max5480

Looking at this bike makes me think that it is a pretty good value -
Disc brakes, Sram Rival 1x11, "lightweight steel," all for $1600.

Any other all-purpose/ light touring bikes in this range? All-City Macho Man Disc at $1500 is a good comparison but drivetrain is 2x10 Shimano 105.

Anyone own one? Reviews?

Tim_Iowa

Kona seems to make well-equipped bikes. But what are they thinking with the 1 x 11 drivetrains on touring bikes (Sutra LTD, Rove ST)?

The Sutra LTD has a 24 inch low gear, which isn't low enough for loaded touring (22 or lower, usually).
The Rove ST has a 30 inch low gear. Have fun riding that up steep grades, even without a load.

The Macho Man doesn't have very low gearing, either. The 11-28 rear cassette gives it a 35 inch low gear. Dumb. FYI, it's 2 x 11 Shimano 105 this year.

If you're a pretty strong rider, then either of these bikes could work as an aggressive all-rounder. But you'll be wanting lower gears if you intend to tour.

The Rove ST with a 46/30 crank (22.5 inch low gear) or even just a 50/34 (26 inch low gear) would be way better than the single 40t chainring it has.

Otherwise, my impression of the Kona bikes is that they have somewhat aggressive geometry, like a cyclocross race bike; they have low front ends which makes for an aggressive riding posture. The frames at least have plenty of eyelets for racks and such. It should make a good all-rounder / light tourer with a subcompact or compact double crank and a riser stem.

1 x 11 has its place on MTBs and 'Cross bikes that are OK with limited gearing, and benefit from the simplicity of no front derailer because of muddy conditions.

Hypno Toad

I'm a major fan of Kona. I would say that the Rove AL is the descendant of the Dew Drop, this is my 2009 Dew Drop:



My Kona has over 13,000 miles, it has been a daily commuter, touring bike, gravel grinder, and joy ride bike. I have worked this bike HARD and it has always preformed - it's bomb-proof. I've done three gravel centuries with this Kona without one mechanical. Quality parts on the bike, outside of wear items, I just replaced the front wheel earlier this year, the saddle last summer, I've upgraded brakes & rotors, and I've bent two rear rims.... otherwise this bike is most showroom components.

I can't advise on the 2015 Kona products, but based on my experience, I would get another Kona in a flash!

augsburg

@ Tim_Iowa: I generally agree with your assessment of the gearing for touring. All the bike manufacturers these days have neglected low gearing needed for serious hills and touring.

However I will note that the Kona Sutra LTD comes with 1X, and a Race Face crank with direct mount chainrings. The LTD is stock with a 36T chainring, but with direct mount, it is easy to swap to a 34T or 32T chainring, if you like. With the stock 36T, the gearing is 23.9 gear-inches, the 34T would provide 22.6 and the 32T would offer 21.2. Yes, you lose some top end speed with 1X, but the 420% range of a 10-42 cog set is fairly wide and I don't see the loss of the top end as a big deal - especially if your situation is one requiring the low gearing.

The LTD also comes with the braze-ons to convert to 2X, should your needs change or the drive train manufacturers begin to produce 2X road drive trains offering low gearing.

DosWheelsBtr

I am in the market for Rove AL right now. The 1x doesn't make sense to me either on the steel. I plan on taking out the crank and putting in a SRAM Apex crank to use with my PM for the AL.

DropBarFan

I like the color; has some nice braze-ons; might be fine for a strong rider w/light luggage even w/stock gearing. OTOH if you're riding in Utah, wouldn't low gearing give more flexibility? Jeez, last year I heard that Salt Lake City had skiing within 30 minute drive, I'm totally jealous. One could even do this: