Major Bike Brand is DONE!
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 06. 2024
- Discover the shocking news about Kona, one of the world's most renowned bicycle industry brands. Learn about how Kona's downfall could be a signal of the overall lack of strength across the cycling world all together. Subscribe for more cycling news and updates.
Subscribe to EVO1 Cycling:
/ @evo1cycling
Kent Outdoors looking for buyer for Kona Bikes
www.bicycleretailer.com/indus... - Sport
For a second I thought Zelensky was talking bikes.😂
You need to watch my “TEMU” video… he made a full appearance!
We need to keep giving him all our money.
wasn't? :O
Same
Nope, he pretty much only talks about give me money
My first ever real mountain bike was a second hand 2003 Kona cinder cone. My uncles gave it to me in 2006 I believe. I was quite young and it was just me and my mom at the time. We were quite poor. She could have never afforded that, not that my uncles were well off either but they had a lot of friends and connections in the north shore bike scene and the bike was kinda pieced together from peoples spare parts. Things were pretty rough at home at the time and i used to skateboard to get out of the house. Spent a lot of time at the skate park and there was a lot of drugs and crime. That Kona got me up in the north shore mountains and out of the hood in a way and the mtb scene was definitely a lot more positive influence. That bike definitely changed my life.
It’s so sad :(
Damn! That's so sad to hear. My first mountain bike was a Kona Five-O and it was the best experience. Recently managed to get a new mountain bike and naturally got a Kona Honzo for the love of hardtails and because of the good times had on that first Kona.
I still want a honzo esd, they look so good!
Been saying it for years most of the mtb companies are ripping the consumer off
True
Right? I bet a $8500 Santa Cruz doesn't make my old ass a better rider!
which ones aren't?
I still miss the early 2000s kona era. Still ride my favorite bike of all time a 2004 kona howler, even compared to newer bikes and geometry there was something magical about those early 2000s konas, stinky, howler, cowan, etc. Everything juts felt fun and confidence inspiring. It just felt like this is exactly what a mountain bike should feel like and it truly reflected in how much the mountain biking scene was being pushed on konas in dirt jumping and freeride/downhill at that time. Sad to see a local Pacific Northwest company here loose its footing.
It sucks! One of the worst videos I’ve had to make 😞
the hei hei and the kikapu fantastic bikes
Still have and love my 2017 Process 153DL as my only FS bike. Still turns heads here in the Southeast where I live. Unbelievable 😢
A brilliant bike!
A lot of people just did the 2 for 1 deal with Kona only to have no warranties and probably a dwindling parts supply going forward.. Sounds like Kona investors made as much as they could and planned to bail. This was in the works for awhile. They couldn't hide what they were doing anymore with Sea Otter happening.
Their warranty was terrible anyway. I have owned 5 Kona’s in the past 20’years, when I had a warranty issue, they fought me on it for months.
I came close many times to getting in on the 2 for 1 deal, still wish I had even after this news
I didn’t know they had claim issues, that sucks
All bike OEM's are frames they source from either China or Taiwan.
@@petersouthernboy6327 true, but good brands develop their own frames and these frames are ligher and stiffer than chinese catalogue frames.
It is sad when corporate greed overrides customer service and support. I appreciate the transparency you have brought to this space.
It absolutely is, I appreciate you watching!
I can remember back 1988 when I had my first bikeshop job, KONA was one of those great TOP END brands. The CINDER CONE EXPLOSIF LAVA DOME HOT they were all great bikes. And you know what, at the time never had the cash to buy me one. Nowadays you simply just can't walk into a store and get one. And wifh them now being DONE with, they're gonna go up in value as retro bikes from the past and a RARITY. Who's next? MARIN? DIAMOND BACK? RALEIGH? 😢
Think larger brand, top 4 in size…. And this fall for the timeline
@@EVO1CYCLING Trek have cut down 40% on SKU's and 10% globally on staff. CANNONDALE SPECIALIZED BMC PINARELLO COLNAGO DE ROSA you name it....they're going down the same DRAIN HOLE
Peugeot?
I worked for Diamondback and back in 1998/99, Raleigh USA / Derby, bought DB out leaving everyone at DB jobless. Raleigh ruined DB. Diamondback hasn’t been that same bike racing mountain bike company it’s been since 1998 when our racing team was winning. Kona now leaving, and others to follow soon - watch - is a shame.
early 90s Kona were coool cool bikes me and my mate used to lust after the konas and oranges and cannondales when I was older and able to buy my first expensive mountain bike I went straight for a Kona and it was great ,shame they are done
26” Dawg Primo (don’t remember the year). Bought the frame on consignment at my local bike shop and built it out from there. That was a great bike and I rode the hell out of it well into the 29” era.
