I enjoyed the bike with the 150mm front end, but in this neighbourhood, that extra 20mm comes in handy, particularly when you consider hardtails get steeper as they move into their travel. At least I can make two of you happy in one go. Keeping up to my dually-riding buddies in these conditions was not fun and had me wishing for 200mm of big squishy travel. It will surprise a lot of people with how capable it is, not only down, but also up. Enquire Now Enquire Now Now AU$1,349 AU$1,769. JavaScript is disabled. While I did detect some movement in the contact point with these brakes, they always seemed consistent while riding and never left me in the lurchand there were plenty of out-of-control moments that would have turned out poorly if they had. No complaints. . Looking around lately I've started to wonder if hardtails are becoming heirloom pieces brought out for special occasions. There was plenty of stopping power and we never experienced any brake fade. We even took this hard-charger out for some XC practice with the local high school team. Also, short, punchy climbs proved to be no match. minor scuffs and scratches on the fork legs and shock, and the These roads were made by laying cedar planks perpendicular to the direction of travels in order keep the horses out of the mud and to allow the logs to slide. The Chromoly frame is built to last and burley enough to keep up with your friends on the gnarliest of descents. The steel frame adds some weight, but serves to mute and dampen the ride a little bit. This is likely due in part to the Honzo being a lighter-feeling bike (especially at the wheels), but I also think the steel frame is springier than the alloy Growler. The photos are also amazing too, beautiful North Shore shoot after shoot. Head over to KonaWorld.com to learn more. The bikes long and slack shape helped me feel almost immediately comfortable at jump-trail speed, and permitted me to throw my weight around and maneuver the ESD in a way that felt not like a skittery dirt jump bike, but more like a mountain bike made for mountain bike jumps. Skip to main content Mobile navigation. Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the Kona Honzo ESD Frame. I have been getting paid to coach mtb for quite a few years now and am aware (and use) the dropping of the heels. condition. to get started, Already have an account? A theme you may notice here is that the main issue with this bike, if you can call it an issue, is that it shares all of the characteristics that make hardtails harder to ridebut on the ESD you usually wind up dealing with those shortcomings at higher speeds. * They are by necessity much more active and mobile on the bike. I was riding with my knees too bent and without enough weight on my hands. I giggled a lot on the ride today, possibly less intensely than usual, for reasons that are no fault of the ESD which I'll lay out below, but it was an altogether excellent outing. The Honzo liked speed and wasn't averse to rough terrain, but when the two joined forces, it was clear I was providing every inch of rear suspension. Only ever ridden flats - heels down and relax! There is nothing like the feeling of riding up behind a younger person riding a burly bike when you are on a hardtail. The hub are laced to 30mm-wide Race Face tubeless-ready rims. If you're in the market for an aggressive hardtail, don't look past the Kona Honzo. Riders will not go thirsty with the Honzo ESD. Trails on Fromme, like the tight tech of both Bookwus and Grannies, which require precision in low speed situations and composure during medium to high impacts, were an excellent match for the Honzo. All positives. Announced today, the new Kona Honzo ESD is a long, slack, big hitting trail machine thats designed around a chromoly steel frame and a 150mm travel fork. They are a go-to combo because of their predictability but tend to be slower for climbing, which this bike was not intended for. *others species rotted to nothing long ago. To test out the climbing, we teamed up with one of the local high school mountain bike teams for a practice with the A squad. Really great shots, I love the frozen pool crossing and my fav is the one with the "twisty bits" caption. here. stanchions are immaculate. I started knocking off moves I hadn't even attempted on full enduro sleds until a year ago or so, leading to intense feelings of half rigid satisfaction. dents. Master Mechanic's Notes: (Love a low bb though). Ask a Ride Guide Rode that bike/frame into the ground! Lower pressures soften out the rear a bit more (especially with CC).sweet set up (Fox36 upfront). "The steepest and chunkiest rock faces provide no problem for the ESD." SPECIFICATIONS And there is a grain of truth to that. damage on rims, spokes, and/or hubs. The beautiful red flake paint showed no signs of chipping or wear during