Kona Sutra

When it comes to touring bikes, there’s a US competitor out there in the market that seems to have every reviewer singing its praises. The Kona Sutra is certainly a very good-looking machine. Although Kona produce other premium steel-framed road/commuter bikes (the Honky Inc and Honky Tonk are two examples), the Sutra is the only one fitted out as an out-and-out tourer.

The Kona signature is easily recognised in the design of the frame. Sloping top tube and compact rear triangle are directly out of Kona’s mountain bike heritage. The slope gives you a safe stand-over height, while the compact geometry along with the Chromoly steel frame results in a lively yet stable ride that’s great for covering the miles in comfort.

Steel is also the material chosen for the front forks – Kona’s own Project Two model, which has stood the test of time and has stacks of successful development behind it.

A real departure from the usual touring conventions is the fitting of disc brakes to the Sutra. Out go the cantilevers, in come very nice, powerful Avid BB7 road discs with 160mm rotors. The great advantage of cantilevers of course is their simplicity and easy maintenance. However, the extra power of discs is going to be a great comfort to anybody coming down a wet 1-in-7 with a fully laden bike! The braking surfaces are kept out of the worst of the water, so keeping their effectiveness high.

Kona have sensibly in my view chosen to fit a mechanical rather than hydraulic disc system, so you should have no trouble at all with these super-reliable units. They have also cleverly designed the  rear caliper mounting  so that it sits between the chainstay and seatstay, and so well out of the way of the rear pannier.

The gears are a reliable combination of Shimano components – your money going into a top-notch Deore XT Shadow rear derailleur (which does most of the regular work) while using lower spec (but still quality) Tiagra at the front. The triple chainset gives you 27 ratios to choose from. I have to say that the chainrings look a bit on the large side – this is a bike designed to get you and your kit up hills after all – so some have suggested a smaller set might suit better. But it’s not a difficult job to change them if you find your legs not quite up to it…

Kona have stayed with traditional touring bar-end shifters. These can feel a bit strange if you are used to integrated brake/gear levers on a road bike, but are quickly got used to. And they’re simple and easy to repair and maintain.

The Kona Deluxe Road handlebar gives you plenty of different hand-position options, and does not have an excessive drop, so easing your riding position on long runs. The cork and gel tape is super-comfortable, and the tan colour is really smart.

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Wheels are Freedom 700 mm, fitted with Continental 700 x 32c tyres. So there’s enough volume in the tyres for absorbing road vibration, and enough width and grip for taking you off the beaten track when the mood strikes.

A major consideration as far as touring practicality goes is the fitting of both front and rear pannier racks. Most essential of all, a decent set of mudguards is standard.

Pedals are not supplied however, so you would have to factor those in. You may have your own favourites already of course, but now you have the choice of whatever type is best suited to your riding style and how you are going to use the bike.

And that’s the key to the appeal of the Kona Sutra. Yes, it’s a serious tourer that will take you and all your kit as far as you would ever want to go. But at the same time it doesn’t need to live in the garage doing nothing. It’s just as good for a Sunday morning run, or for fast commuting to work. It will carry your daily bits and pieces, the gears and tyres will let you tackle most terrain, and you’ll arrive clean and dry.

So it’s a solid, well equipped bike for all seasons, but full of style as well.

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As alternatives, take a look at the Dawes Galaxy or the Dawes Vantage