Kona Announces New Aluminum Process X

Sep 19, 2023
by Kona Bikes  

PRESS RELEASE: Kona Bikes

The Process family just got bigger! The carbon Process X you know and love just got two burly aluminum siblings, the all-new Process X and Process X DH. Purpose-built for riding hard and fast under the likes of Kona team riders Caleb Holonko, Eddie Reynolds, and Kyleigh Stewart. Both bikes share the same mullet-curious UDH-equipped 162mm travel frame, the DH model even comes stock with a 27.5 rear wheel and a 190mm RockShox Boxxer.

Bash it and thrash it – ripping riders need a bike that can hold up. Kona’s legacy is to deliver more when the riding demands more.

Process X
Process X – MSRP: USD: $4499 | CAD: $5399
Process X
Process X DH – MSRP: USD: $4699 | CAD: $5399

Process X

Kona Super Grassroots rider Noah Hofmann is no stranger to getting rowdy. The EDR and World Cup DH Junior calls bike park Leogang home – where no berm-to-berm gaps or sniper lines are safe from his tires. We figured his creative and burly style, combined with Leogang’s high-speed trails, were the perfect way to illustrate just what the all-new aluminum Process X is capable of. There is the small possibility that, in our brief to Noah, he got surly and burly a little mixed up – no one should keep a shuttle mom waiting!

Process X

Process X lovers everywhere asked and we delivered – introducing the aluminum Process X. Designed for progressive riders who want to take their riding to the next level, the Process X can handle long days in the bike park, endless shuttle laps with your mates, or a good-vibes-only jump session. No matter what you throw at it, it’ll be there for the best memories you make.

Process X
On the Process X you’ll find a Fox DHX Performance Trunnion  mounted coil shock in the rear
Process X
And a 170mm travel Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork with Grip Damper up the front.

Process X
Much like its carbon siblings, the Process X has a flip chip between the seatstay and rocker to maintain BB height and geo when swapping between 27.5″ and 29″ wheels.
Process X
We’ve added mounting bolts under the top tube for storing a tool or tube (or both).

Process X
We’ve gone for clean external cable routing for easy maintenance, and as always weve included cable guides for “moto” style brake configurations.

Process X
SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger standard is utilized, future-proofing the Process X.

Process X
The Process X drivetrain is a mix of Race Face and Shimano, with a Race Face Aeffect R Crankset with 30th chainring
Process X
...matched up with a Shimano Deore 12spd 10-51t rear derailleur, cassette and chain.

Process X
Up on the bar a Shimano XT shifter keeps the gears changing smoothly.
Process X
Brake wise you’ll find Shimano Deore brake levers pulling on matching Shimano Deore calipers and 203mm RT64 rotors at both ends.

Process X
The bike rolls on WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS rims laced to Shimano hubs front and rear.
Process X
The hoops a shod with a Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO+ TR 3C 29×2.4″ WT (27.5×2.4″ WT on size small) out back and Maxxis Assegai EXO+ TR 3C 29×2.5″ WT up front.

Process X

Process X

Playful riders rejoice – introducing the aluminum Process X DH. For downhill enthusiasts who like to ride outside of the lines, no side hit is safe from tires attached to the Process X DH. Agile enough in the rear end to win Whip Offs, yet stable enough to absorb some of the biggest hits and inside lines. It offers you everything you need in a bike to become a park rat overnight.

Process X
On the Process X DH you’ll find a RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Trunnion mounted rear shock.
Process X
Up front we've spec'd a 190 mm travel RockShox Boxxer Select DebonAir fork.

Process X
Much like its carbon siblings, the Process X DH has a flip chip between the seatstay and rocker to maintain BB height and geo when swapping between 27.5″ and 29″ wheels.
Process X
Custom Kona bump stops protect your frame.

Process X
We’ve gone for clean external cable routing for easy maintenance, and as always we've included cable guides for “moto” style brake configurations.

Process X
SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger standard is utilized, future-proofing the Process X.

