BEN’S KONA PROCESS 134 SUPREME

MONTH 4: Ben instantly finds the limits of the Kona’s 134mm travel at Bikepark Wales

£9,999 / 29in / konaworld.com

Last month I waxed lyrical about how the Process’s 134mm of rear suspension is just right for about 90 per cent of the riding that I do. Well, four short weeks later and a trip to a baking hot Bikepark Wales had me dipping into that other 10 per cent.

The fast, rocky and rooty nature of the trails at BPW instantly made me wish I was on a longer-travel bike, a first since taking custody of the Kona. Trails like Root Manoeuvres seemed relentlessly tough, the agility of the Kona and its ability to skip over short, rough sections negated by the constant onslaught and relentless pounding that no amount of manoeuvring could, er, outmanoeuvre.

As I charged through the rocky horrors of black-grade trails like Deep Navigation, all I could think about was the abuse that those expensive Zipp wheels were taking. I needn’t have worried though, the bike came through it all (relatively) unscathed - a few light scuffs here and there being the only permanent signs of damage. By the end of the day we were both moaning, though – the Kona developed a horrible creak from the bar/stem area, which I put down to the ingress of fine dust from spending so much time hanging in the plumes of it from the uplift. That has since been sorted by taking it apart and cleaning it all thoroughly.

The SRAM G2 brakes also had a bit of a hissy-fit from being hung on the trailer. At first the rear brake lever pulled back to the bar when the bike was removed at the top of the hill, but went back to normal with a bit of lever-pumping. Then the front brake followed suit a few runs later. This didn’t quite go back to feeling normal, so frustratingly, I’ll have to get the bleed kit out before I can get back out on it again.

The takeaway from my trip to Bikepark Wales? I took a beating, but I’d still rather have a bike that’s suitable for 90 per cent of riding, not the other way round.

WHY IT’S HERE It’s Kona’s Supreme build, but will it turn out to be Ben’s dream build?

SPECIFICATION Frame Kona Carbon, 134mm travel Shock Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate Trunnion Fork Rockshox Pike Ultimate RC2 Charger 2 Debonair, 140mm travel Wheels Zipp 3Zero Moto, Maxxis Minion DHF 3C/ Dissector 3C 29x2.5/2.4in WT tyres Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle DUB chainset, XX1 AXS r-mech and AXS Eagle shifter Brakes SRAM G2 Ultimate, 200/180mm Components Truvativ Descendant DH Carbon 800x35mm bar, Truvativ Descendant 35mm stem, Rockshox Reverb AXS 170mm post, WTB Volt titanium saddle Sizes S, M, L, XL Weight 13.37kg (29.47lb) GEOMETRY Size tested L Head angle 65.8° Seat angle 66.9° Effective SA 74.9° BB height 336mm Chainstay 427mm Front centre 791mm Wheelbase 1,218mm Down tube 735mm Top tube 624mm Reach 470mm

SRAM G2 brakes need bleeding after taking a beating

THE RIDER BEN SMITH Position Art editor Mostly Rides Forest of Dean Height 5ft 9in Weight 76kg THE BIKE ■ Limited-edition ‘dream-build’ fullcarbon trail bike with 134mm rear travel and 29in wheels ■ 140mm-travel Rockshox Pike Ultimate fork paired with Super Deluxe Ultimate shock ■ SRAM XX1 AXS electronic shifting and Reverb AXS electronic dropper post eliminate cables for clean looks ■ Zipp 3Moto carbon wheels boost traction and comfort, and come with wireless pressure sensors