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2020 Kona Hei Hei...and Beyond!!!

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smartyiak

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Some info...but nothing solely dedicated to the new Hei Hei...so I thought I'd start one...followed by a Question!

Looks pretty great:
https://www.bikemag.com/gear/mountain-bikes/first-ride-2020-kona-hei-hei-cr-dl/

120/120...longer, slacker, blahblahblaher...a little pricey (but what isn't). A bike to rival the Trek TF, Ryve 115, and whatever other marathon-type bike...but not Smuggler, Following type bike.

I was actually looking at the TopFuel b/c it is exactly what I need. I also looked at the Ryve ....from the internet, so any purchase would be blind faith. ...and along comes the new Hei Hei.

Here's the question: the CR/DL is a pretty penny at $6K. I'm thinking the CR would be a better buy and use the extra $$$$ for some nicer wheels and lighter cranks...or maybe better brakes. I do like the green....but $1500 is a LOT of green!
 
#2 ·
I own a 2019 heihei cr/dl, pretty good, even have brought it to the downhill park. But this year I decided to get one SC megatower for the park ride. The 2020 version seems to be a more "downcountry" bike compared to the previous verssion, very interested in its ride feelings.
 
#3 ·
I have the previous Hei Hei CR/DL which I'm super happy with, but... as expected I really like the updates to the new frame. (mostly rear suspension revisions and geo update) Frame swap??

If I hadn't built a trail bike last year I think I could have been happy with the new Hei Hei to do both duties? Maybe not, but I like it.

I'd love to ride one of these some day to compare. Maybe the demo van will be back in action next year? Maybe I'll eventually bite the bullet and get a frame, but not right now. (in the process of building up a new hardtail).
 
#4 ·
Never owned a Kona, and never wanted to...until now. I think it's got a major advantage over the Top Fuel or Ryve with the ability to hold two water bottles in the front triangle, which is an absolute necessity for long races IMO. That "bigger than a race bike, smaller than a trail bike" category is starting to mature, which is awesome. Think it will be just the ticket for more technical all-day rides and races like Marji Gesick.

Curious to see how the new HeiHei rides as a 120/120 setup and if it would do well upforked to 130. The MRP Ribbon SL, which all the Kona XC team riders use, comes in a 130mm config and is comparable in weight to a Pike or 34 (heavier than a Sid35 or 34 Stepcast by ca. 150g). The only Kona I've spent any time on in the past five years is the new Process 153, which is a confidence-inspiring descender (as it should be at 153/170 travel and with super slack geo!) Hoping the HH borrowed some Process geo during its Bellingham nascence.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
*OneSpeed* said:
I have the previous Hei Hei CR/DL which I'm super happy with, but... as expected I really like the updates to the new frame. (mostly rear suspension revisions and geo update) Frame swap??
Click to expand...
OneSpeed: How would you describe the HeiHei's suspension platform? Looking a the PB review of the Ryve, it's like the suspension is "efficient" meaning: it takes the edge off...but you still feel the bumps and roots.

When demoing the SB100, I loved the efficiency...but there was also a plushness to it...I thought the Tallboy3 was also plush feeling...but at the cost of some efficiency.

The Trek TopFuel is fast as all get out...but less plush than the SB100.

I know it's subjective...and may come down to who set the demo bike up...but would place the characteristics of the HeiHei more toward the plush side of the spectrum or the "fast/efficient at all costs" side?

PB seems to suggest it's more plush...at the cost of efficiency...I guess my question is: how much is lost...and is it worth the plushness?

I live in the mid-atlantic and this would be my only bike...and will do 4-5 x-c marathon races per year (mid pack) (if we ever have those again).
 
#6 ·
This bike sounds perfect for me, was thinking of an Orbea Oiz before it, but can't really stomach carbon frame prices. Any idea if it will have an AL version later this year or next? I know the AL oiz came out a year or two after the updtaed CF version. Might have already bought the Oiz if season wasn't going ot be cancelled this year... their AL bike has an XT build for $3K, where as the Konas start at 4K with an GX build!
 
#9 ·
I had a demo Hei Hei CR over the weekend. I think it's a truly capable bike. I would put it in trail category, but in the "light" end of it. I can't compare it to similar bikes, but I currently own a gen1 YT Jeffsy (140/140mm f/r). The Hei Hei is (not surprisingly) more efficient on climbs and on flat and easy trails, but on rough descents it requires a lot more attention and is inevitably slower when you're going downhill fast and/or there are a lot of big rocks or roots. The difference wasn't like night and day, but it was there.

I haven't ridden XC race bikes, but the Hei Hei doesn't feel like I imagine them to be. It is agile, but in no way nervous. As the reviews mention, the back end eats up small bumps really well, but it isn't plush or even very forgiving in rougher stuff. Maybe adding a bigger spacer in the shock would help. I would also add bigger tires than the stock 2.25" Rekons. For the less chunkier stuff they are fine, even great.

I'm considering getting one to replace the Jeffsy. My problem is that while I like a light, snappy and efficient bike, the trails closest to my home are quite rocky and rooty where the extra travel helps. I was considering also the Process 134 but it looks like it's really similar to the Jeffsy I have and I'd like something a bit snappier and lighter.
 
#10 ·
I think the new HH will be a fine bike for a vast majority of the buying public. Anyone wanting more bike will sacrifice something to do so. At that point just buy a second bike.

My biggest issue with the direction kona is heading, are their prices. They also seem to be cutting off online sales so the opportunity to buy a discounted bike/frame for less than MSRP may be going away as well. Basically they're making my decision to continue buying their products or not.
 
#11 · (Edited)
An enduro bike and the Hei Hei would make a great 2 bike combo, but the Jeffsy I have would be too similar. Hei Hei would actually replace the trail bike and an xc ht I have.

I also have always thought that Kona is expensive, but now when I compare the Hei Hei CR with similarly specced bikes it’s actually not more expensive than most of them. The cheapest carbon Top Fuel is more expensive and so are the Epic, Spark, Blur/Tallboy etc, at least here in Europe. Considering that you can get a discount from your LBS the Hei Hei’s price is actually quite similar to the YT Izzo which I’ve also been lokking at. I do agree that it’s still expensive.
 
#12 ·
Here's my CR with drivetrain and brakes switched over to m9100/ RaceFace. The Fox Transfer post didn't have the barrel set screw thing that attaches cable to the bottom pf the post so I'll need to wait to install that. Also need a 70mm stem but I think I have one in the parts box. First real ride will be tomorrow morning before it hits 90 in this 90% humidity. Crappy photo I know.
 
#16 ·
It's not an exact copy but very similar. Geo and travel are different as is the ST design that doesnt allow for second bottle.

Would be interesting to see layup quality between a $3100.00 kona HH and its $650.00 knockoff.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
ATXZJ said:
It's not an exact copy but very similar. Geo and travel are different as is the ST design that doesnt allow for second bottle.

Would be interesting to see layup quality between a $3100.00 kona HH and its $650.00 knockoff.
Click to expand...
So...not a copy and different reach, stack, HTA, and STA...

In other words: a completely different bike. SHEESH
 
#20 ·
Another option for the "beyond" category just dropped today. Revel bikes is making a 115mm XC-ish rig thats a little longer, lower with same HTA as new HH. It also has a highly efficient multi-link canfield suspension platform, room for 29x2.6 and a freaking THREADED BB.

Frame only option is $2800 with a SID luxe ultimate shock and lifetime warranty.

https://www.revelbikes.com/our-bikes/ranger/

This just might be my next frame purchase.
 
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