The current carbon Process X short CS position gives 157mm travel. Long CS position is 164mm.
Will be interesting how many other geo differences a new...
The current carbon Process X short CS position gives 157mm travel. Long CS position is 164mm.
Will be interesting how many other geo differences a new 153 with have. IMO 4mm of travel difference is not really perceptible.
Having two models with set CS lengths will let them use a UDH so that could be a factor.
I find it really interesting that no one find a way to made CS length ajustable with udh. I guess the dropouts will be too big
Imagine making your dream bike with adjustable chainstays. Develop your short and long settings. Now put the CS in long position and remove the ability to adjust. Problem solved.
Excited for the new 240 DEG hubs from DT swiss. They seem to be bomb proof, decently lightweight, pretty good engagement, and very serviceable by a gorilla like me. They do seem to cost quite a bit though - I wonder if anyone can compare them to the CK hubs that use a similar mechanism and engagement, while also being priced quite closely?
Surprise surprise, DT Swiss launches a new 240 hub with more engagement (DEG).
Funny enough, the two ratchets are now both spring loaded again, unlike the...
Surprise surprise, DT Swiss launches a new 240 hub with more engagement (DEG).
Funny enough, the two ratchets are now both spring loaded again, unlike the last version.
Kona going tits up? Saw some article on PB about it. Could see it coming for a while now with their bogo sales. Bummer deal if...
Kona going tits up? Saw some article on PB about it. Could see it coming for a while now with their bogo sales. Bummer deal if it’s true.
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really thought about Konas since seeing the Stinky in like 2012 lol
Excited for the new 240 DEG hubs from DT swiss. They seem to be bomb proof, decently lightweight, pretty good engagement, and very serviceable by a...
Excited for the new 240 DEG hubs from DT swiss. They seem to be bomb proof, decently lightweight, pretty good engagement, and very serviceable by a gorilla like me. They do seem to cost quite a bit though - I wonder if anyone can compare them to the CK hubs that use a similar mechanism and engagement, while also being priced quite closely?
My only complaint about my 2 rear DT's is that I regularly goon them by banging a new tire to re-distribute new sealant on my deck rail and send the cassette/guts flying.
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really...
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really thought about Konas since seeing the Stinky in like 2012 lol
They have fallen off the radar pretty hard for the last few years but you cannot deny they weren’t the talk of the town not too long ago really. 2013-16 ish with the 153 and 111 everybody (me included) were quite stoked.
I can't remember seeing any pictures of them elsewhere, but Yoshi's new pedals are briefly visible in vitals insta story featuring someone with flowing locks and towering stack.
Continental finally releasing soft compound in trail casing. Hopefully super soft in enduro casing is also on the menu.
Continental finally releasing soft compound in trail casing. Hopefully super soft in enduro casing is also on the menu.
Good move. I have the Enduro Softs on my enduro bike, and the Trail Endurance casings on the trail bike, and would prefer a softer compound in the front.
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really...
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really thought about Konas since seeing the Stinky in like 2012 lol
They have fallen off the radar pretty hard for the last few years but you cannot deny they weren’t the talk of the town not too...
They have fallen off the radar pretty hard for the last few years but you cannot deny they weren’t the talk of the town not too long ago really. 2013-16 ish with the 153 and 111 everybody (me included) were quite stoked.
It is a total bummer as they were one of the OG gravity brands. I feel like the market is hyper competitive. Your bikes have to look awesome, ride awesome, be on the cutting edge, have a cool story, and your brand has to be an excellent story teller to stay relevant in order to achieve long term success. In the last 7-8 years, I felt as if Kona was just riding the wave of tech and innovation vs being the wave.
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really...
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really thought about Konas since seeing the Stinky in like 2012 lol
They have fallen off the radar pretty hard for the last few years but you cannot deny they weren’t the talk of the town not too...
They have fallen off the radar pretty hard for the last few years but you cannot deny they weren’t the talk of the town not too long ago really. 2013-16 ish with the 153 and 111 everybody (me included) were quite stoked.
It is a total bummer as they were one of the OG gravity brands. I feel like the market is hyper competitive. Your bikes have to...
It is a total bummer as they were one of the OG gravity brands. I feel like the market is hyper competitive. Your bikes have to look awesome, ride awesome, be on the cutting edge, have a cool story, and your brand has to be an excellent story teller to stay relevant in order to achieve long term success. In the last 7-8 years, I felt as if Kona was just riding the wave of tech and innovation vs being the wave.
The last interesting bike to pop up was really the 153 in its semi current form in like, 2017/18? that's 8/7 model seasons now worth of falling behind while everyone else is pushing new platforms. How many Slash's have we had since 2018? we've had 3 completely different platforms. The MTB new and cool marketing push is super ridiculous, a bike is basically not even close to current at the end of its production run of 3-5 years but its also usually beat to hell and worth nothing after 5-6 years.
Compare that to road where a bike from 2005 and a non-disk bike from 2024 are still reasonably comparable in performance and parts. Road/Gravel only really picked up a few years ago with bigger tires, thru-axles and disks and really other than aero bullshit, its topping out again. A mid level road or gravel bike will likely be compatible with new parts of the future in 10 years.
That's why it would make sense for Kona to pull a Brodie and double down on their pavement bikes that do well and shunt the MTB's off to pasture. It sucks but a MTB arm of a mid level company I imagine would have way less return on investment due to the speed of change in competitive frames and tech needed from 3rd party companies like suspension tuning to make them worth producing. A pavement or touring bike can be pretty much designed and tweaked in house and then manufactured at the same time.
given the larger ratchet rings, i assume that would preclude backwards compatibility with existing hubs, correct?
Correct; it's an all new design. I've been rolling on a set for a while. They have the classic DT fast, smooth operation paired with 0 fuss and easy maintenance. The 90poe and increased durability is a nice update on the existing EXP and LN ratchets.
So Kona are not what they used to we all know that, basically they were bought by a big corporate company with no vision and are now sold in camping stores in the States.
I chatted to someone who worked there for over 30 years a legit OG Kona employee testing prototypes making cool shit going to the races, trades shows and so on and the new companies suits came along one day late last year and let everyone go just like that! The roots of the company are completely gone not 1 original employee and it’s not for being old or out dated it’s just become a typical money making business without having any soul!
Kona needs to pull a Marin and focus on the DTC entry level MTB market, commuter eebs, and roadie stuff for a while. Unfortunately, they'll need to trim some SERIOUS fat to make that happen. If you exclude the recent bogo sale, their component spec/cost, has been absolutely horrible lately (like worse than my recent post history on VitalMTB horrible).
Kona needs to pull a Marin and focus on the DTC entry level MTB market, commuter eebs, and roadie stuff for a while. Unfortunately, they'll need...
Kona needs to pull a Marin and focus on the DTC entry level MTB market, commuter eebs, and roadie stuff for a while. Unfortunately, they'll need to trim some SERIOUS fat to make that happen. If you exclude the recent bogo sale, their component spec/cost, has been absolutely horrible lately (like worse than my recent post history on VitalMTB horrible).
Cross-posting from the "companies shutting down" thread:
Heard from a credible source that Kona is done. Employees told today, PR tomorrow. RIP
(Small chance a buyer will step in but not holding my breath).
No - there's also going to be modular drop out options for adjustable length like on the Supernought
Like Banshees modular dropouts? Seems like an obvious solution.
Imagine making your dream bike with adjustable chainstays. Develop your short and long settings. Now put the CS in long position and remove the ability to adjust. Problem solved.
Those can limit pivot placement on Horst link bikes.
Surprise surprise, DT Swiss launches a new 240 hub with more engagement (DEG).
Funny enough, the two ratchets are now both spring loaded again, unlike the last version.
https://www.dtswiss.com/de/innovationen/a-different-angle
"EASIER SERVICEABILITY SYSTEM
The innovative construction of the 240 DEG hub allows bearing replacement without special tools."
Finally!!
Kona going tits up? Saw some article on PB about it. Could see it coming for a while now with their bogo sales. Bummer deal if it’s true.
Excited for the new 240 DEG hubs from DT swiss. They seem to be bomb proof, decently lightweight, pretty good engagement, and very serviceable by a gorilla like me. They do seem to cost quite a bit though - I wonder if anyone can compare them to the CK hubs that use a similar mechanism and engagement, while also being priced quite closely?
