Well, this one’s certainly not lining up for the Tour de France, but chances are it’ll be hiding in plain sight (we’re hoping anyway) at Crankworx.
Kona’s new Satori 29er is a 130mm long travel mountain bike that came from their U.S. riders’ wishlist. Built using the latest standards (tapered HT, 12×142 rear axle) and a new version of their 4-bar linkage. Rather than use the very Ellsworth-looking Walking Beam like many of their other full sussers, the Satori uses a new Swing Link design that gives it a lower standover height while retaining a large degree of rider tunability.
Swing past the “more” link for the scoop…
The frame definitely looks pretty svelte for a big travel, big wheeled bike, but Kona says it’s stiff enough for aggressive riding. The idea, according to their blog, was to create something that could provide plush suspension over big stuff while being nimble in the tight, technical terrain. Putting 130mm of travel on a 29er no doubt covers the plush part of the equation, so they gave it shorter chainstays, 12×142 rear axle and a 20mm thru-axle fork keep things tight.
Geometry-wise, it has a fairly slack 73º 68º head angle and a suspension set up designed to crush anything in its path. From their blog:
The frame is made using 6061 shaped aluminum for a light, strong, super stiff frameset. The bike uses a 142×12 rear axle and a 20mm front fork thru axle, both using a Maxle QR. The front fork is a Rock Shox Revelation 29er RLT with tapered steertube, while the rear shock is a Fox Float RP2 XV, which features an extra volume chamber to reduce ramp-up and retain plush, consistent suspension characteristics through the entire stroke.
The Satori comes with wide 710mm bars, an Easton Vice 29 wheelset, Maxxis Ardent tires (2.4 front, 2.25 rear) and a SRAM X7/X9 drivetrain. The prototype you see in these photos weighs in at 27.5 pounds. The 2012 production model will probably weigh in at 28.5 to 29 pounds. The Satori will be available at a Kona dealer near you Fall 2011.
Our guess is the heavier anticipated production weight means it won’t have an XX drivetrain on the showroom floor, likely as a cost concession. In typical Kona fashion, the name has meaning: Satori, in Zen Buddhist tradition, means individual enlightenment and is considered a first step toward nirvana.
Thanks to Ezra for the tip!
