For the second year running, Kona wheeled out its 2015 range at the Austrian bike park of Serfaus – Fiss – Ladis. We got the opportunity to spend some extended time on a selection of the new range, more of which you’ll be able to see in an upcoming issue of MBR. In the mean time, here are a few models that stood out for us.

Kona Process 111 £3,599

2015 Kona Process 111 gets a RockShox Pike and a proce drop

At the 2014 launch, the we unashamedly hogged the Kona Process 111 DL. We swapped the brakes, left our pedals on it and hid it under a pile of plankets in the back of the van overnight. It redefined our perception of what a short travel 29er can do thanks to its low standover, progressive geometry and sorted suspension. The only things we weren’t stoked on were the spindly RockShox Revelation fork and the £4k+ price tag. For 2015, both those gripes have been blown out of the water. Now, the Process 111 is a single model range, with a price that splits the difference between the two 2014 bikes, but gets a 120mm travel RockShox Pike RC fork and a SRAM X1 drivetrain. It also gets a KS Lev Integra dropper post, Shimano SLX brakes and Maxxis Ardent tyres. For a skilled rider, the Process 111 would be a fantastic bike on British trails and man-made singletrack. Really, you don’t need much more than this. Funnily enough, this year a few more journos caught on to the Process 111, which means that next year we’re going to have to bring a D-lock…

Kona Precept DL £1,399

The Precept DL looks like a bundle of fun for £1,399

The Precept range takes much that is great about the Process bikes and refines it into a more affordable package. Similar geometry and travel to the Process 134 are wedded to a suspension design that is simpler, nets a little less travel (130mm) and is less expensive to produce. There are two models in the range, the Precept DL at £1,399 and the Precept at £1,099. With solid, trail-friendly geometry, decent Maxxis Ardent tyres, wide bars and short stems, the Precept bikes look like they could be a great starting point for your full-suspension experience. Look out for a first ride in the October issue.

Kona Explosif £1,699

You asked for it, so here it is; the 2015 Kona Explosif

Reborn in response to feedback from the UK market, the legendary Explosif fuses classic Reynolds 520 steel tubing with contemporary geometry and features. It has a reasonably slack head angle, tapered head tube, internal dropper post routing and adjustable chainstays that also allow you to run it singlespeed. Fitted with 650b wheels, the Explosif comes with a RockShox Recon fork, Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain and brakes and Maxxis Ardent tyres. If you want to relive the good ol’ times, but want to do it on a bike that actually shreds, the Explosif could be just the ticket.

For more info on the Kona 2015 range head over to konaworld.com