Ever get that feeling - the fleeting sensation that you have been somewhere or done something before? Translated from French the term déjà vu literally means “
already seen” and is a relatively common occurrence, just like endurance racer Rhys Verner is discovering on his new carbon Honzo. Developed with an aggressive trail geometry, 120mm of front end travel, and with modern trail appointments like Boost spacing and Stealth dropper post routing, the new Honzo is built for riding infamous Pacific Northwest trails. The new carbon frame has also been proven on increasingly challenging XC courses where weight and power transfer are vital. With one ‘race' and two ‘trail' configurations to choose from, the new carbon Honzo is so overly capable that, much like Rhys, you too might experience déjà vu when the start gun goes off at your next race or when you drop into a new trail.
When we met up with Rhys at the Bear Mountain round of the Canada Cup, he was in the process of destroying the pump track section of the course. Rhys was doubling up the jumps in his race run. This was tall seat riding at its most stylish.
Bear Mountain Bike Park mountain biking trails When we returned the next day though, Rhys handed out a masterclass in hardtail riding. Maneuvering the carbon Honzo through the air with massive amounts of style and some serious airtime. He even tripled two step-down lines that we didn't even know existed.
The carbon Honzo is just as at home on XC race courses as it is shredding technical all mountain trails. The frame features a 600-gram weight saving over its alloy brother and a well thought out parts spec, the versatile Honzo simply devours terrain.
Rhys attends the University of Victoria in BC and knows the trails on Vancouver Island well. The decision to film the carbon Honzo on the trails of Mount Tzouhalem near Duncan, BC was his, and damn was it a good idea. You couldn't have picked a more fun place to film (or ride) a hardtail. The trails had the perfect mix of flow, tech and pop.
Mount Tzouhalem mountain biking trails Rhys and the Honzo made use of every lip, root and rock available, they spent a good portion of the descent looking like this.
Joonas Vinnari (left) is Kona's in-house filmer and editor, he's responsible for most of Kona's videos (and he could also be a part time model). For this shoot we also enlisted legendary cinematographer and Vancouver Island local Rob Parkin.
Lush, green and wet, but oh so much fun. Rhys just toyed with the trail from the top to bottom.
Did we say lush, green and wet?
A rare, relatively flat bit of track and a tree stump, the combo is like a magnet for the carbon Honzo. This bike just hunts for things to pop off.
It doesn't hurt that Rhys is also hunting for things to pop off as well.
Long time Kona Endurance team racer Spencer Paxson explains to Rhys the nuances of pulling embarrassing faces while filming.
#theressomethinginmymouth Berms for dayz. The trails on Mount Tzouhalem fulfill your cornering dreams.
The Honzo CR Trail DL Frame Material: Kona Carbon Trail
Wheel Size: 29
Wheels: WTB Asym i29 TCS
Front Suspension: 120mm
Fork: RockShox Pike RCT3 120mm Boost
Crankset: SRAM X01
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 1x 11spd
Cockpit: Kona XC/BC 35 bar and stem, ODI Ruffian MX grips
Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
Front Tire: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR 3C 29x2.3"
Rear Tire: Maxxis Ardent EXO DUAL TR 29x2.25"
Saddle: WTB SL8
Availability: July
MRSP: $4599 (USD) / $6499 (CAD)
The Honzo CR Trail Frame Material: Kona Carbon Trail
Wheel Size: 29
Wheels: WTB Asym i29 TCS
Front Suspension: 120mm
Fork: Fox Float 34 Performance 120mm Boost
Crankset: Race Face Aeffect SL
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX/XT Shadow Plus 1x 11spd
Cockpit: Kona XC/BC 35 bar and stem, ODI Ruffian MX grips
Brakes: Shimano SLX
Front Tire: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR 3C 29x2.3"
Rear Tire: Maxxis Ardent EXO DUAL TR 29x2.25"
Saddle: WTB SL8
Availability: July
MRSP: $3499 (USD) / $4499 (CAD)
The Honzo CR RaceFrame Material: Kona Carbon Trail
Wheel Size: 29
Wheels: WTB KOM i23 TCS
Front Suspension: 120mm
Fork: Fox Float 34 Performance 120mm Boost
Crankset: Shimano SLX
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX/XT Shadow Plus 1x 11spd
Cockpit: Kona XC/BC 35 bar and stem, Kona S-LOG grips
Brakes: Shimano SLX
Front Tire: Maxxis Ikon EXO TR 3C 29x2.35"
Rear Tire: Maxxis Ikon EXO TR 3C 29x2.2"
Saddle: WTB SL8
Availability: July
MRSP: $3599 (USD) / $4499 (CAD)
For more information on the Carbon Honzo and the rest of our 2017 bikes, be sure to check out
Konaworld.com on July 17th when the new bikes go live.
About Kona:At
Kona, we're all about the freedom and empowerment of the bicycle. We have been since 1988. We still have the same founding owners. We're still populated by a staff of keen, active, impassioned cyclists. We're not big, nor are we that small. Just a dedicated group of cyclists making bicycles for people who love bikes - no matter if that love is new or long established.
MENTIONS: @konaworld
for all the hardtail haters take notes.
First the Hei Hei Carbon Trail, now this. Really can't wait to see the full 2017 line Kona will drop next year.
Kona is pushing boundaries exactly where the riders dream of improvements. These are the things that really make both our bikes and our cycling experiences better (better cycling because you'll spend less time grinding uphill and will have an even better performing bike on the descents). Most other companies just seem to "improve" in shit we don't want, such as "hey, let's replace the decent BSA brackets with creaking BB30s" and "let's make the hub 2mm wider so everyone has to buy a new frame". Thanks Kona for being real cyclists and also listening to what cyclists want instead of shoving shit down our throats. Kona is by far my favorite MTB company out there! Always bringing things to the next level, exactly where we want it
YES! Shredding it since 2012 ????
Funny lads!
But I too do enjoy a good HT video!
Maybe it's the trails in your area are different than my area. Maybe it's your riding style, who cares really. to each his own, but i'll never buy another hardtail, and I'll never ride one again unless it's the only way off the mountain.