Kona

El Kahuna 2026

Current✎Lightweight · Cross-CountryMature · 5.3/10iFreshness 5.3/10
How current the bike is — newer chassis, motor and battery score higher. 10 = brand-new, 0 = legacy.

Motor

Shimano STEPS E6100 · 60Nm · 500W↗

Battery

Shimano BT-E8014 504Wh

Travel F/R

100mm / —

Wheels

29F / 29R✎

Frame

Aluminium✎

Weight

—✎

Price

£1,870✎

View the Kona El Kahuna on Kona’s site

Kona El Kahuna 2026

From £1,870

The El Kahuna is Kona's no-nonsense electric hardtail, an electrified take on its long-running Kahuna alloy hardtail. Built around a butted Kona 6061 aluminium frame, it pairs a 100mm Suntour XCR34 Air fork with 29x2.25" WTB Trail Boss tyres, making it a genuine trail-capable all-rounder rather than a commuter, though Kona pitches it as equally happy fetching the groceries.The drivetrain is pure value Shimano: an E6100 motor fed by a semi-integrated, removable 504Wh battery, with a 10-speed Deore mech and 11-46t cassette. Braking is handled by Shimano MT410 calipers on 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors. It is a sensibly specced, durable kit list aimed at keeping the price down to $2,499 USD.Geometry is relaxed and trail-friendly rather than aggressive, with a 69 degree head angle, 74 degree seat angle and consistent 465mm chainstays across all four sizes (S to XL). Reach runs from 404mm on the small to 484mm on the XL. UK pricing was not published on Kona's US site, which does not ship to the United Kingdom.

EMTB Forums verdict

The El Kahuna is Kona's no-nonsense electric hardtail, an electrified take on its long-running Kahuna alloy hardtail. Built around a butted Kona 6061 aluminium frame, it pairs a 100mm Suntour XCR34 Air fork with 29x2.25" WTB Trail Boss tyres, making it a genuine trail-capable all-rounder rather than a commuter, though Kona pitches it as equally happy fetching the groceries.

The drivetrain is pure value Shimano: an E6100 motor fed by a semi-integrated, removable 504Wh battery, with a 10-speed Deore mech and 11-46t cassette. Braking is handled by Shimano MT410 calipers on 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors. It is a sensibly specced, durable kit list aimed at keeping the price down to $2,499 USD.

Geometry is relaxed and trail-friendly rather than aggressive, with a 69 degree head angle, 74 degree seat angle and consistent 465mm chainstays across all four sizes (S to XL). Reach runs from 404mm on the small to 484mm on the XL. UK pricing was not published on Kona's US site, which does not ship to the United Kingdom.

Geometry read

What the numbers mean on the trail

Computed from this bike's geometry, spec and build kit — reach, wheelbase, chainstay, head and seat angles, travel, motor, weight and the fork/tyre/brake spec — and worked out per size, because a fixed chainstay can make an S and an XL feel very different.

Size

Descending

Steeper 69° and shorter travel — happiest descending smooth, flowy trail rather than properly rough or steep terrain.

Playfulness

A fair bit of pop, but happiest on flowing trail rather than trials moves.

Size balance

Rear-long with a planted front in L (FC:RC 1.55) — easy to weight the front and quick to turn, though it can feel light at the back at real speed.

Technical climbing

Climbs well — a 74° seat keeps the front planted. 500W of peak power and 60Nm of torque.

Best suited toAll-round trail riding across mixed terrain.

No single standout trait — a balanced, versatile bike.

Watch out forNot built for serious descending — happier on flow than in the rough and steep.

Fine at trail pace; it'll feel out of its depth on properly rough, steep tracks.

How it stacks up vs other Lightweight · Cross-Country bikes (from 57 bikes in the database)

Battery504 Wh65 Wh above average

Motor torque60 Nmabout average torque

Value for money98/100from £1,870 · comparable bikes ~£2,999

Computed from geometry + spec, not a paid review. Scores are guidance, not gospel.

Paste into any thread to embed this live, interactive panel.

Geometry · hover a row to highlight the measurement on the bike

	S	M	L	XL
Reach	404 mm	428 mm	453 mm	484 mm
Stack	619 mm	623 mm	628 mm	633 mm
Seattube	370 mm	420 mm	470 mm	530 mm
Chainstay	465 mm	465 mm	465 mm	465 mm
Headtube Angle	69°	69°	69°	69°
Seattube Angle (eff)	74°	74°	74°	74°
Wheelbase	1134 mm	1160 mm	1187 mm	1220 mm
Headtube	110 mm	115 mm	120 mm	125 mm
BB Height	315 mm	315 mm	315 mm	315 mm
Standover	738 mm	742 mm	747 mm	766 mm
Front Centre	669 mm*	695 mm*	722 mm*	755 mm*
FC:RC	1.44	1.49	1.55	1.62

Trims · 1

	Base £1,870
Motor	Shimano STEPS E6100 · 60 Nm
Battery	Shimano 504Wh · 504 Wh
Travel F/R	100/? mm
Frame	Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
Fork	Suntour XCR34 Air 100mm Tapered 110 Spacing
Headset	FSA No.57BP
Stem	Kona XC
Handlebar	Kona XC/BC Riser
Grips	Kona Key Grip
Saddle	WTB Volt
Seatpost	Kona Thumb w/Offset 31.6mm
Brakes	Shimano MT410 calipers with Shimano MT401 levers; Front rotor Shimano RT10 180mm (centerlock), Rear rotor Shimano RT10 160mm (centerlock)
Rear derailleur	Shimano Deore
Crank	FSA E-Bike crankarms with 36t chainring
Shifters	Shimano Deore
Cassette	Shimano Deore 11-46t 10spd
Chain	Shimano HG54
Drivetrain	Shimano Deore; FSA E-Bike crankarms with 36t chainring; Shimano Deore; Shimano Deore 11-46t 10spd; Shimano HG54
Wheels	WTB ST i27 TCS 2.0
Tyres	WTB Trail Boss 29x2.25" front and rear
Price	£1,870

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