First Look: Kona Honzo Steel - Hardtail Party

In this episode we take a look at my buddy Kenny's 2019 Kona Honzo St. $575 for a steel hardtail frame available from your local Kona dealer. Let's take a deeper dive into what this bike is all about. Did you learn something valuable? If so, show your appreciation and support this channel by becoming a Patron today: / hardtailparty
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[@drojim184]

Dude I love this damn channel bro. I've been looking for a great hardtail. Either built or to build myself. I absolutely love how u list everything and break everything down nicely

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching. Hardtails rock

[@timridesbikes1568]

I've been riding a 2020 XL Honzo AL/DL for five months with a 130mm pike and it rides awesome. It does not feel like it's geometry numbers say. They're so long you ride in the bike instead of on it. It corners better than my full suspension bike and I've been riding all of our local blacks and double blacks more than I ever did on my full suspension. It's a perfect bike for people that are realistic about their needs for a bike and can be built as a smasher or a race bike. Mine's a workhorse build, Sram gx/descendent, guide esc's and deity stuff, I haven't weighed it but don't imagine it's super heavy, maybe 29-30 lbs.

[@JG0929]

I am a Honzo ST fanboy. I have a 2016 ST Honzo frame I built up. For trail riding I have yet to find another bike I like more. My friends who have full squish rides have given me a hard time for not converting over like them. Then they ride it and it all comes together. This bike is super playful, descends like a demon and is really just a solid all around performer. I have a 120 on mine and have never wanted more. Would it be my first choice for a XC race... nope. For a downhill event... nope. For thrashing the local trails, pulling wheelies and generally not acting my age. This is THE BIKE for me. Plus it gets way more interest in the trail than do the 5k Santa Cruz or Treks you see everywhere.

[@hardtailparty]

Glad to hear you love yours so much. In the end, finding a bike you love is so important.

[@winky619]

Aluminum Kona Honzo AL/DL is my Fav bike hands down!!

[@degaboss]

Dude cushcore makes any bike a pig, having cushcore on both wheels is. Mindnumbing man, so much weight, can be shed by taking both cushcores. And make the bike more nimble on the climbs, i personally have just one rimpact on the rear and works like a charm

[@grug440]

checking out the Kona website the other day,all their hardtails are 68 degree headtube angle,they only offer the frame in carbon now.I end up going with a ragley mmmbop,better numbers and heaps cheaper

[@kroman4]

If you click on the steel frame models on their website it shows an option to buy only the frame for both the Honzo st and the big honzo st

[@hardtailparty]

I'll be reviewing the mmmbop soon. Stay tuned.

[@grug440]

@@kroman4 yeah i thought id seen it somewhere on there site a couple of months ago

[@ArmaniFlyHigh]

Good Bike..i had my mind on this one to to but then came the Nordest Bardino 2...almost at the same price as the Honzo steel..im enjoying my Bardino2 to the fullest :-)

[@shaunroach7829]

Great break down of the Honzo, can’t wait to see your review and opinion on the ride!!! 👍🤘

[@degaboss]

You are making great videos bro, keep en coming

[@Jdreynolds2]

I hope the Honzo surprises you despite the steep HA! I'm currently on a 2020 Big Honzo ST built up as a 29er and enjoying it. Although I'll agree I was a bit surprised by the weight when I finished the build. My parts aren't super heavy but the bike is 32.0 lbs. One thing I love about a custom build hardtail is that it's relatively easy and cheap to sell your frame and try out a different one. Looking forward to your review!

[@hardtailparty]

I love that about hardtails too.

[@Jdreynolds2]

@@hardtailparty I'll be up in Flagstaff (where I grew up and used to ride all the time) July 14-18. If you want a local (ex-local I guess) to show you around some of the trails let me know! I'd love to shred with you.

[@kailmarks4968]

I think the Honzo is a bike that feels like it has a slacker head angle than it does. The long reach and short chainstays seem to make it want to get rowdy all the time. I just bought a 2019 Honzo (aluminum) to replace my old Giant XTC (71 degree HA, haha), and the Honzo eats it for breakfast on descents. I am nearly as fast on it as I am on my enduro bike; faster in some conditions. I will probably bump my fork up to 140mm and maybe try a -1 degree angleset on top of that, but I think that would make it close to perfect.