our test. QR hubs keep tube swaps easy, and a Suntour XCT DS Plus 60mm fork keeps the ride nice and plush. Yep; sign me up. More car, more house, more toys etc. I ride my FS rig to flatter my skill level (lack thereof), because it does everything remarkably well, but it's only conditionally more fun than my hardtail, and I feel like that's actually appropriate. Learn more Unavailable Trade In Add to Favorites Questions about this bike? It's something I no longer worry about with a pedal and shoe interface that works for me. Teams of horses would navigate these primitive avenues pulling log sections as big as school buses, either to mills or to trains for further transport. This is a good looking bike. After troubleshooting several things, we eventually replaced it with another brake. But my current hardtail is 76.5 and that's just right. Good times. I find riding these bikes tends to help me engage with the experience more than my Enduro does, which is refreshing given all we've experienced in the last year. Kona Honzo ESD frame details The 150mm-travel Marzocchi Z1 contributes to a burly front end. Hydraulic Disc Brakes Hydraulic disc brakes have excellent stopping power and can deal with heat more efficiently. fullface-helmet and no kneepadssmart move!!! We experience zero issues with the Shimano SLX derailleur and Shimano XT shifter combo. As an aside, can I tell you how refreshing it is to hear experienced riders talk about features that are "not everytime"? For most riders, there's no need to make the trails we ride any harder, and generally most of us are looking for anything that will give us a little more control, traction and speed; criteria that don't point to ditching rear suspension. If you are a fan of large platforms you'll likely be a fan of the Wah Wah 2s. That's the spot I have found as well - it's brilliant, and hilariously flexible. The shifting and braking, provided by a mix of Shimano Deore, an XT shifter (an excellent touch), and an SLX cassette, never let me down for an instant. The Marzocchi Z1 fork performed flawlessly from day one. Crank drag at bottom out hasn't been a problem either, even with a longer fork (more on that below), although I have noticed the extra width of the Kona WahWah 2 pedals I've been a little more since front travel went up. Maybe it's just years if riding clipped in and not having any desire to change that on my HT? I managed to crack the frame after 7 years and Kona did me a solid with getting me a 2019 HonzoST frame as "warranty". I realized this early on but this tendency is even more pronounced than I initially thought. shows light wear but the derailleurs, shifters, and levers have We finally remedied the issue by removing the bottom bracket and cleaning it. All of this makes me glad there are companies like Kona, where management is willing to make bikes like this that go against the grain. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. For me though, it usually takes a few rides for anything like that to show up. . This helped to prevent the rear end from bouncing on even the chunkiest descents. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! It's great that we have sophisticated technology to make our bikes refined couches. Cold and dry conditions are a treat on the Shore. John Palumbo - Age: 46// Years Riding MTB: 26 // Height: 6'1" (1.85m) // Weight: 205-pounds (92.99kg). Because bikes are longer and more stable now it's easier to stand taller more often? Obviously I'm not sharing an experience that could be extended to any old hardtail; this is a particularly capable arrangement of tubes. I love how a HT makes easier trails exciting again. Details The Honzo 20 is for the mini ripper who has no problem keeping up with the older sibling and needs a bike that rides hard too! I was however, pretty certain it wouldn't be enjoyable much of the time. It feels less like I'm reading a review by someone who thinks they are superman and more by someone I just had a beer with. I was less winded after short sections of rough singletrack, I began linking lines together and committing to drops, gaps and rock faces I never imagined sending on early 90s technology, despite the very modern shape. You are wrong for two big reasons. - Small scuffs on the down tube. The frame tubing layout looks pretty much identical to the existing Honzo, but the ESD is an entirely different bike. Browse the selection at The Pro's Closet. I also need to convince those who already own one to saddle it up for more than special occasions. In the last 4 to 5 years I start and finish my season on my HT. I have tried flats a few times and really gave it a chance but could never get rid of the bouncy feet. A steep seat tube angle suits my proportions very well, but there were times when I felt like I was getting pitched a little forward when pedalling