Review: Kona's Fresh Hei Hei Can Make Cross-Country Fun - Pond Beaver 2020
I've been mispronouncing this bike's name for more than two decades now, and in that time it's been everything from a US-made titanium hardtail back in '98 to a race-focused, full-suspension cross-country rig in more recent years. All-new for 2020, the latest Hei Hei CR (say "hay hay") is a 120mm-travel cross-country-ish 29er that's intended to excel on both a technical course and a technical trail. Kona calls it a "Mid-travel cross-country bike designed for speed and fun,'' which is a funny way to pronounce down-country, but whatever.
There are only two versions of the new Hei Hei CR, and I've been riding the top of the line, gorgeously green CR DL model that goes for $5,999 USD. Spending $4,499 will get you the standard CR, or you can pick up the wildly colored frame for $3,099 USD.
There are only two versions of the new Hei Hei CR, and I've been riding the top of the line, gorgeously green CR DL model that goes for $5,999 USD. Spending $4,499 will get you the standard CR, or you can pick up the wildly colored frame for $3,099 USD.
Hei Hei CR Details
• Intended use: Cross-country
• Wheel size: 29"
• Rear-wheel travel: 120mm
• Fork travel: 120mm
• Head angle: 67.5-degrees
• Reach: 465mm (lrg)
• Sizes: Sm, med, lrg (tested), xlrg
• Frame material: Carbon fiber
• Weight: 26.8 lb / 12.2 kg (as pictured)
• MSRP: $5,999 USD
• More info: www.konaworld.com
• Intended use: Cross-country
• Wheel size: 29"
• Rear-wheel travel: 120mm
• Fork travel: 120mm
• Head angle: 67.5-degrees
• Reach: 465mm (lrg)
• Sizes: Sm, med, lrg (tested), xlrg
• Frame material: Carbon fiber
• Weight: 26.8 lb / 12.2 kg (as pictured)
• MSRP: $5,999 USD
• More info: www.konaworld.com
The new Hei Hei CR is carbon fiber from head tube to dropout, but Kona has kept the 100mm-travel version around in the form of a single aluminum-framed model.
Contents
Introduction
The Details
Suspension Design
Geometry
Specifications
Setup
Climbing
Descending
Technical Report
Comparing Bikes
Pros & Cons
Is This the Bike for You?
Pinkbike's Take
Introduction
The Details
Suspension Design
Geometry
Specifications
Setup
Climbing
Descending
Technical Report
Comparing Bikes
Pros & Cons
Is This the Bike for You?
Pinkbike's Take
The Hei Hei name has been in Kona's catalog since 1998 when it was a US-made titanium hardtail. I'd love to have one of those on the wall.
The Hei Hei frame looks ready for your cross-country ride and then some.
The Details
If you're familiar with Kona's stout-looking Process range, you're probably picking up the same vibes from their new Hei Hei CR frame. It might be a cross-country bike of some kind, but the frame appears to be ready for that and a little more. Relatively large pivots are used everywhere, minus at the axle where there isn't a pivot at all, and even the one-piece carbon rocker link looks like it belongs on something with another 30mm of squish.
The previous Hei Hei employed a compact, single-pivot suspension layout that saw its tiny shock compressed from above via an even tinier link to deliver 100mm of travel. Nothing was wrong with it, but there was also no way to squeeze in a second bottle cage mount on the seat tube... Unless the shock was moved to the underside of the top tube. Boom, now there's just enough room for two bottles inside the front triangle, not to mention a bump up to 120mm of rear-wheel travel.
Massive box-section chainstays should keep everything pointing the same direction, while low and wide seatstays provide engineered flex in the absence of an axle pivot.
All the lines run inside the frame, until the shift and rear brake exit from each side of the seat tube before snaking into the bottom of the seatstays. It works just fine, but it looks kinda odd, doesn't it? There are no threads in the bottom bracket shell, but you will find a set of ISCG tabs around it, and rubber guards protect the chainstay and underside of the down tube.
If you're familiar with Kona's stout-looking Process range, you're probably picking up the same vibes from their new Hei Hei CR frame. It might be a cross-country bike of some kind, but the frame appears to be ready for that and a little more. Relatively large pivots are used everywhere, minus at the axle where there isn't a pivot at all, and even the one-piece carbon rocker link looks like it belongs on something with another 30mm of squish.