Kona employees having a company wide town hall meeting today.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/17/wheres-kona-brand-sets-then-breaks-down-sea-otter
It’s probably going to be T-Type…
Here’s our review, been riding it for 7 months:
https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/90-tooth-dt-swiss-hub-all-new-240-rat…
Eh, I feel like Kona has been irrelevant for a while and then you have the Kent Outdoors acquisition, all downhill from there. I haven't really thought about Konas since seeing the Stinky in like 2012 lol
My only complaint about my 2 rear DT's is that I regularly goon them by banging a new tire to re-distribute new sealant on my deck rail and send the cassette/guts flying.
They have fallen off the radar pretty hard for the last few years but you cannot deny they weren’t the talk of the town not too long ago really. 2013-16 ish with the 153 and 111 everybody (me included) were quite stoked.
Kavenz is doing this and they use a high pivot Horst link, it doesn't seen to affect what they want out of their bikes kinematics.
I can't remember seeing any pictures of them elsewhere, but Yoshi's new pedals are briefly visible in vitals insta story featuring someone with flowing locks and towering stack.
Continental finally releasing soft compound in trail casing. Hopefully super soft in enduro casing is also on the menu.
YESSSSSSS!
Good move. I have the Enduro Softs on my enduro bike, and the Trail Endurance casings on the trail bike, and would prefer a softer compound in the front.
It is a total bummer as they were one of the OG gravity brands. I feel like the market is hyper competitive. Your bikes have to look awesome, ride awesome, be on the cutting edge, have a cool story, and your brand has to be an excellent story teller to stay relevant in order to achieve long term success. In the last 7-8 years, I felt as if Kona was just riding the wave of tech and innovation vs being the wave.
given the larger ratchet rings, i assume that would preclude backwards compatibility with existing hubs, correct?
The last interesting bike to pop up was really the 153 in its semi current form in like, 2017/18? that's 8/7 model seasons now worth of falling behind while everyone else is pushing new platforms. How many Slash's have we had since 2018? we've had 3 completely different platforms. The MTB new and cool marketing push is super ridiculous, a bike is basically not even close to current at the end of its production run of 3-5 years but its also usually beat to hell and worth nothing after 5-6 years.
Compare that to road where a bike from 2005 and a non-disk bike from 2024 are still reasonably comparable in performance and parts. Road/Gravel only really picked up a few years ago with bigger tires, thru-axles and disks and really other than aero bullshit, its topping out again. A mid level road or gravel bike will likely be compatible with new parts of the future in 10 years.
That's why it would make sense for Kona to pull a Brodie and double down on their pavement bikes that do well and shunt the MTB's off to pasture. It sucks but a MTB arm of a mid level company I imagine would have way less return on investment due to the speed of change in competitive frames and tech needed from 3rd party companies like suspension tuning to make them worth producing. A pavement or touring bike can be pretty much designed and tweaked in house and then manufactured at the same time.
Correct; it's an all new design. I've been rolling on a set for a while. They have the classic DT fast, smooth operation paired with 0 fuss and easy maintenance. The 90poe and increased durability is a nice update on the existing EXP and LN ratchets.
So Kona are not what they used to we all know that, basically they were bought by a big corporate company with no vision and are now sold in camping stores in the States.
I chatted to someone who worked there for over 30 years a legit OG Kona employee testing prototypes making cool shit going to the races, trades shows and so on and the new companies suits came along one day late last year and let everyone go just like that! The roots of the company are completely gone not 1 original employee and it’s not for being old or out dated it’s just become a typical money making business without having any soul!
Kona needs to pull a Marin and focus on the DTC entry level MTB market, commuter eebs, and roadie stuff for a while. Unfortunately, they'll need to trim some SERIOUS fat to make that happen. If you exclude the recent bogo sale, their component spec/cost, has been absolutely horrible lately (like worse than my recent post history on VitalMTB horrible).
Cross-posting from the "companies shutting down" thread:
Heard from a credible source that Kona is done. Employees told today, PR tomorrow. RIP
(Small chance a buyer will step in but not holding my breath).
sea otter pits 1 - https://www.vitalmtb.com/pit-bits-sea-otter-2024-day-1
Imagine not telling anyone until last minute… sending folks to Sea Otter,… releasing a new bike two days ago,…
What the heck?
Maxxis take notes. We want a 2C in DH and DH casing!
sea otter vid from today