Nice review. I just picked up the 2023 version and I’m really pleased. I share many of your observations. This bike is a great companion. It rides well naked, with lightweight bikepacking bags or fully loaded touring. It just has a nice unfussy ride quality. I’m running a Wizard Works Shazam Mini up front. Perfect for loading some food, snacks and spares so I can head out for the day. I’m never in a hurry to get home. The ‘long sweet ride’ philosophy holds true.
I misread you and thought you said pissed haha looking to get this as a first real bike, do you recommend it for mostly riding pavement and getting into pike packing? I need something sturdy enough to hold a surfboard haha
Great video(s) also that previous (or maybe the next one :D ) ! You can tell, it's made by someone who loves to ride and loves the tech aspects of bikes (geeek!!). Thank you so much for taking time and making these!! Also, consider yourself blessed, to have such beautiful nature at your doorstep!
I got this bike too, was curious what other owners thought about it, personally I love everything about it from the retro-ish looks to the way it handles its just perfect the only addition/change I've made that I highly recommend is adding a suspension seat post, had one on my previous hardtail and never looked back its like riding on a cloud👌
So I need to post a more recent video. I put the original drivetrain back on it. I think it's spec'd perfectly from the factory for what it's intended use it. Honestly I love this bike more and more every time I ride. It certainly doesn't feel the same as riding a road bike but it's comfy and plenty fast
@@bananasforbikes yeah I agree on the gearing, I live in the uk and we have hills for days in every direction and I've never found myself needing more gears, I got the bike specifically for touring in continental Europe this year but have rode it every day since getting it just because of how comfortable it is. have you been, or plan to bike tour in Europe? looking forward to the updated video👍
Undoubtedly pulling the trigger on this Kona Sutra 56 cm with tubus fr rack paired with a tiagra/GRX groupset in a few weeks and might even get the CO-OP cycles ADV 1.1 both on sale, I can't fcken wait. Enjoy your rides cheers
nice video, i believe you're the only youtuber that has the 2022 model so can't wait to see more videos on it if you plan on releasing more. hope ya enjoy it! plan on getting myself one here soon but finding one while they're in stock has been horrendous. lol
Excellent review, especially for those interested in this bike... You mentioned gearing, I don't want the Sutra SE with bar end shifters, I would rather have the GRX. My question is: Can this GRX handle very steep hills fully laden with panniers> You mentioned swapping out the gearing for steeper hills, can you elaborate on that also? Should I go for the Sutra SE to save the hassle of changing gearing? Thanks, nice review...
It depends on how strong a rider you are. Traditional touring bikes have a 3x drivedrain with a 26tooth small chainring. The 30x36 I think will work for most people. If you plan to use front and rear panniers I would consider either lightening your setup or getting a different cassette
@@bananasforbikes Cheers, average plodder when cycling, maybe the SE would be the best option, not sure about the bar end shifters though, decisions to make... Your review helped with the decision on a Kona and size options, helpful review.
Nice Video. I'm 5 foot 7 (172,5cm) with inseam of 30 inches (77cm). I guess I could go both with the 50 and 52 frame, what would you advise? Want to use this as a touring bike and load it heavy.
52 all the way. I'm 170cm with a 30 inch in seem. If you needed to make it slightly longer get a longer stem. Comes with a 50mm so super short. Fits me perfectly
@@richardfuhrman5322 also, I prefer a more upright posture so it could just be an adjustment phase for you unless you want to be more aero. A 54 is still a reasonable size for you
Nice review. I just picked up the 2023 version and I’m really pleased. I share many of your observations. This bike is a great companion. It rides well naked, with lightweight bikepacking bags or fully loaded touring. It just has a nice unfussy ride quality. I’m running a Wizard Works Shazam Mini up front. Perfect for loading some food, snacks and spares so I can head out for the day. I’m never in a hurry to get home. The ‘long sweet ride’ philosophy holds true.
I misread you and thought you said pissed haha looking to get this as a first real bike, do you recommend it for mostly riding pavement and getting into pike packing? I need something sturdy enough to hold a surfboard haha
@@tomperegrin1558 watch the sizing. I am 6ft and usually 58cm size but 56cm in the Kona. Solid bike. 👌
@@seansixfive good call I'm about 6 1 do you think the 56 is the right call over the 58?
