The Hei Hei has been a staple in the Kona lineup for more than two decades. In that time it has evolved from the original steel hardtail that graced the trails in 1996 into a titanium hardtail, then into an aluminum dually, and then into the carbon machine you see on the pages here. The Hei Hei name has always graced bikes that were cross-country-oriented but also not afraid to hit the trails aggressively. In fact, we’d be willing to say that not a single version of the Hei Hei, as different as they may have been over the years, could be pigeonholed as a cross-country, race-day-only bike.
When we ventured to the Kona headquarters in Bellingham, Washington, last spring to spy on the company’s latest projects, we spotted a carbon prototype on the trails that had no decals and was obviously far from production. We immediately suspected it was the new Hei Hei. Now our suspicions have been confirmed, and the wait for the production version is over. This is the test of Kona’s latest Hei Hei.
WHO IS IT MADE FOR?
Stiffer than most: Out of the saddle the Hei Hei is responsive and stiff. The head tube is oversized and uses plenty of extra material to increase the front-end stiffness. Our test bike came with riser bars, which suited us well for trail riding, but more XC-oriented riders might seek out a narrower flat bar.
Between the aluminum and carbon Hei Hei, Kona offers a range of suspension options and price points. The carbon Hei Hei DL Race is made for aggressive cross-country riders looking for an effective race bike, but also something that has the ability to be ridden as a trailbike. The carbon version is available in a Trail version that comes with a longer-travel, 120-millimeter Fox 34 fork and dropper post, while our test bike was spec’d with more XC-oriented tires and no dropper. The DL Race will appeal to riders looking for a competitive race bike or riders who want a solid platform to upgrade parts in the future. Trail riders will be drawn to this bike for its quick handling and all the benefits of a versatile modern geometry.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The Hei Hei uses a full-carbon frame and rear triangle with the same suspension design as its aluminum sibling. Kona built the rear triangle with flex stays as opposed to bearing pivots and with Boost spacing to give the Hei Hei a more versatile geometry. Our test bike had 100 millimeters of front and rear travel, but there is a trail option that does come with a 120-millimeter fork for riders looking for something more aggressive. The lines and tube shapes of the frame are modern and oversized. Kona designed the rear triangle with massive seatstays that taper out mid-length to give it strength and accommodate the suspension.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
Our test bike came with a full SRAM GX1 build kit and Guide brakes, which were major standouts during our testing, The Guide brakes offered consistent performance and were a good lightweight option for this bike. The RockShox SID fork and Monarch shock complemented the suspension design well and were efficient over various types of terrain.
Use the big gear: Most 1×11 drivetrains come stock with smaller chainrings that limit the lower gearing. Kona specs the Hei Hei with a 34-tooth front ring that will require a little extra effort going up, but pays off on the descents.
HOW DOES IT PERFORM?
The geometry of the Hei Hei is very forgiving, especially for a cross-country bike. We tested a size large and never felt like the fit was too aggressive or uncomfortable, which made for easy setup and dialing in the reach. We ran the sag a little stiffer—at 20 percent—for smoother XC trails, but riders looking for a little more out of their suspension might want to run it a little softer.
Moving out: Starting off, we ran the stack height a little lower for a more tucked XC riding position, but later decided we felt comfortable keeping it stock, even for general trail use. The Hei Hei comes stock with 750-millimeter-wide riser bars that give the fit more of a trail feel than a cross-country feel. We attempted to set up the tires tubeless, but, to our surprise, the tires spec’d were not tubeless compatible.
Light, fast, fun: Finding a balance between top-notch performance and fun can be an art in patience. Kona has had plenty of time to tweak the Hei Hei and the Carbon DL Race is a modern take on a bike with a capable history.
Cornering: The Hei Hei is a very playful bike in corners. The frame and rear triangle are stiff and offer good support when pushed hard into a turn. Our testers had good leverage with the wider bars and felt comfortable enough to lean the bike over, even with the fast, 2.0-inch-width tires.
Put in the time: If you want to win, you have to put in your time in the saddle. The Hei Hei has a versatile platform that will make those long hours more enjoyable and playful.
Climbing: We were surprised at just how stiff the Hei Hei was once we started climbing. The rear triangle has oversized tubes that make the bike incredibly responsive when you’re pedaling out of the saddle. Some of our testers would have liked a more aggressive fit when the pitches got steep, but with the suspension locked out we conquered climbs effectively. The DL Race comes stock with a 34-tooth front chainring that was perfect for our local trails and gave us plenty of speed downhill. Some riders might want to taper down, though, if their typical ride has steep climbs.
Return to sender: Cross-country race bikes don’t typically have a reputation for their ability to jump, but the Hei Hei DL Race is a massive exception to the rule. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself hunting for something to boost on the trail.
Descending: Even with the aggressive 2.0, semi-slick tread, the Hei Hei ripped downhill. At first we were a little hesitant to take corners or steep sections aggressively without our knobbier tires or dropper post, but ultimately we found that we rode just fine without them once we got going. The frame and rear triangle were stiff and responsive and gave our testers confidence through technical sections of trail. Most XC race bikes are focused and precise, and the Hei Hei meets those expectations, but also has a level of playfulness built into it that makes the ride more fun.
Tune it how you want it: The Hei Hei has a versatile geometry that can be tweaked for cross-country racing or general trail riding. Kona developed the rear suspension to work effectively with each application.
TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?
Our build kit felt solid, and the suspension per- formed flawlessly during our testing. Kona specs the Hei Hei with WTB tubeless rims and includes a set of tubeless valves, but doesn’t spec the bike with tubeless-ready tires. This isn’t a huge drawback, but it is a bit of a head-scratcher considering everything else is included. If you’re a little more conservative on the descents and climbs, consider going down to a smaller chainring size. Riders looking to ride the Hei Hei as a trail- bike will benefit from swapping out the Maxxis Maxxlite tires immediately, as they are extremely lightweight and have a minimalist tread pattern. XC racers, on the other hand, will love them and be willing to sacrifice a bit of cornering performance for the weight savings.
Competitive nature: Kona offers the Hei Hei Carbon in a couple different options, ranging from our more XC-racing-oriented build to a full-on trail version spec’d with a dropper post and stouter fork. Don’t be fooled; the DL Race is more than ready for aggressive trail riding as is.
BUYING ADVICE
The Hei Hei DL Race has a lot to offer. Even though it embodies the spirit of hardcore cross-country racing, the Hei Hei has a certain fun factor that is rare for bikes built on this platform. If you race cross-country and get burned out down the road, don’t feel like you’re too committed with the Hei Hei. Throw some knobby tires on and a 120-millimeter-travel fork and enjoy the trail differently.
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