You summed it up correctly at the end, " The best bike is the one you have and it gets you out riding." Everyone is built different just like bikes, what fits you may not fit someone else. I am a firm believer in "Make the bike your own". If that only requires a different set of grips, so be it. I am still working on my personal plus hardtail, a part at a time.
Thanks. I hope more people see this and act the same. We're all out there to enjoy nature and unwind. With a bit of etiquette we can all have a good time.
I sold my FS bike and bought Marley 1.0. I'm amazed how much fun is this bike. I do not miss my FS at all. Steve, if you have a chance test the Marley, I bet you will like it.
Sounds like it would be a great bike for our mostly flat trails here in Dallas. Some technical climbs, but definitely no need for a super slack bike here.
@@hardtailparty What would you choose? I have a 2019 Nukeproof Scout but I would like a bike that has a better seating position. The semi-slack seat tube angle is pretty bad for climbs I feel.
A few more thoughts. 1) this geo is identical to the honzo dl (thanks to my viewers who pointed it out). The DL is a little snappier and quicker accelerating, while this one is softer and more supple. 2) this bike felt surprisingly light. It seems like Kona has found a way to keep it light and not feel overbuilt. Well done Kona. 3) it has a softer ride feel than previous honzo STs. They did a nice job here. It doesn't feel harsh or overbuilt. 4) the welds aren't pretty and it feels like build quality has gone down on the frame. It's nothing like a nimble 9 or Stanton. 5).i am glad the honzo exists, and i think honzo owners are awesome people. It's the right genre, i just think theu missed a few things on the geo. Geo numbers look decent on paper but we need to remember that the way a bike ride is a combination of how all the angles come together. This one just felt off. 6) my buddy Kenny loves this hardtail. I think it's his favorite hardtail yet that he's owned. Thanks for letting me borrow it Kenny. 7) i've ridden 70+ modern hardtails, it's truly amazing how different they all feel You'd think most hardtails ride the same, but they are so different. A great hardtail is rare, but they're out there.
I love how often you include hiker interactions in your ride videos. It's so easy to just say hi and be polite. Thank you for being a good example for the community.
Frame design is like baking. You can have all of the right ingredients, but if you have a few measurements off even a little the combined result just doesn't turn out right.
"Who cares what I think. Kenny loves it. That's all that matters. Don't let me talk you out of loving a bike that you've got." Probably the best advice. I love that you have a huge "library" of bikes in your brain to compare all these bikes to. This makes it much more valuable to watch your reviews.
Just picked up one of the new ESDs last week and pretty much love it - basically feels like it has the front end of my Stumpjumper Evo but the back end of a dirt jumper, especially with the chainstays in the shortest position. Feel like the ESD is probably a better move for anyone riding more aggressive trails, but the ST would be best for the average rider in the east or midwest.
I waited 9 months for my Nimble 9 frame. Glad I did though, as the price jumped $200 over the pre-order price. I could've bought the Honzo ST frame locally, but waited.
Appreciate you sticking to your guns on this review... I may have missed it if you mentioned what fork offset Kenny used, but I very much feel like these bikes are best with a slacker headtube angle (just as you suggested) AND a reduced offset fork. There's just something about 51mm offset paired with short chain stays and a relatively steep HT angle that feels front front-end biased. I know short chain stays are supposed to be playful, but I actually like the Honzo with ~65 degree HT angle, reduced offset fork, and the dropouts slid further back for a more balanced feel.
You mentioned the Nimble 9, will you be getting a Yelli Screamy for review when they arrive? I'm guessing you may like the geo numbers on that one, and they're offering a frame/fork bundle with the Cane Creek Helm.
I have a 2017 Honzo Al (my first real mountain bike) and a 2018 Honzo ST (both 1 degree steeper HTA than the 2021). I definitely found they benefit from an angleset! I went through a lot of iterations of fork lengths and anglesets until I settled on -2 degrees and 140mm. Going from a -1 to a -2 degree angleset, my feeling was, "This bike just feels right now!" This should have a static HTA of about -65 deg (would be 64 deg if you had the same configuration on a 2021 model). Maybe Kona should just go slack or go home with it. Make 65 deg the norm (even if they are trying to differentiate it from the ESD). The old Honzo ST is definitely a beast. Frameset alone is around 7.5 lbs. I wonder if the quality was a little better back then because I feel like the welds look decent, and the paint job is pretty good.
Great review as always. Really funny how certain bikes just speak to certain riders. I'm sure this bike has fanboys, and it comes down to terrain and riding styles. I think you've been blessed to ride so many amazing bikes that you know what works best for you.
