Kona Release Shonky DJ Bike in Completes

Jul 10, 2020
by Daniel Sapp  
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Kona have decided to release the Shonky, which was previously just available in a frame-only option, as a complete bike. The DJ bike features a Chromoly butted frame with a Manitou Circus Expert 100mm fork, WTB STi30 rims, and Maxxis DTH 26" x 2.3" tires.

Although it can run gears, the complete is sold as a single-speed only and has Samox DJ cranks and Trektro HD-M275 brakes. The Shonky is available in short and long sizes and it sells for $1,399 USD. The frame only is available for $575 USD.

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For more information, check out konaworld.com

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases Dirtjump Bikes Kona Kona Shonky


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137 Comments
  • 107 0
 I would definitely hurt myself on this bike
  • 5 1
 My wife would definitely hurt me with this bike. ER here I come again !
  • 2 0
 Yarp. Jumping is not my skillset LOL
  • 9 0
 So collar bone. Much broken.
  • 1 0
 Sassy frame, steel is the deal!
  • 14 1
 Yeah, I jump like I’m trying to get “best in show” for Friday fails.
  • 1 0
 only way to get better at jumping: jumping
best bike for jumping: dirt jumper

they're terrifying to start, but i'm so glad I got one a couple years ago, definitely elevated my jump game
  • 104 3
 Every rider should have a hardtail DJ in their line-up
  • 148 2
 Friday Fails has entered the chat
  • 17 0
 I bought one wondering if I'd ever ride it...rode it everyday for years. After work jibbing sessions are habit forming
  • 4 2
 @HaggeredShins: literally lol’d at that. Thanks!
  • 31 1
 @HaggeredShins: If more people had DJ bikes to sharpen their skills, we might get less fails tbh
  • 28 0
 I just got a 2019 new chrome Transition PBJ for riding pump tracks and I can tell you this; it is absolutely a hoot and an amazing core workout. I had no idea just how much energy goes into efficiency riding a pump track. All muscles in the body get worked. Everything. And really teaches weighting and unweighting the bike which Ive found so helpful in technical trail riding with rocks, roots and berms. Best $900 I've spent in a long time.
  • 23 1
 Spent a winter/spring/summer on a Dj learning to jump, bar spin, whip.

The following season when I took my DH to Whistler, the amount of confidence I had jumping and throwing that bike around was amazing. Whipping crab/a line/dirt merch/freight like the folks in the whip offs was always a spectacle to me. Always felt like a kid watching gods and I never thought I’d get there.

The only beef I have with dirt jumping is the skatepark-esque gatekeeping, for some people like me it was hard to befriend and become invited out by 1-2 people to help dig. First time I tried it alone I didn’t have any know how on digging, if it’s okay for me to just show up and ride my bike here, etc. honestly didn’t know where to start. Got yelled at immediately first jump when I tore up a lip.
  • 28 0
 To add to my above comment tho (couldn’t edit on mobile) going to DJ was huge for my lame as hell social skills.

Finally learned that it’s okay to just approach people say hi, explain you’re new but want to learn, and ask for tips and etiquette. People are pretty open to helping newcomers like that, though there are exceptions and some people really are dicks. But that’s life.

