fishugly

The 2015 Kona Process 153 was my first and only real mountain bike... and I have ridden few others since. So, I don't have much experience with how other bikes feel. I also have not kept up on what's going on in the bike world. From what little I have experienced though, it seems my bike feels a little heavy and quirky feeling.

I rode MX bikes for years and raced motocross throughout the 80s and early 90s...so I'm no stranger to 2 wheels. My favorite style of riding is flow tracks, fast downhill, and messing about with jumping and trying to learn new tricks. I like the idea of having a lighter, nimble, flickable, and playful bike that is also stable and confidence inspiring while going fast downhill.

That said, I cringe at buying a new bike given how expensive they are. So, I have to ask: Are the new bikes that much better then my 2015 Process? If so, which bikes should I be looking at? And should I stick to 27.5 being I want something playful and nimble? I would prefer to spend less than $4000 but may go up to $5000.

prj71

At $5000 you have a good selection of bikes to choose from. Go out and ride some and find out what works for you.

27.5 or 29 is a personal choice. Although 29 rolls over chunk much better.

Darth Lefty 

There haven't been any massive changes in five years, no. Probably the big thing is that the 1x drivetrain and dropper from the top of the lineup came down to everyone.

"Nimble and playful" is a niche compared to trail or enduro bikes. Not every company has one but the Mojo 4, 5010, and Rustler are in this category. They tend to have 27.5 wheels, not so slack geometry, and a different suspension design.

The Process 153 is an enduro bike for winching uphill comfortably and smashing downhill fast, the 134 is a trail bike. Here are some analysis of the 2014 and 2018 Process 153 model suspensions. Antonio liked the newer one a lot better but it's still more an enduro bike
https://linkagedesign.blogspot.com/20...-153-2018.html
https://linkagedesign.blogspot.com/20...-153-2014.html

eshew

Tough to beat a process 153. Great bikes, I loved mine, it was just a little small (2015 medium).

I built it up from the frame with a 1X and shimano XT kit, pre covid so it was affordable at the time.

Best upgrades were a newer debonair air spring up front & a lowers service, 2nd best was changing the rear shock to a Monarch RT3. I did sell it & upgrade to a Process 153 CR 29. I do miss that old 153, in the future I'll be looking out for a larger version of that frame, it ripped imho.

If you haven't I'd give that bike a good service, lube/replace bearings, service the front & rear shocks, debonair air spring up front. All low cost options that should not only make it ride better but will increase your sales price when it comes time to let it go.

Your bike should be pretty darn flickable unless you think you're going to move to lower travel, but honestly a well tuned 153 should eat up the trails, be flickable & have the ability to take anything you want to throw at it.

fishugly

Thanks. That's good to hear. Having spent so little time on other bikes, I just didn't know. Hard to ignore all the hype though.

The only thing I've done to mine is an SLX 1x. Other than that, it still has the original tires (i.e., worn!) which, I'm sure if I replaced, what make a noticeable difference. I like the idea of the other upgrades you mentioned but I'm not sure I want to put that much into it...particularly when it needs some new bearings and tires. Maybe if I could find a used shock....

Thanks to the other posters as well!

prj71

Looking at the specs of your bike and the geometry numbers....That is a damn nice bike for 2015 and still relevant today in my opinion. Some shock upgrades and routine maintenance should keep you going for a few more years.

fishugly

Thanks. The reviews on it back then were glowing, from the bang-for-the-buck components to the geometry. I seem to recall that even though the rear suspension wasn't the greatest, the rest was good enough to overcome. I would like to spend some time on different styles sometime to feel for myself. For now though...