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KONA RACE LIGHT 7005/6061 ALUMINUM

Kona Race Light 7005/6061 is a lighter, more performance-oriented fabrication of our 7005/6061 Aluminum tubing. Designed to meet Kona's discerning race specifications, Race Light 7005/6061 uses custom butting to create thicker tubes at weld areas and important parts of the frame, providing incredible strength and torsional integrity to the feel of the ride. We remove wall thickness in other parts of the frameset to lighten up the bike, providing the perfect balance between quickness and stiffness. The emphasis here is on performance, lightness and speed built the Kona way.

SUPERPLASTIC FORMED TUBING

Superplastic Forming (SPF) uses high temperatures to shape aluminum tubing when the tube structure is in its most "plastic" and formable state. SPF creates better tube shapes that cannot be produced using traditional forming techniques. Whereas shape designs can be applied to between 20 and 30 per cent of the tube using hydroforming, SPF means 90 per cent of the tube can be shaped, resulting in more optimized shapes and less weight. SPF tubes are the perfect alternative to the infinitely more expensive carbon fiber, and they are comparable in weight and performance, without the accompanying disadvantages. SPF tubes are also recyclable.

INTERNAL HEADSET

By having the headset bearing located inside the headtube (called zero stack), rather than the top and bottom, we are able to achieve a number of advantages when it comes to front-end stiffness, durability and overall riding performance. The major benefit of an internal headset is the extra layer of protection it provides the bearings against the elements. Additionally, the bearings are commonly available angular contact bearings, which are easily and inexpensively replaced. An internal headset also reduces stack height, so the height of the stem and bars are more adjustable, giving the rider the best fit possible.

TAPERED HEADTUBE

For 2013, you'll find a large majority of Kona bicycles featuring zero stack and tapered headtubes. From cyclocross to cross-country, 29ers right through to longer-travel dual-suspension models, like our Entourage and Operator, a tapered headtube provides more support at the intersection of the toptube and downtube, greatly improving stability and overall performance.

Aside from improving the aesthetic due to its cleaner lines and smooth transition between the fork crown and the headset cover, tapered headtubes also offer a more solid interface between forks with tapered steertubes and the bicycle frame itself. More girth at the bottom of the headtube better distributes shock force, prolonging the bearing life of the headset itself. The inherent strength of its triangular design also means a stronger steering position and improved balance, giving the rider more control in rough terrain. A zero stack, tapered headtube also puts strength where the load is going—into the lower headset cup—maximizing bearing durability where it's needed.