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Spotted: New Kona Carbon Prototype Downhill Bike

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This past weekend at the Australian National Champs, our friends at [R]evolution magazine spotted something more exciting than the proverbial Big Foot!

This brand new prototype from Kona, one of the three in the world,  is a radical departure from their current downhill bike – the Operator. It features sleek new aggressive lines, geometry, and a few special new features.

Drop past the break for the details…

What we know for sure  is  the bike features integrated bump stops, internal cable routing, only the front triangle is carbon, and apparently the full build is wicked light.

We couldn’t quite make out the chain stay numbers or some of the other details listed on the frame, but according to the spec list listed on the frame, you can expect a 64 degree head angle, 104mm BB, and a 157mm rear end when this bike makes it into production.

Head over to [R]evolution Mag for more images…

 

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16 Comments
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PDXFixed
11 years ago

Neat trek.

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

One of the best looking DH frames i’ve seen in a while.

bin judgin
bin judgin
11 years ago

Looks more like a Norco than a Trek, but what do you expect from someone trumpeting “PDXFixed”

Kona makes great bikes.

LP
LP
11 years ago

@PDXFixed I agree the main triangle really looks like a Trek frame! Can’t really see if it has the ABP at the back.

aaron
aaron
11 years ago

now that’s pretty

John
John
11 years ago

@ LP….FYI if you click on the image you can see that it is without a concentric dropout pivot (ABP). I was curious, too…

ccolagio
ccolagio
11 years ago

how has nobody commented on the super oddball 104mm BB and 157mm rear end? i looked up srams fat bike cranks from the week old BR article and those used 100mm BB. this is just a dumb move

KJR
KJR
11 years ago

@ccolagio: 104mm press fit BB is the same as an 83mm threaded BB shell, just like a 92mm press fit BB is the same as a 73mm threaded BB shell. And the 157mm rear is a 150mm with 3.5mm guide slots on the frame, just like the 142mm hub is a 135mm with 3.5mm guide slots on the frame.

Avner
Avner
11 years ago

Its looks reminds me of a 2009 Stumpjumper FSR.

ccolagio
ccolagio
11 years ago

@KJR: wasnt aware that there was an 104 press BB. my thoughts are – will longer crank spindles (thus special cranks) be needed and will a special 157mm hub be needed or are they just using a 150+ spacers. being that 142 rear ends use 142 hubs and not spaced 135 hubs

Dude
Dude
11 years ago

@ccolagio, it will accept a standard DH crank, it is the same spindle just the bearings are pressed into the frame. The rear wheel just using different end caps. All 135 x 12 wheels developed in the past few years can be changed to 142×12 and most 135x10QR as well. 142×12 hubs are the same width as 135, they are not special, same with 150 to 157.

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

Just like you can put 135×12 into 142 – with two spacer (though it will be marginally less stiff as cups do not rest in frame), you can use 150×12 in 157.

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

..problems will be when everybody is making their hubs in 157, and do not provide retrofit to 150. Just like stupid Shimano has 142×12, but no 135×12 conversion for my frame.

Gillis
Gillis
11 years ago

It should be called the Kona Karboner.

Johnny Doe
Johnny Doe
11 years ago

Evolve or die. Good to see the fellas from Ferndale come out swinging with a WC level carbon DH bike.

DeeEight
DeeEight
11 years ago

Mountain Biking as a Sport is only 35 years old… look how far any other sport evolved in that time period like Snow boarding, or scuba diving, or ultralight aircraft. In the same time period essentially we’ve gone from strapping lawnmower engines with propellers onto hang gliders to an entire light sport aircraft industry that forced the FAA to adopt new rules and regulations and create a new pilot category along with it.

People need to quit living in the past.

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