Kona Dr. Fine Bike - 2011 BCS

I would like to start this by saying I am an avid road biker who with the addition of 2 kids has found my riding time seriously hindered. The best way I could get my rides in was to commute and take the long way home. However, my first commute in wet dark weather with marginal braking, a rooster tail soaking me, and cars all around made me rething my commuting on a carbon race bike. Enter the Dr. Fine. I had very specific specs I wanted: internal hub (I barely have time to keep up with my road bike mx, I did not want another set of derailers to adjust), hydraulic disks (something that would keep me from going over the hood of the car that just cut me off no matter what the weather), fully fender capable (rooster tails in 30 deg wx = misery), and cheap (like I said 2 kids). The Dr. Fine fit all these except price until this lovely site put the bike on sale for over 50% off. How can you walk away from this price (the wheelset alone retails for close to $400)? I was sold.

Assembly was way easier than I expected. The only part that requires any skills is the rear hub, but as long as you know what good chain tension feels like and you watch the youtube video on setting up the hub you're good. The bike honestly comes about 80% assembled (no bleeding, internal hub fully installed, crankset installed). In all assembly took 2 hours, an allen wrench set, and a pedal wrench.

First ride was sweet. The tires have good grip on wet and gravel albeit a bit soft so they are not nearly as fast but that is the price of security. The Alfine 8 shifts smoother and more consistent than I could have imagined. If I could put on one a race bike without getting kicked out of my local group ride I would. And everyone reading this prolly already knows the joys of hydraulic discs, these ones from shimano are no different (mine came fully bled and adjusted which I was not expecting).

In all the only complaint I have is that my bike has 28in. (622cc) wheels and I thought I would be getting 700cc. I think the larger size frames do but my 49cm frame did not. If someone at backcountry could clarify that would be great. Are the smaller wheels a big deal? No but it does mean I have to buy different spare tubes which is kinda annoying. And yes they are technically slower than 700s but the grippy tires will slow you down way more than the smaller wheels.

This bike rocks. I am a full time year round bike commuter living in Portland, OR. I could not ask for a better ride.

Bottom line: A rock-solid commuter at a better than expected price.

Pros: Smooth-shifting Alfine 8 rear hub provides 1x8 effectiveness for speed on the flats and spinning up the climbs. Shimano hydraulic discs grip hard, modulate well. Upright seating for cutting through urban traffic. Basic pedals are pretty decent. Quick steering, easy to carry up stairs.

Cons: Stiff and lightweight 7005 series aluminum frame can feel too light (brittle) over broken pavement (compared to steel, carbon, or Ti). Front brake cable is already rubbing the paint off the head tube after the first (13 mile) ride. WTB/Kona saddle is small and hard - not ideal for commuting w/o padded shorts.

Nuances: Easy and quick to assemble out of the box with clamping the bar, dropping in the seatpost, and minor cockpit adjustments. You'll need to adjust the rear hub (also quick and easy) and disc brakes (not quite as quick and easy). Air up the tires and you're off! Smooth roller with the 700x28 Continental tires although there's a fair bit of feedback/vibration through the frame. The 4 lower speeds of the Alfine hub are tightly spaced, very low, and best suited for climbing. For folks who prefer a 68-86 rpm cadence while pedaling around town, you'll probably be shifting between 4-5-6 most of the time (assuming you're riding on flat ground). Visibility is good in traffic as the cockpit is pretty tight and upright.

I'll be looking to mount fenders and a rear rack in the near future and it looks like the frame has the appropriate mounting points.

It's hard to tell from the pictures but the top and down tubes are shaped [hexagonal] adding some stiffness to the tubes. Seat tube and seat stays are round while the chain stays are ovalized (tall/narrow). Clean welds all around. Paragon slider dropouts make rear end adjustments and swapping tires easy. Front has a quick-release skewer which is great for pulling off the front wheel but not so good if you're locking your bike up outdoors.

All-in-all, a great value on a solid bike. Looks like Kona thought this one through given its intended purpose and has been making incremental improvements from year to year. Just remember to put one or two clear stickers on the head tube where the front brake cable rubs when the bike is new and you'll avoid this minor annoyance.

EDIT: I just noticed that the bike I received came with Continental CONTACT 700x28 tires instead of the Maxxis Overdrive 700x28 tires listed in the description. I'm assuming they ride the same but wanted to point that out. Everything else is as advertised.