Kona Releases 2 New e-MTBs - Across the Pond Beaver

Sep 4, 2020
by James Smurthwaite  
photo

Another day, another new bike with Shimano's new EP8 motor. They have been coming thick and fast since the embargo lifted and this time it's Kona's turn as it has updated its Remote 160 and introduced a new shorter travel model, the Remote 130.

Remote 160 DL

photo

Kona normally reserves its 'DL' tag for higher spec versions of its bikes but there are some other changes to go along with the with the new Remote DL.

Firstly, the Remote 160 DL has been reconfigured for 29" wheels with a degree taken off the head angle and the bottom bracket dropped by 10mm. Also added to the bike is Shimano's new EP8 motor that was released earlier this week. It provides a 15nm boost in torque and has a maximum of 500 watts of power which should give plenty of punch to get this 160mm travel bike up the climbs.
Details:

Frame: Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
Travel: 160mm front/rear
Wheelsize: 29" front and rear
Motor: Shimano EP800
Battery: Shimano, internal, 504Wh
Price: $6,999
More info:konaworld.com

photo

The rest of the spec is what you'd expect from a DL level Kona. The suspension comes from RockShox with a 160mm Zeb Select+ Charger RC2.1 Debonair fork and a Super Deluxe Select rear shock providing the squish. The drivetrain is a mix of NX and GX level Eagle and the brakes also come from SRAM with the e-MTB specific Guide RE brakes matched to 200mm rotors.

photo

The regular Remote remains on 27.5+ wheels and runs the E7000 motor.

Remote 130

photo

New for Kona this year is a shorter travel e-MTB that comes in the guise of the Remote 130. As the name suggests, this is a 130mm travel frame but it comes with a 140mm fork to provide a bit more plough-ability up front.

Kona has apparently tried to mimic the geometry of the Process 134 as much as possible with this bike so it ends up with a 65° head tube angle, 76° seat tube angle and the same reach across the sizes. Like the 134, this bike also runs on 29" wheels front and rear.
Details:

Frame: Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
Travel: 130mm rear/140mm front
Wheelsize: 29" front and rear
Motor: Shimano E7000
Battery: Shimano, internal, 504Wh
Price: $5,999
More info:konaworld.com

photo

Spec wise you get the same 504Wh battery as the 160DL but the older E700 motor from Shimano. A Fox Rhythm 34 140mm fork and DPS Performance inline rear shock provide the suspension and Shimano takes control of transmission with a Deore 12 speed groupset.

photo

Across the Pond Beaver 2020



Posted In:
eMTB Reviews and Tech Across The Pond Beaver 2020 Enduro Bikes Kona Kona Operator


Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64644 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
46789 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
44647 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44537 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39710 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38211 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38155 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37292 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

61 Comments
  • 143 1
 56° HTA should read 65°.
I mean we're all for slack but daaaayyyyuuummmnnnn.
(goes to tell engineers that people want a Grim bagel)
  • 38 0
 ...Please never change, Kona.
  • 2 0
 well people are so vocal with waiting for Grim Donut you could probably build some Grim Bagel's just so peeps can decide for themselves it's a bad idea
  • 2 0
 That’s Grim Bagel TM


- Runs off to register the name.
  • 1 0
 Kona! When are those Process X reviews gonna start dropping? Looks like the perfect bike, tbh.
  • 1 0
 Speaking of typos, I think the motor also produces more than 15Nm
  • 1 0
 @IllestT: I believe it says a 15Nm boost "increase" in torque...probably over the last model.
  • 20 1
 "...so it ends up with a 56° head tube angle" - the Grim Donut head angle is so 2030.
  • 21 0
 That’s was a typo - the Grim Donut’s got nothing to worry about. Yet.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: You're going to do a group test against the Alutech Armageddon and maybe some other brands who've got similar geometry too?
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: by the time part two drops it might...
  • 9 0
 "Kona has apparently tried to mimic the geometry of the Process 134 as much as possible with this bike so it ends up with a 56° head tube angle"

step aside Grim Donut, there's a new slack king in town
  • 10 1
 Nice looking eMTBs, but the Remote 130 is not price right. Spec E7000 motor and Fox Rhythm 34 140mm fork does not add up to a $6000 eMTB trail bike:\ The Remote 130 should be about $5000 max.
  • 2 13
flag conoat (Sep 4, 2020 at 17:57) (Below Threshold)
 what do you do for a living? go ahead and tell us so we can all decide what you should be paid!!!
  • 3 0
 @conoat: I can paid the $6000 for an eMTB that's not a problem and I am looking at getting a Kona, but for $6000 I will get the Remote 160 over the Remote 130. Overall the Remote 160 is just better spec eMTB.
I think if Kona want to sell more Remote 130 they should lower price and offer it as a entry level eMTB.
  • 2 0
 I agree... also the 130 should get the new EP8 motor (bigger suspension shouldn't always mean higher spec).
  • 4 0
 Konas always tend to be pricy, at least there should be an 630Wh battery
  • 1 0
 @Zany2410: Interesting. In the PNW, I consider Kona a value brand. Great bikes, don't get me wrong, but more like a Yamaha than a KTM.
  • 1 0
 @woofer2609: I mean there are a couple of brands way more expensive, true. dont get me wrong, i have a bikeshop here in germany and i value a good bike and the money it has to cost. but there are always brands/bikes which are nothing special, not like for example knolly. sorry but i think kona is just a tradition brand that gets hyped. in my area they´re just known for expensive frames that break.

