First Look: Prototype 2014 Kona Process 153

Jul 9, 2013
by Mike Kazimer  
FIRST LOOK:
Kona
Process 153

Three New Bikes for 2014
Last year, Kona introduced the Process, a 26” wheeled all-mountain bike with 150mm of travel. The bike was was well received, earning accolades for its downhill performance and stability at speed. Not content to rest on their laurels, for 2014 Kona has redesigned the Process and expanded the line to include three models, the Process 111, 134, and 153 (the numbers refer to the amount of rear wheel travel). The 111 is a 29er, while the Process 134 and 153 roll on 27.5” wheels. We met up with Chris Mandell, Kona's product manager, and Jack Russell, the industrial designer behind the new bikes, to get a sneak peak and an initial test ride of the Process 153.
Details
• 153mm travel
• 27.5" wheels
• 160mm fork
• 66.5 degree head angle
• 425mm chainstay length
• 142x12mm thru-axle
• Internal cable routing

Frame Design
The most apparent change for 2014 is the linkage design on the new Process. The classic Kona Walking Beam 4-Bar linkage is gone, replaced with a low-slung, heavily shaped rear swing arm that uses a U-shaped yoke to activate the top tube mounted shock. At the most basic level this is still a single pivot, rocker actuated suspension design, but in a configuration drastically different than anything we've seen from Kona. All of the bikes in the Process lineup follow the geometry concept of using a long top tube combined with a short stem to provide additional stability at speed. Production versions will be spec'd with short (40mm) stems to stay in line with this goal. Kona has demonstrated their ability to use carbon fiber on World Cup capable DH race bikes - it doesn't take a very big leap to imagine that at some point we'll see a carbon version of the Process on the market.

Prototype 2014 Kona Process 153
  The stout looking rear swingarm is attached to the rear shock via a U-shaped yoke. It's likely that production versions will use a carbon fiber bridge in between the two sides of the rocker link - a similar design is already used on the carbon Operator.

bigquotesWe did not have the specific design goal of making a 160mm bike with 27.5" wheels or to make a 29er with 130mm of travel. The goal was to develop a line of bikes that best covered the range between XC and DH. We've been working toward this since we started on the original Process Project in 2011, but it really started rolling when we added Jack Russell to the team in January of 2012. - Chris Mandell, Kona Product Manager


photo
  The new Process has internal cable routing for the rear derailleur, as well as routing for a stealth dropper post. Take a look at the size and shape of the seatstays - the rear end of this bike is designed to be stiff and strong.


Ride Impressions:
bigquotesWe were able to take the Process 153 to a local test piece, a steep, technical trail that's downhill bike worthy, but can only be accessed via pedal power. It's a trail that falls at the far outer limits of what most riders would consider all-mountain riding, the perfect spot to see what the Process could handle. Once the climb was over (a long, dirt road climb that the Process dispatched without issue - final weights are expected to be in the low 30 pound range), we began the descent, rolling into the steep, tight switchbacks at the top of the trail. This was where any questions about the handling characteristics of the bike were erased - the rutted, sharp turns were navigated with ease; one we got the front of the bike around a corner there was no trouble getting the rear end to follow suit. On the more raw sections of trail, where small stumps and holes try their best to grab at tires and pedals, the Process shrugged off any attempts to halt its progress, maintaining impressive amounts of forward momentum through the rough, uneven terrain. When it came time to get airborne the Process was no slouch either, and we successfully piloted it off drops, step ups and step downs without hesitation. This was one of the most impressive initial rides we've had in recent memory; it felt like we'd been riding this bike for weeks or months, not just a few hours. This feeling instilled a sense of confidence not often found during the first outing on a bike. And for those that want to bemoan the lack of a 26" option in the new Process lineup, save your tears. Wheel size barely crossed our mind during the ride - the Process simply felt right, a mountain bike that can be comfortably pedaled to access the burliest trails around. We'll have a production version for testing as soon as they're available - stay tuned for an in-depth review once we put it through its paces. - Mike Kazimer

www.konaworld.com

Posted In:
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315 Comments
  • 473 7
 Too bad it's only 153mm of travel. I am looking for a bike with 154mm of travel. Oh well, I guess I'll keep looking.
  • 24 129
flag ride360 (Jul 9, 2013 at 2:05) (Below Threshold)
 Does not bode well for shock options...
  • 103 16
 Care to explain that one? Think very carefully before you make yourself look like an idiot...
  • 16 45
flag nouser (Jul 9, 2013 at 3:35) (Below Threshold)
 If a Gt force and a old gambler had a baby this would be it.
  • 17 14
 Pretty sure all brands have a shock that will fit Circes...
  • 11 32
flag bennett346 (Jul 9, 2013 at 4:18) (Below Threshold)
 Why? Many companies will do custom shock lengths on fox shocks at least, and there's nothing special about the way it mounts.
  • 51 0
 It will just be a 215mm long shock. Im sure the travel is only 153 as that is the distance/amount the rear wheel moves up and down from the center of the wheel. You can have a bike with a 200mm shock and it could have more travel or less travel on some different bikes. Think i have that right.
  • 41 0
 It's all about the leverage ratio.
  • 213 6
 Circles, you just went full retard. Never go full retard.
  • 25 3
 Good to see them getting away from the old rear triangle.
  • 10 6
 What will be interesting to see is if they stick to single pivot linkages or adopt a horst link rear end in the next year or two on any models.
  • 14 3
 Ah I think you guys just got trolled and he was just going along with the sarcasm started by seraph...

