Kona: the Smallest Biggest Bike Company in the World

Rider-owned. What mountain bike company isn’t owned by riders? Who else but a rider would have the fiscal patience and insensitivity to risk required to own a mountain bike company? Yet there are brands so strongly defined by their founders that it usually turns out they sacrificed nearly every other thing in their lives for bikes. They’re the type who possess a devotion to riding that is so deeply ingrained that founding a brand seems pre-ordained.
So what the hell does ‘the smallest biggest bike company in the world’ mean anyway?
Kona is a quintessential North Shore bike brand, yet their head office has almost always been over the border in Bellingham, Washington, a logging and mining town that is becoming increasingly well-known for its riding. We were long overdue to pay them a visit, so we drove an hour South and found ourselves in the town of 80,000. Partly to ride their trails, of course, but we also wanted to learn more about Kona and how they have managed success without losing the unique flavour that has always defined them.
*Originally aired October, 2015. Read the rest of the story - and see all the photos - on NSMB.com: nsmb.com/articles/the-smalles...
Shot on location at Kona HQ in Ferndale, WA and on the trails in and around Bellingham.
Video: Matt Dennison (IFHT / Mahalo My Dude)
Photos: Kaz Yamamura

Пікірлер: 201

  • @alexorap3728
    @alexorap3728

    Big fan of Kona here! I bought my Kona Blast in Kyiv back in 2007 (or was it 2008?). I love riding it in forests, doing cross-country, and pretty much going everywhere with it. I've made a couple of mods over the years and still enjoy this bike a lot. Cheers from Ukraine! 🇺🇦

  • @codered7453
    @codered7453

    My first "real mtn bike" was a 2017 Kona Mahuna that my boss sold to me for $50.00. I needed transportation to work he did me a huge favor by not only basically giving me a nearly new bike, but totally converted me to a brand I had heretofore never heard of. He rides Scott stuff and the Kona was a bit big for him but just right for me. I had to sell that bike a few years back but I will definitely be getting a new Mahuna at some point when I return from Romania.

  • @hw664
    @hw664 Жыл бұрын

    My first proper full suspension was a brand new Kona Stinky 2008, my mate was riding an 06 Stab Supreme at the time and we used to ride them 15 or so miles every weekend to the trails (they weren’t very good on the road), we had a blast. Kona will always have a place in my heart.

  • @jonmopar7917
    @jonmopar79172 жыл бұрын

    I’ve owned 3 Konas over the years. Their style was uniquely their own, particularly in the 90-00s. And for Kona fans, they were the best because of it.

  • @uzoge
    @uzoge3 жыл бұрын

    I knew approximately nothing about bikes a month ago but I've just bought a secondhand Kona Blast 2019 because I totally fell in love with the frame design and I'm really loving it.

  • @hadleybennett6875
    @hadleybennett68754 жыл бұрын

    Wow I’m a huge Kona fan now that I know at some point they made rolling papers haha cheers!!!

  • @raymondrichter2620
    @raymondrichter26203 жыл бұрын

    Great to know that Kona is still doing well. Purchased a Lava Dome in 2004 here in the UK , a few replacements parts, like drivetrain and tyres. still riding it now. A great bike!

  • @willhan9959
    @willhan9959 Жыл бұрын

    The frames that designed by Joe Murray back in the 90s with sleek fashion really catches eyes and not just nostalgia but a feeling of good times, thanks for what you are doing, salute.

  • @the.nidhinmj
    @the.nidhinmj3 жыл бұрын

    Just Bought the Kona Dew in India, Love the superior comfort saddle & the Best ever highest quality Frame I've ever used.

  • @misaki27
    @misaki273 жыл бұрын

    Never imagined I'd spend more than $500 on a bicycle, but saw the Kona Coco in my local bike shop ($950ish Canadian) and fell in love with it. It rides SO smooth, I didn't even know what hit me. It completely changed how I saw the cruiser bike category. Can't wait to ride it!!

  • @danharvey3096
    @danharvey30962 жыл бұрын

    Proud 2 week old owner of a 2nd hand but heavily upgraded Kona Entourage 2014, Fox 40s on front instead of Rock Shox Domain, & a pretty much brand new Fox DHX RC4 instead of RC2, bought for $1k NZD, STOKED! I LOVE the bike, the geometry, with shorter chainstays makes popping off curbs & jumps, & turning so easy, & the 180mm travel instead of 200mm means i can still pedal on the flat & a little uphill too. It's my first mtb in 10 years after i lived in Melbourne for 7 years, but now I'm back in Christchurch NZ & I'm so spoilt for epic Downhill & park tracks to ride.. Cant wait! First I've gotta get my fitness back up before i can huck it though haha!

  • @yellowtone1505
    @yellowtone15053 жыл бұрын

    Kona ! The most famous Mountain Bike Brand here in Japan !

  • @ColinDyas
    @ColinDyas

    I bought a Kona Lave Dome in 1990 for £450. I still have the receipt (somewhere). It was stolen from the boat house under Barnes Bridge (River Thames - London) where I used to row, tho I still have the seat and seat post! I replaced this with the higher spec'd Kona Cindercone (splash paint version) which I still own and ride to this day. Both bikes had straight Project 2 forks which were revolutionary for the time. Prior to buying the Kona, I'd been riding off road bikes with modified MX parts and knobbly tyres since the 1970's, which was well before Californians claim to have invented the sport. I even took one down the 'big bank' at the legendary Hawkstone Park GP MX circuit in Shropshire. So to see bikes come along 15 years later spec'd for off road riding was a real treat. These days those specs are even better. Kona played a big part in the evolution of mountain biking and it's great to see them still gong strong..........

  • @rivercloud33
    @rivercloud332 жыл бұрын

    Incredible documentary. I love you all at Kona and I love my 2022 Kona Honzo ESD!!

  • @louisaugust1815
    @louisaugust18153 жыл бұрын

    Just bought a used Kona from Restore. The high quality was evident to me immediately. It was a steal at $50. Only bought a brake cable and adjusted the shifting gears, runs great.

  • @heyyitsandy
    @heyyitsandy Жыл бұрын

    Just picked up my first Kona, a ‘15 Process 111 frame project…. been watching you guys grow over the years, and I felt your vibe was right for me…. once it came in, I knew it was a perfect match!

  • @vampiro664
    @vampiro6642 жыл бұрын

    Hadn't riden a bike in 40 years and I got a Kona Splice. Absolutely love it.

  • @MikeM-fq8lc
    @MikeM-fq8lc

    I bought my first kona in 2002! A kona stuff which i absolutly took everywhere, and learnt a lot on, in 2023 i bought my kona honzo esd! I love the thing and it loves me!

  • @Rouxenator
    @Rouxenator2 жыл бұрын

    Today I had the most amazing ride on my 2004 Hoss Dee-Lux. Thanks Kona. Your bikes and the rides they give people make the world a better place.

  • @duncanbawler2314
    @duncanbawler23144 жыл бұрын

    This just makes me love my new Kona so much more!!