Kona Honky Tonk 2010

[chugsy]

Anyone got one of these and wants to share their experiences? I've been looking on off to get a drop bar bike for a while now and was going to do it the cheap way with Decathlon's new Triban 3 - via the Cyclescheme as they are on it now.

Today I was wandering around town and nipped into Evanscycles and spotted the Honky Tonk 2010- whilst I knew of the bike I was not prepared for how lovely it looked in the flesh! At £550 it was over the budget I had set myself for a whimsy bike but the quality of the finish was head and shoulders above the Triban 5 (£500 with full(ish) sora, carbon forks and seatstays) let alone the Triban 3. I had a chat with the salesman and walked away to mull it over. About an hour later I went back and asked for a test ride - the idea being to quash these foolish thoughts going through my head! But I could not... it felt great, snappier and faster than what I'm used to. I spent most of the time going uphill to make sure that I had the legs for the bike - the few descents I had scared me somewhat as I could not stop the bike from the hoods... definitely a far cry from the hydraulic disks on my hybrid. Despite that I put down a 50 quid refundable deposit to order in the next size up for another test ride as we identified that the bike I tested was a touch too small.

Nothing is in concrete until I apply for the Ride2Work voucher - anyone have negative experiences with this bike or suggest alternatives? At the 500 quid mark most big names will be 2300 equipped and all ally affairs... if that's the case I my as well plump for the cheapo Triban 3 from Decathlon which has a carbon fork too for £280 - but I feel that the heart is going to rule over the head in this case!

 

[mightyquin]

I've got a Paddy Wagon and love it, spoken to a few other owners who have had theirs ages and they all love 'em too. I think the Honky Tonk is essentially the same but with gears.

Don't think you can go wrong if you like the bike and it feels right.

 

[chugsy]

Thanks - I think I'll nip over to Decathlon tomorrow anyway to rule out the cheap option.

 

[Russell Allen]

I dont think you will be dissapointed with a honky tonk, they are a good solid bike, great handling, comfortable, I have a paddy wagon like the poster above and love it. As fast A2B transport a Honky Tonk is going to beat a Triban3 hands down every time. You could even have a good stab at a sportive on it

Russell

 

[chugsy]

I've been researching tyres as I've heard the stock ones are cack... I've spent the last year rolling on Marathon Pluses (0 visitations so far) but would prefer something a little lighter this time around... any recommendations? Mudguards too.




Cheers

 

[chugsy]

I went back to Decathlon to check out the two Tribans - both were definitely lighter that the HT but the setup quality of the ready to ride bikes was disappointing given the general opinions on here about Decathlons bike staff ( flat tyres, spoke tension and gritty hubs). I spoke to the manager about the Cyclescheme - I was the first to inquire so they weren't sure of the whole process but they are definitely operating it.

So back to Evans next Wednesday to test ride the Honky Tonk in 56cm... but now I am in a dilemma as I've upped my budget - another fifty will get me this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/gtr-series-3-2010-road-bike-ec020907

which is a lot more kit for a little extra, although a more race orientated ride which might not suit me and my belly .

Will probably give it a spin when I go...

My original plan was to go Cyclo Cross to cover all my needs/wants - maybe I'll go another step and buy this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/jake-2011-cyclo-cross-bike-ec026521?query=kona jake

which I could get Evans to price match against this:

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5143&language=en




The agony of choice!

 

[chugsy]

I dont think you will be dissapointed with a honky tonk, they are a good solid bike, great handling, comfortable, I have a paddy wagon like the poster above and love it. As fast A2B transport a Honky Tonk is going to beat a Triban3 hands down every time. You could even have a good stab at a sportive on it

Russell

I sealed the deal yesterday! Lovely ride home - hopefully I won't have blunted it's ride quality after I stick the M+ on... I forgot about Gatorskins as I was ordering them :|








Any idea what this is?

 

[Baggy]

Any idea what this is?

It looks like a pump peg for a Zefal frame pump or similar.

I know a couple of people with Honky Tonks who absolutely love them and say they're a "do anything" kind of bike, so think you've made a good choice.

 

[chugsy]

I would have thought there would be two - one at each end if that's the case... the mystery continues.

 

[Baggy]

I would have thought there would be two - one at each end if that's the case... the mystery continues.

Not necessarily, modern frame pumps have one end that fits on to a pump peg, and the other end is designed to wedge into the frame without a peg, the Zefal HPX comes in a range of sizes for different frames.