[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Mountain bike brand Kona has unveiled the Unity, a new bicycle designed for bikepacking. The model combines mountain biking, gravel riding and long-distance loaded riding functions, and highlights load stability and expandability as its core strengths.

BikeBiz, a mobility outlet, reported on April 9 local time that the Unity is a multipurpose bicycle designed with various terrains and load conditions in mind. Kona defined it as an "ultimate practical bicycle" and said it optimised the structure to enable stable riding even while carrying gear.

The frame design focuses on riding with cargo. It accommodates large tires and mixed wheel configurations, allowing the centre of gravity to be controlled effectively. Kona said it increased rear-wheel rigidity and secured space to mount a rear rack and seat bag to improve stability on long-distance rides.

The geometry was also adjusted on the assumption that the bike is carrying cargo. Kona said it refined the fork offset and handling characteristics so the bike maintains predictable steering performance even when loaded. It applied an integrated front cargo rack and expanded the front triangle to mount a frame bag.

Kona presented the front-loading approach as a distinguishing feature. It applied an integrated front rack fixed directly to the frame to minimise the impact of weight on steering. Kona emphasised that stable handling can be maintained without wobble even with a week’s worth of equipment loaded at the front.

Expandability is also a key feature. The Unity is compatible with widely used third-party front and rear carriers, and users can customise configurations through various mounting points. It placed multiple mounts on the top tube, down tube, fork and stays to allow flexible attachment of bottle cages, cargo cages and tool carriers.

The drivetrain and rear structure were also designed to broaden real-world use. It supports SRAM T-Type and UDH, and the wheel position can be adjusted through sliding dropouts. A single-speed setup is also possible if needed. The offset stays focus on reducing interference between tires and racks.

Storage capacity also targets demand for long-distance riding. Kona designed a large front triangle to maximise the area for a frame bag, enabling efficient packing of water, tools, food and other gear.

The price was set at $2,699, or about 4 million won. Kona presented the Unity as a model spanning terrain-crossing rides to off-grid long-distance riding, and expects it to establish itself as a strategic product targeting the bikepacking market.