Kona Rove DL (2021)

Kona Rove DL - The new Rove DL gravel bike, now with a steel frame.

The bikes of the Canadian manufacturer Kona are considered by connoisseurs to be very high-quality machines that, in addition to a high degree of individuality, also convey a pleasant sense of life and emotion. In other words, exactly what many faceless series-produced bikes lack today. Despite their unmistakably classic character, however, they are technically on a modern level. With the new version of the Rove DL, the cult forge has hit the nerve of the current gravel bike trend. For the frame, the developers have returned to the excellent handling and damping properties of steel. The almost filigree frame is completed by a slim rigid fork, also made of indestructible CroMoly steel. And in view of the 27.5-inch wheels, fitted with fat 47 mm tyres, this gravel runabout certainly comes close to a trail MTB. A concept that has long since made its mark on the flow trails of the American West Coast, where you meet more gravel bikers than mountain bikers today. But the Rove DL's range of use is even more diverse: from sporty training rides on asphalt and gravel to multi-day bikepacking adventures.

Classically modern CroMoly frame with numerous mounting options

The experience of the Kona crew, who spend every free minute in the saddle, is in every detail. A closer look reveals clever features that no all-rounder should be without. For example, threaded eyelets for rear luggage racks and mudguards or flanges for a lowrider rack on the fork. The option for two bottle cages in the frame triangle is also obligatory. Handlebars and stem offer sufficient variation options for the riding position, from comfortable to sporty. Other equipment highlights: a reliable Sram Rival drivetrain with modern 1 x 11 gearing. Stable thru axles on the wheels ensure that the frame remains free of braking force influences. The wheels themselves come from the renowned manufacturer WTB. And the TRP disc brakes work with the help of low-maintenance Bowden cables.

Highlights

• Versatile gravel and asphalt bike
• Newly developed steel frame made of CroMoly
• Numerous options for attachments
• Reliable Sram Rival 1 x 11 drivetrain
• Sturdy 27.5 inch WTB KOM Light wheels with thru axles