Oh, and bring weed to share. your mileage may vary but this was definitely my “this guy f*cks” moment ????
  • 2 0
 @johnnygolucky: they're only 900 bucks?!
  • 3 0
 @johnnygolucky: pumptrack is one of the best workouts around. We have an amazing local indoor track at the Lumberyard here in Portland. I'll take my 4x squisher there and I can get absolutely smoked in an hour!
  • 7 0
 I have to agree with all of the comments here. In spite of riding for decades, I was the guy who would crash jumping anything bigger then a curb. When a new jump park and pump track with nice progression opened near my house, I took a chance and bought a Jackal frame and fork for $400, slapped together some old parts from my garage (26"!!), and went jumping. Best ever way to blow off steam after a day of work. I've come home bleeding a few times and bruised ribs after I started jumping higher, but it has changed my riding!
  • 2 1
 @johnnygolucky: That’s what I’m talking about... on multiple levels. A well-spec’d DJ should never be more than a grand.
  • 1 0
 @DirtbagMatt: Not in Switzerland lol
  • 1 0
 @NickBosshard: so like, maybe we should all stop recommending it? Smile
  • 2 0
 @HaggeredShins: I am so jealous...
  • 2 0
 @DirtbagMatt: a well spec’d dj under a grand doesn’t exist.
  • 2 0
 @DirtbagMatt: Well spec'd DJ around 2K$. You get a low spec used bike for 1K$ on PB within 200 miles of Portland, or a really low spec new bike for 1K$.

The bike in this article isn't well spec'd either.
  • 1 0
 @Rafe1234: I guess I’m stuck in the past. Back in the day I could get a BlackMarket w great spec for $1000.
  • 2 0
 @HaggeredShins: the screenname and comment made me lol, you win the internet
  • 1 0
 @johnnygolucky: The real story is you got a PBJ for under a grand?
  • 1 0
 @HaggeredShins: I agree. Rode the Lumberyard all winter, it improved my skills a ton.
  • 1 0
 If only there were places to ride them in my neighbourhood.
  • 7 0
 Are we just going to pretend BMX’s don’t exist? I’ve done absolutely zero maintenance on my BMX that cost about the same price as a set of DJ fork.
  • 2 0
 @anchoricex: most trail (dj) builders that have been in it for a while are pretty salty. Having a spot tore down that you poured you blood, sweat and tears into for years will do that to you. And many builders have had multiple places taken out. But if you are truly sincere and really want to learn how to help out a local will recognize that and help show you the way. Tips for newbies: offer to do the crappy chores (getting water, working on drainage, garbage cleanup, rolling tarps and hauling barrows). Unless you are starting your own spot from scratch you are not going to know how to shape/pack a lip. And don't bullshit the locals with "I have my own trails" I've seen dudes that couldn't do simple tarp duty (pulled the damn pins out as well) that used that line. But if you stick with it and deal with all the crap (and there is a lot of it!) the payoff is huge and the riding a line you helped build with your buddies is the best feeling ever riding a bicycle.
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: You can spend like $450 or so on a stock Fitbike or something, which is half of what a PikeDJ fork costs. Public bike parks and pumptracks are pretty rough for the most part though, little more comfortable on a DJ
  • 3 0
 @Rafe1234: dj bikes honestly feel like shagging with a semi on a pump track / skatepark compared to a bmx.
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Skatepark for sure. A DJ bike that an experienced rider sets up are perfect for DJ and pumptrack though. Short chainstay, 180 fork PSI, 60 tire psi steep angles and high bars. But when they are set up like a MTB they suck. Shonky has 400mm chainstay? 1074 Wheelbase for a short? You can get a DJ a full two inches shorter than this. You put 35 psi in the tires and have a squishy fork on a super long bike like this and yeah it's gonna feel like shaggin with a semi.
  • 2 1
 @Rafe1234: they’re too tall, long and the big wheelset don’t fit the transitions properly. People can ride them amazing well at skateparks etc but they’d still be better on a bmx.
  • 5 1
 @thenotoriousmic: meanwhile I’m too tall and long for a bmx. As one friend put it.. “like a Great Dane humping a basketball”.
  • 2 0
 @tobiusmaximum: BLASPHEMY. No basketballs shall be humped by Danes nor any other.

There's a kid that's 6'6" (2m) at the local track on an 20" bike, never humps balls.

Most really tall riders are on 24" cruisers as they tend to be longer though. Go sit on a 24" crusier with a proper long TT in the 23" range, may be surprised at the vast roominess.

I've stolen my 6'3" buddies XXL 24" cruiser for track laps. It's like captaining an imperial cruiser.
  • 4 1
 @thenotoriousmic: Can confirm. You'll blow the doors off your DJ lap times on any BMX. How anyone loses a pump track challenge on a BMX to a DJ is hard to fathom. I'm 7 seconds faster when I jump on a BMX, and I'm a full time DJ rider...

But man, that DJ is sooo much more forgiving of mistakes.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Yeah actually I meant to agree with you that BMX is better at skate park for sure. Quarter and bowl dimensions in skateparks vary a lot though, and are often not dissimilar in radius to height ratios to steep wooden jumps and dirt jumps built for DJ bikes. Landings and transitions for DJ are usually more chill though.
  • 2 0
 @DirkMcClerkin: yeah but by the time you're on a massive 24cruiser, whats the point? might as well have a tidy dj bike. i don't know, each to their own i guess, i just think a good jump bike is literally unmatched for how they handle. (but then, i grew up riding 26 and only dabbled with 20s, so that could be why)
  • 3 0
 @tobiusmaximum: 6ft 5 inches mate.

youtu.be/VvpLsOrZrT0
  • 4 1
 @50percentsure: yeah everything is slowed down and less responsive on a DJ bike which is good for confidence when coming off a mountain bike but it only takes a few sessions for a bmx to stop feeling super sketchy.
  • 1 0
 @gomeeker: Totally. And imagine doing that for a whole decade before finding mountain biking... that's how we got Gwinn, Kintner.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Lacondeguy is 5ft5 and can flip a dh bike off a cliff. There will always be outliers.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Great point. As mtb tends to skew a bit older, it's a bit harder for folks to ride smaller bikes. I've kept my bmx for the cement park. But use my mtb/slope bike in the dirt Smile
  • 3 0
 @tobiusmaximum: not outliers just run big bars. Sorted. I’ve got ten inch rise 30 inch wide bars on my bmx and I’m 6,3. 20.9 top tube.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: yeah, cool. Don’t get me wrong, I love bmx/bmxes.. they just aren’t that versatile (they only work well on ‘smooth’ surfaces) and it just means yet another bike to store in the garage (because I wouldn’t have one over a dj)
  • 1 0
 @Kwclaggett: I rode our indoor park all winter too, and while it definitely improves specific skills, all that concrete, wood and right-angles means there are no soft crashes...
  • 1 0
 @anchoricex: upvote for the Russ Hanneman reference.

www.russfest.net
  • 16 1
 List of things that ain't dead:
-26
-beer in cans
-dirt jumping.
  • 15 1
 Yeh but when’s the honzo coming out???!!!!
  • 5 0
 Haven’t seen the Honzo yet, but they have updated a few bikes with 12 speed Deore
  • 2 0
 I'm waiting for this as well. I havent been this interested in a bike I'm probably not going to buy.
  • 1 0
 It's coming soon and they will be sick.
  • 11 1
 I really want a dirt jumper. I also really want to keep having four fully functioning limbs.
  • 4 2
 I'm in the same boat, Friday Fails always scares me away from big jumps. Or small jumps. Or nothing at all, sometimes.
  • 12 0
 I think you're seeing it backwards, improve your dirt jumping and you will be a better rider
  • 13 1
 Honestly, dirt jumping isn’t that dangerous, at least considering what you might find at your local forest/jump park.
The speeds are actually slower than enduro or even general trail riding, and there are a lot less trees, sharp rocks and obstacles to hit.
The tall table tops and gap jumps look scary, but are actually fairly easy to bail out of. If you f*ck up in the air, it’s easy enough to tuck and roll, and the downwards-sloped landing will catch you and soften your impact.

