Kona Announces New Process X & Aluminum 153

Aug 4, 2020 at 12:57
by Daniel Sapp  
Kona Process 121
The Process X


Process X & Process X DL

Kona's Process X and Process X DL are the brand's answer to long days of riding with descending taking priority. Both models feature 162mm of travel paired with a 170mm fork, 29" wheels, and an aggressive geometry catering to the enduro/freeride crowd. There's also a flip-chip that allows the bike to run a 29" or 27.5" rear wheel.

The bike has a 63.5° head tube angle and a 78.2° seat tube angle for a size medium. Seat tubes are short to allow for longer travel dropper posts, with small and medium-size frames utilizing a 170mm dropper post while Large & Extra Large frames run a 200mm drop. All bikes fit a full-size water bottle and have internal cable routing along with a custom downtube protector to keep bikes from shuttle wear and tear and flush-mounted ISCG tabs for a chain guide.

Chainstay lengths can be adjusted to either 435mm or 450mm, which can make the bike either more nimble and playful or more stable and comfortable at higher speeds. Kona also believe this will help shorter and taller riders find a better balance and be able to run what is most appropriate to them with varying saddle heights and centers of gravity.

The Process X sells for $4,999 USD and the Process X DL sells for $6,999 USD.

Kona Process 121
Process X DL

Process X Geometry
Kona Process 121

Kona Process 121
Kona Process 121


Process 153

The Process 153 is available in three different models- the DL 29, 29, and 27.5. For 2021, the bike is available in an aluminum platform with a frame that weighs 150g lighter than the previous aluminum models, according to Kona. Additionally, the seat tube allows for a deeper seatpost insertion compared to the prior 153 models.

The bike has updated geometry featuring a 64.5° head tube angle and the seat tube angle is 76.6°. Chainstays are 435mm. There is a new rocker link and kinematics are revised to keep the leverage curve similar to 134 models with around 13% progression from 30-95% of the bike's travel.

The Process 153 27.5 and 29 sell for $2,999 USD and the 153 DL 29 sells for $3,699 USD.

Kona Process 121

Kona Process 121
Kona Process 121


For more information, visit konaworld.com. For additional images, check out the gallery here.

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196 Comments

  • 84 6
 That's a sweet looking bike. They really nailed the shape on that carbon frame.
  • 24 1
 Yeah, looks really good. The basic model is pretty nicely spec’d too, mix of slx and xt. Kona’s 2021 seems to be pretty awesome with this and the new Honzo.
  • 12 1
 @Rusettipasta: the new Honzo is what I'm most excited about. It's been long overdue for the update, and it's really cool to see they have a version of the Honzo for all types of riders. The ST and DL are the same bike just with your choice of steel or alu, and now both come with adjustable dropouts. The base is slightly steeper and shorter for more of an XC ride. Then, you got the ESD for real aggressive hardtailers.

Kona is killing it with their 2021 lineup
  • 2 10
flag mountainjew (Aug 4, 2020 at 20:01) (Below Threshold)
 @drpheta: theres no Honzo for us 264LYF crowd
  • 2 0
 @mountainjew: I absolutely love the look of the new black Process X and carbon 153 27.5, and at the same time absolutely hate the kinked top tube of the aluminum 153 and 134...

Crazy how little changes make a big difference. Don't like the smashed-into-a-tree look of the 153/134 alu.
  • 41 3
 If companies arent going to vary chain stay lengths based on size (like Norco and a few others) than having 2 settings makes so much sense without the added cost to the companies of having 5 different chainstays. Really surprised more companies arent doing this. Also these seat tube lengths are getting way too short - at 5'7" I sit at the low end of their Medium sized recommendation (with a below average inseam) and I could still fit a 210mm dropper post with 20mm of exposed post. On the flip side, someone on an XL is probably going to want more than a 450mm seat tube as well.
  • 23 0
 You need clearance for your 300mm dropper bro!
  • 17 2
 Long droppers are the future. 6'2" here and 460mm seat tube plus 210mm dropping is spot on.
  • 4 0
 Yup. If I put my 185mm Revive down on either of my bikes it just looks like I'm running a 100mm dropper. So much post exposed...
  • 23 2
 Why would you not want to be able to run the longest possible dropper post? Meant for aggressive riding where you want the seat to be furthest out of the way as possible.
  • 13 3
 So it's exactly the same place as if it had a 20mm longer seat tube. What's the problem? It's not like you can only run droppers at full insertion, but you still get the benefit of lower stand over height and you could slam the seat even further if you were just hitting dh trails. I fail to see the downside until you get to the point of max extension and still not high enough, but for most droppers that's around 150mm up, you gotta be some bfg mofo if you need 810mm (150+210+450)of seat tube and probably need a much bigger bike overall. For most people there is pretty much zero downside.
  • 16 6
 @shiggyplop: Im honestly not sure I would even want to run a 210mm at my height - I use my seat to help corner. You don't see the top DH riders in the world riding with their seat slammed and they arguably are doing the most aggressive riding.

