Jon and Kate are Kentucky mountain bikers who love to ride rowdy southeast US trails, organize events for their local trail association and spend time in the woods with their rescue pup. Earlier this year, they fell in love with the playful nature of the 2019 Kona Process and began planning custom builds to ride both on their local trails and to travel with. With the help of their local Kona dealer, Broomwagon Coffee and Bikes in Lexington, KY their party builds came together featuring brands and components that are near and dear to their hearts and that complement their riding styles and aesthetic preferences.

Kate’s Custom 2019 Kona Process CR DL – The Creative Process

I started out with the intent to build a shredder, but what I got was a lesson in building a rig that fit my riding style that turned into a love letter to some of my favorite places to ride.

Starting with the Process 153 CR/DL frame let me cherry-pick some components from the PNW and Southeast US, places that really progressed my riding over the past several years. The 170 Bachelor post from PNW Components is super consistent and stylish. Not to mention it gets the f*** out of the way when the fire road ends. A Fox 36 Factory runs point for the downhills, while the stock Super Deluxe RT3 mixes the genres in the back. Both of these are major upgrades from my previous ride and taught me a lot about compression settings and dialing in my preferences for the rowdy Southeast.

Matching that crispy mint color was a real challenge until I found Florida-based Profile Racing’s Helm stem. The OneUp EDC tool nestles into it nicely and adds some nice contrast, not to mention some CYA.

Skid triggers are courtesy of TRP Quadiems, 4-piston stopping power that will literally save you from the jaws of an apex predator—in my case, a disturbingly large alligator. Sticky Disisdaboss grips from Sensus finish out the rest of the cockpit.

The build is made ridable courtesy of a WTB Koda saddle and Diety Black Kats.

Fork Fox Factory 36 GRIP 2
Shock RS Super Deluxe RT3
Brakes TRP Quadiem
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Dropper Post PNW Bachelor
Wheels Bontrager Line Pro 30
Stem Profile Racing Helm with OneUp EDC Tool
Saddle WTB Koda
Grips Sensus Disisdaboss

Jon’s Custom 2019 Kona Process 29 CR – Rudie Can’t Fail

I was pretty happy with the starting package of components on the Kona Process 29 CR so I elected to order a complete bike and swap some parts out. At 6’3” with long arms and a long torso, the XL frame and 29” wheels were a no-brainer.

The first part I swapped out was the fork because I absolutely love my DVO Diamond. I’ve been incredibly impressed with how well it handles both big hits and small chatter underneath my Clydesdale frame, so it was a no-brainer to slap some custom Slik Graphics decals on the fork and bolt it on.

I then swapped out the stock wheels for a custom set built by my buddy James at Broomwagon. I strapped strong, lightweight Roval Traverse Carbon rims to Industry Nine 101 hubs. The quick engagement on the hubs is clutch for ratcheting through some southeastern gnar. Plus, after some training, the distinctive buzz helps our trail dog Stevie follow us down the mountain and find us if we get separated.

For the drivetrain, I kept the reliable GX Eagle system in place but swapped the Guide brakes out for a set of Codes. When it came down to pedals, I found I’m most comfortable on the tough and affordable composite Kona Wah Wahs.

I chose an anodized purple Chromag FU40 riser bar to dial in the riding position and highlight the playful nature of this bike. I mounted it with a short Blackspire Components stem and slid on a set of USDA Prime Sensus Meaty Paws grips.

As the color scheme came together, it reminded me of the cover of The Clash’s London Calling album, so I’ve taken to calling the bike Rudie. It continues to inspire more confidence than this particular rider warrants and pushes me to find the rowdy lines because, as Joe Strummer said, Rudie Can’t Fail.

Fork DVO Diamond
Shock RS Super Deluxe RT3
Brakes SRAM Code R
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Dropper Post Rockshox Reverb
Wheels Roval Traverse Rims with Industry Nine 101
Stem Blackspire Components with EDC Tool
Bar Chromag FU40 Riser
Saddle Specialized Power Arc
Grips Sensus Meaty Paws