For the bike park tracks we were putting the Process bikes to test on in Fiss, the biggest bike in the range, the 153, really was top dog.

If you ride hard and/or want to travel to big mountains then the Process 153 bike will do a superb job of getting you up the hill and then absolutely smashing your way back down again. I felt more confident riding this bike from the get-go than I have felt on almost any bike I have ridden, certainly bikes in its category of ‘enduro’ designated machines. The suspension is supple yet bottomless (RockShox’s brilliant new Pike should also get a mention here for its supreme capability), the angles up front (66.5º head angle) lend to pointing downhill yet the reasonably steep seat tube angle (74º) puts the seat where you want it when pedalling. I feel that this bike would sit well as a do-it-all bike for the more ‘hardcore’ rider (especially those with a downhill heritage) – something that could be ridden around trail loops and also taken to steep alpine slopes for a summer riding trip or to an uplift day at Cwmcarn or the Forest of Dean. I was won over by the 153 and reports from other riders are generally just as upbeat.

Process 153 vitals

Four sizes: S, M, L, XL
27.5-inch wheels
6061 Aluminium butted tubing
153mm rear suspension travel
14.71kg (14.29kg DL version)
66.5º head angle

Component highlights

RockShox Pike RC Solo Air 160mm travel fork
RockShox Monarch RT rear shock
SRAM S1000 cranks (2×10)
SRAM X7 mechs and shifters
Shimano Deore brakes (203mm front disc, 180 rear)
WTB rims on Shimano Deore hubs
Maxxis High Roller 2 tyres front and rear
KS DropZone dropper seatpost

Price: £2,699
More information: Kona Process 153

Process 153 DL

The step up in price between the standard and deluxe models is greater than where the 134 is concerned, with the DL coming in over a grand more pricey at £3,999. For your money you get RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 shock with Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork, the brilliant Shimano XT brakes, SRAM X0 rear mech and X9 shifters, X9 cranks and an upgrade to 3C (triple compound) Maxxis tyres.

To find out about the riding in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis click through to the next page: