Is This STILL A Gravel Bike? (Kona Sutra ULTD Nerd Out)

[@urbanosity]

I just love the fact you can present so much technical detail and explain its function while also using the term “Adventure Nipple.”

[@SirBikesAlot]

Gravel bikes are a state of mind.

[@robertsztorm4822]

Who cares... I like it but with rise double bar and mtb shifters

[@rlemacs]

I ride "gravel" with my rim brake bike, 15.5 mm inside rim and 28 mm tyres. 10 speed Campagnolo.

[@markroy5555]

I've had my Sutra ULTD for about 3 months and it is awesome. This bike was purchased to fill the role as a gravel bike with the option of really wide tires. Much to my surprise, it has become my favorite mountain bike. Living in Phoenix, I ride alot of gnarly chunky singletrack and the Sutra rails it, as long as the drops are under 12 inches. I changed out the crankset to a DUB direct drive, so I can mount different chainrings and I changed out the Shimano HG driver to a SRAM XDR driver to get the 10 tooth high gear. I love this bike......

[@PuffinPass]

Do you by chance know what the max tire it can fit is? Their site doesn't define this which I find a bit odd as this is something to be considered when looking at dropbar mtb offerings.

[@markroy5555]

@@PuffinPass 2.5's will definitely fit, front and rear.

[@radbikeadventure]

@@PuffinPass We've read 2.6 from a couple people and will be trying that out soon.

[@radbikeadventure]

Nice! We're loving ours too. We were also thinking it'd do great as a mountain bike so cool to hear it's working for you as such! Do you run it tubeless?

[@markroy5555]

@@radbikeadventure Yep.

[@timwatkins6559]

Hot damn you got the set lighting dialed!

[@kirkrobertson2099]

I know this been on a while but thank you. It is so nice to have someone dive into the stem length, trail and tire design and how they influence steering. Love the vid. Partypace every day here. All the best, kirk in AZ

[@mirandafoster-lugo2507]

the phrase adventure nipple 😂 also the neon pink sign looks so cool! congrats on 100k!

[@radbikeadventure]

Great bike nerd out on the ULTD Russ! And yes, so agree with being pleased to see the mounts for racks and fenders. Makes it a very versatile bike. Darin's definitely loving hers...we're finding that the ULTD LOVES being in the dirt. Thanks for the shoutout to our review! 🤩

[@borderlands6606]

In the UK, party pace used to be called touring speed. Rides often included a rough-stuff section, so bikes had to be able to handle unmetalled roads. Some groups evolved to do more off-road than paved road. Gravel bikes are getting very close to the typical touring bike of 40 or 50 years ago, something that would get the rider safely over a mountain pass, sprint to the next café, or ride all day at 12mph.

[@markwidrick5296]

Almost finished with this book. It is a well written and enlightening read.

[@jeffreythree]

I remember when mountain bikes used tires skinnier than that Kona can fit, and the ever wider drop bars are starting to rival the width of those old, narrow flat bars as well.

[@gamby16a]

Were they much wider than 44cm wide in the early 90's? 🤔

[@jeffreythree]

@@gamby16a After riding a set of today's wide MTB bars, they feel like it. The narrowest flat bar I have around here is a 580mm.

[@danielschnipke]

I love the dropper post being connected to the brifter

[@williamlebron9873]

That is one SWEET bike. LOVE that color. 😍 Every time you say baby head I smile & laugh 😆

[@shafiqjan1474]

I acquired a '18 Sutra LTD and immediately Monstered it out. 2.35s fit just fine, Fat Albert front and Magic Mary rear. Dropped 4 teeth up front and added a sweet e13 9-46 out back. Spank bars rule, hybrid double/single wrap with Camo tape. Custom Camo SDG saddle on top a KS dropper. Adventure nipples utilized.

[@RickyHolton]

I’m absolutely loving the new set. Lighting is on point, decor is *chefs kiss*, and great for these style videos.

