Kona Process 134 Review - I wasn't expecting this!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ค. 2024
- The Kona Process 134 DL 29 absolutely blew me away based sole on its performance. As a result, I have no shame in comparing this bike to others that are two or three times as expensive. Big thanks to Kona for the loaner bike- excited to put some miles on this one! Learn more about the entire Process line of bikes available at Jenson USA here: bit.ly/KonaProcess134DL2023jkw And btw, anything you do purchase from that link will directly help support my chanel- and at no extra cost to you.
HUGE thanks to Jenson USA for all their support! Jenson is a leading online retailer within the bicycle space, and has been a big part of how I’ve been able to make all these videos. Start your shopping here with this link, and not only will it support me, but it’ll help let Jenson USA know that you enjoy my videos: bit.ly/JensonUSA2022JKW
Big thanks to Industry Nine in their support with more amazing Enduro 315 Carbon wheels for 2022. Check out what they offer thru this affiliate link over to their page at Jenson USA: bit.ly/IndustryNine2022JKW
Thanks to LMNT! Head to www.DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
That full Endura pajama kit is available here: bit.ly/EnduraJKW
Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page, so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through January 2023:
Wet weather riding tips: / wet-weather-tips-78055037
How to ride ROUGH corners: / how-to-ride-76582910
50 tips to be a better mountain biker: / 50-tips-to-be-75352100
How to land jumps: / how-to-land-74063598
How to ride steep trails: / how-to-ride-72705363
How to sprint without pedaling: / how-to-sprint-71580461
How to ride flat corners: / how-to-ride-flat-68552084
How to jump found gaps: / 67255256
How to stoppie turn: / 65842496
How to drop: / 64552391
How to LEAN in corners: / how-to-lean-in-63176556
How to Ride Light on the Bike: / how-to-ride-on-61941975
Riding technique differences between hardtails and full suspension: / 60435182
How to rut track: / 59366938
5 tips to make flat trails more fun: / 58058983
5 tips to improve bike control and balance: / 56839920
How to levitate out of corners: / 55607066
Three simple cornering tips: / 54371316
How (and when) to rock roll or drop: / 53126562
How to Lanual: / 50695443
How to climb ledges without a bunny hop: / 49476021
Which brake to use when: / which-brake-to-48108425
Different bikes, different riding techniques: / 46925782
How to ride FLAT PEDALS through the ROCKS: / how-to-ride-flat-45662347
How to ride wet roots and steep chutes: / 44507851
How to ride with style: / how-to-ride-with-43349450
How to jump for height vs distance: / 42202183
How to land jumps: / 39928153
My 3 favorite skills drills: / if-i-could-only-38809964
How to manual: / how-to-manual-37684861
Cutty: / 36579859
Manual a berm: / 35496772
How to ride in Sedona: / 34436065
Switchbacks: / 3-ways-to-33345804
Nosewheelie: / 32742504
Bump jump: / 31881231
Trials basics for trail riders: / 31145344
Tight berms: / 30389457
Aggressive braking: / 29579507
Cornering: / 27981205
Flowing/pumping down the trail: / 27288868
Stoppie through turns: / 26296762
Technical climbing: / 25234847
Boost jumps: / 24161821
Bunnyhop: / 23396959
Utilizing the wheelie on the trail: / 23017910
How to wheelie: / 21879606
Chapters
0:00 bike build
05:43 Riding in the forest
06:33 First ever ride
08:24 Better than the acronym bikes?
10:33 compared to Ibis Ripley AF
10:54 compared to Orbea Occam and Yeti SB130LR
12:24 technical forest trails - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 71 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ทรงชัยน้อย vs รักษ์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_AGPnq2p6Js/mqdefault.jpg)
Check out the full line of Kona Process bikes over at Jenson USA here- and anything you purchase will directly help support my videos, too! bit.ly/KonaProcessJKW. Big thanks to all of you for your support!
Have you ever done a review of the trek slash? and new fuel ex? Would be nice to here your opinion on them :D
I'm hoping the other Kona is the Process X
Thanks for the great content! Been going to youtube just to click the link in your videos before making any purchases from Jenson for a while now. Gotta support the good stuff in this world right? Also appreciate your encouraging people to join their local trail associations. Stronger together!
Can we just appreciate how much Jeff can shred? When he talks about being able to feel the frame's torsional stiffness, I actually believe him.
😂
Yeah, but I wonder what it's like on two wheels? 🤣
@@fifthcircle1 Was thinking the same lol!