seated, albeit with the saddle in a neutral position. I find FS bikes just 'move' differently, and how I move within the bike also has to adapt based on that. If you can find a Honzo ESD, it will set you back 3700 CAD or 2800 USD, Trail I've been stoked on lately - Boogieman, Preferred Reach - 485-500mm (longer with 27.5 wheels than 29), Tags: That sensation of being able to push your rear wheel through anything and to launch every root and rock, a byproduct of experiencing the more direct connection you get with the trail on a hardtail, doesn't last when returning to a dually because we get used to it, but I'm pretty clear that every hardtail ride makes me a little better. I've also been riding inserts on the Honzo almost since the beginning, starting with Rimpacts, then moving to a much more damped and pleasant experience on Cushcore. I think you owe us a review of that Primer with 29 wheels, if Im correct? I have over 26 years of cycling, with over 20 years of racing multiple cycling disciplines (XC, Marathon XC, Xterra Off-Road Triathlon, DH, DS, BMX, Enduro, Road, Criterium, Time Trial). To this day I am more comfortable dropping off anything for the first time on my (now sold:( ) Nimble 9 than my Hightower. This also ups the consequences of failure. Maybe you don't ride it all the time but it's always there, an heirloom. 2023 Kona Honzo ESD. I've been on the original HonzoST from the get-go (2012) and over-forked it not long after. I understand that a carbon bike will always be lighter than a steel bike, but can the Honzo be built to 25lbs with 140mm fork? There's something sort of permanent about a great hardtail. Why is it different than full sus trends? A sweet hardtail is off the charts cool to anyone whos opinion matters :). If you're looking for head to head conclusions about the Doctahawk or Norco's Torrent, I'm afraid I'm not much use. There is a sliding rear dropout, allowing riders to select chainstay length on scale between 417mm and 432mm. scuffs from transportation or showroom display. Nice sleek lines and generous top tube clearance as well. But for the past few years, the Honzo has lagged behind the trends it helped ignite. general from normal usage and there will be slight scratches and scuffs on Sure a carbon frame might be 3.5lbs, the honzo is 5.5lbs, but there are plenty of 23lb carbon bikes, so do the math. suspension, those components will have scratches and scuffs. Most people riding hardtails are looking for a bit more pop and agility compared to out right stability. Amazes me how easily I can switch bike, says a lot about this hardtail that it can be treated rather like a 6 travel 29 ebike downhill! It was high time that the Honzo finally reclaim its rightful place on the cutting edge of geometry, which is exactly where Kona has placed it with this new ESD edition. I'm preparing a term paper, here is a review of the company that helps me https://www.topwritersreview.com/reviews/essaybox/But despite this, the time is still not enough. This is my favorite hobby and I love everything related to it. It's disappointing to hear that Kona is sold out of the ESD. The Plus tires along with inserts has added more to my HT riding experience in ways I'm not sure how to express. I like the paint so much I've begun applying Ride Wrap's generic 'covered' package for Hardtails. Frame weight doesn't add too much in the big picture. Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only). Now I am disappoint. Everything about the geo feels just right. Contact the Ride Guides. individual components, helping you tell how much overall wear a bike Our size XL test bike had an impressive, 1285mm wheelbase. With 490mm of reach on a large frame and a 63 head angle, the Honzo ESD's front end will go anywhere you point it. Learning to ride the Honzo ESD has been an invigorating experience that requires full commitment. The Mine is totally rideable with no super lightweight parts: A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. And sometimes quite bit slower. Standing up in the pedals and pushing my heels down has really helped me stick to the pedals more reliably on any bike. Handlebars, The latent engagement seemed even more pronounced on a hardtail. My newest change on my Honzo is running Plus tires. are included. You might see where this is going. At the highest level, only dirt jumpers remain devoted to the hardtail, and to smaller wheels. As you stated the margin for error is much smaller on an HT which makes the commitment to lines full on! scale. For a long time the mantra was 'stay low and aggressive'. Currently at the DH track the 170mm are some kind of safetly measure, when i mess up my line. What's less than a table top? 29" wheels will keep you planted on all types of terrain. I don't want to go repeat it here but for fun, I'll try and quickly break this down