If there is one thing that is certain about Kona bicycles, it’s that almost every serious mountain biker we know has owned one at some point or another. Some of the best riders we know started mountain biking aboard some type of Kona full-suspension or hardtail mountain bike that they found on Craigslist or their local shop. Whether Kona realizes it or not, most riders have a deep sense of gratitude towards the company that introduced them to their love of the trail.
Kona World is an annual gathering where Kona dealers and a few media types gather in Bellingham, Washington, to do some riding and check out the goodies for the upcoming year. Riding the local trails where companies develop their bikes really puts into perspective what kind of riding a company has in mind for the bikes that they are producing. Bellingham is known to some as the “B.C. of America,” which would make sense, considering it’s just across the water from the actual B.C. The trails that we rode were littered with roots and (to us) soft dirt that only gets better during the wet winter months. We welcomed the break from our sandy Southern California trails and couldn’t help but start to plan a winter road trip to ride the Pacific Northwest when the rain hits.
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No shortage of fun: If there was something that we noticed about the Kona crew, it’s that there’s never a shortage of fun. Although they make killer bikes, they don’t take themselves too seriously.
No shortage of fun: If there was something that we noticed about the Kona crew, it’s that there’s never a shortage of fun. Although they make killer bikes, they don’t take themselves too seriously.Considering that the last time we went to Bellingham we got to check out the redesigned Process line, we were excited to head north, even if it just meant riding an unchanged Process. We were pleasantly surprised when Kona released a redesigned Hei Hei Trail and Honzo, which, yet again, looked like they were developed with B.C.- style riding in mind.
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It’s green: Even though Washington is in a massive drought, the trails were still green—or at least green by our standards. Between the shade and green fern, we were envious of the local trails Kona gets to ride.
It’s green: Even though Washington is in a massive drought, the trails were still green—or at least green by our standards. Between the shade and green fern, we were envious of the local trails Kona gets to ride.The Hei Hei has been Kona’s go-to cross-country race rig, but adapting it for all round trail riding took the bike to a new level of capability. The redesign of the Hei Hei includes shorter chainstays, the addition of a 120-millimeter-travel fork, and 35-millimeter bars and stems throughout the line. The Honzo got a new Boost rear axle, new geometry (that resembles the Process line’s), a Fox 34 fork and a titanium frame option.
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Don’t be fooled: Just because it has historically been a cross-country rocket, the Hei Hei can handle the steepest trails of Bellingham and doesn’t necessarily need a dropper post to do it.
Don’t be fooled: Just because it has historically been a cross-country rocket, the Hei Hei can handle the steepest trails of Bellingham and doesn’t necessarily need a dropper post to do it.
Hei Hei slimmed down: The Hei Hei Trail features Kona’s new Fuse Independent suspension that gives the bike a cleaner and simpler look.
Our first day of riding in Bellingham took place at Padden Lake near the legendary Galbraith Mountain. We grabbed a Hei Hei Trail and didn’t look back. We spent several hours riding the cross-country trails and were surprised by the Hei Hei’s liveliness. Despite how dry the dirt was in Bellingham, it beat the hardpack and sand of Southern California that we are so used to. After an afternoon in the sun, we were eager to try some different trails that would test the Hei Hei’s talked-about capabilities in a more appropriate setting.
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Not to be forgotten: The Process series was one of the more successful redesigns that we have seen from Kona in recent memory. This year included a couple of refinements, such as adding 35-millimeter bars and stems.
Not to be forgotten: The Process series was one of the more successful redesigns that we have seen from Kona in recent memory. This year included a couple of refinements, such as adding 35-millimeter bars and stems.Day two, Kona loaded us up and drove us to Chuckanut, which overlooks Bellingham Bay. The trails were rooty and had plenty of chunder to ensure that we would get a true feel for the Hei Hei Trail’s 120-millimeter Fox fork. Even though we only did a couple rides on the Hei Hei Trail, we would’ve killed for a dropper post at times. Still, it didn’t stop us from having fun.
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Fun continues: Out behind the Kona HQ is a nice pump track that Kona employees use daily. The pump track was just more evidence that Kona is built around people who love bikes and want to share that passion.
Fun continues: Out behind the Kona HQ is a nice pump track that Kona employees use daily. The pump track was just more evidence that Kona is built around people who love bikes and want to share that passion.![KONA1]()
Trails unlike any other: The roots and switchbacks of Bellingham, Washington, had us keeping our eyes peeled the whole time. The dense forest and cooler climate were a welcome change from our hot Southern California desert.
Trails unlike any other: The roots and switchbacks of Bellingham, Washington, had us keeping our eyes peeled the whole time. The dense forest and cooler climate were a welcome change from our hot Southern California desert.Kona had some pretty strong convictions about using 35-millimeter bars and stems, and after riding its bikes and trails, we can’t blame them. While Kona’s theme of the trip was going deeper with each bike line, we thought the attention to small details stood out the most, details such as not using rims narrower than 29 millimeters of internal width on the whole Process line, putting on tubeless tape at the factory, and using southpaw remote levers. It is these types of details that make riders appreciate the changes to the 2016 line from Kona.
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Proud history: It’s no secret that one point or another most riders have owned a Kona. From the ’80s to the modern era, Kona has been neck-deep in mountain biking.
Proud history: It’s no secret that one point or another most riders have owned a Kona. From the ’80s to the modern era, Kona has been neck-deep in mountain biking.THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GET MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION
Mountain Bike Action is a monthly magazine devoted to all things mountain biking (yes, that’s 12 times a year because we never take a month off of mountain biking). It has been around since 1986 and we’re still having fun. Start a subscription by clicking here or calling (800) 767-0345. Available from the Apple Newsstand for reading on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.
Contact us via email at mbaction@hi-torque.com
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