An LBF is a large, hairy upright drop bar adventure cryptid, dwelling in the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Although they mostly keep to themselves, if seen, approach with caution.
THE LBF
TYPE: Adventure Bike
BEHAVIOR: Rowdy, reclusive
HABITAT: Forests, mountains, gravel roads, trail, mossy paths
LOCATION FOUND: 48.99838694823883, -121.82369327199602, Pacific Northwest
Until now, the Legend of Big Fork sat in that space between myth and possibility. Some treated it as a fun local legend who left traces of big tire prints and slashed foliage; others swear they’d seen it in the wilderness before, and bike nerds in the comment section remained skeptical of its reality. The LBF has been here the whole time, dwelling in our most memorable underbiked adventures or our daydreams of overforking our gravel bike for that one strange adventure. There’s a new era of drop bar ready to emerge from the depths of the PNW. Some would say it’s already here, but for those who simply don’t believe: we see what we want to see and don’t see what we’re not prepared to see. The question is, are you ready for the power of the LBF myth to give your expedition meaning?
LBF
Beyond legend, forged in steel, The LBF is the rowdiest drop-bar machine to escape the minds of Kona and the wilderness of the PNW. Turning myth into metal, it's built for riders who push drop bars way past their comfort zone. Steel is real again and a 100mm suspension fork tames the rough stuff, while a custom-for-Kona pairing of SRAM Apex Eagle levers and powerful G2 calipers delivers MTB-level braking control—without sacrificing drop-bar comfort. Burly Raceface rims wrapped in wider, grippy Maxxis tires keep you planted when the trails turn wild. From chunky backcountry descents to barely-there singletrack, the LBF is ready for the most unhinged adventures only whispered about.
• Reynolds 520 Butted Cromoly frame
Steel isn’t retro — it’s intentional. It’s about ride quality, real-world capability, and the kind of durability that doesn’t flinch when things get wild. Custom bike builders worship steel for a reason: it rides better, lasts longer, and treats your body kinder on long days out.
Reynolds has been doing this longer than most of us have been alive — trusted, proven, premium, and absolutely worth it.
• Rockshox SID 3P 100mm travel fork
The SID is known for XC brilliance. Stiff 35mm stanchions, XC-race efficiency, and trail-ready confidence — making it an icon in the world of short travel forks.
We opted for 100mm because it’s the sweet spot — enough travel for chaos, not so much that it dulls the fun. Oh, and it’s a fork you can actually get your hands on if you ever need parts.
• SRAM Apex Eagle lever w/ G2 4P calipers, hydraulic disc brakes
Yep, this one’s custom. A fully legit, SRAM-authorized combo built specifically for Kona.
A performance drop-bar lever finally meets a burly MTB brake caliper. It shouldn’t make this much sense, but it does.
Apex levers stay quiet and composed when the terrain gets loud, while G2 4P calipers give straightforward, confidence-everywhere braking. Bonded by DOT fluid compatibility, it all just works. Beautifully.
• TransX RAD+ dropper post w/ DL butterfly lever
Tried and true — the dropper that just works, even when conditions say it shouldn’t. Simple, reliable, and perfect for wilderness missions.
• Ritchey Beacon Comp handlebar w/ Comp Trail stem
Ritchey knows how to make bars that feel right. This combo is all about control, comfort, and stability when you’re adventuring into the unknown. Perfect for the rowdy (and really anything resembling a questionable idea).
• Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4” fr / Forekaster 29x2.4” rr tires
Fast where you want it, grippy where you need it. A balanced combo for all-terrain missions — from smooth dirt to sketchy roots.
• RaceFace ARC Asymmetric 27mm rims
Strong. Simple as that. They’re light enough, tough enough, and ready for everything you’re going to throw at them.
• Fit Geometry is corrected for drop bars, optimizing posture for stability.
Dialed specifically for drop-bar riding — the posture is stable, confident, and ready for long days or sketchy descents. No weird compromises, no Franken-geo. Just right.
• 67° HTA feels like a modern mountain bike
Feels like a modern mountain bike because…it basically is. Stable at speed, calm in chaos, and way more capable than a gravel bike has any business being.
• 75° STA (across all sizes)
Keeps you centered, efficient, and powerful no matter the frame size.
Consistent fit = predictable handling = more fun.
• Sliding UDH dropouts
Maximum adjustability, clean setup options, and future-proof compatibility. Singlespeed? Gear tweaks? No problem. And yes — full UDH support.
• Specifically designed around a 100mm MTB fork
This bike was built specifically to party with a 100mm fork. Perfect balance of capability, control, and playful handling.
MORE INFO >
• Can I put a Boxxer on it?
Never. Next question.
• Can I put my truck tires on it?
Tire clearance maxes out at 29 x 2.5”
• What’s the largest fork I can put on it?
100mm travel single crown fork based on a 29” wheel size.
To stray from this in either direction will result in:
• Warranty voided
• Potential injury or worse
• Anxiety from Kona staff
• What’s the longest dropper I can fit?
Small: 275mm, Medium: 320mm, Large: 365mm, XLarge: 410mm
• What are the mounting points?
x2 water bottle options on the DT, rear rack, fenders, tool kit option, bento box , and 3 bosses under top tube for internal frame bag options
• What is the max chainring size for 1X?
34t
• What is the chainline?
55mm
• Can I run a front derailleur?
FD routing not included
• What BB does it use?
73mm threaded
• Can I put a rack on the rear?
Yes
• What’s this baddie weigh?
31lbs
• What’s the max size brake rotor I can run?
200mm
• Can I run those sliding UDH dropouts on my Honzo ESD or my other Kona?
Not compatible
• What fenders are compatible?
65mm max width