History of Kona Bikes

11-03-23 | Simon

Kona Bikes is a Canadian bicycle company that was founded in 1988 in Vancouver, British Columbia by Dan Gerhard and Jacob Heilbron. The company is named after the Kona district on the Big Island of Hawaii, which is known for its rugged terrain and active outdoor lifestyle.

Kona's first bicycle was a mountain bike called the Kona Cinder Cone, which was named after an active volcano on Hawaii. The Cinder Cone was designed to be a high-quality, affordable mountain bike that could handle a wide range of terrain.

Over the years, Kona has continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing a range of mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrid bikes. Kona has also become known for its commitment to sustainability, using environmentally-friendly materials and production processes whenever possible.

In the 1990s, Kona sponsored a number of successful mountain bike teams, including the Kona Clump team, which featured riders like Steve Peat and Nathan Rennie. Kona has also sponsored a number of events, including the Kona Bikes 24 Hours of Adrenalin mountain bike race.

Today, Kona is considered one of the top mountain bike brands in the world, with a reputation for quality, innovation, and durability. The company continues to introduce new products and technologies, including the Kona Process series of full-suspension mountain bikes, which have been well-received by riders and reviewers alike.