Oh and OMG the switchbacks were almost 90 degrees?!?! crazy how could you manage to navigate such a sharp switchback?? Must be an incredible bike.
  • 4 3
 wait wait wait...153...+ 7...= 160!!! so does that mean we're really getting a 160.5 mm bike? kinda? sorta?
  • 3 1
 Yeah ironxcross. I think she was being sarcastic but she went full retard and it became quite believable Razz
  • 6 1
 Deeeight I highly doubt Kona will ever adobt a Horst Link or FSR rear end. The handling characteristics of a Kona's full suspension bikes have have been well established and are very different than a bike with a Horst Link rear end. Some people love Horst Link some people don't. If you want a similar bike with a Horst Link, Look at the the Norco Range.
  • 5 1
 i think circes meant that because of the yoke, you may only be able to use a double barrel. just like how the stumpjumper fsr doesnt have any shock options. what kind of yoke and mounting hardware you have decide the shock options you can use, not the amount of travel. we all know that
  • 7 4
 that front shock mount hhhmmmm
  • 11 16
flag RodRamsey (Jul 9, 2013 at 8:45) (Below Threshold)
 Put some 26ers back on and raise travel to 160mm and we have a deal. Nice how they pulled a transition and avoided the fsr patent by putting rear pivot on seatstays. Prepare for brake jack in tech terrain.
  • 8 1
 @RodRamsey... Kona has ALWAYS had a seatstay pivot on their bikes, for nearly 20 years now, even before there was a horst-link patent. Its expired now anyway so anyone can use them and sell in the USA if they so choose. Lapierre is making a big move into the US market for example as is Ghost and Cube and Focus and other euro brands. Jamis can return to using them if they want (they previously licensed the patent) and KHS bikes should get cheaper as they're no longer paying royalties.
  • 9 16
flag silvbullit (Jul 9, 2013 at 9:33) (Below Threshold)
 Why is there any clamour for this thing? There is nothing new or ground breaking here except yet another application of the 27.5 wheel size. Geez...a 2010 Specialized Enduro had the same long and low geometry with shorter stays than this, a low BB, 66.5 headtube, and it had more travel! So this review would be the same (or better) with a 2010 Enduro as the subject? Maybe that is why the bike feels so familiar; cause you have been riding it for years with different names on the downtube.

Since Enduro should be more hairy and less shaved-leg and the Euro courses look more like DH, how about some light-weight 7" bikes instead of this? Don't say pedalling efficiency either...platform valving has been around for over a decade and their is CTD-type damping on everything. Plus clipless allows for nice efficient pedalling "circles"--remember MTB101?
  • 6 4
 I don't understand why Circes received all the neg props? If the rear suspension is a proprietary shock mounting like the FSR, that going to limit the shock option. Second thing I thought after, "Sweet looking bike".
  • 3 4
 Yes I know Wilson, have owned konas before you were born. Thats why I sold my kona and got into some maestros and fsr. That brake jack sucks but konas pedal very well.
  • 10 0
 @DrthVadr - It's not a proprietary shock mount, the air canister is just rotated to create a horizontal mounting position. Pretty much any shock with the proper stroke and eye to eye will work on this bike. And for those wondering about the front shock mount, it's thicker than it looks from the side. This photo illustrates it better: www.pinkbike.com/photo/9818236.
  • 2 1
 Silvbullit: PinkBike hasn't picked up on the Scott Genius 700 650b bikes, but they are releasing a 170mm Super-Enduro sled next year with a platform shock. It looks exactly like a Specialized Enduro Evo. www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/scott-genius-lt-700-650b-first-look-37737
  • 1 5
flag mnorris122 (Jul 9, 2013 at 10:26) (Below Threshold)
 Well the top shock mount sure doesnt look sketchy....
  • 4 9
flag deeeight (Jul 9, 2013 at 10:49) (Below Threshold)
 Aside from suspension, what's old is new again... thirty years ago, this sort of geometry 66 or less head angles, short stems, mid to longer back ends, long top tube compartments were found on practically EVERY mountain bike.
  • 2 0
 bastaaaaa....bastaaaa........ooppsss.that was yesterday
  • 4 8
flag mfbeast12 (Jul 9, 2013 at 11:47) (Below Threshold)
 If a Wilson Carbon and an Enduro had a deformed baby with 650b wheels this would be it.
  • 2 1
 A split pivot mixed with a horst link gets a seatstay pivot ? Yeah I guess I could see that happening...
  • 4 0
 Or maybe it's just a bike ....
  • 1 0
 @seraph, that was pretty good.
  • 7 13
flag bogey FL (Jul 9, 2013 at 13:07) (Below Threshold)
 153mm = 6.0". Remember, this is designed by Americans.
  • 35 3
 Actually 152.4 = 6.0"

If you're going to try and make fun of americans, get your math right first so you don't bring shame to the rest of us Canadians.
  • 9 1
 Hermit, if you look at the picture close it looks like Kona has done what, Salsa, Lapierre, Ibis and I'm sure others as well have done as well- not fuck the customer like Specialized. They all have some form of a yoke like Specialized except they all chose to have the yoke attach to a normal shock eye and not need a special shock.
  • 2 1
 The speciao shocks have more to them than just the way the yoke attaches on specializeds, there is also proprietary lengths and strokes. Instead of say a 6.5 * 1.5 or 7.5 * 2.0, you will see them do 6 5/8 * 1.5 or maybe 7.5 * 1.75. So another shock will either be to short to fit properly or will have too much travel for the frame. They learned that trick from giant actually who did it in the late 90s.
  • 1 0
 deeeight that said you can shim a shock, so at least without that proprietary yoke Specialized loves, you could find a replacement shock outside of going through them and the limited choices they give you.
  • 5 2
 "Not content to rest on their laurels, for 2014 Kona has redesigned the Process..."