I had a 2004 Jake the Snake. Didn't do CX though, used it mainly for the rail trail in my backyard and a trip from Pittsburgh to D.C. Lasted 18 years, served its purpose.
Hell Yeah!
Picked up a big honzo during the half off because i was getting back into the sport, wanted something at a low barrier to entry ✅ something with modern trail geometry✅ something modular enough to be my do it all mtb without a huge investment✅ and something I knew I could upgrade without too much hassle to find compatible parts✅ Kona felt like the only brand marketing legitimate bikes to real people, sad to see them go, the big honzo is a blast on the local trails and feels capable enough to take anywhere my body could still handle. Hopefully everyone affected at the company lands on their feet and someone else can come in to take up their mantle.
Right on! Same here, the more that comes out the worse it sounds. I hope it’s not another Nukeproof situation
Major Jake!!!
my mate has a big honzo and its great
@@EVO1CYCLING if it is another nukeproof situation, have you worked out a frame buyback with anyone yet? Because I've got a sweet hard tail frame but would love to have some warranty assurance...
After years and years of people asking why these bikes are so expensive we got all this “economies of scale” jargon.
If a major bike company can sell their bikes for half off (2 for the price of 1) and still make a profit I would say that the cat is out of the proverbial bag.
Exactly!!!! It shows who’s making the real money
Bikes are so overpriced. Carbon frame bike must cost €2k or less.
Love my 2014 Kona Hei Hei. One of my favorite bikes ever.
Yes!!
Built up a 98’ Kona Kula I found on ebay several years ago and it was my first proper bike build I did myself. Very brake in the back, rockshocks disc in the front! Ended up selling it, which I regret, and got a 2020 Jake the Snake. Im keeping this bike forever as it works so well both on and off road. Fits a 45c tire too! Really sucks, but what else can we do? Saw from Kerry Werners channel he got dumped and there weren’t any CX bikes anymore. Sad. Really felt like the Jake CX bikes could’ve been promoted more to the gravel race crowd instead of “adventure gravel.” Kinda bummed about it, but I’ll keep riding
Incredible bikes! Hold onto it!
My first mountain bike was a 2005 Kona shred. Many summers as a kid spent at Whistler bike park on rental Stinkys. Sad to see them go away as they played such a large part in the beginning of my riding obsession.
It’s a bummer :(
A kona Fire Mountain was my first properly sized frame. I love tinkering with it, and above all hitting the trails!
It's my first bike shop bike. Better than my old GT Aggressor by far. It's a base model hardtail, but I still get excited about riding just looking at it. I put a Manitou Machete 120mm fork on the front, got a dropper post, and haven't looked back. I was really looking forward to maybe getting a Process.
You still could, and maybe at a really cheap price!
@@EVO1CYCLING it's a good possibility
All the news sites are saying it will be marketed to be sold off. As it sounded as the parent company wanted to focus more on their outdoor products. It will be interesting to see the final outcome.
It will be, I’ve heard a lot more than is being publicized. And we still haven’t heard from Kona themselves
My third year on a Kona Rove LTD , drop bar gravel bike. It's my daily ride, everything from mixed terrain to extended bikepacking trips. I did the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route on it last year and the thing is a champ, I love it. So sad to hear this news, hopefully someone picks them up
Love my steel. Rove. I’ve ridden it for over 7 years.
I hope they get picked up and made back into a niche brand
I love my Rove Titanium :)
2001 Kona MuniMula. Great bike that I rode for 20 years until I found a crack in the headtube. I still had the handwritten receipt and Kona and the LBS gave me a deal on a new Honzo. Great company. Great bikes.
That is amazing!!
I met a group on RAGBRAI last summer who called themselves the Flock of Sutra because they all rode Kona Sutras. Can't think of many other bikes that would inspire that kind of dedication mixed with silliness.
Riding a 2020 Kona process 134 al/dl and love it, always has a soft spot for Kona since I was on a Kona Stinky back in 2013, really sad to see yet another brand go under
Amazing bikes! It is sad :(
My son's first drop bar bike was a Kona Jake 24 when he was 8. Being a roadie, owning a CX wasn't even considered. However, I bought a Kona Jake The Snake after seeing how much fun he was having. Excellent bike and the Kona community is like family. I went from road racing to doing CX races in my off-season from road. The Jake delivered the goods. My son and I will always have respect for Kona. We did many rides together.
