Kona Libre

Has anyone ridden a Kona Libre? The geometry is a bit different, its got a pretty tall front end kinda like a Fargo. There's two versions of it. The Libre DL which is 1x with Force and a 2x with 105 and a 650b wheelset. I'm just wondering if anyone has any time on one. I'm thinking it would make for a good gravel/touring bike but I don't know if the front end would be to tall.

Too tall a head tube is a thing?  If I want to get more aero I can just bend my elbows.  My Warakin has a 160 head tube with approximately 60mm of spacers.

Also the Libre sizing is weird, so they're not really all that tall.  Their 51cm bike is about the same TT length as another brand's 57 or 58.

I tested one (not a long ride).   I loved it.  I currently ride a Salsa Cutthroat and really like it, but was thinking of a different bike that's a little more race-y.   So I didn't feel it was too tall at all - it was actually a little bit lower than my Cutthroat,  and I liked that - a nice compromise between race position and all day comfort.    I'll admit that I have a couple of Kona mtbs, and I find they have the geometry dialled.   I hope to be able to buy a Libre this season - just waiting to see if I can swing it financially.   The bike also stood out as really light, even full stock (tubes etc.).   I'd definitely go Libre rather than DL - I'd much rather have the Shimano components and a 2x.   My current thinking is that I could then have a set of fatter 650 wheels, then pop on my 29er wheel set with, say, 45s.   I did manage to fit my 29x2.1 wheels on the front (not a lot of room left); didn't have a rear wheel handy to check the back.   I could see it being great for racing (e.g., 100 miles), longer touring, whatever.   Sizing is a bit wonky - I usually ride a 56/large - and the 54 Kona fit perfectly.

chunkylover53 wrote:I tested one (not a long ride).   I loved it.  I currently ride a Salsa Cutthroat and really like it, but was thinking of a different bike that's a little more race-y.   So I didn't feel it was too tall at all - it was actually a little bit lower than my Cutthroat,  and I liked that - a nice compromise between race position and all day comfort.    I'll admit that I have a couple of Kona mtbs, and I find they have the geometry dialled.   I hope to be able to buy a Libre this season - just waiting to see if I can swing it financially.   The bike also stood out as really light, even full stock (tubes etc.).   I'd definitely go Libre rather than DL - I'd much rather have the Shimano components and a 2x.   My current thinking is that I could then have a set of fatter 650 wheels, then pop on my 29er wheel set with, say, 45s.   I did manage to fit my 29x2.1 wheels on the front (not a lot of room left); didn't have a rear wheel handy to check the back.   I could see it being great for racing (e.g., 100 miles), longer touring, whatever.   Sizing is a bit wonky - I usually ride a 56/large - and the 54 Kona fit perfectly.

There's a shop near me that has one in stock, I just need to find the time to give it a ride. To me this bike looks like a good gravel bike but also maybe a randonneuring bike. You can fit all sorts of stuff to it, its a little more upright so long distance comfort shouldn't be an issue, and it has 650b wheels. The retro-grouches wouldn't like it though. I agree with you on getting the 2x one. Sram hasn't sold me on 1x and I do a lot of road riding and 105 is such a great group set (also that purple looks real good).
I usually ride a 53/54cm frame but it looks like the 51cm would work best for me or maybe even the 49cm but that might be to small. 

Yeah, the paint job is awesome.  From one angle it looks purple, from another kind of greenish.   I think it's really good choice if you want to combine gravel and some road.  It does have pretty high gearing (50/34, 11/34) - which would be great when you are riding with friends on the road.   Personally, for long trips, I would like something a little lower - especially if I was, say, bike packing with a heavy load on a hilly course.   Definitely try to demo it if you can - as I say, it felt very comfortable to me, and quick.

I own the Kona Libre. It came spec'd with Ultegra components and the new clutch rear derailleur. I believe the new 105 was not yet available. The front crank was spec'd lower than 105 so I switched it out to an Easton gravel crank 46/30. I have the size 51( normally ride 56). I like the tallish head tube ( tight lower back ) with a Stack of 610-Reach 386. I have an old set of Easton 700c hoops, so depending on the terrain I plan of riding, I can switch out the wheels to from 650b to 700c. This bike is perfect for me as I mostly ride gravel. I will occasionally ride in group rides on the road and the bike performs quite well on the road, but it is def not a racer! I rode the Libre at the Winthrop Grand Fondo last fall with over 10k of climbing and the Libre did not disappoint. Note I switched out the rear 11-34 cassette with a 11-42 ( with the help of a Wolf Tooth road link ) I know a 1:1 ratio is all most people need, but those climbs were a brute and I like having a couple of bail out gears with things get steep. Overall love the bike!!

denyski wrote:I own the Kona Libre. It came spec'd with Ultegra components and the new clutch rear derailleur. I believe the new 105 was not yet available. The front crank was spec'd lower than 105 so I switched it out to an Easton gravel crank 46/30. I have the size 51( normally ride 56). I like the tallish head tube ( tight lower back ) with a Stack of 610-Reach 386. I have an old set of Easton 700c hoops, so depending on the terrain I plan of riding, I can switch out the wheels to from 650b to 700c. This bike is perfect for me as I mostly ride gravel. I will occasionally ride in group rides on the road and the bike performs quite well on the road, but it is def not a racer! I rode the Libre at the Winthrop Grand Fondo last fall with over 10k of climbing and the Libre did not disappoint. Note I switched out the rear 11-34 cassette with a 11-42 ( with the help of a Wolf Tooth road link ) I know a 1:1 ratio is all most people need, but those climbs were a brute and I like having a couple of bail out gears with things get steep. Overall love the bike!!

Is the frame Di2 compatible? Kona doesn't mention it on their website as far as I could tell. And does the purple look as good in person as it does in the pictures.

denyski wrote:I own the Kona Libre. It came spec'd with Ultegra components and the new clutch rear derailleur. I believe the new 105 was not yet available. The front crank was spec'd lower than 105 so I switched it out to an Easton gravel crank 46/30. I have the size 51( normally ride 56). I like the tallish head tube ( tight lower back ) with a Stack of 610-Reach 386. I have an old set of Easton 700c hoops, so depending on the terrain I plan of riding, I can switch out the wheels to from 650b to 700c. This bike is perfect for me as I mostly ride gravel. I will occasionally ride in group rides on the road and the bike performs quite well on the road, but it is def not a racer! I rode the Libre at the Winthrop Grand Fondo last fall with over 10k of climbing and the Libre did not disappoint. Note I switched out the rear 11-34 cassette with a 11-42 ( with the help of a Wolf Tooth road link ) I know a 1:1 ratio is all most people need, but those climbs were a brute and I like having a couple of bail out gears with things get steep. Overall love the bike!!

How tall are you please? Dropping from 56 to 51 seems like the sizing must be completely wacky

tahic wrote:

How tall are you please? Dropping from 56 to 51 seems like the sizing must be completely wacky

The 51 has a 572mm top tube length.

Thanks that is wacky

I was warned about the wacky size and fortunately I was able to preside the Libre. I am 5' 10" or 178 cm. I believe it is set up for Di2,  but not 100% sure on that. Lovin the purple color !