MEC National 2019-2020 VS kona sutra 2018

[walou_mag]

kona sutra 2018 VS MEC national 2019-2020

Hi everyone,

So i am planning my first touring trip this summer ( I plan to bike from Quebec city to Newfoundland for about 2 month). I have been looking at different bike and to be honest I am going crazy over all the info I found on the internet. Anyway for now I am hesitating between to bike.

The first is the MEC National, at 1279.59$ CAN: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5058-401/National-Bicycle

The second is the kona sutra 2018, 1614,99 CAN : https://rideonlineca.konaworld.com/2019-sutra.html


So The main reason I am hesitating is the price difference between the tow model. I am wondering if there is a great difference between the 2 model. I was thinking on changing the wheels and the tires on the mec national and maybe the handle bar for something wider. I know that the MEC national cannot fit tires bigger than 700x38c . I am not sure if it is a problem. Anyway what do you guys think ? is the price difference between the 2 model is worth it ? should I just buy the national and make a couple of modification ?


Thanks in advance for your help!

[Pat Lamb]

First, if you're going to pay a shop's mechanic to swap things out for you, parts and labor will eat up most of the difference.

Second, 38 tires should be wide enough for any decently paved road.

Finally, if you can, try both bikes out with a test ride.  You'll probably like one more than the other.  Buy the one you like to ride -- just wanting to ride that bike will get you riding now, and the training will make the touring much more enjoyable this summer.

[Inge]

If I had to choose between those 2 bikes I would go for the Sutra - since to me wide(r) tyres are very important. They give you a wider choice of roads to use but most important of all they give very good suspension. However for round about the same amount as a Kona you can also find Surley's and that then would be my choice of bike since they have more experience, I think, than Kona does with touring bikes

I am wondering why not a Surley bike that fits 27.5" tyres. That way you can use wider tyres hence way more comfort + you can ride the occasional dirt/ gravel track? Reason I am putting this in the mix is that I made the change from a 29er (50mm) to a 27.5" tyre (70mm) - this gives me a lot more possibilities to explore roads/ terrain that previously would have been impossible. Added bones to the 27.5 I think is also that is easier to set into motion on especially steep sections.

Something to think about as well is to check out which frame is the stiffest for you do do not want a very flexible frame when bike touring - sjimming when giung downhill. And keep in mind what you do want to bring along, weightwise, for luggage. For lokking at how the rear carrier is mounted on the Sutra - that would be a no go for because the carrier attachment is through a "hole" in the downward tube intead of by braze on.

Most important of all make sure that you go on a proper spin, with luggage attached, to see how the bike handles and if it is your size. Do not fall for the sales argument but we can make it fit.

[DaveB]

For lokking at how the rear carrier is mounted on the Sutra - that would be a no go for because the carrier attachment is through a "hole" in the downward tube intead of by braze on.

Looking at the web site picture of the bike I believe the rear rack attaches to a threaded fitting in the seat stay.  It is not just a hole in that tube and should be as reliable as a braze on.

[Inge]

That is what I meant with "hole" - could not think of the correct terminology. And though it should be as reliable as... I personally would not take the risk.

[BikeliciousBabe]

First, if you're going to pay a shop's mechanic to swap things out for you, parts and labor will eat up most of the difference.

Not only that, you get fenders and a rack with the Kona. You also get a highly desirable saddle that you can sell if Brooks is not for you.

OP: To me, this a no-brainer. The difference is $337. (Less if you include the value of the fenders and rack.) You think you are going to get a quality set of wheels and tires and a new set of bars for $377?