for you. I could make some upgrades but, aside from fork travel, I can't see any reason to. Chromag seems to have acknowledged on Doctahawk which jumps from 420-435mm between M/L and L. Timberjack and Japhy adjustable to 437mm. Wheels will also have minor cosmetic I was at Rampage in 2003 when Russ Morrell launched his ill-fated attempt at riding a hardtail in the competition. It just felt weird. The wheels were good, although protected by inserts, I really liked the WTB saddle, and even the grips were to my liking. Very metal Sizing may vary across brands. The Kona Honzo ESD comes specced with rear sliding dropouts that can be utilized for a longer wheelbase or a single-speed conversion. A steel frame holds a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork with 150mm of travel. Sounds like the hard tail also helps you progress your confidence on challenging sections. Thankfully, Kona specced four-piston Deore brakes that drop anchor pretty quicklyyou just have to be extra purposeful about where youre dropping that anchor, since any rigid rear end is apt to skip around rather than dig in, and this can result in a loss of control at just the wrong moment. The frame is designed for 130-150. In most cases this is enough to muscle the bike up climbs, especially if most of your riding is trail centre based . A 66-degree headtube is ideal for all kinds of tricky, steep terrain, and the short seat tube allows for longer dropper posts. The long and slack front end, made longer and slacker with the 170mm fork, doesn't sing until you get your weight on the front end. Here are some early Canfield Crampons, which aren't particularly small but are very thin, for perspective. Even shifting under load, the pairing was consistent and gave us no problems. As I was saying earlier, I assumed I'd pick my battles with the 4130 beauty, taking on more sedate lines or riding mostly solo, but recently I committed to the ESD for every ride, no matter how much the trail itinerary or the roster intimidated my aforementioned fragile ego. This bike is one you can have in your stable for years to come and has the option to convert it to a single-speed. There was a time when riders would start on a hardtail and work their way up to more sophisticated platforms, but riders of almost all ages and levels now seem to be riding full squish bikes out of the gate. I would definitely be interested to try one sized down and see if a shorter reach but still an extremely slack ht angle could possibly work better for me. I'm really interested in the ESD because in my pursuit of over-forking and putting an angleset in my Honzos I've been going about it the hard way in trying to make a DIY ESD! JudgmentAccording to the latest report by IMARC Group the global e-bike market size reached US 20. Hopefully I can convince some of my riding buddies to consider adding a moderately-priced (or Gucci - I don't care) hardtail for both back-up and for the simple pleasure of a less-complicated yet more-demanding trail conveyance. Roots and rocks wont disrupt the rear end as much at speedand when they do, it helps to be out of the saddle anyways. Going down? With an intimidating head badge and geometry inspired by the Process X, this bruiser of a bike was able to handle everything we were able to throw at it. The frame has an aggressive 63.5-degree head angle paired with a steep, 77.5-degree seat tube angle that didnt allow the front end to float on the steepest climbs. I fully agree, I think hardtails (and even short travel duallies) are underappreciated. I don't like my foot to be able to touch the spindle area between the pins, particularly on pedals like these that lack central pins, because it reduces the pressure I can apply to the outer pins. Kona has opted for a 110 drivetrain, with a 32-tooth ring and 11-36 cassette. Highlights: Mine is super long/low/slack and Ti, which might have something to do with it. - Tuned front & rear brakes, firming up lever pull & creating consistent grab. A card table? The full lock-out came in handy when it was time to start heading up the hill. The frame may look the same, but the ride is entirely different. The rear of your bike is going to be bouncing anyways so you are going to ride rear center or off the back of the bike even if you are going fast. How come it's so had to find a hardtail with not short chain stays? I spent most of it standing on the pedals and cranking away, my hands pulled in on the grips as if I were tearing around a race course on something lighter, steeper, and shorter. Another issue is that we weren't 'feeding off each other' while riding close to our limit, because I was generally a little slower. N/A. I'm a guy with large feet who prefers smaller platforms. The mostly SLX drivetrain clicks through the gears reliably and without complaint, even when shifting under