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KONA RACE LIGHT 6069 ALUMINUM

At Kona, we are always refining materials to achieve the best mix of ride performance for certain applications. With Kona Race Light 6069 tubing, which mixes trace elements into the alloy, we are actually able to make framesets that are lighter and stiffer than Scandium 7005. Not quite as light and stiff as Scandium 6069, but significantly more affordable, Kona Race Light 6069 Aluminum allows our designers to make the tubing thinner while maintaining the preferred ride characteristics, stiffness and strength for a desired riding application—in this case, medium-travel all-mountain bikes, like our new Process.

COMPACT REAR TRIANGLE

Short chainstays and seatstays provide a perfect balance of stability and power transfer when out of the saddle and pedalling hard. Shorter seatstays also have less deflection during braking and accelerate faster than longer stays. The shorter rear triangle also helps the bike to negotiate tight-twisting sections of trail. Our new Entourage short-travel downhill bike is a good example of an incredibly compact rear triangle. Our goal was to create a bike that was easy to jump and trick, and could also corner aggressively. With seatstays measuring just 415mm, we've created one of the most nimble short travel DH bikes in the industry.

INTERNAL HEADSET

By having the headset bearing located inside the headtube (called zero stack), rather than the top and bottom, we are able to achieve a number of advantages when it comes to front-end stiffness, durability and overall riding performance. The major benefit of an internal headset is the extra layer of protection it provides the bearings against the elements. Additionally, the bearings are commonly available angular contact bearings, which are easily and inexpensively replaced. An internal headset also reduces stack height, so the height of the stem and bars are more adjustable, giving the rider the best fit possible.

TAPERED HEADTUBE

For 2013, you'll find a large majority of Kona bicycles featuring zero stack and tapered headtubes. From cyclocross to cross-country, 29ers right through to longer-travel dual-suspension models, like our Entourage and Operator, a tapered headtube provides more support at the intersection of the toptube and downtube, greatly improving stability and overall performance.

Aside from improving the aesthetic due to its cleaner lines and smooth transition between the fork crown and the headset cover, tapered headtubes also offer a more solid interface between forks with tapered steertubes and the bicycle frame itself. More girth at the bottom of the headtube better distributes shock force, prolonging the bearing life of the headset itself. The inherent strength of its triangular design also means a stronger steering position and improved balance, giving the rider more control in rough terrain. A zero stack, tapered headtube also puts strength where the load is going—into the lower headset cup—maximizing bearing durability where it's needed.

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Kona warrants to the original owner that their new Kona bicycle frame purchased from an authorized Kona dealer shall be free of defective materials or workmanship for the lifetime of ownership by the original owner. This warranty is limited to five years for carbon fiber frames.

During this warranty period, Kona shall repair or replace, at its sole option, the bicycle frame if Kona determines the frame is defective and subject to this limited warranty. The original owner shall pay all labor and shipping charges connected with the repair or replacement of the bicycle frame. Please see the Kona owner's manual, provided with your bicycle, for additional information