Process X
The Process X DH drivetrain is a mix of Race Face and SRAM, with a Race Face Aeffect R crankset sporting a 34t chainring and a SXG MRP chainguide
Process X
It's matched up with a SRAM x7 9 speed rear derailleur, a SRAM PG920 11-34t  cassette and KMC X9 chain.

Process X
SRAM Guide T levers and calipers pull up on matching 200mm SRAM Centerline rotors.

Process X
The bike rolls on WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims laced to Formula hubs front and rear.
Process X
The wheels are shod with a Maxxis Minion DHR II DH 27.5×2.4″ WT out back and Maxxis Assegai DH 29×2.5″ WT up front.

Process X
Kona Factory Team Rider Kyleigh Stewart throwing shapes on the Process X DH at Sun Peaks Bike Park.

Specifications

Process X

Geometry

photo

Leverage

Our suspension is easy to tune and easy to ride. We use a linkage-driven single-pivot design that gives us control over the ride feel. Pivot locations are selected to optimize the suspension feel for whatever you’re riding. In choosing a progressive leverage curve, we’ve prioritized predictability and durability to deliver a workhorse design that will continue to ensure that you won’t miss a single ride – every day is ride day.

Anti Squat

For this bike, and the terrain it’s intended for, we strove for relatively low anti-squat so that the suspension isn’t working against you as you throw in a pedal stroke while smashing downhill. If you’re aiming for high alpine gnar, these same anti-squat numbers will give you ultimate traction without losing an enormous amount of pedal efficiency.

Process X

About Kona: Since 1988, Kona Bicycles has worked to grow the world of cycling, harboring space for new cyclists and inspiring existing ones to go deeper. Kona specializes in purpose-built mountain, gravel, commuter, bike packing, and e-bikes that are unbound by convention and ready to carry you on countless long, sweet rides.

