Kona went through a rough patch during the first half of 2024 but everyone was able to breathe a sigh of relief with the news of Kona being re-purchased by its original founders. Soon after the acquisition, Kona is back releasing bikes with the new Process 153 and 134 mountain bikes. Here's everything we know.

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The Kona Process 153 evolves

Evolution and refinement have been what the Process has been all about, and these new bikes are designed to push the boundaries further, offering the rider a bike that'll do more of everything. Starting with the Process 153, the third-generation bike welcomes a flip chip and more sizes than before. A lot has changed as it also benefits from a new suspension kinematic to suit a broader range of riding.

2024 kona process riding 153 hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Customisation is a large theme with the new, bigger travelled bike as the flip chip allows for a 650b or 29-inch rear wheel. The small frame comes with a mullet wheel size out of the box whereas the others come with full 29-inch setups. On top of that, the new frame can run coil or air shocks thanks to the new suspension kinematic that's said to boost small-bump sensitivity with progressivity. 

There's also a shorter seat tube with a deeper insertion depth, so the Process 153 can run long travel dropper posts. Combined with the expanded range of sizes, riders should be able to pick a bike for their riding style, rather than height.

2024 kona process riding 153 top tube.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Other neat features come in the form of improved water bottle clearance and there's an accessory mount under the top tube. Carbon-framed models get internal cable routing whereas alloy frames get external routing and all Process models use the same bearing and pivot hardware that we're told is readily available.

As for geometry, the Process 153 dons a 64.5-degree head tube angle, a 76.7-degree seat tube angle and a 435mm chainstay. Reaches start at 430mm on the small frame and go up to 515mm on the XL. That geometry continues through to the alloy-framed builds, too.

Like its name suggests, there's 153mm of rear travel paired with 160mm at the front.

Kona's Process 134 hits the spot between focused XC bikes and the overkill of long travel rigs

The short-travel Process 134 is designed with responsive handling and pedalling while providing just enough squish to keep things calm. Claiming it's 'the trail bike most of us need', it borrows similar intentions from the Process 153 but adds more dynamism.

2024 kona process riding 132 hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Of course, this bike benefits from 134mm of travel at the rear with 140mm at the front.

Perhaps the best thing about the Process 134 is that it gets all the trick bits as the 153 such as a flip-chip for rear wheel size adjustment and UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) compatibility. It can run coil or air rear shock, depending on your preference.

It gets more clearance for larger water bottles, an accessory mount under the top tube, internal cable routing on carbon frames and external configurations on the alloy frames.

2024 kona process riding 134 sus.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The geometry is where things change a little as there's a 65.5-degree head tube, the same 76.7-degree seat tube, and a 435mm chainstay. The reaches are similar too with the same 430mm to 515mm range.

Pricing is yet to be released.

• www.konaworld.com

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