Depending on which way you look at it, the Kona Dawg full suspension bike is either a jack of all trades, or the master of none. True, there are better bikes out there for handling downhills, and there are certainly faster ones for those uphill climbs, but it's hard to think of better bike in this price range for tackling such a wide variety of trails well. If you're looking for a trail bike that can handle anything from cross country trails to freeriding to smooth gravel paths, the Kona Dawg is a dependable all rounder. This versatile full suspension bike offers a solid butted aluminum frame and Marzocchi MX Pro fork with 120mm of travel to handle some challenging downhill bumps. The Dawg may be too heavy for racing but it will clock up enough speed to warrant the sharp, responsive Hayes hydraulic brakes. Whether you're starting out or don't want to be tied to one type of riding, we recommend the Kona Dawg as a dependable, good value full-suspension bike.


Pros: Versatile all rounder; powerful Hayes brakes; fun ride.
Cons: Heavy; likely need to switch out the saddle and tires.