Test: For a long time, things had been quiet about the iconic Kona brand. While Fabien Barel was a big hit in the mid-2000s and every mountain biker was keen on a Kona, there hasn't been much excitement to report in recent years. With the introduction of the Process models, however, this changed quickly and Kona has since found its way back to its old strength. At this year's Kona Mega Launch in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis we had the opportunity to present the current 2015 Process 153DL to take a closer look and test it extensively.
Kona himself praises that Process 153DL as Master of Roots at. With a modern geometry consisting of a long main frame with a short 40 millimeter stem and an extremely short rear end, the American-Canadian brand wants to clear its way to the top.
In itself, the bike is a state-of-the-art enduro. The equipment of the Process 153DL leaves little to be desired in terms of performance.
The versatility of the built-in 650B wheels combined with the Rock Shox chassis, consisting of Monarch Plus DebonAir and Pike RCT3, should enable the bike to be used in a wide range of applications. Chris Mandell, chief developer of the Process line, already did a very good job with the industrial designer Jake Russell on the optics.
As a big premise, the goal was to create a low entry and thus create as much legroom for the driver as possible. With an almost continuous line from the top tube to the strut, the duo have managed to do just that without having to compromise on the deflection.
The linkage is used in a total of seven models and is intended to be the perfect platform for long tours and tough descents. A big advantage of concept should also be the very stiff rear triangle. The chain stays, which are only 425 millimeters long, create a very short rear end, so that the frame triangle is correspondingly small and therefore very torsion-resistant. In practice, this property is particularly convincing when accelerating. The Process 153DL Thanks to the well-functioning platform, it is beautifully drive-neutral and converts every single step into propulsion.
Only the total weight of 14,3 kilograms dampens the driving pleasure a little and makes the bike appear sluggish.
The long main frame harmonises very well with the short stem and ensures a comfortable seating position, which also feels good on long climbs. Climbing suits racy enduro bikes like this , usually not so good, but the bike still convinces with good traction. Despite the very short rear end, the front wheel doesn't tend to lift off even on steep ramps and thus offers sufficient control even on narrow, technical climbs.
However, what the geometry had in store for us on the descent surprised us. With a reach of 460 millimeters (size L) and the 66,5 degree slack steering angle, you ensure extremely smooth running, which takes some getting used to. Because if it gets really fast, the driver quickly experiences the feeling of not being able to steer properly, so that the direction can only be influenced by the leaning of the body.
A very strange feeling at first, but it conveys a lot of security. In general one can say that one is on the feels good from the start.
The chassis is very precise and the bike almost feels like a big bike. An advantage as well as a disadvantage. Because playfulness personified is that Process 153DL not. Despite the short rear end, it takes a lot of effort to get the bike on the rear wheel.
Conclusion
The Kona Process 153DL loves the speed. The modern geometry, which combines a long main frame with short chainstays and a slack head angle, is a real blessing, especially on fast, rough trails. The bike is very balanced on the trail and offers the rider a lot of control. Riders who like to play around and spend a lot of time on narrow, technical trails come to the but not entirely at their own expense.
product Highlights
- balanced geometry
- great smoothness
- solid equipment
- high total weight
price and web
- 4.499 Euros
- www.konaworld.com
Images: Ale Di Lullo