Here's Kona's All-New Satori Trail Bike - First Look
The last time we saw the Satori name, it was back in 2014 and the bike was a 130mm-travel, 29'' wheeled trail bike. For 2019, the all-around machine that takes its name after the Japanese word for an awakening returns to Kona's lineup, again with 130mm out back (paired to a 140mm-travel fork) and 29'' wheels.
But while those numbers are the same, the expectations of how a trail bike should perform have shifted, and Kona has completely re-worked the 2018 Satori chassis with that in mind.
Satori DL Details
• Intended use: trail riding
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Fork travel: 140mm
• Wheel size: 29''
• Aluminum frame
• RockShox Deluxe RL DebonAir Trunnion
• RockShox Revelation RC Solo Air
• Crankset: SRAM Descendant
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle 12-spd
• Brakes: SRAM Guide R, 180/160 rotors
• Seat Post: RockShox Reverb
• MSRP: $3,499 USD
• Intended use: trail riding
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Fork travel: 140mm
• Wheel size: 29''
• Aluminum frame
• RockShox Deluxe RL DebonAir Trunnion
• RockShox Revelation RC Solo Air
• Crankset: SRAM Descendant
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle 12-spd
• Brakes: SRAM Guide R, 180/160 rotors
• Seat Post: RockShox Reverb
• MSRP: $3,499 USD
Satori Details
• Intended use: trail riding
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Fork travel: 140mm
• Wheel size: 29''
• Aluminum frame
• RockShox Deluxe RL DebonAir Trunnion
• RockShox Recon Gold RL Solo Air
• Crankset: RaceFace Aeffect
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 10-spd
• Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic, 180/160 rotors
• Seat Post: Trans-X Dropper Internal
• MSRP: $2,699 USD
• Intended use: trail riding
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Fork travel: 140mm
• Wheel size: 29''
• Aluminum frame
• RockShox Deluxe RL DebonAir Trunnion
• RockShox Recon Gold RL Solo Air
• Crankset: RaceFace Aeffect
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 10-spd
• Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic, 180/160 rotors
• Seat Post: Trans-X Dropper Internal
• MSRP: $2,699 USD
So, What's New?
While the name, rear wheel travel, and all-around intentions remain the same as they did in 2014, similarities between that old bike and the new Satori pretty much end right there. The aluminum frame is all-new, the geometry is contemporary, and the suspension layout has been completely re-worked. The idea is still the same, however, with it looking like the kind of bike that's equally ready for a monster death march into the unknown as it is sessioning a tricky bit of singletrack that might trouble an under-gunned trail rig.
The new Satori isn't an all-mountain bike, clearly, but Kona does go so far as to say that there's some Process DNA in its genes, as well as the more obvious connection to their Hei Hei and Hei Hei Trail platforms.
Back in 2014, the old Satori (pictured at right) employed Kona's 'Swinger Independent Suspension' design that was a just a single pivot, linkage driven setup that Kona said ''retains the same advantages and performance features as our other designs, but at a more affordable price. In other words, more function than flash, which also kinda sums up Kona as a whole.
Back in 2014, the old Satori (pictured at right) employed Kona's 'Swinger Independent Suspension' design that was a just a single pivot, linkage driven setup that Kona said ''retains the same advantages and performance features as our other designs, but at a more affordable price. In other words, more function than flash, which also kinda sums up Kona as a whole.
2014 Satori
The same could be said of the new Satori's 'Fuse Independent Suspension' layout, with its single pivot, flex-stay rear-end and vertical shock mounting (pictured above) that delivers 130mm of travel.
The Fuse design is even more simple than the old Swinger system, with Kona skipping the axle pivot in favor of a lighter (and probably more laterally rigid) flex-pivot. They've also gone to a trunnion-mount shock that's driven by a stout looking little rocker link, and it's no coincidence that the design language used for the Process and Hei Hei models can be easily seen in the Satori.
Geometry
I bet you know where Kona went with their new Satori's numbers compared to the old bike's digits... Yes, longer and lower but, interestingly, not any slacker up front. If we compare the old large-sized Satori to the new large-sized Satori, we see that the reach went from a now tiny 439mm to a much roomier 475mm. Of course, 2014 saw Kona spec what looks to be a 300mm long road bike stem (not actually), whereas the new geo is paired with a stubby stem straight from Kona. The middle of the road 68-degree head angle stays.
You've heard it all before: your center of gravity is moved more rearward relative to the front axle, but the cockpit shouldn't feel cramped due to that long reach. Kona wasn't the first to do this, but their original Process series made the PNW brand one of the earlier major brands to adopt this now standard-ish approach.
