Kona Sutra ULTD Review: Beyond Gravel

Following Logan's written review of the Kona Sutra ULTD, he sent it along so we could get a different perspective on this bike for an in-depth video review. Neil ripped it around local singletrack, gravel, and took it on a short trip to Moab before collecting his thoughts. Watch the full review here, showcasing how the bike handled loaded and unloaded, analysis of the components and build, and a comparison with the popular Salsa Cutthroat

Outline:
ULTD and LTD differences - 0:55
Sizing - 2:49
First Impressions - 3:35
Bikepacking - 5:32
Components - 6:50
ULTD vs. Salsa Cutthroat - 10:36

Mentioned Links:
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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko

[aprotista]

I was incredibly lucky to find a Kona Sutra ULTD at a local shop amongst this mad situation with so limited supply. My friend and I were hell-bent on finding our bikes and we tried anything that we could get our hands on over several days, cities, and through MANY stores (and we were able to try quite a bit). When I test-rode this bicycle... I don’t know what it was, but it felt almost like falling in love, like finding that perfect puppy at the shelter and she adopts you. I’m happy to say I’ve been adopted by this beauty and I love her right after my puppy.

[mmau]

My wife has a Kona Sutra LTD and is super happy with it, also when fully packed up.

[ErrybodyGetTypsy]

This review was thorough and honest af. Your knowledge of and passion for cycling is obvious. Thank you for making this and all the other reviews you guys do, you're saving us all a ton of time and money, and entertaining us while you do it!

[gregknipe]

useful review here! great production. loaded AND comparison = the best job possible.

[alexbond]

I was lucky to find a Sutra ULTD in stock in December. The thing seems like an absolute tank - it's like a bike for after the apocalypse. The review is correct that it's sluggish though, it moves okay once you have momentum but it's very slow to accelerate (or maybe that's just me). I feel like the bike kind of always wants to go about the same pace - on pavement sure you can speed it up a little faster, in mud it might slow down a little, but it's never far off. Whether you're on pavement or rocks or mud or dirt or whatever, the bike just doesn't really care all that much.

In hindsight I don't think I'll actually need the extra MTB-ness that the ULTD offers over the LTD very often and I could have saved some money, but the bike is a hoot. I feel like these gravel/MTB crossover bikes are at their best when you are doing something that feels improbable, thinking to yourself "I really shouldn't be doing this right now" but getting away with it, and the ULTD is perfect for that.

[CL-dhmf]

That ULTD must be crazy stable as I feel this is already the main characteristic of my 2017 LTD, which really bombs downhill.
Great review Neil!I also can confirm the softness of the derailleur hanger and the great feel of a loaded frame.
Cheers from Germany, stay healthy!✌️

[djl]

Good review. I enjoyed the comparison to the v2 Cutthroat which I ride. The ULTD is an interesting offering since it's basically a steel version of the Cutthroat and it's $400 cheaper than the Cutthroat Apex 1 but with hydro brakes. For my uses mostly unloaded mixed terrain rides with a few bikepacking trips each year, the Cutty seems to be a better fit. I enjoy the light racy feel when riding unloaded especially after upgrading the wtb wheels on my Apex 1 to lightweight xc race wheelset. I could see how the ULTD might be a good fit if one is doing an epic year long bikepacking adventure heavily loaded down. I personally think they should have gone with Apex 1 on the ULTD and then lowered the price to better differentiate with the Cutty.

[mhargler]

Great review and comparison. I'm happy I opted for the Cutthroat but still glad that there are more bikepacking oriented drop bar mountain bikes being produced.

[ajwilliams]

Great review! Keep the amazing content coming.

[brianwilliam]

I went with the LTD and my wife went for the ULTD. The sloping top tube and dropper post were really helpful for her being a shorter rider on a bike with that big of wheel/tire combo. Can’t go wrong with either. I found the sizing to be pretty spot on for both of us. The short stem really makes up the difference. I’m glad I ordered true to size and didn’t size down with the LTD.

[luiacuhe]

What about the Kona Sutra Vs Salsa Fargo? same material there and similar geometry. I personally LOVE my Fargo, super comfortable, responsive, reliable and overall amazing bike.

[GeekonaBike]

Too bad Kona's short lived partnership with Lynskey didn't work out, cuz it sounds like the Sutra in Ti would be the best of both worlds.

[ahmadzuhairi]

Great review. Please also review the Poseidon Redwood monster cross since Logan already added it into the 27.5” plus bikes directory on your website!

[chargersk]

*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*

[rikoshcet]

Im 185cm and just got the 54cm frame LTD. Should be great considering it measures large (e.g reach compares equally to my bianchi road bike at 59cm).

Although i see mostly people <180cm ordering 54, i believe it should work just fine (inseam is 30 inches)

[rschreck]

Great review man! Would love a rundown of Neil’s personal Cutthroat.

[ericiven]

I have a Kona Honzo with the same paint color and hot diggity the paint makes the price tag worth it!

[gvnrchmnd]

One niggle for me is the disappearance of any head tube length on the smaller frames...29ers look like wagon wheels on the 54 and smaller. I hope they have improved the paint quality on this over the 2020 too. Other than that a truly capable bikepacking rig.

[joeapp]

What size Apidura Backcountry frame bag did you have mounted to the Sutra?

[NotLeftarded]

Love mine but I put BMX bars on it. I'm tall I like to be upright.