Additionally - I am at the low end of fitting a medium size and I could fit the longest available dropper with more than 20mm of exposed post. If getting the most drop per size is the reasoning then why not include a 200mm dropper that can be shimmed to desired height on a medium and up?
  • 10 10
 @Zaeius: that's literally backwards logic, and you know most droppers can stop anywhere, not just up or down? Why not have a shorter seat tube, a long dropper and I dunno, some way of moving it up or down to your desired height? Like a tube sliding in a tube, held in place by a collar with a bolt through.
  • 9 0
 As a 6'2" guy I had a process 167 which had a 420mm post and it was great, a 150mm dropper was running an inch lower than its minimum insertion mark, but that's fine, 450mm with a 200mm dropper is going to give people up to 6'6" easy enough seat post to get it high enough. I don't understand why people think the dropper collar needs to be within an inch of the top of the seat post, even minimum insertion is safe
Also even if you have 200mm drop you don't have to use it all.
  • 11 3
 @shiggyplop: I never have issues catching my saddle with a 185mm dropper, and with that dropper I have >100mm of post exposed. Less support for the dropper just means it sees more stress (the frame does, too). At some point it's not worth getting a longer dropper because:
(a) It's just adding clearance that you don't need
(b) It's extra weight (quite a bit, actually)
(c) The longer post is less durable than a shorter post (higher loads on the bushings when extended)
(d) It actually takes more time/energy to squat down further and stand back up when dropping the post (this is petty, but still makes a difference on trails where you actuate your post a lot)
  • 5 2
 @Zaeius: Yes, I run my saddle at 820mm full height. With a 450mm seat tube, that is a LOT of seat post exposed, long dropper or not.

These short seat tubes are getting pretty ridiculous. We need more large people working at bike companies.
  • 5 2
 @inked-up-metalhead: I feel like its pretty big dudes who are going to be riding a 525mm reach bike and I know of several riders for whom it is an issue. The downside to me is, admittedly, mostly aesthetic - I think it looks like trash when the seat is slammed and there is still a ton of exposed seat (see DaneL comment above).

It's ironic, as for years I railed against too long seat tubes on bikes (or bikes with pivots that limited the actual available seat tube - looking at you Giant and Trek) but it seems like it has swung so far in the other direction. I could be very happy on a 420mm seat tube with a 180mm dropper and it wouldnt be slammed (remember that I am at the small end of the Medium sizing)
  • 2 1
 They be need bikes sizes built for tall riders and bikes that are long. For instance L, T and L, L. Large tall and large long. It makes sense.
  • 4 0
 @jason114:

Yep, so much this.

6'1" with a 170mm dropper, and 450mm seat tube (2018 Process 153), and I've got 50-75mm of the dropper exposed above the collar. I could easily fit a 210mm (and would do it today if it was free).

That said, I do wonder what "actual" tall guys would want (lets say over 6'6" or so). I imagine at some point you do need a taller seat tube.
  • 5 7
 The people at Kona don't know a single tall person. It's that simple.
  • 2 0
 @jason114: Agreed I'm just over 6' and run a One Up 210mm. Two thumbs up.
  • 2 0
 @Tristanssid: 6'6" here to tell you that with a 200mm Reverb I need 480mm of seat tube to get proper leg extension.
  • 2 0
 @alexsin: ourworldindata.org/human-height#height-is-normally-distributed

I imagine it's more of an issue that making an extra larger mold for a small portion of the population is just not a business savvy move for them. The sizes they have listed look like they'd work for people within 2 standard deviations of the mean (in terms of height). Much like most things in life, very tall people will have a smaller selection and have to find something that works for them from that smaller pool of choices.

Notably, very small people have the benefit of there being things (bikes, clothes, ect) designed for children that should fit them, so it's really (mostly) only very tall people that run into this issue.
  • 2 1
 @Zaeius:
Sadly I am not a top DH rider. I want all the drop and all the travel.
  • 3 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: some way of moving it up or down to your desired height? Like a tube sliding in a tube, held in place by a collar with a bolt through.

