Love the spec for the $, but is brake jack (or squat) an issue with modern Kona’s? I remember going from a single pivot Cannondale Gemini FR (that had horrible brake jack) to a Rocky Mountain Altitude 4-bar back in 2012 and the ability to brake through bumps was a game changer for me, totally able to level up on steep tech that needs good braking traction. My current IBIS with fully active DW-Link under braking is even n better. Looks like the brake mount is right on the single pivot swing arm on this Kona, would going to Kona be a big step backwards for steep technical riding, or does Kona have some secret sauce to keep the brakes usable on this design?
It’s not an issue for me with my 153 DL. Sure it might not be as active as a Horst link, or 6bar, but the pro is that geo is preserved more under braking, especially on steeps (as you’re braking harder) and it squats/sits into the travel a bit. I also have a full coil setup and that helps to free up the backend. Depends on what you’re looking for in a bike and what gives you the most confidence! I also have Magura MT7s which have pretty insane power for that bike, so it has no problem stopping 😄
I was disappointed to see the older Ep8 motor 😢, I would sooner have paid a couple of 100 more for the newest version, however apart from that the bikes look sick 🤩
Love the spec for the $, but is brake jack (or squat) an issue with modern Kona’s? I remember going from a single pivot Cannondale Gemini FR (that had horrible brake jack) to a Rocky Mountain Altitude 4-bar back in 2012 and the ability to brake through bumps was a game changer for me, totally able to level up on steep tech that needs good braking traction. My current IBIS with fully active DW-Link under braking is even n better. Looks like the brake mount is right on the single pivot swing arm on this Kona, would going to Kona be a big step backwards for steep technical riding, or does Kona have some secret sauce to keep the brakes usable on this design?
It’s not an issue for me with my 153 DL. Sure it might not be as active as a Horst link, or 6bar, but the pro is that geo is preserved more under braking, especially on steeps (as you’re braking harder) and it squats/sits into the travel a bit. I also have a full coil setup and that helps to free up the backend. Depends on what you’re looking for in a bike and what gives you the most confidence! I also have Magura MT7s which have pretty insane power for that bike, so it has no problem stopping 😄
I was disappointed to see the older Ep8 motor 😢, I would sooner have paid a couple of 100 more for the newest version, however apart from that the bikes look sick 🤩
801 or bust..............
Not a shimano motor 😢