I’m in the market for either a Honzo ST or Santa Cruz Chameleon, frame only, so they’ll get the same build. Which one is more comfortable for long distance trail riding?
Strongly considered this bike months ago. Looked great on paper. But Steve hadn't reviewed and little info was available. Got the Paradox V3 instead. Love it!
I used Steve's bike consultation when I wanted to upgrade my old hardtail. Steve has a wealth of knowledge, a true passion for helping others, and, he is fun to work with. I like the bike I ended up with but if I decide I want to change it up, I will be reaching out to Steve again. #sogood!
Thanks for the review! I bought this bike a few months ago and built it up as a SS. I'm having a good time on it for my local green/blue trails. I agree though...it actually feels steeper than the stated 66 degrees with a 140mm fork. If I keep the bike I'll probably throw in an angleset.
Hey, this is the first new video after I discovered your channel a few days ago. I've been binge watching and enoying dozens of your reviews since then. Currently I'm at episode 3 of the $300 bike challenge. Love the review style, production quality and indepth knowledge you provide. Ironically I ordered a new FS bike yesterday though 😅. But a new HT might be due next year.... Keep up the great work!
I'm curious about your or anyone's thoughts on how much the wheels and fork and other components change how enjoyable a frame can be . In your opinion would lower performance parts on a more expensive "theoretically better" frame still be better than higher performance parts on a cheaper "theoretically lesser" frame. I'm new to evaluating frame geometry between bikes but most seem very similar within certain price ranges.
My old Kona Blast has a steep head angle, a short chain stay, and is the least playful bike I have ever owned. Basically similar complaints. It is now my wife’s bike and has the baby seat on it. The stability from the grumpy frame and maneuverability from the steep head tube angle make it excellent for this. Not sure who buys a bike specifically for a baby seat though.
Depends on the customer. Usually about 5 emails back and forth takes care of it. But some people ask over 100 questions, while others just need a few quick suggestions. It's up to each patron when they cancel., Some of my patrons stick around for months because they want to pick my brain on something new every few days. Patreon is the only way I'm able to support this channel. Without it i wouldnt be able to do these reviews.
Can you tell me the GoPro and mount you are using? I looked in the “gear” section but it’s not there. My old one is Terrible & really enjoy the filmography here. Great upload as always man!
I've had this bike for about a month and running 29x2.8 coronados front and rear. I was surprised there was clearance for 2.8s. I'm definitely enjoying the bike more with the 2.8s versus 2.4 or 2.6
Thx Josh. Good info to know. Planning on running mine ss probably 2.5-2.6 so should have plenty of room for wherever that axle lands. When did u order yours? I'm STILL waiting. Ordered mine in Colorado June-ish? 4mo...going on 5 now. Ugh... I'm dying for it! 😜🤙🤙
@@fasterwheels My local bike shop in Springfield Missouri just happened to have one. The rear triangle on my full stashe broke so I took all the parts off of that and put it on the honzo. So far it rides great couldn't be happier.
@@joshwade44 thx...even the headset transferred over? Do you know the size or spec on that? If not, maybe they'd know. Did you tear down and install the parts or did they? Sorry to go all ocd on you but for some reason no one can tell me....I just need to know if I have one or order one asap so I'm not waiting ANOTHER month for a silly small part I could have taken the last 5mo to secure. Thx a bunch everybody! And happy trails!
Man, I'm jealous of the trails you've got there.. one day I'll cross the ocean to try them out. Nice review. I'm in the market for getting a new hardtail and you're channel has provided me with plenty of options (which unfortuntely are often hard to get these days too :s)
Love the content, and usually really see eye to eye with where you are coming from on your reviews but I have to respectfully disagree on this one. I just upgraded to the Honzo ST from my aluminum Big Al (which was a perfectly fine bike) and I couldn’t be happier. The ST is bulletproof and sits squarely where I believe a true trail bike should sit. I’ve ridden my buddies ESD and couldn’t be Happier with my decision to get the ST. Keep up the great content👍
Congrats, in glad you're loving it. I've seen a few STs break. I feel like Kona's quality has gone downhill quite a bit. However, I also have a lot of friends who haven't broken their STs. I'm happy that you're happy. Depending on the trails, bike fit, build, and rider preferences this can be a great bike for s lot of people. I really struggled to click with it. I'd like to give one another chance sometime with a different build.