Kona... resting on their laurels? Who could imagine such a thing?
  • 3 0
 @TheOriginalTwoTone is right. This design, like Lapierre and Ibis, makes the suspension work plushier because the shock rotates over two sealed bearings and not over bushings. Enduro/RWC anyone?
  • 2 3
 Instead of negative props, how about someone explain how and why they are excited about this bike since the numbers suggest that there is no improvement over a 2010 Specialized Enduro except this has less travel and a slightly different wheel size...the geometry is similar with the Specialized having shorter stays which sounds like more fun to me. (The Enduro is my example because they still post their old bike's geometry numbers.)
  • 1 1
 Yeah, my Scott rep showed me this today and about cried. Bought the genius one year too soon.
  • 3 0
 I am Process-ing this information (pun)
  • 2 1
 What mountain bikes do you speak of? My first was a schwinn High Sierra with bull moose bars & a 150mm reach stem in 1985. Every mt. bike I had after that had a long stem and steep head angles, until I got a DH bike in 2002 & all mountain bike in 2003.
  • 2 7
flag RodRamsey (Jul 10, 2013 at 8:31) (Below Threshold)
 It about time to shut the hell up and ride bichez, on any bike. Fukka brand name they all made by hochi min taiwain drinky drink mon.
  • 1 1
 @p-dub-4... I think you're remembering your bikes or years wrong, nobody was using stems that long in 1985... except for road bikes. There's a video of a 86-88 period Schwinn high sierra on youtube and that's how they came and that isn't steep geometry nor a long stem. You don't measure the quill length AND the stem extension combined you know...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEKulNTOkEk
  • 1 2
 @Deelight, my math is bang on correct if you actually know anything about rounding numbers. 153/25.4 = 6.023622... (keep going if you really need to). This rounds to 6.0" which is what I said. How many times do I need to tell you to think back to the 4 times that you took grade 9 math?! The guys at Kona obviously rounded it to 153 so pull your head out.
  • 4 2
 Are you familiar with the concept that you are a moron? At no time has kona referred to this new model as a six inch travel bike. You're the one trying to redefine the travel numbers to suit your limited understanding of the models.
  • 5 5
 Kona, stop trying to be fancy and make the damn bike 160. Thank you.
  • 10 1
 Why do they need to make the bike 160? If they got a great riding biking at 153, simply giving it 7 more mm of rear travel isn't going to make it better just because you have stroke envy.
  • 3 3
 @Deelight, just gave you + props for the first time ever! It won't go anywhere to bringing you back to net zero since you're at around -18,923,38 but it helps a tiny bit.
  • 3 1
 dont you mean -1,892,338
  • 2 0
 Lots of math dorks on here ehhaaaahaha
  • 1 4
 Looks like you are all talking about the size of your penis instead of a bike. Why are so f***ing important 7 mm?. Will them make you go faster?. Will Gwin stay on the podium again with 7 mm more of travel?. Maybe?. If my aunt got nuts would be my cousin?. Who daf*ck cares!!??.

Go out and simply ride your bikes, bitches!
  • 1 4
 Yo no homo on the bike travel meng. Let the whiners whine an the shredders shred. As long as the two stay out of eachothers way no promblems happening. Bring whatever bike you got, what you got ova there bro.
  • 1 1
 I don't get why my comment made so many of you guys mad... Sorry for disturbing your day so much.
  • 2 0
 I mine was actually a 1984. My Schwinn High Sierra had the one piece, bull moose bars, originally, the quill was welded to a triangle that made the bars. Stem and bar, one piece, had to be at east over 120mm from center of quill to the bar. I remember feeling way way over the front any time I descended. I eventually ended up on a stumpjumper with a quill stem and riser bars. I found a pic of a 1984 High Sierra. Mine was the same but grey.
www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2007/cc268-spencerbaker0307.html
  • 95 4
 I wonder if anyone at PinkBike caught the big "No Photo" written on the bike...
  • 72 0
 Don't worry, we got permission before we posted photos.
  • 6 1
 How well does this baby climb!?!
  • 130 3
 Faster than an oil-ed up fat woman running to get a bucket of KFC.......
  • 7 0
 Thank you for making my day sir. And dang that's pretty damn fast!!!
  • 17 1
 That's just how they roll....
  • 3 2
 demo type shock link... but maybe the shocks wont break so easy due to shorter travel of the shock....... seen too many broken CCDB's allready,.
  • 19 0
 I don't care how well it climbs, i will carry that sweet beautiful thing all the way up if i have to
  • 13 0
 Get aggy on one Wink
  • 6 0
 Wow kona, steppin it up. First a carbon dh, now this.
  • 2 5
 Rear shock mount is super flimsy looking , but I like the rear end it looks strong , idk why everybody has been hating on the operator , it's a pretty nice riding bike I've ridden one several times and enjoyed throwing it around , it takes shots in the ass end very well , but they def gotta do something about that new shock mount. It will break
  • 29 2
 did kona fire there ceo or something?, this is sick as af
  • 6 3
 "as af"???
  • 4 1
 Af = as f*ck
  • 20 1
 yeah i know! so why did he say as...af?!?!
  • 9 0
 *their
  • 14 3
 Typos, everyone has them. Calm down.
  • 27 5
 that's technically not a typo, is a grammatical error
  • 3 0
 You get blocked for using bad launge, haha
  • 1 0
 He obviously meant "this is sick as ass-f*cking."
  • 26 2
 This looks very promising, maybe will be my first 27.5 bike. Not going to lie though, I'm a little sad it doesn't come in a 26
  • 4 1
 yeah me too, Im not very into 650b, but this one look very nice
  • 6 2
 I went from 26 to 29 without even really thinking it through. You can read people's opinions and be sceptical, but in the end it's you and your bike. I'm not disappointed at all.
  • 3 0
 CS are just shy of an inch shorter than 26" SCZ Nomad and their Bronson, Kona's intro to 650b FTW!!
  • 16 1
 I've followed this bike down DH trails and jumptrails, Then watched it Podium at a pedally enduro courses. Bikes don't make riders, riders make bikes....but this bike wont limit what you can do...I'm getting one.
  • 17 0
 All bow to the rebirth of kona!
  • 6 0
 ive been on my knees worshiping their rebirth ever since they dropped the operator and the entourage.. so much that i had to buy an operator Wink