[@smithfamily710]

That is a very similar build to mine with the xt drive train and 140mm fox forks. But l went with hope enduro rims and hope pro 4 hubs. Yes it is a heavy build (l notice the weight when climbing) but point it dh and wow l am feeling stable and confident. I am more of an xc rider than dh so for me with the geo being between the 2 styles l am happy and also for the trails l ride. Love your review and can't wait to see your thoughts on the trail ride 👍

[@TrailFeatures]

I’ve heard a few people prefer the st Honz over the Ti due to it being more compliant and cheaper. Agree the Kona needs to tweak that geo a bit more, but their bikes are built for the PNW where it’s more about tight ST and rock rolls than big chunder.

[@hardtailparty]

I like a slacker head angle for rock rolls. Steep hta makes it feel like you're going otb on steep stuff.

[@TrailFeatures]

@@hardtailparty I think if they slack it out to 66* it'd go a long way to making the bike work a lot more better.

[@hardtailparty]

agreed. 2* would help a ton. 3* would help even more. :)

[@itsmisterbojangles]

I drive a custom big honzo in payson. Lyrik up front is just awesome.

[@hardtailparty]

Nice!

[@rjahn3000]

Great been waiting for this one:)

[@hardmtnbiker]

Great steel frame! Kona was always ahead of the curve. A great build too, unfortunately over fork-ing is tough on short guy that doesn’t like a high BB and less stand over. I think the angle set HS is definitely the way to go.

[@hardtailparty]

Yeah, I think a -2* angleset would be great on one of these.

[@rotorwind177]

Interested to see how you like it! The Honzo was my first real mountain bike. The guys at my bike shop rave about the Honzo. That’s why I ended up buying one (aluminum one). I enjoy it but don’t have much to compare it too. 👍

[@adamgroves2811]

I love Kona, until I got into steel frames they were the only frames I'd not broken. Unfortunately they're thin on the ground here, but we are spoiled for choice with Steel frames here in UK.

[@hardtailparty]

Yes you are!

[@jamessher6956]

I just ordered a Cotic Solaris Max after watching your video on their Bfe. Waiting for your test ride on the Bfe. This will replace my Kona Honzo carbon which thanks to you I want a frame with more slack ht angle. The Kona was great but held back with the 2.3 max rear tire and 68 head angle. I have a Works 2deg headset that wouldn’t work with the Carbon Honzo that I would be happy to send to you or anyone who could use it. I live in Durango. Thanks.

[@johnnyd614]

Excellent review. This geo seems very similar to the Timberjack. It makes me wonder why these companies Santa Cruz (Chameleon), Salsa (Timberjack) and Kona (Honzo) are so conservative with head tube angle when many direct to consumer brands are so contemporary. It’s just interesting to me snd wonder if it’s a cost production thing? 🤔. I’m waiting to see which bike you liked better??? Timberjack, Chameleon or Honzo?

[@hardtailparty]

I have the same qurstions. I think they're just stuck in the past and scared to try anything new. It doesn't cost any more money to make the head angle slacker.

[@davidblackman3127]

@@hardtailparty A friend of mine emailed Santa Cruz last month and asked about that. They said that slackening the head angle would make it less good for bikepacking, so they don't plan on changing it.

[@hardtailparty]

Very interesting. It could potentially be worse at bikepacking, but I'd argue that 95% of customers who buy chameleons aren't bikepacking them. I do think they're a fantastic bikepacking bike though.

[@dannyh3335]

Hope that a new Chameleon someday would have a regular headset, non-integrated so we could change HT angle.. c’mon Santa Cruz!

[@BenYorkeMrHardtail]

Great review my man!

[@wesleecyphers5707]

Cant wait to see what you think! Just about done with my build. Overforked to 140mm Revelation w/ works -2° headset. Just waiting on my 29er wheelset. Raceface ARC 30 laced to Bontrager rapid drive. $20 upgrade on hub gives you 108 POE. Going to be so much better than the cheap hubs that came with the Syncr wheels I have on the Honzo now.

[@hardtailparty]

Sounds like a really fun bike.

[@wesleecyphers5707]

@@hardtailparty I love it! Can't wait for our trails to open back up so I can really out it through its paces.

[@jeffloucks2120]

Have the stock build on my '13. Curious how things feel for you with 140 and the changed head angle. Looking at updating some things on it rather than running to a new FS.

[@slimdog72]

You have mentioned riding Honzo's in other vids, I am pretty sure I can guess how compliant a 8lbs steel frame is going to be. I am a Kona fan boy as I own 2 of them right now. Both hardtails. Can't wait for the adjustable chain stay fad to disappear. I could argue your point on the seat stay mast gusset as I am 6'-4 and would prefer more seat stay and a greater stand over.

[@hardtailparty]

Yes, on an XL it makes a lot of sense, but on a size med it's not needed.

