Suspension Kona uses a RockShox Recon RL Solo Air fork to the Honzo, where its 120mm travel matches the Whyte 629s burlier built fork. So you're running stiffer rims with burlier tires and higher pressure, which punishes the rider even more than just the stiff frame. Don't do it! Kona Honzo ST Review (2019) - HARDTAIL PARTY By using and further navigating our website you accept our. | , KONA HONZO STEEL - , KONA / BIG HONZO ST 2019 - , KONA HONZO 2018 S KONA HONZO 2018 S www . Kona. I don't think its right to keep comparing its ride quality to a full suspension bike. The frame features a tapered head-tube that uses an internal headset for low stack height, Boost 148mm rear thru-axle spacing, internal cable routing for dropper and rear derailleur, and external brake hose routing. Kona Honzo ST Frame 2021 | Bikes.fan You can calculate that with this tool, and if you want a visual representation (in the virtual world), bikecad can do it. Note: this Limited Lifetime Warranty applies to purchases from Kona U.S.A., Kona Canada and Kona Europe. Finished building up my Meta TR frame, but still have to wait for the two feet of snow to get out and ride it. 2021KONA () HONZO ESD ( ESD29er MTB First Ride: 2021 Kona Honzo ESD Hardtail - Pinkbike Anddoes it really matter? 2018 KONA HONZO CR/DL FRAMESET MEDIUM. Colour / Satin Fatigue Green w/ Gloss Yellow, Nicotine & Flame Fade Decals. The latest on mountain bikes delivered straight to your mailbox. @MattInNZ: If nothing else, a HT gives you a real appreciation for rear suspension and how good it is. 29" Wheels are fast and efficient while still maintaining control. KONA. It took me a bit to get used to it, but it was worth it. ! Bike Zone - Fitzroy. More Bikes - Shrum Lane. Here come the downvotes from the hardtail posse..my aluminum Slash weighs 31pounds with XT 12, sturdy wheels and tires..AND PEDALS. Personally, I consider 26" bmx cruisers from the 70's to be the first hardcore hardtails. More girth at the bottom of the head tube better distributes shock force, prolonging the bearing life of the headset itself and eliminating brake shudder, while providing confident steering performance. Visit the high-res gallery for more images. They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in, Update March 2020: Undomestic has announced that they are manufacturing frames "at this moment" and. The Honzos frame design breaking new ground back then, with 19 gearing, super-short chainstays, a 68 head angle and a stubby stem. HONZO ST (FRAME ONLY) The cult favorite continues as this gorgeous steel frame gets revised geometry derived from the Process 134 for 2021. The geo on the old Honzo was perfect. The Honzo ESD comes in Gloss Metallic Red, as pictured, and the complete retails for $2,699 USD. Bearing cups are actually pressed into the frame and are easily removable. $ 30.00 Add to cart. You don't pay anything extra, but it helps support the channel. LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY ON BICYCLE FRAME When I first heard they were going to release it, I was expecting the standard Honzo geo with 10mm more reach and a 1-2 steeper HTA. After measuring your height, use the size chart below to find the typical Kona Honzo size for your height. NSMB - 2023 - Hardtails Leaning Against Stuff Thread. its just rougher and a bit slower. I would point you in the direction of most UK brands like Cotic, Stanton, etc. Previous bikes havent really done it for me but this and the new 153 hit the spot. So a hardtail with nice higher volume rubber is fine for most of us. Compare Compare Items. Allied Able GRX 815 Di2 Gravel Bike - 2021, Large. I think the low bit is key for hard tails and a reasonably slack head angle. Ok, but hey like Kazimer infers this super slack geo (and the weight) misses the ht target. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Power to the Commuter! The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of all parts. I disagree on the "very expensive compared to a Cotic" part - the Cotic BFeMax in the comparable SLX build costs 2275 sterling, with 2 pot brakes, Shimano wheels and much worse tires. CA$4,599. First thing I looked at was the weight. 