Naa you crazy!
  • 1 0
 @gdharries: I run my saddle at 830mm. I can't do a 200mm dropper on my XL Ripley which has a 480mm seat tube when using my preferred saddle. I would like 450mm seat tube. Seams like they have it right to me.
  • 1 0
 @ocnlogan: I’m only 6’2 and I ride a s3 stumpjumper evo. I have long legs, 36 inch inseam and I run a 210 dropper. I still have 4-5 inches of dropper tube exposed just to get a good seating climbing position.
  • 1 0
 I am 6'2" and prefer running dropper posts with less travel. I went down from a 170 to a 150mm, I do this mostly for strength and I don't really need the travel for most rides. I could probably use the same post in this frame, but it would likely be near the minimum insertion of the post, I would basically be forced to use a longer dropper or one with more insertion depth.
  • 1 0
 @jaredmh: Of course. That's totally fine. I misread some of the article so I take back my comment.
Making flip chips is the simplest way to work around the obvious need for multiple chainstay lengths so good Kona for finally figuring out that different people are different.
There is zero reason why different sizes shouldn't have different ESTAs.
  • 1 0
 @ShredlyMcShredface: Good to know!
  • 2 0
 @Zaeius: Like others say, just because you have 210mm of drop doesn't mean you have to use it all every time you actuate the post. If you like thigh bruises by all means run it high sometimes. But when the trail gets steep I know my boys are happy that seat isn't trying to play whack a mole. For the intention of this bike (riding steep, gnar, park) you are going to benefit from not getting hung around the seat or a nice booty slap.

Top DH racers: Surely some do ride a higher seat by choice like yourself which is great but also remember they don't have droppers (yet?) so keeping in slightly higher so they can sneak in a seconds rest or tuck could be beneficial instead of having to stand the entire race. Furthermore, lots of DH bike designs do not allow the seat to go lower without having tire to seat contact due to so they are forced to run them with post extended.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but from my experience anytime I get on a bike with a longer dropper it allows the bike to move under me more freely and I love it, so I'm stoked on this progression!
  • 1 0
 @Zaeius: A low saddle isn't for "DH riding". You want it as low as possible when riding extremely steep chutes/rock rolls.
  • 2 0
 @Zaeius: I don't think Norco makes different chainstays. They have to make the front triangle different sizes anyway, they just have the pivot positions on the front triangle such that it changes the chainstay length. You could think of it like it isn't that they're shifting the rear axle with respect to the bottom bracket. Instead they're shifting the bottom bracket (which is part of the front triangle) with respect to the axle.

