Shonky

mtb– EUR

Origin

The Shonky is Kona's dedicated dirt jump and pumptrack bike — the jibby side of mountain biking, focused on style, air, and street-level fun. A cromoly steel frame keeps it tough and repairable, while the Manitou Circus fork adds compliance for hitting lips and absorbing landings. It was initially offered as a frame-only option for riders who wanted to build their dream setup; Kona later made it available as a complete bike to reach a wider audience of aspiring dirt jumpers.

Specifications

Frame: Kona Cromoly Butted steel; designed for dirt jumping and pumptrack. Available in Short and Long sizes.
Drivetrain: Single-speed; Samox Dirt Jumper crankset, 28t chainring; Joytech single-speed 14t freewheel; SRAM PC1 chain.
Brakes: Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc calipers; Tektro TR160mm rotors front and rear.
Wheels: 26"; WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims; Formula hubs (110x20mm front, 142x12mm rear).

The verdict

+Strengths

Cromoly steel frame is tough, repairable, and has a lively, compliant ride feel ideal for jumps
Manitou Circus fork is well-regarded in the dirt jump community for its small-bump sensitivity
Maxxis DTH tires are widely trusted — fast, grippy, and durable on dirt lips and pump bumps

−Weaknesses

26" wheel standard limits wheel interchangeability with modern 27.5" or 29" setups
Single-speed means it cannot be ridden efficiently on road transfers between jumps or spots
Limited to two size options (Short/Long) — less fine-grained fit than multi-size trail bikes