Kona Sutra LTD. Anyone riding this bike? Reviews/Advice would be great.

13 replies · 3,365 views

KarlP
2 posts
#1May 6, 2020, 5:46 PM
I've been contemplating getting the new 2020 Kona Sutra. But, just can't seem to pull the trigger. I already have a Giant Revolt Advanced 0. And, of course, I love it! But, I was thinking the Sutra could be a fun bike for the really gnarly trails and the extra long gravel rides I occasionally take. So, what do you Sutra owners think? Any positive or negative reviews? Thanks!
0
2bikelabs
16 posts
#2May 7, 2020, 6:32 PMedited
I have the 2019 version and I absolutely love it. I purchased the frameset and built it up specifically for the Steamboat Ramble Ride. It rides O.K. on paved roads but really comes to life on dirt; any kind of dirt/gravel. I have it set up with 700x50 tubeless so it offers lots of cush. I was concerned at first that the 73mm bottom bracket shell (MTB crankset) would be awkward on long rides, but that turned out to be a non-issue.

edit: I should note I have the Kona Sutra LTD
0
TrailRunnah
30 posts
#3May 8, 2020, 8:19 AM
2bikelabs wrote:I have the 2019 version and I absolutely love it. I purchased the frameset and built it up specifically for the Steamboat Ramble Ride. It rides O.K. on paved roads but really comes to life on dirt; any kind of dirt/gravel. I have it set up with 700x50 tubeless so it offers lots of cush. I was concerned at first that the 73mm bottom bracket shell (MTB crankset) would be awkward on long rides, but that turned out to be a non-issue.

edit: I should note I have the Kona Sutra LTD

Let's see it!
0
Peruvian
34 posts
#4May 8, 2020, 9:51 AMedited
I have a 2017 (ugly ass orange) Sutra LTD. I bought it used from a friend who runs a guiding service for 1/2 off the original price and didn't really put a lot of thought into it when I purchased it.

Likes: comfortable geometry, hydro brakes, fits wide tires

Dislikes: heavy, it weighs a lot, & the P2 fork is a pig

I mostly do day trips in the 25-50 mile range, so this bike is overkill. If you are planning on touring/bikepacking with a lot of weight on the bike, it probably fits your needs better. I expect to do some overnight/weekend trips this summer (assuming the Covid issue eases) but I suspect any number of bikes weighing 5+ lbs less would handle that without an issue.

Edited to add photo.

2
2bikelabs
16 posts
#5May 10, 2020, 4:23 PM
TrailRunnah wrote:

Let's see it!

Like Peruvian said, it is not a light bike, but I find it fun.

Build Specs:
700x50 Gravelking SK's
SRAM Rival brifters
SRAM Rival Medium Cage RD (with roadlink)
SRAM GX Crankset (36x24), 11-40 casette
TRP HY/RD brakes

1
DUrbaniak
4 posts
#6May 11, 2020, 1:44 PM
I am also a Giant Revolt Advanced 0 owner. Prior to that bike, I owned a Kona Sutra LTD, Salsa Cutthroat, and Salsa Fargo to use for bikepacking. I am very close to ordering a Sutra again. Yes, the fork is heavy, and to make it worse, the frame is not compatible with tapered steerer tube forks, so there aren't many good options for a carbon fork upgrade that has tire clearance equal to the Sutra fork. However, I don't believe I have ever loved a bike as much as I loved my Sutra. I actually really liked the orange color unlike Peruvian. It was more comfortable than the Cutthroat or the Fargo for gravel and light single track bikepacking, and still handles reasonably quick (compared to a "true" drop bar mountain bike). I would highly recommend it!
2
Aguacate
2 posts
#7May 11, 2020, 3:18 PM
I've been riding mine for about 2 months now and I love it. I sold my Lauf True Grit and built this up and its wonderful, I wanted more of an all around bike I could put racks on and tour with, etc.
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Sunvalleylaw
34 posts
#8May 11, 2020, 6:38 PM
I don’t have that one, but am enjoying very much my 2019 Libre I got on close out a few weeks ago. All sorts of rack options too.
0
SutraLimited
1 posts
#9Mar 17, 2022, 5:48 AM
Aguacate wrote:I've been riding mine for about 2 months now and I love it. I sold my Lauf True Grit and built this up and its wonderful, I wanted more of an all around bike I could put racks on and tour with, etc.

How do you find the chainline with the Turbine crank and DM ring?
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Peruvian
34 posts
#10Mar 17, 2022, 1:08 PM
Now that we are 2 years gone from my first reply, I thought I would come back with an update. I've updated the stock WTB Riddlers to a pair of WTB Byways to a front WTB Resolute and rear Byway. The Riddlers were terrible on both pavement and mud. The Byway is a little slick in mud so the Resolute goes up front for steering. I also swapped the saddle for a Selle Anatomica and re-wrapped the bars with Salsa tape for extra cushion.