I don’t want to agree (because I just spent a bunch of time building this bike up and was really amped) but you’re right. There is something not great about the steering. Maybe I’m just used to a slacker front end with shorter offset fork, but it just does not respond as well as I want. Constantly fighting against understeer. I think this frame would be better with 1degree slacker angle set, 150 mm fork, and short offset. It’s really a smooth riding bike, and it wants to go fast, but I just can never get to the point where I’m as confident as I’d like
Were paying $699 cdn for the '22 ST frame, surprised there asking that in US funds.... id lose interest, then again its hard to nail down any components these days, no time to shop around for a better price.....pay the price for availability i suppose
Following your channel for a long time. Are you planning to review NS Essentric Cromo at some point? I've been considering buying it since it's aggressive and affordable however would love to watch your opinion on it.
How about reviewing the Marin Team Marin 2? I got to ride one, and although it’s not a high end bike it felt awesome even compared to much more expensive hard tails I tried. Would really like to hear your thoughts about it
I appreciate you mentioning your consultation service. I took advantage of it and I 100% recommend it (and I'm still chipping in monthly because I'm so satisfied with it).
Hikers have the right of way on all trails where i live. There's tension between user groups, and anything i can do to ease that tension helps all bikers everywhere.
I've been thinking about trading in my 2020 st frame for that slick stealthy new 2022 model they just released...but I'm bummed to hear that a lot of the issues I have with my 2020 are still here. I live in AZ as well and just find something missing in the Honzo here. Maybe it's time to try that Stanton :)
Seems like an angleset would give you that slightly shorter reach that you want. Also, it doesn’t look like you have the chainstays brought all the way in. So it’s a bit longer than it could be.
Just before pandemic prices I had my eye on a 2019 big Honzo DL. And in January 2020 I went in with 1800$ cash and told them I was taking the bike! It was good but when I put a set of 3” wrathchild 45 north tires on it completely changed the bike. Very competent on more difficult tech but in MN I have to go to the iron range or north shore to get that so in the cities it’s hard to find something that stretches this bike!
@@JoshTaylor the big Honzo comes with 2.6” from the factory I think it’s wider than a regular Honzo. I have about a quarter inch on one side and about 3/16” on the other. If I get sticky snow and mud it will start to build up on the seat stays, but I use this as my “fast” hard tail if it’s crappy I’ll ride my full fat Farley 7. I’m a big guy 6-4” and about 240 so more tire is ALWAYS better. A Xc trail bike with fast rolling 2.25 tires wants to get me killed! IDK how wide the wheels are but they hold the threes great even at lower pressures I run 15-18 PSI when rough or soft and a little more when dry and smooth. I put studs in them for the winter and with studs it’s unstoppable!
Still not sure if my HonzoST will arrive as a '21 or '22 or what color! Can anyone comment on the headset specs? I'd like to make sure to have one ready to go after waiting for 5mo at least...whether my Chromag take-off or new one! Seems to be the latest mystery. Am I understanding that a Pike 150mm will put the head angle into a BIT more shred-ly position? Because it's what I've got! 😆 At least I ordered at the old msrp. Thx Steve for sharing all your experiences and various details of bikes.
Thanks for your video reviews - it's great to see some objectivity on You Tube. In this video you say you'd much prefer a 4130 steel Stanton Sherpa to this Kona, but I thought it was the Reynolds 853 steel Sherpa you rode recently?
@@hardtailparty great to hear! Keep up your excellent work. Here in the muddy UK autumn / winter we like seeing your sunny dusty trails. Not jealous at all!
The 2022 is exactly the same frame as the 2021, so my review is still relevant. It sounds like you'd be a good candidate for my bike consultation service.
Excellent review! One idea you might consider…maybe build up a couple different wheel sets (One Shimano, one SRAM) with identical rims, spokes and hubs…throw them on for your reviews of the frames. Just for consistency, gnome sayin?
I use a control wheelset across bikes to judge stiffness. It's not always shown on my ride review ride, but i make sure to try it with those wheels for aa accurate comparison. Fortunately Shimano and SRAM are cross compatible, so i only need one wherlset for those
So you usually ride (for reviews) the I9 trail s wheels, or are those Kenny’s? The reason I ask is because one of the first riding points you make is that a nice/light set of wheels makes a bike feel light.
I found a LBS that is selling the 2021 as a complete bike. I REEEAALLLY wanted you to love this bike. The one consolation is that I'm in the PNW and will be riding a lot of blue and blue/black flow.
Don't listen to Steve. I built up the ST this spring and have taken it down pretty much everything here in the PNW. OTG, Physical Therapy, CCDH, ETC. The bike shreds, just doesn't work very well for him for some reason.
@@skylerdompier938 it'll get down those, but there are other hardtails I'd much rather have. When you only have one or two points of reference, it seems like a great bike. When you've ridden 50+ different hardtails, you realize there are much better options. I'm glad you're thrilled with yours though. The esd would be much more at home on otg, predator, and other similar trails
So this is closer to the Aluminium Honzo than the Honzo ESD? I kinda like that. The Honzo was super slack, which made it really fun and rowdy, but not so amazing at general riding.
