Hybrid creatures from the Canadian forests: Kona LBF review

Review: Is the Kona LBF the gravel bike for downhillers? While Kona doesn't employ the classic marketing ploy of the "X-bike for downhillers" with this monster gravel bike, the iconic Canadian brand could easily do so. With its grippy trail tires, extra-wide handlebars, and 100mm suspension fork, the LBF is definitely one of the most capable downhill gravel bikes currently on the market. Or perhaps it's better called a "drop-bar mountain bike"? Let's not argue about classifications – let's see how the "Legend of Big Fork" performs in reality.

The key data of the Kona LBF

In the past, I had little idea what an "adventure gravel bike" actually was – but that changed after testing the Kona LBF ("Legend of Big Fork")! At first glance, the bike looks like a creepy mix of gravel and mountain bike – Frankenstein's cyclocross bike, perhaps? Intended use: a niche market! But on the first few rides, the Kona immediately dispelled that impression.

The LBF is based on a classic hardtail-style frame made from butted Reynolds 520 steel tubing. The dropouts, with a UDH option, are freely adjustable and offer 16 mm of travel – allowing the Kona to be used in a single-speed setup. Mounting points for bags and other accessories are scattered throughout the bike. It's commendable that Kona uses robust M6 bolts (instead of M5) for most of the screws. The frame geometry reveals that it's specifically designed for use with drop bars, which slightly lengthens the very short reach. A frameset is not currently available; the only complete bike is sold for €3.999 Euro (RRP).

• frame material Steel <3
• Impeller size 29 inch
• Travel 100 mm
• Features UDH, adjustable dropouts, multiple frame mounts, external cable routing, boost spacing
• Weight (size L, with Aspen ST tubeless) 13,7 kg
• Wheel weight (with Aspen ST, tubeless) 1,9 / 2,8 kg (v/h)
• frame sizes S / M / L / XL
• Color Gloss Emerald w/ Shades of Jade Decals
• eu.konaworld.com
• Price (RRP) EUR 3.999

Equipment highlights

There's quite a bit to discover on the Kona LBF's steel frame. For example, there's the combination of DOT-lubricated SRAM Guide G2 brake calipers and SRAM Apex Dropbar levers, which Kona had approved specifically for this spec. Also unusual for a gravel bike: instead of a rigid fork or a gravel-specific suspension fork like a RockShox Rudy, Kona opts for a Sid Select with 35 mm stanchions and 100 mm of travel. But the most striking feature is probably the trail tires. A 2,4-inch wide Maxxis Dissector comes standard up front, while a second-generation Forekaster of the same width handles the rear. Here we're firmly in 29-inch territory. To keep the RaceFace wheels with Boost spacing on track, Kona has fitted a 520 mm wide drop bar (size L) – most gravel bikes use handlebars between 400 and 460 mm wide. The dropper post is only worth mentioning in passing here, even though it's an invaluable advantage on the trails.

Geometrie

Overbiked or underbiked?

With his assessment of the Kona LBF, the tester also reveals something about himself: whether he prefers to ride "overbiked" or "underbiked." Because on the Kona LBF, you're always operating in one of these two realms – there seems to be no in-between. If the tester complains that the Kona crawls along on fast gravel sections due to its trail tires, then he dislikes riding "overbiked." Conversely, if he raves about the Kona's trail capabilities, then it probably means: Underbiked all the way!

Ultimately, the Kona LBF is a boundary-crosser, a hybrid creature from the Canadian woods, plucking elements from the world of drop-bar bikes with the same ease with which it adorns itself with trail components. The former is worn by the LBF as proudly as it is conspicuously, like antlers on its front – the wide, 52 cm drop bar is impossible to miss.

At the same time, the 2,4-inch wide trail tires are equally noticeable. They're perceptible to the rider and contribute significantly to the overbiked-yet-underbiked feeling. On transfer roads, forest tracks, and asphalt, the mountain bike tires remind you with every pedal stroke that they yearn for trails, for vertical drops, for off-road terrain, soft forest floors, and dusty, rocky root paths. As soon as you heed their call and launch yourself down a trail on the Kona, the front tire's wide front end reminds you of the limitations of a drop-bar bike off-road. Because these limits are definitely there, but they become apparent later than you might expect.

It feels absurd to bunny hop over rocks and roots with your hands on the drops, only to land ten or twenty centimeters lower than your hands, and indeed your entire upper body, are used to from mountain biking. But: It works! And it triggers an almost triumphant, euphoric feeling when you conquer a descent on the Kona LBF and realize – I made it down this trail with drop bars!