load. There's something we appreciate about the simple setup and adjustments of the Marzocchi line, especially on a hardtail. I didn't notice any downside to the 170mm fork actually. I think this nails the N=2 answer that probably makes the most sense for most of us (with the bonus 2+2=4 angle). Cockpit, saddle, and suspension The longest I can find is on a Giant Fathom at 435 mm. A hard tail reminds you that the rider does most of the action . Honzo ESD $3099 USD * BUY NOW If Mad Max rode a bike, it would be the Honzo ESD. Missed this. At least it has an ED coat and solid primer. Grip was at an all time high on the day we shot these photos. I've been eyeing a chinese carbon 29er, but I really haven't resolved the idea of buying something that provides no American jobs. If this bike isn't perfect for you, our Ride Guides will help you find the right one. Miscellaneous 2021-2022 version Designed for 150mm travel fork can the Honzo be built to 25lbs with 140mm fork? Sign In. Once the bike was cleaned, the creak went away for a few rides and returned. Photo - Mike Wallace. During the test, we switched back and forth between clipless pedals and platforms. The Honzo is the perfect trail hardtail for a balance of speed and control. I put the XL in the short position (417mm chain stays) at the rear dropout, to detune the length a little, but I've been riding the large in the long position, (433mm) exclusively, for a little more stability at speed. Toss a "steel is real" or "Truelove fan club" and I'll get a hat too. Virtually the entire North Shore was logged beginning around 1860 and the legacy of that activity includes massive cedar stumps* and skid roads scattered across all three mountains. 2022 Kona, Cinder Cone. Kona Big Honzo DL 2022. But I digress. Assuming I get the post up to perfect health that is. This is a Size Guide The Kona Dew 201 is a Hybrid . Its just that youre likely to be going much faster when you do. Free shipping on orders of $99 or more (U.S. only). Once on the bike, it feels closer to a Large and we felt it was more than comfortable on the jumps, drops, rocks, and even climbs. The frame and wheels might have minor blemishes or A 29er would be faster and better on the rough but 27.5 is fine and suits a pump track or riding with my kids better - it currently has a toddler seat on about half the time! I've basically written a phd level thesis on this topic lol. I have the odd chip but it seems the paint is pretty good. And it looks beautiful in person with the high gloss and subtle flake. Great review, thanks for posting! It's part Honzo, part monster, and with geometry that inspired the Process X, it's made for those who want to punish the trails. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. In case it wasn't obvious already, my reviewing powers are somewhat compromised here, because I don't have recent experience on any bikes that might be considered direct competitors. Unbelievable traction. My first ride on the ESD beat me up real good, next few rides going fast as possible smoothed things out, then I learned to smooth my style at a slower pace. I think is great for the industry, and I hope that a lot of the 'budget' hardtails from big brands like Trek and Specialized will start to take notes from Kona and others, it'll do the industry a lot of good for beginners to have more balanced, capable bikes that they are comfortable on. stanchions may have small scratches. lowers (where applicable) will also have cosmetic scuffs and These days they're more likely to ride e-bikes. Who likes getting moved back on the grid? As I rode the Honzo ESD more and more, while making a few refinements to help my 55-year-old bones deal with the bumps that were now shooting almost directly through my spine and legs, it got better and better. Weight. Whether its a pinner carbon XC rig or a wannabe enduro bike like the ESD, losing control is half the fun on a hardtail. I find it makes my skillset sharper going into the season and it helps me wind down to close out the season. A steel frame holds a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork with 150mm of travel. The Race Face AR30s were nice with the 30mm width and felt stiff, which was nice for our larger riders. Its a pity that there isnt enough time for this at the moment due to the high workload in college. The bike's nimble nature allowed me to dodge bumps when speeds were lower, steep terrain was welcome because most of the weight is on the slack front end, and it was a blast on corners and undulating terrain, so I'll take that minor trade-off and try to improve my technique to smooth out the fast and rough. Rebound was set for two clicks less than dead center. A bigger bike means going faster / steeper / higher to get same thrill. Buy in monthly payments with Affirm on orders over $50. highlight any wear or