@@fifthcircle1 haha, touché! 🤣
He ain't that good,very average pro with no style ,he is no Yoann Barelli or Gee Atherton.Good review though.
Jeff is by far one of the most esthetically pleasing rider to see on the trails. The level of flow and poppiness is off the chart !
Kona Process is an all-time favorite bike of mine so I was excited to see this. I personally have the purple Kona Honzo ESD and I will never get rid of it.
Got a red one. Feel the exact same about it.
@@dmwbnd 🤙
Got simple Honzo and it is game changer for me. Procces anyway is soo incredible in this video! :-)
Got a esd but wanna a process 153
42069 cru!
Just bought a Kona Process 134 for 45% off! First full suspension bike, pretty stoked! This makes me feel better after watching pink bikes review. Obviously ill have upgrades but still stoked.
Loving this format of reviews. Lots of comparisons from overall to the minutia detail from someone who can actually shred + has the technical details. Rare on TH-cam with a sea of mediocre riders banging on how their bike is "THA BEST" when they've ridden maybe 2 bikes in their life. Been a long time fan. Keep up the rad work Jeff!
I started my quest for a new bike to replace my much loved Kona 134 process 27.5 DH (looking at the transition scout / stumpjumper evo) but having watched your video I may end up just taking extra good care of her for a few more years. Your comment about "active riding style" really resonates with me. Appreciate you and your video and your wheely game is insane!! You rip
Accoutrements is how you spell that
Edit:
I have a 2016 process 134 that I love to pieces. I would describe its ride character similar to how you describe the current model and I've ridden everything from cross country races in Michigan to the double black lines at Angel Fire bike park on it. It was my first full-suspension bike and I'm not sure if my active riding style is informed by learning on that bike or if I was predisposed to love it but there we go.
Cheers!
As a mechanic I love the external routing
You make mountain biking look so awesome. Always enjoy your content. Have always been a single pivot fan myself, my Santa Cruz Heckler was one of my fav bikes. Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Amazing riding and review! Love what Kona has done, but needed to hear your comments! Worth the wait. Thanks Jeff.
Just bought one! Can't wait to ride it after seeing your review. Thx - such a fun review - can't believe you don't have more subs! All the best.
I was so close to getting one of these! Got so much love for Kona bikes, sweet review as always
Your review format is unique, and it keeps getting better. Very much appreciate the effort that goes into putting these together, they're so helpful and inspiring too! Process has been a sleeper for years, 134 or 153, IMO. I got one for one of my kids largely based on the value proposition, and I was shocked at how capable it was. I take it out whenever I can. :)
I rented a Process 134 29er for a week of riding in Idaho last summer. I was really impressed with how well the bike handled and pedaled. I had a blast on it.
I've owned a few Konas over the years. Most of my Strava PRs are on a 2016 Satori. I have an Explosif hardtail I use for my backup bike and had a Wozo fat bike that I got rid of because it was too big.
your ability on a mtb is incredible. a real pleasure to watch. great video, bro.
I just got a 134 CR, and Im so excited when I got.on it I knew it was the bike I needed to get
Fantastic review Jeff. Very well done.
Dude, you are the jedi master! Love watching you ride and listen to all the knowledge. Thx.
Your riding skill level makes me want to improve my own abilities so I can enjoy riding more. Great video, just subscribed.
Accoutrements. That spot where you were overlooking and able to see the coast is awesome. I last rode that trail on my Turner Burner back in about 2017. Glad to see a less expensive bike performing so well.
I love that you finally review the Kona process while making an amazing video out of it! I would love if you reviewed a trek slash. The trek slash has pretty tame geometry compared to something like a Transition Spire or Knolly Chilcotin. Along with tame geometry that impresses rider after rider it has a single pivot design similar to the Kona, except that it has Treks patented active braking pivot. Anyways, just some food for thought and I would love to see you review a trek slash in the future.
Thanks Jeff!
Great review. I am so glad Kona is putting out good bikes at good prices. For some reason Kona doesn't get as much coverage/content even though it has the pedigree and a history of great bikes to back it up. Love watching you ride. In my opinion, you and Phil Kmetz are the best riders in TH-cam. Question, how do manage to weigh the front while riding so far behind the seat on corners. I don't know if it's a childhood of riding BMX, but I tend to ride like that but in modern bikes it's common knowledge that one should stand centered on the bike.