[@bradlepaddle9512]

Congrats on the sign lighting 👍 but how cool is the paint job on that Kona unreal when you see it in person 😍

[@nedt]

Excellent, I’ve been wanting to see more content on this bike and other rigid mountain / bike packing bikes. Thanks

[@jakethurston5962]

I appreciate you laying down some bike geo knowledge on us, in context to what we are learning today 🤓...helps me understand the categories.

[@brentbaum3881]

picked mine up a couple months ago from Ponderosa in Omaha, NE....super capable bike and the paint is awesome in the sun!

[@carlosdallorso5265]

Congrats on the 100k. Now I know what to call my bike. Jet Blue was not accepting bikes on their Peru route. The solution a Ritchey Outback Breakaway. Matched with 650b x 50 tires, It allowed me to ride any where I wanted. I would not have thought of this set up on my own. Your content inspired me. Keep up the good work.

[@joeumbrell8774]

Just a good, solid review. Good bike with bike specs and looks like it would serve people well in different aspects.

[@GreatEgretAdventure]

You can get lower gearing with SRAM if you have the right crank set. I’m running SRAM brifters with a 44-26 White Industries R30 crank set, a SRAM GX long cage 10-sp derailleur running on a 11-42 cassette. With my 50mm Gravelkings, this is around 18 gear inches. I could get it lower if I went with a skinnier tire.

[@BradWadeNL]

It's like a Kona Sutra LTD and a Kona Unit X had a baby!

[@jonl8816]

Ahhh

[@kentquindt7898]

I've had my ULTD for about a month and it's super fun. It's really capable and confidence inspiring(maybe a bit too much confidence) and I've taken it down a few trails a drop bar bike shouldn't be going down lol. The tires that come with the bike are kinda slow and sluggish on pavement but work pretty good off-road and in mud. I plan on getting rene herse 700x55 tires that roll a bit faster. I also put a XD driver on for about $50 and I'm getting my e*thirteen 9-46 cassette soon.

[@ralby83]

talking of Missoula and gravel bikes, there's a very interesting documentary I recommend "Bicycle corps: America's black army on wheels". if this topic was already discussed on this channel, I'm sorry. great video as usual

[@prepperchannel]

In your next video I would love to hear your thoughts about the ULTD vs LTD and why one over the other.

[@brianwilliam8971]

I ride the LTD and my wife rides the ULTD. The ULTD is well suited for a shorter rider with the sloping top tube and dropper post both are awesome bikes.

[@Splieslife]

I’ve got a 2016 Sutra that can squeeze 29x2.1’s. With a dropper post, 48cm bars, 17.5” granny gear, it’s surprisingly capable on XC trails and has been a dream on multiple day bikepacking adventures. You don’t necessarily need the LTD to have fun. The Sutra is definitely my favorite bike of all time.

[@TheOutsidePerks]

I've got a Surly ECR that I put drops on and downsized to 2.5" tires a few years back. Guess I've got a gravel bike and didn't even know it.

[@gravgrav]

In 2013 I built an ogre the same way so I was fully ready for bikes like the ULTD. Some people think this is a new found discovery. This bike is the evolution of the the drop bar MTB! Vive le monster cross!

[@charlies7658]

Great job and congrats on 100k. I’ve been trying to decide between this bike and the Salsa Fargo so very timely. Thanks

[@freshiesat9]

I was in the same position a few months ago. I went with the Fargo and am extremely impressed with it!

[@roadbikecommuter5355]

I really liked how the bike stand helped in this presentation. It would be interesting to see a review of this bike if you swapped out the wheelset to 27.5 wheels and some fatter meats like 2.6" tires. Keep up the good work!

[@danparks8894]

That’s my bike! Love it. So comfortable and fun to ride

[@aaronedge1655]

"Adventure nipples"... my vocabulary grows.

