Saturday, August 6, 2011

Kona Honky Tonk: Sexy & Sassy Retro Ride

Northern Arizona has boundless opportunities for riding asphalt as well as dirt, and our pick for hitting the road is the Kona Honky Tonk.

What is it? A work-horse, no-nonsense road ride with a custom-butted chromoly steal frame and Kona Retro Road fork -- a combination that creates a stable but nimble ride. The Honky Tonk features Shimano Sora nine-speed gearing with matching STI shifters and upgraded Alex rims with machined sidewalls for more effective braking. A generous bar with nice square shape, sloping top-tube design, and well-padded saddle make this one of the most comfortable road bikes around, and 5 centimeters of headset spacers allow further tweaking for your riding style. The clean lines remind us of the bikes of yore, with a subtle 21st century makeover.

Why we love it? Here at Sultana Cycles, we don't believe you have to count grams or coat yourself in head-to-toe spandex to feel the need for speed. (In fact, I once rode 65 miles round trip from Flagstaff to Mormon Lake on an early-90s steel rigid bike with a crack in the frame. In flip-flops.) The Honky Tonk is a thoroughly modern machine with a sweet disposition. It fits our philosophy and makes for a smooth, simple ride for all abilities, versatile enough for commuting and coffee house cruising on the days you aren't hitting the pavement.


And of course, we can't get enough of that sassy Retro Red finish -- sure to lift your spirits as you grind up that last hill or drag yourself out for a spin pre-coffee -- and simple, vintage Kona label graphics.


The Honky Tonk is on the floor at Sultana Cycles and priced out-the-door at $950.