New Kona Ouroboros Review - Past Meets Present

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Today, Kona Launched their latest bike, the Ouroboros. We were lucky enough to have one for a month or so beforehand, and Neil put it through its paces, pedaling it more than 300 miles around Colorado and Utah, riding it on gravel, singletrack, and an overnighter. In his video, he dives into Kona's new drop-bar offering in detail.
This video was supported by Tailfin, learn more about their offerings here:
www.tailfin.cc/?...
Outline:
Intro - 0:00
Just a 90s MTB? - 1:09
Sizing - 2:32
Frame Highlights - 3:34
While out riding - 7:02
Bikepacking - 10:25
Other Components and Builds - 12:31
Final Thoughts - 14:47
Mentioned Links:
Sutra LTD Review - bikepacking.com/bikes/kona-su...
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#bikepacking #pedalfurther #konabikes
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::About The Host::
Neil Beltchenko ( / neil_beltchenko )
Geometry: 150lbs, 5'9.5", 32" inseam, +2.5" Ape index

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Опубликовано:

6 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 92

@miscuser 2 месяца назад

I wonder if this bike will appear in the wild - RIP Kona...

@themoodyteam 2 месяца назад

Neil should hang onto it 😮

@soloist777 2 месяца назад

I love it! Love the badge too. I hope Kona brings it down to Australia!

@Jean-jk4zv 2 месяца назад

Looks great, thanks for the review 😮

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

No problem 👍

@coreyreeder3549 2 месяца назад

Can’t wait to see what races this shows up in. Really a cool bike.

@larrywhite8590 2 месяца назад

It's a carbon Sutra (U)LTD. Nothing wrong with that, I prefer non-boost. I generally like metal so this bike is not for me, but - woah - the carbon fork on the CR/DL is an exact fit on the Sutra (U)LTD, I can't wait until this is available separately this will finally give a carbon fork option for the Sutra without geometry compromises. Nice to see them releasing another dropbar bike. I really didn't expect this.

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

I didn't even pick up on that, thanks for sharing and watching.

@larrywhite8590 2 месяца назад

@@BIKEPACKINGcom Yep an EC49x40 lower headcup/crownrace would let the Ouroborous CR/DL fork work on the Sutra (U)LTD. I do wonder if they are going to offer a carbon fork option on the Sutra as well.

@smup2I 2 месяца назад

SEIDO (Bombtrack) MGV is 415mm so pretty close and a bang for the bug.

@larrywhite8590 2 месяца назад

@@smup2I it’s 410 and will only clear 2.25 without fenders.

@jaybe6188 2 месяца назад

Is it? That would be fucking great. Looking to replace mine on the LTD

@milesarbour2210 2 месяца назад

Very thorough review, Neil, as always! Very cool bike, and glad to see it coming from Kona. For whatever reason, I've always had a soft spot for them...

@gravgrav 2 месяца назад

They have a soul. Read a nineties Kona catalog. The spirit of the brand has never died!

@themoodyteam 2 месяца назад

@@gravgravdon’t hold your breath 😂

@gravgrav 2 месяца назад

@@themoodyteam I don’t think they’re going anywhere. Kent screwed them but they are still viable.

@themoodyteam 2 месяца назад

@@gravgrav’Kent screwed them’… more like ‘Kent screwed up’? Some reports I’ve seen claim that Kent have been trying to sell Kona for a number of years. Which is surely longer than they’ve owned the company 🙄 In the present cycling-inferno-market I can’t believe that anyone would buy the company, which is sad 😢

@Flottgjort 2 месяца назад

Miss that old Kona logo

@lenolenoleno 2 месяца назад

Surprised Kona is still making bikes - I wouldn't surprised if they went into administration tomorrow. All their bikes over the last few years have been super behind the mark, specced super poorly (particularly after they were purchased by a non-cycling conglomerate).

@Cassienope 2 месяца назад

It's like you can see into the very near future.

@miscuser 2 месяца назад

Spooky

@lenolenoleno 2 месяца назад

@@Cassienope Haha - that is oddly spooky. Though it probably had more to do with the timing of this video and me commenting (probably the first bike I've seen Kona put any half-assed effort into making in the last 3-4 years. I say half assed as it's really just a carbon Sutra ULTD with a fork on it. Hardly anything "new").

@user-rz3qb8qu2f 2 месяца назад

It looks like a very cool xc to me

@Nash_Idaho 2 месяца назад

I've wanted this thing for 2 years when they first previewed it to dealers, maybe i can get one for half off at the estate sale?

@colourglue Месяц назад

I like kona and i like weird bikes. I also like mythology and quirky stuff. I feel like i have to buy this thing eventually...

@chrisschuehle8138 2 месяца назад

When will you review the Curve GMX?

