Kona Libre

Overview

The Libre is a bike for riders who want something zippy on and off the gravel. It’s a bike that can handle it all, road, gravel, or singletrack, with ease. It’s lighter than your old “gravel” bike, while possessing more aggressive geometry so that you can shred fourth with confidence. It’s affordable, a little bit quirky, and exactly what we love in a gravel bike. The Libre is a bike that will make you smile on every ride, no matter where you go.

The Kona Libre is ideal for your next gravel-oriented bikepacking trip.  As a lightweight and nimble machine that can handle any gravel road or trail with grace, its ready for bikepacking routes like the Oregon Outback, the Great Divide, or the Trans North Georgia. The Kona Libre is ready to load up with mounts for racks, bags and more. This bicycle invites you to get out there and be out there. Répondez s’il vous plaît?

Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The Kona Libre sports a unique geometry that sets it apart in the world of gravel bikes. It possesses a longer front-center coupled with a slacker head tube angle, features typically seen in mountain bikes, but strategically implemented here for improved stability and control. Its shorter chainstays offer agile and responsive handling, while the dropped top tube provides increased standover height, adding to the overall versatility and comfort. Wide tire clearance, another key aspect of its geometry, allows for flexibility across different types of terrains.

In terms of ride feel, the Kona Libre offers an exceptionally balanced and versatile performance. The geometry works harmoniously with its wide, grippy tires to deliver a stable, comfortable ride that excels on loose surfaces and steep descents, but also performs admirably on tarmac. The shorter chainstays contribute to a lively, quick-to-accelerate feel that makes the bike fun to ride, whether you’re powering up climbs or sprinting on flats. This, combined with the more relaxed, upright riding position afforded by the slacker head angle, ensures that long-distance comfort doesn’t compromise agility and power transfer.

• Seat Tube Length: Ranges from 455mm to 550mm across sizes. This suggests a variety of options for riders of different heights, making it more inclusive.
• Top Tube Length: Ranges from 543mm to 608mm. A longer top tube generally indicates a more stretched-out riding position, which is often seen in performance-oriented bikes.
• Reach: Varies from 378mm to 394mm. The reach is relatively moderate, indicating a balanced riding position that is neither too aggressive nor too relaxed compared to other bikes.
• Stack: Ranges from 575mm to 660mm. A higher stack height is generally associated with a more upright riding position, which is common in bikes designed for comfort and long rides.
• Standover Height: Ranges from 740mm to 837mm. The varying standover height accommodates a wide range of rider inseam lengths, offering more flexibility in fit.
• Head Tube Angle: Ranges from 70.5 to 71 degrees. This is a relatively relaxed angle, often found in bikes designed for stability and control rather than aggressive speed.
• Head Tube Length: Varies significantly from 137.0mm to 230.0mm. The variation in head tube length allows for a range of handlebar heights, catering to different riding styles.
• Seat Tube Angle: Ranges from 72 to 74 degrees. A steeper seat tube angle is generally found in bikes designed for more aggressive riding, while the Libre offers a range that accommodates both aggressive and relaxed riding styles.
• Chainstay Length: Fixed at 440mm across all sizes. A longer chainstay length is often associated with increased stability, especially at higher speeds.
• Bottom Bracket Drop: Varies from 70mm to 75mm. A larger BB drop can add to the bike’s stability by lowering the center of gravity.
• Bottom Bracket Height: Ranges from 267mm to 272mm. This is a moderate range, indicating a balance between stability and pedal clearance.
• Wheelbase: Ranges from 1042mm to 1084mm. A longer wheelbase generally offers more stability, particularly at higher speeds.
• Front Center: Varies from 613mm to 654mm. The front center distance can affect the bike’s handling and toe overlap, with the Libre offering a range that aims for balanced handling.
• Fork Length and Fork Offset: Fixed at 410mm and 50mm respectively across all sizes. These dimensions are fairly standard and contribute to the bike’s overall handling characteristics.

vs. the Kona Rove DL

The Kona Rove DL is designed for comfort and versatility, featuring a butted Cromoly frame and a more relaxed geometry that includes a shorter top tube and a less aggressive seat tube angle. It’s components make it well-suited for a stable and comfortable ride. In contrast, the Kona Libre aims for high-performance gravel riding, utilizing a 6061 Aluminium Butted frame and a more aggressive geometry. It’s components make it more geared towards riders looking for speed and agility on mixed terrains. The Libre is positioned as a higher-end option compared to the more budget-friendly Rove DL.

• Frameset:
  • Rove DL: Features a Kona Butted Cromoly frame, known for its durability and comfort, paired with a Kona Project Two Cromoly Disc fork.
  • Libre: Comes with a Kona 6061 Aluminium Butted frame, which is lighter and a Kona Libre Carbon fork for improved handling and weight reduction.

