Kona Minute

Kona's compact cargo bike is ready to haul your stuff. Courtesy: konaworld.com

The Kona Minute is an aluminum cargo bike with disc brakes that goes for about $1400.

Do you remember when we told you about Yuba's Boda Boda?  Basically, Yuba took its full-size cargo bike, the Mundo, and made it more compact so apartment dwellers and people dealing with tight spaces could own a cargo bike. It was a really good idea.  And that's what Kona is doing here.

Kona took its full-size cargo bike, the Ute, and made it more compact.  So it's a mini-Ute, or a MinUte. Get it?

This is a solid design for a cargo bike: hydraulic disc brakes; wide 40c tires; long chainstays and "wood deck" rear carrier; upright riding position; and lots of gear options.  The Ute bags are included.

Here are the full specs:

Frame Material	Kona 7005 Aluminum Butted
Sizes	18", 20"
Rear Shock	n/a
Fork	Kona Project Two Aluminum Disc
Crankarms	FSA Alpha Drive
Chainrings	26/36/Guard
B/B	FSA Powerdrive
Pedals	Wellgo Platform
Chain	KMC HG53
Freewheel	Shimano HG200 11-32t 9spd
F/D	Shimano Acera
R/D	Shimano Alivio
Shifters	Shimano Acera
Brake Calipers	Tektro HDC-M290
Front Brake Rotor	Tektro HDC-M290 160mm
Rear Brake Rotor	Tektro HDC-M290 160mm
Brake Levers	Tektro HDC-M290
Headset	TH ZST No.10
Handlebar	Kona Handplant
Stem	Kona Commuter
Seatpost	Kona Commuter
Seat Clamp	Kona Clamp
Grips	Velo Ergo
Saddle	Velo Plush
Front Hub	Formula
Rear Hub	Shimano M475L
Spokes	Stainless 14g
Rims	Freedom Cruz Disc
Front Tire	Freedom Trekking 700x40c
Rear Tire	Freedom Trekking 700x40c
Paint Color	Charcoal w/Off White & Silver
Extras	Wood Deck, Fenders, Kickstand, Ute Bags, Steering Stabilizer

Kona Doctor Good

2013 Doctor Good. Credit: konaworld.com

Kona's Doctor Good has a 7-speed internal gear hub and an aluminum frame.  It retails for about $900.

Another porteur bike?  This one looks like it could work. Kona says it went with short chainstays and seat stays for stability.  It gives the bike a nimble, compact appearance.  Comes with a bell conveniently located near the brake lever.

Frame Material	Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
Sizes	C46, C49, C53, C56, C59, C61cm
Rear Shock	N/A
Fork	Kona Project Two Aluminum Disc
Crankarms	FSA 316BT
Chainrings	38t/Bash
B/B	FSA 7420
Pedals	Wellgo C169
Chain	KMC Z610 RB
Freewheel	Shimano 18t
F/D	N/A
R/D	N/A
Shifters	Shimano Revo 7spd (rh only)
Brake Calipers	Avid BB5 (fr) Shimano Roller Brake (rr)
Front Brake Rotor	Avid G2 Cleansweep 160mm
Rear Brake Rotor	N/A
Brake Levers	Tektro 4 Finger w/Bell (fr)
Headset	TH ZST No.10
Handlebar	Kona Handplant
Stem	Kona Commuter
Seatpost	Kona Double Clamp w/Offset
Seat Clamp	Kona Clamp
Grips	Velo Ergo
Saddle	Kona Comfort
Front Hub	Formula
Rear Hub	Shimano Nexus 7
Spokes	Stainless 14g
Rims	Freedom by WTB Cruz Disc
Front Tire	Continental CityRide 700x32C
Rear Tire	Continental CityRide 700x32C
Paint Color	Green w/Grey
Extras	Front Rack, Fenders, Front Stabilizer Spring

Kona Roundabout

The 2013 Kona Roundabout. Credit konaworld.com

The 2013 Kona Roundabout has an MSRP of $1,000.

