Kona news…..

[Splatter Paint]

apparently due out today. Most folk are speculating it isn’t good after reportedly pulling out of the Sea Otter show

Two of many articles doing the rounds:

NSMB.com - Rumors of Kona's Demise May not be Greatly Exaggerated

Strange happenings at The Sea Otter Classic indicate it may be time to prepare Kona's obituary.

nsmb.com

Concern for Kona as staff take down stand at Sea Otter

The annual Sea Otter Classic race and expo is the traditional new season starter event. Based in California it attracts racers and some of the world’s biggest bike brands every...

singletrackworld.com

Hopefully the doom sayers are wrong, we’ll find out soon.

 

[al-onestare]

apparently due out today. Most folk are speculating it isn’t good after reportedly pulling out of the Sea Otter show

Two of many articles doing the rounds:

NSMB.com - Rumors of Kona's Demise May not be Greatly Exaggerated

Strange happenings at The Sea Otter Classic indicate it may be time to prepare Kona's obituary.

nsmb.com

Concern for Kona as staff take down stand at Sea Otter

The annual Sea Otter Classic race and expo is the traditional new season starter event. Based in California it attracts racers and some of the world’s biggest bike brands every...

singletrackworld.com

Hopefully the doom sayers are wrong, we’ll find out soon.

Yep, just posted about it here as well. I'm afraid the news isn't good at all.

The end is nigh: Kona Bikes

Sadly this has been on the cards since 2021 and the well known industry issues and really bad mistakes made, during the pandemic. https://nsmb.com/articles/rumors-of-konas-demise-may-not-be-greatly-exaggerated/...

www.retrobike.co.uk

 

[Stressed]

Although I have no emotional investment beyond the early 00s this still feels really sad

 

[greencat]

The comments below the STW article say it all really. Loads of nostalgia and affection for the brand from the 80s/90s - but no-one's buying new ones as the spec is middling for the money Kona are wanting (cf Orange). I suspect brands like Whyte will follow. I love my Whyte, but the original RRP was absolutely insane.

I can't help wondering if some of these brands should downsize a lot, and perhaps focus on playing to their heritage ala Brooks. There might be a few who would buy a 80s/90s paint job steel Cindercone frame but with tweaked geometry to make it more modern to ride and accommodate some of the latest standards.

 

[riskllama]

yep, completely agree - hasn’t been anything remotely special about a Kona bicycle in a very long time. that being said, it’s gonna be sad to see them gone. but from what I’ve heard, they aren’t completely dead just yet. time will tell.

 

[muddytreker]

Ive said in another post on this, and theres a wealth of forum sites eager to be first on this,
no love lost in fact I dont care theres plenty of great bike frames out there, we are spoilt
for choice, move on.