edit: btw i really like the new honzo esd
  • 6 0
 These look great IMO. eBikes are looking far more normal with each new generation. With that said, why would you opt for a shorter travel eMTB? I can't imagine its that much faster and the longer travel would seemingly descend better.
  • 2 0
 I’m actually really excited Kona is doing a shorter travel eMTB. The mentality has kinda been, “well is an ebike so no reason not to start at 150 travel and go up from there” but that longer travel combined with higher weight (confidence inspiring) makes you feel more over biked than before, on regular trail stuff. These bikes both somehow have regular length chainstays, which will help not feeling over biked. Most ebikes are 10 to 25 mm longer, and they get looong with longer travel 29er rear bikes. Props to Kona!
  • 1 0
 @coletrane-mtb: Agree, it's an ebike... not a dirt bike so you still have to pedal it and 130mm is plenty for 90% of trails. On my local trails I'm much faster on my 120mm bike than my 160mm.
  • 2 0
 @coletrane-mtb: I hear you on the overbiked reasoning, but probably difference of a few lbs on a ~50lbs bike... I'd mostly see myself using an eMTB to "replace" shuttling so would prefer more travel than less. Different strokes, I suppose.
  • 2 0
 I’m Sure this is a good bike but........for almost the Same Price you can get the new Commencal Meta Power AM Team Edition with a MUCH Better spec. Code RSC, DT Swiss 1700’s, GX and the new Zeb Ultimate.

I would say Kona is a bit over priced and under value here.
  • 5 0
 56° HTA on a 130mm bike. Hell, I'll be able to ride down the side of a building.
  • 3 0
 Kona is huffing gas. That is seriously weak value. 9G CAD for aluminum frame, 500wh battery, and not RS ultimate shock/fork? You're not even first out the gate for 2021, maybe take a look at the competition. Good luck to you
  • 4 0
 I know Kona was early in long low slack, but 56 for the headtube angle? Has to be a typo.
  • 1 0
 65 I reckon
  • 1 0
 Is there any eMTB bike maker offering a frame kit yet? A lot of the new bikes available with the new Shimano and Bosch motors and frame geos look like a blast to ride, but $7k+ for NX components and elite suspension, and so-so wheels means I'll be throwing more$$$ to get what I want. Hello?
  • 4 0
 why not put the 630 battery makes no sense for that price ????
  • 4 0
 Is it me or e bikes started to look very nice
  • 2 0
 With a 56° angle, they are looking nice now
  • 5 1
 The grim Donut: *Is a thing*
Kona: "Hold my beer"
  • 4 0
 missed the mark with a 500w battery, so dumb
  • 2 0
 Did I read that right? They made the bike 1 degree less slack? This makes no sense to me, the people want slacker 29ers.
Commencal Meta Power 29 it is.
  • 1 0
 ????????
  • 3 0
 How about some carbon frames for the 27,5 crowd?!
  • 4 1
 Is this the e-bike version of the Grim Donut with the 56degree head angle
  • 7 0
 The Grim Bagel
  • 3 0
 But...what do they weigh?
  • 1 0
 4mm shock hardware...on a bike this heavy?? Maybe the battery will actually STAY IN THE FRAME this time! These brand has the quality control of a wal-mart brand.
  • 1 0
 Can ANYONE tell me how much the 130 weighs? It's like a state secret to get this simple FACT!!! Thanks for putting up with me...don't know what's got into me...ISOLATION!!!
  • 2 0
 I’m really digging that paint job
  • 1 1
 I'm glad someone still makes an eMTB that's 160 mm of travel. I really want to get my Dad an eMTB, but a 160 mm behemoth is overkill for where he lives and his skill level.
  • 1 0
 Dang, look at how much they carved out of that chainstay yoke to fit the chainring
  • 1 0
 There's an obvious typo in every article one must find
  • 2 0
 Grim Tazer
  • 1 0
 the angle of head dangle is confuddled and bewangled
  • 1 0
 Whats the difference between the 2 motors?
  • 3 0
 $1000.00
  • 1 0
 @MOLDTRUTH: I recall the E7000 was supposed to be less powerful but with better modulation than the E8000. Of course the EP8 is even more powerful (as it is more powerful than the E8000) though I'm curious whether it also has better modulation than the E7000 (as the EP8 also seems to have better modulation than the E8000).
  • 1 0
 6999 when the Trek Rail is 5999
  • 2 0
 Where the mullet.damm
  • 2 0
 $7k for a Kona.
  • 2 5
 I’m so tired of hearing these stupid things on the trail. I appreciate there is some utility/practicality for individuals with injuries or other impairment... but for some no talent ass bag to just clog the trail, come on
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Rail
  • 1 0
 Trek rail all day ..
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.038775
Mobile Version of Website