In what's becoming quite the trend, Kona has joined the number of brands making aluminium gravel bikes with high-performance gravel geometry and features at more affordable prices.
The new Libre G2 follows in the wake of great bikes such as Specialized’s Crux DSW, Trek’s impressive new Checkpoint ALR, the Boardman ADV and Kinesis' very capable Tripster AT+.
The new Libre shares the same race-proven geometry as the second-generation carbon CR model.
Optimised geometry for gravel
That means a more performance-oriented geometry than ever before. Kona describes the G2 Libre as being fast, but with relaxed geometry that’s composed enough to "eat all that gravel without a twitch". It also claims the bike is sharp enough to carve fast turns on the road.
The stack and head tube height are both reduced. The Libre now has shorter chainstays to make the handling nimbler, with a steeper seat tube angle for power transfer and a longer reach for a more aggressive ride position.
Up front is a new lightweight all-carbon G2 fork. The aluminium frame features plenty of mounts for fenders (mudguards), a rear rack and a multitude of bottle mounts.
| | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach (mm) | 380 | 385 | 390 | 395 | 400 | 405 |
| Stack (mm) | 50 | 565 | 580 | 600 | 620 | 650 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 70.5 | 70.5 | 70.5 | 70.5 | 70.5 | 70.5 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 109 | 125 | 140 | 165 | 186 | 218 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 75 | 74.5 | 74 | 73.5 | 73 | 72.5 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 440 | 460 | 480 | 510 | 540 | 570 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Bottom bracket height (mm) | 285 | 285 | 285 | 285 | 288 | 288 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,030 | 1,040 | 1,050 | 1,064 | 1,076 | 1,092 |
| Front centre (mm) | 606 | 616 | 626 | 639 | 651 | 667 |
| Fork length (mm) | 410 | 410 | 410 | 410 | 410 | 410 |
| Fork offset (mm) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 527 | 542 | 556 | 573 | 590 | 610 |
| Standover (mm) | 733 | 752 | 770 | 799 | 825 | 855 |
Tyre clearance is 50mm, and the frame also gains a UDH rear dropout. The seat-tube diameter has been slimmed on the alloy bike for a more compliant 27.2mm post.
Kona has also decided on using large 180mm rotors front and rear. With its tongue, I hope, firmly in cheek, Kona says the Libre is too fast for anything smaller.
One model with Shimano's CUES
The Libre G2 alloy comes in a single build, based around Shimano CUES 2x 10-speed. We haven’t seen as much of CUES as we would have expected until now. However, it seems to be gaining traction as an affordable 2x option for gravel.
Wheels are supplied by Easton and paired with WTB Lupine tyres in a 45mm width (the Libre has clearance for 50mm).
With bikes like the Libre G2 Alloy becoming more common, it's further proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have fun on gravel.
No pricing has been announced as yet, but it’s expected to be in line with the outgoing previous-generation aluminium Libre, so expect prices around $1,800.
Kona Libre G2 spec highlights
- Shimano CUES 32/46, 11-39 10-speed
- WTB St i23 alloy wheels
- WTB Vulpine TCS Light 45mm tyres
- Kona Gravel alloy bar
- Kona Gravel deluxe stem
- Kona seatpost
- WTB SL8 Saddle
