Is This The Perfect Bikepacking Bike?

There are many things that go into making a bike ideal for bikepacking and the Kona Rove DL checks a lot of those boxes! After riding it all summer, Karl takes us through his Kona Rove DL and tell us what changes he's made and what makes it so great.
Key Features of Karl's Kona Rove DL.
The Bike - Kona Rove DL - konaworld.com/...
Front Rack - OMM Elkhorn - bit.ly/Elkhorn...
Rear Rack - OMM Divide - bit.ly/DivideRack
Wheels - Built by Sugar Wheel Works. Astral Outback rims and Chris King hubs. - bit.ly/SugarWh...
Tires - Teravail Cannonball - bit.ly/Teravai...
Panniers - Micro Panniers by OMM/North St Bags - bit.ly/MicroPa...
Trunk Bag - Trunk Bag by OMM/North St Bags - bit.ly/OMMTrun...
Telescoping Fly Rod - Reyr Gear - bit.ly/ReyrGea...
Want to see more of Karl?
Karl’s KZbin channel: / karlkroll
The Loam and Gravel Society is patroned by some awesome brands. If you're in the market for anything they offer I suggest you take them up on it!
Old Man Mountain - Expedition ready racks that fit any bike: bit.ly/3uUkxLH
Knog - Killer lights and headlamps: bit.ly/3ciSJKB
Reyr Gear - Telescoping fly rods that are always ready: bit.ly/3clMqGd
Kona - Dude, they're Kona bikes! They're awesome: bit.ly/3uUpwMy
Sugar Wheel Works - Hand-built in Portland, Oregon for your exact riding style: bit.ly/3yHkiEN
Carefree Camper Co. - Completely custom vans. No preset models, only your desires and dreams: bit.ly/3yNFx7Q
1UP Racks - The only car rack you've lusted over: bit.ly/3PbnjEA
Teravail - Sticky, steezy rubber for mountain and gravel: bit.ly/3PA66UP
Robert Axle Project - Axles to attach anything to your bike: bit.ly/3yMfqOT

[@p504504]

This vid still gives off the best vibes... I just love to watch it every now and then :D

[@p504504]

So nice to see real racks instead of those weird sagging saddlebags for once. I have a Rove and it’s the best bike I could wish for. I ride it on the smooth roads with a 700c MAVIC wheelset, and on singletracks with 650b EASTON wheelset. And everything inbetween. Bike touring and gravel races are a breeze. Not to mention it’s steel so I’m not afraid of throwing it around. Best bike design ever. Absolutely underrated.

[@CreativeFishDesignsCharlotte]

thank you sir , your a great find as I'm new to this , old man mountain

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

I have the same bike… love it, just a pleasure to ride. It’s amazingly stable in crosswinds too.

[@l2-4upphysicaltrainingover40]

Metal Fork an option? Dream bike!!!Thanks

[@scubawithatuba]

This review sold me, i was trying to decide on whether or not to sell my kona shonky and dew plus which i use both for what this bike seems like it easily conquers, and im doing it. Plus im able to test ride different sizes, thanks for the amazing review!

[@pingpongballz5998]

I got the 2020 Kona Rove NRB DL bike. I still love it.

[@sonalmalhotra07]

Lovely video. Did not know about the Kona Rove. Thanks for making lovely content.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Thanks for watching!

[@sonalmalhotra07]

@@OldManMountainRacks Welcome

[@oot-n-aboot]

So rad! Everything about this makes me happy

[@VilleKuitunen6]

I have the Rove ST DL 2023, brand new and loving it! Cool video, thanks for sharing!

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Good choice!

[@daveebert7747]

Nice video and some nice riding skills. I have a Kona Rove LTD, starting the third season with it and love it. It's my everyday ride, I've done gravel races with it but as you say it rocks when loaded down for bikepacking. I am doing the Great Divide mountain bike route with it this year, going for two months July and August. Leave lots of time to fish and hike.

[@KarlKroll]

how was the rove on the GDMBR?

[@daveebert7747]

It was excellent. I was able to fit 50x650b Pirrelli Cinturato M tires and the extra width really helped. Other then a broken derailleur hanger, which I switched out with the spare I'd brought it was flawless. It really does well fully loaded, stable and predictable

[@jasonisaac1]

Sweet bike! Enjoyed the video. My gravel bike and dirt drop bike are both steel. The dirt drop is a Ritchey Ascent I built up last year, use an Elkhorn rack too. So much fun to ride!

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Very cool!

[@carllariviere2018]

Looks like Bend Oregon. Love these trails and my 2020 Kona Sutra LTD is the best bike I've ever had.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Sure is! Our shop is in SW Bend.

[@austinemery5886]

way to get me drooling over getting this bike. SAving rightnow, just another $275 to go! Great video!

[@austinemery5886]

**Oh snap update** I just got the last rove dl in my shops inventory! Here's to riding every day

[@yuriymiroshnychenko5446]

Great video! I have the same bike and I love it! Great for everyday commutes and travel.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

It really is!

[@andrewhamilton3486]

Great setup. KISS always works 💪

[@edepow]

Are you still enjoying the bike? I'm on a budget and looking for my first gravel bike to use around the city and for bikepacking trips (start with weekends-weeklong, with aspirations of longer routes like the CDT). This seems to fit the bill as a great do-it-all bike without breaking the bank.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

The Rove is an excellent choice and can easily become a lifelong bike.

[@dnb888]

I got the Trek Chekpoint a few years ago, it’s aluminum though. I’m curious would this bike with a steel frame be an upgrade?

[@fennelbrisquet7097]

i;m on your side

[@CrazyCranker]

Would this better then a Surly Troll? Or would I just be wasting my money?

[@paulstrong2210]

You from the midwest? You say 'bag' like my wife and she is from Wisco.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Karl is a midwest guy! Minnesota

[@thomasmuller986]

Got the Rove ST 2019 and Love it but the tire clearance is oldschool Max 700x40 585x47 . Thats Not so Great, nowadays 700x50 585x2.3 can be expected. Has your Blue Rove wider chainstays ?

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Without fenders you could probably fit 650bx50 but it would depend on how much the tire stretches after setup.

[@thomasmuller986]

@@OldManMountainRacks okay, thanks. So an update of the chainstays is to be awaited

[@theonlyDougBlack]

Nice…really nice.

[@OldManMountainRacks]

Glad you like it!

[@l2-4upphysicaltrainingover40]

Very

[@Samsonmetaphysical]

Do you own a bike with a diy e-bike kit on it?

[@KarlKroll]

No I do not but I would love to test out combining touring on an E bike!

[@rpiian]

I have this same bike and put a Bafang 750w mid drive on it. It's a bit more digital than I would have liked (cadence based, not torque sensing), however, it is definitely fast. Regularly does 20mph+ avg commutes (with 5-700ft elevation gain) Some commutes as high as 25mph avg. You can check it out on my channel, if you want, for some of the teething issues I had with it.

[@Samsonmetaphysical]

@@rpiian I will most definitely check it out!

[@rpiian]

@@Samsonmetaphysical No prob! Be sure to check out JohnnyNerdOut as well for his ebike builds (does an insane amount of videos on them!)

[@nicholas3162]

😍 p̶r̶o̶m̶o̶s̶m̶