[@dracona70]

We need a new sticker to buy :) :) :)

[@SIvers-or2ke]

Du ‘ oh. You beat me to it. Maybe it’s just me, but you can’t have too many adventure nipples, I’d say. 😂👍

[@halamagrep9727]

Great Review as always. I bought this bad boy and I throw a canadian 28T Chainring on it and hacked the a 50T cassette with a wolftooth roadlink. Now I got like a 16 Gearinches and can pedale up any hill full loaded. I still have just enough low gear to go ham on flat sections. It´s so fun and such a great bike. The dropper Seatpost gives you so much options to adjust your sitting position, I love it. If you want to travel the world, get this bike! I got it on a nice discount for roughly 2k €. Ah yeah, the tyres are not that great for low pressure. The rear tyre tends to slug out when its heavy, tubeless and has low pressure. The front end doesnt grip that well. You can go big in the front (easy 2.4") but I would stay with 2.25" in the back for mud clearance. I installed an old rack i found in my celler to strap my seatbag on, so I can use the dropperpost normally. I would highly suggest that! Then the bike comes really alive. I strapped waterbottles to the side of the rack so I can run a big frame bag in the triangle. It really is what Kona says: You can overtake road bikes, slash single tracks and pack this thing up to no good limits.Greetings to all Bike geeks

[@justpedal65]

The comment about the dropper resonated here cuz I had to "rig" my son's San Quentin's 150mm since he's still a little short for the full extension with the outer all the way down in the seat tube. I simply put an extra long 75 lb zip tie though the seat rails and then through the small slot behind the seat post clamp bolt. I then set the seat for his correct leg extension and zipped out any tie slack so it repeats. Easy peasy. I keep a couple spares on the trails in case it breaks.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Thats a good hack!

[@dougcohenmiller]

In the best sense possible, this video was like a university course in mtb side of gravel bikes. Nice!

[@speedikat6822]

This is a cool bike! I have a steel mtb frameset of 10 years age that's built up very similar to your example. I used On One Midge bars with a 4cm stem. It (finally) rides nicely on any surface!

[@sagehiker]

Excellent demonstration of the great divide. Unfortunately every time I look at another new bike, I go drifting off into change drive train and add alt bars.

[@marcusthornton2844]

Can't wait to see your findings with the Ratio Components kit. I have it and I love it!

[@EverythingsBeenDone]

🎊Congrats on 💯K subs! 🎊

[@timleborgne]

Great video Russ, thanks a lot!

[@kimrice394]

Gotta love modern geo! I haven’t run over a 70mm stem for 7-8yrs. Love the color! Seat stays look comfy. The one grip, and this is not at Kona, is the uni-crown forks. I get that a price point has to be met, most people will ride it or replace it anyway. But... nothing will sting like a uni-crown!

[@lorenzo775deleon]

Hola Russ y Laura! I recently received y'alls stickers - they rock btw. Already have them on two bikes and my car. I appreciate this good good nerd content and, thanks in part to your well-thought-out reviews, am waiting for my first new bike in a good long while: the Marin Pine Mountain. God knows if I'll ever get it but hey, here's to hoping. Keep on keepin' on, - Lorenzo

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Marin PM was a fun bike!

[@garyleese9398]

You need to go to the 58 cm frame to get a halfway acceptable ST angle, especially for Brooks saddle owners.

[@mattrevers8974]

I have a 2021 56cm Sutra and just swapped the seatpost for a setback seatpost because I'm leggy. Worked like a charm. It is now the perfect bike for me.

[@JakeLuke308]

I like this rig. Not a racing machine by any means, but utilitarian. Oh and congrats on reaching 100k subscribers. Keep it going.

[@guitarandhow]

I just subscribed and I’ve already learned so much from your channel. Cheers!

[@AdventuresWithDaniel]

Congrats on the 100k and the sign lighting!!! Super sweet

[@kymcopyriot9776]

Great stuff Russ, a bike with a colour that matches the new set nicely! As for snow...screw that. I couldn’t ever live in a place where winter stops me riding.

[@kevinmcclelland7695]

Hi Russ, Thanks for the nerd out! One quick correction is the Fork Offset is 55 rather than the 50 mentioned. So trail will be slightly different.

[@brianwilliam8971]

My wife rides the ULTD and I ride the LTD. Both are awesome bikes! We put a set of 700x50c tires on her ULTD so it isn’t as aggressive.

