Perhaps the biggest switch for Kona is the use of a new suspension platform. Prior to this, the Process relied on Kona's "Walking Beam" 4-Bar Linkage that the company had been tweaking and tuning for nearly 20 years. The new yoke-style design dubbed "Rocker Suspension" uses a very consistent leverage rate curve that matches well with currently available air shocks. Kona says this allows the suspension to provide a stable pedaling platform while giving the rider a predictable feel throughout the travel.
FRAME BEARINGS FEATURES
• Large bearings for increased wear resistance from side loading and the real bearing killer: pressure washers
• Three standard industrial-sized bearings used on the frame with replacement bearings are inexpensive and easily sourced
• Outer race bearing seat has been machined to allow for easy removal by pushing only on the outer race without specialized bearing tools
• Bearing seats have been positioned to isolate the bearings between pivot clevises to prevent off-axis loading when pivots are torqued
PIVOT HARDWARE
• Lightweight large outer-dimension thru-axles
• Major linkage axles feature large 12-point hex tool interface, preventing tool interface wear on axles
• Large threads on axles to avoid stripping
