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.
**Kona trademarks, logos, photos, and videos are the intellectual property of Kona, and may not be reproduced or used in commerce without the consent of Kona.
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.
Features
Low-Rider Luggage Rack: The Kona Sutra comes with a low-rider luggage rack, which allows for balanced weight distribution during long rides. This feature is particularly valuable for long-distance touring, where the ability to carry loads in a stable manner is crucial.
Reliable Groupset: Featuring Shimano GRX and Tiagra components, the Kona Sutra ensures smooth and reliable shifting across a wide range of gears. This level of performance is especially beneficial when tackling various terrains during long rides, making the bike versatile and dependable.
Superior Braking System: The Kona Sutra boasts a combination of mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, offering nuanced and reliable stopping power. This advanced braking system is a standout feature that significantly enhances rider safety and control during descents and in emergency situations.
Premium Saddle and Grips: The bike comes with a Brooks B17 leather saddle and Brooks Microfiber Brown grips, renowned for their long-lasting comfort and ability to adapt to the rider’s shape over time. This level of comfort is often reserved for more expensive touring bikes, making it a significant value addition to the Kona Sutra.
Bag, Rack, and Fender Mounting Points
The Kona Sutra is well-equipped with a variety of mounting points to cater to all your bikepacking needs:
Frame Mounts: The Kona Sutra features seven sets of standard mounts on the main triangle for larger sizes, and six sets for smaller sizes. These mounts can be used for bolt-on top tube bags and frame bags, offering the flexibility to carry a variety of gear. The placement of these mounts allows for balanced weight distribution, enhancing the bike’s stability during extended rides.
Front and Rear Rack Mounts: The Kona Sutra comes with front and rear rack mounts, offering the flexibility to carry a variety of bags, gear, or panniers. These mounts are strategically placed to distribute weight evenly, making it easier to manage the bike’s handling during long rides.
3-Pack Rack Fork Mounts: These mounts are located on the front fork and are ideal for carrying water bottles or small bags. Their placement allows for easy access while riding, making hydration and snacking more convenient.
Bottle Cage Mounts: The bike features bottle cage mounts on both the top and bottom of the down tube, and sometimes on the seat tube as well. These mounts are designed for easy reach and stability, ensuring your water bottles stay secure even on rough terrains.
Top Tube Mounts: There is a mount on the top tube specifically designed for a fuel tank bag. This is perfect for keeping essential items like snacks or a phone within easy reach, especially during longer rides where quick access is crucial.
Under Downtube Mount: The Kona Sutra also features a mount under the downtube, a common place for carrying an extra water bottle or a tool keg. This mount is particularly useful for long rides where extra hydration or tool access may be needed.
Fender Mounts: These mounts are located near the tires and are designed for attaching fenders. They are particularly useful for rides in muddy or wet conditions, helping to prevent mud and water spray.
Kona Sutras Featured in the Wild
Kona Sutra Review: Touring Revisited by Lucas Winzenburg on BIKEPACKING.com
Lucas Winzenburg, who spent a year riding the Sutra around Colorado, praises its ability to comfortably and competently haul a rider and their gear. He notes that the bike is not designed to be a jack-of-all-trades; instead, it excels in what it’s meant for—long-distance touring on paved roads and smooth gravel. Winzenburg states, “Removing the expectation that it would do everything and paring back the physical aspect of pushing my bike up steep tracks afforded me a fresh perspective and helped me tune into the head-clearing nature of spinning the pedals that made it one of my main passions in the first place.” The bike comes with a variety of mounting points and a sensible mix of components that prioritize function and reliability.
Kona Sutra 2022: Review after 1000 km by Diogo Lopes
Diogo Lopes provides an in-depth review of the 2022 Kona Sutra after riding it for 1,000 kilometers. He praises the bike for its aesthetics, saying, “what I enjoy most about the bike is the look.” Lopes finds the bike extremely comfortable, especially on rough terrains like cobblestones and gravel. He also appreciates the bike’s gearing, which he says “works very well” and allows him to “climb everything.” Lopes has customized the bike to his liking, including adding a rear rack and changing the stem for a more aggressive riding position. Overall, he highly recommends the Kona Sutra for bike touring and off-road adventures.
