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I haven't seen the usual flurry of new bikes being posted so I thought I'd add one.
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My first proper bike was a 96 Lava Dome and I've always had a soft spot for the brand.
Not a lot in stock as we know, I was considering either a Solaris (couldn't wait that long), Moxie (too much travel), Sherpa (too xc) etc.
Decided on a Unit, I didn't like the green so went for the X. My first fully built bike in about 15 years... So I promptly stripped of the Eagle SX, Level brakes, tyres etc.
Fitted some XT brakes, NN 2.6/2.35, Nukeproof Horizon bars, dropper, RF stem, RF cranks and steel ring for the spares box.
Maiden ride in the mud today, it was great if a little slow but the geo is nice and I think it's going to be winner for type of riding I'm doing at the moment.
Oh yes, although the WTB ST i29 time are ok, the Formula hubs are pretty basic, straight guage spokes etc so I've snagged some KOM Light i35 in the sales and will get some nicer wheels put on. The stock Ranger 2.6 tyres look good for summer but there both Light casings, not sure how durable they'll be, feel kind of flimsy, might go up to a 2.8/2.6 combo as there's clearance up front for about 3" I reckon.
Man your grass is long.
That's a nice looking bike. I like the copper colour.
My actual lawn is more moss than grass.
Cheers!
I too love the colour, but the grips are a bit trying too hard, for me. They kind ruin the simplicity of it.
My wife said the same. They're comfy, sat in the spares box doing nothing and I thought match the decals, maybe not?
It’s very niche and the gate has an acceptable amount of rust
Seriously that is a nice bus
Love it, including the grips. When they're worn out you can try black ones... But I think you'll miss 'em.
And that is a commendable number of changes to a factory build, well played!
Love the colour and clean lines.However,just looking at SS bikes make my knees twinge.
Enjoy.
That's a lovely looking bike. It's the 90s all over again!
I like the grips
Another vote for the colour/ grip combo. I like it, looks like it’d be a hoot to ride. Enjoy.
Love the bike, and the colour.
Personally I’m not keen on the grips, but it’s not my bike eh.
Timeless classic, it just needs some esoteric handlebars.
Timeless classic, it just needs some esoteric handlebars
I've got some slightly sweepy (9 or 12 degree) 3T bars laying around, and I've tried Loops but I'm no so keen on the position unless you're just plodding along.
Noice! I'd been after one of those for a year or so, but the combo of no stock and not available with my C2W meant I got something else. Might be able to get a Marino with similar dimensions though!
The grips are ace I reckon!
I had a Unit 10yrs ago, my first 29er. Fantastic bike and still have a soft spot for it. Yours looks ace, as said that colour is very nice 👌
Nice!
Ace looking bike. I love the clean lines of rigid single speeds. Love the colour combo and especially the decals/grip match! perfect.
Noice! I’d been after one of those for a year or so, but the combo of no stock and not available with my C2W meant I got something else. Might be able to get a Marino with similar dimensions though!
My last 2 rigid bikes were a Singular Rooster and a Stooge MK4, this has the most modern geometry of the 3 and I'd have to say I prefer it, maybe after riding a Starling for the last year... I'm really sold on the longer reach. When I ride the Unit now it feels pretty normal so at 6 foot if I was having a custom frame made I'd probably push the front out another 5 or 10mm more. Seat angle is bang on, I'd like to experiment with the HA a bit but I have a feeling any slacker than 68° might make the front wander a bit on climbs? I'm sure Kona knew what they were doing with the geometry when they designed it.
Just going back to this thread... The Unit was a stop gap earlier this year when I had a custom Ti frame on order and was without a hardtail for the winter. I only rode it for about 5 months until my frame turned up.
I mentioned the 68°ha earlier and thought I'd experiment a bit, after the first few rides I fitted a -2° Works angle set and it transformed the bike, so if anyone has a Unit I'd recommend slacking it out a bit.
The Kona eventually morphed into this
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The Geo isn't a million miles away.
On a scale of one to five I'd give it...
Five bar.
I like that!
Thanks, might have to make a new thread for the new frame.
That’s so much nicer than the Kona!
Old bike looks nice.
New bike also looks nice. What is it though?
Old bike was class. Modern update of timeless 90s style.
New bike looks like it was bought from Staples.
New bike also looks nice. What is it though?
Thanks very much. It's a custom XACD.
Old bike was class. Modern update of timeless 90s style.
New bike looks like it was bought from Staples.
Cheers, yes it's a brilliant bike, a bit different to ride than a classic Kona though. New bike rides quite nicely 😎, never ridden anything from Staples so can't compare...
That is a nice looking bike and a lovely colour. Showing off a bit with the size of your back garden.
Nice one OP. I think the Unit always goes under the radar, and not convinced it’s always the best value, but it’s a great and versatile bike. With the angle set probably a very capable trail bike. Interesting that you preferred it to the other rigid bikes, I have a Mk5 stooge on order but deliberately knowing it won’t have the reach I normally like as I want something silly and simple over winter, and as good as gravel bikes are they have their limits off road.
The titanium bike looks classy. Simple classic lines. Looks a hoot.
Hard to pick one over the other when comparing the Unit and Mk5, I loved the Mk5, had a Mk1 too, Stooge's have a more BMXy feel to them, and for me seated climbing doesn't feel as efficient due to the higher bars and shorter reach, higher hands obviously helps on the way down. The Unit, and other long bikes get their speed from the long WB, especially on the straights.
Hopefully you won't have the issue I had with my Big Unit.
Kona warranty was worthless, wouldn't even inspect the frame.