Kona introduced the Roundabout in 2012.  This year's model has longer fenders and an integrated rear rack.  It's great to see Kona making such a nice-looking lugged steel bike.

Here are the specs:

Frame Material	Kona Cromoly Butted
Sizes	S, M, L
Rear Shock	N/A
Fork	Kona Retro Road
Crankarms	FSA Tempo City
Chainrings	Bash/39t/Bash
B/B	FSA 7420ST
Pedals	VP 198
Chain	KMC HG53
Freewheel	Shimano Acera 11-32t 9 spd
F/D	N/A
R/D	Shimano Alivio
Shifters	Shimano Acera
Brake Calipers	Hayes CX6
Front Brake Rotor	N/A
Rear Brake Rotor	N/A
Brake Levers	Tektro FL540
Headset	TH 848
Handlebar	Kona Handplant
Stem	Kona Commuter
Seatpost	Kona Double Clamp w/Offset
Seat Clamp	Integrated
Grips	Velo Ergo
Saddle	Kona Comfort
Front Hub	Formula
Rear Hub	Shimano M475
Spokes	Sandvik Stainless 15g fr /14g rr
Rims	Freedom by WTB Racine Elite
Front Tire	Continental UltraSport 700x28C
Rear Tire	Continental UltraSport 700x28C
Paint Color	Matt Silver w/Rust, White & Grey
Extras	Rear Rack, Fenders, Kona Bell

Kona Africabike Three and Bike

If the typical American just mounted a bike instead of climbing into a car everyday there would be many more bikes like Kona's "Bike" and Africabike Three. 

The wide tires and three-speed internal hub gears mean you don't have to worry about dodging potholes (ok, small ones) or remembering to shift before you stop. They both have fenders to keep the grime off of you and backpedal rear brakes. 

Are they fast? No, probably not. Statistics tell us most people are only going a couple miles, so who needs road-bike fast? Did you ever see people in cars circle for that close parking spot in front of the grocery store? The basket on that Africabike Three will fit a gallon of milk or package of diapers and get you there faster.

Africabike Three

The rear rack is integrated into the (new this year) aluminum step-through frame. It comes with a ring lock (aka wheel lock), front basket and a bell. The tires are puncture resistant.

Specs (from Kona):

Frame Material	Kona 7005 Aluminum Butted
Sizes	18"
Fork	Kona Project Two
Crankarms	ProWheel Z005
Chainrings	ProWheel 36T
B/B	CH
Pedals	VP-560
Chain	KMC Z410
Freewheel	Shimano SM-Gear 18T
F/D	N/A
R/D	N/A
Shifters	Shimano Twist Shifter
Brake Calipers	Shimano BR-M422 (FR) Coaster (RR)
Brake Levers	Shimano BL-M421 (front only)
Headset	CH
Handlebar	Kona Riser
Stem	Kona Control
Seatpost	Kona Thumb
Seat Clamp	Kona Clamp
Grips	Velo
Saddle	Kona Plush
Front Hub	KT
Rear Hub	Shimano Nexus 3spd Internal
Spokes	Stainless 14g
Rims	Shining A-6N
Front Tire	Kenda K922, puncture resistant
Rear Tire	Kenda K922, puncture resistant
Paint Color	White or Black
Extras	Kickstand, Handlebar Mount Basket, Fenders, Chain Cover, Bell

Bike

The simple name will lead to "Who's on First?" conversations, I'm sure. It doesn't have a rack, but you could add one. It's simple and tough. Kona went with a non-quill stem which is too bad, but it would look great if you added riser handlebars anyhow.

