Looking to get into bikepacking this summer, been looking for bikes to start with but with a huge variety and differing prices I thought would ask for some advice,
Initially was after going for a surly bridge club but they are difficult to find in the Uk.
This is my other option
Any advice or criticism is welcomed and if you have any recommendations would be glad to hear them
Thanks
by COUGH-COOL138
7 Comments
I know a few people with Kona Roves and all are very happy. None of them have the aluminum version but I do remember reading a guy’s post on bikepacking.com about his aluminum Rove and how much he liked it.
Kona Unit is my choice for bikepacking. So much versatile. Slightly slower on pavement than the rove.
If you can find a bike in your price range with hydraulic disc brakes then I would try and go for that. Makes a big difference to your hand/arm fatigue especially if trying to stop a fully laden bike off road!
Beyond that, something with as many mounting options as possible. Rack mount, loads of bottle cage mounts, I personally love top tube mounts.
Otherwise this is a decent bike. Gears are affordable but will absolutely do the job. Tyres are the right size (if anything people are going for wider now) and Kona are a known quantity.
I’ve been looking at a Rove myself too. I’d 100%, never, ever, ever buy an aluminum fork though.
I love my bridge club but I believe for a frame bag you will have more volume with the Kona and that is a good thing .
Kona Rove is a Solid option. And if you prefer flatbars you could take a look at their Unit X.
You need to realistically consider how much weight will be on the frame.. yourself, gear and bags/racks all add up and can overwhelm a gravel bikes ride characteristics. I’ve heard of frame wobble/vibration harmonics while descending at speed. If i was going gravel it would be the lightest rig possible with ultralight gear, otherwise personally i’d go for something midrange steel which can handle some off road adventure.. unit,kmonkey etc.