Category Archives: Sneak Peeks

Kona Sea Otter in Photos

Posted on 04/25/2013 by mitchell

For the first time in a few years, Kona had a booth displaying bikes at Sea Otter. The goal was to tell the world about our exciting new line-up of 2013 and 2014 carbon bikes. Models on display were the 2013 Hei Hei Supreme, 2013 Red Zone, 2014 Major Jake and the 2014 Supreme Operator and Operator. The booth was buzzing all four days of the show. With awesome California sunshine, huge crowds, and tons of press from all over the world, we had a blast showing off our new bikes. With our XC Team tearing up the competition (Barry Wicks finished 8th in a super competitive XC men’s race, and Spencer Paxson finished 6th in the CX on a Red Zone), it was nothing but positive vibes for the Kona Crew. Check out the photos by Kona Communications dude, Mitchell Scott.

The booth was super busy with press. Here Gravity Project Manager Chris Mandell give Bike Magazine the lowdown on the new Supreme Operator. Read More→

Posted in cyclocross, Downhill, News, Racing, Review, Road, Sneak Peeks, Uncategorized, XC | Leave a comment

Sicklines’ Video: 2014 Kona Operator Gets Carbon Fiber and the 2014 Kona Supreme Operator

Posted on 04/23/2013 by eddy

Read more on Sicklines

Posted in 2014, Downhill, Freeride | Leave a comment

Dirt Rag’s Sea Otter report: Kona Hei Hei Supreme and Operator Carbon

Posted on 04/23/2013 by eddy

The Hei Hei Supreme is a 2013 bike, but this is my first chance to get a look at it in person. This carbon framed racer gets all the geometry updates recently applied to the alloy frame Hei Hei, including slacker angles and shorter chainstays. Frame is claimed to be 4.5 pounds, 5.1 with FOX shock and 142mm rear axle. Stock build with an XO group and no stupid light parts gets to 24.7 pounds. Barry Wicks’ race bike (in an XL frame size) is a pretty shocking 21 pounds. Read more at Dirt Rag

Posted in 2014, Downhill, Freeride, Review, XC | Leave a comment

Bike Radar: Kona Carbon Operator, disc Super Jake — Sea Otter 2013

Posted on 04/23/2013 by eddy

Kona launched two big platforms at this year’s Sea Otter Classic: a new Carbon Operator composite downhill bike and a new Super Jake disc brake-equipped ‘cross bike. The aim of both bikes is simple: go faster. Read more on Bike Radar

Posted in 2014, cyclocross, Downhill, Freeride | Leave a comment

Spain’s MTB Pro Magazine Reports on Kona’s Press Camp

Posted on 04/19/2013 by eddy

Click the image to read the report (Spanish).

Posted in 2013, News, Review | Leave a comment

2014 Sneak Peek – Titanium Rove

Posted on 03/14/2013 by eddy

We just couldn’t resist crafting this beauty. Manufactured at Lynskey Performance Designs in the U.S.A. and sharing the same gravel-grinding, rough road geometry as our Kona Cromoly Rove, the new Ti Rove is a sweet addition to our line of Freerange Road bikes. Featuring big tire clearance and all the necessary eyelets for racks and fenders, the 3/2.5 Ti, Kona designed frame is drawn around a 44 mm headtube, using an external lower cup for a tapered steer tube fork resulting in a sturdy, confident, comfortable ride feel that’s perfect for riders wanting a supple, tough-as-nails but superlight do-it-all drop bar bike. From around-the-world touring to weekend ‘cross races, winter training to all-day dirt road adventures, the bike goes beautifully with our new Kona Project Two Carbon Disc fork, which should be available for aftermarket purchase early this summer. Frame sizes are: 47, 49, 53, 56, 59, 61cm. Our first production order arrives this spring, contact your local shop to order yours now. Read More→

Posted in 2014, Asphalt, cyclocross, Road, Sneak Peeks | 4 Comments

2013 Zone Two – Sneak Peek

Posted on 11/30/2012 by mitchell

Nearly three years in development, Kona releases our first ever, custom-designed carbon fiber road bikes—-the Red Zone and the Zone Two. Considering the growth of GranFondo and endurance road riding, the Kona Road Product Development Group decided it was time to design a road bike that seriously considered the ride requirements of this burgeoning discipline. Longer rides necessitate more comfortable geometry, while year-long training necessitates 28c wheelset compatibility. Highlighted by a detail-oriented sub 1000-gram monocoque frame and fork that’s light and speedy, but not delicate or brittle, the Zone Two comes loaded with a host of innovative features, like a press fit BB30 bottom bracket, compact 50-34 gearing, hidden fender eyelets and a tubeless wheelset. Bottom line: The Zone is a pro peloton worthy road race bike that can handle any road surface in any weather condition.


