What is it?
The 2021 Kona Honzo is a 29in hardtail mountain bike that I purchased in December of 2020. The size medium frame is stocked with all kinds of reliable and easily serviced parts. I got it at a shop in West Virginia called New River Bikes. This shop is a great small town shop that will hook you up with whatever you need to get out on the trails.
Spec list
The 29in FSA rims are dressed in Maxxis Minions DHR2 front and rear and come with tubes in the tires. The cockpit is a mix of FSA and Kona parts and the saddle is atop an Xfusion dropper post. The stopping and shifting are taken care of by a Shimano Deore 12-speed group set and the suspension fork is a 120 mil travel RockShox recon.
But why the Honzo
I bought this bike because of the promising spec sheet as well as the modern geometry. This bike is well suited for the trails I ride and is more than capable. I have used it for almost a year and a half now and it has been ridden on local trails, greenways, and even on the West Coast in Utah, California, and Arizona. The 120 millimeters of travel is exactly what I need for the XC/trail style of riding that I enjoy. The 12-speed cassette is another part that fits my riding style perfectly. All of my local trails are XC loops with a healthy amount of tech and flow. The 29in wheels help roll over some of the roots and rocks but also provide loads of grip when leaning into a corner or pedaling up a steep hill.
Pros and Cons
The bike weighs in around 32 pounds which is quite heavy for me but it can be upgraded and some of that weight can be shaved, however, I have not taken the time to do this yet because the bike comes with a very capable spec. The bike does not come with pedals so I put some clip-less pedals on and those help keep my feet planted while charging through a chunky downhill.
Final Verdict
The Kona Honzo is my favorite bike to ride and it is very highly recommended. The price is very reasonable for this build and the bike is a great base to start with or even just use stock.