Kona Operator CR 2019 Medium amp Charcoal
The Kona Operator is a mountain bike that is made for downhill cycling. It has been designed with love by famed designer Chris Mandell, and the maker’s mark is visible all over the design of the bike, from the four bar linkage to the beautiful handling. Read full review
Kona Operator Review
This isn’t a cheap bike to buy. It comes in at upwards of $3000, which is very high end indeed. The Kona Operator was real value for money, especially when we tried it out.
Riding downhill on this bike isn’t scary as much as it is exhilarating, especially due to the large wheelbase and the perfect head angle that turn this into a master at control on the fast downward runs. The frame is hydroformed Aluminum 7005, with sealed cartridge bearings for enhanced durability on rougher tracks.
We noticed early on that the whole point of this bike is endurance and a longer lifetime. This is made even more obvious by the RockShox Boxxer fork and the Fox Van RC shocks, both of which did a stellar job of damping when we were rattling our way downhill. This was paired with a Gravity crank and SRAM shifters.
The saddle was amazing in terms of comfort as well, making use of a WTB Speed V Sport saddle for additional cushioning on the harsh downhill rides. From the 18.2kg weight (which wasn’t too shabby at all) to the 200mm travel on the front fork, the Kona Operator was an experience to be repeated.
+Pros:
- Amazing build quality
- Comfortable saddle
- Lightweight frame
- High control levels
- Great damping
- Good power transmission
-Cons:
- Stem isn’t direct mount – can be confusing
- Not meant for beginners to ride
- Not many special features
The Verdict
A beautifully crafted, simplistically designed downhill bike that isn’t too expensive (relative to others), and is a gorgeous ride for enthusiasts.
The Kona Operator is one bike we were sad to see leave our hands when the review was done. All we love on an entry level downhill bike can be found in the Operator, and it is definitely one we all need to check out again.
Kona Operator CR Bike 2019DH Race Machine or Fun Park BikeFor 2019 Kona turned their Operator CR into a race-focused machine with 29 inch wheels and aggressive geometry. The company also realized that many riders who purchase downhill bikes might not be sprinting towards every finish line, but instead flowing down fun bike park trails. Because of this, the new Operator CR is extremely adjustable. If 29 inch wheels aren’t your thing, just throw on a pair of 27.5 inch wheels and flip the geometry chip and you instantly have a 27.5 park machine with the same BB height as the 29er. You can also adjust the chainstay length from 425mm to 440mm. Keep it short for fun whips and playfulness or make it long for all out control and stability at high speeds. As a final touch, the Operator CR comes with a headset than can be adjusted by 10mm to increase or decrease the bike’s reach.Being the flagship downhill bike for Kona, the Operator CR comes with an incredible build included a Boxxer World Cup fork and Super Deluxe Rear Shox, the highest offering from Rock Shox suspension. A reliable SRAM GX drivetrain takes care of the shifting and the renowned SRAM Code brakes will stop the bike on a dime. Of course, no DH bike is complete without a set of Maxxis DHF tires front and rear. Tying the whole bike together is the Kona DH Carbon frame with an aluminum chainstay. Chainstay’s always have a lot of rocks thrown up at them, so why not make it out of durable aluminum.From racing on the World Cup Circuit under Connor Fearon, to shredding down Whistler Bike Park under Miranda Miller, the Kona Operator CR will take you where you want to go faster than you ever could. If you are looking for a World Cup worthy DH bike that is just as fun as a park rig, the Kona Operator is the perfect bike for you.FeaturesCarbon Frame w/ Alloy Chainstaygives you the very best lightweight strength with outstanding geometry and adjustabilityBoxxer World Cup Fork provides world class performance on the trailRock Shox Super Deluxe Rear Shock provides incredible small bump sensitivityRace Face 35mm Cockpit is stiff and wide for excellent handlingSRAM Drivetrain featuring a Descendant crankset provides exceptional shiftingMinion DHF Tires offer the signature feel of one of DH riding’s most coveted tiresSPECIFICATIONSFrameKona DH Carbon w/6061 Aluminum Chainstays, 195mm-205mm TravelForkRockShox Boxxer World Cup 190mm, 29″, DebonairRear ShockRockShox Super Deluxe Coil RC World CupHeadsetHeadset, Adjustable by 10mmShiftersSRAM GX DH, 7-speedFront DerailleurNoneRear DerailleurSRAM GX DH, 7-speedCranksetSRAM Descendant CranksetBottom BracketSRAMChainSRAMCassetteSRAM DH 7-speed, BlackBrakesSRAM Code R, 200mm rotorsWheelsetMavic Ex 630, Tubeless ReadyTiresMaxxis DHF DH 3C Front and RearHandlebarRace Face Atlas 20mm Rise 820mm WidthStemRace Face DM 50mm, 35mm clampGrips/Bar TapeKona Lock OnSeatpostKona Aluminum 2-boltSeatclampKonaSaddleWTB Volt RaceIntended UseDownhill, Park, FreerideGeometry and Size GuideMETRICINCHKona Operator CRSizeMediumMedium (+10mm reach adjust)LargeLarge (+10mm reach adjust)A: Seat Tube Length440440440440B: Effective Top Tube548560576588C: Stack613618618623D: Reach435445460470E: BB Height355353355353F: BB Drop20222022G: Head Tube Length117117122122H: Head Tube Angle62 Adeg62 Adeg62 Adeg62 AdegI: Seat Tube Angle79.5 Adeg79.5 Adeg79.5 Adeg79.5 AdegJ: Standover Height758760755757K: Chainstay Length425 (or 440)425 (or 440)425 (or 440)425 (or 440)L: Wheelbase1233 (or 1248)1241 (or 1256)1260 (or 1275)1269 (or 1284)Suggested Rider HeightFrame SizeMediumMedium (+10mm reach adjust)LargeLarge (+10mm reach adjust)Rider Height5’2″ – 5’7″ 157 – 170 cm5’6″ – 5’10” 168 – 178 cm5’9″ – 6’0″ 175 – 183 cm5’11” – 6’2″ 180 – 188 cmKona Operator CRSizeMediumMedium (+10mm reach adjust)LargeLarge (+10mm reach adjust)A: Seat Tube Length17.317.317.317.3B: Effective Top Tube21.622.022.723.1C: Stack24.124.324.324.5D: Reach17.117.518.118.5E: BB Height14.013.914.013.9F: BB Drop0.80.90.80.9G: Head Tube Length4.64.64.84.8H: Head Tube Angle62.0 Adeg62.0 Adeg62.0 Adeg62.0 AdegI: Seat Tube Angle79.5 Adeg79.5 Adeg79.5 Adeg79.5 AdegJ: Standover Height29.829.929.729.8Suggested Rider HeightFrame SizeMediumMedium (+10mm reach adjust)LargeLarge (+10mm reach adjust)Rider Height5’2″ – 5’7″ 157 – 170 cm5’6″ – 5’10” 168 – 178 cm5’9″ – 6’0″ 175 – 183 cm5’11” – 6’2″ 180 – 188 cm | Kona Operator CR Bike 2019 Medium, Matte Yellow & Charcoal
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