The previous Hei Hei employed a compact, single-pivot suspension layout that saw its tiny shock compressed from above via an even tinier link to deliver 100mm of travel. Nothing was wrong with it, but there was also no way to squeeze in a second bottle cage mount on the seat tube... Unless the shock was moved to the underside of the top tube. Boom, now there's just enough room for two bottles inside the front triangle, not to mention a bump up to 120mm of rear-wheel travel.
Massive box-section chainstays should keep everything pointing the same direction, while low and wide seatstays provide engineered flex in the absence of an axle pivot.
Cables go in up here...
And come out back here. It looks a bit weird, but it works.
The carbon fiber rocker link compresses a RockShox shock.
Big bearings and ISCG tabs.
All the lines run inside the frame, until the shift and rear brake exit from each side of the seat tube before snaking into the bottom of the seatstays. It works just fine, but it looks kinda odd, doesn't it? There are no threads in the bottom bracket shell, but you will find a set of ISCG tabs around it, and rubber guards protect the chainstay and underside of the down tube.
The single-pivot rear-suspension design delivers 120mm of travel.
Suspension
With the exception of the Magic Link (someone at Kona is upset I just brought that up), Kona's full-suspension bikes have always been relatively straightforward, easy to understand machines. The same could be said about the new Hei Hei CR as well. It delivers 120mm of rear-wheel travel via an in-line air shock and, in lieu of sealed bearings and all the associated hardware at an axle pivot, Kona saved some weight and complexity by using seatstays that are designed to flex.
Did you spot the unused opening just ahead of the forward shock mount? That means that the new Hei Hei CR was designed to accept a remote lockout, although there isn't currently a model with that setup.
With the exception of the Magic Link (someone at Kona is upset I just brought that up), Kona's full-suspension bikes have always been relatively straightforward, easy to understand machines. The same could be said about the new Hei Hei CR as well. It delivers 120mm of rear-wheel travel via an in-line air shock and, in lieu of sealed bearings and all the associated hardware at an axle pivot, Kona saved some weight and complexity by using seatstays that are designed to flex.
Did you spot the unused opening just ahead of the forward shock mount? That means that the new Hei Hei CR was designed to accept a remote lockout, although there isn't currently a model with that setup.
Graphs!
Geometry
While some brands are getting pretty roomy up front, Kona is a bit more modest about their size large, with a relatively compact 465mm reach. A medium is at 440mm, while the extra-large Hei Hei jumps to 500mm, which certainly does make choosing the ideal size for yourself easier.
The important angles are 67.5-degrees and 75-degrees, with the first number definitely a bit steeper than some of the new cross-country-ish bikes out there. Lastly, 430mm chainstays are used across the range.
While some brands are getting pretty roomy up front, Kona is a bit more modest about their size large, with a relatively compact 465mm reach. A medium is at 440mm, while the extra-large Hei Hei jumps to 500mm, which certainly does make choosing the ideal size for yourself easier.
The important angles are 67.5-degrees and 75-degrees, with the first number definitely a bit steeper than some of the new cross-country-ish bikes out there. Lastly, 430mm chainstays are used across the range.
Test Bike Setup
After tinkering around with different shock pressures in order to have the sag between 20 and 35-percent, I ended up preferring a number closer to the former than the latter. The Hei Hei's suspension isn't too active for its intentions, but it does have a deep feel to it that's not common in this cross-country-ish segment. 185 psi gave me my preferred 25-percent sag number. I'm pretty familiar with the 120mm-travel Pike at this point, so it took all of five minuted to get it sorted.
Kona spec'd the Hei Hei with a few cross-country-focused components that we don't often see here on Pinkbike, including a lightweight flat handlebar from Race Face and a set of Maxxis' fast-rolling, 2.25" wide Rekon tires. While I resisted the urge to put on more aggressive (but heavier) rubber, it wouldn't have been out of line given the slippery spring conditions here on Squamish's rooty trails.
After tinkering around with different shock pressures in order to have the sag between 20 and 35-percent, I ended up preferring a number closer to the former than the latter. The Hei Hei's suspension isn't too active for its intentions, but it does have a deep feel to it that's not common in this cross-country-ish segment. 185 psi gave me my preferred 25-percent sag number. I'm pretty familiar with the 120mm-travel Pike at this point, so it took all of five minuted to get it sorted.
Kona spec'd the Hei Hei with a few cross-country-focused components that we don't often see here on Pinkbike, including a lightweight flat handlebar from Race Face and a set of Maxxis' fast-rolling, 2.25" wide Rekon tires. While I resisted the urge to put on more aggressive (but heavier) rubber, it wouldn't have been out of line given the slippery spring conditions here on Squamish's rooty trails.
Mike Levy
Location: Squamish, BC, Canada
Age: 39
Height: 5'10
Inseam: 33.5"
Weight: 156 lb
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @killed_by_death
Location: Squamish, BC, Canada
Age: 39
Height: 5'10
Inseam: 33.5"
Weight: 156 lb
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @killed_by_death
While the Hei Hei never felt slow, racers might want to reach for the pedal-assist switch every now and then.
Climbing
I think of bikes like the new Hei Hei, those 120mm, sporty rigs, as cross-country bikes for the real world. A pure race bike can make you feel like Absalon on the right trails, but it can also beat the living shit out of you while punishing mistakes that your trail bike doesn't even notice. And I'm talking about going up, not even coming back down.
With quick-ish handling and suspension that keeps it stuck to the ground, the green Kona loves to scrabble its way up the kind of pitches that some of us wouldn't even bother attempting. Despite the 2.25" Maxxis Recon tires not helping the Hei Hei's efforts, especially when things were slick, the bike consistently topped out on sections that I've dabbed on a time or three in the past. I suspect that part of that is down to the deep feeling suspension; many of my post-ride notes talk about how I found myself seated and pedaling up rough singletrack instead of being out of the saddle as on other bikes. Keeping your ass planted can, of course, deliver more consistent traction, and that's exactly what felt like was happening under me.
For the same reason, it's easy to see how the Hei Hei would suit those all-day monster rides that test not just your fitness, but also your taint and mental strength. Like some of you sickos out there, I love nothing more than a soul-draining, life-reaffirming, eight-hour, 10,000-foot day, and the Kona is well-suited to that type of misadventure. Long live the death march.
Sure, Kona could have been more aggressive with the Hei Hei's geometry, especially given the popularity of short-travel bikes with longer, slacker numbers. But, when you've just pedaled up something that looked unrideable, it sure feels like they made the right call. Handling-wise, the Hei Hei is more like a turn-on-a-dime, traditional cross-country rig than some of the latest short-travel bikes that sacrifice a bit on the ups to gain more capabilities on the downs.
I think of bikes like the new Hei Hei, those 120mm, sporty rigs, as cross-country bikes for the real world. A pure race bike can make you feel like Absalon on the right trails, but it can also beat the living shit out of you while punishing mistakes that your trail bike doesn't even notice. And I'm talking about going up, not even coming back down.
With quick-ish handling and suspension that keeps it stuck to the ground, the green Kona loves to scrabble its way up the kind of pitches that some of us wouldn't even bother attempting. Despite the 2.25" Maxxis Recon tires not helping the Hei Hei's efforts, especially when things were slick, the bike consistently topped out on sections that I've dabbed on a time or three in the past. I suspect that part of that is down to the deep feeling suspension; many of my post-ride notes talk about how I found myself seated and pedaling up rough singletrack instead of being out of the saddle as on other bikes. Keeping your ass planted can, of course, deliver more consistent traction, and that's exactly what felt like was happening under me.
On-the-nose handling means that switchbacks are a breeze.
For the same reason, it's easy to see how the Hei Hei would suit those all-day monster rides that test not just your fitness, but also your taint and mental strength. Like some of you sickos out there, I love nothing more than a soul-draining, life-reaffirming, eight-hour, 10,000-foot day, and the Kona is well-suited to that type of misadventure. Long live the death march.
Sure, Kona could have been more aggressive with the Hei Hei's geometry, especially given the popularity of short-travel bikes with longer, slacker numbers. But, when you've just pedaled up something that looked unrideable, it sure feels like they made the right call. Handling-wise, the Hei Hei is more like a turn-on-a-dime, traditional cross-country rig than some of the latest short-travel bikes that sacrifice a bit on the ups to gain more capabilities on the downs.
If you're considering a Hei Hei for some racing, it'll best suit rough, physical courses where its sturdy frame and active suspension make those flimsy 100mm bikes feel overworked and under-sprung. On the other hand, if you're coming off one of those flimsy 100mm bikes, the Kona might have you reaching down for the Deluxe Ultimate's pedal-assist switch. It's not that it feels inefficient - it doesn't - but it's certainly a more active, open suspension system than one intended for full-on race efforts.
The Hei Hei doesn't quite have that fire-under-your-ass personality that a traditional race bike has, but it's also more capable and a hell of a lot more fun in the real world.
The Hei Hei doesn't quite have that fire-under-your-ass personality that a traditional race bike has, but it's also more capable and a hell of a lot more fun in the real world.
Relatively forgiving suspension lets you smash into things that might make some other 120mm bikes flinch.
The Hei Hei's slippery suspension gives it an advantage over short-travel race bikes when the ground is rough.
Descending
If you've ever ridden a cross-country bike down a rowdy and rocky descent at your limit, you might know that it's sometimes equal parts skill and luck. That's not the story with the Hei Hei, however; it feels more like a quick-handling trail bike than a sketchy Spandex speedster.
I've ridden more bikes in this travel bracket than I can count, but I don't think any of them offered the smoothness that comes from the Hei Hei's rear suspension and that RockShox Deluxe Ultimate shock. For having just 120mm, and running 25-percent sag rather than more, the Hei Hei is remarkably forgiving over rough ground. The middle portion of the travel, which is where you spend most of your time, smooths out roots and high-frequency feedback in a way that a bike like this shouldn't be able to - the bike just takes less out of you, especially if your trails are long and rough.
With rear-suspension that turns chunky to smooth, there's no doubt in my mind that the Hei Hei would be quite the stage racing weapon. That said, it does feel a touch linear when the hits come fast and hard, but adding a volume-reducing spacer to the shock is all that's needed to sort that out. At the other end of the stroke, the supple action surely helps keep the Hei Hei from sliding around too much when traction is questionable.
While the Hei Hei's rear-suspension is quite forgiving, the handling feels quick and asks for only small inputs. Don't take that as it being nervous, though, because it's not that on-edge, pointy steering that traditional cross-country rigs suffer from. Instead, let's call it responsive. What it isn't is that new-school, short-travel shredder that you ride even though all your buddies are on 150mm bikes; I'm talking about the Tallboy and other options with a similar amount of travel. While the Tallboy is really just a trail bike, the Hei Hei still has enough cross-country in its DNA that I'd prefer it if my rides were equal parts fitness and fun.
We have a lot of saucy trails here in Squamish, trails that a 120mm-travel bike isn't best suited to, and those are the places where the Hei Hei can feel a bit overwhelmed. Add in some steepness and the new Kona requires a focused, steady pair of hands to guide it through, but not nearly as much as a full-fledged race rig. Cross-country bikes can be exactly what you need in a lot of situations, but they can also spank you so damn hard if you're on a demanding trail and not paying attention.
The new Hei Hei isn't trying to be a rough and tumble short-travel shredder but, when it comes to cross-country bikes, it offers more room for error than most. Or, if you're like me, more room to ride your cross-country bike irresponsibly.
If you've ever ridden a cross-country bike down a rowdy and rocky descent at your limit, you might know that it's sometimes equal parts skill and luck. That's not the story with the Hei Hei, however; it feels more like a quick-handling trail bike than a sketchy Spandex speedster.
I've ridden more bikes in this travel bracket than I can count, but I don't think any of them offered the smoothness that comes from the Hei Hei's rear suspension and that RockShox Deluxe Ultimate shock. For having just 120mm, and running 25-percent sag rather than more, the Hei Hei is remarkably forgiving over rough ground. The middle portion of the travel, which is where you spend most of your time, smooths out roots and high-frequency feedback in a way that a bike like this shouldn't be able to - the bike just takes less out of you, especially if your trails are long and rough.
