Powered by Outside

Kona Process Challenge Teaser - Video

Jan 6, 2016
by Kona Bikes  
Process Challenge Teaser

by konaworld
Views: 17,561    Faves: 27    Comments: 2


Welcome to the inaugural Process Challenge! For this premier event we gathered XC Beast Spencer Paxson, DH Destroyer Connor Fearon and FR Animal Graham Agassiz and started them atop Retallack Lodge’s Reco Peak for an all out blitz to the bottom. We placed each rider aboard a skill specific Process and awarded points for cross country power, downhill steeze and freeride flair to determine a winner. With a mountain of singletrack ahead of them, who emerged victorious at the first ever Kona Process Challenge? Find out when we release the full video at 12:00 PST Monday January 18th.

Process Challenge
  Retallack's Reco Peak is not the worst place to start a race. Spencer Paxson, Connor Fearon and Graham Agassiz get ready to drop in on a race for the ages.

Process Challenge
  World Cup DH rider Connor Fearon follows Graham Agassiz off one massive natural stepdown

Process Challenge
  Spencer Paxson finds himself all alone on one seriously stunning piece of singletrack

Process Challenge
  Spencer Paxson uses Retallack's flowy singletrack to hold off an attack from Connor and Aggy. Can he hold the pole position?

Photos by Blake Jorgenson.

MENTIONS: @konaworld


Posted In:
Videos Kona


Author Info:
konaworld avatar

Member since Nov 18, 2008
138 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Final Results from Red Bull Hardline 2024
100525 views
Replay: Red Bull Hardline 2024
62924 views
Semi-Final Results from the Leogang DH World Cup 2024
61695 views
Review: Forbidden Druid - Travel is Just a Number
58321 views
15 Race Bikes from Red Bull Hardline 2024
57470 views
Destination Showcase: Pocahontas County, West Virginia
52958 views
Final Results from the Leogang EDR World Cup 2024
43905 views
Elite Qualifying Results from the Leogang DH World Cup 2024
40312 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

91 Comments
  • 39 3
 i want a 167 with a dual crown for my whistler bike
  • 3 1
 Can you put a dual crown on that frame?
  • 17 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/13044437
  • 7 1
 Yes you can
  • 1 0
 have a co-worker building one up with a dual crown at this very moment. it's temporary though
  • 1 0
 I'm definitely going to try and pick up this bike in the Spring. I would love to be able to slap the float 40 on for the races! Doesn't void the warranty does it?
  • 2 0
 Mine will arrive tomorrow, can't wait
  • 3 0
 yeah, voids it
  • 2 1
 I'd love one with 40's on!
  • 1 1
 That thing looks sick!
  • 5 0
 dang dude hows the bike feel with the 40? that is TITS
  • 10 5
 Knolly Delirium, 170mm rear, dual crown approved.
  • 2 0
 @TheYetiHelpsMeDig if you do im gunna have to see it at obp oh and am I allowed to ride there in winter or snowboard down it
  • 1 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/11312844 another 167 with dual
  • 2 0
 It doesn't void the warranty if it doesn't break and you never need the warranty, or if it breaks and you don't tell them. Would you really not put a dc fork on in case it voids the warranty.
  • 5 0
 Putting the dual crown from the Specialized Enduro Evo on this bike would be better. 180mm dual crown boxxer.
  • 2 0
 It's a dope setup www.pinkbike.com/photo/12259656
  • 2 1
 They gonna redesign it soon.
  • 1 0
 @chyu Not only are you wrong, but explain to me what they would "redesign". It sits between their 153 and operator, and is better than both IMO.
  • 1 0
 Wow the shock mount is scary as hell !!
  • 1 0
 ^ it looks scary from the side profile but its actually really beefy if you see it from another angle or just see the bike in person. it just looks like a toothpick from the side but it's a really really sturdy thick piece of metal. see this photo from the guy above ep1.pinkbike.org/p6pb12259656/p5pb12259656.jpg
  • 1 0
 Yea i checked right away the mount cause couldn't belive it Big Grin and its beefy enough to take care a good beating. Cool visual effect though. Smile
  • 18 0
 Spencer is not your average xc racer. The dude shreds dh and jumps no prob, and actually comes out to dig trails on a regular basis. And he holds a normal conversation while you are barfing in your mouth while trying to keep up on the climb. Super rad dude. Fingers crossed for Olympics bro!
  • 3 0
 Well said and so true!
  • 17 2
 carbon process? ever?
  • 2 1
 That's my question, too.
  • 32 4
 But why?!
  • 4 3
 That and a 27.5 operator?
  • 10 1
 I had a carbon operator.. they should just stick to aluminum
  • 3 2
 "But why?"...cuz then I'd own one. I challenege kona to do the 153c!
  • 6 2
 if you like going through 3 frames a season
  • 3 0
 I've seen Sarah Butsch (Spencer Paxsons wife) on what appeared to be a prototype carbon Process at larabee (Bellingham) a few times. I think she won the Enduro of Subdued Excitement on it. Don't know how much travel it has though.
  • 2 0
 Carbon Process prototypes exist but I was told by a reliable source that they either did not meet Kona's desired strength or they weighed as much as the aluminum frames.

