That's what happens in capitalism. Times are difficult, the company is sold, the buyer group doesn't understand the spirit, waters down the concept, what comes out is neither fish nor fowl, but often rubbish. That's what happened to Kona, but now the old Kona men are back at the helm and are setting the old, new course with the new E-Enduro Remote 160 CR. We say: very good. Finally!
Carbon meets lightweight engine
Kona consistently favours lightweight construction with the Remote 160 CR. The centrepiece is a carbon frame with a low centre of gravity. This ensures agile handling on the trail. The down tube harbours 400 watt hours of energy.
If that's not enough, you can add the "PowerMore" range extender with an additional 250 watt hours on top. Clever: The additional battery sits directly on the motor and keeps the weight centralised. There is only one model of the Remote 160 CR. Price: 8999 €.
Bosch SX: pocket-sized power pack
The Bosch Performance Line SX motor weighs just two kilograms. Despite this, it delivers 60 Newton metres of torque and 600 watts at its peak. The system provides powerful support, but gently tapers off the thrust at the 25 km/h limit.
Bikers control everything via the Bosch Flow app: torque, dynamics and range are displayed directly on the smartphone. The two-inch Kiox colour display on the handlebars shows the route in 3D maps and also charges the mobile phone.
Chassis for rough terrain & electric gearstick
At the front, a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate with 160 millimetres of travel irons everything out. The new "Linear XL" air spring and the Charger 3.2 damper guarantee sensitive response behaviour. At the rear, the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate does its job. Thanks to the flip-chip, riders have the choice: the bike can either roll through the terrain on two 29-inch wheels or as an agile "mullet" with a small 27.5-inch rear wheel.
Electronics switch, mud stays outside
Shifting is modern: The Shimano Deore Di2 works with a cable. It draws its power directly from the main battery, eliminating the need to charge small rear derailleur batteries. Three modes are available, from "Full Manual" for purists to fully automatic. The Sram Maven Base brakes with powerful 200 millimetre discs ensure that the ride doesn't get out of control or end in the verges.
Protection down to the last detail
Kona thinks about dirt and mud: the charging port is specially sealed against moisture. Special protection on the main bearing keeps mud away from the pivot point, while a protector on the chainstay protects the carbon from impacts. Kona trusts its product: first owners receive a lifetime warranty on the frame and benefit from a crash replacement scheme. The Remote 160 CR is available as a complete bike in striking colours such as Gloss Clay and Burnt Orange.
Geometry data (in mm)
| Sizes | S | M | L | XL |
| Reach | 430 | 455 | 480 | 515 |
| Stack | 627 | 627 | 637 | 648 |
| Seat tube length (STLength) | 380 | 380 | 420 | 450 |
| Top tube length (TTLength) | 574 | 599 | 628 | 667 |
| Steering angle (HTAngle) | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Head tube length (HTLength) | 112 | 112 | 123 | 135 |
| Seat angle (STAngle) | 77° | 77° | 76,9° | 76,8° |
| Chainstay length (CSLength) | 445 | 445 | 445 | 445 |
| Bottom bracket drop (BB drop) | 15 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Bottom bracket height (BB height) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 |
| Wheelbase | 1217 | 1242 | 1272 | 1312 |
| Protrusion height (standover) | 754 | 761 | 762 | 765 |
| Front Centre | 773 | 798 | 828 | 868 |
| Fork installation length (ForkLength) | 576 | 576 | 576 | 576 |
| Fork offset (ForkOffset) | 44 | 44 | 44 |
Specifications: Kona Remote 160 CR - Price: 8999 €
| Frame & Chassis | Frame material | Kona Carbon, 160 mm travel |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL | |
| Damper | RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate (New) | |
| Suspension fork | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate (new), 160 mm travel | |
| Drive (E-System) | Motor (Drive Unit) | Bosch Performance Line SX (25 km/h EU) |
| Rechargeable battery (Battery) | Bosch PowerTube 400Wh + PowerMore 250Wh | |
| Display | Bosch Kiox 400C incl. Mini Remote | |
| Charger | Bosch Smart System 4A Charger | |
| Gearstick & drive | Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore Wired E-Shift, 11-speed |
| Gear lever | Shimano Deore Wireless, 11-speed | |
| Crank arms | ProWheel EB19 Carbon, 155 mm | |
| Chainring | FSA Direct Mount, 34t | |
| Cassette | Shimano CUES 11-50t | |
| Chain | Shimano LinkGlide, 11-speed | |
| Chain guide | OneUp | |
| Brakes | Brake callipers | SRAM Maven Base |
| Brake lever | SRAM Maven Base with MMX clamp | |
| Brake discs | SRAM HS2 200 mm (front & rear) | |
| Wheels & tyres | Rims | WTB ST Tough i30 TCS 2.0 |
| Hubs | Formula 15x110 mm (v) / 12x148 mm (h) | |
| Front tyres | Schwalbe Magic Mary Trail Pro Radial Ultra Soft 29x2.5" | |
| Rear tyres | Schwalbe Albert Trail Pro Radial Addix Soft 2.5" (S: 27.5", M-XL: 29") | |
| Cockpit & Accessories | Handlebars | Kona Remote 35 mm |
| Stem | Kona BC 35 mm | |
| Seat post | TransX 31.6 mm | |
| Saddle | WTB Volt Cromoly SL Fusion | |
| Handles | Kona Key Grip | |
| Tax rate | FSA No.55R-57 | |
| Design | Colour (Paint) | Gloss Clay & Burnt Orange Fade |
| Price | 8999 Euro |
Who is Kona Bikes?
Kona Bikes is the rock 'n' roll garage of the bike world. Founded in 1988 in Vancouver by Dan Gerhard and Jacob Heilbron, the label brought the laid-back vibe of the Hawaiian Kona Coast to the rainy forests of Canada.
The name Kona Hawaii - a tribute to their love of surfing and the relaxed lifestyle. While the rest of the industry was still whizzing along gravel paths in skin-tight Lycra, Kona was building "freeride tanks" for the rough stuff. Kona was famous for its "sloping top tubes", which provided more freedom of movement - a design that is standard today.
With the legendary Stinky, they practically invented freeriding for the masses: Unbreakable bikes that survived even the hardest impacts in the bike park. In the "Kona Clump" team, freeride guys like John Cowan, Robbie Air Bourdon, Bobby Root and Andreu Lacondeguy showed the world what freeriding is all about. And racer Fabien Barel showed that you can also win with a Kona: Downhill World Champion (2004 and 2005).
After years of success, things became quieter around Kona. The market changed and competition from mail-order brands increased. The founders sold Kona to the outdoor group Kent Outdoors in 2022. The brand's identity seemed to be diluted under the new management.
In a spectacular turnaround, the original founders, Dan Gerhard and Jake Heilbron, bought the brand back in May 2024. Kona wants to return to its roots: robust bikes, a focus on the community and fewer corporate structures.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