Sometimes overlooked but just as important, they've also steepened the bike's seat tube angle to just over 78-degrees. That's 4-degrees closer to vertical than the old Satori, by the way, which should help to mask the bike's extra length when pedaling in the saddle. Bottom bracket drop goes from 25mm to 29mm, and the wheelbase grows from 1,176mm to 1,201mm despite the chainstays being shortened by 10mm to 430mm. Shorter out back but much longer up front.
Two Satoris
If you're considering a Satori for your stable, you probably won't have to deal with choice paralysis as there are only two models to choose from, at least for the time being. Both the standard Satori and the higher-end Satori DL are assembled around the same aluminum frame and therefore share the same geometry but, with a wider gear range, four-piston brakes, and better suspension, the DL version looks like a more capable machine.
 |
The DL comes with a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, a Reverb, RockShox's 140mm-travel Revelation fork, and a custom tuned RockShox Deluxe RL Solo Air that looks after the 130mm out back. That package goes for $3,499 USD, but you can save $800 USD by going with the entry-level Satori and its Rockshox Recon Gold fork and custom tuned Solo Air rear shock, a Deore drivetrain, two-piston TR30 brakes, and a party post from Tranz-X.
I've got myself one of the new $3,499 USD Satori DL models in for testing, so stay tuned for a long-winded review of Kona's new mid-range trail bike down the road.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Rebirth
So you want a short, steep bike?...
Not sure what to tell you...
I second imperial - i'll be surprised if the Satori is a worthy successor to the 111, which was a pretty unique bike by all counts.
"The new Satori isn't an all-mountain bike, clearly"
The 111 with a 140mm Pike is a beast, but one that's still very much a one-bike quiver that won't leave you regretting your choice. For a big rider who wants to get rowdy once in a while but doesn't need all that extra suspension (i.e., people who roll more than they huck), that's a pretty neat combo of performance traits. But, I admit, probably a pretty small slice of the market (I don't see too many people my size out there).
I like the hei hei trail bikes, personally. And own a Process 111 which I am quite happy with.
Its too bad the price for these bikes is rediculous... You want 3500.00USD for your DL which comes with a low model rear shock, and an okay fork and base model drivetrain?
You can get Trek's Fuel ex8, their top level alloy fuel model for 300 less than Satori DL which comes with a better component list and ill go out on a limb and say... Probably rides better...
And yeah I know there are other bikes that contend in this category as well I just used the fuel as an example, feel free to add a list below this of other bikes costing around the same but are just... Better...
Kona where did all your Cool go?
Their decision to spec a 34t front ring makes me think they're targeting more xc-focused riders that are feeling a little betrayed by Treks decision to keep moving the Fuel more and more towards "enduro"
The 34 tooth up front makes total sense to me the 10/50 cassette allows for flat out speed or saddle seated leg burning climbs.
The Trek FX commuter series and the Trek Fuel lineup were the two best selling bikes from Trek in 2017. If there are riders out there feeling betrayed by what the fuel has become it's clear that it made a lot of people very happy as well. And there is always the Top fuel or Procaliber to facilitate the hardcore XC guys wants. I mean look at the new stumpjumper, its 130/150 travel and people are buying those things up like hot cakes.
Kona has a cult following just like a lot of brands, so the worry this bike wont sell is not really there. I just wonder if this bike is "too little, too late"
Maybe it's time that PB does a big shootout between all the mid level 29ers... it's a fast growing market with some big players and sick bikes. Time for a battle to crown the best! That's something we can all agree on yeah?
It's a beast going downhill, and I love the bike, but long days spent going up makes me dream of steeper seat tube angles and a lighter bike. If this Kona accomplishes that, it could appeal to people that value more of xc-oriented trail bike that gives a little up to the fuel when the trail points down.
Seat angle, yeah could be a slight bit steeper but I got long Femurs so it works out, I have a contact who is a bike fitter and we found out any steeper of a seat angle and it would be hard for me to achieve the proper knee location to pedal location type thing so I can't complain.
What size Fuel are you on? and what bike did you have before the Fuel?
To say they are ugly, that's a little far, for me I feel some of their bikes just kind look "lazy" I mean for instance, look at the rocker link on this bike... like come'on, just put a little bit of "give a f*ck" into the design.....
BikeMag first ride review has a little more meat to it than this press release, and I think it aligns with how I picture them marketing it. Super efficient/comfortable climber. Mix of a XC/trail bike. I live in an area with lots of mellow trails that you can link together for long rides. I'd say this Kona has a good chance to do well here.
