Kona Remote X (2022)

Kona Remote X

The Remote X is the novelty in 2022 from the house of Kona. Like previous variants such as the Remote 160, the Remote X brings the "feel" of a Kona Process X, only in the form of an eBike. With glowing reviews from many top mountain bike magazines, Kona felt the need to go one step further. The Remote X uses Shimano's new EP800 motor with a 630 Wh battery from manufacturer Darfon. Kona lowered the bottom bracket to accommodate 29-inch wheels. Suspension is provided by a 180mm FOX 38 Performance suspension fork and a FOX Float X Performance Elite shock. This long-travel shock works in tandem with the rear suspension to provide 178mm of travel.
Shimano SLX brakes with large 220mm and 203mm rotors slow you down when needed. The popular Maxxis Assegai 29 x 2.5-inch tires give you excellent traction on rough terrain, and thanks to Double Down Technology (DD), the risk of flats is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the Kona E-Enduros are equipped with particularly strong thru axles in downhill format. The rear wheel axle is a Super Boost+ with 12x157mm, while the front wheel uses a 15x110mm axle. This axle system offers the great advantage of being even more stable than conventional thru axles.

Shimano EP8 motor with Darfon 630Wh battery

The eagerly awaited EP8 motor from Shimano only creates the conditions for such a powerful e-fully as the Kona Remote 160. The EP8 unit has slimmed down about 300 grams in weight and 10 percent in volume compared to the previous flagship E8000! In addition, the drive now brings a whopping 85 Nm of torque to the chain. The drive system can be paired with the smartphone via Bluetooth and offers countless customization options with the help of two apps. For example, the various support modes can be fine-tuned. 630 watt hours should also be enough for long tours and the occasional extra meter of altitude.

Kona opted for the Darfon 630Wh when selecting the battery. Since the beginning of 2021, Shimano now also takes over the warranty and maintenance processing of the third-party manufacturer Darfon and its Shimano-compatible batteries. The battery is fully compatible with Shimano's own STEPS system and even offers, thanks to an intelligent charger and in direct comparison to its brother from Shimano, a faster charging time of about 4h-5h.