specifications geometry - Kona

TECHNOLOGY
2011 KONA BIKES
is particularly useful on dual suspension
bikes that have higher bottom brackets.
Riders have a more secure riding position,
which is especially beneficial when
riding downhill sections.
Also, the top tube is longer and more
compliant. As the top and down tube become
more parallel, there’s less triangulation,
resulting in more compliancy. So
not only is the frame stronger and more
responsive, but it absorbs more shock
than frames with horizontal top tubes.
COMPACT REAR TRIANGLE
Short chain stays and seat stays provide
a perfect balance of stability and power
transfer when out of the saddle and
pedaling hard. Shorter seat stays also
have less deflection during braking and
accelerate quicker than longer stays. The
shorter rear triangle also helps the bike to
negotiate tight twisting sections of trail.
HYDROFORMED TUBING
For 2011, you’ll find formed tubing on a
great number of our bicycles. Hydroforming
uses water specifically, but we also
use Superplastic formed tubing, shaped
using air, or cold formed tubing. This
not only allows a tube to be tuned for
compliancy on specific planes but it also
improves grain alignment and increases
all mechanical properties.
Hydroforming is a tube shaping technology
that uses super high-pressure
liquid to form the shape of a tube and
align its grain structure. Quite simply, the
technology delivers a sound structure and
ride performance like no other tubing in
the world. The process results in a seamless,
continuous, aligned piece of metalright
down to the fiber structure itself.
Hydroforming proves especially advantageous
at weld points where it can
be flared to increase weld areas, adding
strength without adding weight in the
form of extra gussets. The result is a
strong, flawless frame with great lateral
stability, durability and responsiveness.
Not to mention, it looks real sharp too.
SUPERPLASTIC FORMED TUBING
Superplastic Forming (SPF) uses high
temperatures to shape tubes, when the
tube structure is in its most ‘plastic’ and
formable state. SPF allows for better tube
12
shapes that cannot be produced using
traditional forming techniques. Whereas
shape designs can be applied to 20%
- 30% of the tube using hydroforming,
SPF allows up to 90%. The result: more
optimized shapes and lesser weight. SPF
tubes are the perfect alternative to the
infinitely more expensive carbon fiber –
comparable in weight and performance,
without the accompanying disadvantages.
SPF tubes are also recyclable.
SPF Tubing is featured on the following
Kona 2011 models: Blast, Cinder Cone,
Caldera, Kula Lisa, Dew FS, Dr. Dew, Dew
Deluxe, and Dr. Good.
INTERNAL HEADSET
By having the headset bearing located
inside the headtube (what’s sometimes
called zero stack), rather than the top
and bottom, we are able to achieve a
wide array of advantages when it comes
to front end stiffness and overall riding
performance. With an internal headset,
the head tube is able to take the stress
directly, resulting in less play and less
wear, with strong ride characteristics, and
better bearing performance.
An internal headset also reduces stack
height, enabling the height of the stem
and bars to be more adjustable, the bike
has more setup options, resulting in the
best fit possible.
TAPERED HEAD TUBE
For 2011, a wide variety of Kona
bicycles feature tapered head tubes,
meaning the top of the head tube is
1-1/8-inches at the top, while the bottom
is 1.5-inches. From our cyclocross bikes
to our cross-country mountain bikes,
right through to longer travel dual suspension
models, like our Cadabras and
CoilAirs, a tapered head tube provides
more support at the intersection of the
top tube and down tube.
The design also offers a more solid
interface between forks with tapered
steer tubes and the bicycle frame itself.
More girth at the bottom of the head tube
better distributes shock force, prolonging
the bearing life of the headset itself. The
design also allows for a stronger steering
position and improved balance, giving the
rider more control in rough terrain.
KONA MAGIC LINK ACTIVE GEOMETRY
With the ability to change geometry, travel
and suspension on the fly, Kona’s patented
Magic Link Active Geometry represents
a new era in dual suspension mountain
biking. Released in 2008, Magic Link is
a completely intuitive system. It’s always
on. You and the trail are the switch.
• Climbing: Increased pedal pressure
keeps the Magic Link’s auxiliary shock
from engaging, retaining good pedaling
geometry and firmer suspension characteristics.
Everything you need for comfort,
traction and efficient power transfer.
• Cross-country: Tire drag, faster corners
and bigger bumps cause the Magic Link’s
auxiliary shock to move deeper into its
travel. Chain stays elongate, the saddle
and bottom bracket lower, and the head
tube slackens, all amounting to an agile,
confident riding position, with increased
wheel traction and plusher travel.
• Descents: When the main shock and the
auxiliary shock fully engage, Magic Link
allows the bike’s geometry to slacken considerably,
enabling the rider to position
themselves further behind the bike, with
a lower center of gravity and extended
rear triangle for increased stability.
• Variable Spring Rate: Throughout all
three modes, Magic Link’s two separate
shocks work in series, providing a
variable spring rate that is lower and
more plush in descend mode. Working
in series also allows the rear wheel to
pop over big, sharp bumps with virtually
no resistance. Because the main
shock becomes more progressive as the
link engages, it won’t blow through the
travel and it won’t bottom out.
• Extended Travel: Finally, Magic Link
also has the ability to lengthen rear
travel. In our Cadabra models, travel
ranges from 100mm in climbing mode
to 160mm when fully engaged. In
our CoilAir series travel ranges from
125mm to 200mm. In our brand
new 2+2 cross-country models, travel
ranges from 50mm to 100mm.
KONA WALKING BEAM 4-BAR
LINKAGE SYSTEM
Since Kona first introduced the platform
in 1996, we've been refining and honing
the most functional, durable and