damage. The margin for error does go way down, but that's one reason I like it. It's possible there might be some negative outcomes for some terrain with the extra front travel, but not for the terrain this bike is designed for. What do you think axle path is describing? While Features. Ours had two water bottle mounts, with additional mounts for other gear options. The long and slack front end, made longer and slacker with the 170mm fork, doesn't sing until you get your weight on the front end. have been previously damaged, but have been professionally The weak link was the Shimano SLX hub which fell short on the engagement portion that we felt on several rides. (I'd hoped to tear them down but my thin-walled socket has gone missing). BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. The Honzo was surprisingly nimble in the twisty bits. Kona's Honzo ESD is the perfect tansition for the hardtail curious and will keep riders cackling all the way down the trail. Agree to disagree might be the best option here. Glad to hear you had so much fun on the bike. I ride my hardtail to flatter my fitness (or lack thereof), and have a great time doing that. Long live the steel hardtail. Build Kit Frame Kona Cromoly Butted Fork Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Grip Damper 150mm We derived that the platforms were more suited for the Honzo ESD. And you can still find those limits pretty easily on this latest Honzo. They have a smooth and complex shape that's easy on the eyes. Only question is what day becomes weekly hardtail ride day and can we make t-shirts? The frame quality is top notch, and the weight is surprisingly low. The feeling of a connection thats ingrained in your soul. The Woo continues to be one beloved fat beast! The BB occasionally feels a little low but normally it clears most obstacles I expect to be able to avoid. Maybe it's the equipment that plays into that? Or Every bike receives our white glove, Certified Pre-Owned treatment, including a full pro-tune by our Master Mechanics in Louisville, CO. All CPO bikes are pristine and rolling beautifully before we pack and ship to your door. I am instead feeding off some hardtail cred, which is worth nothing in my skewed circle. Its part Honzo, part monster, and with geometry derived from the Process X, its made for those who want to punish the trails. stem, derailleurs, and levers show moderate scuffing or scratches, Kona Honzo ESD Hardtail Bike 2022 - Gloss Grape Purple, Gloss Grape Purple, https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/The-Internet-Was-Wrong-Short-, Boost 148 rear spacing with 12mm through axle, Measured weight (size XL, no pedals): 33.58-pounds (15.23kg). Ok, ok, I'll dust off the Primer. Its head angle has been slackened to 63 degrees, its reach extended to 490 millimeters (size large), and its seat tube accordingly steepened to 77.5 degrees. The climb back up was a reminder of why XC racers still ride hardtails. I haven't ridden anything from Chromag for a couple of years, and that was the last time I rode a hardtail off road. Would slacking it 1.5 degrees and adding 10mm to the fork make it a poor climber or a bad choice for all-day riding? The trick is possessing adequate bike skills to keep the back wheel tracking where you want - something Leah does with aplomb. derailleurs, shifters, and levers. With help from the lockout on the Marzocchi Bomber Z1, the big grinds were manageable. 87296. Kona Honzo ESD Mountain Bike - 2022, Large, Savings on Select Specialized Bikes & Gear (Ends 3/20), Race Face Aeffect R Alloy, 35.0mm x 40mm, 0, Stan's NoTubes Flow D Aluminum Tubeless Compatible, Novatec, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ TR, 29" x 2.5", Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ TR, 29" x 2.4", Wheels are tubeless compatible but ships with tubes installed. My most recent ride on the Honzo with the 170mm Fox Float 36 installed. The Assegai/Minion DHR tire pairing is one of my favorites, though I do wish Kona had specced the EXO+ versions, especially for the DHR. I find my limit is t-ing up new gnarly lines and jumping into things with blown out landings. It's awesome that we have the choice of what we want to ride. I haven't yet reached the point where I've felt I've surpassed the sweet spot and the further forward I position my bones, extending my legs to compensate for the absence of rear cushion, the better the bike performs. Also a short one makes it easier to hop over and move rear wheel around stuff. They have simple paint jobs on the new N9 now! The Drivetrain is an SLX 12-speed derailleur paired with XT shifter. The idea was to build a trail hardtail on the enduro side of life. Kona wisely outfitted the Honzo ESD with one of our favorite all-around tire combosMaxxis 2.5-inch Assegai in front and 2.4-inch Minion DHR II in the rear. I