When I was out in Fiss-Serfaus-Ladis in Austria for the Kona Process launch, I had the opportunity to take a look at another bike in Kona’s 2014 range, a bike that aims to deliver the same essential ride character and ethos as the Process but at an entry-level price point.

The Precept starts at £1,299, which is an attainable figure for those getting into the sport and who foresee themselves sticking with it. The whole idea behind the bike, as engineer Jack Russell from Kona explained to me, is to provide a platform from which buyers can upgrade the components as they go along and to build upon a solid chassis that will provide much of the inspiration behind the Process. It looks as though that is just what they have done, with routing for dropper posts, solid frame construction, low standover height, decent tyres and geometry that will lend well to trail riding.

We’re getting one to test here at Bike Magic so stay tuned to find out if the Precept is as attractive as Kona’s launch video (below) suggests…

Kona Precept vitals

120mm suspension travel
27.5 inch wheels
69 degree head angle
6061 butted aluminium tubing
Tapered head tube
Routing for dropper post
Four sizes
Lifetime warranty

Precept component highlights

Fork: RockShox XC 30 (120mm travel)
Brakes: Tektro HDC300
Tyres: Maxxis Ardent
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore/SLX/Altus
Cockpit: Kona own-brand

Price: £1,299
More information: Kona Precept 

Precept DL

For slightly more money Kona offer a DL (deluxe) version of the Precept, which, according to Kona, is “best described as the entry-level version” of the new Process bikes.

They are serious about this bike and its potential. For an added £400 you get a RockShox Monarch R shock with a boost up to 130mm rear travel and Sektor 140mm travel fork, Shimano brakes and a more generous helping of Shimano’s SLX and Deore products throughout. If you can stretch the extra distance price-wise it’ll be worth it.

Price: £1,699
More information: Kona Precept DL