What a nice and polite person you are. Love the content mike.
@vitopardo98492 жыл бұрын
Totally agree.
@BikeTouringMike2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Vito!
@matohota3 жыл бұрын
Btw decathlon has an inexpensive saddle cover that fits B17 perfectly. I use it when transporting bike on a railways as well to avoid unnecessary attention. It even has a small B'TWIN logo on it. Who would ever think about stealing decathlon saddle?
@OldBumOnABike4 жыл бұрын
Mine is a 2016 model, done over 10,000 km of mixed terrain. Never missed a beat.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Wow, that's impressive. Didn't mention that in the video, but that was also one of the reasons I choose the Kona Sutra. People who have haid their bikes for years seem to be happy with them when they have put a couple of thousand of km behind them.
@OldBumOnABike4 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike I find it perfect for my needs. The only issue I've had is the rear rim split around the spoke holes. That was last year when I rode from Bundaberg to Sydney fully loaded and towing an Extra Wheel trailer. I rode down some horrendous roads. But it had already had many a fully loaded trip over many roads that many would only ride a mtb. I'll have to do a 4 year review on mine...
@green_building2 жыл бұрын
This is really good review.. Btw this guy is humble and honest 👍
@robinferguson89113 жыл бұрын
I have the Trek 520 which has the quick releases on the wheels, and I have the exact problem you talked about. I often have trouble getting the wheels back on correctly in line with the disc brakes. I didn't know that was an advantage of the through axles! Thanks for that tip
@citled3 ай бұрын
Hi Mike, I have just bought a Kona Sutre SE 2023 on the basis of your vlog. I am waiting for it to be delivered. I had several choices of bike in mind, and had watched several bike tourers to find out which bike they used. The Kona Sutre tended to be a popular model. But your vlog, in which you explain in detail the pros and minor cons of the Kona Sutre and the fact you had riden one for over two years sold it to me. Thank You.
@garypostell52683 жыл бұрын
Good advice on the brooks saddle
@briandineen78574 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, great video and bike review. I have the salsa marakesh 58cm. It has been a great bike also. Very similar to yours. I really like the bar and shifters. It carries fully loaded panniers with no problem. Our bikes should last a lifetime.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hi Brian! I'm assuming you're about my height then. The Marrakesh sure looks like a sweet ride. It's a bit tricky to get hold of here in Sweden though. Otherwise I might had ended up with that one instead of the Kona Sutra.
@ramblinonandon4 жыл бұрын
Always down to earth videos..great to hear your opinion.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
@recyclespinning98393 жыл бұрын
Great review. I was looking at a good condition used 2016, but now would stay with thru axle for disc , because of your recommendation
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
I think that is a sound desicion. Thru axles are the way to go.
@robonkenhout79654 жыл бұрын
Nice review! Looking forward to more “binge worthy” content.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Rob! Really hope the weather permits me to go up to the mountains soon. We have had a lousy summer here in Sweden. This afternoon we had +13C with heavy rain. That's the typical weather for the last week. Hope it changes soon.
@briananderson35433 жыл бұрын
I have a Kona Sutra and it is the best bike for touring period!
@DrTommyGouranga576 Жыл бұрын
Underside holder is ideal for cooking fuel. Great video thank you.
@BikeTouringMike Жыл бұрын
Hadn't thought of that. Will have to try that out.
@edanrowland3494 Жыл бұрын
Buying this bike shortly, really appreciate this review and you seem LOVELY - great vid, well done - subscribed :)
@BikeTouringMike Жыл бұрын
I'm sure you'll love the bike. Welcome to the channel!
@davidburgess7414 жыл бұрын
I work the other end of the spectrum. Got the B17 and agree it's best for upright riding position. Bottom bracket cut out, replaced, then I welded it back together! Got some XT parts on it, pannier tabs welded on by me. Ultimate anti theft device! Looks terrible but rides well.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Well fortunately bike thieves have very little knowledge regarding groupsets. :-) I myself am lucky to live in a place where I don't have to worry about bike theft that much. Forgot to bring my bike lock during my latest tour, but it's usually not a problem to leave the bike unlocked in front of the supermarket for a couple of minutes around here.
@PumpkinVillage4 жыл бұрын
Very nice review and informative. Looks like you have a bike for the long haul. Nice not to have to worry about quality. Here in Vermont touring bike brands were hard to come by. Ended up with a Trek 520. Really like it. Take care and stay safe, Al
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
I know what you mean. Where I live the nearest dealer that has touring bikes are in Stockholm (5000 miles away). So I had to buy my touring bike without having to test it first. It's been like that with my road bike and MTB as well. Takes many hours of resaech and measuring inseams and so on...