As for cornering, it seems people prefer to have their saddles different heights. I actually prefer it at knee height so that I can shift my core more independently from the saddle. Seems to that the higher the saddle goes, the less freedom you're getting there.
  • 36 6
 3k for sx, 3.6k for nx, whatever happened to the Precept business strategy? Its hard to convince a friend to drop 3k on their first bike knowing its a fragile anchor
  • 37 1
 Agreed. I’m a so called Sram fan boy and SX is a pathetic joke. It belongs on 1k bikes not 3k bikes.
  • 13 0
 Wouldn't you rather they skimp on drivechain rather than anything else? Id happily ride it with deore drivechain if it meant they put more into suspension, wheels and brakes.
  • 5 4
 @nordland071285: “Drivechain”????
  • 3 0
 Oh I mean crank, derailleur, chain, cassette
  • 36 0
 @nordland071285: deore is miles ahead of sx though.
  • 8 0
 There are too many direct-to-consumer carbon bikes specced with SLX at that price point (sub $4k) for an alu NX bike to make any sense whatsoever.
  • 10 0
 @nordland071285: most people say drivetrain. I agree that those parts are wear parts that will be replaced at some point anyway, but nx cant touche deore
  • 8 0
 @Jimmy0: haha thanks! Every day is a learning day Smile
  • 1 0
 @nordland071285: word
  • 5 1
 @nordland071285: But they didn't put more into the suspension wheels and brakes, those parts very low end as well on this build.
  • 24 1
 Shoulda made a ProcessX-AL!
  • 4 1
 Right? Why bother with the 153 AL, honestly (don’t get me wrong the 153 has a lot of improvements - Kona finally listened). I’d buy an X AL. It’s the one. The pinnacle enduro Kona.
  • 7 0
 @iduckett: Yep. And why bother with a carbon X (I know...b/c: carbon). BUT, if I'm buying a 170/162 bike, I'm taking it on lifts, throwing it in the back of trucks, crashing, and likely abusing the shit out of it. I'm also not gonna take it on hudge climbs/climbing days (if I can avoid it), but grabbingg it for thtose DH/park days. All of those things scream "ALUMINUM" to me.
  • 1 0
 @smartyiak: Fully agree.
  • 20 1
 Thats pretty rad! Super steep ST angle, slack HT angle, ability to run both wheel sizes, and adjust the chain stays for a plow machine or a poppy trail bike. I think I found my next bike! Thanks Kona!
  • 4 1
 Yeah, couldn't agree more. Although in metaphor speak, I broke up with my poppy trail bike and then married my plow machine.....yep, you know what I mean
  • 3 6
 Seat tube angle is slack af. Effective seat tube angle mat be steep if the saddle run short. But anyone with long legs will be sitting over the cassette like all kona bikes.
  • 15 0
 Stinky and Stinky Dee-Lux*
  • 2 0
 CoilAir Smile
  • 15 1
 Woulda been hyped to see SLX or deore on the 153s... Process X build looks dialed tho.
  • 38 11
 Deore crank, brakes and house brand cockpit for $7000 CAD? Not a GRIP 2 damper? Seems like a ripoff of a build kit for that price to me. Personally I'm super disappointed with Kona lately. Nice bikes, but their build kits don't reflect the price.
  • 9 35
flag brettsonkp (Aug 4, 2020 at 15:37) (Below Threshold)
 @ratedgg13: cool, then don’t ride their bikes. They didn’t ask for your spec opinions when making the bike anyway.
  • 3 0
 @ratedgg13: I like their house brand cockpit. Bars feel just like fubars osx I had on my previous bike. If that 153 replaced the sram crap with slx I'd be on that.
  • 7 3
 @bkp0009: You're right - I won't. I was in the market for a new hardtail but the Honzo ESD is a vast disappointment. Given what I can get for my money parts wise, Kona won't be seeing my money for the foreseeable future.
  • 18 2
 @ratedgg13: As a sales dude at a Kona dealer I get the suspension gripe for sure, but I'd like to mention that Kona's house brand cockpit is about as good as anything else on the market. Kona stems are stupid light and bars are durable, light, and comfier than other alloy offerings. I only know this after breaking my own RaceFace Turbine R stem and using the cheap Kona as a spare just to find it was lighter than my $100+ RaceFace POS stem. Also, I get wanting nicer brakes, but damn the new Deore 4 piston stuff is phenomenal in both power and lever feel. I'll also say that with Kona's current (2019-present) production, their finish quality has been second to none, easily matches the Santa Cruz and Ibis frames we also sell in volume. I know their pricing is more high brow now than what we generally see as their brand image, but they are making unbelievably reliable and fun bikes at the moment, plus their after sales care is amazing.
  • 2 1
 @nation: fair points, I happen to think Race Face bars and stems suck. Some house brand stuff is great. It's just really tough to see prices climb, and watch brands put out boutique pricing for no justification. Some brands are getting competitive with d2c pricing and others just seem to ignore it. It's a real shame. My first mountain bike was a kona, but at the rate they're going I dont see any reason to buy another over other brands.
  • 4 0
 @nation: I second this. The carbon frames are truely excellent quality. The wheels are admittedly underwhelming, bit they have been speccing really good rear shocks, and getting forks that can have the damper upgraded if someone is truely looking for the best of the best. They ride friggin amazing. Weight and price aren't the selling points in these. Everything has its pros and cons, and the bikes Kona is putting out just happen to appeal to me. Can you get a giant or a trek with carbon wheels for the same price? Sure you can. Having owned those, I like my process 134 more.
  • 4 0
 @bkp0009: well I ride their bikes and have done for years but won’t be buying another Kona unless their specs start meeting their asking prices. The components you get for the prices they’re asking is actually disrespectful.
  • 2 0
 @ratedgg13: I stand by your comment. Pricing is getting a bit outrageous as the spec'd kit puts that frame at close to $5 k CAD. I'd be pissed wanting to upgrade after dropping $7 k plus the taxes being brand new.
  • 2 1
 What I don’t understand is the carbon process 153 DL and process X DL are basically the exact same spec (sub Lyrik for Zeb which is basically the same price), yet the 153 is $5,500usd and the X is $7,000usd.
  • 13 1
 More importantly the new Honzo ESD dropped
  • 8 0
 Process X looks pretty sweet and hooray for adjustable chain stay length. Let's people have what they want, stable or playful/twitchy. Good steep seat angle as well. Nice one Kona
  • 1 0
 How does the adjustable chain stay work? I'm sorry -- it's not clear to me.
  • 2 0
 @TheR: Looks like it is a flip chip similar to Santa Cruz style.
  • 7 0
 $CAD pricing, at least in regards to spec and value for cash spent is, uh, I’m looking for a word that surpasses “atrocious” and can’t find one.

