Kona Coco HD

A fun and laid-back bike that’s good value yet surprisingly powerful

Kona’s easygoing Coco has been around for a while, both as an electric and nonelectric bike. Now for 2023 its combination of step-through frame and swept-back bars is joined by an updated drive system.

This power-up comes courtesy of a Suntour rear hub motor that claims to offer up to 60Nm of torque. That’s pretty punchy for a hub drive and is backed up by the motor’s similarly high peak power rating, which should also ensure that the system gives you a good shove when required.

The Coco comes supplied with an elegant frame-integrated 418Wh battery, which Kona says offers a range of up to 80km (50 miles). Cables are also frame-integrated for a clean look, and an easy-to-read OLED display tops off the new electrical system nicely.

The battery isn’t exactly quick to remove but thankfully it can be charged on or off the bike. Usually it’s locked into the frame with a key, while you’ll also need to unscrew the two bolts holding the battery cover to the frame before you can remove it. It’s a bit of a fiddle if you want to take the battery inside but that will probably help prevent it getting stolen if you leave it locked outside.

The Coco HD is predominantly made for comfortable urban riding – or, if you’re lucky enough to live surfside, for cruising to the beach. If you reside somewhere with less sunny weather or need to carry something other than a surfboard, you can add mudguards and a rear rack thanks to mounting points on the frame and forks, although neither of these come as standard.

Despite its general tarmac-favouring bias, the Coco is also at home in light off-road conditions thanks to its 650b wheels and wide 47mm WTB Horizon Comp tyres. Braking and gearing are also effective enough to support this kind of riding, thanks to hydraulic disc brakes and eight-speed derailleur gears.

 £1,999

 konaworld.com