My Sutra SE is amazing, puts a smile on my face everytime I ride it. Carried me around Europe earlier this year, Its a great mixed terrain touring bike and the 3x drivetrain made carrying far too much crap easier.
Rode this same bike on tour of New Zealand agree with every point said about the bike it never let me down it was so good a purchased another in the UK as I visit New Zealand often so always have a bike there
Excellent review - as a fellow Sutra owner I agree! Though I have not put the miles on that you have. I also found the stock gearing to be too high for me (not low enough climbing gear and too-high top gears to be useful). In my case I replaced the crankset with something that has smaller chainrings, to move the entire range down, the Rivendell Clipper 42/26, down from the stock 46/30. I love it now - it was a great mod.
My mind boggles, but what I have gathered is that this bike is suitable for a not so speedy rider and one that likes to hoard with all its holding places 😊
It is just a bit cleaner than the day when you came off the Katy trail. I like your wide handle bars - been thinking about replacing my stock Ritchey bars on my gravel bike.
Hi Mat, a very good value bike and served you well. You could see how stable the ride was while you filmed and were riding. Strongly suggest you go the other way on your brakes. Just get full hydraulic with 180 rotors to handle the weight of a touring bike. 160 would be OK too. So much better modulation, performance in the rain and very reliable these days. Which bike will you take to NZ?
I will just say that consensus on the Sutra seems to be that they run large. I ride a 54 road bike and I fit perfectly on my 52 Kona Sutra. I'm 5' 8 1/2". Interested to hear what Mat's experience is.
Full hydraulic brakes are totally worth it. I have mechanical on my road bike and hydraulic on my gravel bike. I'd never buy another bike with mechanical brakes.
Yes. 700x50c tyres fit. I've had them on this bike without fenders. It's a little tight at the back but they fit. I decided to go with WTB Riddler 700x45.
Your experience with the Kona Sutra affirmed my impression of the bike. I want one for a traveling rails/trails bike versus my Surly Bridge Club 27.5 dirt road tractor than is at home on Wyoming and Montana chonk with full loads.
My Sutra SE is amazing, puts a smile on my face everytime I ride it.
Carried me around Europe earlier this year, Its a great mixed terrain touring bike and the 3x drivetrain made carrying far too much crap easier.
Rode this same bike on tour of New Zealand agree with every point said about the bike it never let me down it was so good a purchased another in the UK as I visit New Zealand often so always have a bike there
Excellent review - as a fellow Sutra owner I agree! Though I have not put the miles on that you have. I also found the stock gearing to be too high for me (not low enough climbing gear and too-high top gears to be useful). In my case I replaced the crankset with something that has smaller chainrings, to move the entire range down, the Rivendell Clipper 42/26, down from the stock 46/30. I love it now - it was a great mod.
My mind boggles, but what I have gathered is that this bike is suitable for a not so speedy rider and one that likes to hoard with all its holding places 😊
It is just a bit cleaner than the day when you came off the Katy trail. I like your wide handle bars - been thinking about replacing my stock Ritchey bars on my gravel bike.
Hi Mat, a very good value bike and served you well. You could see how stable the ride was while you filmed and were riding. Strongly suggest you go the other way on your brakes. Just get full hydraulic with 180 rotors to handle the weight of a touring bike. 160 would be OK too. So much better modulation, performance in the rain and very reliable these days. Which bike will you take to NZ?
Thanks for the input. I'll look at a fully hydraulic set up. It seems pricey though. I'll be taking the Sonder to New Zealand.
Love your videos. What size is the bike and how tall are you? Thanks!
Hi. It's a 56cm and I'm 5 foot 10".
Hey Mat, Im wondering what size your Kona is and how tall you are?
I will just say that consensus on the Sutra seems to be that they run large. I ride a 54 road bike and I fit perfectly on my 52 Kona Sutra. I'm 5' 8 1/2". Interested to hear what Mat's experience is.
Hi. I have a 56cm and I'm around 5 foot 10 inches.
Full hydraulic brakes are totally worth it. I have mechanical on my road bike and hydraulic on my gravel bike. I'd never buy another bike with mechanical brakes.
Thanks for commenting. Maybe I'll stick with the hybrid set up. Fully hydraulic brakes for drop bars seem pretty expensive.
@matryderreviews yeah they are. I'd probably stick with what you have until your drivetrain needs replaced then spring for an upgrade.
I think you definitely need hydraulic brakes with the added weight you carry when touring.
You had 2in tires on a 2x front drivetrain with no clearance problems? Isn't the max tire size for the sutra 42c with fenders and 45 without?
Yes. 700x50c tyres fit. I've had them on this bike without fenders. It's a little tight at the back but they fit. I decided to go with WTB Riddler 700x45.
Your experience with the Kona Sutra affirmed my impression of the bike. I want one for a traveling rails/trails bike versus my Surly Bridge Club 27.5 dirt road tractor than is at home on Wyoming and Montana chonk with full loads.