[@lemizle]

I'm now riding a 460mm chainstay. Love it. Though I actually find the difference subtle. Certainly still snappy.

[@y1d2d3a4m5]

Funnily enough I sometimes feel alien to this world in the same way you describe your feelings toward the high end competitive world. To me if you ride a bike on gravel it's a gravel bike. Steel is the only thing I get picky about. I do appreciate bikes as art pieces as well. Love the interviews about bike culture/shop owners etc. ✌💛 Congrats by the way!

[@gravgrav]

Just ride it! You’ll forget about the material!

[@davidgaible7906]

way to nerd out Russ keep up the awesome work!

[@Michaelgroberts]

Such a smooth turning on of the sign! whoa. also great, and useful info as always Russ, thank you. personally always loved kona...although i'm yet to actually own one aha

[@peterclark659]

That's a nice looking bike. If it's comfortable and good to ride then it's a good bike. Keep up the good work. 👍👏👍👏👍👏

[@mcWilma]

To me it's definitely a 29er drop bar MTB. I see it as a very good alternative to a Salsa Fargo but without the unique design of the Salsa where you having the hands in the drops as the normal position. One friend of mine has the sutra ltd, another friend has the sutra ultd and the difference is very noticeable (sutra ltd has way more gravel bike DNA)

[@steelcityadv3190]

Drop bar mtbs are the sweet spot for gravel! (And anything else 😁)

[@sepg5084]

A gravel bike has gravel tires and rides on gravel well. That's it. It can have a flat bar bike, bull bar, riser bar, drop bar, bike packing bar, whatever. If it has gravel tires on it and can ride on gravel well, it's a gravel bike. I built a "gravel" bike using XC bike components. Full rigid instead of full suspension: carbon frame, carbon seat and post, carbon flat bar, 1X Deore drivetrain, 36 tooth chainring, MTB hydraulic brakes. The only gravel-specific thing on it are the gravel tires. I ride it in a chill "party pace", no need for a drop bar for it. Weighs less than 10 kilos, has components designed to be tough enough for mountain biking. Good for hillclimbs due to the MTB 1X setup, lighter than an equivalent XC MTB but can still do mild trail riding, good on gravel, relatively comfy commuter in city roads compared to aggressive drop bar road bike geometry, "go anywhere" kinda bike.

[@MitchCrane]

I almost bought a ULTD, but I couldn't find one available even for order. Ended up getting a hardtail MTB.

[@philipbarrett3151]

Waiting on White Industries to deliver a crankset & my ULTD build will be complete (including a mullet & some decent ratios). Can't wait to see if I've made an inspired choice or a horrible mistake!

[@TheKjlongtine]

Can you discuss the complexities and possible advantages of bike packing with a dropper post? What seat bags would work with dropper? I really want one for those long fast sketchy descents.

[@cyclesteveo]

Excited to hear your thoughts on the Ratio Technology bits, Russ! I have one sitting in my parts bin right now for a build that’s slated for next month, and I know your alt cycling bud at Locked in Show made a video about it recently, too. Looking forward to your review of the ULTD, too - The Radavist liked it. My upcoming build is going to have a lot in common with the ULTD, a Black Mountain Cycles La Cabra. Mike calls a spade a spade and calls it a drop bar mountain bike 💯

[@mattmacpherson1033]

I wish you had the Rove LTD seems to be similar with more gear range. It is one I am considering getting. Grx810 rear derailleur. 2x set up. 31/48 front chain ring and a 11-34 105 Hub. It also has a 435 chain stay length which splits the difference between the Sutra and a more road bike oriented feel.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

We've reviewed multiple versions of the Rove on the channel.

[@mattmacpherson1033]

@@PathLessPedaledTV I know. How would you compare the rove to the sutra then? Range, etc...

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

@@mattmacpherson1033 in broad strokes, the Sutra is more like a LHT and the Rove is more like a Warbird.

