Long synonymous for their ability to make great MTB bikes, Kona ventures into the realm of road bikes this year – ala Italian style.
Billed as "endurance" bikes, the Zing Supreme and Zone One and Two models are all centered around a full carbon frameset from none other than Italy’s venerable "house" of Dedacciai.
The Zing Supreme represents Kona’s top of the line road bike – featuring a monocoque carbon frame and fork, along with mix of Shimano Ultegra and FSA components. The Zone One and Two, also feature a lightweight Deda carbon frame and fork, albeit with a very different design and carbon orientation. The main difference between the One and Two is primality in the build kits; wherein the Two is built up mostly with a Shimano Ultegra groupset, along with an FSA crankset, while the Zone One features a mix of 105, Tiagra and FSA components.
All three models take a "sportive" approach to geometry, to include enough frame clearance to accommodate 25mm and 28mm tires, as well as provisions for mud guards. Kona’s goal was to create a range of road bikes that provide riders with "confidence and comfort" in order to embrace the ever increasing popularity of Gran Fondo and long distance "endurance" events.
Take the patriotic appeal that owning an American brand has for many, and throw in some Italian "euro-gucci" flair, and you may very well have hit. 😉
Overview
Our custom Kona Carbon Race, Dedacciai-manufactured Zing Supreme features a light, stiff and durable monocoque frame and fork, with tapered headtube and integrated headset. The Kona custom-designed spines on the chainstays and seatstays produce a more vertically compliant rear triangle that still effectively reduces side-to-side deflection. The result is a comfortable, confident, road-race bike designed to excel at everything from crits to long and arduous GranFondos. With components selected for the discerning road rider, this year’s Zing Supreme is all speed, all the time.
Our new Zone series of Road Endurance bikes is the culmination of three years of research and design. We thought of everything, from a monocoque Kona Carbon Race frame that balances comfort and speed with efficiency and durability, to increased tire clearance and hidden fender eyelets for winter training. Incorporating every element needed to ride the Long Sweet Road for a sweet long time, we have ensured the Zone Two is our top-drawer Endurance Road bike. It’s perfect for GranFondo, road racing and even all-day gravel-road adventures.
http://www.konaworld.com
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