that is, until I was reminded by the vibrations coursing through my bones as I carried too much speed into a rocky section of trail. When gravity takes over the Honzo ESD is in its element, and at times I found myself forgetting I was on a hardtail. On straighter, rougher sections of trail that extra length and relaxed handling is a benefit – it's easy to stay on track, and the meaty tires provide traction to keep on churning upwards.

The ESD is more subdued, and it does take more effort to get it around tight switchbacks I found myself weighting the back wheel and sort of lifting and pivoting the front end of the bike to get through those sharp turns. The handling isn't overly sluggish (remember, on a hardtail the head angle steepens up as soon as you sit on the bike), but the zippy, overgrown dirt jumper manners of the original Honzo have been muted. The steel frame and beefy build kit do prevent the Honzo from really rocketing up the climbs, but, as with any hardtail, the efficiency that comes from the lack of rear suspension does give it a little extra quickness compared to a long-travel enduro sled. The seated climbing position of the large frame was comfortable for my 5'11' height, which makes sense, since the reach and seat tube angle match those of the latest batch of full-suspension bikes I've been testing. Apparently there are plenty of riders who don't agree, so I put my biases aside and headed out on the Honzo ESD to see just what this red sled could handle.

I'll admit, the whole 'hardcore hardtail' movement baffles me a little bit - if I was planning on riding rough, DH trails most of the time a hardtail wouldn't be my weapon of choice. Not quite ready for a hardtail with downhill bike geometry? Kona also updated the 'regular' Honzo, giving it a 140mm fork, a 66-degree head angle, and a 475mm reach for a size large, numbers that are close to those of the full suspension Process 134. Want to build up your own boneshaker from the frame up? The Honzo ESD frame is $665 USD. Parts highlights include a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 fork, a Shimano SLX rear derailleur and cassette paired with an XT shifter, Deore 4-piston brakes, and a Maxxis Assegai / DHR II tire combo. There's only only one complete model of the Honzo ESD, which retails for $2,699 USD. There must be something in the Pacific Northwest rain water, because the ESD's closest geometry contemporaries are the Chromag Doctahawk, the Norco Torrent, and the Rocky Mountain Growler, models from companies that all located within a few hours drive from Kona's headquarters. Weight: 32.8 lb / 14.9 kg (size L w/o pedals).

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