It would appear that this sub-30 pound, 6-inch travel trail bike would be out of place with the other bikes reviewed here, but the Cadabra is unlike most 6-inch bikes. Here’s why: Kona developed a new suspension technology that they refer to as the Magic Link. It’s a unique pairing of a linkage shock (think of the landing gear on a jet that moves back and up upon impact) and a traditional frame shock. What you get is a bike that rides like a 4-inch cross-country bike uphill when only the frame shock is activated, but opens up (literally) on the descents into a 6-inch trail bike.
Swami gripe: It’s not an incredibly nimble bike on the descents—but it effortlessly absorbs big hits.
Swami like: The Magic Link is exactly that—magic. The bike stands up nicely on climbs putting you in an efficient cross-country position, but morphs into an amazing descender on the downhills.
Price: $2,799
From the Spring 2010 issue