It’s like Kona isn’t even remotely interested in selling bikes in Canada...
  • 4 0
 The process x cr has quite possibly the worst build I’ve ever seen in a 7k bike.
  • 2 5
 You're blaming Kona For your countries shitty protectionist tariffs and import duties?

Ok, eh!
  • 1 0
 @conoat: when compared to $CAD pricing for Giant and other brands, not to mention spec, Kona really comes out looking awful here.
  • 1 2
 @somebikeguy: comparing giant or spesh or trek to any brand 1/1000th their size, is far from a useful comparison.
  • 8 0
 Flip chip for 650b rear on the X is VERY exciting. Here come the mullets....running a Mullet Sentinel with Cascade's LT link and it is absolutely amazing.
  • 1 0
 Interesting..
What's your geo numbers ?
Is your BB not super low ?
  • 1 0
 @krispeuf: With the cascade link, Geo is unchanged. Check it out here: cascadecomponents.bike/v1-sentinel-lt-link:

"The Sentinel can easily be converted to mullet bike that maintains the stock geometry by installing an 8.5″ (216 mm) eye-to-eye shock and limiting the stroke to 58.5 mm. The standard stroke for an 8.5″ shock is 2.5″ (63.5 mm) so a 5 mm travel reducer is what’s needed to limit the stroke properly. If you are converting your Sentinel to a mullet set up by using this shock size we highly recommend installing our link because the stock link is -6% progressive with the shock."
  • 11 2
 That alloy 153 is beyond ugly. What were they thinking with the top tube and down tube connection?
  • 5 1
 You're new to Kona, ain'tchya
  • 1 1
 It’s heinous looking. If you go with the carbon 153 you get different (outdated) geometry. Not sure what they’re doing there.
  • 7 0
 So you put NX on a bike and call it deluxe? It's like getting a deluxe hamburger from McDonalds it makes a turd but starts as a turd from the get go...
  • 8 3
 To me, enduro bikes should come standard with DH casing tires, at least double down, but definitely not exo+ like these are. Most pro enduro racers use DH casing tires front and rear and a tire insert.
  • 3 0
 Yup, and then just post weights w/o pedals and tires.
  • 19 3
 Most people who buy bikes aren't pro Enduro racers...
  • 12 6
 what if I told you 99% of buyers will never stress these to the point of needing DD or DH casing? you're making an argument for the outlier being the starting point. that is both idiotic from a weight(performance and marketing) standpoint as well as a cost standpoint.

or.......you know better than all the people at Kona.

either/or really.
  • 6 11
flag andyelton (Aug 4, 2020 at 17:21) (Below Threshold)
 @conoat: I don't think you know what an enduro bike is. It's meant for going really slow up, and going fast down. Anyone buying an enduro bike to be used as a true enduro bike usually doesn't care too much about uphill performance. But please keep telling me how idiotic I am and everyone else who puts dh casing tires on their enduro bikes is (which is every single pro and person I know). Thanks.
  • 4 6
 @andyelliott3: you're dead right. I don't know what an enduro bike is......that's the ticket!

you do you, but your know it all bullsh*t is tired. I trust Kona, Santa Cruz, Specialized, etc etc etc to know how to sell and spec their bikes a bit better than you. I mean.....I would trust them on basically anything over you.
  • 3 3
 @conoat: thank you, me and pretty much everyone riding these bikes will replace the shitty exo tires with more durable ones. I guess if you’re just riding easy xc trails on an enduro bike you don’t need them, but that doesn’t make sense. You do you!
  • 3 2
 @andyelliott3: stop and read for a second.

I'm not talking about me. Or you( although you can't stop talking about you, but I digress..). I'm talking about the average consumer.

