To me, an important piece of a purchase decision is who I am buying something from. Everyone can affect change in the world by voting with their dollars. Why do I buy most of my beer from New Belgium? Besides making great beer, they are a great company, and I would like to see more companies follow their lead.



Like many bike companies, Kona is involved in cycling advocacy and event sponsorship, but where they really shine is with their AfricaBike program and Basic Needs program. For every two AfricaBike's sold, Kona donates another one to a 'good works cause in challenged areas around the world.' Typically, this is Africa, where Kona has donated over 2,500 bikes since 2006. The Basic Needs program helps organize the donation program and raise funds for other humanitarian bicycle projects. Kona has also received the "Silver" accolade from the League of American Bicyclists as a Bicycle Friendly Business.

As far as my local bike shop, I won't deny that the main reason that I purchased the Sutra from Bike Gallery is that it's the closest bike shop to my house and it's is on my way to work. That aside, however, Bike Gallery is currently one of only four businesses that has won the "Platinum" Bicycle Friendly Business award (New Belgium is also a Platinum winner). They are very active in the local cycling community with advocacy, outreach, and charitable giving. My only gripe about Bike Gallery is that they must have got distracted halfway through putting my bike together, as I found a lot of loose bolts, including three eyelets in the frame that I could unscrew by hand, and the rear wheel quick release being loose enough that I could open and close the cam with just my pinky finger. Of course, everyone should inspect their bike bike before riding it - maybe I'm just a perfectionist.

Pricing

It is pretty rare that the MSRP of a bike decreases over the years. The 2005 Kona Sutra was introduced at $1,299, which in 2008 dollars would be about $1,420 (based on the CPI). Instead, the 2009 and 2010 models were both priced at only $1,199 - that's about 15% less. While the components have changed somewhat (downgrade of cranks, brake levers, and front derailleur over time), Kona has undeniably improved the overall frame design over the years, and the price is still very fair. This was probably done in order to keep the bike priced well versus the competition - there are many fine touring bikes selling for just-over-$1,000 range, but not so many in higher ranges. People spending over $2,000 are more likely to go with a custom built bike to their specifications.

One thing I like to do when looking at a bike is to add up the cost of the components - anything I can find a price for - and see how much the frame and fork cost. For the Kona, I averaged the prices I could find at two popular online retailers, and I came up with a frame-and-fork price for the Kona of about $430 - pretty comparable to other touring frames, such as the Long Haul Trucker, and cheaper than the Salsa Fargo frame. Note that I used estimated prices for handlebars, stem, seatpost and spokes by finding the cheapest available.

Given everything I have discussed in this review, it's no surprise that the first batch of 2010 Kona Sutra's is already sold out in most sizes - I predict this will be a very popular bicycle this year, as more and more people look for versatile, do-anything machines like this one.

Conclusion

Pros:
- Versatile, well designed frame
- Tons of attachment options
- Strong and stable ride
- Excellent brakes
- Nicely equipped, especially rear rack
- Good company
- Good price

Cons:
- No kickstand (although there's nothing to stop you from mounting one)
- The very tall and/or big-footed might have trouble finding a frame that fits
- If you don't need the durability and carrying capacity, there are lighter road bikes available

Specifications

Bike: Kona Sutra (2010 model)
MSRP: $1199 (Suggested Retail, Price Subject to Change)
Frame sizes (cm): C49cm, C52cm, C54cm, C56cm, C58cm, C60cm
Frame sizes (in): 19.3in, 20.5in, 21.3in, 22.0in, 22.8in, 23.6in
Frame tubing: Kona Custom Butted Cromoly
Fork: Kona Project 2 Disc Cromoly (w/ Lowrider rack attachments)
Headset: FSA TH
Crankarms: FSA Omega (49=165, 52-54=170, 56=172.5, 58-60=175mm)
Chainrings: 50/39/30
B/B: FSA MegaExo
Pedals: None included
Chain: Shimano HG53
Freewheel: Shimano HG50 (11-32, 9spd)
F/D: Shimano Tiagra
R/D: Shimano XT
Shifters: Shimano Bar-Con
Handlebar: Kona Sweeper (31.8mm, 49=400, 52-54=420, 56-60=440mm)
Stem: Kona Road (6°± , 49-52=90, 54-56=100, 58-60=115mm)
Grips: Velo Wrap Gel
Brakes: Avid BB7 Road Disc 6"
Brake Levers: Tektro RL-520A
Front hub: Shimano M525 Disc
Rear hub: Shimano M525 Disc
Spokes: Sandvik Stainless 14g
Tires: Continental Contact 700x32C
Rims: Alex XD-Lite (36 hole)
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Comp
Seatpost: Kona Road Deluxe
Seat clamp: Kona Clamp Primo
Color: Metallic Brown
Front Rack: MEC "Front Suspension Lowrider" tubular alloy
Rear Rack: Racktime "Add-It" tubular alloy
Frame Origin: Taiwan
Weight: Approx 30lbs

Disclosure
I purchased the 2010 Kona Sutra used for this road test with my own money at full retail price. I was not compensated for writing this review, and I have not discussed details of the review with the manufacturer or my local bike shop. While there is, of course, an unpreventable conflict of interest that I may give this bike an overly favorable review in order to justify my own purchase, I have done my best to remain as objective as possible, both during the initial writing and in revisions.