I recently purchased a Kona Sutra LTD for an upcoming bikepacking adventure and i’m in a panic about the overall weight. I’m relatively new to bikepacking but experienced gravel and MTB. I have a set of Rodeo Lab 2.0 carbon wheels for my diverge, which i love but not sure if they would be compatible or the right option for the heavier bike. Can you please help me decode finding the right solution for my Kona. These are the specs:
Kona Project Two Cromoly Disc Touring Fork
SRAM NX
36t X-Sync
SRAM GXP 73mm
SRAM PC1110
SRAM PG1130 11-42t 11spd
SRAM Rival 1
SRAM Rival 1 w/ Integrated Dropper Lever
SRAM Rival HRD Flat Mount
SRAM Centerline 180mm
SRAM Centerline 180mm
SRAM Rival 1
Formula 100x12mm
Formula 142x12mm
WTB KOM Team i27 TCS 2.0
Maxxis Rekon Race EXO TR 29×2.25″
Maxxis Rekon Race EXO TR 29×2 25″
Hi Chris,
The 2.0 carbon rims are easily strong enough to handle what you describe, but heavy weight of bikepacking setups puts more stress on the 2.0 hubs and freehub body, so we have since moved to a 3.0 hub with stronger components to make sure it has failsafe reliability out on big loaded adventures. So, although countless bikepacking adventures have been ridden on 2.0 hubs, we feel that it is best to advise upgrading the rear hub on 2.0 wheels if you’re going to do expedition type riding on them. We can rebuild a 2.0 wheelset with a 3.0 hub for $175 (+ shipping costs).
Stephen