I'm a little surprised/disappointed by the weight, but oh well.
Structural flex : Al is stiffer only when used for thin walled high diameter tubing, and here the rear has obviously been engineered for flex (seatstays look vertically flexible for example).
Cracks depend also on fatigue life though, and yes here Al is the loser.
Now if you draw a line from the same rear rocker link pivot and the stationary main rocker link pivot, it's more at like 10:00 o'clock. This means as it cycles, it wants to go mostly up, and only slightly forward.
Combine those 2 motions, and you can imagine how the rear triangle has to "spread open"(heh) in order to cycle through its travel. If the shock was removed, the resistance to cycle the suspension would be the rear triangle opening up by a few mm via frame flex.
Yes but there is a reason that they retire them after a certain age. It's a known fact that alu fatigues MUCH faster than steel, and I'm sure that the flex in an aeroplane wing is a lot less than 8 degrees. When buying a bike I'd like to have the confidence than it's designed to last a long way past the manufacturer warranty, which I don't think I could ever have with an alu flex-stay frame (same as Giant Stance etc.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET9Da2vOqKM
The break is at about 42 seconds.
That'l do.
I tried to find the actual PSI applied to the wingtips or main spar, but came up empty.
*Disclaimer: I'm not a large rider, just pretty average at 180 lbs. Also, I went straight for the Wheels Mfg BB on initial build, so I can't compare it to any other BB's on this frame.
The Hei Hei, And it’s flex pivot, we’re just awesome. For xc riding, but pretty hard!
I’d LOVE to try one of these !
I'm no metallurgist so I can't speak to the elasticity of AL. But I know that in general, metals have good elasticity and can take 10s of thousands of cycles before fatiguing. I'd be more concerned with the welds letting go before the seat stays.
but doesn't the Kona Hei Hei also have a flex stay? i haven't heard of anyone breaking those yet
I thought this was a 'new' bike? Looks like more recycled design/s paired with lacking spec and a higher price tag.
& everyone knew the grips were little buttholes
and that one year at interbike where they gave out toilet plungers
bring that shit back!
Who pays that kind of money for such a built?
My 167 was 4k MSRP (I paied 3k one year after for a new remaining stock) with vidid air & x01 built at that time.
With all the internet brands and all I feel Kona should rethink their pricing ASAP...
Ride your bike for 5+ years and big chance in the end the Kona will be the cheapest.
Look at it like a Toyota, you can buy cheaper cars with better specs, but in the end it's more reliable and over the years it will save you money.
Their pricing sucks. For $2,150 you can get a Stance 1. Same flex stays, Fox suspension, tubeless ready. Some of the other components are slightly down spec (brakes come to mind), but you could easily rectify that with a few hundred and be done with it or just wait until they wear out and then replace. And it comes with a lifetime warranty.
This is a bike store bike, so no excuses.
Or you could do direct sales and get even better build from YT, Comencal, Whyte, etc.
And this:
"more function than flash, which also kinda sums up Kona as a whole."
The price tag for their kit doesn't follow this mantra very well.
So no, long cages aren't a necessity. If you need the wide range and can't or don't want to make a front mech work for you, then you need a long cage. But again, that is a popular choice. I'm pretty sure that the majority of people who run 1x... now with a long cage simply won't run into trouble when using a 2x setup with a gripshift for the front mech. It may be a necessity for those riders out of that group who keep losing their chains which they didn't do with a single front ring or who really prefer an oval ring (which was my reason to switch). But that is a minority.
Still, the long cage isn't prettier than the suspension linkage or the brakes. So with these modern bikes I don't mind looking at the non driveside instead of the driveside.
Grip shift for the front mech is different in that you don't frequently operate the front mech on a 2x drivetrain and, considering the kind of gearing you're going in or coming from, it won't be a high speed situation either. So when you shift your fingers slightly to yank on that shifter, it won't have a much effect on the way you control the bike. Same goes when controlling the bike, you usually stay clear from the shifter. Yes this is very different from the front shifter which you'd operate at all speeds and conditions so I wouldn't use a grip shift for the rear mech either. I tried once but it didn't work for me. In fact I destroyed two rear mechs this way because it allows you to shift with so much force that you can bend your rear mech. But I was not recommending grip shift for the rear mech. I said I'd rather ride with 2x and a gripshift for the front mech (and trigger for the rear) han a 1x drivetrain with a huge cog and a huge derailleur cage.
konaworld.com/satori_dl.cfm