Kona Shonky AL... Sizing, feedback, reviews?

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Kona Shonky AL... Sizing, feedback, reviews?
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flag mphenix
Posted: Oct 11, 2016 at 18:26 Quote
Kona Shonky AL 2017.... Thoughts??

I'm a Kona devotee.. Looking to make my first DJ frame purchase soon and build it up over the winter.

Want: the 2017 Kona Shonky frame http://www.konaworld.com/shonky_frame.cfm

I believe the 2016 version was only 4 lbs (!!) and the 2017 color is v. sexy

Issues: this frame seems to have the longest TT length I've seen on a DJ bike (24"), comparing to other frames. I'm 5' 7" but not super heavy and I really prefer smaller / flick-able frames. I'm worried that even the "S" version is gonna feel unwieldy to me. For reference, the TT length of my current mountain bike which I feel comfortable on is 21.5"

I know the reach is probably more important but even that measurement is 16.3 for the "S" on the Shonky whereas, for example, the Dartmoor Two6Player reach is 15.1, and a Morpheus Vimana has a reach of 15.9

Has anyone ridden the Kona Shonky who can comment on the frame size, overall fit, and feel of the ride?

Thanks!
flag cmc4130
Posted: Oct 12, 2016 at 13:12 Quote
mphenix wrote:
Kona Shonky AL 2017.... Thoughts??

I'm a Kona devotee.. Looking to make my first DJ frame purchase soon and build it up over the winter.

Want: the 2017 Kona Shonky frame http://www.konaworld.com/shonky_frame.cfm

I believe the 2016 version was only 4 lbs (!!) and the 2017 color is v. sexy

Issues: this frame seems to have the longest TT length I've seen on a DJ bike (24"), comparing to other frames. I'm 5' 7" but not super heavy and I really prefer smaller / flick-able frames. I'm worried that even the "S" version is gonna feel unwieldy to me. For reference, the TT length of my current mountain bike which I feel comfortable on is 21.5"

I know the reach is probably more important but even that measurement is 16.3 for the "S" on the Shonky whereas, for example, the Dartmoor Two6Player reach is 15.1, and a Morpheus Vimana has a reach of 15.9

Has anyone ridden the Kona Shonky who can comment on the frame size, overall fit, and feel of the ride?

Thanks!

I have not ridden the newer Shonky. I rode one around 2009 or so, and it was very similar to the Black Market Mob (size Large, 22.5" actual top tube).

http://ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/killswitch-update.239886/#post-3662103

It does seem like a trend that companies are making the front end of their DJ frames longer . . . . it may be a bleed-over from their Enduro/AM/XC lineups where companies are going with the concept of longer top tubes and shorter stems.

But, besides that, the Transition PBJ seems to be pretty similar, with the reach being 15.9" for the Small and 17" for the Large.

https://www.transitionbikes.com/

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/size-matters-why-were-all-riding-bikes-that-are-too-small-321374

i know this isn't a dirt jumper..... but i think what Kona, Specialized, etc. have been doing with their other bikes may have influenced their DJ bike design.....
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2014/05/FORWARD-GEOMETREY-IMAGE.jpg
http://www.leelikesbikes.com/cockpit-length-vs-braaapablity.html

example of my size large Black Market Killswitch lined up with my size large Black Market Mob. they had very different "Reach" measurements.

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/Blackmarket_Killswitch_CMC006.jpg
The size large Transition Double is also shorter than the size large Killswitch:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/2011-TransitionDouble_2010-Killswitch%20002_zpszvjjgqzl.jpg
flag mphenix
Posted: Oct 24, 2016 at 19:34 Quote
cmc4130 wrote:
mphenix wrote:
Kona Shonky AL 2017.... Thoughts??

I'm a Kona devotee.. Looking to make my first DJ frame purchase soon and build it up over the winter.

Want: the 2017 Kona Shonky frame http://www.konaworld.com/shonky_frame.cfm

I believe the 2016 version was only 4 lbs (!!) and the 2017 color is v. sexy

Issues: this frame seems to have the longest TT length I've seen on a DJ bike (24"), comparing to other frames. I'm 5' 7" but not super heavy and I really prefer smaller / flick-able frames. I'm worried that even the "S" version is gonna feel unwieldy to me. For reference, the TT length of my current mountain bike which I feel comfortable on is 21.5"

I know the reach is probably more important but even that measurement is 16.3 for the "S" on the Shonky whereas, for example, the Dartmoor Two6Player reach is 15.1, and a Morpheus Vimana has a reach of 15.9

Has anyone ridden the Kona Shonky who can comment on the frame size, overall fit, and feel of the ride?

Thanks!

I have not ridden the newer Shonky. I rode one around 2009 or so, and it was very similar to the Black Market Mob (size Large, 22.5" actual top tube).

http://ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/killswitch-update.239886/#post-3662103

It does seem like a trend that companies are making the front end of their DJ frames longer . . . . it may be a bleed-over from their Enduro/AM/XC lineups where companies are going with the concept of longer top tubes and shorter stems.

But, besides that, the Transition PBJ seems to be pretty similar, with the reach being 15.9" for the Small and 17" for the Large.

https://www.transitionbikes.com/

http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/size-matters-why-were-all-riding-bikes-that-are-too-small-321374

i know this isn't a dirt jumper..... but i think what Kona, Specialized, etc. have been doing with their other bikes may have influenced their DJ bike design.....
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2014/05/FORWARD-GEOMETREY-IMAGE.jpg
http://www.leelikesbikes.com/cockpit-length-vs-braaapablity.html

example of my size large Black Market Killswitch lined up with my size large Black Market Mob. they had very different "Reach" measurements.

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/Blackmarket_Killswitch_CMC006.jpg
The size large Transition Double is also shorter than the size large Killswitch:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/2011-TransitionDouble_2010-Killswitch%20002_zpszvjjgqzl.jpg


Got super busy and dropped off the forum.. Thanks for the thoughtful reply!

Yeah I've definitely noticed / read about the long front triangle, shorter stem trend across all bike manufacturers... Which is all well and good but it's just tough to calculate how the measurements are going to come across on newer geometry, when all I've ever ridden is my 2001 Kona hardtail MTB frame.

But it is helpful to remember that when considering that a 24" top tube on a newer bike with a short stem, might still not feel any longer than my current 21.5" top tube + longer stem on an older bike.

I was considering a Black Market Edit 1 frame for a while. Any thoughts on that frame?

Bottom line is, as much as I love Kona, I'm too nervous about these larger measurements on the Shonky to buy the frame without riding it first, and also, a poster in another thread provided this traumatizing clip of a 2016 Kona Shonky frame snap (watch it all the way to the end) https://www.instagram.com/p/BH_MOavB9oA/

So luckily, because I live in NYC, I am meeting with a rep from Morpheus on Wednesday morning to try out both an S and a M of the Morpheus Vimana. Looks like a pretty amazing bike from what I've seen.

As much as I wanted to stick with Kona for both my frames, it may not be in the cards.

Thx again for the help.
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