Anyone got one? How are you finding it I am considering the Taro as a replacement do it all bike, the 2015 looks like a winner with 1x10 drive train and they should he along in September.
Shredding hypothetical gnarr
Anyone got one? How are you finding it I am considering the Taro as a replacement do it all bike, the 2015 looks like a winner with 1x10 drive train and they should he along in September.
Shredding hypothetical gnarr
I have a 2013 Taro and it rules. The bike's fit and geometry is extremely confidence inspiring. It can be pushed really hard. My only complaint with the build are the stock wheels, which are heavy and won't go tubeless (WTB SX23 rims - not sure what the 2015 has). But build-wise you get what you pay for. Performance-wise, the bike definitely hits above its weight class. Add a dropper post and go shred.
The 2015 Honzo looks really nice, with Kona advertising a lighter and more compliant frame. But based on what I've read about the stout and heavy 2012-2014 version, I'd probably go with the aluminum Taro to save weight if considering older models.
I have a (2013) taro frame and really dislike it. Tonnes of flex in the back end- to the point I was getting some pretty solid tire rub on my chainguide under pedalling load. It's not like I'm a crusher. I wish i'd sprung for a Honzo but they were sold out. Don't know whether it's because of the QR back end, skinny bent alloy chainstay yoke or ?
It's been relegated to commuter duty with a rigid fork and skinny tires, so unimpressed was it with it. Rootdown appeals or a Honzo frame maybe. Like the Geo at least.
4/10
I've ridden DrewM's old Honzo around a carp ark and it felt fairly normal, which is a compliment. Longer chainstays are seemingly trendy at the moment, but they don't half make a bike feel dull. I'd rather lose a bit of high speed stability and have a bike that is fun and easy to throw off stuff, manual through woops etc. The Honzo felt like it would fit the bill in that respect. The frame was certainly a porker though.
treezz
wow you are a ass
My Honzo rides great (2013) with a 140mm fork, sure it's a heavy frame; kind of comes with the territory when using steel. IMHO it gives it character that sticks out from the crowd.
Mine is currently parked due to injuries =/
I have a (2013) taro frame and really dislike it. Tonnes of flex in the back end- to the point I was getting some pretty solid chainring rub on my chainguide under pedalling load. It's not like I'm a crusher. I wish i'd sprung for a Honzo but they were sold out. Don't know whether it's because of the QR back end, skinny bent alloy chainstay yoke or ?
It's been relegated to commuter duty with a rigid fork and skinny tires, so unimpressed was it with it. Rootdown appeals or a Honzo frame maybe. Like the Geo at least.
4/10
Regarding the rub under pedalling, are you using the stock wheels? Every spoke on the rear wheel came loose on me.
Sounds like we need to take one a car park test especially if flex is a concern. Roll on September…
Shredding hypothetical gnarr
I have a (2013) taro frame and really dislike it. Tonnes of flex in the back end- to the point I was getting some pretty solid chainring rub on my chainguide under pedalling load. It's not like I'm a crusher. I wish i'd sprung for a Honzo but they were sold out. Don't know whether it's because of the QR back end, skinny bent alloy chainstay yoke or ?
It's been relegated to commuter duty with a rigid fork and skinny tires, so unimpressed was it with it. Rootdown appeals or a Honzo frame maybe. Like the Geo at least.
4/10
Some clarity:
I've been thinking back to the last time I had the bike in MTB trim, and remembered it was the chainguide rubbing on the tire that was the issue - ardent 2.25, MRP chainguide with steel backplate. Properly tensioned wheel, and not bent chainguide.
I'm gathering pieces to set up this bike or the next with narrow wide 10 speed which may resolve the issue and get me and the taro back on the trail. I think they come specced like that these days.
I built my bike from the frame only.
I recently picked up a Transition Trans Am as my do it all bike. I was looking at the Honzo as well. I went with the Trans Am as it's a bit more all rounded than the honzo, as well as allowing for a front der. I know they are going by the wayside, but when I get around to doing a backpack/bike trip through the chilcotins I will really appreciate that granny gear.
Actually found a paradox on pinkbike just haven't ridden any further than the car park
Shredding hypothetical gnarr
I have a Honzo and really enjoy it. 140mm fork that drops to 120mm. 1X10 with 30t NW front chainring and shadow+ rear der. Have it built up semi light but the frame is pretty portly and I didn't go light on the wheels and tires. Comes in around 28 lbs.
I really enjoy the bike. It's fun on all types of terrain and corners and manuals like a big BMX. 29er wheels run stuff over good. I have the chainstays as short as the go. I feel this negates the slow handling 29er feel quite a bit. Only complaint is the frame weight but I can deal with it.
"May a commune of gay, Marxist Muslim illegal immigrants use your tax dollars to open a drive-thru abortion clinic in your church."
I recently picked up a Transition Trans Am as my do it all bike. I was looking at the Honzo as well. I went with the Trans Am as it's a bit more all rounded than the honzo, as well as allowing for a front der.
i'm curious, did you try out both/either bike?
the transam does seem like more of an all-rounder than the honzo, but in some important respects they are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of geometry and fit: the top tube on a large honzo, for example, is 25" long and the reach is 454mm; on the flip side, the large transam has a sub24" top tube and 419mm reach. the chainstays on the ta are about an inch longer than those of the honzo, and the bb half an inch higher.
all that to say that while both bikes qualify as HD steel 29er hardtails, they'll ride quite differently. depending on your height, proportions and preferences, you might split the difference or find one much more to your liking than the other
ftr i had a ta29 for about a year and while i initially loved it, i eventually grew to find the tt short and the bb too high
I know they are going by the wayside, but when I get around to doing a backpack/bike trip through the chilcotins I will really appreciate that granny gear.
yeah, i think you will
"Nobody really gives a shit that you don't like the thing that you have no firsthand experience with." Dave
I've always like the Honzo but I just checked out the CS length. 415?? Um, that's incredibly short. Is that how short they were on previous years?
There's nothing better than an Orangina after cheating death with Digger.
I've always like the Honzo but I just checked out the CS length. 415?? Um, that's incredibly short. Is that how short they were on previous years?
yup. they're a big part of the bike's appeal for many people, and not the kind of thing you want to overlook when deciding to buy one
"Nobody really gives a shit that you don't like the thing that you have no firsthand experience with." Dave
yup. they're a big part of the bike's appeal for many people, and not the kind of thing you want to overlook when deciding to buy one
At some point this becomes unreasonable, especially for taller riders… My weight bias on my E29 is pretty extreme and that's on a bike with a similar effective STA and 15mm longer stays. I bet in the smaller sizes this all just adds up to a super playful bike - probably the same quality those short stays bring to my longer travel 29er.
There's nothing better than an Orangina after cheating death with Digger.
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