the new carbon operator and process are just a bonus of having your head screwed on right and worshiping the right bike company Wink ))
  • 13 2
 Did anyone pick up on the engineer's name being Jack Russel? That guy must have had some real creative parents, who really liked their dog...
  • 6 1
 I bet they call him Terry around the office
  • 2 1
 do you think they make him jump for treats or stand on beach balls?
  • 2 0
 Kind of like the Cane Creek engineer named Jim Morrison.
  • 9 0
 I've known Chris since 2007 and have had the pleasure of riding laps with the guy on a few prototype days. I can say for certain that although he's a very smooth rider, he puts the bike through its' paces. And he's definitely not a little guy, standing at about 6'4"(?). I'm also familiar with Mike and how he rides rough terrain, having had the pleasure of riding with him as well. If Mike is riding where I think he is, it's an area where mere mortals push up there dh sleds, with full armor, and still end up riding around most of the stunts. If Mike is stoked on 153mm and thinks the frame is burly enough for the moves on the trail, I'm sold. The Entourage has been the bike I've been wanting since it's release, due to its' playful but more than capable nature. But after reading this article, the idea of a low-slung, 30+ lb. ripstick on faster rolling wheels (that coincidentally stomps man-sized moves) has changed my mind. Way to go Chris and team for breathing new life into a brand that most people had dismissed as old school and outdated.
  • 11 0
 dont know who they fired or who they hired but it seems to be working out, nice job Kona
  • 7 0
 "who they hired"

Chris Mandell and Jack Russell. Awesome guys.
  • 8 0
 The current year Process DL is the funnest bike I've ever owned and it has totally changed my day to day riding. I've been on one since February and it still amazes me and makes me smile with how capable it is both on the ups as well as the downs. I can't even imagine what a lower slung faster rolling version of the '13 model will be able to shred like!
  • 1 0
 Can't wait for your edit on the '14 then. The '13 one was dope.
  • 1 0
 Got to agree! My process DL has made such a better rider for the 8 months ive had it. Sellin it to get this!
  • 10 0
 I wish pink bike would give a negitive review somtimes... all reviews are positive it makes it hard to dig deep and see whats really going on.....
  • 3 0
 +1
I know it's just a prototype, but manufacturers need the criticism as early as they can get it. I'd like to know how this Kona climbs compared to the Norco Sight (now carbon), Scott Genius LT650, Rocky Mountain Altitude, Carbine or Bronson. If it's as good as those, sign me up. Much easier to get ahold of a Kona on the east coast than the rest.
  • 3 0
 It climbs like practically every other single pivot/single-pivot linkage with the main pivot point being where it is. You get squat as the rider weight swings rearward on acceleration and the chain torque pulls the rear axle towards the pivot which will either be upwards (compressing the shock in the process) on pivots below the chain or downwards (extending the shock) on pivots above the chain. I personally have always found the ones that have low pivots and pull upwards into the shock travel as pedaling better and having less of a feeling of the suspension tugging on the chain than high pivots.
  • 5 0
 Here is a thought- bike technology is getting quite dialed as of late, and compared to what was available in the past pretty much every major brand makes a great bike.
  • 1 0
 deeight, is that a informal bench-comparison of the bikes I mentioned. As in, you'd prefer this Kona over the other offerings?
  • 1 0
 hamncheez,

Nope. There can only be one.

"Here we are! Fighting to survive, we're the Princes of the Universe."
  • 1 0
 I would prefer bikes like this Kona over say, a Santa Cruz like the Butcher. My own full suspension fleet right now is made up of 4-bar horst links and low-pivot SPLs. I thought about buying my girlfriend a heckler as her first dually, but I don't want her first experience to be with something that inch worms like they do if the low-speed compression shock tune isn't perfect.
  • 1 0
 I too would like to know about the writer's impression on climbing performance. How did the suspension behave when sitting pedaling with/without platform damping activated? How about when standing and mashing? How does it compare to another linkage system like VPP or horst link?
  • 3 0
 They didn't give the transition covert the greatest review.
  • 4 0
 So everything must ride better than a Covert!
  • 3 4
 I've got nothing good to say about Kona. I got a Hei Hei Deluxe last year and put hardly any km's on it, and still it has spent most of its life in the shop or waiting to go to the shop. No love from Kona's warranty department, either. I will never buy a Kona again.
  • 1 0
 the recent review for the Marin was pretty lukewarm

basically "it climbs OK, but not that great, and it isn't that good downhill"
but in general, PB don't post negative reviews, for sure
  • 1 0
 Didn't Pinkbike break the Enve wheels? that wasn't the most positive of reviews.
  • 1 0
 They broke the wheel then made excuses for why it happend.. i understand they cant rake people over the coals if they want to keep a good supply of things to test...

I want no holds barred reviews. tell it to me straight ..

None of this "for what it is, it's OK"... i know that means its crap you know it means crap so just say it
  • 4 1
 Start your own magazine then, see how many products you get to test that you didn't have to pay for yourself.
  • 1 0
 What about just comparing against the competition? Plenty of bike mags do that.
  • 2 1
 The reviews are a little vauge. I still think pink bike has the best reviews on the internet.

This review went like this to me.

We were quite shocked the bike didnt suck. Kona is doing somthing differnt.
Up hill the bike moved forward when we were pedaling and did so easier then a DH bike.

Going down hill we wernt let down


So picking through the weeds I think it says that the bike is better then the low expectations the reviewer had initialy. But the bike bike isnt really anythimg special .. just another ride....


Am i right? What did you guys think it said?
  • 2 0
 This is by no means a full review - it's a "First Look." It's basically a way to express our initial impressions, and then once we get some proper miles on the bike we can give a more extensive report.
  • 1 0
 My fault. Anyways keep up the good work.
  • 1 0
 Mike, by no means are we criticizing, at least I'm not. I think I give suggestions in the veiled form of criticism.
  • 13 6
 Nice to see Kona finally make a departure from the 4-bar.
Looking forward to seeing how this new suspension performs.
They put the "No photo" stickers on, yet posed it for the top picture.
  • 9 27
flag erbsforlife (Jul 9, 2013 at 0:14) (Below Threshold)
 How is it not the same design as before?
  • 11 4
 Read the part of the article titled "Frame Design".
  • 7 3
 @erbsforlife Are you blind?
  • 11 4
 @spudlord Are you?