@@guipol112 agreed, I really love the ESD when I test rode it, but the 63 degree head angle was just a *little* too much for my liking, especially as someone who can't afford a quiver. I ended up getting a Norco Torrent, which rides similar to the ESD but has a 64 HTA, which means if I want to slacken it further I can always put an extra 10mm of fork length in without losing that 150+mm travel
@@hardtailparty I think it would work quite well if they made the ESD 63 degrees but based around a 160mm fork, so anyone who wants a bit more control can reduce the fork length 10-20mm and steepen the head angle. That of course introduces some problems with STA, but I'm sure it's something people would learn to live with if they are mucking about with fork lengths anyway
@@hardtailparty please be a sirius please be a sirius :P jokes aside can't wait, thinking about r7 pro+sirius but not many reviews on it, you're the best reviewer i know so it would be a match in heaven haha
I bought a Sirius at the start of the year! I really enjoy it but would also love to see a review. The only downside to the frame is the low stack height. However, I think the stack is a little higher when you run a 120mm fork as their geo chart uses a 483mm A2C measurement but that is way less than a sagged 120mm fork.
That's the danger of honest reviews. Oh well, I'd rather have integrity and tell people what it rides like than pretend like every bike is amazing to keep the bike companies happy.
![[UA] NAVI проти G2 Esports | Blast Premier Fall Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QWlIm4FGESQ/mqdefault.jpg)
You summed it up correctly at the end, " The best bike is the one you have and it gets you out riding." Everyone is built different just like bikes, what fits you may not fit someone else.
I am a firm believer in "Make the bike your own". If that only requires a different set of grips, so be it. I am still working on my personal plus hardtail, a part at a time.
I really appreciate your trail etiquette. If people were more like you the outdoors would be even more enjoyable.
Exactly. Where I ride most people don't have any trail etiquette. I wish there were cool people like hardtail party on my trails.
I was literally going to type the exact same thing!
Thanks. I hope more people see this and act the same. We're all out there to enjoy nature and unwind. With a bit of etiquette we can all have a good time.
Steve etiquette on the trails has improved my own etiquette. In fact I am still learning from watching his videos, which is much appreciated!
100% A friendly smile and a simple hello go a long way.
I sold my FS bike and bought Marley 1.0. I'm amazed how much fun is this bike. I do not miss my FS at all. Steve, if you have a chance test the Marley, I bet you will like it.
The marlry looks ideal. I've been wanting to demo one for a while.
This is like bad bike memories from 1996. Don't miss those days!
Sounds like it would be a great bike for our mostly flat trails here in Dallas. Some technical climbs, but definitely no need for a super slack bike here.
agreed, though I feel there are better options for Dallas too.
@@hardtailparty What would you choose? I have a 2019 Nukeproof Scout but I would like a bike that has a better seating position. The semi-slack seat tube angle is pretty bad for climbs I feel.
@@Jon-nz3dm it sounds like you'd be a perfect candidate for my bike consultation service.
would a 44 mm offset fork help the honzo st?
I would love to see what you think about the Surly Karate Monkey...
Me too.
Hi Steve. Have ever reviewed the NS Eccentric Alu 29er ?
Nope, not yet
#konagang
A few more thoughts.
1) this geo is identical to the honzo dl (thanks to my viewers who pointed it out). The DL is a little snappier and quicker accelerating, while this one is softer and more supple.
2) this bike felt surprisingly light. It seems like Kona has found a way to keep it light and not feel overbuilt. Well done Kona.
3) it has a softer ride feel than previous honzo STs. They did a nice job here. It doesn't feel harsh or overbuilt.
4) the welds aren't pretty and it feels like build quality has gone down on the frame. It's nothing like a nimble 9 or Stanton.
5).i am glad the honzo exists, and i think honzo owners are awesome people. It's the right genre, i just think theu missed a few things on the geo. Geo numbers look decent on paper but we need to remember that the way a bike ride is a combination of how all the angles come together. This one just felt off.
6) my buddy Kenny loves this hardtail. I think it's his favorite hardtail yet that he's owned. Thanks for letting me borrow it Kenny.
7) i've ridden 70+ modern hardtails, it's truly amazing how different they all feel You'd think most hardtails ride the same, but they are so different. A great hardtail is rare, but they're out there.
I'm curious how you felt this compared to the ESD? You seemed to give that one a much more positive review.
