Kona Remote 160

[sparrow]

Kona’s got a bike worth looking at. Definitely real Trail Bike geometry in keeping with their Process series. Not very many eMTB truly this progressive in the geometry. Rides great. Fits 27+ or 29 widetrail. Rides great! Shimano drive. No doubt a bigger Shimano battery has to be in the near future, but 500wh is still fine and dandy for most of my riding.

 

[sparrow]

Pictured here with 29x2.4

 

[MassDeduction]

This bike is sweet. It's basically a Kona Process 153 in e-bike form.

 

[Sherman]

Say hello to my new ride, Kona Remote 160 in size XL. Coming from Levo, it's my 3rd ebike. Just rode it home, need to set it up properly. Also the contact points will be changed to suit my taste (WTB Pure V saddle, riser bar and Deathgrip grips).

 

[Sherman]

Second proper ride on my Kona. Everything is dialed in and the set up is complete. I really like the bike. The geometry with its 510 reach is perfect for my 190cm (6'3") height.

The motor sure is noisier than on my ex-Levo, but it pedals nice. I need to tone down the assist a bit, battery was almost done after a 40km ride (mostly eco-high and trail-medium).

There is one annoying thing with the Shimano motor. The button to change the view on the display is small and awkward, and it does not stay on selected view. It jumps back to speed display after a while. RTFM or is this a 'feature'?

 

[R120]

you can customise the display, and the order information via the app, cant remember if you can get it to stay ons elected screen in settings rather than revert, but I think you can

 

[Shane(NZ)]

Nice bike,I like how Kona over build stuff,never the litest but lasts the distance.
How does it ride compared to the levo? you running 27.5+?
Well be keen to see what they do for 2021 model?
Quite $$$ in NZ though

 

[Madmountainman]

Kona, either tweek the geo a little bit to increase stack, reach, wheelbase and TT, or offer an XXL Then add 29ers as standard, put in the new Shimano motor and 630 battery, add a Zeb and use full Shimano XT drivetrain/brakes for the top end model and offer a more budget friendly, lower spec model or two as well. If Kona would do that, i'll be queueing at the door.

 

[Sherman]

Kona, either tweek the geo a little bit to increase stack, reach, wheelbase and TT, or offer an XXL

Kona Remote 160 is actually a big bike with a very long top tube and long reach. On paper short chainstays make it look smaller than it is. Apart from the 2020 Kenevo S5, is there another bike that is bigger than the Kona? 2020 Commencals are about the same. But we'll see what 2021 brings us. And yes, XXL would be nice for riders over 2m/6'4".

 

[Madmountainman]

Kona Remote 160 is actually a big bike with a very long top tube and long reach. On paper short chainstays make it look smaller than it is. Apart from the 2020 Kenevo S5, is there another bike that is bigger than the Kona? 2020 Commencals are about the same. But we'll see what 2021 brings us. And yes, XXL would be nice for riders over 2m/6'4".

The Kona runs a slacker seat angle over the Kenevo, so ends up with a much longer ETT. I found the S5 Kenevo to be too cramped in the cockpit, with my knees only a couple of inches from the bars. On my GG Trail Pistol, with a similar ETT to the Kona, I have far more room in the cockpit length. There are three bikes that come longer, Nicolai, Mondraker's Level R/RR and Santa Cruz. I'd prefer to go the Shimano route, so it'll be between Kona and SC and how they spec their bikes for 2021, unless another manufacturer comes out with a similarly sized bike. I like the fact that Nicolai have a rider weight of 150kg, so lots of built in strength. However, both Kona and SC come close at 136kg. I'd like to test ride the Nicolai, but the hassle of returning the bike if a problem occurs, due to being a direct to customer supplier, puts me off. With SC and Kona running full Shimano setups, and having a full dealer network, any problems should be resolved with far less hassle and cost.

 

[MrBrownstone]

Don’t expect the 630wh battery for the new top end remote 160. EP8 yes.