It's still a four-bar linkage (linkage-driven single pivot, to be precise): frame, chainstay, seatstay (aka: 'walking beam'), and the link that drives the shock yoke. The only change from previous Kona designs is that the link which drives the shock is attached to the shock and the seatstay on the same side relative to the frame, as opposed to previous designs, which drove the shock on the opposite side of the frame to the seatstay (i.e.: rocker link).
  • 5 5
 That sounds different to me...
  • 5 2
 Yes but Kona has done different links before. They started with a bell-crank link to drive the shocks before they went to a walking beam link. Its still just a single-pivot rear end though, with all the ups and downs of such a design. For brands that ignored the US market until the expiration of the horst-link patent or didn't want to license it, it could be argued that they were optimizing a backwards/upwards wheel path and swingarm structural stiffness (the chainstay/swingarm getting the most material) over suspension activeness under power and braking. Now that the patent has expired (and companies have KNOWN when it was going to expire ever since it was issued) they've the opportunity to redesign around them instead or keep with what they've done all along.
  • 5 1
 *FauxBar..... Get it right. "4-Bar" was the nomenclature for the horst link. Faux Bar is just a single pivot with seatstays to actuate the shock lever/walkingbeam/whatevermarketingcallsitthesedays.
  • 5 1
 All true 4-bars (and six bars for that matter also) locate the wheel on a swingarm member with upper and lower (this is where multiple links can happen) separating that swingarm member from the main frame where the crankset is located. On horst link bikes (and ellsworth ICT and Rocky Mountain Smoothlink), the swingarm is the seat stay strut (the chainstay is a long lower link), on VPP/DW link bikes the swingarm is a usually a triangulating element of tubes welded together (or bonded in the case of carbon frames). Lots of brands employing seatstay links where the chainstay IS the swingarm separating from the main frame by a single pivot point, market their frames as 4-bar linkages but magazine writers took to calling them faux-bars because they're not true independent 4-bar links as the rest of the suspension world (in other vehicular fields) would consider them. They're single-pivot linkages.
  • 1 1
 honestly i love kona's koolaid, but this looks like it's going against all their tolerance stacking (or lack thereof) preaching. I'll stick with my entourage/tanuki double team
  • 8 0
 Kona should release a special edition of this bike with the "no photo" graphics. I would buy that bike.
  • 1 0
 +1！
And remember that bullet belt graphics on the new Carbon Operator in PB's previous report? That was sick and I bet there will be many people who would pay for that. But don't know what's in Kona's mind, seems that bullet belt had been taken out from the final release.
  • 2 1
 yeah coz to most people it just looked crass and im guessing kona's matt slaven sitting in hospital with a big hole in his shoulder right now, wouldnt be too thrilled with it
  • 10 0
 That is a sick kona!!
  • 5 0
 Looks cool... but just one time, I'd like to see some media outlet give a critical eye to a new "standard". Instead, everyone just eats it up. All companies new stuff is just golden. Then again, I've not ridden one - so maybe 27.5 is the bees knees. Can't wait to try one and see...
  • 12 20
flag Enduro27 (Jul 9, 2013 at 1:15) (Below Threshold)
 No its 100% a marketing scam, if i were kona i'd make a 650 too even though its a scam because people will buy anything that they are told is better
  • 7 2
 I own a 650b bike and it is awesome....
  • 8 2
 @Enduro27 - Really? You really think marketing alone is behind a major shift in mountain biking, and performance has nothing to do with it? I have been on Neo-motos since Kirk Pacenti started making them. For almost every application, they are superior to 26". Sorry if you find that offensive. It is quite apparent whenever I switch back to my 26" bike. The only reason Specialized and Trek haven't jumped on board is because they are so invested in 29ers - especially the marketing of them.
  • 2 0
 It's not necessarily a scam, just a new standard emerging. I recently made the change from 26 to 27.5 and honestly, for a regular person, you are barely going to notice a difference. It really comes down to placebo effect in my eyes. That being said, there are no major downsides to 27.5 so why not give it a try?
  • 2 1
 ... except that 650b isn't a "new standard" at all. Richey was using it in the 70's, for example.
  • 1 0
 I am aware of that, but it went away from the mainstream and is now coming back is all.
  • 2 1
 My 26" tires actually measured 27.25" (2.4" conti trail kings). I don't know what the actual 650b tires are measuring in at, but if they really are 27.5" I really can't see it being worth it to change the frame, fork, tires and rims for such a marginal gain.
  • 2 1
 Then don't change your frame, fork, rims and tyres.
  • 1 2
 joeofloath - I'm speaking more in general terms of the industry switching the sizes. Personally, I just bought two 26ers in the past 3 months, because I'm not planning on switching unless the industry gives us more incentive, or (seemingly more likely) significantly reduces support for 26ers.
  • 9 0
 Enduro, if that's the case then the original 26 is the biggest scam of all. After all if you know your history, it was chosen to avoid import tariffs because the crazy import laws considered the 26 wheel size a child's toy so they were cheaper to import. 26 was not the wheel of choice, it was the cheaper option. So man it's time to stop riding that child's toy and ride an adult size now
  • 3 1
 mike91129, ReformedRoadie speaks the truTH. The scam is to force anyone wanting to buy a new 130-160mm after 2013/2014 will have to buy a 650b and more over, a complete bike due to the fact that there will not be 650b parts on the used market for a year or two; much like the 29er. Their re-creating the 29er movement, but this time everyones ready to cash in.and making sure they do.
  • 3 0
 @jfyfe just like your 26" wheels measuring more than 26", 650b are no different. I have 2.2 WTB Wolverine 650b tires on WTB 650b Trail wheels and I measured them one day to see just how close they are to 27.5". They measured at just a hair under 28". Give a 650b bike a try if you get the chance, they do have some very nice ride qualities!
  • 2 0
 gimmick? i think not, besides if its such a close margin why not pop a dh 2.5 or bigger in it, n quit bitchin bout it....
  • 9 1
 I like that kona... how strange.
  • 5 1
 What Kona has done here is set the bar for a rideable (pushing your bike to a trailhead is NOT mountain biking!), playful, and full-on shreddable trail bike that most people will be able to take whatever you can point it towards. It's not a DH bike. It's not an XC bike. It's a f*cking mountain bike that absolutely rips down the trail! The trail that this bike was "tested" on most of the readers would think twice about riding. Good NW gnarly. You need to get over the media hype of wheel size too. It's all geometry and rider ability. Props to Kona for making a platform and a line of bikes what will surely be a huge splash this year!
  • 1 0
 Anyway you could share the name of said test trail? I get its a Bellingham trail but the article doesn't give enough clues. Thanks much in advance
  • 3 0
 I’m always a bit skeptical about the all-round performance and the setup complexity that comes with the CCDB. Sure it’s very capable on the downhill, but I think most people have a hard time to find a good setup and I’d miss a platform. Hope to see more float x and monarch plus shocks on these kind of bikes. Otherwise a close to perfect setup on a very promising frame, looks like the start of a new age for Kona!
  • 1 1
 Couldn't agree more, Marzocchi have been making downhill capable air shocks for over 5 years and the TST with an almost locked out position climbs like no other shock I've found. Got one on my nukeproof mega and wont change it any time soon.
  • 1 0
 DBair CS Smile
  • 3 0
 That trail is one of my favorites and they totally undersold how utterly impressive it is that a 150mm travel bike took it with ease. The vast majority of people only ride that thing on dh sleds, myself included, and I've never actually seen anyone on a bike with less than 7 inches of travel up there. I've heard of a few local yahoos on coverts shredding it but I really need to try this bad boy out. Well done Kona(Jack)
  • 3 0
 Too bad, I was really look forward to the second year of the 26" process. I held off on it's first year run because you never know how it's going to end up. I hope the 2014 will still come in bright orange, but we all know if it's got 27.5" it's gotta be tennis ball yellow.
  • 2 0
 Buy a 2013 on close out pricing. It's still a dialled bike. I'm riding the DL version right now, and I love it.
  • 1 0
 I may if I have the cash then, I just picked up a Soda Air and I think they'd be awfully similar! Also, my only gripe with the DL is that it isn't in stupid orange.
  • 2 0
 I hated the orange at first, but now it's grown on me and I wish my DL was orange! Ha!
  • 2 0
 I am interested to see so many people concerned about the shock mounting. You can see that the air can on the shock is merely turned to the side. So there is no proprietary mounting going on here other than maybe the new Kona mounting hardware. From what I can tell any shock under normal standards will mount but the piston side of any shock will have to be turned. I would like to try one of these in the 153 variety. Kona is really starting to turn things around so it seems.
  • 5 0
 Kona and Norco have done a great job lately of improving my impressions of their brands.
  • 7 4
 "Don't worry about wheel size, it barely crossed our minds!" Which basically means it rides like any other 26" wheeled bike but with fewer wheel/tire options that are more expensive. Perfect!
  • 2 3
 exactly, whats the point of a new size if you can't tell the difference?
  • 2 0
 Had a look and a ride today on one of the only 2 in UK today. So I'm told, I'm buying one. Probably Frame only tho, sram gears and not the dual position spec forks are a let down , but other than that it rips. So nimble, and them new pike forks are the best forks available no question. Also on the name sticker it had A on the end. So expect a carbon version me thinks
  • 4 0
 That is the best looking Kona I've ever seen. Wonder what the price tag will be like?
  • 7 5
 Dont worry kona will give it a crappy (bright white and green)paint job name it somthing silly like "the kona cluckenchicken"
  • 3 0
 @fuglio

