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Honzo Build Thread - post your builds here

1M views 7K replies 665 participants last post by  David R 
#1 · (Edited)
Kona Honzo Build

2012 Kona Honzo Med.
2012 Fox F29, 120mm, RLC, Tapered, 15mm TA
Stan's Flow Wheelset with 3.30 front hub, 3.30 Heavy Duty rear hub
Maxxis Ardents: fr/2.4exo, rr/2.25
Thomson X4 70mm zero rise stem
Thomson Elite seatpost
Easton Monkeylite xc lo-rise carbon bar 27 inches
Specialized Henge Expert Saddle, ti rails
Odi Rogue lock-ons
Avid Elixirs R 185/160
Sram 991? chain
XT cranks
XT med. cage derailleur
Shimano 12-36t cassette
Niner 32t front chain ring
XT rear shifter
BBG bash
N-gear Jumpstop
Cane Creek Headset / inset top, external lower

27 lbs. 13 ounces

Here's my review after my first ride today:

Just got back from ATT and I'm really, really, happy with the bike.

First of all, I expected the front end to wander on steep climbs, but it stuck, no wandering. This has a lot to do with the steep seat tube. It felt very efficient without any discernable bottom bracket flex. I expected this because the tubes Kona uses are fatter than my old Niner MCR 9. This frame weighs 5.75lbs. where the Niner 853 steel frame weighed 4.5lbs. and doesn't have sliding dropouts. For my weight, about 200lbs., the MCR 9 was nooodly, but comfortable. I felt it absorbed a lot of my pedaling power and the head tube was extremely flexy. The Honzo is a stout frame, and I don't think you can achieve that without it weighing more. I don't notice the weight, but I do notice the power transfer and SOLID feel of the frame. Also, I expected to dab the more technical sections because I'm not tuned to this bike yet, but I cleaned them all.

After reaching the top we lowered our seats and headed back. The words that comes to mind descending on this bike are INSANELY FAWKING AWESOME. Because of the short chain stays, the bike corners like a roller coaster doing a 180. The Honzo's geometry positions you over the rear tire and the pivot point of the bike in the turns. I'm not much of a downhiller, but I was flying and not worrying about any ruts or rocks because the fork and frame just swallowed them up, very confidence inspiring. The chain stays also make coming off jumps more intuitive. With Niner's geometry I always felt like I was waiting for the rear tire when popping off curbs and jumps, but the Kona feels right on.

This is the best bike I have ever owned, period. If you're worried about frame weight, you could save about 1/4-1/2 lb. going with a Canfield Nimble 9. The geometries with 120mm forks are almost identical, but the Nimble 9 has a slacker seat tube, which may affect climbing, and it does not accommodate a tapered fork, two things I really love about the Honzo.

PS - check out this video of the Honzo in action: House of the Big Wheel Part 1: Honzo and Satori on Vimeo

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#2,408 ·
Yes, it looks like there is a tinted clear coat on it. I would bet it's the same color as '12 Steely. The inside of the tubing is the same raw color, but it doesn't feel quite as smooth. You can see the brazing where all the guides are attached. All the welds are pretty nice and are still pretty smooth in the more difficult areas.
 
#2,441 ·
View attachment 1013488 It's not a build, but picked up my Honzo AL DL last night. Olnly immediate changes are a Chromag moon saddle and Saint pedals. First ride will be today.

Weighed 27lbs without pedals and with stock WTB saddle.
So how was the ride ?

Is that the medium size ?

What about comfort, not too harsh for the back ?

Does the seatpost be 34.9 mm OD ?
 
#2,434 ·
One word review: better. Than a pre-2015 frame. I am not sure if is the frame refinements or the sizing difference but this new frame is smoother. It doesn't have the solid dead feel to it when landing jumps. It lands lightly but without give. And it is fast and controlled through chop helping ride more confidently at greater speeds. So far it is everything I tought I was missing with my old Honzo. My first was a great bike and helped me push my riding further and I think this one will do the same.
 
#2,436 ·
I love this bike, it's exactly what I was looking for. It feels just like my Satori most of the time, which is amazing to say the least. It loves to fly, and only inspires confidence, I couldn't be happier!

View attachment 1013932
sferguson24.

your bike looks rad. is it possible you could tell your rockshox pikes offset. i rode mine with a 150 (51 offset and didnt like it . was wondering if yours was a 46 offset cause merlins has them for cheap.

thanks ,

Andrew
 
#2,438 ·
Been lurking the past 2 days....my love for my EVIL following got me thinking about an steel 29er hardtail and I happened upon da HONZO, just picked up a magura ts8 140/from ebay,. Going to build a raw steel Medium with it and slowly build up some scrapers and trailblazers to make a B+...

I have too many bikes, what's one more. :)
 
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