Kona Honzo ESD | First Shred | One Hardtail to Rule Them All?

[@DrJMTB]

Check out where I actually BOUGHT MY LBS that loaned me this bike!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp6wf5aQoaySm9k

[@rangi0072]

dude your reviews are really detailed and informative ! such a great job !! I actually ordered a hightower after watching your review of that..... now i'm pretty sure i'll be ordering one of these

[@XLBikingInternational]

Nice job! I was longing to see this bike shredding a bit! Thanks man!

[@brettneuberger6466]

Ok, You just sold me. Great review! I’ve got a HeiHei CR 29r and a Big Honzo and love them both, but the geometry and fork travel are so similar I almost always grab the HeiHei. It’s just so quick and fun up and down. That esd looks like it’d be an entirely different riding experience. Now, who wants to buy my BH?

[@gusdolan6801]

always remember, grease you seat post regularly on steel frames. they will seize solid if you don't!

[@frignewton3190]

Awesome bike and awesome review. Kona is such a great brand! Thanks for your input!

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks and I agree!

[@Jthe5th]

Good remark on the shark fin detail! I also like the model they present on the website more than than the bigger sizes with the shark fin gusset added.

[@DrJMTB]

I’ll humbly submit that I think Kona should have been more transparent about this. But after seeing how much milder it is on the ESD compared to previous Honzo models, I’m not nearly as put out by it. It’s really not so bad.

[@DrJMTB]

mybadvideos you are correct. I should have my medium in the next few days to double confirm.

[@shytcardz]

Great bike! I'm just leaning how to ride this new geo, coming from an older XC geometry. I completely bent my rear derailleur on this bike the day I took it out. All I did was pedal a couple of times... the chain must have been in a strange spot to do that. We can't find any SLX stock, so we put on Deore to get me up and running. I'm hoping to get the SLX or XT back when we can find some stock.

[@DrJMTB]

I've had a few derailleurs break in very minor ways over the years. I've had both a SRAM GX Eagle and a SLX 11 speed do this. It's always the worst to have to be off the bike until they get you one in too. Sounds like you like the bike though which is awesome!

[@shytcardz]

@@DrJMTB Yeah, so far so good, it is a lot of fun but I feel like a newbie on it tbh. First time riding flats too. I'm going to give the flats ~10 rides before I decide to keep them or go back to clipping in. The thing I miss is the consistent foot placemnent.

[@DrJMTB]

@@shytcardz I really enjoy flats and I've always ridden them. I've heard from dedicated clips riders that it takes a while to transition. This would be especially the case if you're getting used to the bike as well.

[@DrJMTB]

8:03 for the actual ride vids! Shout out to my bro Eric for the video support and for my man Mikey for letting me borrow his bike!

[@solobellimino2356]

This bike sexy as fuck. Like that it performs as awesome as it looks.

[@mtb3657]

Fantastic review

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks!

[@Justin-ny6un]

Regarding the Deore brakes check you haven’t got pistons leaking. I installed a set of M6100s on my girlfriends bike. After multiple bleeds, adjust rotors I couldn’t get rid of softer lever on the rear. Checked the pistons to check even travel and there were bubbles coming out around it squeezing the lever, also small amount of oil on back of the pads. The front feels close to my M8100s

[@Justin-ny6un]

Video of the leak - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXrdYn-tjNOrkMU

[@DrJMTB]

Good info. When I build mine up, I'll see how they are and keep this in mind. I will say that the front didn't feel nearly as bad on the one I tested.

[@leandroiw2942]

Great review!! Did you ended up getting the medium? How did it compare? I am 5 11 and right in between sizes and trying to decide :).

[@DrJMTB]

Medium 🤙🏼

[@scrutch666]

man i want this bike so much . but you get them only from private overprized

[@scrutch666]

@@ZAR66 second hand. I ended up buying a chromag stylus over pinkbike. More then happy

[@quantumcreator8888]

Awesome episode.. I have a 2014 honzo army green .. size small ..Vs 2022 honzo ESD new frame is way better in geometry 📐 numbers .. I got lucky 🍀 getting the frame ..

[@mtb3657]

Enjoying your videos just subscribed

[@DrJMTB]

Awesome! Thanks 👊🏼

[@OYABUNG_WA]

Excellent vid, do you have the build spec of your 2020? I have a 2020 frame and want to put 140mm pikes on so interested in your custom build

[@DrJMTB]

Thanks! Its a large frame, Pike Ultimate 140mm w/ 42mm offset, GX groupset, OneUp 210 dropper and a Works Components 1.5 angled headset.

[@wagz54]

Thoughts on a one bike for someone new to MTB? I ride a steel gravel bike now!

[@manuelgaribay8348]

How tall are you ? What’s your inseam? Dope video ;)

[@DrJMTB]

5'9 3/4", ~31" inseam. And thanks 👊🏼.

[@guipol112]

Nice! Is it more playfull than short travel Full sus?

[@DrJMTB]

The shorter chainstays on the ESD help it feel snappier than most trail bikes IMO. Especially when you consider how much more you’d pay to get the build spec of this bike on something like the new Transiotion Spur or perhaps a SC Tallboy.

[@guipol112]

@@DrJMTB ok, hardtails are fun. For you, the esd is like an All mountain/enduro, or an all arounder/trail bike? Thx u!!

[@DrJMTB]

Gui Pol I’d lean more toward the later due to the lack of rear suspension. It’d be tough for me to qualify a hardtail as enduro.

[@sdqsdq6274]

cant afford this , what about the fire mountain , i see slight difference , is it slack enough ?

[@badge1094]

Sorry, see that you answered about the weight, but man, anything over 30 lbs is just too heavy !

[@badge1094]

How much does the ESD weigh ?

