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Kona geometry

Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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borcester rhymes
Has anybody put extensive time on one of the new Kona bikes, in particular the process lineup? What did you think about the geometry?

I'm thinking of getting a larger frame than I have now, but it would require a shorter stem to compensate for the longer reach. I'm already on what I would consider to be a pretty long reach with a short (50mm) stem. The Konas come even shorter.
 
jackalope

jackalope

Mental acuity - 1%
Jan 9, 2004
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in a single wide, cooking meth...
No real experience other than sitting on one, but the medium has a listed reach of 17.1", which I'd say is fairly normal given the recent trend towards longer front-centers (Ibis/Pivot notwithstanding). Dunno what the large reach measurement is, as it doesn't show up on my screen for some reason, but I'd guess its around 17.8" to 18", which for comparison is about the same reach as a medium GG Megajizz. I'm 5'11" and run a 35mm stem on my medium Megajizz, so I'd say you'd at least need a large to run 35mm stem comfortably, and maybe even an XL. Or just swap out the stem for a 50 mm.

Btw, I hope you're not ditching your homo-29er...after all, this should be a time of celebration for team 29er Pride.
 
HAB

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
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Seattle
I demoed a large Process 153. Reach is 460mm, so 10mm longer than my medium Megatroll. I run a 55mm stem on that (I'm 6' even) and the Process had something a little shorter (40 maybe) so it worked out to about the same. I mostly liked it, but wished it had a lower BB. I would have run it with 26" wheels, because I'm a luddite, which would have fixed that. Fit on the Large was good for me.
 
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
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Thanks hab. I'm 5'11" and ride a large enderpo 29er with a 50mm stem and like it. The bike I'm looking at is a BMC trailfux which is also a 29er, but it's even gayer since it's made by eurotrash. The trenduro has a 445mm reach, then trashfox has a 460. I'd probably drop to a 35 or even 30mm stem with the switch, but part of my wonders whether it's necessary. Udi swears by the hand-foot distance as a better measurement of fit (the hypotenuse of reach and stack for you sciencey people) which is actually a smaller number than on the endurro. The wheelbase, fork offset, and chainstays grow on the BMC, but the headtube shrinks, which is so essential on these glorified, XC-only wheels.

Basically, I want to get a feel for whether people have switched to a mega-long-reach frame (like the megatrollop) and shorter stem combo have been pleased with the move, or if you're missing something.
 
Flo33

Flo33

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2015
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Don't know as nowadays us minor Europeans can't even afford to buy swiss chocolate anymore. Our Lederhosen are far superior to the swiss ones btw
 
jackalope

jackalope

Mental acuity - 1%
Jan 9, 2004
7,605
5,913
in a single wide, cooking meth...
Sandwich said:
Basically, I want to get a feel for whether people have switched to a mega-long-reach frame (like the megatrollop) and shorter stem combo have been pleased with the move, or if you're missing something.
Click to expand...
Like many evangelical conservatives, I think we can beat back teh ghey through a proven 7 step program -

* Go to nearest LBGT celebratory parade (which shouldn't be difficult given you reside in the NE)
* Resist urge to give random hand jobs
* Sell Enduro to any of the ubquitious BikerFox dopplegangers
* Ok, maybe one more random hand job for old times
* Contact mtg
* Acquire Megajizz (26" for full man status, 650 for bi-curious status - which is still progress btw)
* Select a girlfriend(s) from the gaggle of hotties following you (i.e. your bike) around


But as to your actual question, I feel like the longer front-center geo helps put me in a shreddier, more balanced position, but there are times I wish I had a taller cockpit if I'm slogging up a long climb. Which, I could easily do with a higher rise bar/stem or even moar spacers under the stem - but obviously I would lose slammed front end cool points.
 
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M

marshalolson

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2006
1,770
519
I just picked up a large process 153 to try.

I am coming off a large enduro 29 with a 50mm stem, and my xc bike has a 462mm reach a 60mm stem. I am a pretty lanky 6'2''.

I feel like the Process, with a 50mm stem, fits more like the Enduro large 445mm reach than it does the 462mm reach bike. The reach might be equivelent, and the bar height is equivalent, but the toptube is noticeably more compact than the xc bike.

the process is a super fun bike though. It climbs pretty well for what it is, gets great traction, It is a manual and wheelie champ, loves to air into rocks, and is a general blast to ride. quite stiff and substantial without being overly heavy @ 29.5lbs with pedals.

