Kona El Kahuna: suspension setup & specs
The Kona El Kahuna is an e-hardtail with 100 mm of fork travel. It is powered by Bosch Performance Line Sport 28mph. This page lists the 2 current builds with fork and gives matching starting values for SAG and tyre pressure.
Calculate the setup for your Kona El Kahuna →
All builds
Fork, motor, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Motor | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Kahuna | RockShox Recon Gold (100 mm) | Bosch Performance Line Sport 28mph 625 Wh | – | – | Setup → |
| (Suntour XCR34) | Suntour XCR34 Air (100 mm) | – 504 Wh | – | – | Setup → |
How it compares
With 100 mm of fork travel, the Kona El Kahuna is on the shorter side; the median of the 27 comparable bikes in the “e-hardtail” category is 120 mm. Among Kona’s e-mountain bikes, the Kona El Kahuna has the shortest fork travel. Kona builds the frame from aluminium.
The fork line-up ranges from the RockShox Recon Gold to the Suntour XCR34 Air. Drive comes from Bosch Performance Line Sport 28mph, paired with 504–625 Wh of battery capacity.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (RockShox Recon Gold): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
- Rebound: on RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
- e-MTB: the extra weight mainly affects tyre pressure, which is why the table below already includes a surcharge. SAG is measured just as on a bike without a motor.
- Hardtail: only the fork needs setting up. With no rear suspension, rear tyre pressure is the key adjustment for comfort and grip.
Target SAG for the Kona El Kahuna
SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Kona take priority.
100 mm fork (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 17 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 20 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 22 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 20 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
Basis: 2.25″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing, including the e-MTB surcharge. If you run tubes, add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi); with an insert, about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less is enough. Stock tyres: Schwalbe G-One ALLROUND TLE 29x2.25" / Schwalbe G-One ALLROUND TLE 29x2.25"; WTB Trail Boss 29x2.25" / WTB Trail Boss 29x2.25".
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.58 bar (23 psi) | 1.78 bar (26 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.70 bar (25 psi) | 1.90 bar (28 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.82 bar (26 psi) | 2.02 bar (29 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.94 bar (28 psi) | 2.14 bar (31 psi) |
| 100 kg | 2.06 bar (30 psi) | 2.26 bar (33 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.18 bar (32 psi) | 2.38 bar (35 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.30 bar (33 psi) | 2.50 bar (36 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork
The sticker on the fork and the manufacturers’ setup charts give you a first pressure. Our calculator is more precise and suggests rebound too – always check the result via SAG.