The Zone Two: Tough enough to ride every road surface, comfortable enough to ride forever, and always fast. Weight on the bike is 16.8 lbs. or 7.6 kilos.
Read More→

Posted in 2013, Asphalt, Review, Sneak Peeks | 2 Comments

Laajavuori Bikepark Finland- Grant Fielder Returns

Posted on 10/10/2012 by chopper

2 weeks ago i received a phone call asking if i wanted to go over to Finland for the annual Nasse ride event hosted at the Kona Bike Park Laajavuori. With an early friday start i set off to Heathrow for my 3 hour flight to Helsinki followed by a 3 hour drive to Jyvaskyla.

The trip was a wet one for sure but to brighten things up i was lucky eneough to try out a fair amount of the 2013 bikes on display. I chose the Entourage, Mikko was on the operator and tapbeir (probably the coolest name in history, i called him beertap!) was shredding Konas latest member of the family the Process. Despite the weather we managed to get in plenty of runs and certainly didn’t care about the mud and rain. We were filming out there so expect to see more info on the trip shortly.
Peace.

Posted in 2013, Bikeparks, Downhill, Enduro, Finland, Freeride, Kona Europe, The Team | Leave a comment

The Path Bike Shop Reports on Kona’s 2013 Launch and More

Posted on 09/14/2012 by eddy

Tani Walling, Owner of The Path Bike Shop reports: Visiting Kona Bicycles Headquarters in Washington, then driving up to Whistler, B.C. – a trip I will always look back on with great pleasure.

Every summer for years, I have been telling myself that this would be the summer I would make it to Whistler. After years of letting myself down, I was beginning to lose hope. So when our long time friend and Kona rep Kelly invited me to join him for three days in Whistler following the 2013 Kona product launch, I jumped at the chance. We flew in to Bellingham, Washington on Wednesday August 22nd. We arrived at around 4PM, and before sunset, we were racing around Bellingham on Kona Dr. Good bikes. The team up at Kona all are passionate and ripping riders who really know how to share a good time. Read more

Posted in 2013, News | Leave a comment

Kona 2013 Bikes on All Hail the Black Market

Posted on 08/30/2012 by eddy

…Upon waking up to ‘George of The Jungle’ blaring on my hotel room’s television set, I first exclaimed a few expletives and then shuffled away to get some food, read up on Lance’s disgrace, and get my head straight for another day of riding. After my previous day’s romance with the Rove and Satori, I shucked and jived my way through the collection to find the one that was waiting for me. It was across a crowded field when the Honzo and I crossed glances, and I knew ours would be an afternoon filled with affection; read more

Posted in 2013, News | Leave a comment

Bike Magazine on Kona 2013

Posted on 08/27/2012 by eddy

Kona recently officially launched its 2013 bike line. This week we’ll take a look at some of the new models as well as a few that have been given significant face lifts. Today we’ll focus on the massively re-worked Magic Link bikes.

One of the first things that struck me was the absence of the Magic Link-equipped CoilAir freeride model and 2+2 cross-country model. What remains are the Abra Cadabra and Cadabra models. While on its face this might suggest that Kona is stepping away from its unique Magic Link design, it’s clear, on deeper inspection, that this is far from true.

“What we’re doing with Magic Link,” says Kona product manager, Paddy White, “is focusing it on a bike where it makes the most sense. We were finding that cross-country riders mainly wanted something that’s as light and simple as possible. Riders who were interested in something like the CoilAir wanted something more purely focused on gravity. The Abra Cadabra, though, is the perfect bike for that Enduro style of riding where you need a bike to climb and descend exceptionally well, so that’s where we’re focusing Magic Link now.” read more

Posted in 2013, Enduro, News | Leave a comment

Vital MTB’s First Look: 2013 Kona Bicycles Launch

Posted on 08/25/2012 by eddy

Posted in 2013, News | Leave a comment