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The Kona Rove shortly turned the reliable companion I may depend on. It’s additionally one of the inexpensive but succesful gravel bikes you should purchase. I examined the $1,599 Kona Rove for a month of gravel, path, and concrete using in hilly Vermont.
Briefly: Whether or not you’re dabbling in gravel biking, searching for a fairly priced commuter to get you backwards and forwards to work, or in search of an journey steed that can depart you with the money to pay for equipment, meals, and tenting gear or lodging, Kona’s Rove is a good alternative.
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Body materials
Double-butted cromoly -
Fork materials
Cromoly -
Drivetrain
Shimano Sora 2x 9 velocity -
Brakes
Tektro MDC550 Mechanical with Tektro TR160mm centerlock rotors -
Wheels
WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 rims, Shimano or KT 100x12mm hubs, 14g stainless-steel spokes
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Nice worth -
Snug and secure -
Discipline-serviceable mechanical disc brakes -
Plentiful body and fork mounting factors for baggage -
Minor upgrades could make enormous variations
Kona Rove Gravel Bike: The Good
Metal Is Actual
Constructed from double-butted chromoly metal, the Kona Rove body was plush and comfy even on harsh, badly maintained roads. The metal body dispersed street shock effectively, whereas the bike’s relaxed geometry put me in an environment friendly however not aggressive pedaling place. I didn’t really feel crushed up once I completed a experience on the Rove, whether or not I used to be out for lengthy miles or hammering by way of a fast and soiled lunch experience.
Whereas metal isn’t the best choice for racers since metal bikes are sometimes heavier than carbon or aluminum, it’s extra inexpensive, much less fragile, and longer lasting.
Relaxed Geometry and Rider Place
I felt settled into the cockpit on the Kona Rove and by no means felt like I used to be awkwardly or precariously perched. The place gave me quite a lot of stability on the bike, whether or not cranking by way of the flats or hovering down steep hills. On another value level bikes I’ve examined, descents have felt wobbly, however the Rove was rock strong at excessive speeds.
The bike’s extra-long steerer tube was partially liable for the extra relaxed and upright using place. If you’d like a extra aggressive stance, there are many spacers above and under the stem to achieve the proper handlebar peak.
Componentry on the Kona Rove
The drivetrain could make or break a motorcycle. Although Kona specs an inexpensive Shimano Sora street drivetrain on the Rove, which isn’t gravel-specific, it was dependable, shifted easily, and rode quietly for the month I examined this bike. It was a workhorse, and I anticipate it to stay effectively into the long run.
The Rove is heavier than many gravel bikes, at 26 kilos, 14 ounces on our scales. However it didn’t really feel sluggish. The 34/50t twin entrance chainring with a nine-speed corset gave me loads of gears for steep and hilly terrain. The smaller chainring allowed me to crank up filth “gaps,” Vermont’s model of mountain passes, with out having to face and grind. And the 2x setup will likely be preferrred for loaded touring.
The Rove comes with Tektro mechanical disc brakes. They’re inexpensive and likewise simpler to take care of within the area. Hydraulic brakes require particular instruments and fluids to restore. The Tektro mechanical disc brakes may be mounted with frequent, simply packed components and instruments.
Different Goodies
A considerate sticker on the body shows the mandatory restore components and dimensions. It lists the seat put up clamp diameter, the derailleur half quantity and fork, headset, backside bracket, axle, and entrance derailleur specs.
The bike makes use of a 12x100mm entrance and 12x142mm rear thru-axles, which added stiffness to the wheel/fork and body interfaces. These helped the Kona Rove really feel predictable in corners and strong and secure general.
Kona outfitted the Rove with a great deal of mounts, a significant bonus for setting this bike up for touring. The 4 fork mounts per facet can maintain luggage or bottles. The bike has room for a full-frame bag or a number of water bottles in the primary triangle. It additionally has mounts for a rear rack or seat bag. Kona put loads of area and attachment factors on the Rove for day-tripping, commuting, or in a single day adventures.
Lastly, the Kona Rove is available in a broad dimension vary, from 48 to 58. It should match most riders from 4’10” to six’5”.
The 650x47c tires had been extraordinarily soft however had been additionally quick rolling.
The Kona Rove is a distinctive-looking bike. The matte bloodstone paint job was eye-catching. It jogged my memory of desert filth.
Lastly, the value of $1599 can’t be beat.
What Wasn’t So Nice on the Kona Rove
Some riders gained’t be followers of the nine-speed drivetrain. With gravel teams delivering as much as 13 speeds, 9 speeds felt like a throwback. However out using, because of the twin entrance chainrings, the bike had sufficient gearing to deal with all of the terrain I encountered.
My largest grievance about this bike was the handlebar. Kona did an amazing job of outfitting the Rove with gravel-ready components, aside from the handlebar, which is Kona’s normal Kona Street bar. It doesn’t have the flare frequent amongst gravel bars. A flared bar enhances a gravel bike’s stability when on the drops and permits extra hand positions. The Kona Street bar felt quick within the drops. If I owned this bike, I’d swap the bars instantly.
The bike comes with tubes, and I might improve to tubeless. For Vermont using, I’d additionally swap the tires. The Maxxis Rambler EXO 650x47c inventory tires had been nice on pavement and hardpacked filth, however they slid in mud or free circumstances. I’d swap to a 650x45c Pirelli Cinturato Journey tire. If I stored this bike, I’d additionally shave rotating weight by upgrading to lighter rims.
Kona opted for externally routed cables on the Rove. It’s not as clear a glance as inner cables, however the cables are simple to entry for upkeep.
Kona Rove Gravel Bike: Conclusion
The Kona Rove isn’t a race bike, although I’d experience it for any gravel occasion on it. It’s not a touring bike, although I’d load it up and take it wherever at any time. And I wouldn’t name it a commuter, although I pedaled it to loads of conferences and to run errands. The bike is designed for all sorts of using — commuting, touring, exploring, and simply placing round. It wasn’t tremendous fast to speed up, however it simply rolled wonderful as soon as it was to hurry.
The Kona Rove was succesful proper off the shelf, however it may be so a lot better with some minor tweaks. It’s an amazing first bike, quiver bike, bike for a teen, and bike for brand new adventurers. The Rove will make you smile as you experience off into the sundown or disappear within the morning fog for an extremely inexpensive value.
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