Big Honzo Standard
The current Big Honzo generation, introduced for 2019, is Kona’s more modern take on the 27.5+ Honzo concept: an aluminum trail hardtail built around 27.5 x 2.8-inch tires, Boost spacing, and a 130 mm fork. Rather than chasing XC speed, it is aimed at riders who want hardtail simplicity with more grip, comfort, and descending confidence than a conventional short-travel 29er hardtail typically delivers. Kona also designed it with 29er compatibility in mind, which reinforces the bike’s role as a versatile platform rather than a single-purpose plus-bike.
What distinguishes this frame is the way it combines plus-tire traction with updated trail geometry. A 67.5° head angle and 75° seat angle place it firmly in modern hardtail territory, while the 430 mm chainstays and lower 50 mm BB drop give it a planted, stable feel without making it excessively long or cumbersome. Compared with the earlier Big Honzo, this version is clearly biased toward more speed and control on rougher trails, thanks in part to the longer 130 mm fork and stretched front-center. In the market, it sits as a capable, trail-focused hardtail for riders who value grip, comfort, and upgrade potential more than the lightest weight or sharpest component spec.
Inventory
Full specs
No specs available yet.
Builds
Only one complete build is provided here, so there is limited scope for comparing trims. The current standard Big Honzo is listed at 1399 € and uses a 130 mm Suntour XCR34 LOR DS coil-spring fork, Shimano MT201 hydraulic brakes, and a 1x10 drivetrain described in review coverage as Shimano Deore or Microshift Advent X-level. That places it squarely in the budget trail-hardtail segment, with a practical but not especially ambitious parts package.
The main value proposition is therefore less about standout stock components and more about the frame and platform itself. Review feedback suggests the build is functional and climbs well, but also that competing bikes at similar prices may offer stronger downhill performance or better component value. For riders drawn to the Big Honzo, the appeal is the underlying frame, geometry, plus-tire format, and long-term upgrade potential rather than an unusually high-end out-of-box spec.
Standard
Price TBD
Reviews
Reviewers consistently describe the Big Honzo as a highly capable and unusually confidence-inspiring hardtail, with the 27.5+ wheel and tire setup playing a major role in that character. Brian Buhl of Banzai Cycleworks called it an "aggressive geometry hardtail" and highlighted how the 67.5° head angle, 75° seat angle, 430 mm chainstays, and plus tires make it "fun and lively, yet stable and confident in any situation." He was especially positive about the 2.8-inch tires, saying they offer "traction for days" and help the bike climb exceptionally well while adding damping that makes it feel closer to a bigger-travel bike than a typical hardtail.
That climbing ability also comes through in the 2024 Bike-test review, which called the Big Honzo a strong climber and even the best climber in its sub-1500 euro comparison set. At the same time, reviews are clear about the bike’s limits. Bike-test found that competitors were better on descents and criticized the value proposition, citing a "lesser groupset" at 1399 €. Buhl was more enthusiastic overall, but still suggested that aggressive riders could outgrow the stock 130 mm fork and would unlock more from the frame with higher-end upgrades such as a stiffer, longer-travel fork and stronger brakes. The consensus is that the chassis and ride character are excellent, while the stock build is more about adequacy than standout spec.
