Kona’s current crop of full-power eMTBs is alloy and powered by the Shimano EP800 motor. This isn’t a bad thing at all, but the EP8 has some noticeable rattles and has honestly become slightly dated in the constantly evolving race to make eMTBs more powerful or lighter. While the Shimano EP8 units aren’t inherently bad e-bike motors, and aluminum is a great material for mountain bikes, Kona wanted to trim some fat and make the Remote 160 a little sicker, lighter, and trendier.
That is just what they have done with the new Remote 160 CR. It’s now made of carbon fiber and is powered by the ever-beloved Bosch Performance Line SX motor and a 400Wh battery.
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Details
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- Travel: 160mm front / 160mm rear
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
- Wheel Size: 29″ or MX (MX only on size small)
- Geo:
77º Seat tube angle
445mm chainstays
64º head tube angle
25mm BB Drop (15mm with MX wheels) - Weight: 45.9lb (20.8kg)
- MSRP: $7,899 USD ($10,999 CAD, €8,999 EUR)
Lightweight Power
The Bosch Performance Line SX system isn’t bulky or overpowering, like some of the absolute generators we see on the latest crop of full-power bikes, which make you feel like a passenger. Instead, it’s a lightweight platform designed for responsiveness and efficiency while still giving the feeling of riding a bike. At just 20.8kg (45.9lb) for a complete build, the Remote 160 CR looks set to be a real leap into the modern era for Kona as an eMTB platform.
Kona Bikes
Kona Bikes
Kona Bikes
Sure, the Bosch SX might not be the most nuclear option, but that’s not what this is about. The new Kona Remote 160 CR is a bike first, with assist coming second. Kona wanted to make an eMTB that wouldn’t be all about the power numbers, but rather about the freedom and versatility that power unlocks.
This is something that I really appreciate in 2026, and it’s nice to see that they aren’t getting lost in the fog of chasing endless power and torque, but are more interested in making a bike that rides great, and happens to have a little bit of juice so that you can ride it long.
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Geometry
Kona fans will be stoked to hear that this bike is designed to ride like a carbon Process 153, just with an “engine that kicks like a mechanical horse”. The geometry is intentional; it’s 0.5 degrees slacker than the previous Remote 160 DL, with chainstays lengthened by 5mm to add stability when things get steep. All pragmatic changes that don’t mess too much with the already delightful formula they had going.
Kona Bikes
Kona BIkes
Traction is the name of the game here. By positioning the battery as low as possible, Kona has kept the center of gravity planted, which helps the bike grip hard on climbs and stay composed on the way down. Kind of the best of both worlds here.
And yes, it’s got flip-chip for full 29” or MX wheels. While Small frames ship as a dedicated MX (29″/27.5″) setup, and MD-XL come as full 29ers, the flip chip lets you run whatever wheel configuration you want, when you want.
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Build Kit and Pricing
The spec sheet doesn’t cut corners here, and the Remote 160 CR comes in just one build option, with a parts list that was obviously picked by people who ride bikes, not just to hit the bottom line. Considering the build kit, the price is competitive.
Kona Bikes
Kona Bikes
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Kona is offering the Remote 160 CR as a complete bike only, no framesets, to ensure it “rides like it’s supposed to, every single time”. In terms of the parts spec, you’re looking at $7,899 USD ($10,999 CAD, €8,999 EUR) for the complete package, which includes Shimano Deore Di2 electronic shifting, the latest SRAM Maven Base Brakes, and the new RockShox Lyrik and Super Deluxe, and Schwalbe Radial tires. That warrants a chef’s kiss if you ask me.
The bike is rounded out with the new Bosch Kiox 400C display, a 2-inch color screen. Through the Bosch Flow app, you can customize support levels, torque, and even rearrange the metrics you see on your screen.
Kona Bikes
Kona Bikes
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