process dl

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.

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.

KONA WALKING BEAM 4-BAR LINKAGE

Since Kona first introduced the Walking Beam 4-Bar Linkage platform in 1996, we've been refining and honing the most functional, durable and performance-oriented dual-suspension platform ever invented. You'll find versions of Kona's Walking Beam 4-Bar Linkage on everything from the Hei Hei XC race bike, to our Supreme Operator, the Entourage, and on one of the best-performing, entry-level dual-suspension bikes ever made, the Tanuki.

FUNCTION AND DURABILITY: Anytime you have a pivot in anything, there is side-to-side movement, or tolerance. It's what allows the pivot to move freely. When you have pivots that are close together, the side-to-side movement in those pivots becomes amplified, what's called tolerance stacking. Kona's 4-Bar system keeps pivots as far away from each other as possible, minimizing the negative effects of tolerance stacking. Ultimately, it equates to a stiffer rear end, as well as a significant decrease in bearing and bushing wear.

SHOCK LONGEVITY: With our 4-Bar system, the rear shock is protected from side-to-side forces. Side load is one of the main causes of premature seal failures. As a result, we have a very low rate of shock problems, as well as an exceptionally responsive feel to the rear suspension.

INCREDIBLE TUNE-ABILITY: By using 4-Bar, our designers are able to incorporate a huge range of suspension characteristics into our dual-suspension mountain bikes. Simply by changing the shock's positioning and configuration, we're able to make either an efficient climber or a wicked descender. For example, on our XC bikes, we can take an inherently progressive air shock and make the suspension more linear, allowing the rider to benefit from all of the bike's travel. For downhill bikes, like our Operator and Entourage, an inherently linear coil shock can be set up to be more progressive for big hits. When it comes to range of application, 4-Bar is the ultimate rear-suspension platform.

PLUSH FACTOR: With pivots, bearings and the shock itself well supported and protected from linear side load, Kona's Walking Beam 4-Bar Linkage system delivers that extraordinarily plush, smooth feel we all crave as mountain bikers. Whether it's taking the edge of a technical XC race course, the burl out of a backcountry all-day epic, or leveling out the brake bumps at your local bike park, Kona's Walking Beam 4-Bar Linkage delivers that sweet feel. Ride in, ride out.

12x142 REAR AXLES

A 12x142mm rear axle provides two major advantages to the Kona rider: the 12mm diameter of the rear axle provides the rear hub and frame with a stiff interface, while the 142mm outer diameter of the hub allows the wheel to be quickly and properly positioned in the frame before the rear axle is inserted. The definition of all-mountain: DH stiffness with the speed and ease of XC.

TUBELESS COMPATIBLE RIMS

A number of 2013 Kona models feature the benefits of tubeless compatible rims. Tubeless rims allow for tires with more puncture resistance, better tire grip on the trail, lower rolling resistance and weight savings over traditional tube + tire systems. For 2013, you'll find tubeless compatible rims on most of our XC race and trail bikes, as well as our carbon fiber Major Jake, Red Zone and Zone Two.

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