Blister Brand Guide: Kona Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020

Intro

When considering a new mountain bike, there are so many similar-looking bikes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.

So in our new “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which bike might work best for you.

In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products. 

Our mountain bike Brand Guides are presented by CBGTrails. Learn more and start planning your trip today at cbgtrails.com, then download the CBG Trails app for info on the 750+ miles of singletrack and 150+ trails in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.

See our other MTB Brand Guides

About Kona

Kona was started in 1988. They’ve made all kinds of bicycles throughout the years and today, their lineup spans from mountain bikes to road and gravel bikes. They make bikes out of steel, aluminum, and carbon, and have price points for everyone from beginners to those looking for the latest-and-greatest in mountain bike technology.

They are currently headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, USA.

Current Warranty (for the original owner)

  • Lifetime warranty on all frames if the bike/frame is registered within three months of purchase.
  • Three year warranty on all frames if bike/frame is not registered within three months of purchase.
  • Two year warranty on complete bicycle (EU)
  • One year warranty on complete bicycle (USA & CAN)
  • For more information, visit Kona.

Kona’s suspension design: Kona Independent Suspension with three different platforms – Beamer, Fuse, & Rocker

(For more on different suspension designs, see our Suspension 101 article)

Before we get into their specific models and build options, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on which build level to go with, and why.

First, when looking at complete bikes, suspension and wheels are going to make the biggest difference in how a bike really rides. Spend money on those before other things like higher-end drivetrain parts, cockpit parts (e.g., stem, handlebars, etc.), cranks, etc.

Tires make an enormous difference in performance, but are cheaper and easier to upgrade, especially since they tend to wear down quicker than other components. Upgrading a lower-end front tire to something better — and saving the original for rear-tire use — can be a good way to improve a bike while still making use of the originals, since front tires are generally a lot more important than rear tires when it comes to traction.

Drivetrain parts can be upgraded piecemeal as they wear out, or if you just want to upgrade down the line. Higher-end cassettes are mostly just lighter, while higher-end shifters and derailleurs get lighter, smoother, and sometimes last a bit longer as you go up in price.

We’ll outline here the different models in Kona’s MTB lineup, organized from most cross-country-oriented (XC) to downhill-oriented (DH). In other words, the bikes at the top of the list are optimized to pedal and climb uphill very well, while the bikes at the bottom are optimized to handle very rough, steep, and challenging descents very well.

We’ve included some notable information for each model:

Available build kits & their MSRP

  • Best Budget Build: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people trying to spend the least amount without ending up with a build that’s going to immediately break or need to be upgraded.
  • Most Performance for the Price: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people seeking the best balance of performance and cost. I.e., if you don’t need to get the cheapest bike, but you also don’t need the absolute lightest bike or all the newest bling, this is the build we think makes sense for you.
  • Suspension travel (e.g., 100 mm of travel, 130 mm of travel, etc.)
  • Wheel size (e.g., 27.5”, 27.5+, 29”)
  • Frame material options (e.g., alloy vs. carbon)
  • A brief description of what the bike was designed for and any notable design details.
  • Some of the bike’s most direct competitors from other brands
  • Which Kona bike it’s most similar to
  • Reasons why you should buy it
  • Reasons why you should not buy it

Kona Mountain Bikes

(Most Cross-Country-Oriented to Most Downhill-Oriented)

Hardtails

Kona makes a variety of hardtails designed for use on mountain bike trails. The geometry of each of these bikes is strikingly similar, with most of the differences coming down to wheel size and components. These bikes range from $600-$1400, and they are all worth looking at if you are trying to get into the sport while on a tight budget.

Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

This slightly aggressive-geometry XC / Trail hardtail inspired many bikes that followed it. Not a very XC-race-oriented hardtail, more of a “fun” hardtail.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Honzo: $1,499
  • DL: $2,199 – Best Budget Build
  • ST: $2,299 – Most Performance for the Price
  • CR frame: $1,599
  • Specialized Fuse 29”
  • Santa Cruz Chameleon 29”
  • Trek Stache
  • Nukeproof Scout 290
  • Transition Vanquish
Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

Based around the Honzo, but features a longer fork and plus-sized tires for more traction and a plush ride. Compatible with 29” wheels and tires.

More like the Honzo than the Hei Hei.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Big Honzo: $1,699
  • DL: $2,299 – Best Budget Build
  • ST: $2,399 
  • CR: $2,999 – Most Performance for the Price
  • ST frame only: $575
  • CR frame only: $1,599
  • Santa Cruz Chameleon 27.5”+
  • Trek Roscoe
  • Giant XTC Advanced+ & Fathom
  • Rocky Mountain Growler
  • Devinci Kobain HT
Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

Kona’s short-travel, full-suspension Trail bike. Updated geometry for 2020 provides what Kona calls a “more comfortable ride.” Features Fuse Independent Suspension platform.

