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Dinosaur?

FrameJunky

Chimp
Mar 15, 2019
50
5
Should I buy one of these Konas?? I like small wheels. Will it pedal uphill comfortably, albeit slowly? Currently riding a Gambler, and I want a capable freeride bike that can pedal uphill slowly but comfortably. Hows the frame quality?

Or should I save for the $2299 Commencal Clash?
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,030
5,918
borcester rhymes
Tough choice. You get some better spec with the Kona (Dropper post, 1180 10-42 vs nx 11-42 cassette), but some questionable choices (vivid RC2, lyrik). Air springs have made large gainz in the past 5 years, but the vivid wasn't a bad product (ran one for a while) and the lyrik has good reviews out there. I have heard good things about the process line up for these years...lots of compliments about the suspension, but not great pedaling/climbing ability.

I think I would say get it if you want to get rid of the gambler, but not if you want it as a compliment to the DH bike. It seems a bit too DH oriented to be a good trail bike as well. No idea on the clash in those terms. I'd still probably opt for a 5" ish bike as a compliment to a DH bike, but as a one-bike-for-all, you have more leeway.
 

FrameJunky

Chimp
Mar 15, 2019
50
5
Tough choice. You get some better spec with the Kona (Dropper post, 1180 10-42 vs nx 11-42 cassette), but some questionable choices (vivid RC2, lyrik). Air springs have made large gainz in the past 5 years, but the vivid wasn't a bad product (ran one for a while) and the lyrik has good reviews out there. I have heard good things about the process line up for these years...lots of compliments about the suspension, but not great pedaling/climbing ability.

I think I would say get it if you want to get rid of the gambler, but not if you want it as a compliment to the DH bike. It seems a bit too DH oriented to be a good trail bike as well. No idea on the clash in those terms. I'd still probably opt for a 5" ish bike as a compliment to a DH bike, but as a one-bike-for-all, you have more leeway.
I am going to build up an enduro bike in the fall. I dont usually ride trail type stuff, and when I do I can use my brothers/friends bikes. I normally winch up to ride down, or take the lifts on a DH bike. I really wanted to snag a cheap 26” bike before they are gone for good. A mini-dh bike with small wheels sounds so fun. 2016 Scott Voltage and that Process 167 are my choices, simply because of price (well under $2000). I have ridden the voltage a lot and its a good bike, but I kinda wanted to change it up. Voltage isnt that much more playful than the Gambler, and I really want some hooligan type bike. I had a commencal meta SX when I was younger and loved it, althought it didnt pedal that great.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,030
5,918
borcester rhymes
I am going to build up an enduro bike in the fall. I dont usually ride trail type stuff, and when I do I can use my brothers/friends bikes. I normally winch up to ride down, or take the lifts on a DH bike. I really wanted to snag a cheap 26” bike before they are gone for good. A mini-dh bike with small wheels sounds so fun. 2016 Scott Voltage and that Process 167 are my choices, simply because of price (well under $2000). I have ridden the voltage a lot and its a good bike, but I kinda wanted to change it up. Voltage isnt that much more playful than the Gambler, and I really want some hooligan type bike. I had a commencal meta SX when I was younger and loved it, althought it didnt pedal that great.

In that case I'd bet this is a great bike for you. It's not going to pedal great, but if you're just grinding up a fire road to drop in, it should suffice without bobbing up and down. It doesn't look super progressive, which is what I usually think when I think of a "hooligan" bike, but I think in combination with the air spring you'll be in luck. Are there any personal accounts over on pinkbike? The spec is actually pretty high end...looks like you could open the box and get going without having to worry about things like tires and brakes which are usually junk at this price point.
 

FrameJunky

Chimp
Mar 15, 2019
50
5
In that case I'd bet this is a great bike for you. It's not going to pedal great, but if you're just grinding up a fire road to drop in, it should suffice without bobbing up and down. It doesn't look super progressive, which is what I usually think when I think of a "hooligan" bike, but I think in combination with the air spring you'll be in luck. Are there any personal accounts over on pinkbike? The spec is actually pretty high end...looks like you could open the box and get going without having to worry about things like tires and brakes which are usually junk at this price point.
Ya if I bought it, all I’d need to add is a float x2 with lockout. The drivetrain it comes with looks pretty good. Im sure with the cheater switch it’ll make a fine wincher.

whats the shock eye to eye length on this bike?
 

FrameJunky

Chimp
Mar 15, 2019
50
5
I just read some peoples words on the newer 2018 and up Process 165, and they still say it pedals comfortably, but it's not a bike to go ride 20km's or 1500m of vert of more on(in a short time period at least). That's exactly what they said of the 167.. Honestly, between those two, it's a no brainer for a playful free ride bike that can still pedal up. Save the money and go with this small wheel dinosaur, and use the saved money to upgrade wheels to Spank Spikes when needed, and a fork when needed. Shocks can be found for cheap, wheels too, the only expensive component for 26ers (or hard to find on sale) was the good new 26er forks, which I have only found $100 off retail. Not 40-60 percent off like I normally try for, which sucks, but a small price to pay to be on 26 wheels for lyf bro.

It really is a debate between the new Process 153 and this old 167 for me now. I don't think I want that Commencal clash, even though I really like commencals and their customer service. I am really liking the idea of having money leftover to upgrade the dinosaur with some dust on it. On the clash I will feel the need to upgrade everything, immediately, and I don't think it will pedal all that much better honestly. Even with the trek back end. I really don't care about 30 seconds faster to the top either. I wanna have fun on the downs, and I wanna manual til' the sun goes down. The reach on the Large Clash is still shorter than the old process, and the seat tube only 1 degree steeper. I think in order to pedal much better than the 167, you will have to trade off some of that playful feel and the 167's true downhill focus, which I don't mind winching up for. People have said the 167 is almost as fast as a downhill bike, but much easier to throw around, leading me to believe it's very similar to a voltage. I have even read an account of someone saying they demoed the new 165, and found it to feel too much like every other enduro bike on the market, and ended up buying a used 167 because they wanted a true freeride bike that just pedals decently. No endurbro needed.

Sorry for the term paper on why I should buy the 167, for English. I need to chug a few beers and pull the trigger on this thing before they are gone!
 
Last edited:

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,479
4,719
Australia
The reach on the Large Clash is still shorter than the old process, and the seat tube only 1 degree steeper
I dunno about the old Process, but on my new one the seatpost angle is so slack that even though they claim 76º, by the time the saddle is at climbing height its actually a long way back
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
they have some of the weirdest and oldest stuff possible. I bet they even have arrow tires.
LOL... Arrow tires. I was about to say that one of the most FUN bikes I've ever owned was my Arrow DS-3. Then I remembered, DIDN'T YOU BUY THAT BIKE FROM ME!?!?!?!
 

FrameJunky

Chimp
Mar 15, 2019
50
5
Damnit, got the package today and bike has a huge scratch along a small dent in it. Refund, no exchange. I tried. This is the second leftover cheap new Kona I have returned in the last 2 weeks. My last one had a huge blemish in the top tube and the chainstay had a piece of slag rattling around in it. I am done buying cheap konas online.
 
Last edited:

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,030
5,918
borcester rhymes
LOL... Arrow tires. I was about to say that one of the most FUN bikes I've ever owned was my Arrow DS-3. Then I remembered, DIDN'T YOU BUY THAT BIKE FROM ME!?!?!?!
I did, then I sold it. I almost bought it back, but it got sold again. I liked that bike, in the corners. Welcome back, btw.