Kona Process 153 29 Review
- Price: $3399
- Frame: Aluminum
- Wheels: 29″
- Gear: 1×11
What we like about it: Kona 6061 aluminum application, Beamer independent suspension, comfortable ride.
What we don’t like about it: It’s not the lightest option in terms of weight.
Rating: (4.8/5)
Kona is a US-based bicycle company founded in 1988 with offices located in Ferndale, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia.
It is a brand dedicated to creating high-performance mountain, road, and city bicycles. Kona’s bicycles are known for their exceptional design and manufacturing, high-quality products, and excellent reputation, and perform well in different types of riding.
Since its launch, the Kona Process series has been one of our favorite gravel bikes. Nothing stays the same forever.
While the Kona Process 153 29 still flows the same blood, it has also made some changes to bring you the best riding experience.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience and specifications of the Kona Process 153 29. If you want to learn more about bike reviews, you can follow us.
Riding Experience
I have ridden many bikes, but when I got on the Kona Process 153 29, I was surprised by its powerful performance. For this ride, I chose the Moab Desert in Utah, which has many uneven roads and is perfect for off-road riding.
Climbing
At the start of the climb, I could feel its lightness. Perhaps it is thanks to the lightweight aluminum frame that helped me climb quickly.
During this process, the bike’s powerful performance gave me the greatest support, making me more confident and at ease when climbing.
It is worth mentioning that its long wheelbase and short front cover design allowed me to better control the bike when climbing steep slopes, maintaining stability and smoothness.
The application of Maxxis Assegai EXO TR DUAL tires provided unparalleled grip, allowing me to freely explore steep sections.
After a while of riding, my breathing started to intensify, and honestly, this road was even bumpier than I imagined, requiring me to exert more energy to deal with the scattered rock piles.
But conquering challenging terrain is even more fun, isn’t it?
Descending
As I reached the top, enjoying the breeze that greeted me, I knew I had conquered another spot. This was not just my effort alone, the Process 153 29 played an important role in it as well.
But I knew it was far from enough, so after a short break, I began my descent journey. Throughout this process, the balance and stability of the bike were put to the test, and a sufficient amount of travel was able to absorb vibrations from the road.
The comfortable handlebars allowed me to maintain control of my direction with greater stability. Especially when facing sharp turns, the Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes played a crucial role.
Several times, it was thanks to their powerful braking that I didn’t fall. I felt the speed and excitement, leaving long tracks, an unforgettable ride.
Overall, this is an outstanding full-suspension endurance bike. It performs well whether you’re climbing or descending.
Its design and construction can meet different types of riding needs and provide ample support and confidence for riders. It has also made me love mountain biking even more.
Specification
As a professional-level mountain bike, the classic KONA 6061 aluminum alloy is still used for the frame selection.
This provides reliable performance and can withstand maximum impact. In terms of the suspension system, the RockShox Yari RC Motion Control DebonAir front suspension and RockShox Deluxe Select Plus provide 160mm and 153mm of travel, respectively, making the vehicle more stable and comfortable during high-speed descents and steep climbs.
Meanwhile, the Shimano Deore 11spd gearing system has silky-smooth shifting speeds, making your ride more convenient.
For tire selection, the Maxxis Assegai EXO TR DUAL 29×2.5″ WT size provides excellent grip and stability, performing exceptionally well on rough roads.
Of course, to ensure safety during high-speed travel, this bike uses Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, and their powerful braking allows you to ride with peace of mind.
What do we like about it?
- Kona 6061 Aluminum: Tough, durable lightweight alloy that can withstand the wear and tear of frequent use.
- Built-in headset: The built-in headset lowers the stack height, so the bar and stem are more adjustable to provide the best fit for the rider.
- Tapered headtube: More girth at the bottom of the headtube allows for better impact distribution, extending the bearing life of the headset itself and eliminating brake judder while providing confident steering performance.
- Tubeless compatible rims: Tubeless rims allow for higher puncture resistance; the ability to reduce tire pressure, thus providing better tire grip on the track; and reduced rolling resistance.
- Comfortable ride: A smooth ride means more comfort, even in the face of long rides, to ensure maximum comfort.
- Beamer Independent Suspension: Built for best-in-class progressive design, it helps bikes stay higher on the road and recover from crashes faster.
- 12x142mm axle: The 12mm diameter of the rear axle provides a rigid interface between the rear hub and the frame, while the 142/148/157mm outer diameter of the wheel allows the wheel to be quickly and correctly positioned in the frame before being inserted into the rear axle.
What don’t we like about it?
- Weight: not the lightest option
FAQs
- What is the tire size of the Kona Process 153 29 and what kind of tires are used?
This bike is 29×2.5″ in size. It also uses Maxxis Assegai EXO TR DUAL tires. If you prefer other sizes, there is also a 27.5″ option.
- What is the drive train of the Kona Process 153 29?
The Kona Process 153 29 features a Shimano Deore 11spd shifting system for a silky smooth shifting experience.
- How to choose the right size?
