When Kona invited us to the desert of Tucson, Arizona to check out their latest and greatest bikes, we didn't say no. Kona brought us down for a weekend of riding to check out a number of these big-wheeled models. Here's a sneak peak at what's to come from these guys:


Satori: This all-new model combines 5 inches of travel with 29er wheels to make a burly trail bike weapon. It also features a slack 68-degree head angle, relatively low 13.3-inch bottom bracket height, 12 by 142-millimeter rear axle, and a 20-millimeter front axle.


Muddy First Ride: Our first ride on the Satori was epic, and involved everything from sunshine to snow flakes, and plenty of mud. We have high hopes for this bike. Stay tuned for a complete test.


Dialed Prototypes: Kona knows their bikes inside and out before they release them. It's a design philosophy that keeps the rider from being a guinnea pig on a bike that's not truly dialed.


King Kahuna: This carbon hardtail is designed to get to the finish line first.


Hei Hei 29: This Scandium frame gets 100 millimeters of travel front and rear, 12 by 142 rear axle, 15-millimeter fron axle, and a 70 degree head tube angle. It's a race bike first, but after a few days on the trail, we're pretty confident it has trail bike chops as well.


Somebody step on a duck? The Kona guys know how to have fun. This is a high tech version of a whoopee cushion, and possibly the funniest piece of swag we've ever received. Thanks to Kona, and thanks to sales master Willie Warren for demonstrating textbook technique for its use.