Cross-country doesn't have to be intervals and watts all the time. When you're on the Hei Hei, the name of the game is fun.
With rear-suspension that turns chunky to smooth, there's no doubt in my mind that the Hei Hei would be quite the stage racing weapon. That said, it does feel a touch linear when the hits come fast and hard, but adding a volume-reducing spacer to the shock is all that's needed to sort that out. At the other end of the stroke, the supple action surely helps keep the Hei Hei from sliding around too much when traction is questionable.
While the Hei Hei's rear-suspension is quite forgiving, the handling feels quick and asks for only small inputs. Don't take that as it being nervous, though, because it's not that on-edge, pointy steering that traditional cross-country rigs suffer from. Instead, let's call it responsive. What it isn't is that new-school, short-travel shredder that you ride even though all your buddies are on 150mm bikes; I'm talking about the Tallboy and other options with a similar amount of travel. While the Tallboy is really just a trail bike, the Hei Hei still has enough cross-country in its DNA that I'd prefer it if my rides were equal parts fitness and fun.
The handling is more cross-country-chill than short-travel ripper, but it works.
We have a lot of saucy trails here in Squamish, trails that a 120mm-travel bike isn't best suited to, and those are the places where the Hei Hei can feel a bit overwhelmed. Add in some steepness and the new Kona requires a focused, steady pair of hands to guide it through, but not nearly as much as a full-fledged race rig. Cross-country bikes can be exactly what you need in a lot of situations, but they can also spank you so damn hard if you're on a demanding trail and not paying attention.
The new Hei Hei isn't trying to be a rough and tumble short-travel shredder but, when it comes to cross-country bikes, it offers more room for error than most. Or, if you're like me, more room to ride your cross-country bike irresponsibly.
Technical Report
Maxxis Rekon tires: While I'll concede that the 2.25" Rekons aren't entirely out of place on a 120mm-travel fun-country bike, I feel like Kona missed a beat by not speccing something a bit meatier. At the very least, a set of 2.4" wide Rekons would add to the Hei Hei's abilities on the descents without slowing it down much on the ascents.
Race Face Next 35 handlebar: There's certainly nothing wrong with a flat handlebar, but it does give the Hei Hei that cross-country AF appearance. Don't let that fool you, though, and don't add bar-ends.
Four-piston brakes: SRAM's G2 RSC stoppers slow the bike exceptionally well, and Kona was wise to go with a 180mm front rotor that helps during sustained downhills. A two-piston brake wouldn't have been out of line on the new Kona, either, but the G2s are ready for anything.
Maxxis Rekon tires: While I'll concede that the 2.25" Rekons aren't entirely out of place on a 120mm-travel fun-country bike, I feel like Kona missed a beat by not speccing something a bit meatier. At the very least, a set of 2.4" wide Rekons would add to the Hei Hei's abilities on the descents without slowing it down much on the ascents.
Race Face Next 35 handlebar: There's certainly nothing wrong with a flat handlebar, but it does give the Hei Hei that cross-country AF appearance. Don't let that fool you, though, and don't add bar-ends.
Four-piston brakes: SRAM's G2 RSC stoppers slow the bike exceptionally well, and Kona was wise to go with a 180mm front rotor that helps during sustained downhills. A two-piston brake wouldn't have been out of line on the new Kona, either, but the G2s are ready for anything.
I'm currently testing Spot's 115mm-travel Ryve (left), and have spent months on Santa Cruz's latest, 120mm-travel Tallboy.
How does it compare?
Travel has never defined a bike's intentions, but things are even foggier in 2020. With 120mm, the same as the Hei Hei, some might want to put Santa Cruz's Tallboy up against the Kona, which wouldn't be entirely wrong. The two feel quite different on the trail, though, with the Kona being a much quicker handling, agile machine. I'd be more likely to wiggle around some rocks and sprint up the following incline on the Hei Hei, whereas I'd probably smash blindly through the same rocks and then spin up the incline when aboard the Tallboy. Neither approach is wrong.