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184 Comments
  • 256 5
 Sorry did that say 4500 US dollars for an aluminum frame with deore, Swiss cheese wheels, and marzocchi?
Gtfoh
  • 67 1
 Those basic WTB rims are bloody awful, dinged up really easily and wouldn't hold spoke tension.
  • 30 52
flag KingPooPing (Sep 19, 2023 at 5:24) (Below Threshold)
 Thats the world we live in. As ridiculous as it is, its the new normal.
  • 54 2
 @KingPooPing: but it’s not for everyone. You’ve got other manufacturers with huge discounts, or straight up deals on great spec from brands like YT. The end of this year is turning into a weird dichotomy of super high priced new builds from some brands, with deep discounts from others.
  • 36 4
 But it has external cable routing.. this whole PR has a desperate vibe of trying to give the riders what they want, while totally missing the mark. Horrible spec, ugly (my option), and overpriced. Private equity really knows how to build a bike!
  • 74 4
 @Alexrpollock: RIP Kona
  • 56 1
 They will sell a total of zero bikes with this spec and price. Guide T brakes?! Do they even still make those brakes? What a joke. They had to see this comment section slaughtering coming
  • 31 1
 @TannerValhouli: The end of one of the true OGs. Sadly, Kona has been in a downward spiral for quite a while now. This just puts an exclamation mark on things.
  • 6 1
 @KingPooPing: no…its not…bikes were on sale in july. Last july you couldn’t find a bike. Which of these situations are you describing as the “new normal” because they’re polar opposites
  • 81 2
 As usual, Kona shows up to the party late with warm beer.
  • 14 1
 To be honest Kona has crazy prices for at least 10 years, every time they release a new bike I wonder how possibly they can still be in the business.
  • 12 14
 To be fair, Kona bikes were always a horrible value. Probably why they are where they are.
  • 8 2
 @DCF: doubt many employees at Kona care to be honest. That company is is shambles
  • 8 1
 @chakaping: I had a 2019 Kona Process 153 CR. It came with the WTB wheels. I tacoed the shit out of the rear wheel going off a wall ride that I used to ride my entry-level 120mm trail bike off of. Replaced them with We Are Ones. Those WTB wheels are wet noodles waiting to be bent.
  • 8 1
 @DCF: Corporate suits don't read comments sections, all they care about is the bottom line
  • 1 0
 There are a lot of deals available right now actually. The industry is definitely going through a restructuring or transition.
  • 1 0
 I can get on board the the aluminum as i broke the CS on my Carbon X, but yeah the rims are weak, EXO+, Guide brakes, and deore on a supposedly heavy hitter bike for 4500US...
  • 4 0
 @TheBearDen: Many employees at Kona, that's the truth. Didn't they lay off 90% of their staff a few months back?
  • 2 0
 They’re never at full retail. Currently you can buy process for £1400 in the UK which is significantly cheaper than most full suspension bikes and about right considering the terrible components. Worth buying just for the frame and chucking all the components online for sale.
  • 5 0
 @DCF: they could have gone with Alhongas like the 134 a couple years ago.so it could be worse!
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: true I got my 2018 for $1k off, which made it a good deal. Maybe they should post actual prices instead of MSRP
  • 8 0
 I went to a Kona demo day several years ago since the shop I rode for was a Kona dealer and I thought I wanted a Honzo. I remember the rep telling me their strategy wasn't to win on spec and wasn't to win on price. One of the most puzzling takes I've ever heard. Thankfully they offered the Honzo ST in a frame-only and I got to build a super sick ht.
  • 12 1
 @armcoal: that strategy only works for Santa Cruz
  • 3 0
 the deore isn't that bad cuz the only part thats deore is the chain and cassette which means the cassette will last longer. the drivetrain its exactly what I got on my frame up build, the xt shifter with the slx derailleur is really solid. However with the wheels and marzocchi the bike should not cost that much I agree
  • 5 0
 @DCF: Buy Santa Cruz is known for their awesome warranty and customer service (disclaimer, I have never owned a Santa Cruz but do still own a Process 111)
  • 2 2
 @pank37: I get downvoted all the time by people that have never owned Deore 12 speed and don’t know what they’re talking about for pointing out the fact I have almost three complete broken Deore groupsets in my parts bin including brake levers that all fell to bits within a year. It’s incredibly heavy and fragile at the same time and it never really works properly because something somewhere is always bent or twisted. Don’t waste your money as you’ll only be replacing it anyway.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: the only deore I got is the cassette and I got that cuz its full steel which has a higher hardness than aluminum which means the chain wear on the larger climbing gears is not as bad as the lighter cassettes
  • 1 1