That manual at the end was absolutely insane
You absolutely rip - it’s hard to make any bike look bad when it is being ridden so well. Great entertaining review Jeff. Love the Kona.
I ride a process 153 and it’s a blast to be on! Such a fun bike
Great video and looks like a great bike. Awesome riding as always.
Bike looks sick, thanks for an awesome review
Love the videos man! Can you do a review on your favorite bike thats overall best for all the different types of trails we have here in the states?
😎🙌 very nice video like always, thank for that, keep it up bro!!! 🤟
This bike basically laughs in the face of the $12k latest and greatest. Simple and fun! great video (as always)
Dope review! 🔥
Great review!
I just got a Kona Process 134 I love it.
This sounds like my kind of bike, great review! I live in New England, I rode street bmx for 25years. Started riding mtb a few years ago. I searched “mountain bike that feels like a bmx” or something like that and from that search I got a bottlerocket that needed some help. A short travel, short chain stay, really poppy bike that I can push into a manual with almost no effort. Got it going, and after I learned how to set the suspension (that took me an entire summer, it was like a foreign language) with very little help I love this bike despite the bike (and me) being so damn old. Now I got my sights on something being a bit more modern, and maybe a bit lighter.
That's sick 😮ride ready out of the box from Jenson USA 🔥
So glad you are recommending some great affordable bikes. I'm spoiled at the $9,000 range now, but starting out this would have been a great bike to learn on to see what I liked or didn't like in a mountain bike, what my needs were going to be, and see if I was going to stick with the sport before plunking down the serious cash.
not sure Kona is that cheap. Maybe it is in NA, but in Europe it's a pretty meh spec for the price
@@ostankovalex1176 the Process 134 DL (Sram NX drivetrain, Rockshox Pike Select, Deluxe Ultimate, Sram G2 RS brakes, alloy frame & wheels) is $4000 usd. Until prices go down I wouldn’t call it cheap, I totally agree with you. My 2021 GT Force 29 AL has a slightly better spec for $500 less.
Sweet ride! Thanks!!
Great video. I might have to try and find a Process to demo.
Accoutrements - additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity.
I've had three Process 153's. All of them were just insanely good.
What, do you snap them like toothpicks?)
Wow, I wish I could ride like that! It has to feel incredible!
Inspirational riding as usual Jeff and a great review of a good, no-nonsense mountain bike. I've had many types of suspension over the years, and I've come full circle and got the modern, progressive version of my first single pivot Santa Cruz, an Orange Stage Evo, which is brilliant. Proper single pivot simplicity and designed and made in the UK 🇬🇧 Would love to see you reviewing an Orange 🍊
Single pivots rock!👍😉 Often overlooked or under appreciated. All designs have their advantages snd limitations. But even Trek still uses (essentially) single pivots and they take home top honors year after year. Great video as always Jeff. Thanks for the in-depth, no-nonsense, nuts-n-bolts reviews.👌
yeah I think people get caught up with adding more bearings, when in reality the gains are pretty marginal
dunno what you are talking about
Norco Range, Forbidden, Trek, Orbea, Evil are all using single pivot linkage driven suspension just to name a few
I'm sure you can find a lot other models like Commencal Meta SX, etc.
Trek uses a horst link no?
@@spencerimre no, it's a single pivot
1 bar from the pivot to the wheel axle
@@ostankovalex1176 Norco is a high pivot 4 bar
Awesome review and great riding as always. Did you end up adding volume spacers to the fork or shock?
My friend Cisco over on Roland St prefers his Process 153 (clears throat....his wife's Process 153) over his TR Sentinel. Michelle still has her old Kona Fire Mountain, I restored it during co-v-id (hate saying that name). Great video Jeff, and now I know where you were riding!
Love the “stoke adjust”!
Nice riding and review! Interesting that Pinkbike was not impressed with this bike in their value bike reviews. It finished last out of 5 bikes in climbing and descending. One of their big complaints was the crappy spec brakes (which you replaced) and the light front end on climbs. You didn't seem to have any trouble climbing, and you loved the light front for manuals. Interesting to see 2 very different perspectives.
They were riding the base model. This is the 4k version. Different brakes and suspension.
I almost bought a kona 134 but in the end I went for a norco fuid, and I don't regret it 😊
excellent editing!
