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Today’s Deals2016 Kona
Honzo ST
A 29″ steel frame crosscountry frameset.
5'0" – 5'8"
5'2" – 6'1"
5'9" – 6'6"
5'10" – 6'6"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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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.
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
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
I don’t even know you anymore... For a brief moment, I forgot I was on a hardtail.
BIKE MagazineKona’s Honzo AL goes a long way to fulfilling the brand’s goal of creating a do-it-all hardtail
BikeRadarThe Honzo is one of most fun and engaging hardtails we’ve tested.
MBRThe 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.
MTBRFeedback?
View all reviews
Dec 2017
Available only as a frame, the Kona Honzo ST is for hardcore hardtail fans.
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...
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
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
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.
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
Apr 2016 · McCoy
Riders seeking a fun and playful hardtail should look no further than the Honzo
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
Big wheels bring extra speed and comfort, stable handling at speed and in slippery conditions, roomy top tube improves comfort and stability
Overgeared for some riders, needs a qr seat clamp, heavy rolling stock imparts a slightly lazy feel
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
Great geometry and handling
No seatpost QR and steel bead tyres
First added April 18
Last updated April 18
Not listed for 3,328 days