Kona Honzo: suspension setup & specs
The Kona Honzo is a trail hardtail with 130–150 mm of fork travel. 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 Honzo →
All builds
Fork, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honzo | RockShox Recon RL Solo Air (130 mm) | – | – | Setup → |
| ESD | Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Grip Damper (150 mm) | – | – | Setup → |
How it compares
Up front the Kona Honzo runs 130–150 mm – 10 mm more than the 130 mm median we calculated from 17 bikes in the “trail hardtail” category. On travel, it slots in between the Kona Hei Hei and the Kona Process 153 in the Kona range.
In total, 2 different forks are used, from the RockShox Recon RL Solo Air to the Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Grip Damper.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (RockShox Recon RL Solo Air): 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: turn the red Marzocchi and RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Hardtail: without rear suspension, rear tyre pressure largely decides comfort and traction – it is worth testing in 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) steps.
Target SAG for the Kona Honzo
The table converts the recommended SAG percentages into millimetres, so you can check them with the O-ring directly on the stanchion. Adjust the air pressure until the value is right. If Kona specifies its own target SAG for your model, that takes priority.
130 mm fork (Honzo)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 22 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 26 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 29 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 26 mm |
150 mm fork (ESD)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 26 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 30 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 33 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 30 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
Basis: 2.50″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing. 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: Maxxis Assegai EXO TR 3C 29x2.5" WT / Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO TR 3C 29x2.4" WT; Vee Tire Flow Snap Tackee TR 29x2.35" / Vee Tire Crown Gem DCC TR 29x2.3".
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork
You will find a suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion or in the suspension manufacturers’ setup charts. Our calculator gives you a starting value including rebound for your weight and riding style. What matters afterwards is the measured SAG from the table above.