My Kona Dew-e DL 2022

[Stefan Mikes]

I think getting a Tero would be a wiser move. Specialized Tero 5.0 (non X) has a 90 Nm motor.

Kona Bikes being sold off, possibly going bust.

Sold in 2022 by original owners to Kent Outdoors and now suddenly, looks like Kent are getting rid of them: https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/19/kent-outdoors-looking-buyer-kona-bikes

forums.electricbikereview.com

A two-year old "new" e-bike with no backup?

 

[BusDriver]

I think getting a Tero would be a wiser move. Specialized Tero 5.0 (non X) has a 90 Nm motor.

Kona Bikes being sold off, possibly going bust.

Sold in 2022 by original owners to Kent Outdoors and now suddenly, looks like Kent are getting rid of them: https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/19/kent-outdoors-looking-buyer-kona-bikes

forums.electricbikereview.com

A two-year old "new" e-bike with no backup?

Oh! Thanks for that link. I didn't know about that.

Yeah, I was surprised to see the 90Nm motor on the 5.0 hardtail.
I was also surprised to see I can still buy the non-X 5.0. I thought, like the 4.0, they were a thing of the past.
The non-X 5.0 is the same price as the X 5.0, but the latter has a slightly smaller motor.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I was also surprised to see I can still buy the non-X 5.0. I thought, like the 4.0, they were a thing of the past.

Not, still in the production

The non-X 5.0 is the same price as the X 5.0, but the latter has a slightly smaller motor.

Correct. In comprehensive terms the hardtail can pump up to 565 W while the full suspension gives 470 W. The model numbers are confusing.

 

[Bikeknit]

I'm not a techie but my Kona dew-e dl does great in my hilly neighborhood. The gearing is such that even with power off I scoot up hills easier than I did with my touring bike (non-electric). I love it.

 

[Bikeknit]

I think getting a Tero would be a wiser move. Specialized Tero 5.0 (non X) has a 90 Nm motor.

Kona Bikes being sold off, possibly going bust.

Sold in 2022 by original owners to Kent Outdoors and now suddenly, looks like Kent are getting rid of them: https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/19/kent-outdoors-looking-buyer-kona-bikes

forums.electricbikereview.com

A two-year old "new" e-bike with no backup?

I think the original owners bought Kona back but my local bike shop thinks they are struggling.

 

[BusDriver]

A two-year old "new" e-bike with no backup?

Upon further investigation, it seems that was a while ago.
In 2022, Kent Outdoors purchased Kona Bikes, but just two years later, after Kent ran the business into the ground, sold it back to Kona, who is now producing new e-bikes.

"Kona Bicycles is in a transition phase. The founders are returning to the helm with a new vision that emphasizes rebuilding relationships with bike shops, offering competitive pricing, and focusing on product quality. The company is navigating challenges related to post-COVID headwinds and past sales strategies, but it also has the opportunity to re-establish itself as a leading bike brand by focusing on its core values and building strong partnerships with its retail partners."

As for the Tero models, I test rode two of them while in Santa Cruz last weekend. I was not overjoyed by the experience.
It would take a lot to make them comfortable for my 6'4" height.

I'm not sold on anything just yet, but I do want to test ride the Kona to see if it can be easily ridden without power, as I've heard it can.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In 2022, Kent Outdoors purchased Kona Bikes, but just two years later, after Kent ran the business into the ground, sold it back to Kona, who is now producing new e-bikes.

You are interested in buying a 2022 Kona.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Love Kona. And the original owners were very brave in buying it back after Kent nearly destroyed the company. Great bikes and a great mtb history in PNW. Their Ourobros is a thing of beautiful:

 

[Bikeknit]

You are interested in buying a 2022 Kona.

Mine is a 2022.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Mine is a 2022.

Good for you! I am not sure BusDriver would like to buy a three year old new e-bike.

 

[BusDriver]

Good for you! I am not sure BusDriver would like to buy a three year old new e-bike.

I found a local bike shop that has one in stock. It's a few years old, but they still want MSRP for it ($2,800).
I can order what I hope is a new one, locally, for that price.
Thing is, I'm not sure the one I'd order is actually new, or old stock from 2022 that never sold.

The thing I find appealing about the Dew-E is the fact that because it's so lightweight (relative to other e-bikes) and has a 46T rear cog, I could pedal it in analog mode to extend my range. I've never been one to want my e-bikes to do all the work for me. In fact, I always put in the bulk of the effort.
The Kona would allow me to start a long ride in analog, then use a little help from the motor when I start to fade or feel a Bonk coming on.

All this wishful thinking will be for not if I find out the bike is not available brand new.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Specialized dealers still have some Vado SL (Gen 1) -- which is a lightweight mid-drive motor e-bike -- for sale at a similar price.

 

[BusDriver]

Specialized dealers still have some Vado SL (Gen 1) -- which is a lightweight mid-drive motor e-bike -- for sale at a similar price.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

[BusDriver]

I got the chance to demo a 4-ish year old ('21-'22), green, XL Dew-E DL on Saturday at a LBS.
My first impression, and one I was hoping to find, is that it rode very well and easily with the motor turned off.
This is a big plus for me, as my hope is to start my rides in analog mode, and introduce the assist as I tire, to help further the distance I want to go, or when I have to climb a hill or fight a headwind. I've always preferred to put most of the effort in myself when riding an e-bike.
On flat ground, and of course downhill, I've never felt the need for assist at all.

I also had the chance to test the assist levels on a steep but fairly short, parking garage ramp. I was not disappointed.
I was able to demo a 50Nm, much heavier, Tero 3.0 in April, and it climbed a very long, very steep hill just fine, so I'm confident the 60Nm and 46T of the Kona won't be a problem.

The only cons I found were the handlebar height and the brakes. Handlebars are always too low for me.
The bar height can be raised with a taller riser and bars, and it's likely the brakes seemed weak due to their sitting on a showroom floor for years.
They probably just needed a good cleaning. I always upgrade my brake rotors with 180mm, which would also help with the braking.

There was a third con, and that was the dealer itself. I won't say who it was, but their unwillingness to sell an old bike at a reasonable price, given it had been sitting on their floor for four years, was disappointing and more than a little laughable.
I have seen ads for the older DL's, selling for $1,999, and told them if they'd accept that (+ tax), I'd buy it, but they were only willing to sell it for what they claimed was their cost ($2,500), 4 years ago.
At that price, after 10% Ca sales tax, there's no reason not to just buy a 2025 model with zero miles and a newer battery.