I love how often you include hiker interactions in your ride videos. It's so easy to just say hi and be polite. Thank you for being a good example for the community.
Frame design is like baking. You can have all of the right ingredients, but if you have a few measurements off even a little the combined result just doesn't turn out right.
Well Said!
"Who cares what I think. Kenny loves it. That's all that matters. Don't let me talk you out of loving a bike that you've got." Probably the best advice.
I love that you have a huge "library" of bikes in your brain to compare all these bikes to. This makes it much more valuable to watch your reviews.
What is amazing is you have found so many modern HT to review showing manufacturers still want to build and sell them
Just picked up one of the new ESDs last week and pretty much love it - basically feels like it has the front end of my Stumpjumper Evo but the back end of a dirt jumper, especially with the chainstays in the shortest position. Feel like the ESD is probably a better move for anyone riding more aggressive trails, but the ST would be best for the average rider in the east or midwest.
I waited 9 months for my Nimble 9 frame. Glad I did though, as the price jumped $200 over the pre-order price. I could've bought the Honzo ST frame locally, but waited.
It would be AWESOME if you are able to review a Kona Unit with suspension fork in the future, it s a bike in the shadow!
Appreciate you sticking to your guns on this review... I may have missed it if you mentioned what fork offset Kenny used, but I very much feel like these bikes are best with a slacker headtube angle (just as you suggested) AND a reduced offset fork. There's just something about 51mm offset paired with short chain stays and a relatively steep HT angle that feels front front-end biased. I know short chain stays are supposed to be playful, but I actually like the Honzo with ~65 degree HT angle, reduced offset fork, and the dropouts slid further back for a more balanced feel.
I had a 44mm offset fork on this one.
You mentioned the Nimble 9, will you be getting a Yelli Screamy for review when they arrive? I'm guessing you may like the geo numbers on that one, and they're offering a frame/fork bundle with the Cane Creek Helm.
Yes
Sweet! Can't believe this finally landed for a review! 🙌🎉💪
I have a 2017 Honzo Al (my first real mountain bike) and a 2018 Honzo ST (both 1 degree steeper HTA than the 2021). I definitely found they benefit from an angleset! I went through a lot of iterations of fork lengths and anglesets until I settled on -2 degrees and 140mm. Going from a -1 to a -2 degree angleset, my feeling was, "This bike just feels right now!" This should have a static HTA of about -65 deg (would be 64 deg if you had the same configuration on a 2021 model). Maybe Kona should just go slack or go home with it. Make 65 deg the norm (even if they are trying to differentiate it from the ESD). The old Honzo ST is definitely a beast. Frameset alone is around 7.5 lbs. I wonder if the quality was a little better back then because I feel like the welds look decent, and the paint job is pretty good.
The best hardtail oriented channel on UA-cam. Congrats man!
Thanks Omar!
Great review as always. Really funny how certain bikes just speak to certain riders. I'm sure this bike has fanboys, and it comes down to terrain and riding styles. I think you've been blessed to ride so many amazing bikes that you know what works best for you.
Good review. Bring back summer 😅 I need my trails empty again.
If you can't be with the one you want, baby love the one you got!
I’m in the market for either a Honzo ST or Santa Cruz Chameleon, frame only, so they’ll get the same build. Which one is more comfortable for long distance trail riding?
I do my bike consultation/advice over on Patreon. I'd be happy to help you over there. Patreon.com/hardtailparty
Strongly considered this bike months ago. Looked great on paper. But Steve hadn't reviewed and little info was available. Got the Paradox V3 instead. Love it!
Good call. The paradox is head and shoulders better than this bike. I love my paradox.
I used Steve's bike consultation when I wanted to upgrade my old hardtail. Steve has a wealth of knowledge, a true passion for helping others, and, he is fun to work with. I like the bike I ended up with but if I decide I want to change it up, I will be reaching out to Steve again. #sogood!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I love helping people find the right bike for their needs.
At least they gave you the long dropper!!!!
100%
Thanks for the review! I bought this bike a few months ago and built it up as a SS. I'm having a good time on it for my local green/blue trails. I agree though...it actually feels steeper than the stated 66 degrees with a 140mm fork. If I keep the bike I'll probably throw in an angleset.
I'll bet it's a fun SS. With an angleset it should come alive a bit.
I almost grabbed one of these last year, but went with the Karate Monkey instead. Got a 130mm fork on it and it is fun!
@OurTentLife Rad! I like Surly’s vibe as well.
Hey, this is the first new video after I discovered your channel a few days ago. I've been binge watching and enoying dozens of your reviews since then. Currently I'm at episode 3 of the $300 bike challenge. Love the review style, production quality and indepth knowledge you provide. Ironically I ordered a new FS bike yesterday though 😅. But a new HT might be due next year....