@tonyfrewin48223 жыл бұрын
A cheap alternative for the saddle cover can be to use a shower cap.
@manrein1493 Жыл бұрын
Supeb review, love it! Humble and pragmatic, not marketing driven but done with genuine biker spirit. Thank you.
@leysin456 Жыл бұрын
Most thorough review of the Sutra SE that I’ve seen so far especially about the brakes and comparison to similar bikes: well done and I love my Kona Sutra as well
@BikeTouringMike Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@mikleht4 жыл бұрын
Looks great, no weak spots in there. I feel like Fuji Touring is unbeatable for value, if you have a tight budget but still want a new bike, its definitely something to look at. Thanks for all the videos Mikael!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Seems like a lot of people on this channel swear by their Fuji Touring bike. I haven't really had any experience with it myself, since it's not widely found here in Europe. I think it's more a bike for the American market. But if I happen to come across one I'll definitely try it out.
@mehrdaderfani6694 жыл бұрын
Fuji Touring discs are great indeed. Great components similar to Sutra and a little better touring geometry (IMHO) at even a lower price. Having said that, the two factor that would still tilt me toward Sutra are the max tire clearance (52C for Sutra vs Fuhi's 45C) and IMHO Fuji's too fast for touring 63mm steering compare to Sura's 69mm ( trail numbers)
@meindertatedejong5578 Жыл бұрын
Took my Kona Sutra SE 2022 to the beach today and did some Mtb trails as well. 60 km of comfort and fun.
@rogervancleave86704 жыл бұрын
Nice review. I have the 2019 Sutra LTD and really enjoy riding this bike on my bike packing trips. Like you, I’ve found the frame to be very comfortable and really like the versatility of this bike over some of the other bikes you mentioned.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Roger! You're a lucky guy, the Sutra LTD is a sweet ride for sure.
@jpooch002 жыл бұрын
A most excellent and informative review. I'm buying a 2022 Kona Sutra SE today! A local bike shop actually has one in my size in stock ready to go! Ride safe, JP
@MishaDaBear3 жыл бұрын
Suggestion, on my Cannondale Touring bike I had similar issues with my lower bottle, one fix and 2 options, fix remove front fenders and replace with liter forward deflector shield which is velcroed to the frame. Options I use either a tall bottle or I put a MSR fuel bottle for my naptha/diesel/unleaded fuel stove when I put the fuel there I place a water or 2 bottle in a pocket(s) on my paniers with towels or bubble pack around them as cool water is nice in the early afternoon! Also, I put the tent, under pad (Ridgerest) and sleeping bag above the paniers. My setup is Blackburn through the fork lowrider front and standard rack on the back the rear rack sports a 22" side traffic Bike-up traffic flag! I use the very lite but bulky closed foam Ridgerest as I have tried the socalled self inflating thermarest pads and ended up tossing them in the garbage! My shifting is pure friction without any indexing to have to tune. I use duro grade tires 35mm front and 32mm rear both with mr tuffy thorn and staple guard between the tire and tube. www.ratail.com/forward.htm nordicgroup.us/s78/flags.html mrtuffy.com/
@Wade9703 жыл бұрын
Good information in this video, I am hoping to find a ‘21 Sutra ULTD. I’m glad to hear the 58cm fits you at 6’2”, that’s the size I’m looking at and my height also. Thanks for the long term review.
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it useful!
@baronjokes3 жыл бұрын
That was exactly the information I was after as well and I too happen to be precisely the same height as you. Thank you :)
@prof.krastavaclee87954 жыл бұрын
I got the 2020 model and im very happy with it. As per usual great video. Keep the hard work going!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I'm sure your bike is even better. I think most of the changes they have made are for the better, i.e. more eyelets on the fork, wider rims.
@EverydayCycling4 жыл бұрын
Nice review Mike! The right shifter can be set to friction as well if you want. There is a metal ring on the left side of the right shifter. Pull that out and rotate it counter-clockwise until it clicks on the new position (may take some force but you can do with your hands). Than, it will be set to friction, just like the left side.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Yes, I knew about this and actually talked about it in the video, but it didn't make it through the edit. Had to slim the video down to a watchable format. :-)
@EverydayCycling4 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike happens to all of us haha... All the best to you!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
I'm sure you know Victor. By the way, congratulations on your english channel doing so incredible well! 6K already. That's insane!