[@mooktookie3363]

Awesome video Russ! Great explanation between the road vs MTB style gravel/adventure bikes. I have a original Sutra (2007) which is definitely MTB geometry styled compared to the newer post 2013 Rove/sutra geo. It’s a grate bike but tire clearance is 40c max. When I saw the ULTD I knew Kona had finally had a come Jesus moment where they mated a unit with a sutra and the result is pretty damn awesome! Let us know how the bike is :-) Thanks for the awesome content as always. Much love to Laura and keep on the supple side ☮️

[@juliapoelstra3624]

Similar to the Salsa Fargo. Love this style

[@PuffinPass]

I find "gravel bike" to be a catch all term right now that kind of absorbs any all road type dropbar bike into it. I think that we are starting to see the sub-genres emerge in a much more defined way. As someone who loves dropbar MTB and the challenge it offers more than just grinding on dirt roads I look forward to this expanding segment of the market. Thanks for the run down on this bike, I have had it on my radar for a bit now.

[@Demdere]

Looking forward to the mod to accommodate lower gearing! I just had a hell of a ride up some serious grades, and now my knees hurt - I just had to put too much power through them to keep the cadence high enough to survive :P

[@jp93309]

Agree that SRAM 1x setup should up the cassette range to 11-48 and reduce front chainring to 32t otherwise that’s slogging and not spinning.

[@denverman6161963]

Hi Russ. Great video as usual. We're still developing our nerdness, and wondered if you'd done a video specific to terminology and concepts? Explaining/reexplaining things like "trail", "slack", "gear inches" etc etc. and why changing these lengths/angles changes the ride and feel? Point me in the right direction por favor. Thanks for your time.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ominYouepL9sZqc

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmGupWCZbct6aa8

[@ianbell8789]

Great review, thanks! Can we get a slightly higher aperture? The bike gets pretty blurry at times

[@jefftoonstra5087]

Ha ha I was ready to complain the light wasn’t on😂😂

[@dominikataniszewski]

Looking forward to that Ratio Technology x12 mech drive - can't wait ! 🧐🔥

[@bmx4ever8]

Hey, congrats for over 100.000 subscribers! Can you please review the Decathlon Riverside Touring 920? Is it a good entry bike for bikepacking and touring? Is it a real Gravel Bike or something else or something in between? Is it probably too heavy? Thank you for your work!

[@racerx8410712]

One thing to note is that MC rules state that a true MC bike has a road bike bottom bracket width of 68 mm. I guess it's because when you go to mtb width it affects the handling of the bike.

[@mikesecrest2887]

Russ, since you're not primarily a mountain biker, could you please explain how one should use a dropper post on a gravel bike. I have always been a paved road riding person, but bought a rigid plus bike a few years ago, and it came with a dropper post. I have only ridden trails a few times, so I'm relatively ignorant with respect to mtb riding, and eventually I replaced the dropper with a Thudbuster seat post. I like it a lot. Never got used to dropping the saddle. Can you illuminate?

[@AlienTrees]

The dropper post is specifically for riding trails. This bike strays from the "gravel" category and veers more toward the "mountain" category. It can be used comfortably for both, which is its sweet spot.

[@astro61362]

Nice looking ride! I really think the fatter tires are better for gravel. I bought my Space Horse for gravel but it's really better for the much smoother trails like the Rails to Trails that we like to ride. I use my Marin Pine Mountain with it's fat tires for the actual gravel riding that we do.

[@brianmaldonado3723]

That was 100% usefull/awesome!

[@arcoulant87]

Looks like a good tour divide bike

[@jansunda8155]

this type of bike remind me old 90s mountain bike so it would be interesting to try flat handlebar wide cca 50 - 60 cm with bar end and it would be perfect

[@michaelismichael4640]

How does the ride compare to the Kona Sutra itself? I'm still keen on the more relaxed geometry of touring bikes.

[@bradleystucko9939]

microshift makes a sram 12speed bar end shifter. Working great for me.

[@hannorasmusholtiegel6044]

You can get lower gearing with mechanical sram shifters, just use a ratio kit or garbaruk components.

