Kona Sutra

Overview

Our inspiring review is coming soon, for now here is what Kona says:

The Sutra is many things. It’s functional. It’s stylish. It’s incredibly versatile, and it comes ready for the long haul on the bike tour of your dreams. Our Kona Cromoly steel frame is outfitted with a Brooks saddle and matching microfiber bar tape, integrated shifter/brake levers, proper fenders, and a real Tubus Tara Big Apple low-rider front rack.

It’s a modern take on the classic touring bike. It’s a grocery getter that’s easy on the eyes. It’s the feeling of steel across pavement that reminds you why you love turning the cranks on long rides. Just like its name suggests it’s the perfect guide for your every ride.

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Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The Kona Sutra’s slacker head tube angle offers a stable ride, particularly useful when navigating uneven or unpredictable surfaces often encountered during bikepacking trips. The high stack height contributes to a more upright and relaxed riding position, which is advantageous for long days in the saddle and helps reduce fatigue. The long chainstay length not only enhances the bike’s overall stability but also provides ample room for rear panniers or bikepacking bags, making it a reliable choice for extended tours.

When it comes to riding characteristics, the Kona Sutra leans towards stability, a crucial factor for bikepacking. The longer top tube and moderate reach values create a stretched-out yet comfortable riding position, which is ideal for covering long distances with a loaded bike. The high stack height allows for an upright posture, reducing the strain on the back and shoulders, a significant advantage during multi-day bikepacking trips. The longer wheelbase and front center measurements further contribute to the bike’s stability, making it exceptionally reliable when traversing different types of terrain, from gravel roads to forest trails.

• Seat Tube Lengths: Ranging from 480mm to 580mm, the Kona Sutra offers a variety of sizes to accommodate different rider heights. This is fairly standard among touring bikes.
• Top Tube Lengths: The top tube lengths vary from 523mm to 605mm. This is on the longer side, which generally offers a more stretched-out riding position, beneficial for long-distance touring.
• Reach: The reach values range from 375mm to 400mm. These are moderate reach values, making the bike neither too aggressive nor too relaxed in terms of rider positioning.
• Stack: With stack values from 551mm to 651mm, the Kona Sutra has a relatively high stack. This often results in a more upright riding position, which can be more comfortable for long rides.
• Standover Height: The standover heights range from 752mm to 854mm. These are typical for touring bikes and offer enough clearance for most riders.
• Head Tube Angle: All sizes have a 70.5-degree head tube angle. This is a bit slacker than typical road bikes but is common in touring bikes for added stability.
• Head Tube Length: Ranging from 105mm to 215mm, these lengths are generally longer, contributing to the bike’s higher stack and more upright riding position.
• Seat Tube Angle: The seat tube angles range from 75.0 degrees to 72.5 degrees. These angles are relatively steep, which can make for more efficient pedaling.
• Chainstay Length: At 445mm for all sizes, the chainstay length is on the longer side, providing stability, especially when the bike is loaded for touring.
• Bottom Bracket Drop: The BB drop varies from 74mm to 70mm. This is a moderate drop, contributing to a lower center of gravity without sacrificing pedal clearance.
• Bottom Bracket Height: The BB heights range from 281mm to 285mm, which is fairly standard and offers a balance between stability and pedal clearance.
• Wheelbase: The wheelbase varies from 1036mm to 1098mm. Longer wheelbases are common in touring bikes for stability.
• Front Center: Ranging from 602mm to 662mm, these are longer front center measurements, contributing to the bike’s overall stability.
• Fork Length: At 415mm across all sizes, this is a standard fork length for touring bikes.
• Fork Offset: With a 50mm fork offset for all sizes, the bike is designed for stable, yet responsive steering.

vs. the Surly Disc Trucker

The Surly Disc Trucker and the Kona Sutra both excel in long-distance touring, but they ride differently. The Surly Disc Trucker is known for its rugged durability and is generally considered a workhorse, capable of carrying heavy loads with ease. It tends to offer a more utilitarian ride, prioritizing function over form. On the other hand, the Kona Sutra leans more towards comfort and stability, especially noticeable in its slacker head tube angle and higher stack height, which contribute to a more upright and relaxed riding position. While both are excellent choices for touring, the Kona Sutra is often seen as the more premium option, offering features like a Brooks saddle that enhance long-ride comfort.

• Groupset:
  • Surly Disc Trucker: Features Shimano Sora and Alivio components, which are reliable for everyday touring and offer a decent range of gears.
  • Kona Sutra: Comes with Shimano GRX and Tiagra components, which are generally considered higher-end, offering smoother shifting and a more versatile gear range.
• Brakes:
  • Surly Disc Trucker: Equipped with mechanical disc brakes that are straightforward and effective, making them easier to maintain on long trips.
  • Kona Sutra: Features a hybrid system of mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, offering more nuanced and reliable stopping power.
• Saddle:
  • Surly Disc Trucker: Comes with a basic but functional saddle that’s durable enough for long rides but may lack in comfort.
  • Kona Sutra: Features a Brooks leather saddle, known for its comfort and durability, making it a great choice for extended touring.
• Ride Feel:
  • Surly Disc Trucker: Designed to be a workhorse, this bike is strong and steady, making it ideal for carrying heavy loads over long distances.
  • Kona Sutra: Engineered for comfort, offering a smoother and more stable ride, which is beneficial for long-distance touring where rider comfort is important.
• Geometry:
  • Surly Disc Trucker: Has a geometry that’s focused on stability, particularly when loaded, making it a solid choice for heavy-duty touring.
  • Kona Sutra: Features a geometry that leans more towards comfort and a relaxed riding position, making it well-suited for extended trips.

