2016 Kona Honzo CARBON!
After years of refinement of popular, and relatively trend setting, metal-tubed Honzos, Kona is finally releasing a composite version of their much-loved 29’er. Slated for a mid-2016 release, the Honzo line finally goes space age, featuring a 68° head angle matched to a 120mm fork, and longer reach that stretches 15mm across the size range. So, here it is: the Kona Honzo Carbon.
Other new features over the alloy options include a 160mm post mount brake in addition to a tapered integrated headset. The bike also features a boost spaced fork and rear hub, but make no mistake, this bike is a dedicated 29’er and is not designed for compatibility with 27.5+ configurations.

But what does the frame weigh? While I don’t have all the numbers, I am told that in size large, frame only, the carbon version saves 510g over the AL model, CR 1340g/2.95lbs versus AL 1850g/4.07lbs. Over a pound of savings is pretty significant, and I think most people will be pretty happy to hear that.
The line will feature three models, with each of them hitting some pretty impressive price points, while featuring tried and true components and technologies that are sure to be fairly reliable and future proof for the average user.

Kona Honzo CR Race, $4499 CDN. Fox Float 34 Performance Air, Shimano SLX/Deore 11spd.
Kona Honzo CR Trail, $4499 CDN. Fox Float 34 Performance Air, Shimano XT/SLX 11spd. KS LEV Integra dropper post.

Kona Honzo CR Trail DL, $6499 CDN. Rock Shox Pike RCT3 Solo Air, SRAM XO1, KS LEV Integra dropper post.