[@claytonjessup6163]

I am consider upgrading to the 2022 Kona Honzo ESD , to replace my Santa Cruz Chameleon. I want kinda of a single due it all Hardtail. And I am thinking this could be a valid option , I currently have a 150mm fork on my bike and I like the two a bit better on the Honzo from what I seen on paper. What do you think ?

[@DrJMTB]

I think you’re right on track. I have a red 2021 slightly used and a new 2022 ESD, both in medium for sale in the shop if interested.

[@claytonjessup6163]

@@DrJMTB I am in the Texas in the south west to be exact in El Paso. I also think I would be a size large . I am really thinking it could be a choice for me. If anything I was looking at buying the frame and swapping out my parts

[@choppercooney]

I've got the same bike and have a question round chainstay length....Can I adjust this on the fly without removing wheel and brake..i.e if I want it to be shortest position is it just a case of loosening the 4 bolts and sliding all the way forward ? Will I have to worry about chain length ?

[@DrJMTB]

You're going to have a way easier time with the bike in the stand as you can misalign the rear wheel if not careful. Chain length should* be ok, but if there is slop in the chain in the shortest position in the highest gear, you could always take out a few links. I generally like to torque those chain stay bolts down to spec with some blue loctite as they're prone to coming lose with trail vibration.

[@rivercloud32]

Did you like the large or the medium better you are the same height as me should I get a large?

[@DrJMTB]

Definitely glad I went medium for me, but I could have gotten along with either.

[@MrSiwydym]

Is good for allround or better to get commencal meta HT ? I cant choose 🙃

[@DrJMTB]

If you're going to have 1 bike, I'd go ESD all day. It pedals surprisingly well and can get rowdy when it comes time to go down.

[@juliusmia5386]

How about putting 27.5 wheels? Is it doable?

[@DrJMTB]

The bottom bracket would be so low I’m afraid it wouldn’t be rideable

[@juliusmia5386]

@@DrJMTB thank you

[@lolaharwood4702]

I have a kona stuff 2009 at the moment, the dirt jump bike they made with the "trail capable geometry" blah blah blah and it looks quite similar, but newer of course- do you think that at some point the honza would be a good upgrade? I can't buy it any time soon, but it looks perfect for what i enjoy :)

[@DrJMTB]

It's always great to just have a bike and ride what you have so keep shredding. But yes, you'll notice a big improvement in capability once you get used to a decade's worth of new geometry, sizing and components and the Honzo ESD is a great one-bike hardtail.

[@XB360News]

I'm about 5'11 and was considering a M or should I stick with the L?

[@DrJMTB]

I probably would stick with large if I were you

[@grahameverard3682]

Was literally looking for a comment like this and im also 5'11 🤣 saved me asking.

[@grahameverard3682]

Although even though being 5'11, I am still wondering on the arm reach side of thing's? Cause I don't feel I have the longest of arms.

[@DrJMTB]

@@grahameverard3682 @ 5'11", you could definitely go with either bike. If you really have short arms, you might want to eyeball medium. After building up my medium and riding it for a while, I'm definitely glad I didn't get a large.

[@grahameverard3682]

@@DrJMTB Thanks for the reply. In an ideal world I would be able to test out the medium and large then make a decision but it seems like no stores in Scotland are stocking these at the moment and it's paid orders only. Also it's not like I have little t-rex arms or anything lol, I'm just thinking I don't have the reach of someone who is 6 foot odds and im just wondering how it will feel.

[@MrSiwydym]

Im 180cm (5'11) what size better for me ?

[@DrJMTB]

You could definitely fit a large. If you want a super numble, playful setup, go medium. If you want all out speed and capability, go large.

[@MrSiwydym]

@@DrJMTB thanks 😁

[@FoVision]

Weight? :)

[@DrJMTB]

It comes in a just oner 32lbs in this stock configuration in a size large. It's definitely a big fella. My 2020 I mentioned in this video definitely seems lighter, but still comes in at 30.2 lbs.

[@SrSacaninha]

I should stop watching reviews for this beast... I can't have one anyways. It's torture at this point.

[@DrJMTB]

Give it a few months and you might be able to snag a used one 👍

[@SrSacaninha]

@@DrJMTB Yeah, I wonder if it will be readily available once the hype dies down. Idk, it looks like it could become a cult bike or something. I was also thinking about getting the frame alone... we'll see how that goes.

[@DrJMTB]

@@SrSacaninha Yes and to be honest, the updated regular Honzo is not half bad this year either.

[@clmfilms8103]

@@SrSacaninha look at the kona mahuna or the lava dome. They are a bit cheaper and have good specs for the price

[@biffmister941]

Why are girls bike frames fashionable in 2020? This looks like a girls bike from 1970 or 1980. Only the frame actualy looks weaker than a 1980 girls bike because a 1980's girl's bike had stronger seat stays which were higher up the seat tube.

[@biffmister941]

back in the day a kid bent his sisters girls' bike over a couple little jumps and gave it back to her hoping she would not notice the frame was bent severely.

[@DrJMTB]

I wasn’t alive in 1970 or 1980, but I appreciate the history lesson. It was insightful. I hope Kona gets word they’re making 1979 girl bike frames...

[@DrJMTB]

I wasn’t alive in 1970 or 1980, but I appreciate the history lesson. It was insightful. I hope Kona gets word they’re making 1979 girl bike frames...

[@biffmister941]

@@DrJMTB Well, if you can find time just google "girl's bike 1980". They bend at the headtube ( unless made of five times thicker metal). 1 foot long seatposts also bend, Unless of course they are made of five times thicker metal. But I thought minimal weight is supposed to be a good thing.

[@sdqsdq6274]

@@biffmister941 lol girl frame are more noticeable then this , this geometry is nice , like dirt jump bike