@E2tge 2 месяца назад

Rad bike!

@shaunroach7829 2 месяца назад

Great review but is Kona going bankrupt? Pulled tent at Sea Otter same day as this bike went live on the website

@DR_1_1 2 месяца назад

Maybe they find a solution...

@barfo281 Месяц назад

As of May 18th, 2024, you can't buy ANYTHING on KonaWorld - nothing is available. And they also removed their "find locally" button from their bike pages (dealer locator still works for now). Kona is done. It's over.

@randypratt6304 2 месяца назад

This is similar to my Canyon carbon frame XC hardtail that I put drop bars onto. Except that it has less suspension and less tire clearance.

@gravgrav 2 месяца назад

I have steel handrail and a sutra ULTD. the sutra is better w drops and the unit/juice/mcr are better w flats. This is a carbon sutra Ltd.

@mr.fatcyclist5836 2 месяца назад

I love the bike, but feel a bit disappointed by relatively narrow rear tire. I ride Kona Libre, now CR, previously AL, and was hoping for a major upgrade in this area. Anyways, what is on your 90's alternative playlist?

@gravgrav 2 месяца назад

I think they’re limited until they go boost.

@mr.fatcyclist5836 2 месяца назад

@@gravgrav hard to say, 3T made a frame for 142 x 12 axle that fits 700x57, so maybe there is a chance to squeeze 2.25...

@infinitelo_op 2 месяца назад

Does the frame have attachment points for panniers?

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

It does not have rack mounts, unfortunately, but there are ways around that if you really want to add a rear rack. like using Old Man Mountain Axle Fit Kit. Kona does mention that front racks will work on their carbon fork however.

@Plast_and_Cars 2 месяца назад

It looks strange. But it would be interesting to ride on it!

@robertkowton5875 2 месяца назад

Solid review. Did I miss pricing?

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

I asked Kona and they said they don’t have them nailed down yet. The supreme build is going to be a pretty penny.

@irockuroll60 2 месяца назад

Be cooler if Kona came out with 2 new carbon Honzo’s… 110mm or 120mm XCish/downcountry and either a 130mm or 140mm trail hardtail. I had a steel honzo that I really dug other than the fact it was a hardtail that weighed over 30 pounds.

@yumyumhungry 2 месяца назад

It looks like it was almost a direct cutthroat competitor if they just allowed for bigger tires.

@fpeter01 2 месяца назад

I still don't understand why fork manufacturers aren't using boost forks with half of travel. I cut a Fox 32 to 50 mm and it looks cool.

@GoodwinBiking 2 месяца назад

Great video. I have made my hardtail work well for me even without many mounting positions. Ive made some videos about it on my channel

@kevdaigle 2 месяца назад

Almost looks like my Salsa Fargo

@blandyroo 2 месяца назад

the best thing about his video is that you are wearing socks w sandals!

@Indik47 2 месяца назад

What`s the general idea behind making a long headtube and having a 40mm fork? Stack is high, fork is heavy and requires maintenance but don't offer much travel. Seems to me like the worst of both worlds.

@Paksusuoli95 2 месяца назад

I don't know how many mm's of travel a cabron fork offers (Probably less than 4 mm?) So it's already a hell of a lot more.

@Indik47 2 месяца назад

@@Paksusuoli95 Living with all the negatives of a suspension fork for a 40mm is just not worth it IMO. Just make the headtube shorter and put something like a Rock shox SID or FOX stepcast. Same price, same maintenance, ~150g heavier but miles better in terms of performance.

@peterknight7880 2 месяца назад

Mark my words, most manufacturers will be offering something like this in the next few years: ie short-travel suspension-corrected geometry and more tyre clearance than a traditional gravel bike.

@sadlfjasdfacv 2 месяца назад

Reminds me of an evil chamios hagar.

@richardwolf6269 2 месяца назад

No rack mounts on that bike and a press fit BB is no bueno!

@Mr.M3lvs 2 месяца назад

I bet this bike would look way better if specced with the new Cane Creek fork

@jonamcc 2 месяца назад

these gravel forks definitely lagging behind in terms of tire clearance.

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

Totally agree!

@larrywhite8590 2 месяца назад

@@BIKEPACKINGcom I suspect this is all to keep weight down, wider means more material, both in the crown and elsewhere to keep stiffness.

@Adventuregirl96 2 месяца назад

That is a very nice bike. With the Ouroboros and the Stigmata having a suspension fork, my husband really wants to get one too.

@whatthehoeck 2 месяца назад

Tire clearance is almost a deal breaker on this

@randallgd 2 месяца назад

Only 2.1 tire clearance, no rack mounts makes this worse than 90's mt bike. I don't get it.... any Mt bike would be a better bike.