I believe Kona is switching factories and more prototypes will exist soon (if they don't already.) I was also told Kona is hoping to be able to offer lifetime warranties on the carbon Process if and when it does go to market.
  • 2 1
 Yeah Kona has had a rough time with their carbon manufacturer. I mean Spencer Paxson was riding an aluminum Hei Hei in world cups so things must be complicated.
  • 6 0
 I have a 153dl. Love it. No need or want for carbon. 0 thoughts of troubles, even if it's a kona!
  • 2 0
 my 167 has carbon seat stays , only a matter of time till they get the frame sorted
  • 5 0
 @spinko, it seems that many people in here can justify owing a bike only if it costs more than 5K.
  • 6 1
 No carbon in the works and that is straight from Kona themselves. I asked this question months ago and the reason they are not producing one is although they have made several carbon prototypes, they cannot get the material to give the frame ride characteristics that they want. They also said they recognise the demand for carbon but are not going to just release a car bond bike for the sake of selling them. They want it to be as good as or better than the alloy one. So there you go. No carbon, and for good reason.
  • 3 2
 "for a good reason" we don't know that. It's probably a mix of "use of carbon is not possible on this frame because of [technical reasons]" and "we tried but didn't succeed yet because [lack of budget rasons]".

Anyway I appreciate the fact that they're not willing to produce them before they're sure they work. I wouldn't want "pre production" issues.
  • 1 0
 Twenty9hardtail@ sure it wasn't a Hei Hei? Funny thing is at that Enduro you didn't see a lot of Kona's, being local and all.
  • 1 0
 It was most definitely a process. The suspension layout was the same as the aluminum process and the tube shapes were similar.
  • 2 0
 I was told at a shop that they couldn't get carbon to replicate the hydro forming of the aluminum and that the plan is to create an entirely new model with similar geo to the Process but that will be available carbon or aluminum within a year or two. Take it for what it is worth though, just a shop guy telling me that over a beer.
  • 1 0
 happymtb.org/forum/read.php/1/2486617/2486646

134 Carbon prototype from a year or so back , I chatted with a rep and he said if and when it happens it will more than likely be a 134 model or similar , but he had no time-frame for a production model .
  • 1 0
 Maybe the front triangle. Those seat and chainstays are clearly alloy (look at the heel rub on them)...
  • 1 0
 I think the entire rear triangle is aluminum save for the bridge.
  • 8 0
 First Chester, then Transition, now Kona - marketing gets so damn good lately - Finaly! Yea Kona, I am PUMPED to see how it unfolds!

