INTERBIKE 2009 – Kona updated several of their models and introduced a few new ones to round out their huge portfolio of bikes.  The big news was/is the Cadabra and Abra Cadabra with their 2nd generation Magic Link suspension, and we have a whole post dedicated to those bikes with a video run down from their suspension engineer.
This post covers their new Hei Hei 2-9 (as in 29er, above), the Hei Hei 100 XC racer, the Cowan DJ bike and the new Lisa hardtail and 120 full suspension bikes for the ladies.
The Hei Hei 2-9 brings a lightweight, race-ready Scandium frame to the 29er wheels for a big, fast bike with smart frame features and components to ensure an efficient ride.
Hit ‘more’ for specs, photos and more on all these bikes…
The Hei Hei 2-9 has a tapered headtube and 15mm front thru-axle to keep steering tight.
A Scandium frame and magnesium rockers keep it light and provide a lot of upgrade potential for those looking to shed a couple of pounds.  Off the lot, it’s spec’d with Shimano SLX cranks and brakes/levers and XT shifters and derailleurs.  Suspension is handled by Fox Float RP23 w/ Boost Valve in the rear and a Fox 32 F29 100-RL TA in the front.  An Easton wheelset with Kenda Small Block 8 tires (2.1) and Kona cockpit with WTB saddle round out the spec.
For the 26″ wheel crowd, the fresh new Hei Hei 100 bumps its travel up to 100mm front and rear and is intended as an all-around cross country race bike.
The “rainbow” of sizes includes 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ and 22″ frame options.  If you can’t find one to fit, you might have a career in the circus.
The brushed Scandium frame is sweet looking.
The 26″ model doesn’t get the tapered headtube, and it uses a RockShox Recon SL Solo 100mm fork.  Rear shock is a Fox Float RP2.
A hexagonal downtube helps stiffen the bottom bracket area.
The Kona Lisa 120 is a long-travel XC bike designed specifically for women.  Whereas the Minxy (black bike in background) is a true women’s freeride mountain bike, the Lisa 120 is intended to be a more XC-oriented offering with 120mm of travel to soak up anything that comes along the trail.
The frame is Race Light butted Scandium with Magnesium rockers, and it’s spec’d with a Fox Float RP2 and RockShox Recon SL Solo 120mm fork.  The drivetrain is a mix of Shimano Deore, HG and SLX with a predominately Kona-branded cockpit and WTB Speed She Sport SE saddle.  The Lisa 120 rolls on Mavic Crossride wheels with Kenda Komodo Kevlar 2.1 tires.
For the girls that are just getting into it, the new Lisa HT (hard tail) uses the same frame as the Lisa Deluxe, but comes with purse-friendly but trail-worth spec: RockShox Dart 2 100mm fork, FSA cranks, Shimano Acera/Deore drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes Formula (front)/Shimano (rear) hubs with Alex rims and a Velo saddle.
The Kona Cowan Dirt Jump bike is sweet.  Just look at it…sweeeeet.
At $1,199, it’s not the most expensive DJ/Slopestyle bike from Kona, but it’s arguably the best looking and the best spec’d for straight up dirt jumping.
Hydroformed downtube allows room for the 80mm Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1 fork to compress fully and provides a larger weld area to stiffen the head tube.
20mm thru-axle keeps steering nice and tight.
The Cowan comes with FSA Moto FR cranks in 165mm length for the 12″ frame and 170mm for the 14″ and 15″ frame sizes.
Replaceable rear dropouts have a handy little dial to adjust chainstay length and straighten up the rear wheel.
That’s a Yaban Mack Offset Link BMX chain.
…and just a sneak peek at the graphic treatment on the forthcoming Lacondeguy Inc steel dirt jump frame.  We’re on the queue to get one in for review as soon as they’re released!
