Kona Wozo Review: 420mm chainstay, runs 29+, 26 x 4.8 & 27.5 x 4.5!
The Wozo thread doesn't seem to get the love it deserves, perhaps it's because folks don't realize what Kona brought to the table. . .
The 2016 Wozo was a limited run of completes in the USA, but in Canada they had frame sets too
I took a trip to Langley BC to pick up a couple frames (large and medium), cuz I just couldn't decide on sizing.
On paper the Wozo has a huge reach and ETT, which is typical "new" Kona geo, but what I learned is that the sizing is quite normal taken as a whole: bb drop, steep STA, high stack. I normally ride a large frame and the large Wozo fit perfect.
The Wozo has a lot in common with the Honzo, but tweaked to be fat, so unlike it's long legged fat brethren the Wo, the Wozo sports a 420mm chainstay that fits a 4.8 Minion on a 65mm rim and a 29 x 3 Minion! The sliding chainstays can be lengthened by up to 20mm if you feel the urge.
The HTA is listed as 69deg with a 100mm Bluto, but it rides slacker, so maybe someone needs to re-measure. I plan on bumping my Bluto to 120mm, leaving me with a more moderate 68degrees. Seriously, I think this bike could take an even longer fork.
I had some brief play time on 29+ before winter closed in, then it was game on! Today was the inaugral snow ride cold temps and no grooming kept it short, but suffice to say, short chainstays are da bomb on fat! The Wozo is super agile, very fun to ride, manuals are easy, jumping and hopping about like it's a play bike.
Unfortunately the Wozo is hard to find, but if you can get to Canada (or live there), there are a few frames remaining in the werehouse; I also have a medium left over. Edit, I paid $550 CDN plus taxes, gas, and customs; quite the deal for a sweet aluminum frame, so I'm only asking $500USD plus shipping.
Build details: Large Wozo, 100mm Bluto RTC3, CC headset, Onyx Racing hubs 150/177, Surly LM 26 x 65mm rims/WTB Scraper 29 x i45, 4.8/3" Minions, RF Turbine 170mm with Blackspire 26t oval chainring, RF PFT 30mm bb, GX 11sp drivetrain, Sunrace 11-42 cassette, Guide RS brakes, 180mm rotors, RF 150mm dropper, Chromag Ranger 40mm stem, Chromag bars, WTB Pro seat, Spec ergo grips.
Pics: 1) Echo Ridge, 3) Complete build 26 x 4.8 Minions; 2) and 4) frame clearance with 4.8 on Large Marge 65mm rims; 5) 29 x 3 Minions.
The Wozo thread doesn't seem to get the love it deserves, perhaps it's because folks don't realize what Kona brought to the table. . .
The 2016 Wozo was a limited run of completes in the USA, but in Canada they had frame sets too
I took a trip to Langley BC to pick up a couple frames (large and medium), cuz I just couldn't decide on sizing.
On paper the Wozo has a huge reach and ETT, which is typical "new" Kona geo, but what I learned is that the sizing is quite normal taken as a whole: bb drop, steep STA, high stack. I normally ride a large frame and the large Wozo fit perfect.
The Wozo has a lot in common with the Honzo, but tweaked to be fat, so unlike it's long legged fat brethren the Wo, the Wozo sports a 420mm chainstay that fits a 4.8 Minion on a 65mm rim and a 29 x 3 Minion! The sliding chainstays can be lengthened by up to 20mm if you feel the urge.
The HTA is listed as 69deg with a 100mm Bluto, but it rides slacker, so maybe someone needs to re-measure. I plan on bumping my Bluto to 120mm, leaving me with a more moderate 68degrees. Seriously, I think this bike could take an even longer fork.
I had some brief play time on 29+ before winter closed in, then it was game on! Today was the inaugral snow ride cold temps and no grooming kept it short, but suffice to say, short chainstays are da bomb on fat! The Wozo is super agile, very fun to ride, manuals are easy, jumping and hopping about like it's a play bike.
Unfortunately the Wozo is hard to find, but if you can get to Canada (or live there), there are a few frames remaining in the werehouse; I also have a medium left over. Edit, I paid $550 CDN plus taxes, gas, and customs; quite the deal for a sweet aluminum frame, so I'm only asking $500USD plus shipping.
Build details: Large Wozo, 100mm Bluto RTC3, CC headset, Onyx Racing hubs 150/177, Surly LM 26 x 65mm rims/WTB Scraper 29 x i45, 4.8/3" Minions, RF Turbine 170mm with Blackspire 26t oval chainring, RF PFT 30mm bb, GX 11sp drivetrain, Sunrace 11-42 cassette, Guide RS brakes, 180mm rotors, RF 150mm dropper, Chromag Ranger 40mm stem, Chromag bars, WTB Pro seat, Spec ergo grips.
Pics: 1) Echo Ridge, 3) Complete build 26 x 4.8 Minions; 2) and 4) frame clearance with 4.8 on Large Marge 65mm rims; 5) 29 x 3 Minions.
