 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2022) |
 Kona Logo as of April 2022 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycles |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Dan Gerhard, Jacob Heilbron |
| Products | Bicycle and Related Components |
| Owner | Dan Gerhard, Jacob Heilbron[1] |
| Website | www |
Kona Bikes is a bicycle company based in the Pacific Northwest. The company was founded in 1988 by Dan Gerhard, Jacob Heilbron and Jimbo Holmstrom in Vancouver, BC. Their world headquarters are in Ferndale, Washington, with Canadian distribution offices in Vancouver, and European distribution offices in Monaco.[2][needs update]
Gerhard and Heilbron worked initially with Mountain Bike Hall of Fame rider Joe Murray to create a range of custom steel hardtails. Kona was the first brand to produce a complete range of sloping top tube design mountain bike frames. Paul Brodie collaborated with the TBG and was likely instrumental in implementing the sloping top tube design from previous work with Rocky Mountain and with his own company. The Canadian headquarters are located near the famous North Shore Mountains of Vancouver, leading Kona to develop a range of Freeride mountain bikes in 1998 known for durability as well as for their ability to handle extremely technical downhill terrain. In the 1990s, provocative names were used on Kona bikes and components like Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, Sutra, Sex One, Sex Too, Stinky, Jackshit,[3] while there are rumors about one of their early logos being inspired by an anus,[4] aiming to be placed as an "alternative" bicycle company or as the "smallest biggest company in the world".[5]
Kona has gone on to develop a complete range of road, commuter, cyclo-cross in addition to a complete range of mountain bikes. Using a range of materials including carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum and steel, Kona's bikes are sold in over 60 countries worldwide.
On January 19, 2022, the founders announced the sale of the company to diversified outdoor equipment maker Kent Outdoors. On April 19, 2024, Kent Outdoors began winding down operations with plans to sell the brand.[6]
On May 20, 2024, Dan and Jake announced that they had re-purchased the brand from Kent Outdoors with plans to re-launch it.[7]
- ^ "Kona is returning home to its roots". 20 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ "Kona Bikes | Connect | Contact Us". konaworld.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ^ "The Best Bike Names". 5 November 2019.
- ^ "8 great cycling logos".
- ^ "the smallest biggest company in the world".
- ^ Mallon, Ryan (2024-04-21). "Kona Bicycles winding down and up for sale as parent company abandons struggling bike market". road.cc.
- ^ "Kona Bicycles press release: Kona 3.0". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2024-05-21.