Gallery: Inside the supremely eclectic Kona Bikes HQ
Kona operates out of two main offices, but has employees working remotely all over the world.
Kona Bikes was founded in 1988 by Dan Gerhard and Jacob Heilbron. Since the early days, they’ve been headquartered in a small nondescript office in an industrial quarter of Vancouver, British Columbia, in western Canada.
In case of Zombie Apocalypse.
Vancouver is a beautiful city, but it does have it’s sketchier side. So just in case, Kona keeps this sketchy machete stashed near the entrance. Please note, it’s for emergency use only.
Bar bikes.
The building consists of two floors. On the upper level is the shipping area and main office. On the lower floor, as you enter the building, you’re greeted by a row of commuter rigs.
The original Hei Hei was a hardtail. Today, it’s a full suspension carbon fiber superbike.
That Ti number at the end of the row might be our favorite commuter.
Kona spells classy with a K.
Follow this hallway and you’ll pop into Kona World. This is where the co-owners and managerial team of Kona sit. I hope you weren’t expecting new age Swedish furniture and an accent wall made from reclaimed barn pallets.
Over 25 years of mountain bike history is displayed on these walls.
Kona moved into these offices in the early 1990s. For many years the bikes were assembled, warehoused, and shipped from this office. These days, this building houses upper management, sales, accounting, and warranty, among other things. The main warehouse and distribution center is located across the border in Bellingham, Washington.
Of course they have an espresso machine.
Normally this is where we would include a picture of the fridge, but the only beer in there was Kokanee. You don’t visit Canada for the IPA.
This rooftop oasis is accessible via a ladder in the kitchen.
What Kona HQ lacked in quality beer it made up for with views.
Continue to page 2 for more of our Kona Bikes headquarters tour »
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