Love this!!!
I am loving my 2018 Kona Libre in flip-flop purple/green. The color caught me, but it has fully delivered and become the perfect ride for me. I use it as a daily commuter, but I am looking forward to bike camping with it this summer. Even with having run my own bike shop, I hadn’t bought a new bike for myself for 20 years until I got this, and anything else will be a step down. So sad to hear this news.
After riding a few second hand bikes my first new mtn bike was a 1996 Kona Kula. Remember walking in that shop like it was yesterday. Loved that bike. Also currently have a ‘21 Kona Jake in my herd.
Great bikes!
Had a Jake the Snake for years a gravel bike ahead of the time by day 25 years. Sorry to hear the sad news
They always were ahead of their time, fantastic bikes!
2004 Kona Dawg Primo. Have rebuilt it a few times. Brake lever shifters still working 😅
Such a great year!
I still ride a 2001 Kona Blast. It's my favorite bike. I've been able to get parts over the years because Kona was still supporting their older bikes. I might be screwed now. I think I might look into it and see if their gonna try and clear out inventory and grab all the parts I can.
Fantastic year!
When I started mountain biking back in the late 80s/early 90s, Kona was a super cool bike company, and I wanted one so bad. Fast forward to the early 2000s and I purchased my first Kona, a 2004 Stinky. Loved that bike. Rode the wheels off of it, and later on, turned it into my trail bike. After that it did time as my son's trail bike.
Eventually I moved onto a newer ride, and sadly sold it off. At least it went to a collector of vintage DH mtbs, so I know it will live on.
This news totally sucks, and I feel bad for all of the Kona employees and bike shops that have lost their future with Kona.
It’s horrible, I did not enjoy making this video if you tell by my voice at the end :/
I’m relatively new to cycling and my first bike two years ago was a Kona Dew Plus. I still have it and I still love it. I’ve recently moved on to a Lynskey gravel bike but I plan on keeping my Kona. I hate to hear that the brand is in jeopardy and I hope for the best for them.
Same! Pulling for some good news!
I'm super bummed about this news! My wife and I both own Kona Sutras and Big Honzos and have been fans of the brand for years. To us they represented great value and solid performance. They are easy to maintain and have given thousands of kms with no nonsense. I was looking ahead to buy at Process 134 at some point but now maybe not... Sad.
Still great bikes but it does suck that it’s all a big unknown
I’ve had a long line of Konas over the last 30 years, currently a 2019 Process 165, and they’ve all been great. If funds allow, I’ll get a late Process CR DL to keep it company. I really hope Kona can be saved, and my thoughts are with their staff 😢
Same! So many good people left with uncertainty!
I’m a Kona rider. It’s my daily driver and it’s a shame that this company was simply wasted. Private equity is a problem.
Facts!
I’ll never sell my 2017 Honzo CR DL, best bike I’ve ever had! Actually sold a 2023 bike and kept this instead. Now I want to pick up a Process 134 (or 2) to keep the name alive lol
Do it!!!
I love my Kona E-Ute which I upgraded with a Rohloff E-14. One day I will take it for a trip across the USA and back.
Do it!!
My Rad Jake and Kula Supreme. Both mid 2000 Scandium rockets !
Super bummed if they are done. Fun times cheering on the Kona cyclocross team.
Kona has done so much for our sport, it’s sad to see them like this
Some of the best years for bike design ever!
Aww man it's a end of an era...I got a Kona ss unit that's been in my life and shared many good times and memories with... It's been one of those bikes I would never sell.
It is indeed… sad to watch
When I was about 10 my dad bought a blue Kona caldera, the bike was amazing and from then on I always wanted a Kona. When I turned 30 my wife bought me a Kona rove ltd, I love that bike so much. I recently bought a new surly but it was a tight race between it and the Kona unit but my Thule yepp wouldn't have fit, the unit x was an arguably better ride than the bridge club. I'm still very happy but really hope Kona doesn't go away.
Kona Roast - early 2000s for dirt bag local DH shuttles and jumps - through to my Kona Unit X today in my mid forties, all day single track and bike packing. Thanks for the rad times Kona. 🤟🏼
Amen!
I literally got an ESD frame set a week ago. Built it up and damn it’s a sweet looking HT! Haven’t even ridden it yet. Then this news comes out the other day…. Well, now I will need to find replacement droput/derailleur hanger just in case…. I hope someone buys it and Carries on the kona name.
