After looking at a bunch of different bikes on sale, I decided to go with the 2025 Kona Process X SRAM from Jenson USA. I wanted to provide my initial response to the bike, for my own reference to come back to, as well as for more data on a bike that's not reviewed much.
Great purchasing experience so far. I've been a Jenson customer a long time, but never bought a complete bike from them. The bike took minimal set up out of the box, and it shifts well and seems lubed/torqued up very well in all the right spots. I've bought Commencals mail-to-order for over a decade now, and this experience was as good or better.
The bike feels very intuitive from the get go. I got a size Large and I'm just under 6'2". So far it's playful, seems capable, and the rear end is more progressive than I was expecting from reading reviews. I thought the stock 450lb spring on the size Large would feel like a couch for me at 215lbs. It's fairly stiff and somewhat springy though, and it was pretty nimble on a blue trail I rode today for how beefy of a bike it is. Overall the bike feels very balanced and neutral, without being bland. It's fun without being twitchy. It's planted and steadfast but still likes to change direction or mess around on features. It doesn't mind jumping over rough parts of the trail, or just plowing through them with pretty good traction. I haven't gotten the Process X into anything super rough or steep yet though.
To be picky, this bike deserves a beefier fork like a Zeb or Fox 38. I kind of want to put a Boxxer 180mm on it, while keeping it pedalable. It also deserves better brakes, because this bike is very fast. But I'm very happy with the specs for $2100 on sale.
Initial Comparisons:
2022 Status 160 S5(XL) - The Process X pedals noticeably better uphill, slightly in the suspension feel, and more importantly in the seat tube angle and overall body position. The Process X feels more nimble on flatter parts of the trail, and keeps that feeling in rougher stuff without being any less capable. The size S5 Status was slightly larger than I normally prefer, and that affected agility for sure. The Status felt more plush and plowy, even with an air shock, but felt unbalanced with a huge reach and too short chainstays so I never got super comfortable anywhere on it but super steep stuff where I prefer a DH rig.
2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 Ride Large - The Meta definitely pedaled uphill a bit better, mainly in the suspension and faster rolling rear tire. Both have a great seating position for going up. Every pedal stroke on the Meta felt like it moved you a bit further though. On flatter to moderately steep trails they have surprisingly similar riding characteristics, but a different frame and suspension feel. The Meta felt a little more racey and with a more linear end stroke feel. The Process X a little more like a freeride bike and a more progressive shock feel.
2020 Commencal Clash Ride Large - The Clash actually pedaled uphill decently, but the Process X has a more modern seating position that's better for me. Also the 29 wheels help the Process X going up. Clash felt even more like a freeride bike, with full 27.5, more fork travel, a steeper head tube angle, and shorter reach, chainstays, and wheelbase. The Clash felt like a big bmx bike with 165/180mm of suspension. The Process X feels more like a proper enduro bike. The Clash was slightly less nimble on moderate to flat terrain even with smaller wheels, it rode heavier overall. The suspension feel between these two was fairly similar though.
