A playful full suspension mountain bike for technical trails and confident descending.
The Kona Process 153 27.5 is built for riders who enjoy picking a line through tight corners, roots and rocky sections. Its 27.5-inch wheels give it a manoeuvrable feel, while 160 mm of front travel and 153 mm at the rear provide the suspension to take on rougher trails.
A RockShox Yari RC fork, Shimano Deore 11-speed drivetrain and grippy Maxxis tyres make the Process 153 a capable choice for all-mountain rides, technical singletrack and bigger days in the hills.
Aluminium Frame Built for Demanding Trails
The Process 153 uses a butted Kona 6061 aluminium frame with 153 mm of rear wheel travel. It is designed for riders who want to pedal to the top and enjoy a bike that feels confident when the trail gets steep and rough.
The 27.5-inch wheels give the bike an agile character that suits tight turns and riders who like to move the bike around beneath them. Front and rear thru-axles keep the wheels securely located through corners and over uneven ground.
RockShox Suspension
The RockShox Yari RC fork provides 160 mm of travel, with a DebonAir air spring and Motion Control damping. It gives the front wheel room to move over rocks, roots and repeated bumps while offering support for more demanding trail riding.
At the rear, a RockShox Deluxe Select Plus Trunnion shock controls 153 mm of travel. Air suspension can be adjusted for rider weight and preference, and we can help set it up as a starting point when you collect the bike.
Wide-Range Shimano Deore Gearing
The Shimano Deore 1 × 11-speed drivetrain uses a single 30T chainring and an 11–51T SunRace cassette. It provides a useful range for climbing back to the top and riding rolling trails, without a front derailleur to manage.
Mechanical shifting keeps the setup straightforward to operate and maintain, making it a practical choice for regular mountain biking.
Hydraulic Brakes and Dropper Post
Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes provide controlled stopping power when the trail gets steeper. The supplied specification does not identify the exact brake or rotor models, so please contact us if those details are important to your purchase.
The TranzX dropper post lets you lower the saddle from the handlebar before a descent, giving you more room to move around the bike. Raise it again for climbing without stopping to adjust the saddle by hand.
Maxxis Grip for Rough Trails
A Maxxis Assegai 27.5 × 2.5-inch WT front tyre provides grip for braking and cornering. At the rear, a Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5 × 2.4-inch WT tyre adds braking traction and cornering support.
Both tyres are listed with EXO sidewall protection, Dual Compound and a tubeless-ready construction. They are fitted to WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims. Tubeless valves, sealant and final setup may be required; ask us about the options when ordering.
Key Features
- Kona 6061 butted aluminium full suspension frame
- 153 mm rear suspension travel
- RockShox Yari RC DebonAir fork with 160 mm travel
- RockShox Deluxe Select Plus Trunnion rear shock
- 27.5-inch wheels for a manoeuvrable trail feel
- Shimano Deore 1 × 11-speed drivetrain
- 30T chainring and wide-range 11–51T cassette
- Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes
- TranzX internally routed dropper post
- WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims
- Maxxis Assegai 2.5-inch front tyre
- Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4-inch rear tyre
- Front and rear thru-axles
- Brown finish
Who Is It For?
- Trail and all-mountain riding
- Riders who enjoy tight, technical singletrack
- Steeper trails, roots and rocky descents
- Riders who prefer the manoeuvrable feel of 27.5-inch wheels
- Riders progressing onto more demanding terrain
- Weekend trips to trail centres and mountain bike parks
- Riders wanting a capable full suspension bike that can still be pedalled back to the top
Our Thoughts
The Process 153 27.5 is a good option if you like a bike that is easy to move around on the trail. The smaller wheels give it a different feel to the 29-inch version, particularly through tight corners and when changing lines.
The Yari fork and longer-travel frame are well suited to riders who want to take on rougher descents, while the wide-range Deore gearing makes the climb back up manageable. The Assegai and DHR II tyre combination is a solid starting point for riders who prioritise grip.
If covering ground quickly on smoother trails is your main priority, a shorter-travel bike or the 29-inch Process may suit you better. If you want a playful bike for technical riding and a bit more room to progress, the 27.5-inch Process is worth a look.
Specifications
Frame and Suspension
- Frame: Kona 6061 butted aluminium, 153 mm rear travel
- Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe Select Plus Trunnion
- Fork: RockShox Yari RC, Motion Control, DebonAir, 160 mm travel, tapered steerer, 110 mm spacing
Drivetrain
- Shifter: Shimano Deore, 11-speed
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore, 11-speed
- Crankset: Shimano Deore
- Chainring: 30T
- Cassette: SunRace, 11–51T, 11-speed
- Chain: KMC X11
- Pedals: Not included
Brakes
- Front brake: Shimano Deore hydraulic disc
- Rear brake: Shimano Deore hydraulic disc
- Brake levers: Shimano Deore hydraulic disc
Wheels and Tyres
- Rims: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0
- Front hub: Shimano, 15 × 110 mm
- Rear hub: Shimano, 12 × 148 mm
- Spokes: Black stainless steel, 14-gauge
- Front tyre: Maxxis Assegai, 27.5 × 2.5-inch WT, EXO, TR, Dual Compound
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Minion DHR II, 27.5 × 2.4-inch WT, EXO, TR, Dual Compound
Cockpit and Contact Points
- Handlebar: Kona XC/BC 35
- Stem: Kona XC/BC 35
- Grips: Kona Key Grip
- Seatpost: TranzX Dropper +RAD, internally routed, 31.6 mm
- Saddle: Kona Trail
Additional Details
- Wheel size: 27.5-inch
- Listed sizes: S, M, L and XL
- Colour: Brown
Select your preferred size to check current availability.
Size Guide
The right size depends on your height, body proportions, experience and preferred handling. Contact Chain Reaction for personalised sizing advice before ordering, particularly if you are between sizes.
Why Buy from Chain Reaction?
- Professionally assembled, tuned and safety checked
- Brakes professionally checked and bedded in
- Suspension set up for your weight as a starting point
- Gears and dropper post checked and adjusted
- Expert mountain-bike sizing and setup advice
- Practical advice on suspension settings and maintenance
- Finance and WorkRide options available
Visit Chain Reaction at 4/218 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch. There are more than 200 free car parks on-site, along with plenty of room to discuss sizing and setup.
Specifications are based on supplier and manufacturer information and may change without notice. Components can vary between production batches. Bike weight varies with frame size, finish and fitted components. Pedals are not included.