The key part is to get your speed right- But that’s easily learned by watching other people, and working your way up jump sizes.
  • 2 0
 @alreadyupsidedown: Yup. The big headers or OTBs can really wreck u on a DJ, but in general, the bails are easier to walk away from.
  • 1 0
 @alreadyupsidedown: The key part is confidence, without that it is dangerous to most people.
  • 2 0
 @Dogl0rd: honestly my comment was mostly tongue-in-cheek. I actually really enjoy going to the local DJ park, and for the most part it's pretty safe. The huge high consequence stuff you see on YouTube looks scary but that's not exactly something I need to worry about at my local midwestern DJ park lol.
  • 1 0
 @BlackVR: makes sense. meanwhile I just crashed badly at the DJ park today! Washed out my front wheel in a sandy corner after a jump...so not sure if it fits into the argument lol
  • 2 0
 Yeah you’ve gotta watch for that. My only real DJ injury was some shoulder pain that lasted for a few months, after I went OTB and hit my shoulder on the ground. Ironically it was on the smallest jump set- My last run of the day, on the way to the car park. Totally zoned-out, thinking about what to make for dinner.
  • 11 1
 Nice. Wish they'd list actual top tube length in geo. For those converting over from BMX/older DJ's.
  • 17 6
 It's bigger than your BMX. There... fixed.
  • 5 1
 @onemanarmy: Nah, actual top tube lenghts of a BMX can be over 24". Both sizes of the Shonky will be well shorter than than that, by how much it's tough to know. Traditional BMX/DJ size metric is actual top tube length.
  • 2 1
 @DirkMcClerkin: what bmx has a longer than 24 tt, Jesus haha
  • 2 5
 @DirkMcClerkin: I said bigger... not longer. But yeah top tube length would be a nice spec to put in the release.


Beyond that... $575 ain't cheap but it's not outrageous either.
  • 3 1
 Top tube length doesn’t mean anything really though. BMX needs reach and stack measurements.
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: True that, be nice if they always listed modern geo info too. Along side the traditional geo, so people don't get lost in the woods.

Probably be actual TT only for ever though. BMX's attitude towards changing tradition can be summed up as: F#@$ you.
  • 3 2
 Most important number on a DJ is reach. Top tube length is just a function of how steep the seattube is.
  • 2 1
 Actual toptube length is indeed useless as you cant make any conclusions about it (it depends on the angle of the top tube how long the bike is then).

Virtual toptube length is only interesting for XC / Road riders and others who want to have their geometry based on when they sit, as the seat tube angle effects how far your front wheel/handlebars are forward compared to your cranks.

For dirt jump frame sizing, the only relevant factors are the point of your handle bar compared to point of your crank set. Which is reach (horizontal distance) and stack (vertical distance).

Factors like seat tube angle and top tube angle are irrelevant for this. Any other geometry (bottom bracket height, chain stay length, head tube angle, etc) are purely about riding characteristics and not about if the frame is your size.