There's less distinction between the Kona and Spot's 115mm-travel Ryve, however, with both being quick-handling, relatively sporty bikes. The Ryve does feel like it has the legs on the Hei Hei when talking about efficiency, though, as I've yet to feel like it needs any help from its pedal-assist switch. Stay tuned for a full review of the Ryve in the near future, too.
Pros
+ Active, forgiving suspension
+ Sturdy frame and spec
+ Responsive, quick handling
Cons
- Racers may want to use the lockout
- Responsive, quick handling
Pinkbike's Take
 | If you're the type of cross-country rider who waits until you have a large bowel movement to weigh yourself, or if you have no use for a dropper post because grams, then the green Kona probably isn't for you. The Hei Hei is a cross-country bike that you can use for racing, but it's not your knife-edge race weapon. It's not your hard-charging, relaxed handling trail bike, either. But if you want a bike to do the odd race on, or maybe even some stage racing, and plenty of all-day adventures that cover some seriously rough ground, the Hei Hei will be a good partner. The Hei Hei is an interesting blend of cross-country and capable suspension, and it's a package that makes a lot of sense for riders who value fitness but also know that a pure race bike is a bit silly. |
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253 Comments
www.konaworld.com/hei_hei_cr_race_frame.cfm
www.singletracks.com/photo.php?p=52445
#"lookslikea"fail
Lmao, are there any good bike trails out in Nantucket?
XC bikes that are slightly more relaxed than a dirtroadie race bike are fun AF. Blur TR, Spark, and it sounds like the Hei Hei fit this category. I would happily ride these on my local XC loops. For days with fast long descents give me ≥150mm please.
Have been really impressed by the quality of the suspension tune. It uses 115/120mm very well.
These are BC/XC bikes, after all.
Earlier than that I think. I worked at a shop 1992-1994 and there were a handful of Hei Hei under the butts of some of the fast racers. Was succeeded in Joe Murray lineage by the Voodoo D-Jab. Both were really nice and I too wish I had one on the wall!
My super nice Kona Hot was stolen from my living room and re-purchased the following week by the owner of the pizza shop for $150! (according to my so-called friends who didn't steal it back again.)
I have 3 Kona Hots now (a 21” 1992, a 20” 1994, and a 21” 1994 — the 94’s have the rad externally fluted downtubes). They’re all built era-correct with the best parts of the era (lots of Machine Tech stuff too). I thought I’d lost that magical feeling of adrenaline + that unreal pivot-carve/2-wheel-drift feeling that I remembered from the mid 90’s. Hadn’t felt it in 15-20 years. Hopped on my freshly built 94 Hot in 2015 and felt that magic once again — that I hadn’t felt in ANY bike since the 90’s. I was hooting and hollering, utterly shredding, and dropping my buddy on his 2016 Pivot Mach 6. My Hot carved like a dual slalom / pump track bike, but had perfect lateral flex when leaned over, providing lateral suspension / flex over the bumps, unlike some new ultra-stiff carbon hardtails and even some overly-stiff carbon full suspension bikes (my old colleague / world cup DH’er / bike engineering guru Cesar Rojo engineered the Intense M16, his Unno bikes, and others, with similar optimized lateral flex...and other optimized frame flex in the main frame and rear end). On my Hot, both tires roosted every corner...unreal fun. Those bikes were, and still are, something special. New gravel bikes are essentially the same geo, and people say they’re super fun...yeah, no kidding, Kona and others used that same formula with great success in the 90’s! If you can find a Hot, buy it and go shred!
www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufacturer+Archive/Kona/Catalogues/Kona+Catalogue+1991/91Inner4.jpg.html
Wondering why Kona didn't take advantage of the new 2021 Rockshox Sid Ultimate 120? That way us gram counters could hold on the bowel movement before hitting the scale.
I admire Kona for the things they've done over the years, I think they have missed the mark on the Hei Hei for a couple models now though.
Two bottle holders is very nice for those of us who would rather not ride with a pack or who take on all day adventures, and need a pack and extra bottles.
climbs so good und still fun on (not the rowdiest) downhills.
think the same counts for this kona
5-10+ compliments about the paint (well, powder coat) a day at NORBA Nationals on it — and not one compliment when I had a red one and a blue one the year before and after. And since no one else had a dark green M1, people would know it was me that did this or that (like jumping the whole rock garden with Chris Kovarik at Big Bear in 2000 =). Ventana repaired that M1 for me and didn’t have green options, so now it’s translucent cherry red to match a 7” cherry red 2001 Boxxer. It looks pretty darn amazing too!