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Yes. I’ve reviewed both.

[@lweleven3423]

Genesis vagabond, Kona Sutra ,Salsa Fargo, kinda all very similar, what are your thoughts ?

[@alexmurdock9101]

Did Kona drop the sram XDR driver on the ULTD? I have the 2018 model SutraLTD and the 10 tooth small cog was great - it really helps the gear range of the bike.

[@keithmendez8559]

Seems like this bike has a lot of similarities to the salsa Fargo. Have you ever had a chance to review a Fargo?

[@mikefox2924]

I was thinking the same thing. I was able to test ride my friends custom one and it rode very similar to the Fargo but maybe somewhere between a Fargo and a Journeyman with more adventure nipples (cause I had to use adventure nipples in a sentence)

[@flintstone5404]

love that color

[@ponuryhutnik]

It's like my old ATBs and stiff MTBs with drop bars. Sooo... a project for spring is to experiment on my GT with drops, hmmm

[@gravgrav]

Check the math: it’s so close to a unit front end with sutra rear

[@Wade970]

The only thing that would make it better is if you could run the same width tires as the ‘21 Unit X!

[@Badsneakers78]

@@Wade970 I wish the 21 UnitX could run a 2X crankset

[@gravgrav]

@@Wade970 you can run 66mm no prob. I have 2.5” Teravail Ehlines on it right now. 5mm short of the 71mm ranger.

[@gravgrav]

@@Badsneakers78 can you explain why you need to do I can help? There are a few solves. What’re u trying to do that 11-50 doesn’t accomplish properly.

[@alradhi.j3009]

i use tranzx dropper post for commuting. its super no touch for almost 2,5 years.

[@amarramoul4027]

It look like upgraded version of the 2020 Aventon Kijote

[@shellypalumbo5297]

I’m currently deciding on a touring bike frame for a new build. Because of my age and flexibility I require a frame with a lower top bar. I have been collecting mid line Shimano components and am about ready to purchase the frame and fork. What is your suggestion.

[@AeroDesignCADTutorials]

Nice insights. Have you thought of opening your own shop? Or starting a brand? But pls keep making videos :)

[@larrgemarrge]

Fun looking bike!

[@stevemullin1195]

Which Kona is best for long road/trail tours?

[@content-i-guess]

The Salsa Deadwood X9 is back!

[@randomchick1234]

This is the bike I WANTED to buy, but would've had to order from the other side of the world for a huge delivery cost. So I bought a 2018 Fuji instead because my state actually had one in stock. Gravel bikes just aren't properly in aussie markets yet, very annoying!

[@Wade970]

I only have one question... where can I find a 56 and a 58 to test ride near Fruita? This would look good parked next to my ‘14 Rove.

[@ajcolaizzi3553]

I think we should start a discussion on changing the name of "Monster Cross". While words and names do and don't matter it's not intuitive to me. It makes me think of a "Monster Cyclo Cross" bike but it's a "Monster Gravel" bike or "Lite MTB"/"Drop Bar MTB". While I do agree "Monster Cross" rolls of the tongue better, I think "Rad Grav" is more reflective of the bike and it's capabilities and intent. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk and I hope this turns into a large meaningless debate. Thanks Russ!

[@somn__]

If anyone is looking for one of these we have a 52 and 54 in stock @ Ben's Bikes in Athens, GA!

[@11spacecake]

would this work with velo orange seine bar????

[@singletrackmania1]

The blurred background is cool for the intro but once you're talking about what's behind you it's annoying having the background in and out of focus. Clutched derailleur?

[@Coopdog-dp5eq]

Where's all this Gravel I'm supposed to ride? Gravel roads are pretty rare around here. What if it's a clay road, or a dirt road, or a road that's just two ruts in the grass?

[@PathLessPedaledTV]

Don’t be dumb. It’s a stand in for unpaved roads. Not every rides mountain bikes in the mountains either.

[@kyletrebotich4710]

Copper paint job is dope.

[@AlienTrees]

in the sunlight it varies between rust, orange, and purple depending on the angle