TLDR: for Dirt Jump the only 2 things you should care about when finding the correct size are Reach and Stack. Any other measurements are unreliable / irrelevant for determining the correct size.
  • 8 0
 i ride my dj far more than i do my trail bikes these days, it's essentially an adult bmx bike that is equally fun for evening street cruise sessions as it is in the woods and on jump lines.
  • 3 0
 Ditto. Once a week we drive out to the pump track too. Honestly all I can take, rest of week muscles feels like I went into a roid rage at the gym.
  • 5 0
 As the owner of two steel Honzo's and 1 titanium and al 2019 Shonky, the dropouts are good if you smoke them really tight. As far as the tensioning bolts go I would love to see a set in the front and the rear to secure the dropout in place without having to wrench down on the lock nuts too hard... just my two cents
  • 18 2
 You own 3 Honzos and smoke dropouts? Weird flex, but ok.
  • 2 3
 @pdxkid: you attempt to troll people for no reason weird flex but okay
  • 9 0
 Dropout tensioners FTW.
  • 2 0
 I've had a few Kona models with this style of dropout design and while the sliding x2 bolts are an awesome idea, the threaded bolt/nut stopper is puzzling as it seems like a bodge for an otherwise great system. You would think they could come up with something slightly more elegant, even a more purpose-built threaded bolt? Still it works OK for this bike. I have the same dropouts on a few of their more general-purpose single speeds and they get very gunky & corroded making them hard to adjust, plus coupled with a steel frame tend to rust at that point. I've had 2 frames break after moisture wen to work through this access point
  • 2 0
 @plyawn: I put some M4 bolts (I think, or whatever fit) in the Explosif I had. Looked way cleaner to have a more finished looking head on those adjusters. Either way, pull them out and grease/loctite the threads.
  • 2 0
 Too bad whichever true genius decided these should be inboard and not hanging off the back seems to have come along after 2010ish, the couple of former holes in my legs want to shake their hand.
  • 6 1
 PB,when do we get a DJ comparison review? Who sells the best value DJ???
  • 3 2
 Commencal, probably
  • 1 0
 Depends on what your best LBS carries.
  • 3 0
 @mtbakerpow norco is hard to beat with their prices.
  • 2 1
 @mhoshal: I just looked at the prices on Norco’s website and I’m not sold on that price/spec configuration.
  • 1 0
 @mtbakerpow: maybe I got lucky but I walked into the shop and got a norco ryde for under 500 bucks which is a pretty good price to spec considering what 500 gets you at Walmart. It was a great bike up until I sold it. Sure the fork wasn't top notch but it did the job as good as the argyle 318 or the marzocchi dj3 I'm running on my old shonky. For comparison my 09 shonky retailed for just under a grand and only had rim brakes and no suspension compared to the norco which had an rst dirt and disc brakes for half the price.
  • 1 0
 Just got my NS Movement 3. Best deal I could find for me as a somewhat beginner. Even compared to used in PB. I got it for 800, looks like they bumped it up a little to 850.
  • 1 0
 Talk to your LBS... really hard to get much better pricing than Commencal, however, if you have a good relationship with your LBS... mine has always cut me deals on completes as they make their money on service and parts.
  • 1 0
 @AC1987: That absolute is a sweet deal too! I actually work for vail and we own a few LBS. Even with my discounts this was my best deal. Not every LBS orders Commencal. I ordered straight from NS. I coulda got the Voltage or the Alcatraz for about 250~ more. Still a great deal. but I was going for as cheap as possible price with components that should last me a few years. I want to upgrade it myself over time anyways.
  • 2 0
 Canyon or Rose are good deals, also YT if you get lucky and it is deliverable.
  • 1 0
 Whatever you go with, it's worth the extra $ to get something steel. I'm still on my DMR 898 and love it.
  • 1 0
 build your own; it's the only way you can spend 3 grand on a dirt jumper. From experience you're way better to buy a complete and selectively upgrade than start from the frame.
  • 1 0
 Rose make the best DJ bike currently, the cheap build is actually the better one, quality wise, the brake is better and the fork. Building a DJ bike is incredibly hard and expensive nowadays, unfotunately. SS rear hubs have become incredibly expensive and a 135x10 hub is quite hard to come by, any 135 for that matter. The Pike DJ costs as much as a complete BMX bike and they are nigh impossible to find used and then they still cost as much as an old used DJ bike. DJ bikes are now quite possibly the only purpose specific built bikes.
  • 3 1
 Is it just me or is it insane that a dirt jump bike, a single speed single brake bike, costs over a grand?