@EverydayCycling4 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike Thanks! It was totally unexpected. A month ago I was doing my predictions and thought I would hit a thousand by September. Haha it's a very specific niche, so now it's settling down.
@jerryz.30874 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the update Mikael, so far it seems like one of those "no regrets" kinda purchases...hope all is well in your world.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Everything is as normal over here except the fact that we can't go to Norway or Finland, which is a real bummer for me. We can however travel to Spain and Greece, which I find very strange. Hope all is well with you in Florida. The news we're getting over here is that the numbers seem to be going up. But I always take the news with a grain of salt these days.
@jerryz.30874 жыл бұрын
Yeah, our numbers don't look too good. Some folks dropped their guard a bit and began gathering/partying in large groups. So that age group took a big hit....I'd probably be right there with them 30+ years ago, during my beer days. Anyway, all is well here. Stay safe Mike.
@secretdaisy64843 жыл бұрын
Nice review! I have a new 2019 Kona Sutra in a box that arrived the first week of the zombie 🧟 viral apocalypse shutdown. No hurry putting it together. When things are safe I'll be riding it coast to coast. The Brooks saddle is coming off. BTW there is a compound called Proofhide & other saddle preserving products (Lexol) that are great for leather that is exposed to the elements. I'll be putting a new Terry Liberator ladies saddle on when assembled. That is the only brand of saddle I ride on & I have different styles on all my bikes. You're not the first person that I heard say they went hundreds of kilometers on those Scwalbe tires without a flat. They are on my bike too. Good to know I won't be spending a lot of time fixing flats. That gets old. I'm planning to pull a Bob Yak trailer. The following year I'm planning a lengthy tour of Scandinavia & if I bring a dog he will go in a Burley trailer & I will have to use panniers which I don't like the weight on the bike but I can get over it. I'm subscribed now! Cool channel. Pedal on & be safe. 👍☮️🌞🦠😷🚲
@nsick2 жыл бұрын
Really helpful video. Thank you!
@BikeTouringMike2 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it useful!
@Niidea19868 ай бұрын
Whoever named the bike Kona Sutra definitely knew what he was doing…
@brentirvine23364 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comprehensive re-review. I watched your first video when it first came out as I was looking over the same array of bikes. I ended up deciding on a lighter touring bike, (Salsa Vaya) though, since I don't carry camping gear and am rather light myself. Looking forward to your next tour video.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Haha, I hope this review was a little bit easier to watch. The old one is horrible. The audio is way off and I say "um" and "aah" every other second. :-)
@grahamramsay34024 жыл бұрын
The right shifter has friction mode too. Not just indexed. Helps if the indexing goes a little out of adjustment.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tip Graham. I knew about this, and had actually said it in the rough cut of the video, but it didn't make the final edit. Had to keep the video short.
@grahamramsay34024 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike ok. I thought you may have forgotten. Its an important feature for a touring bike.
@bruiser64793 жыл бұрын
a very interesting review. It looks a very nice bike that appears to be very good value.
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
I really think so, since a lot of accessories that I would have otherwise bought anyways (Brooks saddle, rear rack, fenders) come bundled with the bike.
@bruiser64793 жыл бұрын
Bike Touring Mike That really makes a difference to the value. The Brooks saddle is a good choice. I have the B17 on my Cannondale Tourer and the Flyer on my ebike. I am one of those people who finds the Brooks saddle very comfortable right from the start. Would you consider fitting a dynamo hub on your bike? They seem pretty expensive. Especially if you have access to charging every few days. Modern battery banks are pretty cheap and reliable.
@paulenright4 жыл бұрын
Great review Mike ...Sutra, just add air and away you go. We've really have enjoyed ours...saddle b17 now more comfortable then my lazyboy!no flats🤞 and super smooth ride .🚴♂️🎥👍👋🇨🇦
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
So you have Sutras as well. Should have guessed, since Kona is a Canadian brand, right?
@paulenright4 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike hi Mike good to hear back ah! Like so many things we like the USA seems to have role to play in the design and manufacturing, however, 2 guys from British Columbia did the initial work ...now the company is 50% American and 50% Canadian. That being said I bought mine based on your review from a few years ago👍moreover, we where fortunate to find 2 gently used ones and have added some Otlieb penniers on Amazon, based on yours and Darren's review...don't know if I'll ever have enough money saved to buy a Co/motion bike let alone 2🙄 but never say never! Looking forward to your next outing... safe travels Mike!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Wow, didn't know that anyone managed to get through that video, let alone be inspired to buy a bike after watching it. ;-) It was one of the first videos I filmed, and my editing skills were kind of poor as well. That's why the sound is horrible and there are "um's" and "aah's" every five second or so. That video is still performing quite well though, so I thought I would do an updated version that would be a bit more bearable to watch. ;-) Yeah, that Co-Motion is a great bike but to expensive in my eyes. Never got to try it out during our Czech week. But it's still just a bike. It had it fair share of problems as any of our bikes. I remember Darren had to borrow my multi-tool since he didn't bring one himself. He had some problems with one of the pedals if I remember correctly.