I've since ridden several bikepacking trips on my Sutra LTD. I currently have a rackless system with handlebar compression sack, frame bag, and 14 liter saddlebag.The bike handles the extra weight of the bikepacking bags/gear very well and carrying weight is what this bike is built for. I ultimately expect to add a rack and pannier system for even longer tours.
0
mudrock
17 posts
#11Dec 5, 2022, 4:22 PM
I had the 2019 (I think) LTD for bike packing, cause my Felt Fx cross bike (carbon) was too stiff for that. But then I sold the Felt cause it decided it was too stiff for anything. That left me with the Kona, which is fine loaded on gravel/dirt/trails, but a slug on pavement, so I got a pair of Spinergy GX wheels, at 1475g a set much lighter. That brought my Kona weight down to 22 Lbs, and it felt much better.

After two years of that being my only drop bar bike, I got a Ritchey Outback v2 and swapped the parts. Thinner tube set, livelier ride, but a bit more whippy loaded. Now that I'm down to two bikes (Ritchey and Redine SS mtb) I'm glad I made the change cause 90% of my riding is unloaded.
0
Peruvian
34 posts
#12Dec 5, 2022, 4:49 PMedited
mudrock wrote:I had the 2019 (I think) LTD for bike packing, cause my Felt Fx cross bike (carbon) was too stiff for that. But then I sold the Felt cause it decided it was too stiff for anything. That left me with the Kona, which is fine loaded on gravel/dirt/trails, but a slug on pavement, so I got a pair of Spinergy GX wheels, at 1475g a set much lighter. That brought my Kona weight down to 22 Lbs, and it felt much better.

After two years of that being my only drop bar bike, I got a Ritchey Outback v2 and swapped the parts. Thinner tube set, livelier ride, but a bit more whippy loaded. Now that I'm down to two bikes (Ritchey and Redine SS mtb) I'm glad I made the change cause 90% of my riding is unloaded.

The steel Kona Rove would have worked too as it has thinner tubing than the Sutra, making it lighter and snappier (my wife has one). Much better for day trips and light touring.
1
protohype
32 posts
#13May 2, 2023, 3:28 AM
DUrbaniak wrote:I owned a Kona Sutra LTD, Salsa Cutthroat, and Salsa Fargo to use for bikepacking. I am very close to ordering a Sutra again.

Hi! Would you mind describing you experience with the Fargo vs Cutthroat vs Sutra, and why you like the Sutra best? I’m close to choosing one of these bikes. I’m leaning toward the Fargo for the steel frame but much lighter carbon fork. Thanks
0
DUrbaniak
4 posts
#14May 2, 2023, 9:42 AM

protohype wrote:

Hi! Would you mind describing you experience with the Fargo vs Cutthroat vs Sutra, and why you like the Sutra best? I’m close to choosing one of these bikes. I’m leaning toward the Fargo for the steel frame but much lighter carbon fork. Thanks

Gladly! I've owned 3 Sutras, 1 Gen 1 Cutthroat, and 1 Fargo (most recent edition with boost fork. I used the bikes primarily for bikepacking, or training for bikepacking, and secondary as a commuter/gravel/all-arounder.

1. Sutra had the best geometry. Closer to a gravel bike than a MTB. The new Sutra is slacker. Additionally due to small diameter tubing and not being designed for dropper usage, it worked well with big frame bags. Also could mount a front rack to the steel fork which was my favorite way to use the bike. I wish this bike had a 44mm headtube so I could have run a lighter carbon fork with tapered steerer tube.
2. Cuttthroat geometry was very similar to Sutra. I loved the big front triangle. I didn't love the press-fit BB or the suspension corrected fork. The front triangle could have been much bigger on this bike had it been designed around a rigid fork, not a 100mm suspension fork. Additionally, the stack was too high for this to be a good all-arounder for me.
3. Fargo geometry was too slack, it climbed poorly in my opinion, and just wasn't very fun to ride. The frame triangle is too small for bikepacking in my opinion, can't put a big enough frame bag in it. Also, the stack was too high for me.

I've since switched away from "bikepacking" bikes, and have most recently used a Niner RLT 9 RDO and a Trek Checkpoint SL for bikepacking and gravel use. I find the bikes to be way more lively to ride, and my bikepacking has drifted towards ultralight vs expedition. I've also not experienced any durability concerns with carbon frame for bikepacking, as long as you protect the frame with tape. If I was looking for a steel do-it-all bike, Rodeo Flaanimal would be on my list.
1

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