Unboxing the new 2023 Kona Honzo ST frame and discussing the build plan. I am very excited for this custom build. Support the channel! www.thebikesauce.com/
Same here. That's why I'm kind of pissed off that a lot of companies no longer sell framesets only. When that is the case I usually just get the cheapest version of the bike I want, grab the frame and build up. Costly but I get what I want.
beautiful looking frame. I was looking at the ESD but found the ride a little bit too slack for my liking so went for the Norco Torrent HT S1 as it had a "slightly" steeper head angle of which I'm very happy with. This frame looks to be the goods too. Love hardtails!
Funny. I also have one of these on order. Hope it arrives soon. I’m using parts from my trail bike including hunt trail wide wheels, a fox 36 that I will run 150mm, a -1 angleset I have kicking around from an experiment, my Magura mt-5 from my trail bike and I picked up a dirt cheap advent x drivetrain. Specialized tan wall tires are the plan and… hilariously, old race face deus xc cranks. Cause NW 104 bcd rings were $18
Sounds like an awesome build. My friend has the ESD frame that he built up as an aggressive trail shredder and it a SS. I have an Esker Japhy that is closer Geo to your frame that I custom built as a trail shredder SS mtb. I personally love building bikes up and seldom buy complete builds or complete wheel sets. It’s really satisfying choosing exactly what parts and also being able to re-purpose some nice components from previous bikes.
@@TheBikeSauce your content has a nice flow. Especially to those of us that enjoy geeking out over bike components and gear. Like re-using that dropper post. I’ve had some of my parts pass down to 2 to 4 different frames. I still use stems,handle bars,hub sets, cranks, pedals and various parts.
I had the original that was introduced back in something like 2016, for me personally I could not get along with the Honzo ST.....but I think that is because my intent was to ride it singlespeed. The problem is that typically on a singlespeed you're standing a lot, and with the steep seattube angle, even with a long TT, the position standing just isn't really good because the saddle isn't far enough back for clearance of pedaling and standing. Of course this can be solved w/ a setback post, but this frame comes with a long reach and long TT and meant to be ran w/ a short stem. So the position it puts you in to clear the saddle is forward of the BB...which is fine for climbing but not on flat sections. You can of course drop the saddle but when you're in and out of the saddle through twisty singletrack, constantly weighting the saddle down to the drop position is only going to slow you down. After a few months of it just not really working out, I switched to the SC Chameleon (which the current model has a steep STA now too) but for the Sage/Purple one that I have, its pretty amazing. The aluminum feels softer and more compliant than the steel of the Kona, and the geometry is really good for singlespeed.
Isn't the new ST frame designed for a 120mm fork? Any plan to try that? I see Kona advertises their Honzo builds w a 140mm fork at 66 degrees. If you listen to Steve at Hardtail Party, he seems to think the hardtail sweet spot is sub 130mm as to not get a crazy amount of geo change under compression. Would be interesting to get your take on this frame w both travel ranges.
I think the classic honzo still runs a 120 fork. Geo chart for new ST shows axle to crown of 551, which is what I get when I reduce my revelation to 140mm. Gonna try that first to see how the intended geo feels. I’ve added more tokens to make it more progressive too
Hello! I’m 5 ft 6 in in height and Kona’s size chart says small or medium for the Honzo St. If you are running a medium I’m curious to know your height and what your thoughts are on the medium frame. Does it run bigger than an average medium size frame or neck and neck with any other medium sized frame?
I built my carbon fiber hardtail for $1,300. With my components Trek would sell it for $5,000. The thing I learned from building bikes is: it is easy and mostly needs some hex wrenches, bike manufactures charge waaay too much for the low range components they put on the bikes, there must be a few middlemen doubling the prices before it gets to an authorized trek dealer.
I usually build my bikes, like my guitars. I get exactly what I want the way I want it. Sure it costs a little more but I get enjoyment out of it too.
💯🤘🤘
You sound like my kindred soul....
Same here. That's why I'm kind of pissed off that a lot of companies no longer sell framesets only. When that is the case I usually just get the cheapest version of the bike I want, grab the frame and build up. Costly but I get what I want.
A few weeks ago i got my Honzo ESD- what a bike! Rides amazing! Kona is awesome!
This is exciting. Man I would love to build up a hardtail just to learn more along the way
I really love the color wow!! Good pick!
Looking forward to it. Thanks
Awesome bike build 👍❤🤘
beautiful looking frame. I was looking at the ESD but found the ride a little bit too slack for my liking so went for the Norco Torrent HT S1 as it had a "slightly" steeper head angle of which I'm very happy with. This frame looks to be the goods too. Love hardtails!
my dream bike
Your build is edging dangerously into my area of interest. Hardtail and steel. And with that paint it's gotta ride nice too.