someone jelly? maybe even a little jam?
  • 2 0
 brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/process_153_dl.jpg

There she blows!!!
  • 1 1
 Lol thanks dude. It makes me sad cause the raw aluminum looks bad ass. But it males me happy cause i was right
  • 5 0
 Now that looks like the funnest enduro bike I have ever seen
  • 4 0
 what a beautiful bike, agressive line!!! damn', i'm looking for more news on this new toy!! Smile
  • 4 0
 That's a perfect we bike for shreading the majority of uk trails. Nice work Kona.
  • 4 0
 congrats Kona, your last few new bikes are looking great. keep up this new direction....away from the same old kona
  • 4 0
 FAIL! EVERY Kona articles needs to have a picture of the 2014 Operator within said article. Duh
  • 1 0
 i am brandon, and i approve this message.
  • 5 0
 Guess the magic link is dead
  • 1 0
 2013 process didn't have magic link, their cadabra line had that stuff.
  • 2 0
 These two lines compete. I bet they drop the magic link altogether. I doubt it sold well
  • 1 0
 Will there even be a 2014 Cadabra? Yet to be seen. People who rode them say they like them, however.
  • 2 0
 I have a 2010 coilair and I love it... although it needs an overhaul pretty bad.
  • 1 1
 Bikerumour has more details on the 2014 Kona lineup, but the Cadabra, Abra Cadabra and previous Process models are all replaced by the new 650B and 29er Process models. The Magic-Link never really worked right and was a bloody bitch to setup correctly/adjust anyway, and just added more pivots to loosen and need to be maintained. There's also the new Precept DL sitting below the Process that's an evolution of the Tanuki, two new 650B hardtails, and a new fat bike.
  • 2 1
 Never understood the magic link is hard to setup thing. It easy and works. Yes it is more to maintain but again it simple job so not a problem if you have basic tools and knowledge. But yeah I don't see them continuing the magic link. Probably down to production cost and negative comments. But fact is it really does work. I'd buy another magic link bike no question.
  • 3 0
 Dee, have you ever ridden a magic link bike? I have had two, and it takes 5 minutes to set up and then you never have to touch it. It really does work well.
  • 1 0
 Yes, I have. I've also had to repair them.
  • 1 0
 Seems like a good bike, basically an Enduro with tweener wheels. But I don't think you can say that it has internally routed cables. One cable, through one chainstay doesn't seem like it is really routing the cables internally.
  • 1 0
 true. But after working on bikes in the pits I can honestly say that gear cables are the only cables you would want internally routed. Hydraulic cables should never be routed internally unless they have quick release couples in my opinion
  • 3 0
 Kona finally got more creative then the Walking Beam 4-Bar linkage! about time Kona glad to see you guys changing it up a bit!
  • 2 0
 Suprising to see a dual chaingring set up going in the front with all the hype around the XXI I thought I'd be seeing that on this bike. Not a gooid or bad thing nessacarily, just surprising
  • 1 0
 here some larges pics of the 2014 Process family