Here we provide you with a size chart. But of course, this does not necessarily have to follow this standard, the best way to find the most suitable size is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’2″ – 6’1″ | MD |
| 5’9″ – 6’6″ | LG |
| 5’10” – 6’6″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted 153mm TravelBB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit Color: Satin Metallic Mauve w/ Blue-Gray Decals |
| Fork | RockShox Yari RC Motion Control DebonAir 160mm Tapered 110mm Spacing |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select Plus Trunnion |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano Deore PF92 |
| Headset | FSA No.57B |
| Stem | Kona XC/BC 35 |
| Handlebar | Kona XC/BC 35 |
| Saddle | Kona Trail |
| Seatpost | TranzX Dropper +RAD Internal w/ Shimano Lever 31.6mm |
| Pedals | n/a |
| Grips | Kona Key Grip |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore 11spd |
| Front Derailleur | n/a |
| Crank | Shimano Deore, 30t |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore 11spd |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore 11-50t 11spd |
| Chain | KMC X11 |
| Chain Guide | n/a |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Deore |
Wheels
| Rims | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 |
| Spokes | Stainless Black 14g |
| Front Hub | Shimano 110x15mm |
| Rear Hub | Shimano 148x12mm |
| Tires | Maxxis Assegai EXO TR DUAL 29×2.5″ WT |
| Disk Rotors | Shimano RT64 203mm (centerlock) |
Video
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Drivetrain | Frame material | Groupset |
| Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 8 | Click View | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | Shimano XT |
| Scott Genius 940 | Click View | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | SRAM NX Eagle, SX Eagle |
| Boardman MTR 8.9 | Click View | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | SRAM NX Eagle |
| CUBE STEREO 150 C:62 TM 29 | Click View | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | GX Eagle, X1 |
Kona Process 153 29 vs Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 8
The Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 8 is a highly competitive full-suspension mountain bike. It features a carbon fiber frame and a Fox Performance Elite Float 36 suspension fork, which provides excellent handling and a very enjoyable riding experience.
In terms of tire size, it uses 27.5-inch wheels, which offer a more agile ride and are better suited for technical downhill sections.
In contrast, the Kona Process 153 29 uses 29-inch wheels, which provide more stability when going over obstacles, better traction during climbs, and more stability during descents.
Overall, the Canyon Spectral 27.5 CF 8 is suitable for riders who prioritize speed and efficiency. The Kona Process 153 29, on the other hand, is more suitable for riders who prioritize climbing and descending performance, as well as riding enjoyment.
Learn More: Is Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Worth Buying? [Canyon Spectral 29 CF 7 Review]
Kona Process 153 29 vs Scott Genius 940
If we’re talking about design, I’m not a fan of the Scott Genius 940. To be honest, it doesn’t give me a good feeling, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. But I can’t just tell you it’s bad, that wouldn’t be professional.
As for the drivetrain, this bike uses an SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed system with a wider range of gear ratios, which can adapt to various terrains, allowing riders to find the right gear for climbing and high-speed riding.
In comparison, the Kona Process 153 29 falls slightly short in this regard. Its Shimano Deore 11-speed system may have a slightly lower speed, but it still provides enough gear ratios to meet the needs of most riders.
Additionally, this drivetrain is very reliable, not only durable but also easy to maintain. Overall, both bikes can meet the needs of most riders.
Learn More: Is the Scott Scale 940 A Great Value Hardtail Bike? [Scott Scale 940 Review]
KonaProcess 153 29 vs. Boardman MTR 8.9
For every off-road enthusiast, the greatest pleasure of riding comes from constantly going up and down through the forest. The Boardman MTR 8.9 performs well in this aspect.
The perfect combination of SRAM Guide T 4-piston brakes and 12-speed NX Eagle gears provides you with enough stability and smooth operation during the ride.
As for the choice of the suspension system, the 145/150mm travel brings enough cushioning performance to make your ride more stable.
However, if you are looking for a higher-performance bike, perhaps the Kona Process 153 29 can meet your needs.
The 160mm front travel and 153mm rear travel have advantages in absorbing bumps and maintaining stability, especially in high-speed and technical descents.
Of course, Kona’s proprietary 6061 aluminum alloy also has its advantages, which can withstand more intense riding.
KonaProcess 153 29 vs CUBE STEREO 150 C:62 TM 299
CUBE has always had its unique understanding of mountain biking. The CUBE STEREO 150 C:62, TM 299 is a high-performance full-suspension endurance race bike that embodies this philosophy.
With its carbon fiber frame, it weighs only 13.8 kilograms. This makes it light enough for climbing and makes your riding easier.
The dropper post performs well in handling transitions between uphill and downhill sections, and the bike is excellent in terms of both performance and handling.
In comparison, the Kona Process 153 29 may not stand out as much. However, it is still attractive to many riders due to its lower price and comparable performance.
The use of the RockShox Yari RC suspension fork and RockShox Deluxe Select Plus Trunnion rear suspension provides better balance during descents, making it easier to handle complex terrain.
The sturdy and lightweight wheelset is suitable for intense riding and can provide a more stable and comfortable riding experience.
Summary
Above is our test of the KonaProcess 153 29. It’s a pro-level full-suspension enduro bike that’s similar to off-road fun by freely moving through the mountains. If you want to try a higher-end full-suspension enduro bike, feel free to check out our test on it.
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