I want an ESD! I hope they can carry on, it’s highly unlikely though :(
1st ever mtb. the 134 from 2015. Still take it out once in a while. Still great. Reason I bought was that the Kona brand / story spoke to me. I could identify with the brand and they had just made the best value for money all mountain mtb (as it was called back then). I still like to look at at=)
In 1992 I managed to get a Kona cinder cone, I was 15 years old and this bike was the best thing in my life and when i think of my youth and best experiences, nearly all of those experiences involved my Kona.
What an absolute shame!! 😢
100% agree!
So sad. Kona was one of the coolest OG bike companies. Crazy names and crazy colours. I had a 1997 Kona Explosif in metallic gold. What a bike! My favourite Kona in the current range is the Unit X! I’m don’t have one but I’d love one and it’s on my list.
Unit X is legit!
I have the Kona Big Honzo and upgrade it from 27.5 11 speed to 29 12 speed. I love the way she looks.
Yes!!
My favourite Kona bike is the Stuff 2000, it's the bike I still ride today, I've kept it running, 24 years! But it's getting harder and harder to maintain as components become fewer and fewer available. Kona just saw the future back then, that versatile bikes were going to be popular, it really was already a do everything bike. I hope the future will be brighter for them.
Same!
Oh no! My Kona Wheelhouse is my favorite road bike. I was sad when they discontinued that model a few years ago, and now I'm sadder that the company will likely cease to exist entirely.
Same here :(
My home built skibike is my old freeride Kona Stinky from 2006. They are perfect for skibike conversions 😎🤙🍻
I almost bought 2 of those recently! Still wanting one for a skibike build!
Been at it 11yrs and built my wife one last season from my old full sus DJ bike. Adapters are the only problem. Especially with 20mm front axle as in my SKInky. Wicked fun though. Hitting 38mph regularly and it's also improved my summertime skills. Get after it 🤙🍻
there have been many private equity purchases of bike companies that have gone well-that’s not the issue. the main problem is inflation making the bike shop distributor approach very expensive for customers, demand dropping, no more free helicopter money.
Facts!
My first full suspension bike was a 2004's KONA COILER... Damn! I still love that frame. Was amazing for me...🤟😝
Such a good one!
As a Ragley owner, I find this demise of bike companies so incredible, considering the strength these brands had for years. What's the point of buying a company, only to run it into the ground?
Exactly, it is wild!
some companies do that and just liquidate assets
Kona Wo (280 Katie) is a top 3 of my bikes! She gets me through everything.
Yes!!
My first Kona was used Stuff frame that i rode for couple of years paired with Marzocchi Z1 CR 2000 110mm fork. Then after getting back to MTB in 2017. i bought Kona Unit single speed (2016 model that was not about bikepacking and how many attachment you can put on it but still an XC/trail rigid bike) I later sold it to buy a beautiful green 2019 Kona Rove ST. I became Kona addict at the time and i didn't know it.
Then i got a Process 134 DL for my MTB rides and used Unit for my wife (i converted it to 11spd and paired with Manitou fork). Then got Dew plus for communting and to take my kid to kindergarten and got another used Dew for my wife so she can commute to work.
Then of course a Makena for my daughter and few months later i got used Rove DL for my wife again. And finally this winter i got myself Honzo ST frame to finally put together my dream build hoping to get a dreambuild sticker from Kona. So in total i had 8 Kona bikes in my basement and decided to sell 2 Dews.
I guess i might keep them as an investment because i bet those bikes and steel frames will still be wanted in 10 years.
That sucks. My wife has a Blast, I just purchased a Big Honza and was thinking about getting the Unit!
Kona gave me my first real bike sponsorship back in 2005, I will ALWAYS be grateful 🙌🏼
Yes!!!
First expensive bike I got was a 2006 Kona Dawg Primo and learn how to pop wheelies and manuals with it! I sold it in 2009 to by my first carbon hardtail, 2008 Cannondale Taurine 1!
Both awesome bikes!
Kona honzo DL rider here. One thing you got wrong, I’ve owned several bikes, some have come and gone. The Kona will stay. Warranty or not.
That’s how important Kona are to me. They are the best bike company in the world they deserve more than this.
I’m still eyeing up a couple on marketplace, I love their bikes! I just think we will see a Nukeproof scenario where a lot of people dump them :(
I bought my mom and dad kona coco and kona dew. I dont have to worry about the warranty because they dont use the bikes anyway :(
You should go take them for a ride!
