RBA Test: Kona Rove Gravel Bike
As well-known as the Kona name is in mountain bike circles, the Canadian brand has also enjoyed a long history as an active participant in the world of cyclocross racing. Although a mere shadow of their successful dirt bike operation, Kona has in fact been making road bikes since 1991, and for 2014, their drop-bar effort has increased with a line of carbon road bikes joining the ranks. If there has been one card that Kona has played well over their decades as a bike-maker, it’s been to infuse all they do with a sense of fun. Yet, despite their contrarian leanings, they have shown themselves capable of appreciating a sense of tradition. That would be the Kona Rove.
THE FRAME
It has been a while since we were able to talk about a bike and use the words ‘butted steel’ to describe what the front triangle is made of. But there, we said it. The Kona Rove is an unabashed steel bike with nary a hint of any currently popular design feature. And really, why should it? There’s neither a tapered head tube nor an inch of internal cable routing. The Project Two fork does have an SL designation on it, but that should mean less to a potential Rove rider than the front and rear fender eyelets, which serve a real-world purpose.
As the gravel bike market continues to make strides into the mainstream, there continues to be questions about what makes a good gravel bike (look for a breakdown on page 38). But just by comparing the bottom bracket drop on three different categories of Kona bikes can help lend a clue; the bottom bracket drop on the Rove is 65mm, the drop on the Major Jake cyclocross bike is 62mm, and the drop on the Zone road bike is 75mm. What that Rove number tells you is that a gravel bike’s bottom bracket isn’t affected by the same considerations of a cyclocross bike that needs added height for clearing course obstacles, but neither is it chasing low-rider numbers for the sake of high-speed cornering. Basically, to optimize its dual-purpose existence, a gravel bike is best suited for the midrange dimension.
Our test bike was actually a 2013 model, and the version now offered is finished off with an attractive, nice, matte, raw-steel (with a blue tint) finish. While it was cool to see a real head badge, we would’ve also liked to have seen a third water-bottle mount given the bike’s intended audience.
THE PARTS
The smartest parts spec on the Rove would have to be the tubeless-compatible Alex rims. Not everyone wants, needs or understands tubeless tires, but it’s nice to see as standard equipment. Speaking of the wheels, the Rove rolls on 35c-treaded Freedom Ryder tires, but the frame makes allowances to run up to a 42c tire without fenders and a 40c tire with fenders. Putting a stop to those hoops are a pair of postmount, Hayes CX Expert, cable-pull disc brakes with 160mm rotors.
As far as our gravel bike recipe book is concerned, we were less than happy to find the 46/36 chainring combo that was mated to a 11-32 cassette. Compared to our most favored 50/34 combo, the gearing just came up short on both steep dirt climbs and fast paved descents. Aided and abetted by the pavement-friendly tread pattern on the Freedom Ryder tires, getting up to speed on the Rove was never a problem, but a 50t big ring would’ve been a better choice to stay at speed.
THE RIDE
As with all our test bikes, the Kona Rove got passed around between a few different test riders. The best response came from a typical cyclist who owned both a mountain and road bike, using the former when it came to do some ‘cross racing. For him, the bike was a sheer revelation, despite the nearly 26-pound weight. He fell deeper in love with cyclocross racing with the Rove, and he soon embraced the true dual sport nature that all gravel bikes speak to. He began riding to local fi re roads to start a new ride. This is part of the magic that cycling can bring to life, and for him, the Rove was the potion that made it possible. Beyond this one particular ‘Rover,’ we found the 56cm top tube better replicated the more laid-out position of a road bike than a bike that could also be dirt-bound.
THE VERDICT
Although the Kona Rove is not the type of bike most often found in the RBA lunch-ride stable, it is a bike we champion nonetheless. It’s not expensive. It’s a durable, straightforward design that does what it was intended to do well. For the more utilitarian among you, Kona also has the $1499 Sutra touring bike that comes stock with fenders, mud flaps, and front and rear Blackburn racks. And for the slightly more fashion-conscious, Kona caters to your needs with a $1999 titanium Rove frameset for you to build up your own version of the ultimate gravel bike.
Kona’s Rove is a simple bike that is designed for the simple task of being a bicycle. There’s no bother about weight limits, aero efficiency or anything else. It’s a solidly built gravel bike delivering added access at an accessible price.
PUNCH LINES
? No third bottle mount
? Not ideal gearing
? Lifetime warranty
STATS
Price: $1699
Weight: 25.7 pounds
Sizes: 47, 49, 53, 56 (tested), 59, 61cm
For more info: KONA WORLD
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