CoilAir Supreme
One20 Deluxe
Dawg Deluxe
Big Unit 29er
Hei Hei Supreme
Stab Supreme
Stinky Six
Minxy
Lisa 120
2008 was a big year for Kona, what with the launch of the mould-breaking CoilAir and its all-new "Magic Link", so it's with little suprise that for 2009 Kona has has held back on the groundbreaking developments.
It has plugged a few gaps in its vast range however, with a new 120mm full susser, a couple of new 29ers and some new womens bike being added, with refinements to most other bikes across the range.
And of course no Kona launch would be complete without a fresh lick of paint and new decals...
Kona CoilAir
Kona shocked the world with the new Magic Link-toting CoilAir bikes last year, but for 2009 the bikes get nothing more major than a few tweaks. Just to recap on the MagicLink, it’s a system that allows automatic travel and geometry adjustment. Ride uphill or over varying terrain and the geometry is steeper and the travel is firmer, and set at 6in. Point the bike downhill and geometry slackens and the suspension travel increases from 6in to 7.4in. All without having to flip any dials or adjust knobs.
For 2009 the CoilAir bikes get a tapered headtube with a 1.5in lower diameter, chunkier downtube and rocker linkages.
One20
The constant juggling of bikes has opened up a gap for an all-new bike. With the Dawg getting a travel increase Kona has seen the opportunity to launchthe One20, a 120mm bike aimed at riders tackling marathon and 24-hour events. Scandium tubing and one-piece magnesium rockers ensure minimal weight.
The One20 range consists of three models: Supreme, Primo and the Deluxe getting the ball rolling at £900. The top-end Supreme comes fitted with Fox 32 F120 RL forks, Fox Float RP23 rear shock, Shimano XT bits and SLX brakes, Mavic Crosstrail wheels and Maxxis CrossMark tyres, for which you’ll pay £2,295.
Dawg
Introduced in 2002, the Dawg was the first bike in Kona’s range designed to exploit riders wanting a tough but light bike for ‘epic backcountry riding,’ and for 2009 travel has been bumped up from 5in to 6in. Besides the extra travel, the framesets are now made from Scandium pipes for a lighter build, and there’s more hydroforming going on. The Dawg range starts at £1,600 and tops out at £2,895.
Kahuna 2-9 Hardtail
Another year sees a few more big wheeled bikes washing up on the shore, with Kona releasing three 29in wheeled hardtails. The King Kahuna sits at the top of the range and features a butted Scandium frameset, Fox 32 forks, FSA’s XC-290 wheelset and Maxxis Ignitor 29in tyres and Shimano components.
Unit 29er
Perhaps you fancy a 29er without any gears? The Unit is Kona’s steel framed big wheel offering, and it’s been joined by the Big Unit, which gets a posh Scandium tubeset and higher spec for your extra wonga.
Hei Hei
The Hei Hei bikes are Kona’s lightest and shortest travel full sussers, squeezing just 2.5in out of the Fox Float RP23 shock. For 2009 the Kona designers have made small changes, with a new rear triangle and new one-piece magnesium rockers.
Stab
The bike that can claim multiple world champs, world cups and national champ victories to its name, the 2009 Stab Supreme and Deluxe sneak in just a few changes to lower the standover height, a new swing link and an 83mm bottom bracket shell for improved chain alignment.
Stinky
No bike has been more tried-and-tested than the Stinky, which have seen nearly a decade of service. Kona continues to refine the range and the bikes get shorter chainstays, increased suspension leverage and new 1.5in headtubes.
New in this range is the Stinky Six, and with its steeper head angle, triple chainring compatibility and lower centre of gravity will suit those riders wanting to pedal back to the top of the hill, or possibly more. The Stinky Six will cost £1,595 specced with Shimano Deore, Marzocchi 55-RS 160mm forks, Fox Vanilla R shock and FSA Moto-X chainset.
Minxy
Kona is looking after women with its 2009 range, and the comprehensive range is spearheaded by the all-new Minxy, based on the Stinky 6 (can you see what they’ve done there...). It gets 6in of travel and has been made lighter with a shorter and more compact geometry, lower standover height and unique decals. Yours for £1,595.
Lisa 120
The new One20 range of bikes has been modified for women, and Kona will offer two Lisa 120 bikes, the aluminium Lisa 120 and the Scandium Lisa 120 Deluxe. Geometry and spec are appropriately dialled for the ladies, and unique pant and decals feature too.
Anything else?
Besides its new bikes, Kona have launched a massive new range of clothing – more on that soon...
And in between painting its new bikes, Kona has found time to redesign its website, where of course you can find more info on the 2009 bikes www.konaworld.com.
