need advice about buying bike )

[hirosawa]

It's not like Marzocchi forks are rare or expensive, I wouldn't worry about it. The fork is probably knackered inside anyway.

The bike looks like it's had some stick. Not that that's a deal breaker, just don't expect to buy it and then go off touring without doing any work or spending any money on it.

 

[retrojohm65]

think twice

i would say this bike is definitely not suitable for touring, whilst it is beautiful
to get an idea of what I mean, take a look at the Surly touring bikes
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker

I agree with Surly this this type of geometry etc is really a tourer, the Kona
would be fun, but for me, its a definite no no its just not designed for distance at all
(in my opinion)
my hahanna was very similar and can't tell you how much better it feels riding with
different, larger framed bikes on long road hauls
my current Marin muirwoods 1999 is a 19" frame and fairly generous and with thinner tryes destroys the road, and is still stable on mild off road tracks and paths

 

[hirosawa]

A lot of people tour on mountain bikes. I suppose it depends where you're touring and how far you're planning to travel. Another stumbling block with the Kona is that it's got no braze ons for racks and (I'd imagine) wasn't designed to be loaded.

 

[matthew71]

It's not like Marzocchi forks are rare or expensive, I wouldn't worry about it. The fork is probably knackered inside.

bombers dont break easy and last for ever, but the down side is the weight.