Comments on: The 2009 Kona Ute gets a BIG bag!

By: John

John — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:26:39 +0000

I am at the cross roads on an 09 gray ute or converting my older Klien that has dated parts but stil works. I like the options the Xcycle has, but not sure I need them. course I say that now and wish that later.

but i like the fact the UTE has disk on both front and back. which my bike has niether. where my Klien being a mountian bike makes it really hard to find fenders to fit or do much good.

I think I have decided on the UTE at $700 cause I also like the bigger 29ers and disk brakes and fenders. will change out the tires to knobbies or studs due to time of year here in Montana.

I also like the UTE bag material for there bags. where the X’s are just a canvise type material.

anyway just thoughts.

and thanks for all the input on opintions.
I am jsut sick of seeing all these Utility bikes mostly X’s bikes and me not on one. lol

By: Don at MyCargoBike.net

Don at MyCargoBike.net — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:21:01 +0000

If you’ve read this far into the comments, you would probably appreciate my review/video of the new Electric Ute at http://mycargobike.net/2010/06/15/first-look-at-the-kona-electric-ute. The addition of an electric motor makes the Ute accessible to an even wider range of riders, especially those who want to haul small loads up moderate grades. It’s a very interesting bike at an attractive price.

By: Utebago

Utebago — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:19:19 +0000

One more thing. The frame I have is a 20″. I’m 5’7″ and I wouldn’t go any smaller. I have a 29″ inseam, and have plenty of clearance.

By: Utebago

Utebago — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:18:02 +0000

I purchased the Ute about 4 days ago. I had seen it by accident on Kona’s website while looking for a “family” bike. I.e. a bike to pull the trailer, trail-a-bike, ride with the kids to the park, camping etc. Living in Portland, I have been able to see many options riding around town. I really like the idea of the xtracycle, but when I did some research, it appeared that for my needs and budget, it would end up being too much money after all was said and done. I didn’t need a bike that could carry several bags of concrete and what not (an exaggeration I know). When I saw the Ute I thought that it would be great. Riding it was even better. It’s a little heavier than my mountain bike, but it doesn’t feel that much more, and it rides similar to upright urban bikes. Relaxed geometry, fun, and stable. I put a stoker stem on the post and a bontrager mustache hb on the back for the kids. My 9 year old and 4 year old love it. I just need to craft a removable cushion for the deck and some foot pegs or something. It really works well for my needs. Trips to the park, grocery store, to work. I’m stoked to make some of these parts as it personalizes it and progresses the “long tail” arena. I give it two thumbs up, or five stars or whatever.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:59:46 +0000

Hi, Can anyone who has a Ute please comment on the frame size. Long story short I can get a great deal on a 20″ that I can’t try before I buy – too big a distance away. I’m 5`10″ with a 31.5″ inside leg. From what little I have read on the web I think it will be ok (stand over is same as 18″ and reach is only 1″ more I believe)

Thanks

By: Joe K

Joe K — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:55:23 +0000

I own this bike, have had it since June ’09. Mounted a car seat on back for my kid. Haul groceries, milk, eggs, etc.

Bought it at REI.

I just tested it, thought a week or two and then bought it. Have taken it on several road trips through several states, over thousands of miles. Works great.

Some of you guys seem to complain a lot. Glad I didn’t see this site beforehand. Wanted to make this post so the Kona Ute’s reputation didn’t fall to the intellectuals who don’t ride it.

By: happy-uter

happy-uter — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 04:36:42 +0000

for what it’s worth, the Ute isn’t trying to do everything and be everything xtracycles are. Especially with a Big Dummy costing $2700. How useful is a utlitity bike if you can’t afford to buy it? I got my ’08 Ute off craiglist and paid $500, even though I probably could have talked the guy down to $400. but I figure, good karma, give them what I think it’s worth. I’m not going to haul lumber with it and I don’t care about plug and play xtracycle accessories. whatever happend to re-use, recycle and just figure it out? why do you have to BUY an accessory for a utility bike? Get some scrap wood, pipe, scrap metal and a hacksaw and make whatever you need out of what’s available. do you think all those people in India, China and Cambodia hauling livestock and sacks of grain on their bikes need xtracycle accessories? Kona gets props for making an affordable and useful bike…something not so common in the bike industry. As far as Kona being a “big” company…last I remember, you still get good personal service from those folks at Kona. Their a popular brand, but they ain’t exactly the Giant-Trek-alized behemoth.

By: JR

JR — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:09:12 +0000

First day out on my 09 ute. Goes good, 58 lb of stuff on the rear, and the bike handled nicely.
I think Kona has done a good job with the Ute………
I like the big bag, but thinking 2 smaller bags have some advantages. If I had 2 smalls and a big I could always leave the big at home and ride balanced with 2 smalls- then flip the 2 smalls to the one side to get the big back on………..

By: SevenMoreDays

SevenMoreDays — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:59:54 +0000

Very informative discussion! As someone on the cusp of leaping into the longtail world, I’ve read lots of pluses and minuses but none so thorough as on here. Thanks everyone!

@ Max Power – fellow Canadian here – are you using the stock Ute bags or something else? something custom?

By: BikeWhenYouCan

BikeWhenYouCan — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:59:43 +0000

justathought, it’s my understanding that Xtracycle is under new management or ownership – and has been for a least a year or two. I’ve had fairly good experiences when talking with them about products and purchases.

Yes, I own an X and have for about 2 years. No BD here, at least not yet. I’ll consider the Ute, but may simply go with another X if we wanted another cargo bike.