Kona Precept 130: A Fun and Simple Start to Trail Riding
The sport of mountain biking is becoming more popular around the Niseko area and with this popularity comes new trails and infrastructure.
Rhythm now stocks a new breed of mountain bike so customers can get the most out of their Niseko mountain bike experience. Introducing the Kona Precept 130. This bike is a true all rounder and comes at a reasonable price. Read this review from Rhythm’s bike manager Andy Meadows to find out more.
Rhythm Cycles Manager Andy Meadows put the Kona Precept 130 through its paces.
The Precept 130 trail bike is attractively priced at 219,000 JPY. But can you really get a fully fledged all mountain ripper for that price, or will you find yourself wishing you’d dug deeper?
I was impressed that one of Kona’s main goals was to build a value orientated yet capable bike. In a world of million yen carbon super bikes, this is a refreshing sight. On closer inspection you will find a lot of similarities passed down from its pricier siblings. The frame still has a 1 1/8″ – 1.5″ tapered head tube which will improve stiffness and enable a wide range of suspension upgrades. Along with dropper post cable routing, an integrated headset, a 142x12 rear end and 27.5 wheels, this bike is truly future proof!
Now onto the ride. I was especially impressed with the brakes!
Finding Shimano hydraulic disk brakes on a bike at a price point associated with cable disks and v-brakes was a pleasant surprise, giving consistent and reliable brake feel on the descents. The Rock Shox suspension delivered good dampening while maintaining control on the way down, although suffering on the climbs, allowing the bike to bob under power. However this is easily remedied with a flick of the lock out switch, which firms up the ride and helps conquer that last climb.
The mix of Shimano Deore and SLX drivetrain provided solid shifting performance that went unnoticed during rides. When you are able to shred up and down all day long and not worry about your gears, that is a good day!
The Kona excels on flow trails, with its larger 27.5” wheels giving plenty of rolling speed and grip. With short chain stays, a low bottom bracket and a long front center the bike feels at home at speed. But where it really comes alive is in the corners. This bike was truly fun to ride through all the downhill burms and helped give me strength on the uphill switchbacks! However, I wouldn’t recommend taking it onto the bigger trails in the bike park, as the large hits and steeps were not quite as smooth as they are on burlier bikes.
A 219,000 JPY the Precept offers a future-proof, upgrade worthy frame along with solid componentry and handling that will allow a fun and simple start to trail riding. The first upgrade I would add would be a dropper post, but baring that, it is good to go straight out of the box.
We have the Precept in rental as well on sale, so why not drop by, give one a go to find out for yourself! A day’s rental comes in at 5,500 JPY.
Hope to see you out on the trails soon!