First Look: 2013 Kona Process DL
We get an exclusive first look at the 2013 Kona Process DL.
Chris Mandell and Mitchell Scott from Kona popped by DirtHQ with the Fabulous Gaby Brothers (Kona UK mob) for some homemade Ken Block onion pie, a cup of tea and some flap jack. The lads bought with them the 2013 Kona Process DL which to me looks like a very capable, fun enduro rig indeed.
We hope to get to keep the Process for a long term test, so we’ll tell you more about our thoughts on the rig later.
Kona say: “With our all-new Process DL, we have created a lightweight, efficient pedaling platform with geometry and frame features that inspire confidence while descending. Basically, the Tits Magee of all-mountain/enduro trail bikes. Versatility is the key word here—a bike with a host of subtle but innovative design cues makes the Process DL one of the most ridiculously fun bicycles we’ve ever made.”
We left Chris in the Dirt kitchen with a video camera to tell us all about the Process DL and to wash up the dishes after the Ken Block onion pie. Check the vid below.
The 2013 Kona website goes live on Monday 6th August, www.konaworld.com
The Process DL comes in at £4399 but the standard Process is a more affordable £2599 with a decent spec list.










Revolutionary…pushing the boundaries of bike design.
Just watched the film, nice bike. Did you boys pass a pipe around after that pie?
As much as I like the sounds of this bike, Kona’s efforts are so unimpressive compared to the likes of what specialized and lapierre have lined up for next year. A flagship enduro bike should be cutting edge, fresh and exciting, even if few people would actually buy it. Pretty much everything this bearded man talks about is spec-based (with the exception of the standard stem length which is long overdue) and shows no creativity on kona’s behalf. Having all the standard sizes on the frame is a nice touch, but you would really expect these to be easily located on a manufacturer’s website. They seem to have put together a good bike, but nothing more.
what gibbon said
I like Konas. There, I said it. I don’t know why people always slag them off. Mind you, this is probably the first time for a long while that I’d consider buying one of their full sussers, now they seem to be ditching the “magic link”. That always seemed like a gimmick too far.
Crazy eyes like a mad badger
Whut? No magic link? Surely there must some mistake?
It was…er…magic
oh poor Kona…the days have grown so dark for such a once mighty and respected brand…
@Neil
indeed, Magic Link seem to be too complicated to work just fine but as the owner of 2011 Cadabra I must say it’s just as Kona says – efficient on climbs (even without ProPedal turned on) and fun on decents, with plenty of seamless travel. I can climb steep ascents and then shred some nice drops without even thinking about fiddling with suspension settings. I would be seriously dissapointed if they abandon the idea of Magic Link, especially with air aux shock. All in all, Kona enduro team is doing quite fine, isn’t it?
And to be honest and agree with Joe, nothing exciting about the rig for nearly £4,5k – at this price tag I would choose sth else, definitely…
Well, it should be coiled the new Dawg (Puppy?).
.
Nice to see Kona go back to simple single pivots and low(er) prices for the spec. That 2.5k bike looks pretty good except for the Crankies seat post. So what it’s not got any new gimmicks on it, looks nice, good spec, bet it’s strong as an ox.
Nice, refreshing to see a bike remarkably free of marketing BS, just a good solid bike with good sounding geo, at a sensible price.
Just a shame that they’re only available through a certain chain store.
Wouldn’t say it’s free of marketing BS – I’ve already heard about versatility and confidence in case of Magic Link bikes. Same goal, different approaches, each equally efficient… Such a paradigm shift from season to season means sb was giving loads of marketing BS before or is giving now.
I quite like the ‘idea’ of a magic link, this seems like a step backwards… yawn
Yeah, gutted they didn’t improve and continue the magic link. Seems to work for Al Stock. Personally I was looking for a new “enduro” bike next year and the kona was on the list. Who’s gonna pay 4.5k for a bike that isn’t special. Spec aside it looks no different from a Carrera in Halfords.
The Magic Link bikes are still in the 2013 range.
Looks like a solid, well sorted bike with great angles and spec. Ok there’s no fancy new suspension design but I bet it rides well (just as ‘old fashioned’ Orange 5s, Alpines etc are hard to beat). Price is steep though…