Kona Rove or Surly Straggler
09-14-13, 11:04 AM
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Kona Rove or Surly Straggler
Hey All,
LBS has a Kona Rove that fits me perfectly that I could pick up for $1400. The Surly Straggler is also coming out soon, and I could probably get that from them for about 16-1650.
What should I go for?
I have two bikes right now:
A Cannondale Caad9 that I use for long/fast 20-50 mile rides.
A KHS flite 100, twerked into an upright about town rider.
I need a bike that is a year round tourer. I also need this bike to be able to handle 3-4 days tours - about once every 3 years. I would like, but it is not essential, for this bike to also work well enough on a cyclocross course for me to have fun - just fun. All in all, it's like 90-95% commuting, and 2.5% each touring/cyclocross.
Which of these two should I go for? The decision is really only between these two bikes.
I'm really stuck. I road the Rove, and it was hella fun - felt the big tubes, the stock tires made it bouncy yet fast and the geometry felt aggressive and racey while stable. I road an ill-fitting cross check, and it wasn't fun - but it was not my size - but i did like the classic feel of the skinnier tubes and the sheer variety of options that come with the CC's design.
Tom
LBS has a Kona Rove that fits me perfectly that I could pick up for $1400. The Surly Straggler is also coming out soon, and I could probably get that from them for about 16-1650.
What should I go for?
I have two bikes right now:
A Cannondale Caad9 that I use for long/fast 20-50 mile rides.
A KHS flite 100, twerked into an upright about town rider.
I need a bike that is a year round tourer. I also need this bike to be able to handle 3-4 days tours - about once every 3 years. I would like, but it is not essential, for this bike to also work well enough on a cyclocross course for me to have fun - just fun. All in all, it's like 90-95% commuting, and 2.5% each touring/cyclocross.
Which of these two should I go for? The decision is really only between these two bikes.
I'm really stuck. I road the Rove, and it was hella fun - felt the big tubes, the stock tires made it bouncy yet fast and the geometry felt aggressive and racey while stable. I road an ill-fitting cross check, and it wasn't fun - but it was not my size - but i did like the classic feel of the skinnier tubes and the sheer variety of options that come with the CC's design.
Tom
09-14-13, 12:06 PM
#2
Senior Member
Get the Rove. You said it fits you perfectly, was fun, is cheaper than the Surly, and is available right now. What more can you ask? Or to put it another way, what is it about the Straggler that would make you hold out?
09-14-13, 12:14 PM
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Well, these three things...
Well, there are three things that would make me hold out:
1. The look. I love the more 'classic' geometry of the Straggler.
2. The increased fender/rack attachment points. Allows for many more options for both.
3. The enhanced/true touring capabilities.
1. The look. I love the more 'classic' geometry of the Straggler.
2. The increased fender/rack attachment points. Allows for many more options for both.
3. The enhanced/true touring capabilities.
09-14-13, 12:42 PM
#4
Kit doesn't match
For what it is worth, I recently fussed over the same decision, and went with the Rove (and I paid $200 more than you!). In the end, I just thought it offered the better overall value. Although I am sure that the Straggler would have been a great choice, I have no regrets after a few hundred miles.
09-26-13, 12:57 PM
#6
ride for a change
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Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
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IMHO - Straggler for the win. There is nothing wrong with the Kona it looks great, but the Straggler like most Surly bikes is built to give you choices. The rear drops alone are worth the wait. As a long time Cross Check rider (among other Surly's I own) I bought it as a frame and over the years I've rebuilt it in several iterations including or not including gears/bar/tires/wheels/fenders/racks etc. and have really enjoyed each set up. But, that might not be important to you, if not get the Kona. Otherwise wait and get the Straggler.
Last edited by modernjess; 09-26-13 at 01:00 PM.
09-26-13, 12:59 PM
#7
GATC
09-26-13, 01:36 PM
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I don't know about the Konas but the Surlys tend to be disappointingly heavy.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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