@andreabattagliaphoto4 жыл бұрын
Good review Mike. Take care. Cheers from Paris.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Andrea. I love your country. I have visited it four times (Paris twice). I hope to come back as soon as everything is back to normal again.
@rasmuswi4 жыл бұрын
For a minute or so, I thought the Kona Sutra might be the frame for me. Flat mount brakes. Throught axles. Clearance for 700x42 wheels. But then I realized it has a 73mm bottom bracket. Oh, I guess it's possible to shave off 4 mm from the shell, but that could make the chain rings touch the chainstays. The search goes on... (I'm looking to do a frame swap. Take all the components from my current Specialized Sequoia and put them on a sturdier, more touring oriented frame)
@Userslmr4 жыл бұрын
Hej Mikael och tack för alla fantastiska videor! Jag har just köpt en exakt likadan Kona som du har och det är en mycket trevlig cykel. Det enda problemet jag haft med den hittils är att ramen repas så enkelt. Fått tiotals små repor här o där. Önskar dig och din familj allt bra! Hälsningar från Österbotten.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Tack så mycket Viacheslav. Glädjer mig att läsa dina fina ord. Jag har inte haft några problem med repor på ramen och jag har ändå rest rätt mycket med den på både flyg, bussar och i bilar. Vilken årsmodell har du är det den senaste?
@humankapital20003 жыл бұрын
Hey Mike, first of all many thanks for your videos! I watched quite a bunch of them and really enjoyed it. Because of your recommendation, I bought a 2021 Kona Sutra some weeks ago. So far I'm pretty happy about it. The only thing that I need to get used to are the bar end shifters, for me they seem to be positioned quite odd. Other than that I'm looking forward to a nice season of bike touring.
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
Congratulations on your new bike. I'm sure you'll be super happy with it. And regarding the bar-end shifters, give it 10 rides or so and it will become second nature.
@michaelismichael46403 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike I agree. The bar end shifters are now second nature to me. There is one aspect of them you didn't mention that is a big positive. The right hand one, the rear one, can be switched over from index mode to friction mode so that you don't have indexing issues. Very useful on long trips when gears and chain get worn.
@OverTheHillPhil4 жыл бұрын
Liked and subscribed. Good review. I've the 2009 version of the Sutra (bright green frame) and 11 years on it's still a great bike. It came with a "plastic" saddle so I put my Brooks Professional on it. The Brooks is now 30 years old and still in great condition, but they have to be looked after.
@tsepaldorjee89984 жыл бұрын
Thank you for yours information. I am gonna buy new one
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Glad you found the information useful. They can be a bit hard to find nowadays, with the whole situation going on. Overall bikes are in high demand at the moment. But I wish you good luck finding one!
@happyclient12692 жыл бұрын
Love this guy. Great vids. Thanks 👍
@orsations3 жыл бұрын
I have a 2013 sutra bought in 2015, with about 30k km on it. Still on the original wheels. These bikes are overbuilt to perfection. You pay for it in extra weight, but it’s unlikely they’ll let you down.
@russellnapier38844 жыл бұрын
Nice review Mike. I’m using a standard gravel bike from Voodoo so having to buy all the extras for it. I’ve not done a long tour yet but short ones seem to go well. I’m tempted to get the Brooks saddle too but have not taken that plunge yet. Keep up the great video’s.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Russell! I haven't heard about that specific bike, I'll have to do some catching up. If it seems ok for a couple of days it's probably fine to go on a little longer tour as well. You get the feeling pretty quickly if there is something off with the bike. So I'm sure you'll have a lot of nice adventures ahead of you on that bike,
@RikuLeppanen3 жыл бұрын
Nice review! Thanks a lot and Happy New Year 2021!
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it. Happy New Year Henrik!
@mrman5517 Жыл бұрын
thanks for the really nice review!
@reeceholmes85462 жыл бұрын
lovely bike, thanks Mike
@lukeeclair77363 жыл бұрын
Really helpful review. Thank you!
