We love the Kona Humuhumunukunukuapua’a here at Klunkers! First introduced in 1992, it immediately conjured ’70s style and has been a mainstay in the world of restorations and builds ever since. Check out our “Reader’s Rides” Humu!
Sick, right? So when Kona seemingly out-of-nowhere dropped a re-release, it got our attention. And with its funky paint job, modern geometry and customization-ready features—it got a lot of peoples’ attentions.
Then we saw the price. I’ll get back to that in a sec. First, let’s review the bike. (All images credited to Kona Bicycles.)
What hasn’t changed? Well, it’s still a cruiser-architecture, double-top-tube, factory single-speed, Klunker-style cruiser. It has a low-rise (80mm) handlebar yet still puts the rider in an upright position. This is more cruiser than Klunker, but it shares the vibe.
Updates include Boost spacing, which increases wheel stiffness and adds more tire clearance, International Standard (IS) disc brake mounts (so you can kit it out how you like) and sliding dropouts.
Interestingly, it has a 32-tooth crank and an 18-tooth cassette, giving it a ratio of about 1.78:1. So this thing is very low-geared—great for hills, but man you’d be spinning those legs to get anywhere in a hurry. I guess that’s the point? This bike ain’t for hurrying. Although I will mention that the 29″ wheels should offset that a little.
I also like that it comes in four sizes, though at time of writing it looks like the XL is sold out. I’d imagine they all will be in the not-too-distant future.
The paint job has everyone talking—some like it, some don’t. But it will turn heads. it’s the work of Alex Heilbron, an LA-based known for use of repeated patterns. And according to Bike Rumor, she’s also the daughter of Kona founder Jake Heilbron. Do with that what you will.
But let’s address the elephant in the room. This Humu is selling for $1,699 USD/$1,999 CAD.
WTF?
OK, I get that it has a cool paint job, and they’re only making 200 of them and each is numbered… and it’s a full Chromoly fork and frame and all the components are nice, but I cannot see buying this over a Surly Lowside, which is about the same price.
And it’s also fair to point out that the approximate $450 price tag of a 1992 Humu would put the price at about $1,070 today. And that bike didn’t have disc brakes.
I also wanted to call out that for every bike sold, Kona is donating $20 to Indigenous Women Outdoors, which is an awesome organization based in British Columbia. So I’m sure they’ll be stoked to receive 1% of each sale.
(If that seems backhanded, I don’t really mean it be… I’m just wondering if it would have killed Kona to cough up $50. Twenty bucks seems a little light.)
You can read the full specs and geometry HERE, but I thought I’d post the highlights:
| FRAME | Kona Butted Chromoly | HANDLEBAR | Kona 31.8mm / Back 17º / Up 7º / Rise 80mm / Width 820m |
| FORK | Kona Chromoly | SEATPOST | Kona Thumb w/Offset 27.2mm / Length S-M 350mm / L-XL 375mm |
| CRANKSET | FSA Comet Heavy Duty 32t | GRIPS | Kona Key Grip Lock-on |
| CASETTE | Single Speed 18t | SADDLE | WTB Comfort |
| BRAKE CALIPERS | Tektro HD-M280 2-piston | FRONT HUB | Formula 15x110mm |
| FRONT BRAKE ROTOR | Tektro 180mm 6B 1.8mm | REAR HUB | Formula 12x148mm HG |
| REAR BRAKE ROTOR | Tektro 160mm 6B 1.8mm | RIMS | WTB ST i30 |
| BRAKE LEVERS | Tektro M280 | TIRES | WTB GROOV-E 29×2.25″ |
| HEADSET | FSA No.10 ZS44/ZS44 | STEM | Kona 31.8mm / Rise 0º / Length 45mm |
OK, ultimately—it’s a lust-worthy ride. I can’t wait to see one in the wild, so I can really check out that flower-pattern paint job that’s got everybody talking. Although with 200 being sold, I probably never will.
What do you think?
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I love seeing the Humu humu brought back….but that price….makes me feel good about the $400 I scooped up mine for.
No doubt Mike!
Way more interested in the upcoming Breezer Repack – taking it back to the coaster brake era – but with a couple of newer bells and whistles. And priced more in tune with what it is.
https://www.breezerbikes.com/collections/repack
That looks sick, I’ll check it out. Yeah I agree, the price of the Humiu is just too hard to swallow for me. Twice the MSRP of a Klunkerson???
The Humu should really run about the same as the Klunkerson or the WTP Avenger as the two mentioned are different in some way’s but similar in a lot of ways. This is just my opinion but that being said the Humu probably should have topped at twelve hundred flat. It looks good but not sixteen hundred good however the Surly does. In the world of wild single speed shredders the Surly got to be the King unless someone out there knows of something else. If so please post. Nothing like new eye candy😎.
I agree. I couldn’t imagine buying this Humu over a Lowside.