Been a Kona fan for a long time. First full suspension was a 1999 King Kikapu 80mm both ends coil fork. Beat that thing for 10 years before it broke. Got myself a first year Process 153, enjoyed it greatly for some time then it was stolen off my car after arriving home while I stupidly greeted my dog instead of securing my bike. Downgraded to a Precept and enjoyed it for what it was for years. Still have it but am at the point where I will probably let it go now since I seem to be all in with 29 at the moment. Lots of miles and smiles on Konas over the decades for me.
Hell yeah!
I've bought my first Kona bike just yesterday. Price drop was insane so i could not resist this offer even knowing that Kona can dissappear as a bike brand before 3 year warranty voids.
From 1 day Kona rider i can admit that they made a good and quality bike.
Such pleasure to ride.
Such pain that this company can dissappear.
It’s super disappointing!
I had the chance to buy a Kona Wheelhouse almost brand new, it became my bike packing tank, loved it since day one, and I take it as much as I can even tho I have a super carbon bike... I am on my way to buy a retro Kona Sexone also! Love these bikes. It is very sad if it comes to an end like that.
Love my Kona Rove. But, lots of brands are challenged by thr rollercoaster of the market over the past few years. Great bike, poor management is an age-old story in the industry. Hopefully the folks behind the bike I love will move on to another brand (or create their own!) and keep making affordable, fun to ride bikes. It's the bikes that matter!
Couldn't agree more!
Such a bummer. Mona helped shaped MTB on Vancouver north shore. OG brand with lots of history. I just got a process 153 DL last season and I love it…. Now what?
It’s a waiting game to see what happens :/
1998 Kona Lava Dome was my first bike, upgraded to Full XT with a manitou SXR+ fork.... I always wanted to get another bike from them one day.... this sucks
Lava Dome!!!
@EVO1CYCLING LX(SLX) equipped bike for $799 CDN or $599 USD. The 1999 Conder Cone had XT/STX with a Bomber Z5 for $1000 CDN or $800 USD. That was my dream bike at the time but $200 was a big stretch in the 90's! $1000 got you a lot of bike back then! I also miss their Decal styling from that era.
One of my first bike was a kona fire mountain around 2010. Paid it with my own money. At the time, it was a lot of money for me.
Fantastic Bike!
My favourite Kona Was my Munimula.
I still have my Big Kahuna and my Essato Ti. ( Lynskey )
Hope they recover 😢
Same here!
Well I missed the days of Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks headlining cyclocross and mountain bike races. I still have 1999 Kona Explosif hardtail that I still ride from time to time.
Yes!!!
I didn’t know Zelensky was so informed about the state of Mountain Biking!
That said, Kona was my first full suspension bike back in the day. I recently wanted to get back out there and start mountain biking again. I assume that’s how I came across this video because I was searching Kona!
You should watch my last video 😉 I have a feeling you’ll like it
@@EVO1CYCLING thanks, will do!
My first bike 1993 Kona Muni Mula - grip shift, Rock shocks, V Brakes, Shimano XLT, scratch and Sniff wheels. Upgraded everything on that bike, but retired it in 2017. I got serious and picked up a Kona Honzo, full carbon .. a great trail bike - still ripping the trails. I had it out for my First spring ride 2024 - 25 km on the trail - one week ago today 50 year old dude - this keeps me young. I was always proud of my Konas.. the investor world is so F’ed right now with DEI calling the shots - and not real economics.
Facts
I races a stab deluxe in the mid 2000s the original mullet bike 24 in the back!!! I loved all 47 pounds of that bike and would love to buy one to restore
Always wanted to try a 24” rear!
Got a Kona Hahanna as an insurance replacement back in about 1994 I think. God I loved that bike, sadly stolen after only 9 months.
That sucks!
I have a Kona unit x and a Kona honzo. I will ride them into the ground before I replace either of them. The unit x is steel, that thing should outlive me
Those bikes will last forever!
Miss my ‘92 Cinder Cone, it was too small for me but ripped as a commuter and trail bike
Kona is/was quite popular in my area. While not a premium brand, their performance to price ratio was very high.
Facts!
I ride a 2000 TI Kona Hei Hei !! Yep the one with the disc brake tabs, best xc bike ever.I will keep this bike forever.Such a bummer Kona will be going away they have been a staple of the PNW for a long time.
Kona was overpricing bikes wirh cheap components for years. Definitely saw this coming.
Sad to hear. Was thinking about a Kona Rove. Not enough bikes out there designed around 650B. The bike industry is designed for 6'4" dudes.