 @pank37: true but they also weigh over 600g so that’s a lot of unsprung weight which is going to negatively affect your suspension performance.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: I have had 3 complete Deore group sets and have beat the crap out of them, been fine.
  • 116 0
 What a great spec for the money… it’s wild how they manage to have significantly worse spec than a YT Capra core 2 which is almost $2k cheaper. Product managers are smoking crack with this one.
  • 6 0
 I think they are fishing for kona fanboi’s specifically
  • 23 0
 It's as if they think Kona still has cache like a Yeti or Santa Cruz, and riders are willing to pay more for it.
  • 36 1
 The problem is that anyone old enough to have any kind of love or respect for Kona as a brand has also been riding for a very long time by now, and knows a shit build when they see it. It's sad.
  • 27 2
 Kona, at least as we used to know it, is dead. Corporate entities let tons of the people who spec and sell the bikes to your local shop go, and left dealers high and dry on orders with no line of direct communication with any sales team. They’ve had these bikes and dozens of others ready for launch for two and a half years, but corporate overlords wanted to squeeze every last penny out of low end hardtails before allowing new bike releases and now prices and build kits are outlandishly bad to attempt to make up for lost profits. Sadly, smaller local shops have or will drop them and because their lineup was so complete for so many years will be scrambling to pick up a brand that offers as broad a range of bikes. Kona, or rather it’s new corporate owners, are doing their best to kill the soul of the industry; the core local.
  • 9 0
 Well… I like the cable routing. Thats gotta be worth a couple $k right?
  • 3 1
 @VtVolk: I had a 2002 Kona Bear and a 2011 Kona Steely. Moved on to other brands later on in life... I only say this to acknowledge that this is a shit build.
  • 1 1
 @nation: it's a company - shit happens
  • 121 17
 Guide T brakes, Formula hubs, cheap WTB rims and an X7 rear mech?! That is not a downhill bike that is a f'in death trap. I hate to be cynical but I genuinely couldn't be paid to ride that on a real DH track
  • 9 5
 unridable for shure... lol
  • 60 60
 A lot harder has been riden on a lot less. Maybe improve your riding instead of only relying on high end components to do the job for you.
  • 97 2
 @Iridebicicletas: I think the real point is: asking 4,7k for this is a joke
  • 21 1
 @Iridebicicletas: Not in a bike that costs almost 5K, though...
  • 17 6
 @Iridebicicletas: lol nah. That's roadie talk. Your components/wheels/bike sucks if you have 'ride better' for them to not fail you
  • 2 34
flag tgr9 (Sep 19, 2023 at 4:30) (Below Threshold)
 elitist much? all those parts are relatively reliable and easy/cheap to replace once they break. Rather this than 6-6.5k for a "base" build like other companies do (trek, spec, commencal v5...)
  • 2 1
 You didn't mention the only thing you have to swap....rubber...rubber....
  • 33 1
 @Iridebicicletas: just no… those wheels would not survive a week at a bike park under anyone riding hard. Brakes would also be terrifying on anything remotely sustained and steep. Kona just needs to do better. It’s like they just pick parts from a bargain bin, never ride them themselves and then hope their increased margins make up for the lack of overall sales because no one in their right mind would buy one at MSRP.
  • 4 1
 Almost definitely rides a yeti
  • 5 1
 @tgr9: post up an equivalent spec or price point from one of those guys? I know for around 5k you can get an FRS with a killer build.
  • 9 0
 @Iridebicicletas: the wheels? considering alloy rims are practically disposable wear-items for DH racers, it's fair to say a good DH bike should come with wheels able to just about do the job. Heavy is fine! These are not. Same with the Guide T's a literal safety issue on runs longer than 5 minutes or so, and the levers won't survive a crash a mid-level bike would roll away from no issues.
  • 22 0
 I had to do a double take when I saw the X7
  • 1 0
 @brajal: ridable for 6 months....
  • 1 0
 @Iridebicicletas: 100%
  • 16 2
 @Iridebicicletas: Those rims could easily go within the first month or two of regular bike park use. That hub will not hold lateral stiffness well either and be loose between the chainstays in short order . And those brakes are not appropriate for a double crown. Don't presume that someone likes higher quality spec because because they are trying to replace ability with gear. Thats insulting. A lot of strong athletes/riders like quality spec because with appropriate parts they don't have to be replacing major components two or three times per season.
  • 4 1
 @Iridebicicletas: Sure, but you can also get a lot better components on a better bike for less money. It's not about what "can" be done. It's about not having to ride shit that's going to fail just because that's what's being offered from one company circling the drain of insolvency.
  • 6 0
 @MT36: had those rims on a 2019 process 153 cr/dl. First ride down Gunny (which I've done hundreds of times), and I had to replace the rear rim (xm481, lasted for years).