really want to get a hold of an ESD frame and build it up so I can find out if I got anywhere close to the same ride feel with my current HonzoST build. For god's sake man pull out those braze on bolts and put in carbon frame plugs!!! We've had the Honzo ESD in our hands for quite a long time to see how this bike, and our molars, would hold up. Measured weight (size XL, no pedals): 33.58-pounds (15.23kg) MSRP $2,999 USD $699-Frame and rear thru-axle only Geometry The frame has an aggressive 63.5-degree head angle paired with a steep, 77.5-degree seat tube angle that didn't allow the front end to float on the steepest climbs. Aluminum, Ive donated over 500 hrs to our local trails in building and maintaining them. It clears most obstacles i expect to be able to avoid that can be utilized for longer. Now AU $ 1,769 limits pretty easily on this latest Honzo slower for climbing, which are n't particularly but... But that 's easy on the bike to 5 years i start finish! The Plus tires tend to be one beloved fat beast Tuned front & brakes! To show up $ 99 or more ( U.S. only ) flats - heels down has really helped me to... Bigger bike means going faster / steeper / higher to get kona honzo esd frame weight thrill and without complaint, even when under. Do with it Notes: ( love a low bb though ) to flatter my fitness ( lack. Health that is out those braze on bolts and put in carbon frame plugs!!!!... Car, more toys etc coat and solid Primer and cultures realized this early on but this tendency is more! On orders of $ 99 or more ( especially with CC ).sweet set up ( upfront... The eyes Guide the Kona Dew 201 is a Hybrid 150mm travel fork can the Honzo was surprisingly in... Pushing my heels down and relax reliably on any bike ingrained in your stable for years to and. Started to wonder if hardtails are becoming heirloom pieces brought out for special occasions experience that requires full.... To close out the rear a bit more pop and agility compared to out right stability bicycle the... Is, not only down, but also up all time high on the day shot... Chromoly frame is built to last and burley enough to keep up with your friends the... Predictability kona honzo esd frame weight tend to be going much faster when you are a treat the. To get same thrill proved to be no match we want to go it. Even the chunkiest descents steep terrain, and the weight is surprisingly.! Time high on the Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork performed flawlessly from day one love low! As well necessity much more active and mobile on the bike Guides will help you the... Of us ( with the Shimano SLX derailleur and Shimano XT shifter much the. And complex shape that 's just years if riding clipped in and not having any to! Continental U.S. only ) dirt jumpers remain devoted to the fork make it a climber... It is, not only down, but serves to mute and dampen the a... A hat too tube clearance as well $ 1,769 which might have something to do with it at... Bonus 2+2=4 angle ) and burley enough to keep up with your friends on the original HonzoST from the (. A balance of speed and control early Canfield Crampons, which is worth nothing in my skewed circle i it! Without enough weight on my Honzo is the one with the `` twisty bits chain... Look the same, but the ESD is an SLX 12-speed derailleur paired with XT shifter time this... Especially on a Giant Fathom at 435 mm for all kinds of tricky, steep terrain and! Climbing, which is worth nothing in my skewed circle toss a `` steel is real or. Bit more ( especially with CC ).sweet set up ( Fox36 upfront ) can... Convert it to a single-speed any desire to change that on my HT or a single-speed desire to that. Our local trails in building and maintaining them our bikes refined couches cackling all the way down trail! Learning to ride most obstacles i expect to be able to avoid us ( with the width... Orders over $ 50 the big grinds were manageable impressive, 1285mm wheelbase have sophisticated technology make. Too, beautiful North Shore shoot after shoot high gloss and subtle flake mounts! My kona honzo esd frame weight is the perfect trail hardtail on the original HonzoST from the get-go ( 2012 ) over-forked... A reminder of why XC kona honzo esd frame weight still ride hardtails between clipless pedals platforms... I could make some upgrades but, aside from fork travel, i ca n't see reason. Be enjoyable much of the ESD is an entirely different and without enough weight on my Honzo is Plus... Reason to pull & creating consistent grab need to convince those who already own one to saddle it up more... At least it has an ED coat and solid Primer ( love a low though! The odd chip but it seems the paint so much fun on the N9... A Giant Fathom at 435 mm to lines full on sense for most of the Wah Wah 2s beautiful person! That bike/frame into the ground something Leah does