When Caleb Smith called to ask if I was interested in getting on an early release version I jumped at the chance. Over half of the hardtails I’ve owned in my life have been Konas, and I was definitely interested in giving this bike some quality time. The Honzo features clean, classic lines and a no nonsense parts spec, and I’m always partial to stealth matte finishing. Our test model was an early release, and as such does not represent the spec of the production model. We had a Hope/WTB wheelset and Yari fork, while the production run will feature SRAM 900 hubs laced to the WTB Asym i29 TCS rims and a RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air.
On-by of course. Todd hasn’t been a fan of single ring systems but maybe this will change his mind.
With a SRAM XO1 drivetrain, Guide RSC brakes, Maxxis EXO rubber, Race Face bars, KS LEV dropper post, and a smattering of Kona branded parts, the CR Trail navigates the fine line between value and performance.
Smooth lines make it clear there are no welds on this frame.
Stiff in all the right places, the Honzo CR is a streamlined frame with beefy junctions in high-stress areas. Cable layout is a clean hybrid external/internal affair, which home and shop mechanic will both appreciate. The bike also features a stealth-routed KS LEV dropper post.
Sensible internal routing with an external rear brake hose placement for easy swaps and maintenance.
The Honzo CR frame features seat and chainstays that are wider laterally, and thinner vertically. This seems to be a bit of engineered compliance, to smooth out the ride slightly while allowing the bike to remain laterally stiff. This turns power into speed efficiently, while keeping harshness to a minimum in chattery sections.
Seatpost line peak-a-boo.
Wide bars, short 40mm stem, and a ridiculous amount of standover are a couple of highlights of the bike. The Minion DHF on the front is certainly a nice touch for Whistler riding, and the Ardent is certainly better in 29’er form than smaller wheel sizes, although is still a bit of a handful on wet roots. The KS LEV Integra also features the southpaw lever right where a front derailleur shifter would normally be, making actuation intuitive.
Do you need a little speedster in your life?
The Kona Honzo Carbon looks fast standing still with its long reach and wheelbase, low bottom bracket height, and slack-ish head angle. But what’s the reality of this long reach 29’er for an average-sized medium frame rider on the trails? An early observation is that a seat slammed all the way forward and a 40mm stem leaves little room for adjustment.
Stay tuned in the next few weeks for a full-length review and my thoughts about how this machine stacks up in a crowded market.
Can big wheels and a light frame put you back on a hardtail?
Comments
Cr4w
7 years, 7 months ago
When can we read the full length review?
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Mike in Cave Creek
7 years, 9 months ago
For the same $$ as the DL Trail you could build up a pretty pimped out Canfield EPO which is 27.5+ doable. The EPO also blows this thing away in the looks dept, and it's got a threaded bottom bracket.
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Bagheera
7 years, 10 months ago
Did I get this right, they're trying to sell me a SLX/Deore-equipped HT for 4500? Sorry, I'll pass.
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Ivan Huginski
7 years, 10 months ago
650B wheels and a 160mm Pike should make for almost the same axle to crown measurement. Now that would be a rowdy and fun bike. Considering doing that myself vs. a Chromag Stylus.
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Vik Banerjee
7 years, 10 months ago
Looks like a great update. Short CS 29ers are great. Nice work Kona. 🙂
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peterk
7 years, 10 months ago
crowded market? How many slack carbon hardtails are there? Canfield, Ghost, what else?
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t.odd
7 years, 10 months ago
Chromag Surface/Rootdown BA , Transition AM, Niner ROS 9, Trek Stache, Banshee Paradox, among manyother more boutique brands…granted maybe using the term 'crowded' was slightly misleading, but brands are certainly moving more in this direction.
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Vik Banerjee
7 years, 10 months ago
None of those are carbon.
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lumberjake
7 years, 10 months ago
I think the key word was "carbon", not many of these are going carbon.
I like they went this route, the original Honzo, while innovative, weighed a ton at over 7lbs. I mean why bother with a ht if it weighs as much as its fs counter parts. Part of the appeal of a hardtail is weight savings making a much more maneuverable and flickable bike. A light bike si?ply makes everything a bit easier and fun.
Both carbon and ti make sense. Just because these are the materials of choice for uber lite race machines doesn't mean thats all its good for.
With these materials you get strength at much lighter weights which makes sense for bruiser ht.
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t.odd
7 years, 10 months ago
yes, you are correct. I made an incorrect statement….I wasn't really thinking about the carbon aspect as much as the slacker geometry one
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Cr4w
7 years, 10 months ago
Which model of Ghost are you referring to?
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Reini Wagner
7 years, 10 months ago
Finally! It does look gorgeous, really! I'm curious about its metal siblings.
Two thoughts: the price on either the CR Race or the CR Trail seem to be off.
And why is Boost mentioned as though it were new to the Honzo? It's been used on the AL version too…
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Cr4w
7 years, 10 months ago
This bike looks incredible! Though I wonder if we've gone far enough with these super short chainstays? Anyone with a longer inseam is going to be flipping over backwards on this bike.
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t.odd
7 years, 10 months ago
I'm enjoying the short stays, but maybe a bit more upright seat angle would take a bit of that rear bias away and allow for a bit more fore/aft seat adjustment for a wider range of body types
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Cr4w
7 years, 10 months ago
That makes sense. But at some point longer femurs and a very steep STA don't mix. I guess it was too costly to continue with the adjustable CS?
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Vik Banerjee
7 years, 10 months ago
Steeper than 75 deg??? I couldn't ride a bike with a STA that steep.
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DrewM
7 years, 10 months ago
It might be cost as well, but I'd guess on both the alloy and carbon Honzo it comes down to weight savings. Between the 4x M8 steel bolts and the beefy dropouts themselves it is a huge difference not to have them.
Strictly from a singlespeeders perspective. My preference is sliding drops, but if weight is an issue Kona could have gone with a PF30 shell, like on their cross bikes, and that would have allowed for an eccentric. It's not ideal (sliding drops are simpler; more reliable: aka better) but I know a few guys who would have been all over this frame if it was singlespeed-able.
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t.odd
7 years, 10 months ago
touche….if it wasn't for the reach, it would be a lot less problematic for me
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Vik Banerjee
7 years, 10 months ago
I'm not super excited for the currently fashionable super long TT/steep STA and low BB geos on so many bikes. When I look at getting a reasonable fit/body position I have to choose between running a stupid short stem to get a reasonable reach to the bars or downsize and have a mile of seatpost levering away at the frame.
I'm hoping it's a phase and we'll end up back somewhere in between "old skool" and "modern" geos in a few years.
That's a bike industry thing though not really anything to do with the Honzo specifically.
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Andy Eunson
7 years, 10 months ago
Yeah a 75 seat tube angle is too upright for my femurs. I had a road bike like that and had to have a 35 mm offset post to fit the bike to me. I am not convinced that short chain stays are good.
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t.odd
7 years, 10 months ago
I agree, Vik…seems that like everything it has to get pushed a bit too far before they dial back it in…
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Ivan Huginski
7 years, 10 months ago
You don't need sliding dropouts for single speed. You can get away with a DMR single speed conversion kit.
But then you'd have to be okay with a chain tensioner on your shiny carbon frame.
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DrewM
7 years, 10 months ago
I'm not sure how to respond to this…
I mean, on the one hand you are correct except if I was going to go that route I'd use the Rennen tensioner:
On the other hand, anyone who is spending this kind of dough on a frame they are planning to singlespeed is not using a tensioner. Tensioners are for modding the bike you already have, not building your personal edition of simplicity.
I guess in terms of framesets it's not that big a jump to the Ti Honzo.
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Vincent
7 years, 9 months ago
There are still plenty of options for a less progressive bike. Look at the new Niner Air9 RDO- or Kona's own Raijin. Personally it took a me while to see the benefits of long, slack, low- and I still think it can be taken too far- but these bikes are a blast to ride.
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Sam
7 years, 10 months ago
I think it should have rear suspension, but it doesn't so I will buy another bike.
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A.Ron Burgundy
7 years, 10 months ago
Gorgeous! Probably in the minority here, but wish it was singlespeedable though. Without a tensioner.
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Cr4w
7 years, 10 months ago
Retaining the option to run a slightly more conventional chainstay length would be nice too.
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Vik Banerjee
7 years, 10 months ago
An SS option would have been nice, but I get why they wanted to keep things simple/light.
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DrewM
7 years, 10 months ago
I said the same thing above -- if the sliders add too much weight (they are heavy) a PF30 shell (if you're going to go pressfit anyways) would have allowed for an eccentric BB.
Very sweet otherwise.
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Jason Van Horn
7 years, 10 months ago
They already made that bike- it's the Ti version.
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A.Ron Burgundy
7 years, 10 months ago
They made a Ti bike out of carbon?!?! So cool
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Ken Leggatt
7 years, 10 months ago
Nice bike.
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Jonas Dodd
7 years, 10 months ago
Homina, homina!
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