I am going to sell the one i have, fwiw, and get something with more reach. let me know if you are interested in frame or built by chance. it is basically a little nicer version of the DL build kit.

cheers!
 
wydopen

wydopen

Turbo Monkey
Jan 16, 2005
1,229
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805
I ride a medium megatrail and Id have to ride a large process...my friend has a medium and it feels short/small coming off my bike
 
HAB

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,006
Seattle
Sandwich said:
Basically, I want to get a feel for whether people have switched to a mega-long-reach frame (like the megatrollop) and shorter stem combo have been pleased with the move, or if you're missing something.
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I will not be going back.
 
big-ted

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
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Vancouver, BC
Tall friend of mine has an XL Process. Feels pretty sweet. (I'm also 6'4"). He also has a Large Operator and, nice as it is, it has no business being called a 'Large.'
 
demonprec

demonprec

Monkey
Nov 12, 2004
237
15
Whonnock BC Canada
i,m a longtime Kona rider and am rocking on the new PROCESS 167 , after riding large frames i switched to a medium and it has been a very productive move , more comfortable on the bike and it has helped me improve my race times and trail times .

i,m 5'10 1/2"
 
rollertoaster

rollertoaster

Monkey
Aug 7, 2007
730
179
Douglassville , PA
I have over 1200 miles on a process 134. The geometry is pretty good except for the head angle which was steepish out of the box. I put a - 1.5 from Works in. I'm running a 35mm stem on a large frame (I'm 6'2"). The reach feels good, but the seat tube is almost too short, I'm maxed out with a ks lev 150. It works, and leg extension is good, but I'd prefer an extra half inch for wiggle room.
 
atrokz

atrokz

Turbo Monkey
Mar 14, 2002
1,552
77
teedotohdot
rollertoaster said:
I have over 1200 miles on a process 134. The geometry is pretty good except for the head angle which was steepish out of the box. I put a - 1.5 from Works in. I'm running a 35mm stem on a large frame (I'm 6'2"). The reach feels good, but the seat tube is almost too short, I'm maxed out with a ks lev 150. It works, and leg extension is good, but I'd prefer an extra half inch for wiggle room.
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Agree.

I'm also on a 134, since November.

I emailed Kona to ask about the HA, and their response was along the lines of "we're the experts". It's definitely steeper than it should be. You hear that Kona?

Because of that, I'm running a longer fork up front (34) and it's made the bike more stable at speed. I'm 6'1" on a L with 50mm stem and it's a good fit.

the suspension is good, pretty shock dependent imo. Looking to upgrade to a DBA as I hear that's the ticket for this frame. Short chainstays make it feel pretty lively in corners.

Frame fills with mud pretty quick. Wouldnt ever want to race one in mud.
 
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,061
5,970
borcester rhymes
To be clear, I'm not really interested in buying one of these frames as much as I am interested in how they ride and if they are super goofy or well balanced with the long reach/shorter stem combo.

My enduro has a pretty long reach, but the bike I'm interested is even longer, so I'm concerned about the stretch.
 
demonprec

demonprec

Monkey
Nov 12, 2004
237
15
Whonnock BC Canada
my 2013 Process is a large , my 2015 Process 167 is a medium ,

2013 TTH 24.8, WB 46.9 REACH 17.7
2015 TTH 23.9 WB 46.8 REACH 17.7

both frames have similar ##s but have way different rides and trail manners , the shorter TT has made me faster and more comfortable and in control of the bike in all conditions , pointing it up or down or sideways LOL .

the stack height is lower on the 167 and i can really feel it in certain positions , i,m gonna to add some 35mm riser bars like i had on my 2013 .

the 167 is a 65deg HT and my 2013 was around 65.5 or so as i had a 160mm fork up front .

the biggest change is cornering once adjusted to the 167 i was able to brake later and corner faster even with wider 800mm bars i get thru tight stuff faster .

for me shorter in TT but with the same WB and Reach is more positive
 
B

bengxe

Monkey
Dec 19, 2011
211
30
upstate NY
The 2013 was meant to run a 160mm fork, so I think the change you felt was more from a slacker bike with more travel than tt length. I don't see what the tt length changes other than your seated pedaling position.
 
T

TGR

Monkey
Jan 9, 2006
263
3
I've been riding an xl process 111 since last year and really like it. I'd usually go for a large frame at my height (6' 2") but the xl with a short stem (35mm rf atlas) and wide bars (800mm sixc uncut) feels just about perfect. Mine is fitted with a longer than stock fork (140mm 34 instead of the 120mm revelation) so the front likes to wander a wee bit around on longer tech climbs. Apart from that, it really feels like a nimble mini-dh bike on the downhills/rougher stuff.
 
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