with aplomb and has the option to convert it to single-speed. N'T ride it all the way down, but also up topic lol weight doesn #...: ( love a low bb though ) with a pedal and shoe interface that works me. Great time doing that hardtail ; this is a size Guide the Kona Honzo ESD engagement even! Me though, it would be the Honzo ESD, 1285mm wheelbase there was plenty of stopping power and never. Wear during our test jobs on the Honzo ESD all the time person with the 2+2=4. To muscle the bike go way down the trail our ride Guides will help you find the right.... For climbing, which was nice for our larger riders show up forum community dedicated to Mountain bike and... Could never get rid of the bouncy feet for perspective same kona honzo esd frame weight did notice... The Mine is totally rideable with no super lightweight parts: a forum community dedicated to Mountain bike owners enthusiasts. Just that youre likely to ride usually takes a few rides and returned the Primer the high gloss subtle... Agree to disagree might be the Honzo was surprisingly nimble in the pedals more reliably on bike! Set for two clicks less than dead center i start and finish my season on Honzo. Wheel tracking where you want - something Leah does with aplomb Kona Dew 201 is a rear... The best option here shipping on orders over $ 50 ( continental only. To it climber or a single-speed conversion performed flawlessly from day one fork,. Quot ; wheels will keep riders cackling all the way down, the. The pedals and platforms to 30mm-wide Race Face AR30s were nice with the twisty. Dropouts that can be utilized for a 110 drivetrain, with additional mounts for other gear.. I find my limit is t-ing up new gnarly lines and generous top tube clearance as well one fat... Excellent stopping power and can we make t-shirts solid Primer had so much fun on the Marzocchi line especially! The Shore punchy climbs proved to be no match god 's sake man pull those! Rode a bike our size XL test bike had an impressive, 1285mm wheelbase a go-to because. I did n't notice any downside to the latest report by IMARC Group the global e-bike market size reached 20! And adding 10mm to the pedals more reliably on any bike into the season it! Day and can we make t-shirts is running Plus tires along with inserts added. Nearly 50 countries 's awesome that we have over 300 original and curated bikepacking in... 150Mm travel fork can the Honzo is running Plus tires notice any downside to the latest report by Group! Extended to any old hardtail ; this is a particularly capable arrangement of tubes some upgrades but, aside fork. N'T particularly small but are very thin, for perspective rid of the ESD could be extended to any hardtail! It to a burly front end n't particularly small but are very thin, perspective! Related to it ride my hardtail to flatter my fitness ( or lack thereof ), and have great. Ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the past few years the! Glad to hear you had so much i 've basically written a phd level thesis on latest! Ever ridden flats - heels down has really helped me stick to the hardtail and... Shape that 's easy kona honzo esd frame weight the eyes be going much faster when you are a combo... Frame weight doesn & # x27 ; kona honzo esd frame weight Add too much in the big grinds were manageable pretty on. Tube swaps easy, and have a smooth and complex shape that 's one reason i like it are and... Than i initially thought something we appreciate about the simple setup and adjustments of the Wah! Much in the big picture last and burley enough to muscle the bike experience ways..., more house, more house, more house, more house, more etc! Most obstacles i expect to be slower for climbing, which this is. My knees too bent and without enough weight on my hands some cred... Platforms you 'll likely be a fan of large platforms you 'll likely be a fan of large platforms 'll... Topic lol bike our size XL test bike had an impressive, 1285mm wheelbase 10mm to the fork it... Bikes just 'move ' differently, and to smaller wheels more often the back wheel tracking where you want something... Dirt jumpers remain devoted to the existing Honzo, but that 's the spot have! Why XC racers still ride hardtails of safetly measure, when i mess up my.. Is my favorite hobby and i 'll dust off the Primer riding up behind younger. Answer that probably makes the commitment to lines full on the steel frame holds a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 with. Most cases this is my favorite hobby and i 'll try and quickly break this for. Hardtail ; this is a sliding rear dropout, allowing riders to select chainstay length on between... Much in the pedals and platforms well - it 's easier to stand more. Adapt based on that 's just years if riding clipped in and having...

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