a href="http://www.endurotribe.com/2013/07/exclusif-kona-change-tout-pour-2014/" target="_blank">http://www.endurotribe.com/2013/07/exclusif-kona-change-tout-pour-2014//a>
  • 2 0
 Well here's my cadabra replacement. I would like some more rear travel tho. If there's a 26er with 160+ I'd probably buy that instead. But I will definitely give 650b a try
  • 6 3
 If that raw finish is going into production it will be my next bike. Love the old school tubing with new school looks.
  • 2 0
 next year I should ebay my slayer and exclusively say it's a 26 and see if anybody will pay high enough so I can get all the money back I spent on it...
  • 5 1
 Gonna get one this and one new KONA DH this year!
  • 3 0
 Oh my. This bike is Drool Looks burlier than other dh bikes tbh. Good job Kona, I love it.
  • 2 0
 Please make it, and a Entourage in Raw, and I will buy one of each! The Raw 2012 Unit is badass! Put it on The Gravity Bikes for 2014, Please!
  • 1 0
 @beast--sorry dude, 'Raw' refers to steel only, cuz only steel is real, full susp. steel bikes be a bit hard to find. Raw aluminum just ain't so pretty.
  • 3 1
 sexiest looking 27.5 bike I've seen so far - the carbon version should be a right trouser arouser!
  • 1 1
 Someone tell me why you can't throw 26" wheels on this frame with 26" forks and just have a ~3" stretched bike? Extended rear arm always increases stability when it comes to motorcycles, anyway..
  • 4 1
 That looks fucking awesome.
  • 3 0
 Thats so different to kona's of the past. But its sick, I like it!
  • 4 1
 But I still prefer the look of current Process.
  • 1 0
 got a chance to ride the 26er of it, felt great, stable and changed my entire perspective on Kona as a whole. would love a chance to rip around on this one!
  • 1 0
 The current Process? There is no 26er in this new frame style. Only 29er and 27.5.
  • 1 0
 yeah the current one, badass bike
  • 1 0
 Ah, yes. I agree.
  • 2 0
 man that is sweet just built up a 2012 Entourage DLX frameset and an loving it i bet that set-up is just as fun to rip
  • 1 0
 "almost ninety degree turns were navigated with ease"... should proably be 180 degree. Those 90° would be gnarly though if pointed downwards!?
  • 3 1
 Dear Kona,

Keep the raw finish and you'll have my $$. Retail of build pictured above?
  • 1 0
 I think that's just spec for the test rig. I'm betting the production build will be full SRAM and Rock Shox.
  • 4 0
 Pike, monarch plus, 1x11, stealth, flow ex's, and It will be my next purchase. Bike looks proper sick!!
  • 2 0
 Yes please Kona!! Will be first in line if you spec it like this.
  • 1 0
 Pretty disappointed with the paint and lack of stealth but still a sick bike. I hope they offer as frame only.


www.bikerumor.com/2013/07/09/kona-goes-big-for-2014-with-25-new-models
  • 1 0
 That LEV Integra is a really nice Dropper post though...
  • 3 0
 Noooooooooooo! I like the 2013 Kona Process the way it is!
  • 1 0
 Does this linkage design add to the none linear loads experienced by the shock as the shock has to hold the link to the rear suspension rigid??
  • 1 0
 I don't think so as the shock is free to align itself with the incoming loads. lappiere have been using this mounting design for many years with no apparent problems
  • 1 0
 anyone notice the mad foot rub on the rear triangle? while using clipless it looks like you may run into some problems with that
  • 1 0
 Yeah and that might be a deal breaker for some.
  • 3 0
 Looks like a SX Trail
  • 1 1
 The rubbing on the right side lower rear triangle looks a bit bad! Unless they didnt spray it that much as its still in testing?
  • 5 0
 Its got to have those so you can tell that its a Kona and it likes being abused.
  • 2 0
 I like your thinking!
  • 2 2
 I would be interested to know if Kona decided on the "longer top tube/shorter stem" before or after the GTs started kicking butt.
  • 3 2
 After Gary Fisher (Trek) started doing it back in the 90s.
  • 4 2
 Fisher's geo is whacky...
  • 1 0
 Fisher's geo has always been whacky. They took Klunkers and turned them in to road bikes for the dirt for over a decade...
  • 1 0
 Still the same basic principle. Longer top tube, shorter stem and chain stays.
  • 1 0
 Most suspensions designs are the same basic principles... I think we can all agree the execution of said principals is the important part. They also had weird offsets for their suspension and weird head tube angles. But, that's neither here nor there.
  • 11 8
 Knolly?
  • 5 0
 but very different...
  • 4 0
 Huh? What about Knolly? This is about as far from a Knolly as you can get - suspension wise. And Knolly only makes 26ers at the moment. It is aluminum, so they have that in common.
  • 1 0
 Jack Russell, the industrial designer behind the new bikes - Cruel parents Smile !
  • 2 0
 The name of the bike should be Kona NoPhoto 153
  • 2 1
 I see these mid travel 27.5s replacing the traditional DH bike within a few years.
  • 2 0
 My next bike, I liked it!
  • 2 0
 Kona needs another Bellingham test pilot, I volunteer.
  • 1 0
 I would not expect lot from very low single pivot + weird SUPER flimsy looking upper shock mount :I
  • 1 0
 Does anybody else think it looks like a small bike, Faux bar system of the demo 8?
  • 1 0
 So price and availability I want now!!!........ Im glad I didnt buy a prcoess this year a the new one is the one for me!
  • 2 1
 Am i the only person who thought this was a weird ass divinci wilson at first glance?
  • 1 1
 I think the Q-Factor might need to be increased--appears the paint & frame have been nearly rubbed shiny by the test-rider's boots, especially on the drive-side!
  • 1 0
 Matt Slaven was riding this at the Keystone Enduro. He seemed to be having fun so I guess it works.
  • 1 0
 good to see kona getting back in the game. this and the new dh bike are going to make this year killer
  • 1 0
 Price? Smile
Some geometry details would be nice as well...
  • 1 0
 how did they get it to balance there?
  • 1 0
 mmmm... The shock mount does´t look strong
  • 2 0
 YES photo!
  • 1 0
 Loving the new links. looks simpler and evil in my eyes.
  • 2 1
 Looks cool but that upper shock mount, yikes.
  • 2 0
 From the side it looks pinner, but it's as wide as the top tube. Looks super solid from other angles.
  • 1 0
 Who is enforcing the 'NO PHOTOs' sticker?????!??!?!?
  • 1 0
 I want this.. for once I think kona made a good looking bike!
  • 1 0
 Very interesting. Icredibly low standover.
  • 1 0
 So... About that carbon version?
  • 3 1
 No 26" process? come on.
  • 1 0
 Wishing a speedy recovery for Matt Slaven.
  • 1 0
 Eh? What happened?
  • 1 0
 Jesus Christ, never mind. Healing vibes, man...