If I ever do get a custom paint job on a bike, British Racing Green is definitely a candidate.
the definition of Down Country... or FUN COUNTRY
New Hei Hei looks like the love child of the 111 & Precept... with skinny legs
Santa leaves a gift entry to BCBR or ST6 in 2021 under your tree and want to get a downcountry rig instead of hauling around your 34lb, slack AF everyday trail anchor. Which bike would you choose and why?
Kona Hei Hei
Orbea Oz
Rocky Element
Scott Spark
Specialized Epic
SC Blur
Trek Top Fuel
other
a/ It has geometry of 69*HA, 75*SA with the Ride9 chip allowing +/- 0.5* adjustment from there. That works for me on anything but double black trails here in BC.
b/ It's stock parts spec leaves little to no room for improvement and has its weight listed at 25.4lbs.
c/ Rocky's dealer network and race support in BC are excellent, any issues resolved without delay.
d/ Two bottles, because Levy knows his stuff.
That said, I'm intrigued by the Trek and the Kona. If demo tours happen this year I'd check out those two bikes.
these have been on ebay for about 2 years now...
www.ebay.com/itm/Full-suspension-Carbon-MTB-Frame-29er-148-12mm-Carbon-Mountain-Boost-Bike-Frame/223460287651?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D2cd1975070a44c00bff9477a8ff5e321%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D223589344608%26itm%3D223460287651%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
Recognized Brand name tax, plus there's at least two additional up charge points in the supply chain...
In a normal bicycle purchase its manufacturer facility to brand, then brand to importer/distributor, followed by distributor to dealer, and then dealer to consumer. In this case of the ebay frame its the factory itself to the ebay dealer (who is also the brand and the distributor) and then to you.
You had us in the first half, not gonna lie. At first glance of the frame on Ebay I thought it and the Kona were identical but upon closer inspection methinks not. Take a close look at the inner angle of the downtube/headtube/toptube junction. The Kona has an angled detail whereas the Ebay frame has a more smoothly rounded junction. The angular bend near the bottom of the seattube is also different, higher on the Kona and at a sharper angle.
They're from the same factory is my point... what...you don't think a factory will adjust the molds slighting for different customers ?
I am not in the know about carbon manufacturing. Is altering the finished procuct as simple as shifting a few angles, installing a bump-out, or milling/grinding relief in a mold? Or is an entirely new mold required?
edit: Never mind, $3099 for frame/shock make it $200 more!
The Ripley wins in every way.
Props to Kona for building a solid bike that fits two bottles, though--no small feat. Still seems like an awesome bike for all day epics.
For/aft position of saddle is there to get the bike to fit you, not correct for poor geometry.
cog.konaworld.com/ti-tuesday-pierres-1992-ti-hei-hei
1. The rider makes the bike capable, not the bike. Remind me how Nino wasn’t capable on his incapable Spark RC when you went riding with him.
2. CN has suspended the Squamish to Williams Lake trains.
Apologies accepted.
I'd say some EWS stages could be a bit more pedally, not be all downhill, so that it woud force bike companies to really focus on developing allrounder bikes, instead of mini-dh rigs
EWS and enduro in general definitely seem to have evolved into DH races that you pedal to. That's cool, but it no longer represents how or what I like to ride. Then again, as I keep proving, I’m not fast enough to be a racer, so what I would want to "race" maybe isn't all that important to anyone else. Lol
Otherwise it looks really nice and I'm hoping to try one out soon.
Is this a sign of things to come?
A carbon 111 in the works?
1. Enduro bikes get 480+ Reach
2. Downcountry 480+ Reach
3. DH Bikes 480+ Reach
4. Cross Country 460 Reach
Are people who riding CC shorter?
Is that correct?
And why did your friends let you mispronounce it for so long?
Also, how's the ride compare to the previous gen Hei Hei? Kona's demo events are on hold.
geometrygeeks.bike/bike/kona-hei-hei-cr-dl-2020