i have a kona bear predecessor of the dawg, (marin made them change the name, previously it was the beer but pc police made them chamge that too)
anyway mine is still going strong after 7 years 2 megavalanches dh races xc epics commuting, popping to the shops trail centre weekends etc etc
the medium- 17 inch frame is spot on for me at 5'8
it was built up quite burly but its lost a lot of weight recently
i did crack a seatstay falling of the kona darkside at mabie but found a spare seatstay in the next shop i walked into!
its pretty much indestructable and believe me ive tried
propedal/ a lock out is required to stop it bobbing on the climbs its an awesome descender