@sempi8159 2 месяца назад

Agreed

@gravgrav 2 месяца назад

This is the race version of The Sutra LTD. Sutra is the same geo and clears 2.5. 2.25 w fenders. Racks etc. if I had Ouroboros I’m not racking it up.

@StainFPS 2 месяца назад

I definitely get your points, but I think Kona is perfectly aware of that. First is the tire clearance, 2.1 is plenty enough, lots of studies have shown that the threshold between rolling resistance and confort is 700x50 (29x2.0 inches), plus that’s a Gravel, 2.1 is pretty big considering the average Gravel tire is around 42mm wide. Second is the lack of cargo mounts, and here I think Kona is aware of the solutions out there for eyeletless racks and stuffs. Most Tour Divide or Silk Road bikes are Carbon MTB or Gravels, and brands like Tailfin or Old Man Mountains have created solutions to that, cargo cages for suspension forks, eyeletless racks for both front and rear.

@jackmcandle6955 2 месяца назад

iDK it looks more like a gravel bike .

@nathanaelshumsky2977 2 месяца назад

The carbon version of this bike has a max clearance of 29x2.5 in the front tire and I think it has frame bag mounts but no suspension. Pretty odd I would probably just do what Dylan Johnson did he bought a XC bike and put drop bar handles on it lol

@davidsbikeride 2 месяца назад

I'd refer : Kona now no longer exists as a company .... so you may get a bargain (given time) .... but no manufacturer warranty ...

@smithbrownjones 28 дней назад

I just read, it's been bought back from Kent Outdoors by its original ownwers/founders.... so.... 🤷🏽‍♂️

@Steve_SF 2 месяца назад

Geometry changes are cyclical. IE if you buy a 2010 hardtail, you’ll have the same bike except it is $3000 cheaper

@Andy-vh3ns 2 месяца назад

Sadly, what I have found with KOna is their inability to maintain stock. Maybe spend more time on maintaining what you have and not produce a product that is for a niche market.

@generalruler 2 месяца назад

OUROBOROS SUPREME €10.999,00

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

We were told pricing would not be available for some time, that said, its not going to be cheap. Nice to have more options and builds however.

@mattm00ey 2 месяца назад

No rear rack mounts!? No downtube mounts!? Ffs

@htonmusic 2 месяца назад

hate the font of kona. just use the regular logo!x

@kevincasey2947 2 месяца назад

New Kona Ouroboros...YEA, gimmie one! Edgie 90's grunge rock? Nyet! Notish fa gouche! Nadda! 🤮

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

lol, it gets better or worse, depending on who you ask, my music preference is bluegrass, jam, classic rock and 90s!

@buzzman4860 2 месяца назад

Kona killing off its dealers was not cool.

@barfo281 Месяц назад

It's pronounced EURO-BORIS. It's Greek.

@Tarmaccyclocross 2 месяца назад

It’s a mountain bike with drop bars. Gravel bike do me a favour it’s more manufacturers gibberish

@br5380 2 месяца назад

Socks & Sandals, NO!

@zymphad7377 Месяц назад

This isn't innovation, it's just more stupid ways for the N+1 idiocy from the bike industry.

@platypushatstand 2 месяца назад

Ugly bike, too many holes and openings especially under the BB. I’ll stick with my ‘94 Cindercone, better in every way.

@user-in1up9mp2t 2 месяца назад

Ты не пробовал ничего другого

@dwqdwwdwqdqwd2950 2 месяца назад

what bs review! What quality of bearings are used, how well are they adjusted from factory, how well are the wheels built from factory, how well is the frame made, etc. Knowing kona it is probably disappointing to find out, but that's exactly what reviews are for. Review does not mean you should regurgitate sale material to cash in on sponsor money.

@BIKEPACKINGcom 2 месяца назад

Sorry to disappoint you, unfortunately for you, ride quality and frame highlights are the most important factors for me, and many others, and that's why we focus on that in our reviews. I mentioned the relatively soft derailleur hanger Kona used in the past was nixed for the UDH, and if the wheels were not true, or i had issues with the headset, bottom bracket or wheel bearings, I would have mentioned it. No money ever exchanges hands in our reviews, we understand there are publications out there that offer that service, but we want nothing to do with that. Finally, its people like you that are exhausting to deal with, so if you don’t like what we publish, you're welcome to not watch.

@angelicabrewer3711 16 дней назад

Literally everything he gave was his opinion. That's what a review is lol

@Incorruptus1 2 месяца назад

Why don't you love your bikes a bit more and clean them. I mean...a channel like you guys have, and the love for nature and cycling, does that have to come with mixing them in lol? Clean up before you present please. Unless you're on the road. These bikes cost a lot. They need to be cleaned after use. Period! ;) Hehe