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Kona Bikes Launch 2007 Mark Steinebach |
For 18 years the crew at Kona have been following the beat of their own drummer. Kona has not bought into the premise that change for change's sake is a worthy pursuit. While other companies clamour to reinvent themselves annually Kona’s focus has been to continue refining their use of its reliable and proven four-bar linkage design. At the Kona 2007 bike launch event hosted by the good folks at Whistler-Blackcomb, they did not attempt to wow with a dramatic departure from what has been working for them. There is a distinct sense that Kona is comfortable and confident with where they have been and where they are going with their bikes. This attitude is not unlike what prevails in the other action sports sectors, most notably motocross. Prevailing with solid core products and continually refining the technology keeps team riders pushing the limits and distinguishing themselves amongst the wider family of shredders.
Where They Have Been
Kona bikes was founded by Jacob "Jake the Snake" Heilbron, Dan Gerhard
and early MTB racer and champion Joe Murray and has its operations headquartered
in Ferndale, Washington and Vancouver, BC. The trio wanted to design and build
bikes that could stand the test of the near vertical ramps, big drops, ladders
and root entangled mud slides that were being ridden every day on the North
Shore mountains and on Galbraith Mountain in Washington. This “new”
type of riding was brutal on equipment and riders. Kona continues to live by
the motto, “if it works here, it should work anywhere.”
Despite this lack of reinvention Kona has never sat back on its laurels. Team riders continue to distinguish themselves whether in the “freeride” world with the likes of Robbie Bourdon, Carlin Dunne and Dave Watson, in DH racing with Tracy Moseley and world champ Fabien Barel or in urban/dirt jump with Paul Bas and John Cowan. The real testament to this company’s cajones in the industry is that these riders are out there doing it on the very bikes that you and I can own and ride.
The go everywhere, do everything Coiler photo courtesy of Kona
Look to the Mountains
Kona held a sneak peek at the 2007 product for media at the Whistler Bike Park.
They've had a unique relationship with WBP since its inception by continually
being selected as the official rental bike at Whistler. The rental bikes are
custom built, specifically named, painted and equipped for the bike park and
are not the typical clunky, low-end models one might expect for rentals. These
rigs are full-on and are built to withstand the daily punishment of riders who
know that they will never see the bike again. According to Kona WBP selects
them as their official supplier not because Kona is the low-bidder but because
they know that Kona will continually deliver a quality, durable product that
stands the test of time. "Whistler needs to keep their bikes running all
the time," Heilbron said.
The new Coilair…..a tad less husky than its big brother, the Coiler. photo courtesy of Kona
What’s New Pussycat
While we did not get an opportunity to hop on board the new machines for
2007 we were given free access to all of the goods. "Every one of our
2007 dual suspensions has refinements to it," stated Jake Heilbron.
One thing that remains consistent on all Kona bikes is durability. There
are 15 new bike/frame models for 2007 including the Shred 2-0 for kids that
derives its name from its 20-inch wheels. 40 millimeters of travel will
get the newest generation of pre-groms flowing trails good and early.
The premier products for Kona continue to be the “out-of-bounds” bikes. Back this year is the popular mid-travel Coiler, and its newer, lighter manifestation the Coilair. These bikes are Kona’s stake in the burgeoning All-Mountain category.
The stalwart of the gravity category, and perennial favourite Shore bike, the Stinky is back as is its big brother. The Stab is still a venerable king amongst DH machines carrying champions to the podium year after year.
The Stab Supreme……throw a leg over, don an outrageous French accent and ride like champ Fabien Barel. photo courtesy of Kona
While these bikes tend to look similar to the previous year’s manifestation, they sport longer top tubes for a more comfortable cockpit, new replacement style rear dropouts for better shifting, and stiffer rocker arms for a more direct transfer of power to the ground and less unwanted lateral flex in the suspension linkage. The Stinky Primo and Stinky Deluxe both come equipped with Kona’s new D.O.P.E floating brake caliper system. The system eliminates brake feedback while the suspension is working and thus significantly reduces dreaded “brake jack”. Rear suspension travel and effectiveness is optimized and suspension stays buttery regardless of the conditions. Brake Therapy has been making an aftermarket floating brake system for years. The D.O.P.E system was designed by Kona and Brake Therapy with input from back to back World Champ Fabien Barel. D.O.P.E. comes as standard equipment on the above noted Stinkys and the Stab Supreme, and Stab Deluxe. It will also be available as an after-market upgrade.
The Stinky Primo….with dope new floating brake the smell is truly sublime. photo courtesy of Kona
The Cowan will help you earn your wings. photo courtesy of Kona
Kona’s Winding Road to the Future
Kona has always been conspicuous where it counts: bike parks, Shore riding, trail advocacy and rider development. Kona continues to be involved in trail advocacy partnering with IMBA (Kona-IMBA Dirt Jump/Freeride Grants) and working on its own grass roots projects and the company is involved with the Bicycling Magazine Biketown Africa project as the bike supplier. They were the first to take a chance with an unknown rider named Paul Basagottia and you can be sure that they have their eyes open for the next undiscovered superstar of dirt.
Swinging a leg over a Kona will lead to smiles aboard a bike that is built to last. Kona continues to be true to its heritage with its eye set firmly on the future.
According to Heilbron2007 Kona models will start arriving in July and continue to trickle in to dealers as the leaves fall. Check them out before you get stuck holding a rake.
By Mark Steinebach
