BEN’S KONA PROCESS 134 SUPREME

MONTH 3: Ben discovers that less really is more on the 134

How much travel is too much travel for trail riding? That’s a tricky question to answer. In the old days of wallowy under-damped suspension it was relatively straightforward as most big-travel bikes slowly bounced uphill, providing an overbuilt point-and-shoot machine on the way down. So less travel often made more sense. Today, however, you can buy a 170mm travel enduro bike that pedals with XC efficiency yet almost has the travel of a DH bike – so why don’t we all ride them?

Personally, I love the lightweight agility of a shorter-travel trail bike. The feeling of having just the right amount of suspension for 90 per cent of the riding I do. And even if I find myself a little under-biked on occasion, I like having to use skill and judgment to choose the best lines rather than just aim the bike through the roughest sections; the satisfaction that brings can be immense.

For this style of riding the Process 134 is perfect. Sure it has the modern trail bike essentials of a reasonably slack 65.8° head angle and long-ish 1,218mm wheelbase so it has some stability for charging but not at the expense of agility - the tight 427mm chainstays see to that. Also with a 470mm reach on the size L there’s plenty of room to manoeuvre, working the bike and the terrain, rather than relying solely on the suspension. That’s not to say that the suspension on the 134 isn’t good. In fact, it is really well balanced, feels active but controlled at all times and never bottoms harshly. So even though the Process 134 has its travel in its name, it’s not actually its defining characteristic. Do I ever wish I had more suspension muscle? No... although I do have to pinch myself every time I think of the price.

WHY IT’S HERE

PAUL “DRE” BURWELL

Just like Dr Dre, PB’S been unboxing a fresh pair of pumps every day for a month now, for the big shoes grouptest. No Nike Air Force 1s though.

MICK KIRKMAN

Our Mick’s been loving that the UK’S put its weather on upside down this month, wetter down south than up north. Brutally sunburnt now.

DANNY MILNER

Tweaked his back, must be all that sitting at his desk… that or smashing out runs on the new Nukeproof at Bikepark Wales.