Reinventing the hardcore hardtail - Kona

Kona Satori: nirvana could be a pedal-stroke away
44ID head tube takes tapered steerer
The Kona
Honzo may
have redefined
the hardcore
hardtail
Single-minded spec
There are a few clues as to how Kona has
achieved this ultra-short back end; the single
ring, chainguide and bent seat tube being
the most obvious. As you can see from the
close-up photos, the chainstay yoke is also
an incredibly small and intricate piece of
work. Coupled with the 32t chainring and
E13 LS1 chainguide is a nine-speed 12-36
cassette, which should suffice for most
ascents. Sensibly, Kona has specced a
31.6mm internal diameter seat tube to give
consumers the widest possible choice of
dropper posts.
To help make up for what it lacks in
springs and dampers, the Honzo gets big
volume Maxxis Ardent tyres; 2.4in up front
and 2.25in out back. These are fitted to
23mmm internal width rims to ensure a
stable platform for the bead.
Accommodating the tapered steerer of
the 120mm-travel RockShox Revelation RL
Dual Air is a 44ID head tube with external
lower cup. Further aiding steering accuracy,
the fork is specced with the 20mm Maxle
thru-axle.
Should you really want to run a minimal
set-up, Kona has specced horizontal rear
dropouts. This gives you the opportunity
to run the Honzo singlespeed and tension
the chain without ruining the lines. Anyone
retaining the nine-speed set-up can also
utilise the dropouts to adjust the length of
the rear centre.
With the Honzo, Kona may have redefined
the hardcore hardtail. For Mandell however,
it’s very much a personal triumph: “this
bike is near and dear to my heart and an
extension of my personality,” he says.
www.konaworld.com
36 mbr.co.uk may 2012
Kona Satori £2,850
With 130mm of travel, and a gravity-biased build,
the Kona Satori is designed to unlock a new realm of
terrain to the 29in wheel. Short chainstays help keep the ride
playful, while bolt-through axles front and rear aim to stiffen
the chassis. Satori is the Buddhist term for enlightenment, and
Kona is hoping the Satori will provide the big-wheel epiphany
to convert a whole new group of riders.
130mm of travel to soak up the hits
Also
new
Bolt-thru axles
SRAM X9 rear mech
RockShox Revelation RLT fork