 

[Sherman]

New 2021 Kona Remote 160 is online

If anything, it's a bit of a downgrade from 2020. The frame is the same. Motor Shimano E7000, where's EP8?? 500Wh battery, downgraded brakes. Forks has been changed from Lyrik Select to Zeb Charger. And the bike is ugly color.

2020 models can now be found with nice discounts, go grab one before they are gone.

 

[MrBrownstone]

New 2021 Kona Remote 160 is online

If anything, it's a bit of a downgrade from 2020. The frame is the same. Motor Shimano E7000, where's EP8?? 500Wh battery, downgraded brakes. Forks has been changed from Lyrik Select to Zeb Charger. And the bike is ugly color.

2020 models can now be found with nice discounts, go grab one before they are gone.

ep8 Model is coming in September. I suspect e7000 is being used on the remote 160 because ep8 is replacing e8000. e7000 is a fantastic motor.

 

[Sherman]

ep8 Model is coming in September. I suspect e7000 is being used on the remote 160 because ep8 is replacing e8000. e7000 is a fantastic motor.

2020 model has the e8000, so it seems like a downgrade. Maybe Kona did not want to wait, as they announced new Remote 160 with bunch of other models (Process X looks sweet).

 

[Madmountainman]

I can only live in hope that the 2020 Remote Framesets are now being specced with the lower grade components and E7000 motor with 504wh battery, in order to use up their stock of frames. Hopefully a new 29er, EP8 and 630wh battery will be coming soon in a remodelled frame that can take the larger battery.

 

[jbrown15]

Weird, my local Kona dealer kept telling me the 2021 would come with 29ers.

 

[MrBrownstone]

2020 model has the e8000, so it seems like a downgrade. Maybe Kona did not want to wait, as they announced new Remote 160 with bunch of other models (Process X looks sweet).

re read my post.

 

[Sherman]

re read my post.

Lost in translation So new Kona model coming in Sep?

 

[Weegi]

Weird, my local Kona dealer kept telling me the 2021 would come with 29ers.

I'm reliably informed that the second 160 will be 29er , oh and there's another eMTB coming out too at the start of next year based on one of their other bikes (you can probably have a good guess)

 

[MrBrownstone]

Remote 130.

 

[SupasafeElectroLumberjack]

presume that will be more akin to the remote ctrl?

 

[MrBrownstone]

presume that will be more akin to the remote ctrl?

Nope.

 

[SupasafeElectroLumberjack]

Nope.

care to elaborate or you just gonna leave that there

 

[MrBrownstone]

care to elaborate or you just gonna leave that there

I’ve been sworn to secrecy.

 

[SupasafeElectroLumberjack]

I’ve been sworn to secrecy.

well alrighty then

 

[MrBrownstone]

well alrighty then

it’s gorgeous.

 

[MrBrownstone]

Remote 130 and 160 DL on Kona site now.?

 

[R120]

2021 Kona Remote 160 DL on test – lots of fun at a high price

The Kona Remote 160 DL is here to expand the eMTB portfolio of the iconic mountain bike brand. It’s based on the proven Remote 160, but it features the new Shimano EP8 motor and rolls on 29” wheels front and back. Our test reveals whether it lives up to its € 6,999 price tag. The […]

ebike-mtb.com

 

[Madmountainman]

Oh dear. It's a bit pricey for the spec, frame welds aren't the greatest i've seen, no big battery and, to finish up, no integrated speed sensor. The new Commencal's appear to be a much nice option, which is a real shame. Kona, please go back to the drawing board and build the bike we know you can. Until then, I guess i'll be looking a bit longer.

 

[MrBrownstone]

Yeah I’m liking the new remote 130 with e7000 504wh and full deore 12 speed for a grand less. Easy to carry a second 504 and swap it out during ride. 630 will get you more for sure but an extra 504 brings you into epic ride territory.