Touring - Kona Sutra parts ---> Salsa Fargo frameset?

Hello tourers,

I am a tall rider, 6'6" and it seems like I finally found a bike in the right size - the Salsa Fargo XXL. However, I don't have the money to buy the XT build, so I'm thinking of buying the frameset, and taking the parts from a NOS, 2009 Kona Sutra I can buy in a discount price. I'm planning on riding on varying terrains - road and trails - so a cross / touring bike is more appropriate than a full mountain bike like the Fargo, but it seems like the only option.

My questions is as follows - Will I be able to take the parts from the Sutra and put them on the Fargo? Technically speaking, the hub spacing seems right, but I don't have enough knowledge to determine whether it will "damage" the geometry or not, or to anticipate any possible problems - that is, if it's possible at all to fit the parts to the frameset.

I will probably want to run tires in the 35-40c range, or 29x1.6, so it's fast enough for road and rideable on dirt & gravel.

Here are links to the two bikes' webpages:

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/
http://bikes.konaworld.com/09/09_sutra_en.cfm

Shouldn't be any real problem. If your legs are proportionate to your height, you might want to make sure the cranks you get at 175mm in length.

Too, you might have to trade out stems or seatposts to position yourself in the cockpit a little better, but those are minor tweaks. If you have a bike shop do the parts swapping from Sutra to Fargo, have them fit you to the Fargo at the same time and you might even get a credit on the parts you swap out.

Seat post will have to be changed if they are different diameter, although 27.2 is common size for steel these days.
Again, front deraileur may have to be changed depending on outer diameter of seat tube.
Brakes possibly have a different mount style, in which case you could probably remedy with bracket.
Racks may need some fiddling to mount.
Bottom bracket width might be different. 68 and 73 I think are the standards. Those are probably both 68, but you would have to check.

Assuming the seat tubes are the same ID & OD, you can probably just move stuff over with no issues.

there is now a fargo slx build that is something like $600 cheaper.

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/fargo/fargo_slx_build/

Does it really make sense to buy the Kona just for the parts? It better be a really good deal .

Since you're quite tall ..... I am compelled to say 180mm(minimum) or 185mm(preferred) cranks are needed. Yes, you can get by ..... but after you get a proper length, you may realize that 175's feel like riding a trike after using 185's. The only ones that negate longer cranks are usually those that either have not tried them, or don't need them in the first place. Sure, there's no bargains on 185mm cranks.... but they're worth saving for. Bike manufacturers do no one any favors by offering a extremely limited selection of arm length.... it just saves them a few $$.

I really can't put into words the importance of proper crank length ..... you just have to try them and have some faith.

My 2 sense :lol:

By Kona's website: Sutra has FD = Front Derailleur Clamp Size = 28.6
By Salsa's website: Front derailleur clamp: 28.6mm bottom pull
I believe that lends to an equal inner diameter as well, but if not - it's just a seatpost, I guess.

Regarding the SLX build, it's really more mountain-oriented, with low gears and so on.

The Sutra has 175mm crankarms on the 58cm. I know it isn't too long, but where can one get a crank with such long arms? can the arms be removed separately, or do one need a whole set of 3 rings? If anyone has recommendations, I'd be glad to hear, but I might just get along with the 175 if I can't find an economic enough solution, for the time being.

Thanks for the replies so far, you've been helpful!

Yes, the rings can be removed separately. You need to school yourself on BCD's of various cranksets, because the vary.

TA Carmina and Surly's Mr. Whirly are two cranks that go to 185mm. High Sierra Cycles/Zinn makes them custom up to 220mm.
http://www.bilenky.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=17
http://surlybikes.com/parts/mr._whirly_crank/
http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/customcrankset.html

TA makes a Vega crank to 180mm for less than the Carmina or Mr. Whirly.

Da Vinci makes cranks to 180mm. http://www.davincitandems.com/comp.html

Stronglight makes the Zlight Activ Link triple road triple up to 180mm.
http://www.stronglight.com/stronglight/page.php?nom=produit&keyProd=zlightactivlinktri

FSA Omega road triple in 180mm.

White ENO cranks..... proprietary rings- 180mm
http://www.whiteind.com/cranks/mountaincranks.html

XT/XTR cranks go to 180mm , but you get their small BCD, and smaller gears. Not great for the road.

There's some other MTB cranks, but the Q factor is like Shimano's ..... w--i--d--e .:lol: