2017 Kona Operator DL
(discontinued)

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Vital Rating:
Discontinued
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Where To Buy
Shipping available to the contiguous 48 states and Washington DC.
Shipping available to the contiguous 48 states and Washington DC.
$90.00
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Tested: 2017 Kona Operator DL - Park Friendly, World Cup Approved
Kona's updated Operator DL is a solid downhill bike with a build that strikes a nice balance between performance and budget.
Rating:
Vital Review
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With their roots first sprouting in Vancouver, BC, and now hailing from Ferndale, WA, Kona has a reputation for building burly, durable bikes intended to be pushed hard over the often adverse conditions throughout the Pacific Northwest region. With a goal of redesigning the Operator to be both a bike park slayer as well as a capable World Cup race bike, Kona went back to the drawing board as the market shifted from 26-inch steeds to the modern 27.5 standards. Development began in 2014 with Connor Fearon and his mechanic, Mathieu Dupelle, with a modified rear triangle to swap over from 26-inch wheels to 27.5, leaving the front triangle unchanged. Not completely satisfied with the performance of the franken-bike, an all new Operator was called for. With a focus on keeping key elements like short stays, a low bottom bracket, widely spaced pivots, and a slack head angle, the new Kona Operator was born. Updates to the bike include increased reach, a more progressive suspension curve, and a slacker head angle.

Highlights

  • 27.5-inch wheels
  • 6061 alloy frame with 200mm (7.87-inches) of rear travel
  • Beamer Suspension Platform
  • Integrated chainstay, seatstay, and downtube protection
  • Integrated fork bumpers
  • Oversized bearings
  • 110x20mm front and 157x12mm rear hub spacing
  • ISCG05 tabs
  • Internal cable routing
  • Measured weight (size large, no pedals): 40.88 pounds (18.54kg)
  • MSRP $3,999 USD

Kona uses four different suspension platforms throughout their line, with each different platform specifically tuned to that particular bike's intended use. For the Operator, Kona uses what they call the Beamer Independent Suspension, which is a single-pivot design built to be "off-the-top progressive.” Being that this platform was designed specifically for World Cup downhill racing, in addition to bike park riding, the leverage curve is slightly more progressive than the previous iteration. Kona also built the Operator with durability in mind by using widely spaced pivots and oversized bearings, as well as two bearings on the upper shock mount. This all amounts to a bike that should provide increased small bump sensitivity along with reducing any side-load that can accelerate wear on the shock and pivots.

Notice the main pivot placement, which is slightly higher on the current Operator (right) compared to the previous frame (left).

Kona also reworked both the main and rear pivot locations. By moving the main pivot slightly higher, it now lines up with a 36-tooth chainring and should improve the pedaling performance of the Operator. In addition, by moving the rear pivot a bit forward on theseatstay, the rear brake can be mountedbehindthe rear pivot which should, in theory, make the bike more neutral during heavy rear braking. The ultimate goal behind much of the redesign was to make a bike that’s both capable on the fast, rough and steep tracks seen at the World Cup level, as well as make a bike that’s snappy and still fun to ride in the bike park.

Continuing with the theme of stiffness and durability, Kona went with the stout 157x12mm spacing for the rear hub and uses a keyed-in rear axle. Even when we first pulled the Operator out of the box, it was evident this was going to be one stiff bike. To say it’s overbuilt may just be an understatement, and the bike’s weight reflects that at nearly 41-pounds.

Other highlights include ISCG05 tabs (a staple for any downhill bike), integrated rubberized protection on the chainstay and downtube, as well integrated fork bumpers. The rear brake and derailleur cable routing are internal, which some will appreciate the clean look and protection it adds while shuttling, but some will be frustrated due to the increase in difficulty when swapping out brakes and cables. Lastly, the Operator uses an internal 1.5" tapered headset, which is not compatible with forks that utilize a tapered steerer. This means you’re out of luck if you want to use a DVO Emerald or SR Suntour RUX, for example.

Geometry

As you may have noticed in the chart above, Kona was quite generous in regards to the Operator’s reach measurement, which is 460mm for the size large bike we tested. That’s as long as some current XL downhill bikes, and even longer than a few that haven’t caught up with modern geometry. As for the rear-center, Kona went the opposite way with relatively short chainstays measuring 223mm across all sizes. While we’re on the topic of sizes, it’s worth noting that Kona doesn’t produce a size small Operator, only offering the bike in medium, large, and extra large. So, if you’re vertically challenged, we’d suggest trying to test ride an Operator before pulling the trigger.

At 63-degrees, the current Operator’s head angle is one-degree slacker than the previous iteration, bringing it in-line with the modern trend of downhill geometry. Keeping things straightforward, the Operator doesn’t offer any adjustable geometry out of the box.

Suspension Analysis

Using the bike industry's leading linkage analysis software, André Santos, the Youtube suspension whiz, was able to determine a close approximation of the Operator's kinematics for the purpose of this review. These charts provide great insight into several key factors that impact how it rides. Those unfamiliar with these types of graphs should watch André's excellent series of suspension fundamentals videos. The results of his analysis are as follows:



Observations:

  • The Kona Operator has a moderately progressive leverage ratio with a total frame progressivity of 35%.
  • Great pedaling efficiency with 90-95% anti-squat values on all rear cogs for a 36-tooth chainring. This happens because the Operator uses a swing-arm 4-bar design with the main pivot placed right on top of the chainring.
  • The amount of chain-growth and pedal kickback are within normal values considering that the bike has a good pedaling efficiency.
  • The anti-rise value is 100%, meaning that the geometry is fully preserved under rear braking. When using the rear brake, the rear suspension neither extends nor squats.
  • Overall, the Operator is a moderately progressive downhill bike with a good pedaling efficiency (for a DH bike).

Connor Fearon showing us what the Kona Operator is capable of.

On The Trail

We put the Kona Operator DL to work predominantly at our local trails located in Southern California. With a good mix of sustained rough, some flow, steep bits and flatter sections, we were able to get a feel for where this bike excels and where it can be a little cumbersome to ride. Conditions were what you'd expect for the region: dry and dusty, with mostly hardpack dirt and the occasional sandpit thrown in to keep things diverse. But, thanks to an unusually wet winter (well, for SoCal anyway), we were also able to log-in some laps with hero conditions, and even got to manual a few mud puddles.

Being 6'1" and mostly torso, our test rider immediately appreciated the generous reach on the large frame. Feeling at home on the bike meant we could get right down to business. Pedaling into our first lap at our local hill we noted that it does take some effort to get the Operator rolling, but once up to speed quick sprints were definitely rewarded with additional speed. This was also true when it came to pumping backsides and pushing hard into corners - put in some effort and instantly feel the reward. With that in mind, we chalk the slow acceleration up to the stout wheels and burly frame. When comparing weights with a similar set of DH wheels (alloy rims / 30mm wide / DH tires / 200mm rotors), the Operator DL's wheels were over two pounds heavier, which is a fair amount of extra weight to get spinning. That said, the wheels are solid, and we appreciate their stiffness when bashing through rocks and squaring off corners.


Being a privateer or a weekend warrior in this sport is still an expensive habit, and that’s where we feel the Operator DL comes to light.

Fearon whipping it out in Lourdes.

What’s The Bottom Line?

Sometimes it’s hard going into a test without any preconceived notions. Sure, it’s not constructed of fancy plastic, the spec might not be what you’d pick in a “Build Your Dream Bike” forum thread, and its weight is pretty porky when compared to modern downhill bikes. But, despite those follies, the most important question we asked ourselves was did the bike put a smile on our face? It did. Being a privateer or a weekend warrior in this sport is still an expensive habit, and that’s where we feel the Operator DL comes to light. Sure, $4,000 is still a chunk of change to spend on a bicycle, but the meat of the Operator is the same throughout the line. Whether you spend $3,200 on the baseline model or $7,500 on their highest end build, you still get a durable, well-thought-out machine with good geometry, a solid suspension platform, all in a mega-stout package that should take a beating for many seasons to come. For the weekend park rider or the privateer racer that doesn't want to take out a second mortgage, the Kona DL is a solid bike to consider that should be in it for the long haul.

Visit www.konaworld.com for more details.