They're not even trail ready.
  • 16 0
 A clapped out Kona is like a rite of passage at a lift served hill! This one comes pre-clapped.
  • 1 1
 Prices really seemed to shoot up after 29 and d2c suddenly took over the scene.
  • 1 0
 Those hubs are not the awesome Italian company Formula, it is the crappy OEM hub company Formula.
  • 70 1
 Producing a geometry table in imperial dimensions is not far away from providing the whole press release in ancient Latin as well.
  • 5 0
 Alea iacta est.
  • 49 3
 Kudos for the XT shifter and the Deore derailleur. That's how it's done.
  • 88 0
 Yes, and nonkudos on the clutchless X7 on the DH version with an X5 shifter. In 2023. Wtf?
  • 9 18
flag thenotoriousmic (Sep 19, 2023 at 6:13) (Below Threshold)
 I’d rather not have a Deore mech at all. Just sell me the frame without the shitty components that are just going to be replaced in 6 months after they falls to bits. Just sell me the frame, I don’t want all those crappy components especially at those prices.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: £2999 and it's yours!
  • 5 0
 @VtVolk: I think they are relying on the upper and lower guides at the chainring instead of a clutch. Oldschool lol.
  • 5 0
 @jlauteam1: Should have brought back the Stinky name and claimed it's retro on purpose.

