Kona has taken the big hit DNA of the Process, shaken it up with a little Remote CTRL and the finished article is this, the 2020 Kona Remote 160.
We’ve been sitting on this blue beauty for a few weeks now, but today we can finally reveal details of the new Kona Remote 160. This big blue bike is a new model to the Kona Remote e-Bike range for 2020 and being a modern bike follows the current trend of an integrated battery and low-down center of gravity.
Kona had previously dabbled in the e-MTB market with the Bosch powered, Remote CTRL. That bike remains in the range with its previous generation motor, but the Remote 160 adds a little more performance to the Kona e-Bike segment with a Shimano STEPS E8000 motor, internal Shimano battery, and 160mm of suspension travel front and rear.
The frame on the Kona Remote 160 is all new. Not only does the Shimano 504Wh battery live inside the downtube of the frame for a cleaner look and better weight distribution, but the Remote 160 also has a more aggressive geometry and an updated suspension platform.
We’re actually quite surprised the name isn’t the Kona E-Process or something else along those lines as it’s quite similar to the flagship Kona Enduro bike.
Being what is essentially an electrified Kona Process, the Remote 160 comes with a similarly burly build including 27.5in x 2.8in Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR EXO+ TR DULAL tyres. With big plus wheels, big travel and a 70Nm motor for power, the Remote 160 needs big stoppers, and it gets them by way of a pair of SRAM Code R brakes with 200mm rotors front and rear.
SRAM gets involved in the drivetrain side of things too with a 1 x 12 Eagle system built up from a mix of SRAM GX and NX Eagle componentry. It’s all the same stuff as you would find on a standard mountain bike, except the shifter which is an e-Bike specific model designed to shift 1 gear at a time.
The SRAM love continues on with a 160mm travel RockShox Lyrik Select Charger RC DebonAir fork, and RockShox Super Deluxe Select rear shock.
Of course, this Shimano powered e-Bike gets its fair share of Shimano components too, included the aforementioned E8000 70nm motor, 8035 Shimano internal battery, and Shimano E8000 display and overbar button controller.
The E8000 motor is Shimano’s most powerful e-Bike motor and features 3 drive modes plus a walk function to help you get up really tricky sections. The 3 modes include an ECO mode, Trail mode, and Boost. Trail mode is actually an adaptive mode and will increase power based on how much effort you put into the system. In other words, the harder you pedal the more the bike rewards you.
We like the fact Kona choose the button control as it works much better with underbar dropper post remotes. Speaking of which, the dropper on the Kona Remote 160 is a cable operated Tranz X post.
Battery removal is easy enough using a single 4mm Allen key to unlatch the 504Wh Shimano cell. Removing the battery gives you access to the internal cable routing, and also lets you charge the battery off the bike. If you prefer leaving your battery in, there’s also a charging port on the none drive side of the frame.
Once charged, finding the power button is as simple as looking at the top tube, hitting the big green button and taking to the trail.
Kona Remote 160 Gallery
We’re currently putting the finishing touches to our Kona Remote 160 first ride review, so pop back to Singletrack Charged later this week for more on this big Kona e-MTB.
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Noice.
oooooooh! wonder how much that’ll be.