Vital MTB Rating

  • Pedaling: 3 stars - Good
  • Descending: 4 stars - Excellent
  • Fun Factor: 4 stars - Excellent
  • Value: 3 stars - Good
  • Overall Impression: 3.5 stars - Very Good

About The Reviewer

Fred Robinson - Age: 32 // Years Riding MTB: 14 // Height: 6'1" (1.85m) // Weight: 244.6-pounds (110.95kg)

"Drop my heels and go." Fred has been on two wheels since he was two-years-old, is deceptively quick for a bigger guy, and likes steep, fast trails where he can hang it off the back of the bike. Several years of shop experience means he's not afraid to tinker. He's very particular when it comes to a bike's suspension performance and stiffness traits.

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Post a reply to: Tested: 2017 Kona Operator DL - Park Friendly, World Cup Approve

1 member reviews

Kona Operator 27.5
Rating:
The Good
Playfully fun park bike, Capable race machine, progressive linkage system.
The Bad
Weight, pedal efficiency
Overall Review:

Kona as a company has been around for a long time and has been known to build a quality bike. This year they took a turn from carbon and went aluminum across their whole DH line. The differences to note are the 27.5 wheel size with a frame built around the 27.5 platform, as well as a more progressive linkage system. Right off the bat I noticed that pointing the operator downhill or toward anything resembling technical steep and rocky sections was easy. The 27.5 operator rolls through rough downhill better then the 26 inch model of previous. I also noticed that the more progressive linkage system made the bike more lively and playful then before, especially in a park setting. Although I loved the feel of the operator on the descents, I noticed the bits of flat sections were sluggish because of the weight and the linkage design of the bike. Its very smooth in the first portion of the stroke volume, however it also causes for pedal bob when you decide you need to sprint.

Final take: Love this bike for casual downhill riding and park riding! It is built tough and the thick welds are apparent. However, I would not choose this bike as my first choice for a race bike because of the weight and the pedal efficiency.   

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Post a reply to: Kona Operator 27.5

Specifications

Product
Kona Operator DL
Model Year
2017
Riding Type
Downhill
Freeride / Bike Park
Rider
Unisex
Sizes and Geometry
M
L
XL
Wheel Size
27.5" (650b)
Frame Material
Aluminum
Frame Material Details
Kona DH 6061 Aluminum Butted
Rear Travel
200mm
Rear Shock
RockShox Kage RC
Fork
RockShox Boxxer RC, Coil Spring
Fork Travel
200mm
Head Tube Diameter
Tapered 1.5" (does not accept tapered steerers)
Headset
FSA Orbit 1.5ZS SC
Handlebar
Kona DH, 780mm wide
Stem
Kona Direct Mount
Grips
Kona S-LOG
Brakes
SRAM Guide R
Brake Levers
SRAM Guide R
Drivetrain
1x
Shifters
SRAM GX
Front Derailleur
N/A
Rear Derailleur
SRAM GX
ISCG Tabs
ISCG05
Chainguide
MRP G3 Steel
Cranks
Shimano Zee
Chainrings
36t
Bottom Bracket
Shimano PF107
Pedals
N/A
Chain
KMC X10
Cassette
SRAM PG1030 11-28t, 10spd
Rims
Mavic EX729
Hubs
Formula
Spokes
Formula
Tires
Maxxis Minion DHF DH 3C 27.5x2.5"
Saddle
WTB Volt Sport SE 250
Seatpost
Kona OB
Seatpost Diameter
34.9mm
Seatpost Clamp
Kona Clamp
Rear Dropout / Hub Dimensions
157x20mm
Max. Tire Size
Not specified
Bottle Cage Mounts
N/A
Colors
Matt Orange / Black / White / Black
Warranty
Lifetime Limited on Frame // 1yr on Complete Bike
Weight
40 lb 14 oz (18,541 g)
Miscellaneous
Oversized bearings
Integrated chainstay and downtube
Integrated fork bumpers
Internal cable routing
Price
$3,999.00
More Info
What do you think?
Where To Buy
Shipping available to the contiguous 48 states and Washington DC.
Shipping available to the contiguous 48 states and Washington DC.
$90.00
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
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