In this era of cheap clutched deraileurs (deore, microshift) it's mind boggling to choose to run an x7. My kid just got a new $1000 hardtail, has a Shimano 10speed setup. Dead reliable. Those Guide Ts are crazy too. The Deores on the other build are better. They couldn't spec tektro or TRP?
  • 4 1
 @jlauteam1: Oops, meant Magrua or TRP. I'd take MT5 over Guides any day to the week. Heck, I'll take a single mt5 front brake over a front and read Guide.
  • 4 2
 If you’ve got a chain guide you don’t even want a clutch. Your mech works much better with the clutch off and your suspension works better without it. Though the X7 mech will fall to bits within 6 months anyway so it’s a non issue.
  • 6 1
 @eh-steve: Many won't agree but I think shimano 10spd was peak drivetrain, it just works well and nothing fancy.
  • 1 0
 @jlauteam1: I had to buy a DAG for my gx eagle drivetrain (to keep it shifting how I wanted). Definitely a benefit in less pickly aligment. I've had better luck with XT 12 speed (just haven't had to pull out the dag as often), but for all I know I've just lucked out on not bashing stuff as often.
  • 47 1
 There's a Funny Typo on the DH spec list-it says the brakes are Guide T's!
  • 27 0
 Anyone arguing it isn’t that bad or that it’s elitist to say this isn’t a fair price: an alloy norco fluid fs a1 is CAD5000 on full retail, has factory/performance elite suspensions, full XT drivetrain, TRP evo brakes that will actually stop you, and punches way above it’s weight. That’s how it should be done.
  • 2 0
 I borrowed a Fluid A1 and raced all weekend and it's pretty great. The brakes are great, jumps energetically, the XT clicked good and the "ride aligned" set up was spot-on. Very easy bike to get on and go.
  • 1 2
 So like $750 USD? That *is* a good deal Smile
  • 25 2
 I remember a time, about ten years ago when they had Aggy on their team, when all the cool kids at the local spot were riding a Kona. In my local bike park, every second bike would be an Operator or Entourage. Then, over time, their new bikes got really damn expensive.

This new alloy version of the Process X seems to be at least a step in the right direction for the brand. They should really ditch the carbon altogether and once again focus on making tough, affordable alloy shred-sleds.

