With Kona introducing new Fuse Independent Suspension to its Hei Hei XC series as well as adding alloy Honzo builds and new Process models to its range, we found the the Canadian brand making a wide offering for 2016 at its product launch in the Austrian Alps last week.
Generally speaking, Kona is continuing with its progressive geometry across the range. It looks as if pricing is going to be a bit more competitive this year, something that we feel the brand has struggled with recently – in the UK at least. (We’ll be adding US and Australian prices to this article as they filter through.)
Kona is concentrating on alloy frames (save for the 26in Operator Supreme DH bike), because it’s a lot easier to make tweaks to metal frame designs than it is to remake carbon moulds. Reading between the lines, it seems likely that carbon frames of some models may become available, though we’ve no idea as yet when this might happen.
ADVERTISEMENT
The big news is focused on the Hei Hei XC range of bikes, which gets a new suspension platform dubbed Fuse Independent Suspension. This is basically a four-bar rear end without a pivot close to the rear axle. Instead, there’s around 1.5 degrees of flex from the alloy rear triangle.
There are four bikes in the Hei Hei range. The Hei Hei Race (£2,099) and Hei Hei DL Race (£2,799) are 100mm front and back XC race bikes, with an emphasis on fun handling while still being competent on the racetrack.
The Hei Hei Trail (£2,099) and Hei Hei Trail DL (£2,799) are built around an identical frame, but come with a 120mm fork plugged in. This slackens the head angle and raises the front end a touch, resulting in a bike that’s is more confident when the trail gets steeper and more technical – fine by us in the steep, wooded, rooty and rocky trails Kona laid on.
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/1HZiC6E
No comments:
Post a Comment