KONA PROCESS 153 CR/DL 29

With chunky tubing and a tidal wave of travel, is Kona out to prove that bigger is better?

- James Bracey

I’ve probably had over 20 rides on this top-of-the-line Process 153 CR/DL 29 – more than enough for the honeymoon period to be but a fuzzy, distant memory. In my current state of sobriety, however, I can see the Process 153 for what it really is: a hardhitting, fun-loving 29er. And this isn't even my first time around the block with the Process. I spent the best part of last year on the previous version as a longterm test mule; so to say that I know this bike inside and out, is something of an understatement.

And while I haven’t really moved on in the past 12 months, Kona hasn't either. Now in its second year of production, the burly carbon frame remains unchanged. Kona’s iconic dropped top tube provides loads of room to manoeuvre, even though the tubing profiles are seriously oversized. I mean, take a look at the carbon rocker link; it's one of the chunkiest I’ve ever seen. And as a serial sideways lander, it’s proved to be rock solid. And as burly as the rear end looks, Kona has kept it relatively short with a 427mm chainstay length.