Please @konaworld do it for the people!
  • 20 0
 Also, please bring back the Process 111!
  • 1 0
 @Muscovir: we've been saying that since 2018
  • 16 0
 Sign of the times. When they are unable to strike a bulk deal with SRAM or Shimano that let you know their buying power is not what it used to be. I think the company is in trouble.
Alloy builds with entry-level components for close to $5000? That's insane.
  • 19 0
 Xt shifter with slx rd is a great combo!
  • 17 0
 Thanks kona, another absolute minimum viable component spec.
  • 15 0
 Viable is being pretty generous...
  • 14 1
 Santa Cruz: "We are going to cut corners on spec and charge a butt load of money!"
Kona: "Hold my beer..."
  • 11 0
 Kona are known for their bikes being low spec for the money but this is a new level - which is a shame because they make lovely handling bikes
  • 7 0
 Though this was Santa Cruz. At least SC has superb quality and customer support.
  • 1 0
 Ironically I am going to Peru next week riding and I decided to hire a bike out there - last night I was told I'm having a Kona Process haha
  • 9 0
 Is there no bearing protection? They will likely last around 2 minutes in UK conditions. Bearing cover design looks similar to the Hei Hei which needed new bearings every other ride.
  • 3 2
 Don’t buy eBay bearings and if you live in the uk pop those seals and completely pack them with grease so not water can get in. Also look for 2rs on the bearing serial number. It’s means 2 rubber seals, if you buy cheap bearing that don’t have that they let water in.
  • 21 2
 @thenotoriousmic: Packing your bearings shouldn't be the customers burden for poor frame design.
  • 1 1
 @SamHudd: my original frame bearings did two years currentl bearings have done three though they definitely need replacing. If you buy quality bearings and protect them from the weather you won’t have a problem.
  • 12 0
 Wow the worst value Alu bike, nice one!
  • 10 2
 Wtf is up with these trail bikes with 160 rear travel (sometimes less), getting speced with a 190 or 200 dual crown or claiming dual crown compatibility? Why waste your money on a trail bike pretending to be a dh bike? Why not just buy an actual dh bike? No dropper, no climbing gears, so it's not like you're going to be pedaling up. I just don't get it.
  • 3 1
 I think it's a park bike which is focused more on jumps and playing around on the mountain instead of full on DH racing. My understanding is that 200mm rear travel will sap a lot of your pop? unless you are going mach 5000 on a huge jump like a pro.
  • 5 0
 Yeah, the industry needs to stop slapping a DH fork and taking away gears/ dropper posts off their trail bike and calling it a DH bike. They are NOT the same. Waste of people's money. Just use the regular trail bike version in a park if you can't get a full blown DH bike as your N+1.
  • 11 0
 17% progression is starting to get near the low end for a coil.
  • 11 0
 Hahaha I've got these wheels on my gravel bike
  • 8 0
 I was so die hard kona guy but they have jumped the shark. Never the best, but they made great bikes at the time of the gen1 process 111/134/153/167 at a decent enough price. Now they are worse than Rocky Mountain lol.
  • 9 0
 Whoever put Guide Ts on the DH should be beaten with a bag of potatoes
  • 2 0
 same garbage they used to put on the Operator lol
  • 7 0
 Such a cool brand, but has gotten dull with their expensive pricing and failure to make something new.
  • 7 1
 i remember kona had pedals called kona jackshit, as of a couple years ago, i consider their brand the value of their bikes to be completely jackshit now
  • 5 0
 Who wrote all that copy? Clearly, the sales guy at Kona has the dreaded "Director of Sales and Marketing" title. Trust me, you're never a good sales guy AND a marketing guru. Ever.
  • 2 0
 "no side hit is safe from tires attached to the Process X DH"
  • 7 0
 I can already see that "Custom Kona bump stop" peeling off
  • 8 0
 Adios Kona.
  • 3 0
 Kona geometry is so good but their spec is getting increasingly inconsistent. I ride a Honzo ESD with almost identical spec and it has held up very well (with added inserts and some cockpit changes). But as a park bike, I’m not sure it would last that long.
  • 3 0
 yawn, can the mtb marketing stop trying to push the teenage rad twat image thanks.... 90% of us are here to ride bikes on singletrack and backcountry... not neck Redbull before sending the 50ft gap jump at the local bike park.
  • 8 4
 Shame they didnt leave the wide range cassette and dropper on the DH build, its not like the extra weight is tragic on a park orientated bike
  • 15 1
 If it's park oriented, don't you think there will be other ways to get to the top?
  • 2 1
 There’s a lot of shame going on with this one
  • 3 0
 It seems they wanted to go wider than the GX DH I assumed it would have that's 11-25 for the 11-34 X5/X7 setup....or they were just being THAT cheap. Don't understand it at all.
  • 8 0
 @danielfloyd: for something fully park oriented, maybe use a DH bike?
The (missed, in my eyes) opportunity here was to get something in between. Do a Portes Du Soleil day with either a DH bike or an enduro bike, and you'll see why something in between would be perfect.