And when will a company make a pump track bike? Think rigid fork and the like.
  • 1 0
 Look at high end bmx race bikes. Low volume and high prices.
  • 1 0
 Buy rigid fork there are plenty options out there. Kona did have a full rigid shonky and they stopped making them because the demand wasn't there for them.
  • 1 1
 @fruitsd79: High spec BMX bikes are incredible! Most DJ bikes are simply overpriced, NS bikes sell a 700 Euro bike with a 30 Euro OEM Suntour fork with random cranks and pedals. Go figure.
  • 1 0
 A top spec BMX can easily be over a grand. The thing with complete BMX bikes is that most people don't know the difference between different rigid forks etc. Build your own BMX with great parts and I've seen people spend 2k plus. All that said... it comes down to experience and budget. A cheap DJ bike with a Manitou Circus Sport/Comp or an RST Dirt fork is going to be adequate for a lot of beginners and occasional riders. Personally I will spend the money to buy a complete with a Manitou Circus Expert or better fork, simply because I like nice things Big Grin but actually because the cost to upgrade later just isn't worth it for me and I likely wouldn't break my Manitou Circus Sport, I'd just hate it
  • 1 0
 @mhoshal: I get that, but at least here in Slovenia there are a lot of pump tracks being built, I guess around the world too. And spending a grand for a half decent bike that you use a few times in a year and isn't abused much doesn't make that much sense.

Building it up would be a solution, but it's also quite expensive...

@FrEeZa sorry, I accidentally downvoted you, didn't mean it. And now Pinkbike won't let me change the props given (and it eats my comments too...).
  • 1 0
 First 5 comments about not jumping.....Seems about right with the usual commenters here on Pinkbike. What happened???? DJ is the most important skillset for riding. If you spent a season on a dirt jumper and didn't notice a difference in your trail riding skill---you're doing it wrong.

Also, this is right along the lines of the DJ specs and price point. All these guys talking about specs...haha. You just need a bike that can handle the abuse. It is your balls that make you a dirtjumper...not the bike.
  • 4 0
 Kona has the golden touch, but they touched it too much...
  • 5 1
 A BMX seat would make that build look so much better.
  • 1 0
 Definitely should have went with a pivotal.
  • 4 0
 YES!
  • 2 0
 Fitting that the photos were taken at one of the Bellingham pump tracks. Smile I need that Shonky!
  • 1 0
 Hate to say it but the Shonky used to be a full bike back in the day. Chromo frame and all. Still ride it. Baby blue with neon graphics will come back some day......
  • 2 0
 Glad to see a company using Manitou forks on a factory build they deserve a chance.
  • 2 1
 As an owner of a shonky with actually decent build kit, this is a really disappointing spec for the price.
  • 1 0
 definitely I'd expect to at least have sram guide brakes, those tektro brakes are terrible
  • 4 1
 It’s. Beautiful.
  • 2 0
 Is it just me or does that saddle look huge?
  • 8 0
 It's just happy to see you
  • 3 0
 needs moar slammed
  • 1 0
 Does that mean we won't get the new Steel Honzo until they sell out of the current ones... Frown
  • 1 0
 It's coming.. soon.
  • 2 0
 Same old from like 5 years ago.... next
  • 1 0
 The most up to date thing on this bike is the head tube.
  • 1 0
 @drumnbike: For real. I found a new fork for my 07 P1, but the straight head tube made it next to impossible.
  • 1 0
 Doesn't need a car to the trail or a mountain or even dirt. What does accessibility look like?
  • 1 0
 How does my 2008 shonky complete bike must have gone full circle, Funny thing was only available as compete !!
  • 2 0
 Exactly!
  • 1 0
 Not a huge fan of skinwalls but they work here! Very pretty.
  • 1 0
 If chainstays has more meaty looking it could be more appealing for me
  • 1 0
 Finally! This bike is tits
  • 1 0
 Nice colour, too flash for my riding though
  • 2 0
 New Honzo? When?
  • 2 0
 Pump track weapon.
  • 1 0
 A beauty. Dropout way smarter than any SS I've had.
  • 2 0
 *a 2019 steel Shonky*
  • 1 1
 can i just hove the wheels? i have everything to build one up except for wheels.. 142mm is so hard to find
  • 1 0
 Perverted. 70s Spandex-gold.
  • 1 0
 Trektro? Rokie Raggie! Rets go!
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