August 8th, 2023

August 8th is also known as "New Bike Day", at least for 2023. Last winter, I had a great time riding my 29er hardtail at the pump track in West Seneca. The 29er did the job but it got me thinking about another dirt jumper. I sold my Santa Cruz Jackal in 2021 to build the 29er but the West Seneca track is so fun, I wanted to maximize that fun with something a little shorter and a little more suited to an asphalt pump track.

Enter this 2022 Kona Shonky. And since I'm always looking to try something different, I built this bike with 27.5" wheels. Why? I'm not sure really. How will it work on the pump track with taller wheels? I don't know the answer to that either. As you can see, there's plenty of room at the seat stays and chain stays. If it doesn't work, lacing on some 26" rims won't be the end of the world :)

The crank, chain, cog, bottom bracket, brakes, and cockpit pieces all came straight from the 29er. Stan's No Tubes Flow EX3 holds the Schwalbe G One All Around 27.5 x 2.25 rear tire while a China carbon asymmetric rim holds the front tire. Both are tubeless. The Cane Creek DJ fork is a 27.5 chassis set with 90 mm of travel. This results in an axle to crown measurement that is within a couple of millimeters of a  100 mm 26" fork but has clearance for 27.5". I'm looking forward to turning some laps.