
Kona Wheelhouse - 2018Classic looks and the smooth, precise ride of quality steel, the Wheelhouse is our take on the modern disc road bike. The Wheelhouse shares all of the features of our flagship steel road bike, the Roadhouse, in a more affordable parts spec. What it doesn’t miss out on is the Reynolds 853 frame and full carbon fork, flat mount disc brakes, and thru-axles at both ends. From the Sunday club ride to the gran fondo, the Wheelhouse is your steed.
REYNOLDS 853 CROMOLYReynolds 853 tubing is seamless air-hardened, heat-treated steel. The benefits of air-hardening steels are particularly noticeable in the weld area where, unlike conventional steel alloys, strength can actually increase after cooling. Reynolds 853 is heat-treated to give high strength and damage resistance, and the steel properties allow thin walls to be used, resulting in lower weight, fatigue-resistant frames
TAPERED HEAD TUBEMore girth at the bottom of the head tube better distributes shock force, prolonging the bearing life of the headset itself and eliminating brake shudder, while providing confident steering performance. The inherent strength of its triangular design also means a stronger steering position and improved balance, giving the rider more control in rough terrain. A zero-stack, tapered head tube also puts strength where the load is going—into the lower headset cup—maximizing bearing durability where it’s needed.
12x142mm AXLE12x142mm, 12x148 and 12x157 rear axle standards provide two major advantages to the Kona rider: the 12mm diameter of the rear axle provides the rear hub and frame with a stiff interface, while the 142/148/157mm outer diameter of the hub allows the wheel to be quickly and properly positioned in the frame before the rear axle is inserted. For 2017, you’ll see the 12x148 Boost standard in the mix. Boost spacing provides more tire clearance at the chainstay yoke, while the rear wheel is stiffer and more durable relative to a 12x142 thru-axle.