#Konafanboi #screwtechhype #entertainmywallet #Irolledoveryourmamascontactpatch
  • 3 0
 That last hashtag.............ded
  • 11 1
 Feels very 90's I like it
  • 2 0
 haha yeah youre right! I look forward to seeing the full thing as well
  • 9 3
 THE 153DL always WIN !! best bike in the world, it will be my next one. Just try it and you'll see
  • 1 1
 Yep, still my fav so far. Hard to go back to Al. at least do light weight Al like trek/giant.
  • 1 2
 Ohh and alsounabke to own one do to bright colors. Our trails were made before the maps, so now they're classified as illegal or some demeaning term.
  • 2 0
 @Redburn The bike of bikes!
  • 3 0
 Aggy Aggy Aggy! Seems kinda like bad timing for me. The year I decide to leave Kona after 10 loyal years of nothing but Kona's over 9 bikes, Chris Mandell turns Kona round and they release the sexual process range and the mighty 153DL and people are showing respect to Kona again. Oh well I never had a problem over the 10 years apart from the Kona Haters. I will always have my good Kona memories. New loves, HT - Ragley Bikes FS - Banshee Bikes
  • 2 0
 More to Kona then Mandell ! ! !
  • 6 1
 Yes! Year only just started an already some great edits coming out... Can't wait for this one..
  • 2 0
 Breakfast always wins
  • 10 4
 I hope Semenuk doesn't get robbed
  • 1 2
 no risks, but aggy robbed him at rampage so may be go will punish him here with a flat .. hope not but we never know
  • 5 0
 Who's going to ride the 4th bike? A robot? How about have enduro specialist Ryan GoHard Gardner?
  • 1 0
 Came here to say the same thing, three riders and four bikes? Some basic math isn't adding up here...
  • 7 0
 The 4th bike is an Operator ridden by the legendary Bender! He'll try to win by simply hucking the whole mountain.
  • 3 0
 I'm ditching the DH bike this year and going with my 153DL for my do everything, just gonna beef it up a bit with a Fox 36 170 and a CCDB Air.
  • 1 0
 try a 167 1st it will surprise you
  • 2 0
 This is going to be EPIC!!!! I personally ride a 134 for my trail bike and have a Nukeproof Pulse for my DH but that 167 with a dual crown is sssssssiiiiick!!!
  • 5 2
 holy hell this looks awesome
  • 3 2
 Hopefully it'll be kind of possible to take it serious, since they obviously can't film everything in one take. But, oh well, freeriding has always been about the fastest.
  • 3 0
 I only counted three bikes
  • 3 0
 I'm betting the 167 will make an appearance since Spencer's sitting on one in this photo: www.pinkbike.com/photo/13040896
  • 1 0
 I just ordered three processes. Can't wait for them to get it. Just ordered the new dc full carbon fork as well. Ready to rip on them
  • 3 0
 @Ryanrobinson1984

not that three new Konas isn't something of pure awesomeness and makes this jerk super jeally, but what does one need three Processes for? all different travels?
  • 2 0
 Love my Process... the only thing I would change would be a threaded bottom bracket instead of a press fit.
  • 3 0
 aggy will win
  • 3 0
 cheese
  • 2 0
 Shoutout to kona for keeping the internet series vibe alive!
  • 2 0
 Wow I want a process after watching this....
  • 2 0
 Fearon and AGGY in one video "Sighs" unzips pants.....................
  • 1 0
 0:23 Fearon tounge out and Aggy shaking his head. WHY ? .... lol
  • 2 0
 Figured it was because of them tackling the climb up the mountain at that time. You see Spencer just flying up there right before, and legend has it that neither WC DH nor FR dudes really pedal that well. Just the way it makes sense in my head, and I though it was quite a nice jab actually.
  • 3 0
 You definitely cannot generalize WC racers as not being able to "pedal that well". They may not have superior spinning form, but the top 50 could out sprint most xc racers.
  • 1 0
 Still don't get it. those three riders? us? what type of competition?
  • 1 0
 Fun, fun, fun bikes!!
  • 1 0
 Aggy all the way
  • 1 0
 @nimmo Check this out!
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.057761
Mobile Version of Website