2022 Kona Honzo ST Frame Out of Stock 989.10 DESCRIPTION SIZE GUIDE GEOMETRY The cult favorite continues as this gorgeous steel frame gets revised geometry derived from the Process 134 for 2021. The standard Honzo is still quite conservative, while this is super progressive. As always, the Honzo ST frame features adjustable dropouts so you can run your favorite drivetrain without any issues. The bike is part of Kona 's Honzo range of mountain bikes. Most people are on full suspension. Sweet! Your safety should be the top priority when you go for a ride. Compare Compare Items. Top tube sticker says Wind. Love the lower cost, lower weight, perfect clean looks that most fs cant match, simple set up and maintenance. $6,499.99 Added 5 days ago. The Honzo gets a geo update that slackens the headtube to 67 degrees and steepens the seat tube angle. Kona was an early pioneer of the sloping top tube frame design and its a key part of the Honzos DNA. Kona Honzo ST - The Bike Shop California Not sure if you saw it or not but they did update the "standard" Honzo ST - same reach as before but static 66 HT and 76 ST. What a time to be riding bikes! With a Shimano Deore drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a long-travel adjustable dropper post, its a killer bike for the money. Looks great just sitting there, wish I could try one. Your email address will not be published. A zero-stack, tapered head tube also puts strength where the load is goinginto the lower headset cupmaximizing bearing durability where its needed. Yes, I am obviously riding more aggressively, but I am running upwards of 30 psi, cushcore xc, and a variety of exo+ and DD tires on spank spike 33 dh race wheel and still having problems. the Entry level Giant 2020 stance. But I do miss a FS and will be getting one in the future. REVIEW: 2020 Kona Honzo ST (steel) Hardtail - Hardtail Party Pros and Cons Pros: Great value Long reach Sliding dropouts Steel construction Seat tube gusset too long Not much room for a long dropper Cons: Not as supple as expected Head angle too steep Vanilla ride Who it's for: Die-hard kona fans People wanting to build a frame up As a general rule of thumb, you should always read reviews about the frame and its components before buying it to ensure you dont pay too much. Often imitated, but never duplicated, the Honzo is a part of Kona's foundation. No. Way overdue to get these amazing bikes straight from the box and not having to number crunch the geo and source angled headsets etc. ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON COMPLETE BICYCLE Whiskey or beer, steak or fish, it's all good. it's over double. Dirtyburitto , you 100% get it. A 66-degree headtube is ideal for all kinds of tricky, steep terrain, and the short seat tube allows for longer dropper posts. Why not be the first? When warranty on non-carbon Kona bikes and frames is NOT registered within three months of purchase, Kona warrants to the original owner that the frame of this new Kona bicycle purchased from an authorized Kona dealer shall be free of defective materials or workmanship for a three-year period. Results for "kona" - Pinkbike BuySell Search Power to the People! GEOMETRY. If you're in the market for an aggressive hardtail, don't look past the Kona Honzo. Is there a brand that rides like the Kona hardtail I"m used to that offers more for the money? Glad they gambled on making something different, but the geo really limits how many people should actually own one of these. BIKES - MTB - HARDTAIL - Page 1 - Centre City Cycles The Uptown, Downtown, Commute-friendly, Interurban Path-cruising, Grocery-getting Workhorse, RockShox Recon RL Solo Air 120mm Tapered 110mm Spacing, Satin Fatigue Green w/ Gloss Yellow, Nicotine & Flame Fade Decals. Kona Honzo St 2021 | sites.unimi.it A 27.5+ Wheeled Version of our Classic Honzo Hardtails, Classic Mountain Bikes Made for Modern Riders, The Operator Is the Ultimate Gravity Machine, A Drop bar Bike for Big Gravel, Big Climbs, and Big Adventures, If a Mountain Bike and Road Bike Got Together. There are 46 frames that carry this model name. Everyone should own a hardtail. Love bikes? It also has a shorter seat tube for longer travel dropper posts and comes with chunky Maxxis Minion and Dissector rubber. Considering its stature and price, the Recon held its own with a solid performance in rough, twisty singletrack. Kona Honzo - first ride - BikeRadar @Molesdigmyjumps: absolutely ! 