Haha gotta diversity the channel a bit
I love my steel Honzo!
What a bike thats going to turn out to be.
Funny. I also have one of these on order. Hope it arrives soon. I’m using parts from my trail bike including hunt trail wide wheels, a fox 36 that I will run 150mm, a -1 angleset I have kicking around from an experiment, my Magura mt-5 from my trail bike and I picked up a dirt cheap advent x drivetrain. Specialized tan wall tires are the plan and… hilariously, old race face deus xc cranks. Cause NW 104 bcd rings were $18
Sounds like an awesome build. My friend has the ESD frame that he built up as an aggressive trail shredder and it a SS. I have an Esker Japhy that is closer Geo to your frame that I custom built as a trail shredder SS mtb. I personally love building bikes up and seldom buy complete builds or complete wheel sets. It’s really satisfying choosing exactly what parts and also being able to re-purpose some nice components from previous bikes.
Hopefully the video series will be interesting
@@TheBikeSauce your content has a nice flow. Especially to those of us that enjoy geeking out over bike components and gear. Like re-using that dropper post. I’ve had some of my parts pass down to 2 to 4 different frames. I still use stems,handle bars,hub sets, cranks, pedals and various parts.
The paint is a showstopper. I think Kona's Shonky in 2021 model is the same shade!
I had the original that was introduced back in something like 2016, for me personally I could not get along with the Honzo ST.....but I think that is because my intent was to ride it singlespeed. The problem is that typically on a singlespeed you're standing a lot, and with the steep seattube angle, even with a long TT, the position standing just isn't really good because the saddle isn't far enough back for clearance of pedaling and standing. Of course this can be solved w/ a setback post, but this frame comes with a long reach and long TT and meant to be ran w/ a short stem. So the position it puts you in to clear the saddle is forward of the BB...which is fine for climbing but not on flat sections. You can of course drop the saddle but when you're in and out of the saddle through twisty singletrack, constantly weighting the saddle down to the drop position is only going to slow you down.
After a few months of it just not really working out, I switched to the SC Chameleon (which the current model has a steep STA now too) but for the Sage/Purple one that I have, its pretty amazing. The aluminum feels softer and more compliant than the steel of the Kona, and the geometry is really good for singlespeed.
Great video THX, but I am shocked by the weight because my full suspension CrMo DH frame weights 3900g
Isn't the new ST frame designed for a 120mm fork? Any plan to try that? I see Kona advertises their Honzo builds w a 140mm fork at 66 degrees. If you listen to Steve at Hardtail Party, he seems to think the hardtail sweet spot is sub 130mm as to not get a crazy amount of geo change under compression. Would be interesting to get your take on this frame w both travel ranges.
I think the classic honzo still runs a 120 fork. Geo chart for new ST shows axle to crown of 551, which is what I get when I reduce my revelation to 140mm. Gonna try that first to see how the intended geo feels. I’ve added more tokens to make it more progressive too
The second one is the posideon Norton isn't it
Haha, Norton is an aluminum frame. Good guess tho
Hello! I’m 5 ft 6 in in height and Kona’s size chart says small or medium for the Honzo St. If you are running a medium I’m curious to know your height and what your thoughts are on the medium frame. Does it run bigger than an average medium size frame or neck and neck with any other medium sized frame?
I’m maybe 5’8” and with a 50mm stem the medium is too long. I switched to 35mm stem and it’s just at my upper limit
Hi! I’m 5 ft 6 too. Pretty much in doubt which size to get. Either S or M. How would you recommend?
@@scumgrind I’d probably go small. My medium is at the limit for my comfort zone - just barely perfect fit. Any bigger, it’d be too long
Its same as a 2022 model, except for color. Im building a 2022 model myself :)
Do you know if the geo was updated in ‘21? Previous honzo st shows slightly different geometry
@@TheBikeSauce 21 model is 68 HTA and from 2022 it got slacker to 66 HTA
@@valentinobobinackrivacic409 perfect, thanks!
I built my carbon fiber hardtail for $1,300. With my components Trek would sell it for $5,000. The thing I learned from building bikes is: it is easy and mostly needs some hex wrenches, bike manufactures charge waaay too much for the low range components they put on the bikes, there must be a few middlemen doubling the prices before it gets to an authorized trek dealer.
this dude looks like a sloth
You really got on the internet and wrote that. Do better.