Ffs, the average consumer goes and buys a SC or Yeti by bouncing around a paved parking lot for 5 min. Lol.
  • 3 0
 @jrocksdh: that’s actually a killer idea
  • 1 0
 @northwestair: ha i guess thes best way is to simply look at the frame weight, and already know what the rest of your avg build weighs and add that.
  • 8 0
 Why is it 2020 and 5k bikes are still being spec'd with dt370 hubs.
  • 2 2
 Yeah...I guess it’s because it’s 2020...it all makes sense now
  • 4 0
 Ha! That’s awesome. I remember turning my Stinky Deluxe into a “Stinky X” 20 years ago with danger boy rocker links, Romic shock and a Super T dual crown. Complete with inkjet printed decals on shipping label stock. Loved that bike.
  • 7 0
 That DL paint job is gorgeous
  • 2 0
 The carbon fade or the golden mustard? I can't say I dig the latter, but that fade is sweet.
  • 2 0
 @jesse-effing-edwards: the fade caught my eye for sure
  • 1 0
 @sb666: Yeah, me too.
  • 6 0
 The carbon looks great, don't really like the long down tube to head tube area on the aluminum. Too long, looks weird.
  • 1 0
 fewf! the 153 is ugly! I just bought a Ripmo AF and when I saw the headline I was worried I was in for some buyer's remorse. I loved my 2015 processs 153, and have always liked the look and feel of Konas. The spec value is mediocre on the 153 and DL version. Adjustable chainstay is super cool and the geo looks spot on
  • 3 0
 These bike names are pretty silly . Soon companies will be running out of numbers and letters to name their bikes .
Super process XXX W T F with the new quadruple welded tritanium Aluminum Cro Mo carbon frame . All components hand made on Vulcan with Klingon slave labor . Fair trade free range organic vegan , with virgin nylon seat cover and bio degradable handle bar grips . Only $ 87,000 plus delivery with amazon Light Speed Prime .
sorry , i just couldnt resist .
  • 6 0
 so, why not process 162.. ?
  • 1 0
 because X! but then the question becomes why not Y or Z...
  • 5 0
 @dglass: because zed is dead
  • 1 0
 @DHhack: whose motorcycle is this?
  • 1 0
 Yeah , exactly my point . why not that or anything else .
  • 2 0
 @Sirios: cuz X gonna give it to ya
  • 6 0
 Waiting for the Hei Hei in AL
  • 4 0
 Seat tube angle are getting so steep and head angles so slack .in a couple of years they’re going to be In front of the stem
  • 3 0
 @Tajlucas: please draw this Smile
  • 10 5
 Kona has lost its mind with their prices long time ago. Shame since most of their bikes were cool.
  • 5 0
 Wow, looks like they hit this one out of the park!
Steep seat tubes; proper reach; flip chip for mullets!!!
Great colors
  • 2 0
 The colors are nice for sure.
  • 1 0
 If -that seat angles actually high 77ish once the seats higher than stem...?
  • 4 0
 Would like to see Process X in aluminum, dual crown compatible too?
  • 4 0
 FInally a big brand that has caught up geometry wise to Pole and Nicolai! XL at 525mm reach with 450mm seat post! Hell yeah!
  • 4 0
 Process X is a sick bike, so much carbon around the bb and bridge on the rear triangle, bet this thing is solid.
  • 2 2
 Indeed...unfortunately I bet it also weighs a metric shit ton like the Process 153 CR (9+ lb frame)
  • 1 0
 @tcmtnbikr: 2.7kg (6 lb) - large frame, no shock. Tech video here vimeo.com/447512139
  • 1 0
 @maxc: Nice, thanks. Perhaps the most informative, no bullshit, manufacturer presentation I've ever seen!
  • 7 2
 No Shimano, I keep my Dinero.
  • 2 1
 "aggressive geometry catering to the enduro/freeride crowd"
I miss the days when a enduro bike was a compromise between XC and DH.
Now a enduro bike is a freeride/park bike.
Yes,there are plenty of options in the market. I just dreamed a different way for the sport a few years ago.
  • 6 0
 Heard of trail bikes?
  • 3 0
 That's basically trail bikes now, but yeah I feel you.
  • 1 2
 @zyoungson: What I meant was that I hoped the development of enduro as a sport would bring us super capable XC bikes,but it ultimately brought us capable DH bikes.
I'm talking light,responsive,stable,140mm bikes,not 35lbs monsters that might climb ok but really suck in everything not super steep.
  • 1 0
 @nozes: what you’re hoping for is what the next wave of innovation in mtb will be. Don’t worry. It’s coming
  • 1 0
 @nozes: there are a ton of very capable 140r/150f 29ers out there right now so I'm not sure why you care that enduro bikes are super dh oriented?
  • 1 0
 @nozes: enduro as a race discipline certainly didn't deliver on your hopes, but given how you can have capable trailbikes in different flavors of responsive and rowdy from 120-140 from just about every major brand, it seems your wish was fulfilled, just not by way of enduro.
  • 4 3
 The Process X looks awesome but the spec on the $6999CAD one is not comparable to their peers. The $9999CAD spec is even more insane. The $:spec ratio for these bikes is rapidly approaching that of Santa Cruz, Pivot, or other boutique brands. If you want to command boutique prices you need a boutique brand and Kona really isn’t that brand.
  • 1 8
flag friendlyfoe (Aug 4, 2020 at 21:20) (Below Threshold)
 Why does Kona even still exist? Who has these guys at the top of their list?
  • 3 0
 @friendlyfoe: They still make some sweet bikes but they’re certainly going to become less relevant if they charge boutique prices while not being a boutique brand.
  • 1 0
 I was really looking forward to the 2021 process 153 27.5, but that army green and sunset is not for me. Really wishing there was DL version. Hate to pick/not pick a bike based on colour, but least if there was a DL you'd have another option and better components.
  • 1 0
 @danielsapp @mikelevy @mikekazimer is there a review in the works for the Process X? You might say I'm feeling a little buy-curious about it... Also, strangely, there are very few reviews out there for this bike, so I'd think there's an opportunity there to capture some traffic for people looking for one.
  • 2 0
 Yep, I'm currently putting the miles in one one.
  • 2 0
 Wasn't it just last week we were pointing at Miller's bike with the longer chainstay? Glad Kona gives riders the option now, but why not on the 153 too?
Rad looking bike!
  • 2 0
 The new 153 has 10mm longer chainstays than old one, but same across the range
  • 10 10
 This is getting ridiculous... claiming this bike has 78 sta, when you can see from the picture it is almost as slack as the 63,5 hta. Compare it to pole who actually run 78 sta - it might be the same at st height, but add in 200mm dropper and it's gonna vary by a few degrees. We've gotta figure a way to accurately compare sta bewteen bikes. Virtual sta tells virtually nothing on its own, actual sta still doesn't tell the whole story. At the very least, all companies should provide both virtual and actual sta.
  • 2 2
 From a flat surface, using my phone to measure the angle, I got 63d on the stantions of the fork and 67.5d on the stantion of the seat post. I'm guessing that's fairly close to correct. Its all very strange and misleading tho. Its like they just pick a few numbers: HTA, Reach and STA and then cobble together something that "fits". Obviously there is SO much room for fake-numbers in regards to the STA so...
  • 4 0
 You need to read the article on posted the other day. Top tip, draw a line straight up from the bottom bracket past the nose of the saddle. How far behind that line is the top of the saddle and where on the rails is the post sitting.