1. Gravel. It doesnt matter whether he paid for them or got them free, his opinion is his opinion. Reach increases and angles get steeper as soon as. Kona Big Honzo DL, Long-term Review - BIKEPACKING.com MOUNTAIN All Mountain Enduro Gravity 29" Hardtail, MOUNTAIN XC All Mountain Enduro 29" Hardtail. Remember that these sizes are a general guide and bike sizes can vary between riders and bikes. There are 4 sizes available for this model. MOUNTAIN All Mountain Enduro 29" Hardtail, MOUNTAIN XC All Mountain Enduro 29" Hardtail. Models: Supreme Operator, Operator DL, Operator, Stinky 26, Process 111, Process 134, Process 134 DL, Process 153, Process 153 DL, Precept 120, Precept 130, Precept 150, Honzo AL DL, Honzo AL, Big Honzo DL, Big Honzo, Hei Hei Race Supreme, Hei Hei Race DL, Hei Hei Race, Hei Hei Supreme, Hei Hei DL, Hei Hei, Hei Hei Trail Supreme, Hei Hei Trail DL, Hei Hei Trail, Kahuna DDL, Kahuna DL, Kahuna, Big Kahuna, Lanai, Fire Mountain, Blast, Cinder Cone, Explosif, Shred, Unit, Lava Dome, Mahuna, Wozo, Wo, Mohala, Tika, Coco, Stinky 24, Shred 24, Shred 20, Splice, Splice Deluxe, Jake, Jake the Snake, Jake the Snake CR, Private Jake, Esatto DDL, Esatto Disc, Esatto, Esatto Fast, Zone LTD, Big Rove AL, Dr Dew, Dew Deluxe, Dew Plus, Dewey, Ute, Honzo Ti Frame. We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. I noticed the seat tube gusset on this test bike that gusset is missing on the images from Kona's site. Libia We've built the bike to be gearless and fearless with modular dropouts, so you can go full custom, or run it as we spec it, with a 120mm RockShox Revelation RC fork, SRAM NX 1x11 speed drivetrain, and SRAM Level T brakes. We've updated the rear triangle to reduce weight and improve the overall ride feel. As for the BFe's Reynolds downtube: I have a 26" BFe from the last batch, and I honestly don't feel any magic coming from that Reynolds steel Are we going to ignore what is definitely the best head tube badge in years!? Weve never strayed from cyclings original material and have worked tirelessly to adapt, refine and innovate Kona Cromoly framesets as rider demands continue to evolve. However, the 479mm reach on the size L is on point, as is the short 455mm seat tube that allows you to run a longer dropper post on each frame size. The slacker headtube moves to 66 degrees and the seat tube length shortens allowing for longer dropper posts. Kona Process 153 DL 2017. Reckon this one is too heavy and cumbersome for ht fun. 2021-2017 Operator AL (27.5) Bearing & Bolt Kit $ 130.00 Add to cart. Kona Remote 130 gebruikt in xl | buycycle The problem is that most proper hardtail builds cost almost the same as the cheapest full sus builds. $48.42. My Ragley HT weighs 36 lbs with XTR 10, sturdy wheels and tires, and pedals. If you've learned something from my videos, consider using the affiliate links above. When you live somewhere with steeps and big rocks on the trails and you normally ride them on a FS enduro bike, its fascinating to ride it with the same travel fork and no rear travel. My first mountain bike was a steel hardtail, a 1996 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo I bought from a bike courier in Washington, D.C. There's no info yet if the ST frame will be sold as a frame-only option. Will it replace a FS? If you want an acceptable Crosscountry frame you should know that the average price its 1669$. 2021 Kona Honzo Steel size XL frame for sale. In fact, Kona even fits an adjustable stroke TranzX + Rad dropper, which makes moving up a frame size a genuinely viable option. Now AU$2,889 AU$3,799. This is Mountain biking for many today, and what Mountain biking will be for many in the future. When warranty on non-carbon Kona bikes and frames is NOT registered within three months of purchase, Kona warrants to the original owner that the frame of this new Kona bicycle purchased from an authorized Kona dealer shall be free of defective materials or workmanship for a three-year period. This bicycle now runs a longer . Or perhaps you've spotted an error? Or perhaps you've spotted an error? So I could technically take this downhill? Cons . Looking for a bike that's not on MTB Database? Fast forward 10 years and the entry-level aluminium Honzo (the cheapest bike on test at 1,599) costs just one pound less than the original. You get better quality components to start, and don't have rear suspension with a shock and bearings that need frequent maintenance. Components To stay within the tight budget Kona fits a 111 Shimano Deore drivetrain, where a combination of the 11-51T cassette and 30T chainring actually gives it the lowest climbing gear ratio in this test. Sale. Its 32lbs. 140mm of front suspension keeps the technical terrain at bay. Read Review Kona Honzo ESD goes from test mule for Process