxis Ardent 2.4 F/Maxxis Ikon 2.2 R - Tubeless
Cane Creek 40 Series Zero-Stack
Thomson Elite X4 Stem - 50mm
Easton Monkey Lite Carbon Riser Bars
ESI Chunky Grips
Cane Creek Bar Ends
Shimano XT Icetech Brakes
Thomson Seatpost
Fizik Saddle
Truvativ Stylo 1.1 OCT Cranks
RaceFace Single Ring - 34T
Endless Cog - 19T
Total Weight: Not yet weighed.

The Unit came with a rigid fork, making the equivalent suspension fork somewhere between 80-100mm. I already had the 120mm Tower handy and am addicted to the plush ride I get with the Mars Air spring combo. I knew this was going to raise the front of the bike up and change the HTA to the neighborhood of 68 degrees. I helped to counter this additional height by using a zero-stack headset and reducing the spacers under the stem to about 4mm. I was also able to save about 11mm in the headtube/headset stack height compared with the previous setup (Nimble 9 with a standard headtube). By also using a 50mm stem (stock Unit build is 60mm), I feel I was able to counter any effects on the steering that the extra 20mm of fork generated. I immediately noticed that the Unit is stiffer than the Canfield was, while still having some compliance when things get really choppy. Switchbacks, which had me worried, feel easier despite the longer stays. The bike climbs SOOOO much better. When I hammer on the pedals the bike just takes off! I'd have to attribute this change to the geometry, stiffness, and stem all working together.

Broken Frame

Well, I broke the Canfield:

It happened about two weeks ago during an evening Foothills ride with Mark, Mike, Bill, and Tim. I was pedaling out of the saddle on a climb and heard a sort of loud pop. I stopped, thinking I had sheared a chainring bolt or broken the chain. I scanned over the bike and didn't see anything wrong so I hopped back on and pedaled another 10 feet or so. I could still hear/feel it. I stopped again and started looking over the frame. That's when I noticed the frame! Holy Shit! Walked the couple of miles back to the car and finished the evening with beer/chips/burger.

I wasn't too keen on the new N9 frame that was over a pound heavier and would require a new rear axle setup, headset, and seat post collar? So I ordered a Kona Unit frameset and am riding the Vassago until it shows up.

Broke the frame on 7/29. Rode around the mountain + placitas trails + ski area trails + south and north foothills totaling 97 miles and about 9400 ft of climbing last Sunday. Rode to work on Wednesday. South foothills ride with Tim last Thursday. Rode about 34 miles today in the foothills starting from the house. I was going to add in North Foothills too but I felt too tired. Only got in about 65 miles for the week. Meh.

I'm on the verge of getting burned out and my legs feel dead. I think I need to take a week off the bike and go climbing or running.

I'm going to skip the watermelon beatdown race and just chill.