Downhill

We had one goal with the Operator CR: win races. We’ve seen what 29-inch bikes can do on a downhill track, and the Operator CR is ready to take podiums. With two positions offering 15mm of rear wheel adjustments and 10mm of reach adjustment, it’s easier to control the feel of the bike to get the ride you want. While we spec the bike as a 29er, you are able to run 27.5-inch wheels as well. Shorter or longer, 29 or 27.5, you have the power to customize your ride. Front and rear RockShox suspension and powerful SRAM Code brakes round out this innovative and wickedly fast race machine.

The Operator is a familiar face in both the bike park and downhill racing scene. With the Rockshox Boxxer RC fork and a 200mm Rockshox Super Deluxe coil trunnion shock, the ride is plush and ready for big hits. With a SRAM drivetrain and brakes, and Maxxis tires, the Operator is a proven staple in the downhill world.

From shuttle runs with your buddy's truck to zipping on a number plate, Kona's carbon Operator ushers in a fast era of downhilling with simple, plush suspension. This bike soaks up the biggest hits and rips with tons of maneuverability for the ideal combo of speed and handling. The RockShox Boxxer and Kage shock both sport 200mm of travel, plus external rebound and compression adjustments to set to your specifications and/or course and terrain needs. No matter what you're charging down, SRAM's powerful Guide R brakes give you smooth stopping power, while the 27.5-inch Sun Ringle wheels with Maxxis Minion DHF tires bite hard into lines for pinned cornering. Crank duty is handled by RaceFace, spinning SRAM gears spec'd for DH. Other shred-ready gear includes a RaceFace handlebar bar, direct mount stem, and seatpost, and an MRP chainguide. It doesn't get much better... or faster.

Hitting rock bottom has never been this fun. Your race to the base of the mountain is going to get significantly faster on Kona’s Operator DL. Go big with the confidence you get from 200mm of front and rear travel, courtesy of a RockShox Super Deluxe out back and legendary BoXXer up front. You’ll maintain all the maneuverability you need while adding the rollover capability that comes from 27.5-inch wheels, so you can steamroll techy sections that would otherwise rob you of momentum. Mavic rims bring a long tradition of strength and innovation to the notorious, wheel-destroying DH scene, keeping your Maxxis Minion DHFs rolling true and digging hard to rail corners with predictable stability and enhanced bite. Crank ‘er up with SRAM's Descendant crankset, MRP chain guide, and SRAM GX 7-speed DH drivetrain, a purpose-built hybrid setup to get you straight to the bottom as fast as possible with precision and reliability. And, to keep you on course, SRAM Code R brakes provide the raw power to keep things under control so you’ll never second-guess the hard line. Operator DL will get you as far as equipment can, the courage and stamina is up to you.