For a long time I've had a dream of getting a Kona Process. It looks SO good! And since I got a Hyundai Kona as car I think it would have been a perfect match :D Unfortunately Kona is not so easy to try in Denmark so was a bit unsure of how it would fit. After seing this video I once again am dreaming of getting one of these beautys myself. Thx for an honest review.
11:40 This dude has his priorities straight. You earned a subscription from me ;P (nice transition, btw)
thanks so much jeff
I almost bought an older version of this bike. I test road it and liked it. I ended up with a GG Shred Dogg, it is very similar in geometry. I love the Shred Dogg, I would like to see what you think of the Guerilla Gravity bikes. Love your videos!
Superb brand. I went from a Nu Nu to a Big Honzo onto a Process 167. The 167 was mental but a bit heavy, great ride though. Now on a Remote 160, took a while to get used to, but after a few months fell in love with it. A Ebike that you can really throw around. Those pedals are amazing too.
Kona is doing it right. I have never seen a person not loving their kona bike. Me included.
Thanks for a great and inspiring video! You have a beautiful landscape and forests in Canada. I like the orange grips, they give the bike some juice. I've been riding the Kona Process 153 (XL size) for half a year now and it's absolutely amazing. It's my third AM bike and despite the favorable price and basic suspension, the feeling of driving is amazing. I don't need better or more expensive suspension. A nimble and at the same time sufficiently stable bicycle for winter mud and snow. (I am writing from Europe, from Slovakia). The external cable routing is very practical and the result is very quiet and aesthetic. (I changed the brakes to Shimano because I can't get used to Sram brakes and their modulation). Here in Europe, Kona bikes are not that widespread because they don't offer some amazing features like the lightness of the frame or the best fitment like the Fox Kashima Factory, and KONA's marketing is weaker here. I am really very pleasantly surprised by what a well-thought-out and well-functioning machine the Kona Process is. 🙂
As a bearded man of similar proportions to myself, I salute you. I am however jealous of your skills to shred, like a hyperactive school boy with wisdom beyond his years🤣. I think you have demonstrated perfectly in this vid how frame dimensions influence the character of a bike and how personally sizing a bike to one's human dimension, increases the fun factor.
Oh man as always you are inspiration. I like playful riding.
The close up of the front brake, I noticed some weird movement and took me a bit to realize you changed it to "Free Stoke" haha. Nice!!
Sounds like a fun bike. It seems to be a good match for the Bellingham trails.
What a trip to see Dan from Fanatik in this video. Hope he's not too banged up.
I rode wah-wah pedals for a couple of years until my SRAM cranks blew out the threads and boogered the wah wah threads as well. Excellent composite pedals. (Second time that's happened to me with SRAM cranks, none of my Shimano cranks have done that. I'm sticking to cranks with pedal thread inserts from now.)
Oh, and "accoutrement." I only know that because of a GT/Dyno ad from the late 80s.
Boogered? There's threading dies for that.. crazy though.. never stripped a crank arm but I've snapped pedal axles taking off when the light turned green..)
Kona makes rad bikes! I have a Jake the Snake I made into a CX race bike, complete with dropper post. That’s one rowdy skinny tire drop bar bike! I start riding it like a xc hard tail and then an reminded I’m on 33c tires…
So cool man!
Please try the 153!
kona always keeps it real man
I wish Kona still made their Operator line!
Shorter crank will be the next component😀
Great video! I hope to hear more about the 134 vs the Ripley. I know you ulitmately like the Ripmo more than the Ripley, but I'm not the only one looking for the goldilocks between the two.
I've had the opportunity to swap with my riding buddy. Has a Ripley V4S (the latest carbon). I have a 2020 134 DL alloy with quite a bit of mods. Short answer, the Ripley is an XC with Enduro abilities. Feels very hardtail- like. While the 134 is much more Enduro with XC feel. Not feeling like an XC bike like the Ripley at all. A nimble mild Enduro is the 134?
Ripley climbs SOOOO good compared to the 134.
Hey Jeff - great review! I ride a 2014 Kona Process 134 DL and it's a beast! I'm looking to upgrade to a 29'r and I've honed it down to either the Kona Process 134 DL or the soon-to-be released new form factor (straight top tube) Knolly Fugitive. While I'm good with 134-140mm of rear travel, I prefer 150mm up front as I won't be using this bike for trail parks. I noticed that you've reviewed the Kona Process 134 DL, Kona Process 153 DL and the Knolly Chilcotin. When the new Knolly Fugitive is released, if you can do a review of that bike, it would be great as this would give me a good comparison of bikes with similar geometry (134 DL and Fugitive).
