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2016 Kona

Honzo AL

A 29″ aluminum frame hardtail trail bike with mid-range components and shimano acera mechanical disc brakes.
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Manufacturer Price

$1,599
FrameAluminum
SuspensionHardtail, 120mm
ForkRockShox Recon Silver TK
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 10
GroupsetDeore
BrakesShimano Acera Mechanical Disc
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Honzo AL
Other Trail bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

25 mph

Honzo AL

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

5'0" – 5'8"

MD

5'2" – 6'1"

LG

5'9" – 6'6"

XL

5'10" – 6'6"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

None yet.

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Reviews

Summary

The Kona Honzo is celebrated for its versatile and fun hardtail design, offering a blend of comfort, speed, and stable handling that appeals to a wide range of riders. Its aggressive geometry and short rear end contribute to snappy acceleration and easy cornering, making it a standout in the cross-country category. However, some riders note limitations in mud clearance and comfort on steeper terrains, alongside a few build-specific drawbacks like overgearing and heavier components.

Pros
  • Versatile and fun hardtail option

  • Aggressive geometry suitable for all mountain and race tracks

  • Snappy and efficient acceleration

  • Stable handling at speed and in slippery conditions

  • Great seated position for keeping control

Cons
  • Limited mud clearance due to tight rear wheel design

  • Overgeared for some riders

  • Heavier build kit compared to the Deluxe option

  • RockShox Sektor up front isn’t the most refined performer

  • Less comfortable ride due to seatpost design

Key Quotes
I don’t even know you anymore... For a brief moment, I forgot I was on a hardtail.
BIKE Magazine logoBIKE Magazine
Kona’s Honzo AL goes a long way to fulfilling the brand’s goal of creating a do-it-all hardtail
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
The Honzo is one of most fun and engaging hardtails we’ve tested.
MBR logoMBR
The carbon version of the Honzo has an aggressive geometry borrowed from its all mountain origins, but can still hold its own on the race track.
MTBR logoMTBR

Feedback?

View all reviews

BIKEPACKING.com
Kona Big Honzo DL, Long-term Review

Dec 2016 · Skyler Des Roches

In our latest long-term bike test, Skyler reviews the Kona Big Honzo DL and takes us deep into the realm of sacred trail and bikepacking geometry...

Highs
  • Nearly everything related to its geometry makes the Big Honzo just a really good bike: It’s comfortable; Efficient riding position; Climbs really well; Confidence-inspiring descender (for a hard tail); Also does flat well; Fun, playful, nimble

  • Rock Shox Yari fork and Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires stand out as great components

  • Light overall weight thanks to hydroformed aluminum frame

  • Internal routing for cables but external for hoses, which is clean but low-faff

Lows
  • Relatively low bottom bracket height conspires with long crank arms and low-engagement hub for annoying pedal strikes

  • NX shifting could be snappier

  • Center-lock rotors are an annoyance to remove for travel

  • Press-fit bottom bracket

  • Small front triangle means limited frame bag space

  • Limited braze-ons for one bottle cage only

Read Review

Singletrack World
Review: Kona Honzo Ti

Dec 2016 · Wil Barrett

The original Kona Honzo was a radical 29in hardtail built for grin-inducing fun. So how does that translate to titanium? Jason digs deep with the Honzo Ti.

Read Review

MTBR
Kona Honzo gets the carbon treatment

Jul 2016 · Saris Mercanti

The original Kona Honzo was a forward thinking hardtail for all mountain enthusiasts. In its newest incarnation, the bike has been reborn as an XC race bike and given the carbon treatment. - Mtbr.com

Read Review

BIKE Magazine
Kona Honzo CR Review

Jun 2016

Kona's aggressive hardtail 29er goes carbon: check out our Kona Honzo CR review.

Read Review

Mountain Bike Action
BIKE TEST: KONA HONZO 29ER TITANIUM

Apr 2016 · McCoy

Riders seeking a fun and playful hardtail should look no further than the Honzo

Read Review

BikeRadar
Kona Honzo AL review

Apr 2016 · Seb Stott

A pretty fast and comfortable ride on the flat, yet surprisingly capable when pushed hard. Buy if you want a versatile 29er hardtail and are willing to shell out for a few upgrades

Highs
  • Big wheels bring extra speed and comfort, stable handling at speed and in slippery conditions, roomy top tube improves comfort and stability

Lows
  • Overgeared for some riders, needs a qr seat clamp, heavy rolling stock imparts a slightly lazy feel

Read Review

MBR
Kona Honzo AL (2016) review - MBR

Jan 2016 · Danny Milner

The Kona Honzo AL DL has switched to aluminium from last year's steel option. Is it still a the grin inducing hardtail we loved away from its ferrous roots

Highs
  • Great geometry and handling

Lows
  • No seatpost QR and steel bead tyres

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Fork

RockShox Recon Silver TK 120mm QR15 Tapered

Travel120mm

Spring TypeCoil

Shock

n/a

Bottom Bracket

Shimano PF92

Headset

FSA Orbit 1.5 ZS NO.57

Stem

Kona XC/BC

Handlebar

Kona XC/BC Riser

Saddle

Kona Trail

Seatpost

Kona XC/BC

TypeRigid

Pedals

n/a

Grips

Kona S-LOG

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Deore Shadow Plus

Front Derailleur

n/a

Crank

32t Narrow/Wide

Shifters

Shimano Deore

Cassette

Shimano Deore 11-36t 10spd

Chain

KMC X10

Chain Guide

n/a

Brakes

Shimano Acera

TypeShimano Acera Mechanical Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano Acera

Wheels
Rims

WTB SX25

Spokes

Sandvik Stainless 14g Black

Front Hub

Shimano

Rear Hub

Novatech 148x12

Tires

Front: Maxxis Ardent WB 29x2.4", Rear: Maxxis Ardent WB 29x2.25"

Disc Rotors

Shimano TX 180mm (centerlock)

Rider Notes
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First added April 18

Last updated April 18

Not listed for 3,328 days