Kona ULTD - Question for those that own one

I'm thinking of picking up a new Kona LTD (same as the ULTD now) frameset, but I don't want to use a 1x drivetrain yet.  Can anyone tell me if you can fit a front derailleur on the seat tube?  I would guess you would need a 35mm clamp, and I wonder if that dropper post exit hole/plate would prevent anything of the sort.  Maybe if you could remove the plate?

Thanks to anyone that can shed light on this.  None of the dealers I have spoken with know the answer to this, including one who is in the business of custom builds.  Everyone has used a 1x for this frameset.  I want the drop bars and really fat tires, but I don't want a 1x.

JWK1 wrote:

I'm thinking of picking up a new Kona LTD (same as the ULTD now) frameset, but I don't want to use a 1x drivetrain yet.  Can anyone tell me if you can fit a front derailleur on the seat tube?  I would guess you would need a 35mm clamp, and I wonder if that dropper post exit hole/plate would prevent anything of the sort.  Maybe if you could remove the plate?

 

Thanks to anyone that can shed light on this.  None of the dealers I have spoken with know the answer to this, including one who is in the business of custom builds.  Everyone has used a 1x for this frameset.  I want the drop bars and really fat tires, but I don't want a 1x.

The ULTD had a completey different frameset than the LTD for 2021.  The LTD and Sutra touring shared the exact same frameset for 2021.  So that is why is years past the LTD could fit 2x and 3x cranksets.

Now the 2022 LTD is the exact same as the 2021 ULTD, with a different color.  The Sutra touring is now called the Sutra SE, and has a redesigned frame with slacker headtube, greater reach and greater stack lengths.  The drivetrain is the same as the past couple of years.

I did send an email to Kona tech about the new LTD asking if you could fit a front derailleur on the seat tube.  Here is the response in its entirety:

"Hi, not it's not possible.  The derailleur cage and tire want to be in the same spot at the same time."

So my question was not answered.  Of course you can't use a front derailleur with, say, a 29 2.4" tire.  That wasn't my question.  I asked for the outer diameter of the seat tube and whether the exit for the dropper post cable would cause a problem with mounting a derailleur.  He tells me the tire will be in the way.

It's no different anyplace else.  I just asked alpkit about their Sonder Camino frameset with specific, straightforward questions.  Questions that would be answered by any standard spec sheet we are used to seeing.  Some questions were answered, some were not.  I could never buy that frameset with that lack of info.

OK, so end of rant.  In any case, that's why I'm asking if anyone owns a ULTD, because the 2022 LTD is the exact same.

JWK1 wrote:

The ULTD had a completey different frameset than the LTD for 2021.  The LTD and Sutra touring shared the exact same frameset for 2021.  So that is why is years past the LTD could fit 2x and 3x cranksets.

Now the 2022 LTD is the exact same as the 2021 ULTD, with a different color.  The Sutra touring is now called the Sutra SE, and has a redesigned frame with slacker headtube, greater reach and greater stack lengths.  The drivetrain is the same as the past couple of years.

I did send an email to Kona tech about the new LTD asking if you could fit a front derailleur on the seat tube.  Here is the response in its entirety:

"Hi, not it's not possible.  The derailleur cage and tire want to be in the same spot at the same time."

So my question was not answered.  Of course you can't use a front derailleur with, say, a 29 2.4" tire.  That wasn't my question.  I asked for the outer diameter of the seat tube and whether the exit for the dropper post cable would cause a problem with mounting a derailleur.  He tells me the tire will be in the way.

It's no different anyplace else.  I just asked alpkit about their Sonder Camino frameset with specific, straightforward questions.  Questions that would be answered by any standard spec sheet we are used to seeing.  Some questions were answered, some were not.  I could never buy that frameset with that lack of info.

OK, so end of rant.  In any case, that's why I'm asking if anyone owns a ULTD, because the 2022 LTD is the exact same.

If you're after 2x, it would seem the older rev of Sutra or some other bikes might be worth looking at because in my mind something more MTB-like is better with 1x. I know that very hands on with time riding the 1x Sutra Ltd and 2x Fargo in all sorts of conditions and distances.

If you only want a great steel frame and to suit very specific things consider Waterford/Gunnar. Their options for a true custom are a good value and their lead times have been good. They might not have the brand recognition or hype some have but they've only been doing this for decades while also making the frames for brands that are more hyped or marked in a more modern way.

imwjl wrote:

A shop owning friend and mechanic at another shop with frame in stock said they answer these things to customers who commit to a purchase. I can understand this in these times when the shops struggle to get critical inventory and get their service work done.

In the pre-sales dialog for the bike that replaced my Sutra Ltd, Moots said the GRX instead of Ultegra does the most for their announcing latest gen Routt 45 getting more tire clearance but I did not have patience to wait for GRX and some SRAM options.

 

If you're after 2x, it would seem the older rev of Sutra or some other bikes might be worth looking at because in my mind something more MTB-like is better with 1x. I know that very hands on with time riding the 1x Sutra Ltd and 2x Fargo in all sorts of conditions and distances.

If you only want a great steel frame and to suit very specific things consider Waterford/Gunnar. Their options for a true custom are a good value and their lead times have been good. They might not have the brand recognition or hype some have but they've only been doing this for decades while also making the frames for brands that are more hyped or marked in a more modern way.

JWK1 wrote:

Thanks for the response.  I would be very interested to know what you found better with the 1x on the LTD compared to the 2x Fargo as relates to the more mtb geometry.  I don't have that experience for reference.

Both are plenty slack for being rigid MTBs. The 1x simplicity is superior for single track, difficult going, mess and simplicity. More towards off road, 1x 11 speed (mine) range and gear splits are never noticeable like closer shifts on pavement or with a group ride into the wind.

I believe a newer Fargo is or can be 1x. Both are truly great bikes. If I could only have one bike in the world it would probably be the Sutra Ltd. and friends with them feel the same. Thing is, I have more than one bike. I don't want to sell the Sutra Ltd. but my same height wife and I share bikes that cover all we do, and she loves the Fargo more than Sutra. I also have a Routt 45 that in all honesty is probably one of the finest rides period. The Moots better replaces road bike than Sutra has plenty enough off road ability.

I'm no way against the newer or ULTD style but if for where I want a dropper or slack I prefer our Honzo steel or my full suspension trail/AM type bike.