Still riding my 2015 Process 111. It was ahead of it's time. They seemed to stagnate and go down hill since then.
True but still a damn good bike!
My first non-Walmart bike was a Kona Caldera. Still have it, but the fork sucked and constantly broke.
Rebuilt my 2013 Kona cinder cone as a dirt touring bike with a Soma rigid fork, more than happy with it. Really feel for the company:(
2024-05-30 This aged well...
Thankfully, Kona is back!
Right! The plot twist that I DID NOT see coming! Glad it happened and I am glad I was wrong
Nobody saw it coming! The founder/owners sell their baby at a high price. Then watch their dream company run into the ground. Then to be put up for sale and the founder's ride over the hill to save the brand. Kinda epic!
When you started to see high end bike prices go sky high and being able to finance who do you think was behind it?
Financing on bikes is a dangerous thought
I had an entry level process as my first bike and it brought me so much joy. RIP Kona.
I've ridden Kona mountain bikes since 2004 Lava Dome and Cinder Cone . Absolutely amazing bike's, I swear by this brand. Superb value for money and indestructible, off-road and on-road. I've commuted to work on them aswell as hours of fun off-road. It would be absolutely a crime if I could never purchase this brand ever again.
I never tried or had a Kona. But if this really means the brand is gone that's a shame. But there are many brands out there. So not a crisis for the riders.
Exactly, just a change of scenery
Just built up a sexy steel Single speed Honzo!!! It rips!!!❤❤❤❤
I’m Jealous!!
Rememebr buying my 1994 Kilauea new, my race bike ,trail bike ,put on conti GPs and used it as a commuter. Upgraded it , loved it and it got stolen. I miss that bike even now
That sucks! Bike thieves are the worst
@EVO1CYCLING sadly it was car thieves. Car was stolen, bike happened to be in the back
Kona Sutra. I’m going to hang on to it as long as I can.
Yes!
I'll still be rocking my Kona Rove ti for a long time to come. My Jake the snake is taking a big break now. Maybe my old cinder cone will get new life someday. This brand may go away but it'll never die.
Kona Ozark Trail presented by Walmart coming soon
😂 YES!
This just sucks! If we had a customer come in needing a tough bike we always recommend a Kona.
Kona was always a bike I recommended as well! This sucks!
My favorite thing from Kona is some good bud and coffee..
Facts!
My Kona rove-Ti 2013 is my forever bike...and I should never have sold my Unit😢
Fantastic bikes!
That truly sucks. I should have gotten one in the 90's but couldn't afford it LOL.
I’ve always loved them! May see a bunch hit marketplace if you are looking!
Damn. I loved my 2009 Kona Hoss hardtail. My eldest son is still riding it...
Sad news if true . Have a Kona Explosif and a Major Jake , both great bikes !!!
I agree! Probably some of the worst news I’ve had to report on
Mate of mine had a Muni Mula, always lusted over his bike it was light very good looking nice colour paint, he commuted with it
Very sad to see Kona fold
They are easy to lust over! It’s sad what’s happening to them
Joe Murray is a ledge! Kona was the shit. An early mtb brand with progressive geo that rode insane. Great marketing and steel hardtails that were the only cool thing back in the mid-late 90's. I had an Explosif from 94'. Decked out with a RS Judy, XTR, Ringle' and all the fixin's. Such a dope bike for the time..Tange Prestige/Concept/Ultra custom tubeset with Ribbed downtube... Sad Day if Kona truly dies on the vine.
Process X was an amazing bike. How can this keep happening to great companies.
Greed :(
@EVO1CYCLING Hopefully part suppliers will start feeling the effects and finally lower their prices.
Done? They said they are selling it not disolving it. You don't have enough information to work with. Also I have never heard any criticism of the former founders/owners for selling out in the first place!
I’m not citing the major publications who dumped a watered down article last night… more news is coming in the next few weeks
Kona was bought by Kent Outdoors in 2022.
Their special sale was done in the off season; December 2023.
Kent Outdoors announced on 19 April 2024 that they are looking to sell Kona off, at the same time they announced that they received an investment of $100 million.
Seems more like KO bought a bike company without knowing what to do with it and then finally realized it in the face of a huge investment opportunity.
It’s a disaster
@@EVO1CYCLING I'm about to take delivery of a new Mahuna in about a week...
@@EVO1CYCLING Canceling the Sea Otter event and putting Kona up for sale was probably a condition of the $100mm investment they just got.
Doesn't mean something sinister was afoot, but more likely the investor wanted them to focus on what they know how to do - water sports/activities.