I’m hoping some Kona Sutra riders can give me some advice. I’m considering pulling the trigger and buying the [2023 model](https://www.konaworld.com/en-eu/products/sutra) which has 40mm tyres which I will use for a multi-week ride next year, currently considering either one end of Europe to the other, or some route in the U.S. I want to ride a mix of paved and unpaved, but nothing too technical. Is the Sutra a good choice for tackling some gravel as well as tarmac?
Secondly I seem to be between sizes. I am about 5’9″/175cm tall but have short legs, around a 30 inch/76cm inseam. Is it better to go for a 54cm or a 56cm model?
by pulseezar
4 Comments
I take mine on some pretty gnarly gravel and it handles it well. For your size I would go with 54. I’m 5’11” and ride a 56. It’s pretty big
54cm.
Sutra is just a rove with a longer steertube if I recall. Rove is more for playing on gravel but also is solid for short tours (i had a 2013 model). If your sutra isn’t playful enough you can always cut the steertube and you will effectively have rove geometry. I bet you can squeeze into a 54cm, but why not visit a bike shop and throw a leg over one?
With my Sutra I can handle a wide range of terrain super easily, even loaded, as long as it doesn’t get technical. So some gravel is no problem. I’m of similar physique and would go for the 54 frame. Wish you a lot of fun!