Introducing 'The Sergeant' Kona Sutra Ltd 2020
For the last five years, I have toured across the European continent on a Kona Rove Titanium or Kona Private Jake. The trans-continental rides—including 3000+ kilometre epics, have mostly been on asphalt or light gravel trails. This year, a new machine came to be—one intended to 'Go the Distance' on real off-road bikepacking adventures… meet 'The Sergeant'.
The Sergeant is a 2020 Kona Sutra Ltd. He earns his badge because I view this bike as a beefier, more outbound version of the fantastic Kona Private Jake—still my favourite bike to be built and ridden to date. This bike though, is the next rank above…
With its army green paintwork and Reynolds steel tubing, the Sutra LTD is a bombproof adventurer. It will take 2.15 29er tyres for comfort and grip, and the 36x42T gearing is enough for the steepest dirt road passes. With mounting bosses across the frame and fork, there should be more than enough scope for laden luggage carrying too.
'The Sergeant' is already sporting a few customisations—like a Ritchey Logic finishing kit (VentureMax handlebars, WCS seat-post, and Trail pedals), and a set of Token RoubX carbon wheels shod in knobbly Vittoria 29er tyres—needed for those UK winter trails.
Further customisations are also in the pipeline. I plan to fit a Tout Terrain rigid carbon 29er fork to add some compliance and vibration absorption to the front end. I will also fit a Hope Technology EVO crankset, with an AbsoluteBlack 36T oval chainring. Finally, I am going to try running a SunRace 11-46T cassette on the existing SRAM Rival long cage derailleur—with the hope it will give me a bit of extra gearing for the steepest climbs.
This bike is set to go places. Follow the blog and @tim_wiggins1 to watch the journey unfold...
The Sergeant is a 2020 Kona Sutra Ltd. He earns his badge because I view this bike as a beefier, more outbound version of the fantastic Kona Private Jake—still my favourite bike to be built and ridden to date. This bike though, is the next rank above…
With its army green paintwork and Reynolds steel tubing, the Sutra LTD is a bombproof adventurer. It will take 2.15 29er tyres for comfort and grip, and the 36x42T gearing is enough for the steepest dirt road passes. With mounting bosses across the frame and fork, there should be more than enough scope for laden luggage carrying too.
'The Sergeant' is already sporting a few customisations—like a Ritchey Logic finishing kit (VentureMax handlebars, WCS seat-post, and Trail pedals), and a set of Token RoubX carbon wheels shod in knobbly Vittoria 29er tyres—needed for those UK winter trails.
Further customisations are also in the pipeline. I plan to fit a Tout Terrain rigid carbon 29er fork to add some compliance and vibration absorption to the front end. I will also fit a Hope Technology EVO crankset, with an AbsoluteBlack 36T oval chainring. Finally, I am going to try running a SunRace 11-46T cassette on the existing SRAM Rival long cage derailleur—with the hope it will give me a bit of extra gearing for the steepest climbs.
This bike is set to go places. Follow the blog and @tim_wiggins1 to watch the journey unfold...
Now that's a lovely bit of kit!
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