The problem with this design is the slack actual seat tube angle, it’s going to put a lot of stress on the dropper. Heavier riders are going to be a warranty headache.
  • 1 0
 Look at pic if new meta am9('21)
Does appear more like 77 than this..bb line goes thru mid of seat on the commi...
  • 3 1
 Process 153 AL 29'er owner here.

Can I buy the new rocker/CS assembly and slap it on my bike, and have a process 153, with longer chainstays and slacker HTA?
  • 2 1
 And have a normal looking top/down tube! Haha
  • 2 1
 I would buy the X but I dont want a 29" front wheel. Why are they stuffing this wheel size down our throats??? I'm not a racer, I dont want to win races Smile That was rhetorical BTW.
  • 2 0
 STA in the article does not match any of the numbers in the graph. and slacker STAs as frame gets bigger? weird.
  • 1 1
 There is no "real" difference between a 77.9 and 78.2 degree seattube angle. Plus its already a degree or more steeper than most everything else. So complaining it's different is one thing, but at least acknowledge 77.9 is plenty steep.
  • 3 0
 Well since it's virtual seat angle, aka bb to top of seat tube, it gets slacker as the seat tube gets longer. I expect the actual seat tube angle to be in high 60s. Might still be too slack for big people, and if it isn't, then smaller people might have problem of being too forward over pedals.
  • 1 0
 @ondreja: Yeah, actual STA is pretty slack, so with a long dropper, which is what will be needed with those seat tube lengths, the effective STA at max extension is probably low 70's.
  • 1 2
 @ondreja: Did you measure this, nope. It's 78 degrees to the saddle clamp. It has to be since the reach is so long. Very steep sta for all heights
  • 1 0
 @ShredlyMcShredface: as someone whose seat is usually 2 inches above the grips, these virtual STAs are garbage. i'll stick to frames whose virtual and actual angles are pretty darn close.
  • 1 0
 STA/ESTA is just a marketing term now - they'll claim whatever they need/want to in order to seem current and relevant.
We have to understand how ETT and (actual) STA effect our position on the bike to have an understanding of how it's going to feel to us.
  • 3 0
 RIP my process 167 I cracked the frame the other day this may replace it
  • 3 0
 These look almost look like a modern stinky, bring back freeride
  • 2 0
 RIP 66 HA enduro bikes....hello trail bike domination? When piloted by Finn at least.
  • 1 0
 Stoked on the 153s - but can you even get a water bottle in that triangle? I liked the looks of the previous gen to be honest, but I’ll take the improved geo all day.
  • 1 0
 Wait.......I got here late, and I can’t believe this hasn’t already been said.
Kona just released the Process X.

