Is it gravel? Adventure or ATB? Old school XC? The internet is full of opinions on the fast-growing segment many simply refer to as Gravel. For those interested in “surviving an eternal existence of limbo between gravel and mountain,” Kona is introducing the all-new Ouroboros.
The Ouroboros is an all-new platform of gravel bikes from the unbound minds at Kona. Whether you’re a gravel-loving mountain biker or a mountain-bike-loving gravel biker, the Ouroboros is the lure to catch the attention of both. Pack it expertly for the long haul, nimbly explore the edges of singletrack, or complete multiple days of the most wonderfully weird and delightfully chaotic of events – the Ouroboros is intentionally designed around the rowdy stuff.
Kona Bikes
Calling it a bike for “hardcore adventuring,” Kona also points out that while some bikes tolerate mountain bike components, the Ouroboros was designed around them. Instead of typically weight-conscious components, you’ll find details like 180mm rotors, frame clearance for up to 2.1″ MTB tires, front suspension, and SRAM Transmission on the Supreme model. As such, our 50cm sample tips the scales at 23.15lbs – heavy for a gravel bike, but light for a mountain bike.
Tire clearance is limited to 700c x 50mm on the Fox or RockShox suspension forks, but the rigid carbon fork can fit up to a 29 x 2.5″ tire!
The carbon frame also includes geometry somewhere between gravel and MTB with a 69.5º head tube angle and a 74º seat tube angle for a 52cm.
Another MTB-influenced spec? The 31.6mm seat post. Instead of the typical 27.2mm post found on most gravel bikes for added compliance, the Ouroboros uses a 31.6mm post for increased dropper post durability. I love it when brands provide detailed spec sheets like the one above for the Ouroboros. It leaves no questions about specs like the BB86 bottom bracket, chainline, headset, or even axle thread pitch.
Depending on the spec and your build ambitions, the Ouroboros can be loaded up with anything from fenders, to racks, and tons of bags and accessory mounts. The inside of the front triangle has enough mounts that custom bags can be added without the need for straps. You’ll also find a front derailleur mount if you’d prefer to run a 2x or 3x drivetrain.
Complete bikes will be offered in 1x or 2x, and will start at the Ouroboros CR with a Fox TC32 40mm suspension fork. Then the Ouroboros CR/DL moves to fully rigid with a 2×12 SRAM Rival eTap AXS drivetrain for more classic gravel adventures. Finally, the Ouroboros Supreme features a wide build complete with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork, SRAM Force eTap AXS/X0 Eagle Transmission, Reverb AXS dropper post, and even the Zipp 101 XPLR carbon wheels.
First Impressions
I had hoped to get some time on the Ouroboros before the launch (and leaving for Sea Otter), but I haven’t quite gotten there yet – partially because I’m still figuring out the fit. Without being able to try the bike first, I based my size request on the last Kona gravel bike I rode, the Libre DL. On that frame, I rode a 49cm which seemed to fit bigger than the number indicated. Since the 50cm Ouroboros had a slightly longer reach number than the 49cm Libre DL and only a 1º difference in STA, I requested the 50cm.
Upon getting it out of the box, it was clear that the Ouroboros has a much different fit, and the 50cm feels tiny. It also comes with a very short 40mm stem, so I’m in the process of figuring out a longer stem to make the fit work. Because of that, I’d say if you’re on the fence about sizing, go with the larger size – if you’re going off the sizing from a past Kona gravel bike, my advice would be go by the top tube length rather than the reach. I know now that I should at least be on the 52cm frame.
I should have more to report after Sea Otter.
