Upgraded Kona Precept DL 21

11689 of 18596
(8 people)
ThereIsNoLine
6/18/2016 10:37pm
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Related:
Bike of the Day
DEITY
FOX
RockShox
Shimano
SRAM
Maxxis
Parts
Brand
Model
Additional info

Parts

Frame
Kona
Precept DL
131 mm rear travel
Frame: Kona Precept DL. Misc: 131 mm rear travel
Rear Shock
FOX
Float RP23
Year 2013
Rear Shock: FOX Float RP23. Misc: Year 2013
Fork
Rock Shox
Pike RCT3 Solo Air 160mm
Fork: Rock Shox Pike RCT3 Solo Air 160mm
Handlebar
Deity
Dirty30
Handlebar: Deity Dirty30
Stem
Deity
Cavity 35
Stem: Deity Cavity 35
Grips
ODI
Ruffian
Grips: ODI Ruffian
Brakes
Shimano
Deore
Metal pads by DiscoBrakes
Brakes: Shimano Deore. Misc: Metal pads by DiscoBrakes
Brake Levers
Shimano
Zee
Brake Levers: Shimano Zee
Shifters
SRAM
GX
Shifters: SRAM GX
Rear Derailleur
SRAM
GX 10sp
Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX 10sp
Chainrings / Sprocket
Other
Absolute Black 104/64 Oval 28T
Chainrings / Sprocket: Other Absolute Black 104/64 Oval 28T
Cassette / Rear Cog
OneUp Components
Expander Cog 42T
With 16T
Cassette / Rear Cog: OneUp Components Expander Cog 42T. Misc: With 16T
Pedals
Kona
Wah Wah
Pedals: Kona Wah Wah
Front Rim
Sun Ringle
Charger Expert
Front Rim: Sun Ringle Charger Expert
Rear Rim
Sun Ringle
Charger Expert
Stainless steel axle (replacement for snapped aluminum axle)
Rear Rim: Sun Ringle Charger Expert. Misc: Stainless steel axle (replacement for snapped aluminum axle)
Front Tire
Maxxis
Minion DHF 3C/Exo/TR
Front Tire: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C/Exo/TR
Rear Tire
Maxxis
High Roller II 3C/Exo/TR
Rear Tire: Maxxis High Roller II 3C/Exo/TR
Saddle
Bontrager
Paradigm R
Saddle: Bontrager Paradigm R
Seatpost
KS
Lev Integra 125mm
Seatpost: KS Lev Integra 125mm
Seatpost Clamp
Deity
Cinch
Seatpost Clamp: Deity Cinch
General Info

General Info

Model Year
2014
Model Year:
2014
Intended Use
Trail / All-Mountain
Intended Use:
Trail / All-Mountain
Weight
28 lb 8 oz (12927 g)
Weight: 28 lb 8 oz (12927 g)
Additional Info

The Pike slackened the bike to about 67 degrees.
Upgrading and the green obsession all started when some lowlife stole my handlebar and cockpit. The only stock parts left on the frame are the crank and the brake calipers. I stopped looking for new calipers when I found some Deore-compatible metal pads.

Additional Info:

The Pike slackened the bike to about 67 degrees.
Upgrading and the green obsession all started when some lowlife stole my handlebar and cockpit. The only stock parts left on the frame are the crank and the brake calipers. I stopped looking for new calipers when I found some Deore-compatible metal pads.
ThereIsNoLine
6/18/2016 10:37pm
11689 of 18596
21 comments

View replies to: Upgraded Kona Precept DL

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iceman2058
10 years ago
Bike of the Day June 19, 2016!
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forHisglory
10 years ago
ThereIsNoLine's the bike is sick! I want to go to a 160 Pike and a Straitline Pinch 35mm stem on my Precept 130. How does it climb with that fork/stem combo?
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ThereIsNoLine
10 years ago
Thanks! DO IT!! The 2014 Precept DL and 2016 Precept 130 are very similar in wheelbase and identical in HTA. The change to the 160 Pike should have the same effect, about a degree slacker and no significant change in wheelbase.

The Pike was a HUGE improvement. It leans better, more stable when leaned at speed, and the extra travel has saved me numerous times when it gets technical (and I make mistakes haha). The impact on climbing is small. Unintentional pedal wheelies can be avoided by moving body weight forward earlier than before and pulling back and down on the bars more than before when it gets really steep. Really no problem at all. Also, the Pike is just a better fork than the Sektor. More adjustment capability, stiffer, lighter...

Also, killer deal... http://www.bikebling.com/Rock-Shox-Pike-RCT3-SoloAir-tapered-15-D-27-5-…
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ThereIsNoLine
10 years ago
Oh, and honestly, I have no idea if the stem length made much difference. I made that change a long time ago, so I don't remember. Since the bike check post, I have removed some spacers and lowered the stem to more naturally get weight over the front for both climbing and descending.
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AndyRussell
9 years ago
Hello, first off as others have pointed out your bike is super sick!