And I guess I'm not alone in this case considering the number of people putting dual crowns on Patrols and Spires
  • 1 4
 @danielfloyd: eeb?
  • 2 0
 @danielfloyd: imagine you mostly ride park, but a few times a year you like to pedal up to the alpine from the end of the lift and do an epic all day descent. Suddenly you wouldnt need a second bike
  • 1 0
 @danielfloyd: www.instagram.com/p/CpRJSMRuA27

For reals though, why not put a dual crown fork on and KEEP the drivetrain/dropper. Literally no harm. This is an N+N for the price of N+1.
  • 6 0
 Noah, you dick, don't make your mama wait.
  • 9 2
 Just go buy a Marin.
  • 3 3
 Marin is in the same boat …
  • 4 0
 @sanchofula: Judging by the comment sections of Marin articles and Kona ones, I would disagree.
  • 4 0
 One should do some digging into Kona as of late... dealer network, long time employees, etc. I won't be buying another after owning 5 through the years.
  • 3 0
 I built up my own Yellow 153 with NOBL TR37s, a full coil setup and a tall stack. It’s a great bike for chunk and jumps so much better than my previous trail bikes. Wouldn’t change a thing.
  • 6 0
 I'm an OG Kona fan.... but oof.... this kinda bums me out.
  • 3 0
 The Guide T brakes remind me of when I got a NX level built of Transition Sentinel with Level T brakes and took it to the bike park and almost died several times. Putting such shit brakes on shreddy bikes should be illegal.
  • 3 0
 I think the Process x is a good looking Bike! Price is to high i agreed, but way to much hate Here in the comments. I think its hard to judge a Bike before You have done a Testride.
  • 1 0
 It's not hard to judge if said bike has Guide T brakes, X7 mech and wheels straight from sub $1000 xc bike. Price aside, this is a garbage spec, not fit for purpose
  • 4 0
 That old Race Face chainring is not 12-speed Shimano compatible according to RF. WTaF?
  • 2 0
 Tried to buy a Kona Process a couple times from local shops, always cheaply built and way over priced can’t ever see it happening when the other brands have bikes next to them. An expensive sticker to own.
  • 2 0
 Sadly
  • 1 0
 Would be interesting to see Kona's sales numbers/trend, can't imagine they are going to move many units of these are these prices in current market conditions, especially through the northern hemisphere winter. Very weird spec/pricing decisions.
  • 6 5
 I think Kona tried what everyone is asking for, use decent suspension and tires and a good but inexpensive mix of drivetrain and brakes (at least at the non DH) combine with external cable routing and get a decent price. They underestimated the wrath of the pink bike commenters, though- $4500??!! (IMO that's nor bad for a retail price)
  • 2 0
 Check out YT. Better spec for less money.
  • 3 0
 There are plenty of better value options out there. Even from brands that aren't direct to consumer. And also even when not accounting for sales.
  • 1 0
 This is why the industry needs to decide on spacing and sell framesets.
  • 4 0
 Kona would be out of business if it wasn't for their gravel and adventure touring line up.
  • 2 1
 Good video but I was wondering if he would make it safe to the bottom on the stock spec bike, probably not hence his bike is built quite differently to what they offered here. I might be wrong but to make good a promo edit of just released bike it would be nice to see the actual bike in action not a different one.
  • 2 0
 "much like its carbon siblings, this cheap shitty alloy frame also has flip chips " -_- like wowwwwwww its 2023 lol which frame isnt coming with some kinda chips . Potato chips?
  • 1 0
 I have owned and loved a number of Konas from 1997 to 2020, but even as a fanboy I cannot do the mental gymnastics required. Every bit of the spec is underwhelming. It's not like there's a tradeoff anywhere, it's all cheap. The retail price is nuts. At some point, it doesn't matter how good the geo, or the kinematics are.
  • 4 0
 i was excited for a minute and then i saw the spec...
  • 3 0
 Thought we moved past the days when bike pricing was based strictly on suspension travel...
  • 5 2
 Ah, I see the old “ball and chain” trope is alive and well. Sexism called, it wants its storyline back.
  • 3 0
 We miss the old Kona. Give us another stinky or an updated process 111, not an overpriced 'downduro'
  • 1 0
 I think the spec of the X looks pretty good and well thought through, it's just £1500 too expensive. I just bought a brand new ebike with a better spec, including axs, for only a couple hundred squids more.
  • 3 0
 What a crime not keeping the chrome decals they had on the bike in the video.
  • 3 0
 Okay, parts of the spec might be laughable, but the frame features are right bang on
  • 2 1
 Not to add to the 4,673 comments before, but that spec/price is a bad joke, full stop…pretty sure you can get a similarly specced Ripmo AF for $2,700 still and that’s a way better bike across the board.
  • 4 1
 162mm combined with a DC? Why?
  • 1 0
 I bet many people were waiting for this frame, too bad they spec'ed it so terribly. Also sad times for such an iconic brand that has produced so many classics.
  • 1 1
 It appears the target market isn’t buying this. The better move is focusing on XC/trail bikes for dads and moms, like the Hei Hei line. The most functional for the average person that can afford it
  • 3 2
 Right off the top of the video, no respect to Mom for the drop off and an food?! Is that normal for the youths these days, or just the "bros"?
  • 1 1
 I want to believe the video is mocking kids that behave that way and not celebrating them. Oh well
  • 1 0
 Ya, what was that? Being a full on dick head to his mom. Sooo cool bud! Slow clapping for ya over here.
  • 3 1
 No valve stem caps for the photo shoot?
  • 10 0
 If they're using guide T's and mixing incompatible drive train parts, then my guess is the bike won't come with stem caps. They're too expensive for this $4500 bike
  • 2 1
 all the recent canned employees dodged a bullet by not having to try and sell this shiny turd…
  • 2 1
 And no word about the weigth?? unless I didn't see it, they didn't want to put one last bullet in their foot
  • 1 0
 Can a regular shuttle bro lift this beast into the back of a Tacoma? It looks heavy!!
  • 6 4
 Maybe Walmart is looking for a new brand to sell, or perhaps Costco?
  • 1 0
 It's almost like capital venturists designed ( and priced ) this bike! Oh wait, they did...
  • 2 0
 This is definitely one of the bikes of all time
  • 1 0
 Press fit bottom bracket, noooooo, wtf. And does the seattube need to be that beefy.
  • 2 0
 Fuck yea external routing please make a come back!
  • 1 1
 Maybe bring the editor back in. They keep rolling and lacing wheels repeatedly.
  • 2 0
 Price > Value
  • 1 0
 Looks like a.... Everything
  • 2 1
 Just stop if you can't give a decent spec and a decent price Kona
  • 1 0
 They took the external cables routing pretty seriously....
  • 1 0
 Rider in the video is doing a pretty good job with Shimano brakes
  • 1 1
 The forgot the rear mech hanger that falls out when you remove te rear wheel
  • 3 0
 Look again, new dropout is a UDH and doesn’t have adjustable chain stay lengths.
  • 1 0
 I wouldn’t value this bike at more than 3K max MSRP
  • 1 0
 That's a no from me boss!
  • 1 0
 The Kona "doog-taht-ton-yenom-hcum-ootT
  • 1 1
 is that right they are speccing a 110*15 front hub for a boxxer ?
  • 1 3
 Is it just me or does the Video the Bike no justice? I mean riding a jumpline in a Bikepark? I was expecting more ruff, steep and technical loose riding.....
  • 2 0
 I get what You mean but the Video is dope and Noha is such a amazing Rider. Some of the gaps are Insane!And dont forget it was sponsored by the Bikepark Leogang.
  • 1 3
 Well looking at these overpriced offerings from kona, it’s no surprise that you never see anyone riding them anymore,
Overpriced and those frames are fugly
  • 1 1
 Unfortunately there are thing that just won't die !
  • 1 0
 Speed and Power
  • 1 1
 I dub this bike the Kona Pro Sex.
  • 2 5
 Welds look a 12 year old made them. Bye KONA!!!
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