[@va941]

2021 Honzo DL, love the fact it has the sliding dropouts...a review by you would be great, thou I think it might not be slack enough for your soul 😜

[@hardtailparty]

Coming soon

[@SymaticStar]

Hi Steve, only recently was going to ask in comments if you've ridden one. I have the 2020 Kona Big Honzo ST and Love her riding enduro style. In Australia. Head angle is 67.5 with Rockshock Revelavtion 130 ...and this version is spec' higher overall. I'm riding 27.5 plus size tyres and the bike can also take 29". Everything feels aggressive but I wanted to ask: Does the angleset that would take it down to 65.5 put any stress on the frame at all or is it not an issue? Thanks Simon

[@hardtailparty]

It may void the warranty, and it will stress the frame more. I'm not worried about it, but big riders who charge hard may push it to its limit. Big jumps and drops would be the hardest on it.

[@corybrown9144]

What’s your top 2, current date favorite shredder Hardtail frames?

[@leefunkera]

In the recent specialized fuse 2020 video, he mentions the banshee paradox v3 and the rsd middlechild ti as his fave hardtails ✌️

[@va941]

@@leefunkera but thats before he rode the honzo esd...wich he said ruined him for other bikes.

[@ElevationEveryWeekend]

I’ve always had a favorable view of their bikes, haven’t owned one though. Have ridden a family members hardtail single speed (can’t remember model) and it was a good ride. I’d be curious what the all in cost of this build. For someone that is used to heavier steel frame fatbikes, was a bit surprised by the weight of this bike.

[@o_Olii]

Did you get a chance to ride the Norco Torrent ?

[@hardtailparty]

Not yet. Im taking with Norco and trying to get one soon. Fingers crossed.

[@thebikehippie6562]

67.5 and this bike rips

[@ashleywressell4664]

Think you could get a nuke proof scout to review? Been really considering one given I can find one in stock

[@hardtailparty]

I've tried multiple times, but they won't respond. It's not looking likely.

[@michaelp5700]

I would love to see a review of the Marin San Quentin. I looked through your channel but didn't see it.

[@hardtailparty]

It's coming in a few months.

[@michaelp5700]

@@hardtailparty I look forward to it!

[@jeidarellobrique870]

Can you do a video review of dartmoor primal or a dartmoor hornet?

[@uonadtehrrocks]

Are the 2020 Honzo's different or is it just because they threw a 130mm fork on it?

[@mellissanash7517]

How would you say this compares to the updated geo 2020 Unit X, which is around the same price for the frame?

[@lukekrznaric318]

How are the hubs on those ibis wheels?

[@hardtailparty]

The engagement isnt great, that's why they're budget wheels. But if you done need fast engagement, they're fine. I talk about this in the upcoming review.

[@lukekrznaric318]

@@hardtailparty If the engagement is better then the hubs that come on the 2020 specialized fuse I'd be a buyer for sure.

[@hardtailparty]

@@lukekrznaric318 not tons better. But I think they're worth buying, then swapping a good hub on the rear.

[@toanmaxdark7]

I don't think there's any way the seat tube could be shorter. The seat would hit the tire

[@DawnThief23]

How About mullet on it?

[@michaelwalker4363]

So I have a Motobecane hardtail that has great parts that i want to keep and up grade the frame. Are there any newer hardtails out that are not boost size hubs? Because I have a nice wheel I had built and would love to keep for the new build. Also I have the new Ibis Ripley and the Ibis wheels. What do you think about the engagement on that hub? Not sure if I'm happy with it. I was running a Hope 4 previous to the Ibis hub.

[@hardtailparty]

A hope has much better engagement than the Ibis hubs. Check out the boostinator adapter.

[@michaelwalker4363]

@@hardtailparty Will do thanks

[@eillord]

What is the exact color of the frame?

[@FrANTiXzz]

I am currently searching a new bike And also thought about this. Until i saw the ha..

[@ridewest57]

If you want a steel hard tail that is really good look at on one bikes

[@thebikehippie6562]

Don't get too hung up on HA. This bike rips✌ ✌

[@FrANTiXzz]

Ye it costs like 2200€ it looks fine. My current hardtail got ~67.3 and my fatbike got 69 so I got no problem with that. Will demo one soon. And even faster with my fatbike than most of my fully friends

[@edlorenz1552]

Orange P7s are $650.

[@hardtailparty]

I've been trying to get one in for review, but no luck.

[@hardtailparty]

Good news, I'll be getting a p7 frame in to build up soon.

[@Knochenhosentyp]

Looks like a bit overpriced