ericzamora

Personally, I think it's too late, with 2019 models already on floors, but if the OP preferred last year's color over the current seafoam for that specific model, i'd suggested checking Kona's web site for dealers in the state and start making phone calls.

I imagine Norco is similar. They produce small batches, and the 2-3 batches were quickly sold out throughout the year. I got lucky, my local Norco dealer still had two sizes in the previous years' color, which i loved, but did not like the upcoming 2019 colors. So i grabbed the last in my size last month. It had been sitting there for months, with prospective buyers dropping out as i waited. Yeah, i missed out on the 2019 upgraded hydro brakes, but it was worth it to me. Plus he knocked off $400 for being a last years' model.

So it's possible. A tedious route, to be sure

eric/fresno, ca.

Koyote

If it's a Bianchi that resembles seafoam, it's probably actually Celeste. (Just pointing this out before some Bianchi loyalist jumps all over you - they love their Celeste paint!)

ericzamora

I am somewhat of a Bianchi celeste "loyalist." I love my original celeste Campione D'Italia, now with a nice patina after 35 years. I just stuck with "seafoam" since that was the original term for the Kona bike in this thread .

eric/fresno, ca.

ericzamora

Right. There's no reason to rule it out if you're commuting.

eric/fresno, ca.

ben.ellenson

pbass

I'm 5'7" and went with a 50.

ben.ellenson

pbass

I love it. Only made a few minor tweaks. I put a smaller front chainring on for where I ride, and I wasn't crazy about the stock bars so I put some Cowbells on. Set it up tubeless, and I'm a happy camper. I ride it everywhere, including some stuff where I probably shouldn't. Considering how much I ride it off-road I might go a little knobbier than the Byways at some point, but man, those tires do surprisingly well on the dirt.

ben.ellenson

pbass

I have two other bikes, a 29r rigid MTB, and a 700c Surly Cross Check set up 1x11 like the Rove--the CC was my first "gravel" rig. I knew I liked 650B from a MTB I had once, and I figured I might as well mix it up and try the different size for gravel. I find it better for me, as a smaller rider, for handling off-road. I really do put the Rove through it's paces in the dirt--switchbacky descents on singletrack, etc. The bigger wheel sizes never felt as good to me in this regard. And on the road, it's super cushy--no complaints there! I'm sold on "road plus" for sure. EDIT: I should add though that while speed is not a top concern for me, I think there may be a speed penalty with the 650B vs the 700c (comparing the Rove to my similarly geared Cross Check)--hard to tell, the bikes are different in many ways, but in my case at least I think it's a thing.

sienarot

Up here in Canada it's absolutely possible to order previous years' Kona models from the distributor through your dealer. I've been bothering my LBS the last few weeks on pricing and availability for a cheap Rove I can use as a winter beater and they even have stock going back at least 2 years, though in pretty select quantities and sizes. I'd be surprised if it were much different in the US.