New Bike Day - Kona Honzo ESD

Durand Coldicott | Fri 6th Nov 2020 08:34

To say Jamie was excited about the new Kona Honzo ESD might be an understatement. As soon as the bike was announced, he was into our Nelson showroom to put one on pre-order - the first person in New Zealand to do so! Finally, after waiting patiently for a few months, his new 2021 Kona Honzo ESD arrived and it's a thing of beauty. Long, slack, well spec'd and ready for gnar. #steelisreal

New for 2021, Kona released the Honzo ESD, thier latest take on a hardcore hardtail. With modern geometry inspired by the Kona Process X full suspension enduro bike, the Honzo ESD is a trail monster. Extra long wheelbase and reach numbers, a slack 63 degree head angle (with a 150mm fork) and a steep 77.5 degree seat angle. It comes stock running Shimano's new 12-speed SLX drivetrain and it's possible to adjust chainstay lengths between 417mm to 432mm or convert to a single speed due to the sliding dropouts. This rig is a beefed up version of the regualar Kona Honzo and more taylored to rough and steep terrain.

NEW BIKE DAY

Jamie is no stranger to Kona hardtails. His first Kona dates back to the 1994 Kona Lava Dome and his previous hardtail was a Kona Honzo ST 30th Anniversary limited edition. So, when word got out that there was a new Kona Honzo ESD on the way, Jamie was stright into our Nelson Showroom to get one on pre-order. In fact, he was the first customer in New Zealand to place an order for one. As it turns out, that was a very wise move all of the initial stock coming into the country was pre-sold before making it to the shop floor. This bike is proving to be incredibly popular.

Finally, after a few months of waiting patiently, Jamie's new Honzo ESD arrived in Nelson and he couldn't be more stoked. We got in quick to take some photos with him and his bike before it inevitably gets thrashed and dirty. It won't be looking this tidy for long!