Kona Rove Gravel 2021 Adventure Bikes
The Kona Rove series has some decent all road bikes for an affordable price. With Shimano, SRAM, and Hayes componentry, these bikes are not too bad for commuters and leisurely adventuring. We would not recommend these bikes for serious riders or competition, but they are good for urban riding. Read full review
Kona Rove Review
Kona usually produces some ace road, cross country, and commuters at all price ranges. The Rove bikes are designed for all road purposes, commuting, and cyclocross. If you are a serious rider, though, these are not the best options, certainly not from Kona. We had some high expectations for these bikes, but when we took them out for a spin, we realized they left a little to be desired.
Now, granted there are some good components and construction for these bikes. Kona’s 6061 butted aluminum and Chromoly butted frames are mostly lightweight, but the overall weight of these bikes is just not optimal for cyclocross.
While the Rove cycles take on pavement and gravel without much trouble, the tires are not as dirt-oriented as we would have liked, rolling just a bit on the ride. These bikes are great for the commute especially for the rack and fender mounts available. The shifters on the AL models are not as good as the price tag would have you believe.
+Pros:
- Sturdy and durable
- Rack and mudguard mounts
- Decent handling overall
- Manages alright on pavement and gravel
-Cons:
- Tires roll a bit, not ideal for dirt
- Entry level dereilleurs
The Verdict
A sturdy and reliable bike that is best oriented to commuting and leisure riding, but not really geared for competing or serious riders.
The Kona Rove has mostly decent specs, but given the price and the competing models that are designed for all-road purposes, we might not recommend these for anything other than hobbyists and urban riding.
The Rove has become the go-to bike for people all over the world that are itching to just. Affordable, spec’d just right, and easy on the eyes, the Rove makes quick work of the commute, gravel trail, or the after-work fitness lap on your local hill. The all-new Rove gets a serious makeover with a gorgeous Chromoly frame and Project Two Chromoly disc fork. Running a 9-speed Shimano Sora drivetrain, Tektro Dual Piston disc brakes, and WTB rims and tyres, the Rove is ready to roll. Kona Chromoly Very few materials offer as much shock absorption, durability and supple-ride characteristics as steel. Kona has never strayed from cycling’s original material and has worked tirelessly to adapt, refine and innovate Kona Chromoly framesets as rider demands continue to evolve. Tapered Head Tube More girth at the bottom of the head tube better distributes shock force, prolonging the bearing life of the headset itself and eliminating brake shudder, while providing confident steering performance. The inherent strength of its triangular design also means a stronger steering position and improved balance, giving the rider more control in rough terrain. A zero-stack, tapered head tube also puts strength where the load is going—into the lower headset cup—maximizing bearing durability where it’s needed. 12mm Thru Axles 12x142mm, 12×148 and 12×157 rear axle standards provide two major advantages to the Kona rider: the 12mm diameter of the rear axle provides the rear hub and frame with a stiff interface, while the 142/148/157mm outer diameter of the hub allows the wheel to be quickly and properly positioned in the frame before the rear axle is inserted. For 2017, you’ll see the 12×148 Boost standard in the mix. Boost spacing provides more tire clearance at the chainstay yoke, while the rear wheel is stiffer and more durable relative to a 12×142 thru-axle. Tubeless Compatible Rims Tubeless rims allow for tyres with more puncture resistance; the ability to run lower tyre pressure, which provides better tyre grip on the trail; lower rolling resistance; and weight savings over traditional tube and tyre systems. 650b Wheels and Tyres 650b wheels and tyres have a similar overall diameter to a traditional 700c gravel or commuting tyre, but with a smaller diameter rim and a wider, taller tyre. The extra air volume in this new generation of urban and mixed-surface tyres means they can be run comfortably at lower pressures while still rolling quickly on a variety of surfaces. It’s the best of both worlds. Built, Tuned and Tested Rest assured that each bike is fully built, tested and tuned by Wiggle’s team of qualified bike mechanics to ensure your bike arrives in perfect condition. We supply all bikes with a set of plastic pedals, a pedal wrench and a multi-tool kit. Find out which size fits you by clicking the size chart tab.
Should you have any questions or require further clarification on the topic, please feel free to connect with our expert author Adrian by leaving a comment below. We value your engagement and are here to assist you.
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