Life In The Saddle

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...

The Pivot LES 29 is my do-it-all mountain bike. It is stiff and fast enough to race XC; yet capable enough to take to the mountains. Set up with a 1x10 drivetrain, tubeless alloy wheels, and a mixture of carbon and alloy finishing kit; it is a reliable, light and fast machine! If my Eastway Emitter has a certain Italian finish to it, then the Pivot LES 29 has a definite British (or rather Lancastrian) vibe. It features wheels, brakes, headset, cranks and grips from Hope Technology; a brand that I am a huge fan of, for their no-nonsense, durable and reliable approach to components. Meet LES... Bike Specifications: Frame: Pivot LES 29 (2015) - Large (19 inch) Fork: RockShox Reba Dual Air Headset:   Hope Technology Sealed Stem: Race Face Turbine 35 Stem 80mm  Handlebar: Race Face Next 35mm Carbon MTB Riser Bar 10mm rise Grips: Hope Technology SL Lock-On Grips Front brake:   Hope Technology Tech 3 X2 ,  160mm floating rotor   Rear br...