The Kona Sutra is designed for those who are serious about touring. The bike is heavy-duty, offering a comfortable and stable ride, especially when loaded with gear. It comes with a full steel frame, bar-end shifters, disc brakes, and essential accessories like racks and mudguards. The reviewer praises its comfort and stability, stating, “If you’re planning to cruise into the sunset, it’ll put a smile on your face.” However, they also note that the bike is not for those looking for speed. It’s a fully equipped expedition touring bike that’s ready for any adventure you throw at it.
Specs
Build Kit
The Kona Sutra is equipped with Shimano GRX 600 crankarms and a Deore 11-36t 10-speed cassette, providing a versatile range for various terrains. The braking system includes TRP HDC711C Mechanical/Hydraulic calipers and 160mm rotors for reliable stopping power. For comfort, it comes with a Brooks B17 Leather saddle and Brooks Microfiber Brown grips. The bike rolls on Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700x40c tires, ensuring durability and grip. Extras include fenders with mudflaps and a front rack.
Frameset
- Frame: Kona Cromoly Butted
- Fork: Kona Project Two Cromoly Disc Touring
Drivetrain
- Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX 400 or Microshift
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 400 or Microshift
- Cassette: Shimano Deore 11-36t 10spd or Microshift Advent X 11-48t 10spd
- Crankset: Shimano GRX 600 or Prowheel
- Shifter: Shimano Tiagra or Microshift
- Brakes: Shimano Tiagra or Microshift
- Rotors: TRP TR160mm
Components
- Headset: FSA No.1/No.10
- Stem: Kona Road
- Handlebar: Kona Road
- Grips / Bar Tape: Brooks Microfiber Brown
- Seatpost: Kona Deluxe Thumb w/Offset 27.2mm
- Saddle: Brooks B17 Leather
- Seatclamp: Kona Clamp
Wheels
- Front Wheel: WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0, Formula 100x12mm
- Rear Wheel: WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0, Formula 142x12mm
- Tires: Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 700x40c
Frame Construction
The Kona Sutra’s frame features a consistent head tube angle of 70.5 degrees across all sizes, contributing to stable and predictable steering. The seat tube angles vary from 75.0 to 72.5 degrees, allowing for a more upright or leaned riding position depending on the size. Chainstay length is uniform at 445mm, providing a balanced weight distribution. The bottom bracket drop ranges from 74 to 70, affecting the bike’s center of gravity and stability. The wheelbase varies from 1036 to 1098mm, influencing the bike’s responsiveness and stability. The frame is crafted with high-quality welding and includes a dropout system for added versatility.
Geometry
| HEIGHT/INCHES | HEIGHT/METRIC | INSEAM/INCHES | INSEAM/METRIC | ROVE | LIBRE | SUTRA | DEWS | COCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4’10”-5’1″ | 147-155cm | 24”-27” | 61-69cm | 48cm | 50cm | 48cm | N/A | XS |
| 5’0″-5’3″ | 152-160cm | 26″-29″ | 66-74cm | 48-50cm | 50cm | 48-50cm | Small | Small |
| 5’2″-5’7″ | 157-170cm | 27″-30″ | 69-76cm | 48-52cm | 50-52cm | 48-52cm | Small, Medium | Small, Medium |
| 5’6″-5’10” | 168-178cm | 29″-31″ | 74-79cm | 52-54cm | 52-54cm | 52-54cm | Medium | Medium |
| 5’9″-6’0″ | 175-183cm | 30″-33″ | 76-84cm | 52-56cm | 54-56cm | 54-56cm | Medium, Large | Medium, Large |
| 5’11”-6’2″ | 180-188cm | 32″-35″ | 81-89cm | 54-58cm | 54-58cm | 54-58cm | Large, XL | Large |
| 6’1″-6’5″ | 185-196cm | 33″-36″ | 84-91cm | 56-58cm | 58cm | 56-58cm | XL | N/A |
Warranty
WARRANTY REGISTRATIONS
Registration is no longer necessary for your Kona warranty to be valid.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Kona Bicycle Company ( “Kona” ) makes the following limited Warranty:
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON COMPLETE BICYCLE (USA, UK & CANADA)
Kona warrants to the original owner that this new Kona bicycle shall be free of defective materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase in the United States or Canada and operated under normal conditions and use. During this one-year period, Kona shall repair or replace, at its sole option, all parts that are found by Kona to be defective and subject to this limited warranty. The original owner shall pay all labor charges connected with the repair or replacement of all parts. On Kona electric pedal-assist bikes, the electronic system is covered by a two-year warranty, whereby accidents or consumer mistakes like shorting polarity are not covered. Warranty on the battery is for one year, at the end of that period, the battery is guaranteed to retain at least 70% of its original capacity.
TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON COMPLETE BICYCLE (EUROPE)
Kona warrants to the original owner that this newly purchased Kona bicycle shall be free of defective materials and workmanship for the two-year period stated under EU consumer protection laws, dated from the original purchase and subject to normal conditions and use. During this two-year period, Kona shall repair or replace, at its sole option, all parts that are found by Kona to be defective and therein subject to this limited warranty.
THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON KONA BRANDED BICYCLE FORKS.
LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY ON BICYCLE FRAME (USA, CANADA, UK & EUROPE ONLY)*
Kona further warrants to the original owner that the frame of this new Kona bicycle purchased from an authorized Kona dealer shall be free of defective materials or workmanship for the lifetime of the product. This is ONLY VALID ON NON-CARBON FRAMES. During this warranty period, Kona shall repair or replace, at its sole option, the bicycle frame if Kona determines the frame is defective and subject to this limited warranty. The color on the warranty frame may vary from the color of the original frame. The original owner shall pay all labor and shipping charges connected with the repair or replacement of the bicycle frame. This warranty is only valid in the UK, USA, Canada, and Europe.
*This is valid on all non-carbon Kona bicycle frames. CARBON FRAMES receive 3-year warranty.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
This limited warranty is made only to the original owner of this Kona bicycle purchased from an authorized Kona dealer, and it shall remain in force only as long as the original owner retains ownership of the Kona bicycle. This limited warranty is not transferable. In order to obtain service under this Limited Warranty, the original owner must deliver the Kona bicycle, and the bill of sale or other dated proof of purchase document identifying the Kona bicycle by frame number/serial number, to an authorized Kona dealer. This Limited Warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, nor to defects, malfunctions or failures that result from the abuse, neglect, improper maintenance, alteration, modification, accident, or misuse (including without limitation bicycle racing, bicycle motocross, stunt bicycling, commercial use or rental use) of the Kona bicycle. Damage caused by transporting bicycle, especially across the tailgate of a pickup truck – even when a pad is used – voids warranty.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS THE ONLY EXPRESS OR LIMITED WARRANTY APPLICABLE TO KONA BICYCLES. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL BE LIMITED IN SCOPE AND DURATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. KONA SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY ANY PARTY. THE FOREGOING STATEMENTS OF WARRANTY ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER REMEDIES.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS; YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE OR PROVINCE TO PROVINCE. SOME STATES OR PROVINCES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES; SO, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH HEREIN MAY NOT BE EXTENDED, ENLARGED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED BY ANY KONA DEALER, AGENT OR EMPLOYEE, AND KONA DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY OR MAKE ANY WARRANTY EXCEPT AS STATED IN THE LIMITED WARRANTY.
WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES IN USA, CANADA, UK AND EUROPE. PLEASE SEE YOUR DEALER OR DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE SPECIFIC WARRANTY IN YOUR COUNTRY. WARRANTY VALID ONLY IF BICYCLE IS ASSEMBLED BY AN AUTHORIZED KONA DEALER.
NOTE:
Warranty is made only to the original owner of this Kona bicycle purchased from an authorized Kona dealer, and it shall remain in force only as long as the original owner retains ownership of the Kona bicycle. This limited warranty is not transferable.