To Mike – Gordon back to you on this one I think you’re far better off with your original Humu . I test road a 29” Humu in 2015 and I kind of liked it but it was just too far off the grid from the model with the 26” wheels I test road like yours. The 29”Humu just lacked the feel like it lost 50% of what it was to be or how one would want to ride such a bike. I could have bought the 2015 model but passed for that reason and had lost the fun factor feel that your ride has. Hold on to yours. The first Humu I test road was just like yours but had a vee brakes and a free wheel other wise the same and man I really regret not getting one to this day I still remember how it handled and the whole overall feel of this early 2000 something model that was extremely hard to stop riding it was just that fun. So is this new model better my question is the frame the same as the 2015 model then a huge NO. Has the frame been changed to handle the 29” wheels but captures the feel of the original Humu then That’s a maybe. This situation is like the saying goes if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Kona should have kept the Humu the same as the original models and made the disc brakes a optional model and I think it could of sold for about 800. Yep Mike you got a deal and yours looks so new your lucky to have it. If anyone wants a 29” Klunker type thrasher that has some kind of simulated feel and handling qualities of the Humu but not exactly then the Fairdale Taj or the Sunday High C is a good option at a fraction of the cost and are a heck of a lot of fun lightest and probably the fastest or one of in this class of bike. Thought the latter should be mentioned either is a quality ride and a bargain..
Always enjoy your posts Gordon S – this specifically affirms my appreciation for the Humu. When I cruise around the neighborhood with my son and lay it down on the grass, it takes me back to being a kid and not worrying or being ‘precious’ with my bike….just enjoying the moment.
Happy to see the the Klunker Breezer making a come back but the one I saw at Village Peddler a Marin long time bike shop had gears however I just saw a image of a original as coaster brake model in the blue and white paint. The one I saw was on the show room as far back as mid 80’s. Money was tight starting a family so had to pass. Wanted to dump my mountain bike I hated and get the Breezer. So the new Breezer and the State Klunker I noticed blowing up the images both have pluses and some minuses . Both share the same crank not grate as they are square tapered cranks that the ares tend to work loose after a while I read and soon happened to me. They appear to use the same handle bar stem no bad but did notice quality was less on the latter State Klunker builds that I replaced. The weight between the two are really close. So what the Breezer has over the State is the seat post tube being a larger diameter allows a hefty seat post plus as furnished with one that has a generous 400mm in length as the seat pitch has a full pitch adjustment system to dial it to be comfortable as you can make it. The State bike seat post is only like the original Schwinn at 25.4 and even the robust Transition Klunker sported the 25.4. That I’ll never get. Where the Breezers post dia is 27.5 or twenty seven something anyway. So where the main differences between the two are the wheels is one better one being the State a BMX type VS more of a Mountain bike style with the Breezer is one better than another I wish I Knew. Though both the bikes have stronger frames than the original Schwinns the rear section of the Breezer and the State bike differ. The Breezer rear has a much more stylish rear section of frame hands down and on the axle bracket there is much more room to adjust for chain stretch which is nice over the State bike. But the State bike looks to have a less stylish frame but how the axle plates are joined to the rear frame tubes that also look heftier as much as I can see is a stiffer stronger way to go if you plan rip the bike off the planet. Then the Breezer has the Chromoly frame VS the State with tinsel steel. So what’s the big deal since both the Breezer and the State bike Weighing about the same even though the Breezers frame is chromoly. Well Chromoly is less likely to rust rapidly if in a damp environment. The tires are different between the two but not worth talking about as we always seem to up grade. I do like the Classic paint theme of the paint job on the Breezer. The last detail though moot is that the State Klunker has a few tenths of a inch longer seat tube then the Breezer of 17.9 while the Breezers tube 17.7 or .8 like I said moot however if your a tall guy Like Klunkers D. The big dia and generous length seat post make up for that over the State bike in strength and when raised it doesn’t look so spindly as the State dose. So some things to think about before you think of buying . The Breezer Handle Bars are correct over any other production Klunker out there. Overall if the welds are done right it is a keeper. The msrp is more than fair in todays world. But these two bikes overall very close so that’s why I broth the Breezer VS the State . The Breezer cost a bit more but the rear section of the frame has a nice touch that is more labor and the frame being chromoly and the better seat post system is worth the extra money. I’m interested and there is a dealer over the hill from me. If the Breezer checks out at that price it may find a home and might turn one of the state bikes loose or hide it.
Hope the Breezer doesn’t end up like the Kona and the WTP Avenger that being a limited run. After all it would be nice to see the new rather than a myth. Or getting one is like finding Big Foot for real. Kind of felt that way getting the Avenger after a three year wait. My brain was puzzled as it sat in front of me almost in shock. Every time I glance at the Avengers it feels like they sit as an imagination. They aren’t real. Seeing a new Breezer is a shock in it self as well as the Kona.
Just to clarify my comment on the attached drop outs on the Breezer is though the drop outs are heavily constructed the rear tubes attached in the photo’s (look) I’m not saying they are but look smaller than the State Klunkers tubes. The fit on the rear brackets on the State look to be a slotted fit before they are welded. I really studied the examples in my collection and the attached method for straightening the rear end as a whole the way everything is matted I’ll give that to the State Bike. If the rear tubes are only joined by butt welds to the drop outs on the Breezer then that would be the elephant in the room , the weak point and no matter how tough the drop outs are that means nothing if you compare the two different methods. If the drop outs have been drilled on the Breezer for the rear frame tubes to be slipped through the drop out plates and welded on both sides then that would change everything. That is the way to go. Something to consider before you buy if you plan to ride your Klunker like ya stole it. So I’m gonna keep in touch with the near buy Breezer Dealer to see or check if they have one on order and take a good look at one and post what I see. Butt welds can be strong but must be Air Craft Grade types of welds with full penetration where everything is fused as one at the joint. Not welds that are mostly on the top. As we know the F.A.A. approved methods of joining metal are stricter so planes don’t drop out of the sky. My question is at that bargain price did the contractor to build the frames do as I mentioned. If so That’s Just Peachy.