2014 Kona Unit Review

First three rides on my new Kona Unit frame. Bike setup is almost identical to what I had on the Canfield Nimble 9. I never thought I'd say this but I think I found a frame that I like better than a Canfield.

Me: I'm 5'7", 145 lbs. I'm into endurance XC racing and all day epics. I try to build my bikes so they are a jack-of-all-trades do anything bike, with a focus on "trail" riding if you must call it that. Location: Albuquerque, NM and the surrounding areas

2014 17" Kona Unit frame (5.77 lbs with sliders and hardware)
Manitou Tower Pro 120mm fork with 20mm thru-axle
Flows with Hope hubs (rear SS bolt on)
Maxxis Ardent 2.4 F/Maxxis Ikon 2.2 R - Tubeless
Cane Creek 40 Series Zero-Stack
Thomson Elite X4 Stem - 50mm
Easton Monkey Lite Carbon Riser Bars
ESI Chunky Grips
Cane Creek Bar Ends
Shimano XT Icetech Brakes
Thomson Seatpost
Fizik Saddle
Truvativ Stylo 1.1 OCT Cranks
RaceFace Single Ring - 34T
Endless Cog - 19T
Total Weight: Not yet weighed.

The Unit came with a rigid fork, making the equivalent suspension fork somewhere between 80-100mm. I already had the 120mm Tower handy and am addicted to the plush ride I get with the Mars Air spring combo. I knew this was going to raise the front of the bike up and change the HTA to the neighborhood of 68 degrees. I helped to counter this additional height by using a zero-stack headset and reducing the spacers under the stem to about 4mm. I was also able to save about 11mm in the headtube/headset stack height compared with the previous setup (Nimble 9 with a standard headtube). By also using a 50mm stem (stock Unit build is 60mm), I feel I was able to counter any effects on the steering that the extra 20mm of fork generated. I immediately noticed that the Unit is stiffer than the Canfield was, while still having some compliance when things get really choppy. Switchbacks, which had me worried, feel easier despite the longer stays. The bike climbs SOOOO much better. When I hammer on the pedals the bike just takes off! I'd have to attribute this change to the geometry, stiffness, and stem all working together.