Did you ride up this!?! Holy poop!!! LOL, awesome!
You should try and get an airdrop over there, very similar kind of bike made in Sheffield, UK, they also looking amazing in Raw. I have one myself and people say how well it climbs even with a coil.
JFK Weed is killin it with content!
Nice!
This bike looks like so fun!!! It re9nd me the mojo4 ... i have the honzo esd and He's so fun too
Kona!!! Never see Kona reviews anymore, stoked that you’re showcasing the Process. Any chance you take the Hei Hei CR out for a spin?
Right!? It seems Kona has fallen out of the cool-bike circle lately, which is unfortunate as they absolutely make cool bikes.
Such a sick manual!!!
Now that's some impressive riding. I picked up a AL Kona last year and been having a blast trying to see if they honor the warranty. If anyone knows where a Medium 21' carbon HEI HEI frame is waiting to be built up let me know.
Looks like you’re enjoying the process 134. Thinking of picking one up and selling my offering V2 or would that be a downgrade?
I think the 175 cranks and a short rear end are what give you that pedaling acceleration you miss on your other bikes. I watched Hardtail Party do a pedal length comparison, and he found that to be true while rolling, but not so much in slow tech areas. What seems common is that riders are testing bikes that are more like bikes from 3-4 years ago with geos and everybody says how "fun" they are to ride. LLS is not best for every terrain.
I got to demo one in Port Gamble Washington, great bikes
Love mine Kona Process 134 CR Supreme.... 😁
Dig the external cable/hose routing!
Would like to see you try the new continental tire range!
Hey Jeff, could you compare to the results that pinkbike had for the 134? They mentioned a lot about the short chain stay and seat tube angle.
Hey Jeff, saw your vids with berm peak! Good riding. Hey just watching the video with the Kona , Bad ass bike . Whats the price tag ? Then I ask myself I don't have 13,000 for a crazy bike, like you have!
Trek Fuel Ex looks very similar to this as far as rear suspension geo and is a 140/130mm travel bike. Had mine since 2020 and it has always felt amazing.
Fuel is split pivot .
@@DM-hw4cr I doubt that small pivot change would make the bikes feel that much different. Now the fuels steeper head tube might..
@@DM-hw4cr Think they're referncing Gen 5, not Gen 6. Frame does have a similar vibe.
What’s the one component that you’re going to do for an upgrade? I’m sitting on the edge of my seat. I just purchased this bike. Great video, btw!
hey jeff kendall, First of all thank you for your nice videos. I cycle with a Kona process 134 stick model 2021. I'm thinking about getting a new fork. i was thinking of the rockshox lyrik.i would go for 150 or 160mm travel? what is your opinion? regards
Love it
You must Try Cheap Dartmoor Bluebird 29 bike, I have one almost a year and it is preaty cool :) But not Ideal. Great Video Men :)
Have a 2016 Kona Process Supreme 134 w/ 27.5" wheels and recently got a 2022 Ibis Ripmo carbon everything w/ 29" wheels. I agree, the Kona Process is significantly easier to wheelie and is more playful than the Ripmo. Shorter chainstay and slacker seat tube angle on the Process probably help (425mm vs 435 and 74 vs 77).
Though the Ripmo is a more efficient climber IMO - presumably because of the DW-link and steeper seat tube angle. For techy, tight stuff or where you can feature off objects, I think I still prefer the Process. For just bombing (plowing?) down stuff, the Ibis is more capable w/ a higher margin for error.
Either one could work as a single quiver bike.
So what was that component you were suppose to put on this bike? I have a 2021 Process 134 29 and love it! Metal bikes are the way to go.
Yay for aluminum bikes! They could do a lot better with the packaging materials, though!
The Marin Alpine trail carbon has similar suspension platform. Would be good to get your take on it as its quite an affordable bike.
Watching Jeff ride just makes me want to get out and ride.
J-sus you can ride!!! Cool review.
You should try the new Chromag short travel full-susser, the Darco.
The manual king striked again 😳 👑
Jeff, you need to make a manual meter of some sort for you reveiws! 😛
Still running 175mm cranks because I can get 165mm shimano but I am use too them so all good got spares
My buddy test rode a 153 (CR?) and said it was the most dialed, turn-key trail bike he’s swung a leg over.
I’m guessing a cascade components link is coming?
Also, have you tried the Giant Trance?
dude! I wish I could manual like that!!