Specs (from Kona):

Frame Material	Kona 7005 Aluminum Butted
Sizes	14", 16", 18", 20", 22"
Fork	Kona Project Two
Crankarms	FSA
Chainrings	38T
B/B	FSA
Pedals	Shimano UN-26
Chain	KMC Z610 RB
Freewheel	Shimano SM-Gear 16T
F/D	N/A
R/D	N/A
Shifters	Shimano Twist Shifter
Brake Calipers	Tektro 849 AL (FR) Coaster (RR)
Brake Levers	Tektro TS-384A
Headset	FSA
Handlebar	Kona Aluminum Riser
Stem	Kona Control
Seatpost	Kona Thumb
Seat Clamp	Kona Clamp
Grips	Velo
Saddle	Kona Plush
Front Hub	KT
Rear Hub	Shimano Nexus 3spd Internal
Spokes	Stainless 14g
Rims	Shining MT-20
Front Tire	Kenda Komfort 26 x 1.95
Rear Tire	Kenda Komfort 26 x 1.95
Paint Color	Black
Extras	Fenders, Kona Bell

Kona Humu

It's a simple bike with big fat tires, a sturdy steel frame and some cruiser bits and pieces for good measure. The Humu from Kona has a double triangle frame with a sloping top tube that reminds me of the Worksman Newsboy. Those tires are Kenda 26 x 2.3!

This bike is more for fun around town or on the trail than anything else. It's Kona's answer to the Swobo Folsom in many ways. If the Folsom is the tatoo-clad bar hopper then maybe the Humu is more the surfer on the way to the bonfire party.

Specs:

The Kona Africa Bike

The Most Important Bike in the World, perhaps.

USA $ 349 EUROPE € 345 AFRICA BIKE 3.0

The AfricaBike graces the pages of the June issue of Reader's Digest in a story titled "Four Ways of Looking at a Bicycle" - the best thing on two wheels in Africa, Germany, New York City and Paris. The article explains the importance of the AfricaBike to healthcare workers (and others) in sub- Saharan Africa and how it has become a vital means of transportation. It also features three other bikes in the categories: as a concept, as a memorial and as community property. 

AfricaBike all-star campaigner Christine George reached her goal of raising $10,000 for the BikeTown program with a little help from Virginia Tech honors students. One major campaign donor was the Wytheville, VA Rotary Club who's members ended up giving $2,200! Other major campaign donors included: Patricia Caldwell ($1,000), Dr. Jack Dudley ($600), VT Communication Skills Classes ($600), Ava Howard ($500), Wiley Contracting Co. ($500), Members of the VT WLP Council ($500), and the VT College of Vet. Med. Class of '09 ($400).

Nicely done folks.

Frame sizes	One Size
Frame tubing	Kona Cromoly
Fork	Kona P2
Headset	CH
Crankarms	ProWheel Z005
Chainrings	36t
B/B	CH
Pedals	XERAMA SP-102
Chain	KMC Z410 RB
Freewheel	Shimano 16t
Handlebar	Kona Chromoly
Stem	Kona Cruiser
Grips	Velo
Front hub	Formula
Rear hub	Shimano SG-3C41 DX 3spd coaster Brake
Spokes	Stainless 14g
Tires	Kenda SMALL BLOCK 8 w/Thornproof Tubes
Rims	Rigida Cyber 10
Saddle	Viscount
Seatpost	HL SP-200
Seat clamp	Kona Clamp
Color	Black Matt

Kona Ute

Kona Ute. Available at Big Wheel Bikes or Oasis Bike Works (Fairfax, Va.).

I haven't been able to obtain a price from an LBS, but these appear to go for around $900. Another option would be to convert your existing bike into a long tail via xtracycle.

The long tail concept is perfect for those who are car-free or who simply want to replace car trips with bike trips. You can load up with groceries or even give your kids a lift to school.

Here's a review from Bike Hugger.

2008 specs:

Frame: 1 size fits all; 7005 aluminum
Chainrings: 36/26
Pedals: Xerama Sp-500
Freewheel: Shimano Alivio (11-32, 8 spd.)
Deraileurs: Shimano Deore
Handlebar: Kona Riser
Tires: Continental Town & Country 700x47c
Saddle: Velo Comfort
Color: Green
Extras: 2 sidebags included (holds 4)

If you have any feedback about the Kona Ute, please leave a comment.