For 2020, Kona has redesigned its carbon fibre cross-country bike, the Hei Hei CR.
The updated look of the carbon fibre frame, with the rear shock now mounted horizontally under the top tube instead of vertically in front of the seat tube, means that Kona's managed to squeeze two bottle mounts inside the front triangle – one on the seat tube and one on the top side of the down tube.
The new Hei Hei CR also gets geometry updates and more travel.
2020 Kona Hei Hei CR geometry
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube length (mm) | 370 | 420 | 470 | 530 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 573 | 601 | 627 | 553 |
| Reach (mm) | 415 | 440 | 465 | 500 |
| Stack (mm) | 591 | 600 | 605 | 610 |
| Standover (mm) | 741 | 741 | 741 | 741 |
| Head angle (degrees) | 67.5 | 67.5 | 67.5 | 67.5 |
| Seat angle (degrees) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Bottom bracket height (mm) | 340 | 340 | 340 | 340 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,129 | 1,158 | 1,185 | 1,222 |
Its geometry figures have grown across the board, firmly setting out the new Hei Hei's intentions.
For the size large, the reach figure now sits at a roomy 465mm, the head tube angle has been pushed out to 67.5 degrees while the seat tube angle has been steepened to 75 degrees.
Elsewhere, the 29er chassis has 430mm chainstays and a 1,185mm wheelbase. The bottom bracket height sits at 340mm with a 120mm travel fork.
In the suspension department, the Hei Hei now has 120mm of rear wheel travel, up 20mm from the outgoing model.
That travel is controlled by Kona's Fuse Independent Suspension system, which is claimed to have excellent small bump compliance and pedalling efficiency.
Although the rear suspension looks like Kona's other systems, the Hei Hei relies on seatstay flex for the suspension to compress instead of having a pivot between the seat and chainstays.
The frame's got internally routed cables from front to back and a down tube rock strike protector.
Kona has also managed to increase how far a dropper post can be inserted into the seat tube, which means you should be able to run a longer travel dropper post.
The carbon Hei Hei is sold with two different build kits.
The standard CR version has Fox suspension with a 34 Float Performance Step Cast fork, a Float DPS EVOL Performance shock and a Transfer dropper.
There's a SRAM GX 1x 12-speed drivetrain with Truvativ 6K cranks and SRAM Guide R brakes.
WTB KOM Light i27 TCS rims are built onto DT Swiss 370 hubs with Maxxis Rekon EXO TR 3C 29 x 2.25in tyres front and rear.
The bar, stem, grips and seat clamp are all Kona own-brand kit.
The Hei Hei CR retails for £3,799 / €3,999.
The Hei Hei CR / DL (that stands for deluxe) gets a host of top-spec parts.
As well as a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and G2 RSC brakes, it's specced with a Pike Ultimate fork, Deluxe Ultimate rear shock and Reverb dropper post.
The same wheels and tyres as the cheaper bike feature, but there's a Race Face bar and stem combo. This more expensive bike costs £5,249 / €5,499.
2020 Kona Hei Hei CR models and specifications
2020 Kona Hei Hei CR / DL
- Frame: Kona Race Light Carbon 120mm travel
- Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe Ultimate
- Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate DebonAir 120mm
- Cranks: SRAM Descendant DUB Carbon 34t
- Chain: SRAM XX1 Eagle
- Cassette: SRAM XX1 Eagle 10-50t 12 speed
- Rear derailleur: SRAM XX1 Eagle 12 speed
- Shifter: SRAM X01 Eagle
- Brakes: SRAM G2 180mm front rotor, 160mm rear rotor
- Handlebar: Race Face Next 35
- Stem: Race Face Turbine R 35
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 1x remote
- Saddle: WTB SL8 Pro
- Wheels: WTB KOM Light i27 TCS on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Reckon EXO TR 3C 29 x 2.25in front and rear
- Price: £5,249 / €5,499
2020 Kona Hei Hei CR
- Frame: Kona Race Light Carbon 120mm travel
- Rear shock: Fox Float DPS EVOL Performance
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Step Cast Performance 120mm
- Cranks: SRAM Descendant 6K DUB 34t
- Chain: SRAM NX Eagle
- Cassette: SRAM GX Eagle 10-50t 12-speed
- Rear derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed
- Shifter: SRAM GX Eagle
- Brakes: SRAM Guide R 180mm front rotor, 160mm rear rotor
- Handlebar: Kona XC/BC 35
- Stem: Kona XC/BC 35
- Seatpost: Fox Transfer with Race Face 1x remote
- Saddle: WTB SL8
- Wheels: WTB KOM Light i27 TCS on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Reckon EXO TR 3C 29 x 2.25in front and rear
- Price: £3,799 / €3,999