vs. the Salsa Marrakesh Alivio

The Salsa Marrakesh is made for stability and control, especially when loaded with gear for long-haul touring. Its geometry aims for an upright riding position to reduce rider fatigue over extended distances. Additionally, the Marrakesh comes standard with both front and rear Salsa racks, offering a level of integration that usually requires additional investment on other bikes, thereby enhancing its overall value. In contrast, the Kona Sutra is designed for a blend of comfort and versatility, offering a smoother and more stable ride ideal for varied touring conditions. While both bikes excel in long-distance touring, the Kona Sutra tends to offer a more comfortable experience at a slightly higher cost.

• Fork:
  • Salsa Marrakesh: The fork is also made of CroMoly steel and is specifically designed to be robust and durable, capable of handling rough and uneven terrains, adding to the bike’s overall durability.
  • Kona Sutra: The fork is a specialized steel touring fork that aims for a balance between comfort and stability. It enhances the bike’s performance on long rides, providing a smoother and more stable ride.
• Groupset:
  • Salsa Marrakesh: Equipped with Shimano Alivio and Acera components, these are reliable and durable, designed to withstand the rigors of long-distance touring. They offer a range of gears suitable for various terrains.
  • Kona Sutra: Features Shimano GRX and Tiagra components, which are generally seen as a step up in terms of quality and performance. These components offer smoother shifting and a wider gear range, making it easier to tackle different terrains.
• Brakes:
  • Salsa Marrakesh: Comes with TRP Spyre-C mechanical disc brakes that are simple, effective, and easier to maintain, especially on long journeys. They provide reliable stopping power in various conditions.
  • Kona Sutra: Features a combination of mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, providing a more nuanced and reliable stopping power, which can be crucial on descents or in emergency situations.
• Saddle:
  • Salsa Marrakesh: Offers a WTB Volt Steel Medium saddle that’s designed to be durable and get the job done, even if it’s not the most comfortable for very long rides.
  • Kona Sutra: Comes with a high-end Brooks B17 leather saddle, known for its comfort and ability to adapt to the rider’s shape over time, making it ideal for long-distance touring.
• Ride Feel:
  • Salsa Marrakesh: This bike is built with a focus on carrying heavy loads. It feels strong and steady on the road, making it ideal for rugged adventures where durability is key.
  • Kona Sutra: Designed more for comfort and a smooth ride, this bike is a good choice for long trips where rider comfort is a priority. The geometry also contributes to a more relaxed riding position.
• Geometry:
  • Salsa Marrakesh: Its geometry is designed for stability, particularly when loaded with gear. This makes it a go-to choice for heavy-duty touring where carrying capacity is a major consideration.
  • Kona Sutra: The bike’s geometry is engineered for a relaxed and comfortable ride, making it well-suited for long distances and extended touring where comfort is just as important as load capacity.

vs. the Bombtrack Arise Tour

The Bombtrack Arise Tour is designed with a focus on adaptability, featuring a 4130 double butted crmo frame and sliding dropouts that allow for various drivetrain options. Its geometry is versatile, suitable for both on-road and off-road touring. In contrast, the Kona Sutra is more oriented towards comfort and long-distance stability, featuring a high-quality steel frame and specialized touring fork. While the Arise Tour offers more customization and is well-suited for mixed-terrain adventures, the Kona Sutra provides a smoother, more stable ride, at a slightly higher relative cost.

• Groupset:
  • Bombtrack Arise Tour: Equipped with a mix of Microshift and Tektro components, this bike offers a wide range of gears and reliable braking. These components are durable and designed to withstand the rigors of long-distance touring.
  • Kona Sutra: Features Shimano GRX and Tiagra components, which are generally seen as a step up in terms of quality and performance. These components offer smoother shifting and a wider gear range, making it easier to tackle different terrains.
• Brakes:
  • Bombtrack Arise Tour: Comes with TRP SPYRE C post mount mechanical disc brakes that are simple, effective, and easier to maintain, especially on long journeys. They provide reliable stopping power in various conditions.
  • Kona Sutra: Features a combination of mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, providing a more nuanced and reliable stopping power, which can be crucial on descents or in emergency situations.
• Saddle:
  • Bombtrack Arise Tour: Offers a Bombtrack Fuzz saddle that’s designed to be durable and get the job done, even if it’s not the most comfortable for very long rides.
  • Kona Sutra: Comes with a high-end Brooks B17 leather saddle, known for its comfort and ability to adapt to the rider’s shape over time, making it ideal for long-distance touring.
• Ride Feel:
  • Bombtrack Arise Tour: This bike is built with a focus on adaptability and versatility. It feels balanced and is well-suited for mixed-terrain adventures, offering a ride that can handle both smooth roads and rough trails.
  • Kona Sutra: Designed more for comfort and a smooth ride, this bike is a good choice for long trips where rider comfort is a priority. The geometry also contributes to a more relaxed riding position.
• Geometry:
  • Bombtrack Arise Tour: Its geometry is versatile and designed for adaptability, making it suitable for both on-road and off-road touring. This allows for a more customizable riding experience.
  • Kona Sutra: The bike’s geometry is engineered for a relaxed and comfortable ride, making it well-suited for long distances and extended touring where comfort is just as important as load capacity.