@@tomperegrin1558 yeah, I recon 56cm for you. We are more or less the same height,
Great video(s) also that previous (or maybe the next one :D ) ! You can tell, it's made by someone who loves to ride and loves the tech aspects of bikes (geeek!!). Thank you so much for taking time and making these!! Also, consider yourself blessed, to have such beautiful nature at your doorstep!
The tires are what matter.. you can always put other designer tires on there and see if it's a better bike
I got this bike too, was curious what other owners thought about it, personally I love everything about it from the retro-ish looks to the way it handles its just perfect the only addition/change I've made that I highly recommend is adding a suspension seat post, had one on my previous hardtail and never looked back its like riding on a cloud👌
So I need to post a more recent video. I put the original drivetrain back on it. I think it's spec'd perfectly from the factory for what it's intended use it. Honestly I love this bike more and more every time I ride. It certainly doesn't feel the same as riding a road bike but it's comfy and plenty fast
@@bananasforbikes yeah I agree on the gearing, I live in the uk and we have hills for days in every direction and I've never found myself needing more gears, I got the bike specifically for touring in continental Europe this year but have rode it every day since getting it just because of how comfortable it is.
have you been, or plan to bike tour in Europe?
looking forward to the updated video👍
@@mikascamp yea I'd love to tour the Uk. I've never been. To my surprise there is so much gravel and bike content coming out of the UK, I'm loving it
Great description of a bike!
Undoubtedly pulling the trigger on this Kona Sutra 56 cm with tubus fr rack paired with a tiagra/GRX groupset in a few weeks and might even get the CO-OP cycles ADV 1.1 both on sale, I can't fcken wait. Enjoy your rides cheers
nice video, i believe you're the only youtuber that has the 2022 model so can't wait to see more videos on it if you plan on releasing more. hope ya enjoy it! plan on getting myself one here soon but finding one while they're in stock has been horrendous. lol
I ordered it online from tacoma bikes
@@bananasforbikes appreciate it, i'll check them out & see if they still have any in stock.
Great Review of the Bike! Thank you!
Great review 👍
That seat is great! Love it! and I'm looking at the same bike! We might end up bike twins! lol.
Were you at Mount Pisgah?
This is wild iris
Excellent review, especially for those interested in this bike... You mentioned gearing, I don't want the Sutra SE with bar end shifters, I would rather have the GRX. My question is: Can this GRX handle very steep hills fully laden with panniers> You mentioned swapping out the gearing for steeper hills, can you elaborate on that also? Should I go for the Sutra SE to save the hassle of changing gearing? Thanks, nice review...
It depends on how strong a rider you are. Traditional touring bikes have a 3x drivedrain with a 26tooth small chainring. The 30x36 I think will work for most people. If you plan to use front and rear panniers I would consider either lightening your setup or getting a different cassette
@@bananasforbikes Cheers, average plodder when cycling, maybe the SE would be the best option, not sure about the bar end shifters though, decisions to make... Your review helped with the decision on a Kona and size options, helpful review.
Nice Video. I'm 5 foot 7 (172,5cm) with inseam of 30 inches (77cm). I guess I could go both with the 50 and 52 frame, what would you advise? Want to use this as a touring bike and load it heavy.
52 all the way. I'm 170cm with a 30 inch in seem. If you needed to make it slightly longer get a longer stem. Comes with a 50mm so super short. Fits me perfectly
@@bananasforbikes ok, thanks a lot for the answer! I can ride both in a week, but it will probably be the 52.
Im 5’9” 32 inseam. I tried a 52 but needed a 90mm stem. Im awaiting a 54. Opinion?
@@richardfuhrman5322 go onto bike insights and type in a bike you know fits you well and the sutra and compare the sizes
@@richardfuhrman5322 also, I prefer a more upright posture so it could just be an adjustment phase for you unless you want to be more aero. A 54 is still a reasonable size for you
What cm size is that? What is your height?
Do you think the sizing is comfy?
52cm. I normally ride a 54 so konas run large
Thanks… I’m 6’-0
Would a 54 be good?
@@knockoutfever4 what is your inseem and what bike size do you currently ride
The guards are way to rattly off road I have removed them on my one.