2021 Sutra (I Finally Ordered it!)
 

After much hemming and hawing I've finally ordered the 2021 Sutra from my LBS. I'm nearly 50 and need to encourage myself to do more cardio and of course cycling is good for that as well as transportation.

As has been the case for awhile there don't seem to be any major changes, but my LBS told me Kona modified the HT angle/length slightly to provide a more upright position. At some point I'll probably do an electric conversion as well. The color is OK, though I'd prefer something brighter for better visibility, but that's a minor gripe. Other than that it seems like a great bike and a great value.
https://www.konaworld.com/sutra.cfm

When do the expect delivery?

They told me about 4-6 wks.

If you have not cycled much, it can take some time to get all the adjustments (seat height, seat set back, etc.) to fit you well because you are not really sure what a good fit is. If you make frequent adjustments but keep the adjustments small (say 5mm seat height adjustment at a time), you can get it to feel just right. If you carry a multi-tool, that makes it easier to make frequent adjustments while you ride. Different stem length and angle are often needed to get a new bike dialed in too.

Flashing lights and a bright color jersey or jacket aids visibility much more than frame paint color.

While I haven't in about 7-8 years I used to cycle regularly. I know bikes have changed since, but they haven't changed that much so am pretty familiar with the fitting process. The first accessories I need are pedals, a helmet and lock. That will get me started anyway. I'll probably find a basket for the rack at first; panniers aren't a huge priority right now.

The one thing I wish I'd thought of before buying the 2020 Sutra, is to ask the shop it they would substitute a different color of Brooks B17. The honey colored one really does stand out when nothing else on the bicycle matches it.

What I did have the shop substitute was to Marathon w/Greenguard tires, as they roll much better on packed (asphalt, etc) pavement than the Mondials, yet they still work well on gravel roads.

The rack that the Sutra comes with does not accommodate a basket being lashed to the top of it. I bought an aftermarket rack by Salsa, Wanderlust HD (the chromoly one). It has a much wider top and - importantly for a basket - a flat top.

The sizing of the 2020 models didn't comport with the company's own sizing chart. I am 5'6" with 29.5" inseam and the 46cm size is what I settled on, even though the chart suggested the 48cm or 50cm. This might be something to prepare yourself for.

I could give half a crap about aesthetics. As long as it's functional I don't care how it looks.

I'll ride the Mondials until they wear out and then get durable all-road tubeless tires.

With ingenuity a basket will fasten to any rack. All it takes is bungees and/or screws.

Yeah, Kona's sizing is pretty weird/atypical. I'm 5'9" with a 31" inseam. Their chart showed either a 52 or 54 would work and my LBS recommended a 52 would probably fit a little better. Hopefully it will.

Honey darkens up with age. The one in the photo has mostly had touring use but not day to day use, about eight years old and is the Conquest, not the B17. With enough bags and other stuff on the bike, nobody will notice the saddle color.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d47080a3c.jpg

Just an FYI: Nothing has changed on the Sutra or Sutra LTD. The geometry has remained exactly the same. The new ULTD has a different HT angle and fork length.

Nice bike, the Kona Sutra was one of my two top choices for a touring bike I got about 2 months ago; after looking at around 12 to 15 touring bikes in that price range, I settled on the Masi Giramondo 700c, it had more of the stuff I was looking for in a touring bike. But man, I was bouncing back and forth between those two.

The Giramondo is also a really nice bike, but, yup, you guessed it, I prefer the Sutra. While the Tubus racks on the Giramondo are first rate, the tire and wheels seem inferior because they only have 32-spokes and the Kenda Quick tires are too wide and aren't as nice. They're also QR, which aren't as stiff or durable as the TAs on the Sutra.

It's still a nice bike, but to keep it at that price-point with the Tubus racks they had too make too many compromises IMO.

OP, did your shop come through with the bike? Around here, I’ve been told no stock until maybe November.

No, in the first post I typed 2-3 wks, but should have typed 4-6. Hopefully sometime in September but we'll see. I haven't checked with them lately, but considering the supply chain is greatly compromised it wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't arrive until November as you say.

Nice.

Wow they're still putting triple chainrings on bikes!?
Nice bike BTW

Of course, and good that they do! Fewer is not more, not even acceptable.

Yeah, I actually think a double works fine for most applications including touring. 20 gears is plenty.

Still no ETA. Hopefully Nov, but considering how screwed up the supply chain is I'm not counting on then either...

For what it's worth, my LBS is thinking December-January as realistic for the '21s.

Nice ride. I’m moving up from my Rove NRB to a 2021 Libre. Not sure when I’ll see it. The sizing is confusing. My wife has a 2020 Libre - a 49. Turns out the smallest 2021 size is a 50, which I’m told is actually smaller than the 49.

My LBS told me Kona now isn't expecting significant delivery until Spring. He said a few might trickle in a little earlier but I shouldn't expect it to arrive until then. :(

Well CRAP!
I'll have to see what my buddy says...maybe he isn't up-to-date like I hope he would be...

That is strange, just join the forum after seeing you replies about you not getting your 2021 Kona Sutra before end of year since, has your LBS says, Kona does not expect significant delivery.

Here is my story. I started looking at getting a new bike to replace an aging hybrid bike end of august
and for pretty much for the same reason, to get out of the house and do more exercise and get in better shape.

So went to an LBS near my house and the choices came down to Kona Rove, Rove DL or Sutra, was originally going to see the Fuji bike,
but they were no longer selling those bikes. After talking with the owner of the shop, I was leaning for the Rove due to pricing.
Went back home to do my research and take a decision after looking at reviews and specs of the 3 bikes.

Decided for the 2021 Sutra in 56cm (I'm 6 Feet tall and 270lbs).
September 10th, I put a deposit down for the Kona Sutra and he called is rep at Kona in front of me.
Answer: Should be in end of October or somewhere in November. I visited him Friday Oct 16th, he told me he just received an email
saying they where shipping my bike (And others ordered by my LBS) and should arrive today or Monday.
I'll be passing by the shop tomorrow to confirm.

By the way, when I visited last week, they had just received 8 Kona Rove/Rove DL.
Seems they are getting regular shipments of Kona bikes not a trickle...

I'm in Canada, so it may be different and easier to get more bikes from Kona but I still do not understand why you,
who are in North America, like I am, and ordered back in July, still do not have your bike.

Hope you get good news soon from your LBS.

My LBS just called today and said they got a hold of their Kona rep. Allegedly, '21 is the last year for the regular ol' Sutra touring bike, and one is being allotted for the shop...which is reserved for me and is not expected to arrive until March at the earliest.

Interesting. Did they say why it's being discontinued? The Sutra has been highly regarded for a few years now, so that seems puzzling. My speculation is inadequate sales, but this is entirely speculative. Since they're now offering 3 models and the other two are more gravel/off-road oriented maybe they think that's a more lucrative market.

I was half asleep when he called (I'm on midnight shift, so I sleep days). He mentioned something about the Kona Sutra LTD being the same frame, advent of bikepacking rigs, blah blah blah, touring bikes are old-fashioned.......yawn. :D Sorry I can't provide more.