Winter can be a slow time around the bike shop, one that gives birth to many strange and wild ideas. Thus was born our latest idea, the Hahanna Challenge.

Konas are some of the most long-lasting and well-built bikes around. They are built by riders for riders and it definitely shows each time you swing a leg over one. We know that their high-end bikes are fully capable of holding up to the riding we do, but what about the entry level?

This winter we decided we would find out. Three of us would spend spring and summer riding our very own Kona Hahanna mountain bike (retail $429) at least once a week on a trail that we would regularly ride on our own mountain bike.

So here are the rules - self imposed of course:

Reed, Chad and Alex are each going to ride a Hahanna for the 2011 mountain biking season.  We can ride whichever size we choose (Chad 16", Reed 18" and Alex 22").

We are allowed to switch out the saddle and pedals if we wish. Aside from that, the bikes must be ridden as-is. We may also replace any components that break with whatever we choose.

We must ride the bike at least once a week between now and the end of September. We will post a brief review after each ride, as well as occasional photo and video highlights.

Finally, Alex will ride his Hahanna in at least one of the Wednesday Night Beer League races at Marshall Mountain this summer.

Stay tuned for further updates.