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words.
I have a Kona xc32 what is the value
I'm curious about your or anyone's thoughts on how much the wheels and fork and other components change how enjoyable a frame can be . In your opinion would lower performance parts on a more expensive "theoretically better" frame still be better than higher performance parts on a cheaper "theoretically lesser" frame. I'm new to evaluating frame geometry between bikes but most seem very similar within certain price ranges.
That’s a fine looking bike Kenny.
I have the original EST and would love to upgrade a few components to make it lighter and more nimble. Any reco’s would be greatly appreciated!
What size frame is it? I’m 5’7 I have longer legs short arms. Can’t decide between the small and medium. Great review
My old Kona Blast has a steep head angle, a short chain stay, and is the least playful bike I have ever owned. Basically similar complaints. It is now my wife’s bike and has the baby seat on it. The stability from the grumpy frame and maneuverability from the steep head tube angle make it excellent for this. Not sure who buys a bike specifically for a baby seat though.
How long does the bike consultation service usually take?
Depends on the customer. Usually about 5 emails back and forth takes care of it. But some people ask over 100 questions, while others just need a few quick suggestions. It's up to each patron when they cancel., Some of my patrons stick around for months because they want to pick my brain on something new every few days. Patreon is the only way I'm able to support this channel. Without it i wouldnt be able to do these reviews.
Is it compatible with 27.5x2.6? Will it affect the bb height so much?
Which would you prefer as a bikepacking bike the ST or SIR 9? Great review as always!
Can you tell me the GoPro and mount you are using? I looked in the “gear” section but it’s not there. My old one is Terrible & really enjoy the filmography here.
Great upload as always man!
Hero 9 black with lens mod
I've had this bike for about a month and running 29x2.8 coronados front and rear. I was surprised there was clearance for 2.8s. I'm definitely enjoying the bike more with the 2.8s versus 2.4 or 2.6
Great info about the tire size! Do you have to slide the dropouts all the way back to fit them?
They are in the middle setting. I tried a 29x3 XR2 and it definitely does not fit. The 2.8s had about 4 or 5mm clearance
Thx Josh. Good info to know. Planning on running mine ss probably 2.5-2.6 so should have plenty of room for wherever that axle lands. When did u order yours? I'm STILL waiting. Ordered mine in Colorado June-ish? 4mo...going on 5 now. Ugh... I'm dying for it! 😜🤙🤙
@@fasterwheels My local bike shop in Springfield Missouri just happened to have one. The rear triangle on my full stashe broke so I took all the parts off of that and put it on the honzo. So far it rides great couldn't be happier.
@@joshwade44 thx...even the headset transferred over? Do you know the size or spec on that? If not, maybe they'd know. Did you tear down and install the parts or did they? Sorry to go all ocd on you but for some reason no one can tell me....I just need to know if I have one or order one asap so I'm not waiting ANOTHER month for a silly small part I could have taken the last 5mo to secure. Thx a bunch everybody! And happy trails!
Hey Steve. I would love to hear your opinion on the whealset specifically now that you have ridden them.
Great vid mate! HardTail is a pretty fun party ;)
keep shredding !
I have second gen honzo st. Put a 160 pike on it. Its a beast! I ride the North Shore
This reaffirmed my esd purchase. I like steep chunky downhill 80% of the time
I got this ST 2K21 but i will change the frame for an ESD 2K22 :)
Great review...I have an old Kona Raijin (frame made by Lynskey) and it's one of my faves. Keep up the good work and may we all ride bikes we love.
Man, I'm jealous of the trails you've got there.. one day I'll cross the ocean to try them out.
Nice review. I'm in the market for getting a new hardtail and you're channel has provided me with plenty of options (which unfortuntely are often hard to get these days too :s)
Steve, please answer us this, in your opinion: Kona Honzo ST or Big Honzo and why?
These are the exact types of questions I cover in my bike consultation service.
Love the content, and usually really see eye to eye with where you are coming from on your reviews but I have to respectfully disagree on this one. I just upgraded to the Honzo ST from my aluminum Big Al (which was a perfectly fine bike) and I couldn’t be happier. The ST is bulletproof and sits squarely where I believe a true trail bike should sit. I’ve ridden my buddies ESD and couldn’t be Happier with my decision to get the ST. Keep up the great content👍
Congrats, in glad you're loving it. I've seen a few STs break. I feel like Kona's quality has gone downhill quite a bit. However, I also have a lot of friends who haven't broken their STs. I'm happy that you're happy. Depending on the trails, bike fit, build, and rider preferences this can be a great bike for s lot of people. I really struggled to click with it. I'd like to give one another chance sometime with a different build.