www.bikemag.com/news/konas-matthew-slaven-stable-following-santa-cruz-shooting
  • 1 0
 So much win. This bike will rip.
  • 1 1
 Who ever wrote this article has horrible grammar. Lol stutter while you type who does that.
  • 1 0
 hard to believe this is a kona. Kona has really stepped up their game!
  • 1 0
 Are kona making the entourage for 2014?
  • 1 0
 Finally something new coming out of KONA
  • 1 0
 why is the mount so pinner?
  • 1 0
 For the rear...i only think: fender fender fender fender.....
  • 1 1
 kona finally made a nice bike. now i want to see the dh version
  • 1 0
 its called the carbon operator, look it up.
  • 2 0
 the carbon operator looks like a trek. i want to see a dh version that looks like this process 153
  • 3 0
 get outta here with that 'looks like a trek' crap.
  • 1 1
 Nice effort kona I'm not 100% on the links thow
  • 1 1
 Yeahhhh...another27.5 bike
  • 1 1
 looks like a trek Oh wait....
  • 1 0
 Looks like a knolly
  • 1 0
 Looks alright.
  • 1 0
 knolly......
  • 2 3
 I've never seen a single pivot made so complicated.
  • 1 0
 Have you not seen the new Scott Gambler?

stwww.bikemag.com/files/2012/07/Scott-Gambler-10-02.jpg
  • 1 4
 It's not a single pivot...
  • 3 0
 The main swingarm is solid from the frame pivot to the axle. That means it's single pivot. The shock is driven by the linkage...
  • 6 0
 If the rear axle is at the end of a single bar, with a pivot on the main triangle, it is a single pivot...no matter how many links or pivots connect to the shock.
  • 2 0
 Bingo. Awesome username, BTW... LOL
  • 1 0
 Ok that makes sense but doesn't that make just about every bike on the market a single pivot? Like I understand what a single pivot is now but I can only think of a tiny amount of bikes with a pivot between the rear axle and the main triangle.
  • 1 0
 So many suspension designs on the market are single pivot. From pure single pivots, like most Orange bikes, to linkage driven single pivots like Kona or Scott. Heck, even Trek's ABP is a single pivot design. It is pretty stunning how few non single pivot designs there are. Arguably, that's because Specialized had the Horst link pivot placement patented. Though it resulted in some great innovations, like dw link and vpp, and all the derivative short dual link style suspension.
  • 2 0
 Well I never really thought of it that way, thanks for clearing that up. I used to think that is there was no pivot around or near the rear axle (like with Transitions and the new Gambler etc.) that made it a single pivot. On a second note bikes like the newer Wilsons would not be single pivot because there are two pivots (the huge one that the main pivot spins around and the samler one connecting the chainstays to the main pivot piece) between the main triangle and the rear axle? Also on bikes like the Norco Aurum where there is only one pivot off of the front traingle but there is a pivot before the rear axle going along the chainstay does that make it a non-single pivot because the rear axle wouldn't be at the end of a single bar? Or would an Aurum still be considered a Single Pivot because it only has one pivot off of the frame.
  • 1 0
 The easiest way to think of it is how the wheel attaches to the main frame, or front triangle. To use the Wilson or Aurum as examples: The Aurum is not a single pivot. The wheel is connected to the seat stay, the seat stay is connected to the rocker link and the chain stay. The rocker link and chain stay are connected to the main frame, or front triangle, but the seat stay is not. The seat stay will pivot around two points, the rocker link and chain stay pivots. The Wilson, however, is a single pivot. The wheel is attached to the seat stay, and the seat stay is attached directly to the frame. The rear wheel can only pivot around a single point, or single pivot if you will. The chain stay pulls on the link that drives the shock, so the Wilson would be a linkage driven single pivot. Make sense? I love talking about this stuff...
  • 3 4
 YT?
  • 3 3
 naw, enduro maybe? but honestly who cares what it looks like, I want this more than an enduro
  • 2 4
 It looks like a knolly. But who cares. I would have one in a second!
  • 1 4
 very nice looking frame, but still.... a single pivot. with a low pivot.....
  • 2 0
 Like 90% of bikes out there? Don't hear anyone complaining the TR450 looks nasty cos of it, or the Meta AM.
  • 2 0
 you have to ride the same trail with a low single pivot bike, vs a high pivot (single pivot or other) to feel the different.
  • 1 3
 again a Kona that will break 'there' lol
  • 1 4
 That triangle is gonna snap
  • 1 4
 Kona+FOX=NO1
  • 2 2
 扯j8蛋，哈哈哈
  • 2 2
 Yes, I agree.
  • 2 0
 NO1 cept me! Wink

farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/8728818299_281a7065b4_z.jpg
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