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Video: Supply Chain, Quality Control & Riding Bikes with Kona's Production Coordinator Nicole Hsu

May 13, 2020
by Kona Bikes  
My Kona - Nicole Hsu

by konaworld
Views: 9,067    Faves: 16    Comments: 5



Nicole Hsu is Kona's production coordinator. Based out of Taiwan, Nicole is our go-to person to ensure our bikes are being manufactured, assembled, and painted to our satisfaction. Outside of work, Nicole loves to ride her Process on her local trails, and the trails of Vancouver's North Shore. She represents a crucial step in the bike-making Process for Kona and we are lucky to have someone as dedicated and awesome as Nicole!

My Kona - Nicole Hsu

My Kona - Nicole Hsu

Check out all of our other My Kona vidoes to get to know the people behind our bikes.

Lacy Kemp / Aaron Hogg / Ian Schmitt / Scott Mackay / Mark Allison / Trevor Porter / Matt Shelton / Joe Hamilton / Jordan Sembler / Jake Heilbron

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73 Comments
  • 55 0
 Nicole's great! When I lived in Taiwan a few years ago she was one of the first people to show me the local trails in Taipei.
  • 3 0
 +1, she really is great- she was also my introduction to the people and trails of the Taipei region
  • 2 0
 The photo footage you left in Taiwan are truly amazing. At the end you see more trails and beauties than Taiwanese! Good to have friends like you and Emily. Best regards to the LTrumpore family Smile
  • 2 0
 @worldrider: Thanks for waiting for me while I introducing the trail! Still shredding trail on your gravel bike?
  • 2 1
 @davieangel: we’re moving back in July. Hodala!
  • 1 0
 @ltrumpore: That's wonderful!! looking forward to ride and Hodala!!!
  • 38 0
 That was genuinely interesting to hear from someone on the manufacturing side - we hear a lot from the marketing and R&D guys based in the US but hardly ever from the people in the far east.
  • 16 0
 Yes I enjoy these "My Kona" ads too, they are a different approach in getting exposure.
As a guy still riding a 2015 134 I enjoyed seeing a v.1 in a new edit. I'm very happy with mine, but am dying to ride one of the v. 2 and see how they've changed.
  • 4 0
 I did always wonder where my old process was built, you have visions of what the factory looks like and its nice to see the real thing!
  • 1 0
 maybe the people who started Kona came from mfg roots? i'm guessing this because of their frame names: Process, Operator. Their flagship mtb's have names that mfg employees would have as titles (process engineer, operator).
  • 3 0
 @usmbc-co-uk: I thought a bike factory was a sweat shop, steam punk industrial hell kinda of place. Reality is it’s a modern high tech factory with artisans. Seeing all those new frames makes me want to go out and buy a new bike. Other behind the scene videos seemed to be almost censored this one shows a lot more.
  • 4 0
 @cuban-b: and stinky. Don't forget stinky.
  • 2 0
 @flaflow: I am not sure about the 134 but I do believe there was an older version of the Process 153 from 2013. It had the traditional Kona 4-bar suspension setup with a vertical mounted shock. I agree with you that the Process is an awesome bike. I ride and love the 167 and am trying to get my hands on a 111.
  • 6 0
 @sspiff: And HUMUHUMU NUKUNUKU A'PUA'A. Don't forget HUMUHUMU NUKUNUKU A'PUA'A.
  • 2 0
 @kingbike2: +1, been eyeing up a Process 153 DL 29er for a while now - hmmmm
  • 1 0
 @vinay: That's just named after a fish, but i own one and its so much fun. Probably the best kona ever made
  • 1 0
 @mojavehac: you're right, sort of. Kona used the process name in (maybe) '13 on a 29" bike. I dont know its travel, or anything about it, but in 2014 they introduced the 3 models we now call version 1.
  • 14 1
 So good to see some of the work that goes on behind the scenes in production! I'd love to see more of this content, i'm curious how Kona & wider industry manages it's supplier base from a Materials/chemicals sustainability & ethical work POV. Appreciate the insight from another industry sourcing & production colleague!
  • 9 0
 As a manufacturing engineer, this was refreshing to see a bit more of the reality of bike production. Quality engineers don't get near the credit they deserve. Most people would not believe the amount of time and effort that goes in to developing repeatable processes. Oh and designing is one thing but designing to be manufacturable at scale is a completely different beast.
  • 10 1
 Never challenge anyone on the Taiwan-side of the bike industry to a drinking match, haha! Nicole would obliterate most of us I'm sure.
  • 7 0
 Such a refreshing video. Thank you Kona for calling out the many people in the bike industry that don't normally get the spotlight... kind of like a "this Bud's for you" ad... love it!
  • 9 0
 I’ve never owned a Kona, but man I really wanted that Stab Deluxe back in the day!
  • 5 0
 And don't forget the legendary Stinky.
  • 2 0
 @chyu: I add to the list the Entourage & proccess 167!
  • 2 0
 I had an original Stab. Blue with yellow flames. I loved that thing.
  • 1 0
 @Justmatthew: ballin! I ended up with the Kawasaki green Norco VPS1. My first true DH bike. Think it was a 99?
  • 1 0
 @Justmatthew: 1995 kilauea
  • 8 1
 ".....I start working when I get off the bed"...sits at her laptop with a beer next to it....AWESOME!
  • 4 0
 This is soo AWESOME to see! Having worked in the snowsports industry and in quality/production our Asian teams and counterparts were so (bleeping) pivotal in making good products and they were so passionate and fun to be with! It Was always a highlight of my production year to head over experience a new perspective and culture. More of this! Thanks, Kona.
  • 2 0
 @nate-simpson I hear what you're saying
  • 7 0
 Nicole, I love my Process - thanks for the hard work!
  • 2 0
 Glad to see another happy Process owner here! I love my Processs too! MY15 Process 134 and Process 167.
  • 4 0
 Nicole you seem like an old friend that I’ve known for years. Would love to shred bikes and drink beers with ya!
  • 1 0
 Sounds like a good plan!!
  • 5 0
 Big props for the Life Cycles epic Devinci production scene shout out.
  • 6 1
 Oi oi Nicole!
  • 3 0
 Lot's of love to our brothers and sisters in the Far East that make us some amazing bikes!!
  • 3 0
 Thank you for posting this - very cool content. The breadth of knowledge that Nicole must have to do that job is awesome.
  • 3 0
 Video? Where the video at?
  • 1 0
 @yerbikesux Fixed now
  • 6 3
 Guess what? Humans in other countries need jobs too. Great content!
  • 3 0
 Dream Job! Love my Kona Process 153
  • 2 0
 still riding my 2014 Process 134, by far the bike that I rode more and still flawless
  • 1 0
 The best do it all bike!
  • 2 0
 Those G1 processes were so cool. I hope they revisit the design for the G3
  • 1 0
 The OG G1 Process. 26" wheels and all!

2013.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=process_dl
  • 2 0
 So proud of you, Nicole!
  • 1 0
 Miss you my sis! Take care and we will ride together soon!
  • 2 0
 Oh link
  • 2 0
 Bro's before vidoes...
  • 2 0
 well done.
  • 1 0
 Talking of Kona, whatever happened to Brodie bikes and the Dr Dew line?
  • 2 0
 Coo vid man✌️
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