More like the Process 134 27.5 than the Big Honzo.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Hei Hei: $2,599
  • Specialized Epic EVO
  • Santa Cruz Blur (TR builds)
  • Pivot Mach 4 SL
  • Yeti SB100
  • Trek Top Fuel
  • Rocky Mountain Element
  • Cannondale Scalpel-Si SE
  • Mondraker F-Podium DC
Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

Kona’s best Quiver Killer / do-it-all Trail bike. Features Beamer Independent Suspension platform.

More like the Process 134 29 than the Hei Hei.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Process 134 27.5: $2,399 – Best Budget Build
  • DL: $3,699 – Most Performance for the Price
  • DL frame only: $1,699
  • Specialized Stumpjumper 27.5” / Stumpjumper ST 27.5”
  • Santa Cruz 5010 / Juliana Furtado
  • Giant Trance Advanced
  • Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt
  • Ibis Mojo 3
  • Norco Torrent FS
  • Evil The Calling
  • Cannondale Bad Habit
Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

Kona’s best Quiver Killer, do-it-all Trail bike. Features Beamer Independent Suspension platform.

More like the Process 134 27.5 than the Process 153 27.5.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Process 134 29: $2,399 – Best Budget Build
  • DL: $3,699
  • CR: $4,999
  • CR/DL: $5,999 – Most Performance for the Price
  • CR/DL frame only: $3,299
  • Specialized Stumpjumper 29” / Stumpjumper ST 29” 
  • Santa Cruz Hightower / Juliana Maverick
  • Yeti SB130
  • Trek Fuel EX
  • Commencal Meta TR 29
  • Transition Smuggler
  • Rocky Mountain Instinct
  • Intense Primer 29
  • YT Jeffsy 29
  • Ibis Ripmo
  • Norco Sight 29”
  • Devinci Troy 29
  • Evil The Offering
  • Cannondale Habit
  • Canyon Neuron
Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

Kona’s Enduro / long-travel Trail bike. Features Beamer Independent Suspension platform.

More like the Process 153 29 than the Process 134 29.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Process 153 27.5: $2,799 – Best Budget Build
  • DL: $3,499
  • CR: $4,699
  • CR/DL: $5,499 – Most Performance for the Price
  • CR/DL frame only: $3,099
  • Santa Cruz Bronson / Juliana Roubion
  • Specialized Enduro 27.5 (2019)
  • Pivot Mach 6
  • Yeti SB140
  • Trek Remedy
  • Rocky Mountain Altitude
  • Intense Primer 27.5
  • YT Jeffsy 27
  • Norco Sight 27.5”
  • Canyon Spectral
Blister Brand Guide: Kona Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020, BLISTER

Kona’s Enduro / long-travel Trail bike. Features Beamer Independent Suspension platform.

More like the Process 153 27.5 than the Operator.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Process 153 29: $2,799 – Best Budget Build
  • DL: $3,499
  • CR: $4,699
  • CR/DL: $5,499 – Most Performance for the Price
  • CR/DL frame only: $3,099
  • Santa Cruz Hightower LT
  • Specialized Stumpjumper 29”
  • Pivot Switchblade 29
  • Trek Slash
  • Scott Genius
  • Canyon Strive
  • Ibis Ripmo V1
Blister Brand Guide; Blister breaks down the 2020 Kona mountain bike lineup

Kona’s dedicated DH bike. It has the ability to run either 27.5” or 29” wheels. Features Beamer Independent Suspension platform, adjustable chainstay length, and adjustable reach.

Consider If:

Don’t Bother If:

  • Operator: $3,699 (27.5” wheels) – Best Budget Build
  • CR: $4,999 (29” wheels) – Most Performance for the Price
  • Specialized Demo 8
  • Santa Cruz V10
  • Pivot Phoenix
  • Trek Session
  • Commencal Supreme DH
  • YT Tues
  • Devinci Wilson
  • Canyon Sender
  • Scott Gambler

5 comments on “Blister Brand Guide: Kona Mountain Bike Lineup, 2020”

  1. Dylan,

    If I’m a 20 year old female with zero experience on a mountain bike, unless you count the time my boyfriend took me behind our college, what would you recommend? Important: color means everything. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks!

    P.S. Your review of Kona is tight

    • Hey! I was once a 20 year old female who had no idea where to start with mountain bikes. My electrical circuits prof pointed me in the direction of a the Kona hei hei. To this day I love that bike more than anything. It’s the perfect bike to start out if you’re willing to throw down some cheddar for full suspension. It’s light, climbs easy, isn’t too much bike to control and is the PERFECT bike for a beginner to progress on. I’ve been on it for 2 years now and Am ready to upgrade to a more substantial enduro style bike. Can’t recommend it enough! And if you do still care about color of frame – Kona usually has great colors for the hei hei frame.

  2. Kona rocks, but make sure and check out Liv (Giant’s sister brand). Designed for women, by women — that happen to rip.

  3. Looking for a bike for my 13 y.o. son. How do the lower end HTs stack up quality and component. I’m considering the Lanai, fire mountain, or blast? Any other brands or models to look at? We’re relative beginners that like flowy trails. Want a bike he can grow into but not break the bank… thanks

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