• Ride Feel:
  • Rove DL: Designed for a more relaxed and comfortable ride, suitable for various terrains and riding styles.
  • Libre: More performance-oriented, designed for riders looking for speed and agility on mixed terrains.
• Geometry:
  • Rove DL: Features a more relaxed geometry for versatility and comfort.
  • Libre: Comes with a geometry that is more geared towards performance, facilitating a more aggressive riding position.

vs. the Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700c

The Salsa Journeyman Apex 1 700c is designed for versatile drop-bar touring, featuring a Journeyer Thru-Axle frame and Waxwing fork that offer a balanced and stable ride. Its components and geometry is tailored for comfort on long journeys. However, the Journeyer uses Tektro MD-C550 brakes and Teravail Washburn 700c x 38 mm tires, focusing on durability and control. While the Libre is geared towards high-performance gravel riding with its more aggressive geometry and lighter aluminum frame, the Journeyer aims for comfort and stability, ideal for extended touring.

• Frame Material:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700c: Features a Journeyer Drop-Bar Thru-Axle frame designed for stability and comfort, ideal for long-distance touring.
  • Kona Libre: Utilizes a Kona 6061 Aluminium Butted frame, which is lighter and geared towards high-performance gravel riding.

• Brakes and Rotors:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700c: Uses Tektro MD-C550 brakes and Tektro TR160-22 rotors, focusing on durability and control for long journeys.
  • Kona Libre: Equipped with TRP HDC711C Mechanical / Hydraulic brake calipers and TRP TR160mm rotors, designed for consistent and effective braking across various terrains.

• Ride Feel:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700c: Engineered for a balanced and comfortable ride, making it well-suited for long-distance touring and extended rides.
  • Kona Libre: Designed for a more aggressive, performance-oriented ride, ideal for riders looking for speed and agility on mixed terrains.
• Geometry:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700c: Features a geometry tailored for comfort and stability, ideal for long journeys and touring.
  • Kona Libre: Boasts a more aggressive geometry with a longer top tube and moderate reach, facilitating a stretched-out and aerodynamic riding position.

vs. the Bombtrack Hook

The Bombtrack Hook is designed for rugged off-road capabilities, featuring a steel frame that provides a smooth and forgiving ride on rough terrains. Its geometry leans towards stability, making it well-suited for bikepacking and long-distance gravel rides. On the other hand, the Kona Libre is engineered for high-performance gravel riding with its 6061 Aluminium Butted frame and more aggressive geometry, which includes a longer top tube and moderate reach for a stretched-out, speed-focused riding position. While the Hook excels in durability and comfort, the Libre aims for agility and speed

• Frame Material:
  • Bombtrack Hook: The Columbus Cromor double-butted steel frame offers excellent durability and a smooth ride by absorbing road vibrations. This makes it ideal for long-distance gravel rides and bikepacking adventures.
  • Libre: The Kona 6061 Aluminium Butted frame is lighter and more performance-oriented, providing a stiffer and more responsive ride, especially suited for high-speed gravel riding.
• Fork:
  • Bombtrack Hook: The full carbon fork comes with fender and triple cage mounts, offering versatility and weight reduction, which is beneficial for long rides and carrying gear.
  • Libre: The Kona Libre Carbon fork aims to reduce weight and improve handling, making it more agile on mixed terrains.

• Drivetrain and Shifters:
  • Bombtrack Hook: Comes with Shimano GRX ST-RX400 STI 2 x 10 shifters and Shimano GRX derailleurs, offering reliable shifting and performance tailored for gravel and off-road conditions.
  • Libre: The SRAM Apex groupset, including the rear derailleur and shifter, provides smooth and quick gear changes, optimized for gravel riding.
• Brakes:
  • Bombtrack Hook: Features Shimano GRX BR-RX400 hydraulic disc brakes with 160 mm rotors, offering strong and reliable stopping power, especially important for off-road and downhill sections.
  • Libre: Equipped with TRP HDC711C Mechanical / Hydraulic brake calipers and TRP TR160mm rotors, providing consistent and effective braking performance across various terrains.
• Crankset and BB:
  • Bombtrack Hook: The Bombtrack Lyer forged aluminium crank and Bombtrack T47 internal sealed BB offer a durable and efficient power transfer, ideal for tackling challenging terrains.
  • Libre: Comes with a SRAM Apex crankset, which is known for its reliability and efficient power transfer, making it suitable for high-performance gravel riding.
• Cassette:
  • Bombtrack Hook: Features a Shimano CS-HG50 10-speed, 11 – 36 T cassette, offering a versatile range of gears for climbing and descending.
  • Libre: The SRAM PG1130 11-42t 11-speed cassette provides a wide gear range, allowing for better speed control on varied terrains.

• Ride Feel:
  • Bombtrack Hook: Engineered for a more relaxed and comfortable ride, the Hook excels in durability and comfort, making it especially suitable for rugged terrains and long-distance gravel rides.
  • Libre: Designed for a more aggressive, performance-oriented ride, the Libre is ideal for riders who are looking to push their speed and agility limits on mixed terrains.
• Geometry:
  • Bombtrack Hook: The bike’s geometry leans more towards stability and comfort, making it well-suited for long-distance gravel rides and bikepacking adventures.
  • Libre: Features a more aggressive geometry with a longer top tube and moderate reach, facilitating a stretched-out and aerodynamic riding position, optimized for speed and performance.