X frame geometry, to extra slack steel hardtail Aug 2020 Weve never strayed from cyclings original material and have worked tirelessly to adapt, refine and innovate Kona Cromoly framesets as rider demands continue to evolve. Models: Penthouse, Penthouse Flat, Sutra LTD, Sutra, Rove ST. The 2022 Honzo is Looking Ready to Rip! - KONA COG | THE KONA COG Kona's (then) new for 2019 Big Honzo proved such a success that it's back for 2020 in a new wider range of specs. Your email address will not be published. Im not 100% sold on the long, low and super slack for hard tails (on my old 160 full sus Im all for it). Why is it so hard for bike companies to list maximum tire size somewhere in their specs? . You killed it on this one, Kona! Kona. They should have just called it the Chute. Specialized will probably try to sue them because they have used the word bike and that is a word that Specialized have used before so probably try to protect it???? The original owner shall pay all labor and shipping charges connected with the repair or replacement of the bicycle frame. Comfort goes up. Nothing like the bike showing you how lazy and complacent your "enduro-couch" has made you. That's pretty much the base of the bunch materials wise. Quick view View Options. Kona Big Honzo DL 2022 Review - bike-test.com As what could be considered an old man by today's standards I don't understand the hate or judgment on what others ride. And while the Honzo DL, with its longer travel fork, premium Maxxis rubber and 12-speed gearing looks more comparable to the other hardtails in this test, its a huge jump up in price at 2,399. 2021 Kona Honzo - Specs, Reviews, Images - Mountain Bike Database Required fields are marked *. But it's their money, their life, and their experience. 2021 Kona Bike Rumors | Mountain Bike Reviews Forum It has made me a better rider in some aspects. The build kit isnt without fault though. It comes specced with a 120mm travel RockShox fork and a no-nonsense Shimano 11-speed Deore drivetrain. It sports 29" wheels, comes in a range of sizes, including S, M, L, XL, has RockShox suspension and a Shimano drivetrain. I went from a worn out Specialized FS to a Chromag Rootdown HT. Kona Honzo CR Trail DL 2017. Fast forward 10 years and the entry-level aluminium Honzo (the cheapest bike on test at 1,599) costs just one pound less than the original. Guessing thats a simple high school geometry problem. More girth at the bottom of the head tube better distributes shock force, prolonging the bearing life of the headset itself and eliminating brake shudder, while providing confident steering performance. When it comes to geometry, the Kona doesnt exactly mirror its three rivals; its 66.5 head angle is a touch steeper and the 415mm chainstays are notably shorter. It comes specced with a 120mm travel RockShox fork and a no-nonsense Shimano 11-speed Deore drivetrain. IF THE WARRANTY IS REGISTERED WITH KONA WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE BICYCLE, THE WARRANTY IS EXTENDED FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER, with the exception of carbon bikes and frames. Take our 30 seconds quizz and find out which bikes suit you the best. Im slower on the Chromag on the nasty rooty descents. On a deeper look, we notice that the average weight of a Crosscountry frame its 1.98 kg (4.37 lbs). AU$1,349. lol. Silly comment. Another nine pound hard tail frame. However, this doesnt mean that if you spend less money on a Crosscountry frame, you couldnt get a decent one. Maybe where you live and how you ride a different brand is the right choice but right now I am waiting for my Honzo replacement frame to show (next Week) I have a Hei Hei on order, and my wife just ordered a Libre. No kidding. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. The most annoying comment I always see on here besides "looks like a session", is " hard tails make better, more skilled riders". The Kona Honzo ESD stretches things way out for the slackest, wildest, and most capable steel Kona hardtail yet. Tot wel 70% korting. Most hardtails are either xc race hardtails or "freeride" hardtails. The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of all parts. The original owner shall pay all labor and shipping charges connected with the repair or replacement of the bicycle frame. Compare prices, components, suspension, reviews, images and more on current and past MTBs. Enquire Now. Im only on my seat when Im going uphill with