Kona Sutra?

[Eden]

Do you think the Sutra will fit the bill? Eden, I had thought about the price. It's a bit much for a "casual" bike, but I also loved it. I wanted to test ride that thing all the way back to my house 30 miles away! But if I consider it my good ol' reliable, go-anywhere bike that will start my collection, maybe it's a good investment?

If its in your budget it is a sweet bike, and I think it would retain its value well. It would be very versatile - you could ride on pavement or dirt/gravel roads just as easily, though I would guess that it wouldn't really be suitable for mt. bike territory (single track and the like). Its all outfitted to take racks and fenders so it would be a super slick commuter and good for centuries / randoneurring too.

If you really get bitten by the tri bug you may end up wanting a completey different kind of bike anyway, that isn't really good for other things (another bike for the collection ), but many many people do tris on non-tri specific bikes.

[trailrunner]

Yeah...it's steep, I was ready to thrown down twice the $$ for a Luna before rethinking my premature dedication to the sport. Getting ahead of oneself in a sport like running is pretty harmless -- you might "throw away" $100 or so on a pair of good running shoes, but cycling...

I think I'm going to have the LBS order the Sutra so I can test ride one closer to my size (I test-rode one that was slightly big since that's all they had). I can make a decision then without any risk.

LBS did suggest the Jamis Nova also. Any thoughts one which might be more suitable?

I think for now, I'll stick to running on single track, but really would like to see what it feels like to be on trails with a bike between me and the dirt. One thing I know - I love love love how fast you can go on a bike relative to running! (Also helps in the mega heat we're having in VA right now!)

[KnottedYet]

I have the Kona Dew, which is the same geometry as the Sutra, but in aluminum. (and with very different components)

I am so happy with the geometry, I can't even tell you! And even though the Dew is a "bottom" of the line bike, I really can't complain. Kona is decent stuff.

I would think the Jamis Aurora would be more similar to the Kona Sutra. Both are more in the loaded-tourer side of the equation. Take a peek at the Burley Vagabond while you're at it. (another loaded-tourer geometry/build)

All that being said, my next bike is (at the moment, subject to change without notice) going to be a Soma DoubleCross custom build. I'm too picky, and while I love (love love) the Dew/Jake/Sutra geometry, if I'm gonna blow the big (for me) bucks, I'm gonna choose everything.

Edit: PS, neither of the bikes I mentioned have disc brakes. If you love disc, you should check to be sure you can fit them to whatever frame you end up choosing.

[WrensMom]

I was planning on trying the Kona Sutra out, but I ended up falling in love with my Bianchi Veloce first, and never got that far It really does look like a nice bike, though. I will be interested to read more of the responses here.

[trailrunner]

....being new to all of this I had never even heard of disc brakes until someone recommended them. Where I'll be biking, there lots of hills, so I guess disc brakes are good? The sutra's got 'em and they were pretty cool. The only thing I've been wondering now...how hard is it to remove a wheel to change a flat with disc brakes? As it is, it takes me *forever* to change a flat on a bike with cantilever brakes!!!

Potential disaster for me and disc brakes????

[trailrunner]

All that being said, my next bike is (at the moment, subject to change without notice) going to be a Soma DoubleCross custom build. I'm too picky, and while I love (love love) the Dew/Jake/Sutra geometry, if I'm gonna blow the big (for me) bucks, I'm gonna choose everything.

Mmmm...yeah, the cost of the sutra is making me pause and really think about this decision. I just can't believe how GREAT the bike felt. During the test ride, I felt like I could just ride and ride and ride. It was sooooo nice. The fact that it's good-looking doesn't hurt either.

[KnottedYet]

If you love the bike and it loves you, get it!

but try the jamis Aurora, too ($825). And a Burley Vagabond ($1600) And if your shop has built Surly Long Haul Truckers, give one of them a ride ($1000 on up)

Quillfred has a Redline cyclocross bike, which she loves.

Take a look at some of the Soma frames just to get some ideas www.somafab.com They have pictures of how some of their customers built bikes with their frames.

[tulip]

If you're going to be riding in rain, snow, mud, muck, and the like, then disk brakes would be a good idea.

If not, you don't need them, in my opinion.

I have them on my winter bike, and I like how they hold up in the snow. But then, not too many people ride in the snow (I do, I have studded tires for the ice, but people think I'm a bit looney).

Oh, and I REALLY like Jamis bikes. My commuter is a Coda Comp and it's just fantastic.

[trailrunner]

OK...after lots of thought, visiting other bike shops, browsing online (at work, shhhhhh....), I decided to go with the Kona Sutra. I just LOVE how the bike felt, and I think I will be happy with it. I have a feeling the Sutra will be "that bike" I will never sell. Note: I even had a dream that I was riding it around town...how neurotic is that!!! It must be love, right?

LBS had to special order my size, so now I'm counting the days until it arrives...

[KnottedYet]

Sounds like love to me! Congratulations!

Be sure you post some pics of the new bike so we can all ooooh and ahhhh!