I don't think kona are crap, quite the contrary, seems a lot of ladz round here have very nice kona bikes I'd like to have a go on, unfortunately, they just ride 'em round the car park being "cool". I'm sure they are very capable bikes.
Konas and carreras are what are available in halfords "off the peg", that's what people buy. Can't expect everyone to walk in and be an STW genius!