Since the ESD was introduced back in 2020 we've seen a massive number of Dream Builds on the trails and on social media, no two the same. Well It's time for another and Jurgen's unique Honzo ESD is a head turner for sure... We reached out to Jurgen's local shop and the crew tasked with the build for a few more details, Thomas at Monsieur Velo kindly obliged!
"Jurgen has been a Kona fan from day one and in addition to this Honzo ESD, he also has a custom Process 153 CR/DL and a Hei Hei. Jurgen has always been charmed by steel bikes and wanted to build a unique freeride-hardtail on which he will bikepack all the enduro trails around the Semois River in Belgium and France.
He was looking for a very durable frame with fine geometry and one that would climb nicely. Besides being a Kona fan, he is also completely in-to everything from Hope Tech. We were given full "Carte Blanche" as far as the spec list goes and we set out to find a very durable build that appreciates the rougher stuff."
165mm Hope EVO cranks are matched up with a cable actuated SRAM XO1 Eagle drivetrain. Suspension comes in the form of a 150mm Rock Shox Pike Ultimate.
Stopping is courtesy of a set of ano orange Hope Tech 4 E4 brakes complete with Hope floating rotors.
There's so much Hope Tech on this build, take the cockpit for example, Hope Carbon bars are anchored by a Hope stem, spining on a Hope headset, and the dropper post lever is, you guessed it, from Hope. The lever in question operates a Crankbrothers Highline 3. The grips are Ergon GE1 Evo Slim's.
Jurgen's bike rolls on Hope Fortus 35W rims laced to Hope Pro 5 hubs, The bike is shod front and rear with Schwalbe Hans Dampf tires.
