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Kona Offers Sneak Peek of 2014 Titanium Rove

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Kona Offers Sneak Peek of 2014 Titanium Rove

Not that long ago, Kona collaborated with Tennessee Titanium team known as Lynskey Performance to create the Raijin Ti 29er. It seems that Kona was pleased with the results as they are teaming up with Lynskey again, this time for their titanium version of their Freerange (but is it organic?) Road bike, the Rove. Like the Raijin, the Rove will be made in the USA, at Lynskey’s Tennessee facility out of 3/2.5 Ti. We’re stoked to see that the frame will have clearance for up to 50mm tires, which will leave plenty of room for any tires you want to run with mud clearance to spare. Of course, the Rove is disc brake equipped as well – while road discs may still be a contentious issue, discs seem to be readily accepted for this category of bikes thanks to their performance in mud, and slop. The Rove will be equipped with Kona’s Project Two carbon disc fork, which they mention should be available for aftermarket sale this summer.

Rove on for more.

Kona Offers Sneak Peek of 2014 Titanium Rove

The front end of the Rove uses a 44mm headtube with an external lower bearing cup and internal upper to allow the use of a tapered steerer – a pretty common set up on Ti or steel bikes these days.

Kona Offers Sneak Peek of 2014 Titanium Rove

Kona puts the Rove into the “do it all” category, which is pretty much to be expected from a Freerange Road, all road, or adventure road bike. Clearly visible on the frame are rear rack mounts, and Kona mentions it will have all the necessary eyelets for fenders as well. Geometry wise, the Ti Rove is identical to the Cromoly Rove, and will be offered in 47, 49, 53, 56, 59, and 61cm frames. The first production run will be arriving later this Spring, with local Kona dealers accepting pre-orders now.

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26 Comments
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Canucklehead
Canucklehead
11 years ago

What’s the difference between “freerange” and cyclocross?

Eyal
Eyal
11 years ago

Canucklehead in cyclocross they have fences to keep the racers corralled. Freerange cycling is where they allow cyclist to to come in contact with the audience and they have to tap as many people as they can.

GN
GN
11 years ago

50mm of clearance, finally! Monster cross capable dirt road machine. Hope more companies start having good clearance over the 40mm’ish norm.

feg
feg
11 years ago

yes! love the 50mm clearance, too. wonder what type of bb?

Brattercakes
Brattercakes
11 years ago

Eyal just made me LOL outloud.

LP
LP
11 years ago

@Eyal good one!!!!!!!!!

limba
limba
11 years ago

Random thoughts –

It’s March 2013.

Looks nice. They should make a Ti. cross bike or maybe this is it.

Fork looks like an Enve.

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

@feg : surprisingly I see GXP cups on a picture on Kona’s blog. I expected BB30/PF30.

http://cog.konaworld.com/archives/15775

paulpalf
paulpalf
11 years ago

What’s the rear spacing? The Honky Inc was annoying a 130

Greg
Greg
11 years ago

Looks like the Whisky Parts Co. 9 fork to me.

mudrock
mudrock
11 years ago

Fork has Whiskey logo.
Stans ZTR Alpha wheels so 135 spacing.
68mm bb.
I notice more brands are getting away from calling these “cross” bikes. Would’t hurt to put cables inside, or on TT.

pottz
pottz
11 years ago

Looks like they’ve been testing the TRP HYRD too…

mike
mike
11 years ago

wow really impressed with Kona’s stuff lately. The Full suspension stuff is finally easy on the eyes and now a ti dirt road bike made by lynskey. Keep it up Kona your on the right track!

BigRubber
BigRubber
11 years ago

Love the clearance, and the tires.

And that is definitely a Whisky 7 fork. Good choice.
I have been riding one for 2 years now. Bombproof.

mudrock
mudrock
11 years ago

Like the story says, they will develop their own fork for it.

Chase Jiannalone
Chase Jiannalone
11 years ago

Bikes like this might see me actually get another road bike again after 20 years exclusively MTB.

Frank
Frank
11 years ago

Feel like cable routing on the downtube is a bad choice for this segment.

The Goats
11 years ago

CAN NOT WAIT FOR OURS TO ARRIVE!

XOXO

Goats

TJ
TJ
11 years ago

Whisky is da Shi*!

King County
King County
11 years ago

Cool bike. With the claimed clearance, the rider can use thinner 29er tires on there. Of course, it may be trial and error to see what fits.

The Goats
11 years ago

mudrock – “Would’t hurt to put cables inside, or on TT”

Frank – “Feel like cable routing on the downtube is a bad choice for this segment”

I would agree (for me personally) that TT mounted cables look more appealing.

For the intended use however I think Kona have put the shift cables in what will probably be the most optimal position. BB routed cables provide better shifting and when mud and grit are introduced you want every functional advantage you can get in this department (looks be damned). Internal cables are also nice looking way to go but out on the long roads and trails that this bike is built for (or a 300 mile unsupported Trans Iowa or a Dirty Kanza) where a shift cable/derailleur issue might easily need dealing with I think the simple external path will ultimately prove wise.

Sort of a side point but frame bags like these are also popular for more adventurous gravel riding and the lack of top tube cables will be a bonus for these: https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=1&ProductID=5

XOXO

Goats

Doug
Doug
11 years ago

Put hydraulic brakes and 160mm rotors on there, so I can swap with my MTB, and this will be my next purchase.

KnowsIt
KnowsIt
11 years ago

Needs disk brakes.

KnowsIt
KnowsIt
11 years ago

(Hydraulic ones)

Brandon
Brandon
10 years ago

I prefer the external routing and have no issues with it being routed under the BB. I’ve raced for the last 2 seasons CX on shift cables routed under my BB, including Masters Worlds where the mud was outrageous, and my shifting was fine.

Oh wait, I ran Di2 and it’s always perfect…..

Brian Williams
10 years ago

Looks like SALSA has created another “nitch” again….:-)

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