K
KonaRove
gravel
01
Origin
The Rove is Kona's long-running, accessible drop-bar adventure platform, born from the brand's steel-first DNA and sold for over a decade. It exists as a spread of builds — alloy Rove AL/DL at the value end and Cromoly-steel Rove/Rove LTD up top — covering everything from commuting to loaded bikepacking. It lives in the same family as the touring-focused Sutra, but with a lighter tubeset and slightly racier intent, and over the years has become a cult favourite for the under-€3,000 gravel crowd.
02
Specifications
- Frame
- Cromoly steel on Rove/Rove LTD; 6061 butted aluminum on Rove AL/Rove DL. (Note: earlier DL generations were steel — the current DL is alloy.)
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Rove DL: Shimano Sora 2×9, 50/34T crank, 11–34T cassette. Rove LTD: Shimano GRX 810/600, 48/31T crank, Shimano 105 11–34T 11-speed cassette (2×11).
- Brakes
- Rove DL: Tektro Spyre C mechanical disc. Rove LTD: Shimano GRX 400 hydraulic flat-mount disc, RT54 160 mm centerlock rotors.
- Wheels
- Rove DL: WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 rims, 650b. Rove LTD: WTB KOM Light Team i23 TCS 2.0 rims on Shimano 105 hubs (12×100 front / 12×142 rear), 650b.
03
The verdict
+Strengths
- Excellent value — entry steel/alloy builds start around $1,499–1,799 with a full mounting kit and tubeless-ready wheels.
- Plush, compliant ride from steel tubing plus high-volume 47mm tyres soaks up rough, poorly-maintained roads.
- Stable, relaxed adventure geometry that holds a line under bikepacking load and stays composed on fast descents.
- Festooned with rack, fender and bottle mounts — genuinely versatile for commuting, touring and exploring.
- Field-serviceable mechanical disc brakes on lower builds (LTD steps up to GRX hydraulics) keep trailside repairs simple.
−Weaknesses
- Heavy — DL weighs ~12.2 kg (26 lb 14 oz); even the LTD at ~11 kg is no lightweight.
- Entry Rove DL's 9-speed Sora drivetrain feels dated next to modern 11–13-speed gravel groups.
- Stock cockpit lacks the flared drop bars buyers now expect on gravel bikes; bars feel short in the drops.
- Bikepacking-leaning LTD is criticised as stiff and 'sluggish/dull' in twisty unloaded gravel riding, and not competitively priced at $2,899.
- Externally-routed cables and stock Maxxis Rambler tyres that slide in mud are common gripes.
04
Related models
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