@AlaskaPirates4 жыл бұрын
Hey thanks for the video Mike! As always, great job!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Glad you liked it! And thanks for the nice comment.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Should have posted a sign. :-) It's a strange feeling, and hard to describe. But when you haven't seen or heard anything moving around for the last hour or so, meeting a car induces that sort of reaction. I was totally baffled at that moment.
@edwardsumner9144 жыл бұрын
Nice video. I enjoy your content. Keep it up.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the encouragement Ed!
@johnbrame30234 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike. Thanks for the review. I did some touring in New Zealand (early 80's) and would like to do some touring again so I'm in the market for a bike. One negative comment I read somewhere else is that ones shoe can hit the fender when turning. Has anyone had this problem ?
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hi John! There is no possibility of a toe overlap (which this phenomenon is called). I have a size 46 shoe (13 US) and I have tried to see if I could reach the fender with my toe, and there is no chance. So unless you have a very much larger foot than I do you're in the clear.
@t.sholto47003 жыл бұрын
nice work!
@andredo48803 жыл бұрын
Nice. I got Domane al5 for longer rides. But its not good for riding in mountains. I think i will buy this bike, its heavy but i know i will have a lot of adventures with it
@paulkotyk8813 жыл бұрын
Good video. Useful, thanks!
@alangoffin35992 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike really enjoy your videos question when touring what is the average daily mileage you factor in especially when camping and fully loaded Thanks Alan
@eugenetaheny21684 жыл бұрын
Terrific review Mike....! From Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺🚴
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Eugene! Hope all is well with you and Andrea during the lockdown. Take care of yourselves!
@gratefultube3 жыл бұрын
I love my Brooks saddle.
@GordoGambler2 жыл бұрын
My rails have broken twice on Flyers. I'm only 180 lbs. or so. I ended up needing a China made memory foam cover because of pimples.
@davomccranko3 жыл бұрын
How would you compare the Sutra ULTD geometry compared to the regular Sutra geometry in XL size. ULTD has slightly slacker headtube and stack is about 20mm higher in XL size. I like how the newer models can fit pretty big tyres.. 50mm? I'm 194cm tall, 6'4 with a long inseam of 94cm, so I like a good stack height. Thanks Mike.
@stevemullin1195 Жыл бұрын
You can get a small pouch for your bike tools and then put that in your water bottle holder
@garypostell52683 жыл бұрын
Outstanding
@TateJenson Жыл бұрын
Great review! It doesn't seem you have a kickstand on it, right? Is this a problem when you go on tour?
@MrMilanina3 ай бұрын
Great review, thank you. How tall are you and what is the riser you installed, please?
@pierrrejette90234 жыл бұрын
Hello Mike. Thanks for a great review. I like what you do. You think that you will be able to leave Sweden for bike trips this summer/fall? Thanks.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hello Pierre! Thanks for the encouragement. At the moment the only country that my county (Västerbotten) is welcome in is Denmark, and that is very far from here. Norway on the other hand (where I had planned to do a couple tours in) is only welcoming people from the southern part of Sweden. Ironic, isn't it? We will have to wait and see what happens. If Norway open their borders in the fall I might go there. Otherwise I'll probably just tour here in Sweden.
@ormsk9542 жыл бұрын
Top chap!
@jakezarbrezhoneg41102 жыл бұрын
👌🏻 Merci.🙏
@kma-21743 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike ! Thanks for the video, i bought this bike last year and I love it. I want to add a head set spacer too, can you give me the name of this one ? Thanks a lot, keep up the good work !
@vijayakumarb3751 Жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, awesome review.I am planning to buy Kona Sutra 2022 model. I'm 5.9 tall and inseam is 80. Will 52 frame size work for me? From the chart, standover height is perfect with 52, but the recommended size comes to 54. I'm worried that I'll not be able to standover with both legs flat if i go for 54. Please advise. Thanks.
@TrondBakkeFlgstad6 ай бұрын
Two questions: 1. Do this have mechanical disk brakes and what is your experience with them. Are they hard to maintain? 2.Where did you get it. I live in Norway and it is difficult to find online.
@mehrdaderfani6694 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great review (both this one and your initial one). I am the same height as you, and I am looking at the XL (58) or L (56) size. Since we are the same height, the other major decision factor would be the inseam size ( Pubic Bone Height, not the pant's inseam size) . Since I can't find one near me to test ride it, it would greatly help me to also make sure that it is the right size taking my PBH into account. If you don't mind please let me know what is your PBH. Mine is 35" ( 89 cm). I am hoping that your inseam is around the same, so I can go ahead with putting my order in. ALSO, did you have any toe overlap issues? ... my shoe size is Euro 47 ( US 12) and toe overlap is an issue with some bikes. Thank you very much for your help.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hello Mehrdad. My inseam is 94 cm. I have got very long legs, short upper body. I actually discussed the issue of toe overlap when I made the video, but cut it out of the final edit since I though no one would would be interested. But there is no possibility of a toe overlap with your shoe size and the XL or L. I have a size 46 myslef, and there is just no way possible. Believe me, I've tried...
@1UpKroeker3 жыл бұрын
What size did you end up getting. I am 6'1 1/2 " and my inseam is 90cm.
@mehrdaderfani6693 жыл бұрын
@@1UpKroeker I got the 58, and fits perfect. I am 6'2" ( ~185 cm) with PBH of 35" ( 89 cm)
@sophiemmc141 Жыл бұрын
Hello ! Thanks for this interesting video ! I'm thinking about buying the kona sutra SE but I am hesitating with a gravel (genesis croix de fer 20). Have you ever try a gravel bike? Is there really a big difference between a gravel and the Kona sutra? Thank you very much.
@loveenough14 жыл бұрын
Good review Mike! Any other tours planned?
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
I'm off to the Vildmarksvägen (the Wilderness Road) here in Sweden any day now. Just waiting for the right weather. Probably going there in about two weeks time.
@jakobpankratz93254 жыл бұрын
... and the Brooks Sattle Cover is not really waterproof... that is my experience... so I take a shower cape as a back up 😂
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Great bike hack!
@GaborMeszarosName4 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, a silly question: How did you add a headset spacer? I have seen the 2019 and the 2020 Sutras, but the handlebar by default was set on the highest position on them (without room for extra headset spacers, the fork is cut unlike on the Surly). Or do you mean you added an extender? If so, which one do you use? Thank you!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hello Gabor! You're correct that the handlebar is set on the highest position. So I did this. I order a set of four different spacers. Then I removed one of the smaller ones that came stock on the bike (i think it was 5 mm) and replaced it with on of the largest that I ordered (15 mm). I then put everything back into lace and it worked greeat. It feels just as stable as before the switch. So the trick is to remove one of the old ones.
@GaborMeszarosName4 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike Brilliant. :) Thank you for the explanation!
@meindertatedejong5578 Жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike , Hello Mike, read your answer but don’t get it I am afraid. In the end you come 1 cm short I guess, so not all the bolds to fasten the stem can be used?
@daliborpuzigaca7744 жыл бұрын
Great review of the bike. I have a 2019 Kona Sutra. I wanted to ask you, did you notice your chain vibrating a little in the beginning when you pedalled, and put pressure on your pedals? I haven't ridden mine much (less than 300 km), but feel the chain vibrating when applying more pressure on the pedals. I wonder if it's because the bike and drivetrain are still new, and need time to break in a bit.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Dalibor. No, I can't say that I have felt any vibrations. Has that been on paved roads or gravel roads?
@daliborpuzigaca7744 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike Paved roads. It happens when I put more pressure on the pedals. I lubricated the chain, but it still does it in certain gears more than others. I read that it can happen when the chain goes over the smaller cogs since this is a 9 speed drivetrain, and the chain is wider. I will keep riding it and see if it gets better. If not, maybe I'll take it to the bike shop for them to take a look.
@fumblestiltskin3 жыл бұрын
@@daliborpuzigaca774 I have the 2019 Kona Sutra and never felt the chain vibrating.I wonder if the gears were properly indexed?Did you find out what the problem was or did it sort itself out?I've ridden over 3600 miles and have had no problems with mine.
@BuscandoFauna4 жыл бұрын
Excellent 👏👏👏
@UlfKirste2 жыл бұрын
How does the bike do on steep slopes (15-20 %)? Thanks for the great review!
@charlesgould80473 жыл бұрын
You don't break in a Brooks saddle. It breaks YOU in.
@edlaws68674 жыл бұрын
Hej Mike, sure is a nice bike, possibly the perfect tourer. Brooks saddles are great, does the saddle mould to your bum, or does your bum mould to the saddle? And the leather only comes from vegan cows, so everyone's happy. You must thank your Mother from me, I tried some Rowan berries this week. It's a flavour experience I won't forget in a hurry. The auto generated subtitles of this video came up with " Hi there spider Mike here" which made me laugh. Have fun on the Vildmarksvägen, Ed
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Funny coincidence. Malin and I just spent the last two days taking down and hauling away one of our three Rowan trees. I by two days, I mean two full work days. I started cutting down the branches on by one, standing on our garage roof. It wasn't the most safe working environment I must admit, since I often was hanging out a meter or two over the edge of the garage, while operating a chainsaw. Our kind neighbor decided to help us with the stem of the tree in the end. I don't know if he was more scared for my sake or for the possibility that the tree might fall onto his house. Probably the latter. ;-) We need the space to build a new bike shed. That is the new project around here since I finished the patio. We have 15 bikes + 1 moped in the family, so our current bike/wood shed is way to small. We're storing a couple of bikes in the loft a the moment, and that is a hassle.
@edlaws68674 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike I thought we were bad with 9 bikes and a moped. I see people at work every week who've fallen off a ladder, but we all over reach etc. I'm glad you're the environmental officer, and not health and safety. I fell from a tall stool decorating and broke some ribs earlier in the year. Trees are a lot lot bigger on the floor aren't they!
@dino25644 жыл бұрын
Great review Mike! What is your inseam size?
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank youu Dino! 95 cm or 37,4 inches.
@dino25644 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike Oh that is huge! I was wondering because of that long seatpost.
@RijalFahmiMohamadi4 жыл бұрын
this is great video :) :)
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Rijal!
@aarongomes314 Жыл бұрын
Hey Mike - I m 6 foot with a 35” inseam. Do you think I can still get by with a 58cm Sutra? I can’t find any 56cm models locally.
@prernasaha35553 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, great video! May I check exactly what the model is called? Cheers!
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
Do you mean the bike? Kona Sutra 2018 XL (58cm).
@prernasaha35553 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike Thanks Mike, yes I suppose I was a tad unsure because the newer versions seems to have LTD and ULTD ranges as well. Seems like with the old ones it was just simple Sutra!
@socaljoe4 жыл бұрын
Good review and information. Definitely a nice bike. Do you have an opinion/experience with the spray that one sprays inside a steel frame to prevent rust?
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hi Joe! No, I have never used or heard about this. I take very good care of my bikes. Never leave them out in the rain, try to avoid riding in rainy conditions as much as possible, and stor them inside. That has worked for me over the years. I have a steel mountainbike that I've had for 20 years now, and it's still going strong. I have designated it to be my winter bike, so it takes most of the damage from the salt they pour onto the roads during the winter around here. As soon as they do that I put my other bikes away for the winter and just ride the winter bike.
@CodSlap4 жыл бұрын
So Cal Joe I believe you mean JB Weigle’s Frame Saver? There are many alternatives, but JBW is the old-school / most-known stuff. Not the best option in my opinion, though. I have a Kona CroMoly frame that is very comparable to the Sutra (2016 Big Rove ST), and I treated mine with JB Weigle to begin with. I was surprised how quickly the stuff dries up, which makes me think JB Weigle is essentially boiled linseed oil in a spray can. I then switched over to Fluid Film, treated my frame with it and after two years it’s still a wet film on the inside of my frame adhering to the metal - which is exactly what you want.
@Kevin975872 жыл бұрын
Nice video, I bought the 2022 Kona sutra. I do have one question, how do u find the brakes? I find them quite weak and even after tightening the cable more they dont feel very good. And when i dont use the bicycle for a day or so, the brake lever becomes very tight to brake for the first time (after that it loosens up) have u experienced this? thanks.
@AwesomeAngryBiker2 жыл бұрын
I find the brakes by placing my hands on the handle bars and extending my fingers towards the front wheel😂
@vrubelvrubel62932 жыл бұрын
I got the same Sutra as yours,model 2018? What rack for the from wheel did u choose?
@BikeTouringMike2 жыл бұрын
It's called Xtreme lr-1 lowrider.
@vrubelvrubel62932 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike HOw much weight can it hold?
@anasmrabet75024 жыл бұрын
Hello, I am following you from France 🇫🇷, and I learned a lot from you, I have a question about this bike, you compared it with the Trek 520, salsa Marrakech and surly, but I 'would like to compare the Kona Sutra with VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400, I hesitate between the two, Sach that the TX-400 has a good reputation worldwide known, and thanks in advance 👍
@1UpKroeker3 жыл бұрын
I was told that the salsa needs to use salsa racks.
@stevemullin1195 Жыл бұрын
Do you ride with padded shorts on your brooks saddle?
@BikeTouringMike Жыл бұрын
Hi Steve! For my daily rides I ride with both padded shorts and shorts with no padding. But for most of my bike tours I use a padded short.