I don’t want to agree (because I just spent a bunch of time building this bike up and was really amped) but you’re right. There is something not great about the steering. Maybe I’m just used to a slacker front end with shorter offset fork, but it just does not respond as well as I want. Constantly fighting against understeer. I think this frame would be better with 1degree slacker angle set, 150 mm fork, and short offset. It’s really a smooth riding bike, and it wants to go fast, but I just can never get to the point where I’m as confident as I’d like
I Precoated your honesty. It's worth tossing in an angleset. If you do go that route let me know if it improves handling for you.
Were paying $699 cdn for the '22 ST frame, surprised there asking that in US funds....
id lose interest, then again its hard to nail down any components these days, no time to shop around for a better price.....pay the price for availability i suppose
I'm glad to hear it's a bit cheaper in Canada
Following your channel for a long time. Are you planning to review NS Essentric Cromo at some point? I've been considering buying it since it's aggressive and affordable however would love to watch your opinion on it.
I'd like to, but i haven't heard back from NS
How about reviewing the Marin Team Marin 2? I got to ride one, and although it’s not a high end bike it felt awesome even compared to much more expensive hard tails I tried.
Would really like to hear your thoughts about it
Coming soon
I appreciate you mentioning your consultation service. I took advantage of it and I 100% recommend it (and I'm still chipping in monthly because I'm so satisfied with it).
Thanks for the kind words Craig. I really appreciate your support. It's been fun working with you.
Thanks Steve. Always appreciate your honesty.👍
You are very polite to people and even apologetic to bicycles. You would probably say sorry to a hammer after hitting yourself on the thumb!
Hikers have the right of way on all trails where i live. There's tension between user groups, and anything i can do to ease that tension helps all bikers everywhere.
I've been thinking about trading in my 2020 st frame for that slick stealthy new 2022 model they just released...but I'm bummed to hear that a lot of the issues I have with my 2020 are still here. I live in AZ as well and just find something missing in the Honzo here. Maybe it's time to try that Stanton :)
There's no doubt the 202 and 2022 are an improvement on the old model, but that Stanton is way better.
Hey Steve, is this bike comparable to the Solaris Max? How would it stack up? Thanks!
no, they're extremely different
Seems like an angleset would give you that slightly shorter reach that you want. Also, it doesn’t look like you have the chainstays brought all the way in. So it’s a bit longer than it could be.
I'll bet the cs could have gone in another 5mm. That wouldn't have hurt.
Loving your videos. Any chance of reviewing Whyte 909 or 905? Thank you
I'd love to, but i haven't been able to convince them to send me one.
Just before pandemic prices I had my eye on a 2019 big Honzo DL. And in January 2020 I went in with 1800$ cash and told them I was taking the bike! It was good but when I put a set of 3” wrathchild 45 north tires on it completely changed the bike. Very competent on more difficult tech but in MN I have to go to the iron range or north shore to get that so in the cities it’s hard to find something that stretches this bike!
You're running 3.0 tires on the factory wheels? Are they 35i? No clearance issues on the rear?
@@JoshTaylor the big Honzo comes with 2.6” from the factory I think it’s wider than a regular Honzo. I have about a quarter inch on one side and about 3/16” on the other. If I get sticky snow and mud it will start to build up on the seat stays, but I use this as my “fast” hard tail if it’s crappy I’ll ride my full fat Farley 7. I’m a big guy 6-4” and about 240 so more tire is ALWAYS better. A Xc trail bike with fast rolling 2.25 tires wants to get me killed! IDK how wide the wheels are but they hold the threes great even at lower pressures I run 15-18 PSI when rough or soft and a little more when dry and smooth. I put studs in them for the winter and with studs it’s unstoppable!
Thank you for another great video brother! You are a legend!
the trails around where he lives just look ... heavenly
Man stainless steel, to heavy for mtb ing,dude too....much weight
It's chronology steel, not stainless. Stainless would be VERY heavy
Hello from Puerto Rico. Have You review the Marín San Quintín?
Saludos Edgar. Not yet.
Still not sure if my HonzoST will arrive as a '21 or '22 or what color! Can anyone comment on the headset specs? I'd like to make sure to have one ready to go after waiting for 5mo at least...whether my Chromag take-off or new one! Seems to be the latest mystery. Am I understanding that a Pike 150mm will put the head angle into a BIT more shred-ly position? Because it's what I've got! 😆 At least I ordered at the old msrp. Thx Steve for sharing all your experiences and various details of bikes.
ZS44/56
@@JM-kh3ml thx for confirming. I think I have that left from a chromag build.
A surprise review to be sure, but a welcome one.
Thanks for your video reviews - it's great to see some objectivity on You Tube. In this video you say you'd much prefer a 4130 steel Stanton Sherpa to this Kona, but I thought it was the Reynolds 853 steel Sherpa you rode recently?
You are correct, but to keep price comparisons similar, i mentioned the 4130. I have a 4130 coming in for review soon.
@@hardtailparty great to hear! Keep up your excellent work. Here in the muddy UK autumn / winter we like seeing your sunny dusty trails. Not jealous at all!
Can you review the new Honzo ESD 2022? I am trying to decide the new Honzo ESD , Mmmbop or Big Al 1.0. Love the videos!!
The 2022 is exactly the same frame as the 2021, so my review is still relevant. It sounds like you'd be a good candidate for my bike consultation service.
@@hardtailparty thank you!
Excellent review! One idea you might consider…maybe build up a couple different wheel sets (One Shimano, one SRAM) with identical rims, spokes and hubs…throw them on for your reviews of the frames. Just for consistency, gnome sayin?
I use a control wheelset across bikes to judge stiffness. It's not always shown on my ride review ride, but i make sure to try it with those wheels for aa accurate comparison. Fortunately Shimano and SRAM are cross compatible, so i only need one wherlset for those
So you usually ride (for reviews) the I9 trail s wheels, or are those Kenny’s? The reason I ask is because one of the first riding points you make is that a nice/light set of wheels makes a bike feel light.
@@BOICG those are Kenny's, but I've ridden his wheels on other bikes before. I didn't have time to swap my personal wheels onto this one.
I found a LBS that is selling the 2021 as a complete bike. I REEEAALLLY wanted you to love this bike. The one consolation is that I'm in the PNW and will be riding a lot of blue and blue/black flow.
There are much better hardtails for blue/black
Don't listen to Steve. I built up the ST this spring and have taken it down pretty much everything here in the PNW. OTG, Physical Therapy, CCDH, ETC. The bike shreds, just doesn't work very well for him for some reason.
@@skylerdompier938 it'll get down those, but there are other hardtails I'd much rather have. When you only have one or two points of reference, it seems like a great bike. When you've ridden 50+ different hardtails, you realize there are much better options. I'm glad you're thrilled with yours though.
The esd would be much more at home on otg, predator, and other similar trails
When can we expect Tyaughton review?
That's up to knolly. I'll happily review one when they send me one.
So this is closer to the Aluminium Honzo than the Honzo ESD? I kinda like that. The Honzo was super slack, which made it really fun and rowdy, but not so amazing at general riding.
The Esd IS a very playful bike, but he's very modern, you need a very agressive riding style.
@@guipol112 agreed, I really love the ESD when I test rode it, but the 63 degree head angle was just a *little* too much for my liking, especially as someone who can't afford a quiver. I ended up getting a Norco Torrent, which rides similar to the ESD but has a 64 HTA, which means if I want to slacken it further I can always put an extra 10mm of fork length in without losing that 150+mm travel
@@CJTheReal We need something between the ESD and the ST. 65* would be great.
@@hardtailparty I think it would work quite well if they made the ESD 63 degrees but based around a 160mm fork, so anyone who wants a bit more control can reduce the fork length 10-20mm and steepen the head angle. That of course introduces some problems with STA, but I'm sure it's something people would learn to live with if they are mucking about with fork lengths anyway
Any chance you get a moxie/sirius from pipedream to review or give some thoughts on them?
Maybe ;)
@@hardtailparty please be a sirius please be a sirius :P jokes aside can't wait, thinking about r7 pro+sirius but not many reviews on it, you're the best reviewer i know so it would be a match in heaven haha
I bought a Sirius at the start of the year! I really enjoy it but would also love to see a review. The only downside to the frame is the low stack height. However, I think the stack is a little higher when you run a 120mm fork as their geo chart uses a 483mm A2C measurement but that is way less than a sagged 120mm fork.
The marketing department at Kona definitely hates you haha
That's the danger of honest reviews. Oh well, I'd rather have integrity and tell people what it rides like than pretend like every bike is amazing to keep the bike companies happy.
@@hardtailparty I couldn’t agree more and that’s why your channel rocks.
How much does just the frame weigh?
I'm not sure, i didn't strip it down. I just borrowed my friend Kenny's frame for the day.
@@hardtailparty Just got a frame in. Weight is ~3.13Kg out of the box and ~2.86Kg completely bare.
Great Review, holding no punches back. not a kona owner but i like the seat tube gusset
I like it now, it was too tall on the previous version.