The Hei Hei, which started as a titanium hardtail in 1991, has always been Kona’s dedicated XC bike. Kona’s latest version remains committed to the efficiency that XC riders value, but adds an enhanced rear-suspension design to improve tracking stability and responsiveness on more demanding trails. 

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The Hei Hei’s silhouette remains broadly similar to its predecessors, but loyal followers of all things Kona will notice some design changes. There are now nine mounting bosses in the front angle, allowing riders several options for carrying all the hydration or accessories they desire. Even the small frame can now accommodate two hydration bottles in the front triangle without any shock rubbing issues. 

Hei Hei’s internal cable routing is also full tube-in-tube to reduce rattling and make life easier for home mechanics when doing advanced brake or drivetrain maintenance. 

Suspension and geo updates

The tenth-generation Hei Hei hasn’t increased its rear travel (it remains 120mm), but now runs a longer 130mm fork. That helps slacken the head angle from 67.5- to 66-degrees. The new Hei Hei frame also has notably more reach, with a size large adding 9mm, growing reach to 474mm compared to the ninth-gen Hei Hei’s 465mm. 

2025 kona hei hei shock.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Kona’s engineers wanted to evolve the Hei Hei’s on-trail feel, especially when descending. Unlike the previous Hei Hei's single-piece design, the new Hei Hei’s rear triangle sees a return of chain/seatstay pivots. This has allowed Kona’s product team to engineer a more adaptable response bandwidth for the Hei Hei’s rear suspension leverage curve, creating a more consistent feel throughout the entire 120mm rear travel stroke. 

Hei Hei’s enhanced rear suspension leverage curve should translate to a more playful and planted riding feel on demanding descents, with better rear wheel terrain tracking. 

Complementing the Hei Hei’s more progressive geometry and capable rear suspension is better dropper seatpost integration. A straighter 31.6mm diameter seatpost enhances dropper post insertion depth by 80mm, which means riders who value getting really low in the Hei Hei frame during descents can use droppers in the 125- to 200mm range. 
Frame standards for the new Hei Hei include UDH/T-type rear derailleur hanger, an ISCG 05 chain-guide mount and clearance for chainrings up to 38t, and brake rotors up to 180mm. 

The spec

Kona’s selected a build kit for the new Hei Hei that supports the needs of XC riders who are confident and adventurous descenders. It’s effectively a downcountry build to optimise the more capable rear suspension and longer, slacker frame geometry. 
A RockShox Pike Ultimate 130mm fork up front is complemented by the Deluxe Ultimate rear shock. SRAM Motive Bronze 4-piston brakes ensure excellent stopping power and modulation on steep descents or high-speed flow trails. Converting pedal power to forward momentum is the latest Eagle 90 drivetrain, configured with a 32T chainring linked to a 10-52T cassette. 

2025 kona kei key drivetrain.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Kona’s fitted TransX +RAD droppers to the Hei Hei. With a stroke depth of 125- to 200mm across the frame size spectrum from small, medium, large and extra-large, these droppers should enable riders to get into the lowest and most stable possible centre of gravity on steep descents.  

Tyres are the traction and efficiency elements for any XC bike with technical trail riding aspirations. For the tenth-generation Hei Hei, Kona has chosen a casing and tread pattern that balances rolling speed with braking traction and cornering grip. Rolling the Hei Hei along are WTB KOM i30 TSC rims spinning on DT Swiss 370 hubs, with Maxxis Dissector EXO TR 29 x 2.4in WT tyres completing the wheelset specification.

• konaworld.com

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