@tkdliron2 жыл бұрын
Would you say it is possible to use 28x45c or even 28x50x tires with fenders on the Kona Sutra?
@j0en4 жыл бұрын
Where did you purchase your bicycle? I am having troubles finding one in Sweden.
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
I bought it from Bikester.se. However this year getting hold of one seems a bit difficult due to the state of the world today. But it seems like that with most bikes these day.
@j0en4 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike Thanks! I have noticed that as well. Did you get the aluminum or the steel frame bicycle?
@Scruffybirdd4 жыл бұрын
Do you need to wear padded cycling shorts with this Brooks saddle?
@alangoffin35992 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike what is the name of the bar riser on the stem ?
@marksadventures38894 жыл бұрын
Sounds like something from a book my parents banned me from reading, as if any harm could come from reading a book. (Oh, yeah - Des Capital and Mein Kampf - okay then most books). Nice bike! I carry 3 litres now two on front and one on the lower tube where you find you can't carry big bottles either and the other behind me in my jersey.
@lonepecheurboussac12493 жыл бұрын
hi mike i finaly got a sutra but i need to raise the handle bars slightly did you raise yours?
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I just got a set of spacer rings and adjusted it to the right height (for me about 2 cm). You can find them online or your local bike shop. Just remove the Kona plate on top of your stem and add the desired spacer.
@princessppvco15833 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike thanks I had bought a riser stem and was giving me troubles with wobble in the forks
@lonepecheurboussac12493 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike yes i did a rised tube and the bolt wasnt threading right i went back at it and i managed it to get it threaded right all done now shes a lovely bike
@lorenzoantiga14634 жыл бұрын
Hi, I'm 182 tall with an inseam of 91 cm. What size do you suggest? Thanks
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Hi Lorenzo! Looks like the L (56 cm) should fit you. But I recommend you to check the size charts over at konaworld.com to make sure.
@lorenzoantiga14634 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike thank you Mike! I agree with you. I'm now deciding between Kona sutra and Trek 520. I have very long legs compared to my height risking to have a big drop between saddle and handlebar, I don't know if to be very bending with the tors is very comfortable in a touringbike. Thanks again!
@donaldvinsonhaler96984 жыл бұрын
how come nobody evertalks about gearing front and back
@sir_lander4 жыл бұрын
I bought a cheap cover from aliexpress 👌🏿
@sir_lander4 жыл бұрын
Saddle cover
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Good solution to the problem!
@fumblestiltskin3 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike When I bought my 2019 Kona Sutra I had the shop swap the b17 saddle for the c17 with cut out as it is an all weather saddle and can be left out in the rain with no problems.And it is just as comfortable as the b17 in my opinion.
@andreashoppe19693 жыл бұрын
Hi I am 193cm do you think the 58cm will be too small for me?
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
I think it will suit you fine. I still think I'm right between 56 and 58. I am 188 but i have very long legs and pretty long arms. If I had a more proportinal body the 56 would probably have been the bike for me.
@andreashoppe19693 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike hi! Yesterday I have been test-riding it. It feels super good. The reach is lovely! The shop owner will race the stem for me a bit. Because i was leaning forward pretty far because of the hight of the saddle. But after that it will feel just amazing!
@917228543 жыл бұрын
what is the fork mount called? What brand is it?
@BikeTouringMike3 жыл бұрын
Hi! It's called Xtreme LR-1 Lowrider.
@garylindberg24924 жыл бұрын
Are you comfortable with the wide handlebars or would you prefer a bit smaller width?
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
I said in the first review that I thought the handlebars were a bit to wide. But now I would change them for the world. I think I was used to my road bike, which has really narrow handlebars. I havn't been riding it much lately, but I took it out for a spin the other day and the handlebars felt awfully narrow. So I guess you adapt to what your using the most. The benefit with the wide handlebars is that tha handling of the bike increases a lot. Plus if your having a bikepacking setup, you're able to fit a larger bag on the handlebar.
@garylindberg24924 жыл бұрын
@@BikeTouringMike i did read that a wider handlebar is good for helping your breathing. glad it is working for you and i am so grateful for all your work on these videos!
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
Thanks Gary! Means a lot hearing you say that. Gives me motivation to keep making videos!
@tsepaldorjee89984 жыл бұрын
How much it cost you normally ?
@BikeTouringMike4 жыл бұрын
The retail price is 1499 USD i believe. If you are lucky you might be able to find it a bit cheaper somewhere.