From now on know as The PRO SEX
  • 4 2
 1999 Stab Deluxe called : he wants his bent DT back.
  • 3 2
 At 182cm it's looking more and more like my next bike will be a medium instead of the larges that I have been riding
  • 2 0
 Do you just plan on standing the whole time? But yeah, I get where you're coming from. I just got a Sentinel and I'm still wrapping my head around riding the new geo. So far I'm just crashing a lot.
  • 4 2
 And they couldn't make it 27.5 because why...?
  • 3 0
 Um, racing?
  • 2 0
 @VtVolk: yeah after the geo numbers of the gen 2 153 this def looks like a move in the racing direction
  • 1 0
 @VtVolk: butbutbut i want 2 free ride with tiny wheels Frown
  • 2 0
 Hopefully the X is available as frame only
  • 1 0
 The X DL is.
  • 1 0
 the downtube on the ally version starting to look a lot like a stinky again ci. 2006
  • 2 0
 That X frame with the old Kona stinky rasta paintjob would be awesome.
  • 1 0
 Dang, I like my 2020 Process 153 AL DL But the new models looking pretty good. At least mines a better colour.
  • 1 0
 Both X looks great to me. Waiting for decision to sell direct. The bikes are just too expensive.
  • 3 0
 Process 111 Por favor.
  • 3 0
 I was seriously loving my 111, rode the hell iut of it for 5 years. Try a 134, you might find you really like it - I did.
  • 1 0
 Damn, looks sick! Kinda bummed but also happy I snagged a 2019 Process 153 cr/dL brand new for only 3800
  • 2 0
 "IT LOOKS LIKE A ..... KONA to me Wink
  • 3 1
 78STA?! If you say so.
  • 1 0
 Rockers look nicer with the detail vs. plain, flat sides
  • 2 0
 Aaaaaaaand sold out
  • 1 0
 Dang these bikes are looking good
  • 1 0
 I’d rather have a stinky old stinky
  • 1 0
 @danielsapp any idea on the weights of these bikes?
  • 1 0
 Is it even a process if it doesn’t have super short chainstays
  • 1 0
 I love that the Process X has a longer wheelbase that the Operator.
  • 1 0
 Linkage driven single pivot....looks like a Commencal
  • 1 0
 It's a monster!
  • 9 9
 This process 153 is quite ugly...
  • 1 0
 Yeah, I'm not a fan of the 27.5 version either, wish their was a DL for another colour option, and better spec
  • 2 2
 Came here to read all the "how it looks" comments.
  • 2 1
 Hahahah Pro-sex!
  • 3 4
 Horst link patent expired and they still can't put their pivot in the right place.
  • 2 0
 Where is it supposed to go? (I'm not being sarcastic, I actually don't know haha)
  • 1 0
 Which bike has right place? Now I am riding a 2018 specialized enduro and looking for next bike.
  • 8 9
 Looks like Transition Patrol
  • 3 0
 They are just down the street!
  • 9 0
 STA, mullet flip chip, adjustable chain stay length, and oh wait it doesn't even look like a Transition.
  • 3 0
 @scvkurt03: You forgot concentric single pivot "Beamer" suspension instead of four-bar.
  • 1 3
 Looks like it has a plastic fork knock block on the downtube. Let the controversy begin. Lol. I don't mind it.
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