The biggest change, some might even argue shocking given the bike's cult status, would be the change from a chromoly frame to an aluminum frame (don't fret too much hardcore steel lovers Kona is still offering the steel bike but now as a frame only option). Kona listened and for 2016 delivered a completely redesigned bike. And as much as I loved the handling of the original and the ride quality of the steel frame the weight of the bike made if feel slow when climbing and accelerating, harder to change direction, and harder to slow from speed. The frame itself weighed over 7lbs due to its oversized steel tubing and sliding dropouts. Its weight. The original steel Honzo was heavy, especially for a hard tail with my size large weighing in over 31lbs. And although I very much enjoyed the original Honzo I like many of the early reviewers and riders of the original steel Honzo found it to have the same inherent flaw. Adam Newman formerly of Dirt Rag now editor of sister publication Bicycle Times wrote a nice review of the original steel beast you can find here. And like many other riders to swing a leg over the Honzo I was enamored with it's confidence inspiring stability and general excellent trail manners. I too was convinced and last year decided to give the 2015 Kona Honzo a shot. The long, low, and slack chromoly 29er also spurred a host of copycat bikes (i.e Transition Transam, Canfield Nimble Nine, Trek Stache to name a few) looking to cash in on a good thing. The bike was an immediate success and gathered a cult following of hard tail loving trail rippers. Kona first introduced the Honzo in 2012 as an aggressive all mountain 29er hardtail designed to tackle terrain generally reserved for bigger dual suspension bikes.
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