Kona has today launched three new e-bikes built around SR Suntour hub motors: an electric version of the firm’s Dew city bike (the Dew HD); a low-step hybrid (the Coco HD); and a drop handlebar adventure e-bike (the Rove HD).
If you don’t entirely appreciate the differences between hub and mid-drive motors, our guide to electric bike motors can give you a bit of an explanation. If you haven’t got time for that, the short version is that while mid-drives typically provide power more efficiently when under load, hub motors are generally more affordable and often a bit more straightforward maintenance-wise too.
This is reflected in Kona’s pricing. The Dew HD and Coco HD are available from €1,999, while prices for the Rove HD start at €2,099.
The Dew HD is a no-nonsense utility hybrid with flat handlebars, hydraulic disc brakes and a removable 418Wh internal battery. Kona suggest it’ll offer range of about 80km/50 miles.
Strikingly, that Suntour motor is said to offer up to 60Nm of torque, which is a fair bit of oomph for a hub drive. It comes with an OLED display that is billed as “simple-to-read” and which does indeed look pleasingly unbusy in the shots of the bike we’ve seen.
That motor and battery combo is used across all three bikes, which means the main elements that distinguish the Coco HD are the low-step frame, the slightly curved handlebars and WTB Horizon Comp 650x47 tyres.
The Rove HD then shapes up as less of an about-town bike and more of a sporty leisure thing – suitable for both road and gravel.
More details on the Kona website.
