chazzie mann

Hi...

Can anybody tell me if the Kona Smoke would be ok for touring... The frame is made of 4130 Chromoly butted steel... the chain stay is about 17.7 in (450mm) ... the wheel base is 43.5 in (1111 mm).... the link is https://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=smoke if you like to have a look... They are 220 euro were i live...

Any comments will be much appreciated

awesomejack

yes, it would work well. Except it doesn't look like there are braze on's for a front rack. And you may want to buy thinner/lighter tires. Otherwise its a good buy

twodeadpoets

I'm not much of a Kona fan but have considered a Smoke for commuting and short touring. It's a great looking bike with nice geometry and I'm sure easy to setup for all around touring. I have seen them with a rear rack and panniers and they do have bosses for a rear rack.

Here's the 2010 (you can see the bosses on the seat stay near the seat tube)

Commodus

If it has the braze-ons on the rear, you could fit the P2 fork from the Sutra and have 'em up front too. Or you could just buy the Sutra, which would kinda make a lot more sense.

twodeadpoets

+1 on the Sutra

clasher

I think price difference is pretty big between the two, the sutra is over a 1000$ than the smoke here in Canada. Seems like a grand could buy you a decent front fork and some good racks, and you'd still come out ahead over the sutra... and I know the component levels are way different, but for a short tour and some preventative maintenance it could work for a while.

electrik

You get what you pay for, generally. The lower-end components and wheels might wear out too quickly giving you a headache en-route.

Commodus

It could work...maybe. I wouldn't want to find out mid-tour, myself.

Thus, the Sutra makes a lot more sense.

azbackpackr

Gee, the last time I was in Kona and tried some smoke, I wasn't much good for touring or anything else.... ;-)))))

chazzie mann

to buy a Sultra were i live would set me back 1200euro and the smoke 220euro.... iam out of work........ so i think the smoke has to do for now... maybe over time up grade some parts....

chazzie mann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz6PXsWtFtI

Have a look..........

LeeG

what a deal, ride the hell out of it and only replace things if they break. I'd suggest 35mm tires unless you're immediately heading out with big loads on bad roads.

RC Idaho

I have a Kona Smoke set up for touring very similiar to the one in the youtube. I'm running trekking bars, Brooks flyer, racks and Ortlieb panniers. A great bike for the money. All of the upgrades were purchased on ebay for very little $$. Like LeeG said, just replace things as they break.

Cave

Excellent excellent excellent value bike for touring / commuting.

Test ride before you buy. I found the steeing a bit funny on the 26" verison I rode a while back.

If cost is an issue I'd absolutely go with something like the Smoke. Add some bar ends and trim the bars a little narrower if you like, this helps a bit with riding position. I don't have a need for front racks, but either a "bento box" / tri box (easy to improvise, I used a mesh bag from a travel towel and some cable ties) or a handlebar bag are useful for snacks / phone / camera etc.

thermador

If you're unemployed and on a budget, you should probably NOT be buying a new bike. There was a huge touring bike boom in the 1980s. You should be able to get a steel 1980s touring bike in good shape for less than 50E, and then you'd have some spare money to fix things and buy touring gear (bags, racks etc.).

Just bring a tape measure so you get a long wheelbase and chainstays (ideally chainstays greater than 440mm or so) and make sure the bike fits you. The Japanese bikes from this era were typically very well made. Here is a good list: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/japan.html

Look for name-brand tubing - any of these brands are fine, but the names of their premium tube sets are next to the brand name on this list:

True Temper - S3, OX Platinum
Reynolds - 953, 853, 631, 531
Dedacciai - Zero Replica and EOM 16.5
Columbus - Spirit and Life
Tange - Ultimate, Prestige

kayakdiver

OP.... Did you buy it yet? Can't see it being a bad purchase. Not everyone can spend big bucks for a new ride. If you do purchase it please post some pictures of the new toy!

Happy trails.