Kona Libre AL in Review

Regardless of what your bikepacking adventure may entail, the Kona Libre AL will be your companion through testing times! We gave this new aluminium bike the spurs and ragged it through our gravel testing grounds. Find out how it performed here.

Click here for an overview of the best gravel bike 2020 group test.

**Kona** Libre AL | 10.42 kg (size 54) | € 1,899

On the basis of its existing Rove and Sutra, Kona first introduced the carbon Libre in 2019 and now, an aluminium version of the bike is part of Kona’s 2020 range. Just like the Libre and Libre DL, the 6061-aluminium frame is fitted with Kona’s Verso carbon fork and has the same geometry as its carbon sibling. Everything else aside, a decisive advantage over the lighter carbon models is the lifetime warranty Kona offers on this frame. Our test bike comes with a SRAM Apex drivetrain, mechanical TRP Spyre-C disc brakes, WTB KOM Light Team i25 TCS wheels and 700 x 45C WTB Riddler tires. The short 80 mm stem and 480 mm wide bars along with the Thumb seatpost are all own-brand Kona components. Overall, the build isn’t particularly glamorous but promises worry and maintenance free riding even on more rugged terrain. This ode to practicality doesn’t just feature externally routed cables, but nigh-on innumerable mounting points for you to carry anything you need. Along with mudguard and rack mounts at the front and back, you can fit three bottle cages and an additional top tube bag. The Libe AL costs € 1,899 and weighs 10.42 kg in size 54 – only the Specialized Turbo Creo E-gravel bike is heavier.

**Helmet** Giro Foray MIPS | **Glasses** Oakley Jawbreaker | **Jersey** MAMMUT Lenni | **Shorts** Fox Racing Ranger | **Socks** Socken Herbert All Black | **Shoes** Northwave Razer

The Kona Libre AL in detail

Drivetrain SRAM APEX
Gearing 40 t and 11-42 t, 1×11
Brakes TRP Spyre-C, mechanical disc, 160/160 mm
Handlebar Kona Road, 480 mm
Stem Kona Road, 80 mm
Seatpost Kona Thumb, 0 mm offset
Wheels WTB KOM Light Team i25 TCS
Tires WTB Riddler 700 x 45C

**A matter of taste**
Mechanical disc brakes are easier to maintain than hydraulic alternatives, but their braking power just can’t keep up.

**Seal it up**
On our test bike, the WTB Riddler tires required an extra dose of sealant before they held air reliably.

**Extra mounts**
The third bottle cage isn’t on the underside of the down tube, but further up from the standard down tube mount. The size of bottle you can carry will depend on the frame size.

**Steering central**
The 480 mm flared aluminium bar offers lots of control and enough space for a bar bag.

Size	46	49	51	54	55
Seat tube	455 mm	490 mm	510 mm	540 mm	550 mm
Top tube	543 mm	558 mm	573 mm	588 mm	608 mm
Head tube	137 mm	153 mm	175 mm	196 mm	230 mm
Seat angle	72.5°	72.0°	72.0°	72.5°	72.5°
Head angle	70.5°	70.5°	71.0°	71.0°	71.0°
Chainstays	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm	440 mm
Wheelbase	1,042 mm	1,052 mm	1,058 mm	1,068 mm	1,084 mm
BB Drop	75 mm	75 mm	72 mm	72 mm	70 mm
Stack	575 mm	590 mm	610 mm	630 mm	660 mm
Reach	378 mm	383 mm	386 mm	389 mm	394 mm

The Kona Libre AL in review

The suspicions we had as a result of weighing the bike were confirmed when riding it: the Kona Libre AL isn’t a rocket and is sluggish when setting of. On the other hand the low rolling resistance of the WTB tires and and relatively high rotational mass mean it’s easy to keep up to speed on the flats. But this bike isn’t really about speed. It’s about enjoying the ride and discovering new places, made all the easier thanks to the relaxed and upright position. In terms of handling the bike is similarly relaxed and geared towards touring rather than all-out performance. With stoic stability, the Kona offers a very confidence inspiring and secure ride.

**Tuning tip**
Carbon seatpost for more compliance at the rear.

If you can’t carry everything you need from A to B with the Libre AL, you need to have a serious look at what you’re packing.

Turn onto technical terrain and it rewards you on the downhills as long as you respect the limited power of the mechanical disc brakes. While the Kona doesn’t invite you to throw it around and make quick direction changes, its good-natured manner makes up for its slow cornering. For bikepacking and touring with lots of luggage – exactly what the Kona is built for – you need a stiff frame to deal with the extra loads. That’s a box that the Libre AL can confidently tick. Consequently, the frame offers relatively little comfort and the bike relies primarily on the high volume tires to cushion the ride, especially given that both the seatpost and cockpit are aluminium components. Unfortunately that’s a compromise you’ll have to accept for an aluminium frame and a bike that costs € 1,899.

Conclusion

The Kona Libre AL shines as a reliable bikepacking option at a fair price thanks to its surefooted, stable ride and its countless mounting points. Ultimately it is limited because of the scant comfort on offer and middling braking performance. However, bikepackers that can work around these problems will find a purposeful bike with a lifetime warranty.

Tops

calm and stable ride
numerous mounting points
purposeful concept

Flops

sluggish acceleration and handling
limited comfort
middling braking performance

Riding Characteristics

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Fun factor

boring
lively

Value for money

terrible
very good

Technical Data

Kona
Libre AL

Size: 46 49 51 54 55
Weight: 10.42 kg
Price: € 1,899

Indended Use

Smooth tarmac 1

Allroad/Gravel 2

Everyday/Commuting 3

For more info: konaworld.com