little to no fork compression, so thank you for the proper STA. SIZE GUIDE. Kona Hardtail Mountain Bikes for Sale | BikeExchange.com.au I have high hopes for this bike, it looks pretty solid on paper. The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of all parts. Kona - in Corvallis, OR - Shoppok 2021 Kona honzo st MEDIUM Rockshox pike ultimate 140mm along with a brand new 120mm DebonAir air spring GX cranks/ dub bottom bracket 32t chainring w/ green wolf tooth 19t cog Sram G2r. 29" Wheels. Models: Process 111, Process 134, Process 134 DL, Process 153, Process 153 DL, Honzo CR Trail DL, Honzo CR Trail, Honzo CR Race, Honzo AL DL, Big Honzo DL, Hei Hei Race Supreme, Hei Hei Race DL, Hei Hei Race, Hei Hei Supreme, Hei Hei DL, Hei Hei, Hei Hei Trail Supreme, Hei Hei Trail DL, Hei Hei Trail, Kahuna DDL, Explosif, Unit, Jake the Snake, Jake the Snake CR, Private Jake, Esatto DDL, Tonk, Zone LTD, Sutra LTD. 12x142mm, 12x148 and 12x157 rear axle standards provide two major advantages to the Kona rider: the 12mm diameter of the rear axle provides the rear hub and frame with a stiff interface, while the 142/148/157mm outer diameter of the hub allows the wheel to be quickly and properly positioned in the frame before the rear axle is inserted. Models: Process 111, Process 134, Process 134 DL, Process 153, Process 153 DL, Honzo CR Trail DL, Honzo CR Trail, Honzo CR Race, Honzo AL DL, Big Honzo DL, Hei Hei Race Supreme, Hei Hei Race DL, Hei Hei Race, Hei Hei Supreme, Hei Hei DL, Hei Hei, Hei Hei Trail Supreme, Hei Hei Trail DL, Hei Hei Trail, Kahuna DDL, Explosif, Unit, Jake the Snake, Jake the Snake CR, Private Jake, Esatto DDL, Tonk, Zone LTD, Sutra LTD. 12x142mm, 12x148 and 12x157 rear axle standards provide two major advantages to the Kona rider: the 12mm diameter of the rear axle provides the rear hub and frame with a stiff interface, while the 142/148/157mm outer diameter of the hub allows the wheel to be quickly and properly positioned in the frame before the rear axle is inserted. But with a hardtail history dating back to the 1980s Kona was in a good place to push forward with fresh thinking. My first mountain bike was a steel hardtail, a 1996 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo I bought from a bike courier in Washington, D.C. Kona Bikes for Sale | BikeExchange.ca Squish is provided by a RockShox Recon RL Solo Air fork. However, we did need to add an extra 20-30psi of pressure to the RockShox guidelines to give the support needed in steeper terrain. Likely the latter in most cases. The cult favorite continues. I've been riding mountain bikes for 30 years, still find time to ride every day, but 90% of the riding I do today ranges from trips for ice cream with the kids to moderate trails, but that doesn't mean I don't want to point it straight down and get a little sketchy once in a while! Derived from the Honzo, its frame brings a sporty version to the masses that holds a smooth-operating Shimano battery and motor. I am pumped to support the boys down the block, and subsequently the Kona brand, but am growing increasingly suspect of the build spec from the Kona factory for the price of each bike. In fact, Kona even fits an adjustable stroke TranzX + Rad dropper, which makes moving up a frame size a genuinely viable option. Power to the Commuter! I'd do more research if I was you and try before you buy. .And that is just plain bullshit. KONA BIKES 2021 | MTB | HONZO | Honzo ST Frame - konaworld The 2021 Kona Honzo ST Frame may be purchased directly from Kona. The Honzo gets a geo update that slackens the headtube to 67 degrees and steepens the seat tube angle. The Salsa Timberjack is another one that fits perfectly into this category. improved riding skills, technique and line choice selections in so many ways. Register a new Kona bike within three months of purchase, and the original owner qualifies the Kona frame for a free Lifetime Warranty. In order to correctly size the right bike for you, please consult your local, A 27.5+ Wheeled Version of our Classic Honzo Hardtails, Classic Mountain Bikes Made for Modern Riders, Steel Hardtail Beasts Perfect for Bike packing, A Drop bar Bike for Big Gravel, Big Climbs, and Big Adventures, If a Mountain Bike and Road Bike Got Together, The Uptown, Downtown, Commute-friendly, Interurban Path-cruising, Grocery-getting Workhorse. DH geo on a hardtail seems pointless. Axle Fixing Nut $ 4.00 Add to cart. Rider height can be anywhere between 152 cm 195 cm (4.99 ft 6.4 ft). Often imitated, but never duplicated, the Honzo is a part of Kona's foundation. Kona Honzo 2021 Hardtail Review (from a mechanics point of view) Power to the People. For the price of this bike you can get a competent full suspension bike. Mountain Bike Reviews Forum. Welcome to the Kona Part Store! Kona was an early pioneer of the sloping top tube frame design and it's a key part of the Honzo's DNA. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike. Honzo ST Frame is part of the Kona Honzo model. Hasta 95% de cobertura, hecho con vinilo autocurativo para proteger su orgullo y alegra. The 2022 Kona Honzo ST Frame is an Cross Country mountain bike. No comments on this bike yet. Hint, hintwe love the Honzo ST. Weve built the bike to be gearless and fearless with modular dropouts, so you can go full custom, or run it as we spec it, with a 120mm RockShox Revelation RC fork, SRAM NX 1x11 speed drivetrain, and SRAM Level T brakes. Have to agree, my last HT was an NS CroMo with 425mm stays and got beat up,a combination of stiffness and weight distribution. Kona Honzo ESD 2022 and Kona Honzo 2022 are visible on their website. For 2017, youll see the 12x148 Boost standard in the mix. $5,499.99 Added 2 days ago. Sutra ULTD. Now figure out how close the crank-arm comes to hitting the ground at bottom-out ;-). 1500 2021 54 cm SRAM Rival. Having 29 wheels means that you need less fork travel, leading to a reduction of the pedal bob effect. Inked_cyclist Oct 2021. I'm so tired of seeing reviews of hardtails here that just complain about them not being full suspension. I'd like that with a Box 9 spd for simplicity, as a winterbike. CA$4,599. Just my opinion and trying to save someone from the same frustrations I went through. Please see the Kona owners manual, provided with your bicycle, for additional information. . Register a new Kona bike within three months of purchase, and the original owner qualifies the Kona frame for a free Lifetime Warranty. Yea I've already hammered the shit out of my rim on the Torrent, seems like the rear end slams down more, AccidentalDishing; you perfectly described my daily driver '15 Transam TR29 w/ -2deg HA that i keep hanging new parts on.. still i'd love to take this Honzo for a rip.. i miss demo days. Remember that these sizes are a general guide and bike sizes can vary between riders and bikes. 2019 Kona Honzo AL frame Large Black 29in (4080) $357.16. Forking over that money gets you an aluminum frame that pushes burliness into burlesque with some of the most overbuilt and heavily sculpted chain and seat stays that I have ever seen, a mostly Shimano Deore build, a quite nice RockShox Revelation RC 140mm fork . And while even Shimano basic hydraulic brakes are ultra reliable, the twin-piston calipers on the Kona use Continue reading , Photos by Traece Craig We have been longtime fans of the incredibly capable and versatile Kona Honzo line, so when the slacker and more aggressive Honzo, Downhill-focused hardtail that lets your legs do the talking, Geometry thats not going to give you any excuses. Add to Cart. Because you want to be able to pop them about so the back doesnt hang up on things. Kona Honzo ST XL Frame - bicycle parts - by owner - bike sale Yeah that's true, I see a lot of hardtails out on both gnarly and less gnarly trails, ridden by both gnarly and less gnarly people. Kona Hei Hei DL Trail gebruikt in l | buycycle Honzo ST: Same colors as the 2020 Big Honzo ST. Green frame (bright) with blue kona decal. If you take a person who has only ever ridden a FS bike and someone who learned on a hardtail, then switch them to the opposite bike, I am pretty sure which one will smoother, faster, and fresher at the end of the ride a large majority of the time. Learning to ride fast on a rigid bike does take more skill. Kona was an early pioneer of the sloping top tube frame design and its a key part of the Honzos DNA. Oh, and it was a 29er too It proved such a successful formula it paved the way for the brand to evolve the entire range in Konas words it was The hardtail that started a revolution. Maybe it's only there on certain frame sizes? The 2021 Kona Honzo may be purchased directly from Kona. Not to mention that HT is a minority market. Tubeless rims allow for tires with more puncture resistance; the ability to run lower tire pressure, which provides better tire grip on the trail; lower rolling resistance; and weight savings over traditional tube and tire systems.