I've got a 2015 precept DL (the orange one!) and have been toying with the idea of putting a 160mm fork on it (probably a pike). But i got in touch with the guys at Kona and its fair to say they weren't thrilled with the idea. Just wondering how the increased travel is working out for you, and if you have run into any problems since you made the change.
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ThereIsNoLine
8 years ago
My LBS gave me strange looks when they heard the idea, too. Doesn't matter... I'm supper happy with the changes and have had no problems. The slacker head angle and longer travel make a big positive difference on steeper and rockier trails. The only thing I've considered trying is adding a token in the fork on bike park days.
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bmxconorotoole
8 years ago
Just wondering any idea what would be the longest dropper post you could use was thinking about 150 but not sure if it will work I have the kona precept dl 2015
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ThereIsNoLine
8 years ago
I measured it out before buying the dropper and I thought a 150 mm wouldn't fit. After setting it up, I think it might have and I wish I had tried the 150. I'm not completely certain, though...
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Stephen_Walker
8 years ago
I am purchasing a 2015 kona precept dl and was curious what kind of upgrades I could do. How are the stock brakes and what did you do to make them better? Also how would I go about switching from a 3x to a 1x? Your bike is sick!
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ThereIsNoLine
8 years ago
Thanks! Upgrading the brakes made big improvements. I still have the same calipers, but I changed to metal pads (DiscoBrakes, probably other brands out there, too) and rotors compatible with metal pads (stock rotors are resin-only). Since the bike check post, I changed to a larger rotor (203 mm). That made a HUGE difference in braking power for low cost (cheaper RT66 rotor and the adapter). Definitely worth it.

I also changed the brake levers to the Zee, but that was mostly to black out the controls (silver didn't look as good). Silly reason, but I think they modulate better, too... That's probably all in my head, though...
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forHisglory
8 years ago
I went with the Shimano SLX M7000 drive-train groupset, with the M8000 bottom bracket, and XT M8000 shifter. It was a quick easy mod. - with the right tools - and I only dropped about $250 on the whole setup. No regrets!!! Honestly, I really don't have any complaints about the stock brakes. A lot of the stuff I ride around here is steep and fast and I haven't felt myself wanting more. But if I were to upgrade I would go with the SLX, best bang for the buck. I would also stick with a 180mm rotor front and back. Good Luck!
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ThereIsNoLine
8 years ago
Ah, good point on the groupset. When I bought my upgrades, the 1x10 was still cheaper. Six months later, the 1x11s were cheaper... go figure. The 1x11 groupset would have been easier. Well done.

Interesting thoughts on the brakes. I agree that brake upgrades weren't necessary, but I do think the larger rotor made a dramatic difference and was worth the $50.
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Mikecic55
8 years ago
take a look at my comment above and see if you can help me out! so confused haha thank you
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ThereIsNoLine
8 years ago
forHisglory seems to have you covered. I agree the 1x should work, so I'm also surprised about the LBS. The only thing I would double check is the BB standard on your bike vs. the 2016 (or whatever BB you buy). There is no difference between the 2014 and 2015 Precept except the color (orange is sweet).

Also, the Kona customer support folks are helpful, timely, and responsive with such technical questions. You can definitely ask them about BB standards between the bikes, and maybe even ask what the LBS might have been thinking.

If you didn't want to spend the money on the BB tool, you might be able to find an LBS (maybe not the last one you went to) to handle it. I didn't buy the press fit tool. My LBS folks are super helpful, though.

I recommend buying the new crank. I didn't (trying to be cheaper) and had to hack it a bit. The oval ring fit on the 64 BCD, but the wider axis (30T equivalent) was nicking the derailleur cable. A zip tie on the cable held it away. A kludge, annoying, but functional... New crank would have been a better idea. Getting the chain guard on was a different hack, too. Sigh. forHisglory has the right idea; buy the groupset.

The only surprise I ran into was needing an extra shim (2 total) under the cassette. I have no idea what that was about. The 1x11 should probably work better. It's also the better choice over the 1x10. I don't think there is much difference in cost between the 1x10 and 1x11 anymore.
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Mikecic55
8 years ago
Hi ThereIsNoLine I need some help upgrading my precept! i want to make it 1x10 or 1x11 but the shop told me i have to go 2x or sticl with three. I just started biking a few years ago and dont know much about parts and upgrading. what do you think I should do? i have the orange 2015 precept dl please let me know, im trying to spend less than 600 but can do more if needed, Thanks!
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forHisglory
8 years ago
Ummm, I'm not sure why the LBS is telling you that - it is not true.
Buy the following items from Jenson USA and you will be set. If you are going to do it yourself you will also need a couple tools. If you need P/Ns just ask and I can get them to you.
Shimano SLX FC-M7000 $79.00 - Crank
SLX M7000 SM-CRM70 (30T,32T,or34T) $27.00 - Chain Ring
XT BB-MT800 $19.00 - Bottom Bracket
XT SL-M8000 $42.00 - Shifter
SLX RD-M7000 $53.00 - Rear Derailleur
SLX CS-M7000 $53.00 - Cassette

And there you go, you've got yourself a 1X11 setup that is actually quite nice for about $275! Let me know if you need anything else. This is the exact setup I went with and I love it. I went with the 30T chain ring due to local riding conditions.
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Mikecic55
8 years ago
did u do this on a kona precept ? he was talking about me needing a different wheel and some other adapter piece because of the narrow frame on my bike. Also ive never done any bike work, do you think i would be able to install it myself then get it fine tuned by a shop? what are p/n's? sorry im new to this!
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forHisglory
8 years ago
Yes I did this on my 2016 Kona Precept 130 which to my knowledge is the exact same as the 2015 DL. It's up to you whether you want to do it yourself. I found the mod pretty simple. The only trick was running a bolt, with washer and nuts, through the bottom bracket to keep the tool engaged when removing my old bottom bracket. Other than that, nice and smooth. I can give you the tool P/Ns tonight.
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forHisglory
8 years ago
List of tools for the upgrade:
Park Tool BBT-9, which should include TL-FC25
Park Tool BBT-22
Bike Hand YC-126-2A
Foundation 325P2
Bike Hand YC-501A
And that is all the special tools you'll need.

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