Between trails and forest roads, the Kona LBF is significantly more fun on the former. It's almost surreal: you're riding a drop-bar bike – and yet you can still hammer through corners and fly down (reasonable) trails at almost full speed, as if there's no tomorrow. And always in the drops. Of course, if the trail gets particularly rough, things can get a bit dicey. Rumor has it that even the LBF has its limits. But rough hiking trails or fast flow trails are manageable with the Kona dropper.

Outside the box

The Kona LBF also has to prove its worth against dedicated gravel bikes like the Trek Checkout. The Trek's full-suspension frame might give the impression that it possesses even more downhill potential. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I currently have no experience riding a full-suspension gravel bike. Interestingly, while I'm not at all bothered by the Kona's rigid rear end, friends who ride it report that the rigid rear end is even more noticeable than riding in the drops. However, when directly switching to a flat-bar mountain bike, you really notice how different the riding position is on the Kona.

Quick Hits

chainstay protectorCable weartire choiceCrankDropperpostStorage space

As much fun as the Kona LBF is on trails, one modification is absolutely necessary to be able to shred them undisturbed: a chainstay protector! The LBF only comes with a thin, transparent frame protector on the chainstay from the factory – you have to add one yourself to prevent annoying rattling.

The cables and hoses on the steel frame are routed externally in the traditional way. Only the dropper post cable is routed internally from the seat tube. This significantly simplifies maintenance, repairs, or component replacement – ​​excellent!

One controversial feature is the tires: Grippy mountain bike tires are fitted as standard, which offer plenty of control on rough descents, but sap a lot of energy on boring stretches of forest roads – and turn steep, winding asphalt roads into real challenges on long tours. I'll discuss the tire choice in more detail shortly.

It's surprisingly fun to tackle technical uphill sections with the Kona LBF: Using the drop bars in the drops puts a lot of weight on the front wheel, and steep climbs no longer become a nerve-wracking ordeal. However, this reveals another weakness in the components: The 175 mm crank arms are simply too long – five to ten millimeters shorter would be welcome.

Anyone planning to tackle longer trails with the Kona LBF would be well advised to wear gloves – at least on their left hand. This is because the dropper post remote lever can scratch the outside of the thumb when gripping the handlebars higher up – the most stable position – while in the drops.

The front triangle of the Kona LBF, in size L, offers plenty of space for gear. Two bottle cages fit on the downtube (there's another pair of threads on the underside), and a triangular frame bag also fits under the top tube.

The thing about the tires

The Kona LBF comes standard with a 2,4-inch wide tire combination: a Maxxis Dissector up front and a Maxxis Forekaster in the rear. These knobby EXO trail tires, in Maxxis' second-softest compound, offer good damping, braking traction, and cornering grip on descents, although the Dissector's limits on the front are somewhat unpredictable. The new Forekaster is more forgiving in this regard.

As great as these trail tires are when playing with gravity on downhill sections, they become a significant disadvantage for the Kona LBF on the rest of the tour. Transfer sections on asphalt, especially uphill, are sluggish, and it's only slightly better on gravel forest roads. Only on technical climbs, where the aggressive tread of the trail tires can bite into the ground, do the original tires have an advantage again. For covering long distances on the LBF, it's better to switch to different tires.

That's precisely why we asked Maxxis for two Aspen ST tires in 2,25-inch width and quickly mounted them. And lo and behold: With the new Maxxis tires, whose minimalist tread pattern places them somewhere between gravel and XC, the LBF transforms into a completely different bike. Remove one or two spacers under the stem and you'll be blasting along gravel tracks on the Kona, leaving a trail of gravel. Seriously: The difference that tire choice makes shouldn't be underestimated.

In the Velomotion test area, the Bavarian Forest, the Aspen ST tires are probably the better choice for most tours. Those who primarily ride on forest roads and hiking trails will find these low-profile tires to be a fast companion. The Aspen ST even holds its own on trail descents, although it offers noticeably less lateral grip and braking control. Essentially, on the trails, the Aspen reinforces the feeling of being "under-biked" with the Kona LBF, without sacrificing the fun factor.

Equipped like this, the Kona truly shines on long backcountry tours. While fellow riders on their conventional gravel bikes struggle with the gearing of their gravel drivetrains and the traction of their narrow tires on steep, loose gravel climbs, the Kona climbs like a mountain bike. The descents are a similar story: In theory, you could pedal longer downhill on a classic gravel bike, but in reality, riders have to fight for cornering grip and therefore regulate their speed. Thanks to its wide tires and even wider handlebars, the Kona offers a great deal of confidence and control.

The downside of the Aspen tires: To some extent, the bike loses some of its appeal with these fast tires. Cruising down trails in the drops is naturally easier with more confidence and control on the Dissector/Forekaster combination. But when you switch to the Aspens, the Kona becomes more like a gravel bike again.