specifications geometry - Kona

performance-oriented dual suspension
platforms ever invented. That's why you
see versions of our 4-Bar linkage on
everything from the Hei Hei XC Race bike
to our DH Stab Supreme.
• Function and Durability: Anytime you
have a pivot in anything, there is sideto-side
movement, or tolerance. It's
what allows the pivot to move freely.
When you have pivots that are close
together, like in more complicated
multi-pivot designs, the side-to-side
movement in those pivots becomes
amplified, what's called tolerance
stacking. Kona's 4-Bar system keeps
pivots as far away from each other as
possible, thus minimizing tolerance
stacking. Ultimately, it equates a stiffer
rear end, as well a significant decrease
in bearing and bushing wear.
Another benefit of our 4-Bar system
is minimized side load on the rear
shock. If you've got close pivot points
and/or the shock positioned so that it is
exposed to lateral forces, you've got side
load on the shock. Side load causes
resistance, which negatively impacts
suspension performance. Side load also
causes premature seal failures.
With our 4-Bar system the rear shock
is protected from side-to-side forces.
As a result, we have a super low rate
of shock problems, as well as a very
responsive feel to the rear suspension.
• Tunability: 4-Bar allows for a rainbow
of different suspension characteristics,
after all, this is the suspension platform
used for F1 racecars. For XC bikes, we
can take an inherently progressive air
shock and make the suspension more
linear, allowing the rider to benefit from
all of the bike's travel. For downhill
bikes, like our Operators, an inherently
linear coil shock can be set-up to be
more progressive for big hits.
• Plush Factor: Void of gimmicks, with
pivots, bearings and the shock itself
well supported, Kona's Walking Beam
4-Bar Linkage System delivers that
beautiful, super plush feel we all crave
as mountain bikers. Whether it's taking
the edge of a technical XC race course,
the burl out of a backcountry all-day
epic, or smoothing the brake bumps at
your local bike park, our 4-Bar suspension
designs deliver bomber plushness,
ride in, ride out.
ASYMMETRICAL CHAIN STAYS
When a rider puts force into the bicycles
drivetrain (cranks, chain and rear cassette),
not only are they propelling the
bike forward, they’re also putting a
significant amount of torsion on the rear
chain stays. Because the drivetrain is on
one side of the bicycle, the frame wants
to flex laterally. It is the one element of
bike design that’s not in perfect balance.
Used primarily on our dual suspension
mountain bikes, asymmetrical stays help
to stiffen the rear end by compensating
for the offset forces of this imbalance. The
drive-side stay is straight, while the nondrive
takes advantage of no chain rings and
chain, better able to deal with the torque,
effectively countering the torsional forces
in the rear triangle. By putting strength
where it is needed, pedaling stiffness and
rider efficiency is greatly increased.
ELECTRIC-ASSIST
Using low profile, re-chargeable Samsung
18650 Lithium Ion batteries, Kona’s electric
assist technology is based on 700C
bicycle trekking types that use a 24-volt,
250W battery-assisted Pedelec motor. Using
a patented Dutch design TMM torque
sensor and a precise digital processor, the
power assist from the front wheel drive
motor can be delivered in proportion with
the exact power output of the rider. The
result is a very smooth, effortless ride.
The system’s battery capacity is 24V
with 10Ah (Amp Hour), (24V 13Ah for the
Electric Ute) delivering a long lifecycle of
more than 700 rides. In power mode, the
system can assist riding for up to 30km.
In normal mode, power assist lasts up to
57km, while in economy mode, the battery
has a huge 100km range (all range tests
were conducted using a 85kg/190lbs in
a mild headwind condition). We’ve also
incorporated a very sophisticated battery
management system to detect cell performance
and balance, with an incredibly
accurate charge indicator.
Because Kona is all about quality, our
electric assist bikes are the first on the
market to pass the stringent CEN 15194
standard for Pedelec bikes in Europe.
TECHNOLOGY
2011 KONA BIKES
KONA SIzING AND FIT
Sizing and fit have always been one of
the main strengths of the Kona range,
with more stock sizes available than any
other bike company. With our range of
bicycles expanding significantly over the
last couple of years, we felt it was time to
overhaul our size scale.
We started with the overwhelming request
for longer top tubes on our XC mountain
bikes. The average increase is ½-inch
(15-20mm), which we coupled with shorter
stems and slightly shorter headset stack
heights. The steps between sizes were
evened out to ½-inch or 1-inch increments,
and there are still up to 7 sizes: from 14inch
to 22-inch on many models.
In the asphalt range, top tube lengths
were marginally lengthened, with the size
gaps revised to even 15 to 20mm steps.
There are still up to 6 sizes” from 46cm
to 61cm on most models.
When it's called for, seat posts are either
offset or straight to maximize the reach and
power output of the rider. More importantly,
the overall sizing on mountain bikes and
road bikes allow Kona dealers and riders to
determine their fit more easily from model
to model and category to category.
The net result is better fit on the entire
range, with a simplified system that
allows easy fine-tuning and a perfect
marriage of bike and rider throughout our
entire 2011 range.
LIFETIME WARRANTY
Kona warrants to the original owner that
the frame of this new Kona bicycle purchased
from an authorized Kona dealer
shall be free of defective materials or
workmanship for the lifetime of ownership
by the original owner. Carbon frames
have a 5 year warranty. During this warranty
period, Kona shall repair or replace,
at its sole option, the bicycle frame if
Kona determines the frame is defective
and subject to this limited warranty. The
original owner shall pay all labor and
shipping charges connected with the repair
or replacement of the bicycle frame.
Please see the Kona Owners manual
provided with your bicycle for additional
information.
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