Bikepacking Utility in Race-Ready Package: Kona Libre Gravel Bike Review

When folks think of the Kona Libre, their minds almost certainly drift off to big adventure rides over mixed terrain where packing gear from the front to the back of the bike is essential. The first generation of the Libre has been one of Kona’s most adventurous rigs. It featured clearance for 45c tires and bosses throughout the bike.

Kona’s all-new second-generation carbon Libre departs from its prior personality in a big way. It leans much harder into a design more tailored to gravel racing. The adventurous long-haul features of the past take more of a backseat.

That’s not to say that the Libre isn’t still capable of big days of bikepacking. Rather, it’s refined to check more boxes on the racier end of the gravel spectrum than it has before.

I spent a couple of weeks on the new Libre CR, starting with a 168-mile, 2-day bikepacking trip through East Texas. I followed this with unloaded sprints on local gravel roads, bike paths, and trails to suss out where the new Kona Libre CR shines.

In short: The Kona Libre CR departs from a true adventure-centered bike with updated geometry and specifications more in line with the rigors of gravel race courses. The bike retains its character as a do-it-all gravel rig with bosses on the top tube and a big center triangle that still can accommodate a frame bag and two water bottles.

Looking for a gravel bike? Check out our guide to the Best Gravel Bikes available.

Kona Libre CR Review

The updated Kona Libre has a host of changes that change the overall character of the bike. But it still has remnants of its adventure-riding origins.

Main Features

For starters, the new Libre’s geometry has a slightly longer reach, shorter chainstays, and a steeper seat-tube angle. Kona offers six sizing options compared to the five of its predecessors. The carbon frame and fork lose several gear mounting bosses. These include mounting points on the fork, some on the down tube, and behind the seat post tube.

Kona kept bosses on the top tube and under the down tube near the bottom bracket. It also put five bosses in the center triangle that offer multiple positions for mounting bottles or bags. While mounting options are a bit more limited than before, the triangle is spacious enough to fit a good-sized half-frame bag and two bottles with no problems.

The Kona Libre CR can still accommodate 45mm tires with or without fenders. Kona includes a removable rear fender mount for easy installation.

The bike runs a UDH rear hanger, a 27.2mm seat post, and the wireless SRAM Apex AXS XPLR groupset. It comes in stock with a 1×12 drivetrain and a 42-t chainring. However, the bike includes a removable front derailleur plate that can fit up to a 50/34 chainring. Left as a 1x, it can fit up to a 46t chainring.

All told, the bike is lighter, faster, and snappier than before and weighs around 21.5 (54 cm) pounds with bottle cages and pedals. Though it is more race-oriented, it is still capable enough for multiday epics or commutes. This should please the cadre who splits time between races, darting around town, and bikepacking in the sticks.

Other features include:

• Ritchey Butano Comp Internal handlebar with 18 degrees of flare.
• Ritchey Comp 4-Axos-44 stem and Link 20 WCS seat post.
• Easton ARC offset 25 rims
• Dropper post compatible

Kona Libre Ride Report

My time on the Kona Libre started with a bang. I had about 24 hours from the time the bike arrived until I embarked on a 2-day, 168-mile bike-packing trip in East Texas. Since I couldn’t get a rack on the rear, I relied on a combo that included a handlebar bag, seat post bag, top tube bag, and small frame and feed bags to keep my snacks handy.

Without the added bosses of the previous model, the bike felt roomy enough for all of my gear. Even with larger 22-, 24-, and 28-ounce bottles, I still had enough space for all of my bags, a jacket, and other strapped-on spare parts.

I only spent about 5 to 10 miles on the bike in pure race mode before loading it up with gear. In that short time, the Libre felt fast, responsive, and supremely confidence-inspiring on the tarmac or over smooth to somewhat rough gravel.

Loaded down with 30 or so pounds of gear slowed the bike down a bit. But it still felt quick and ready to burn at the drop of a hat. Though the geometry is more directed toward the needs of racing, the bike still provided a comfortable platform over two big days out.

Excessively rough and chunky gravel and deep sand presented a bit of an issue for the 45mm tire clearance. I found myself sinking or getting bogged down in some particularly treacherous areas. But overall, the bike’s responsiveness and efficiency were a dream on big climbs and descents and through all but the worst gravel.

The SRAM Apex AXS XPLR groupset was dialed in perfectly. Even under a heavy load, the gear range was more than sufficient, and the brakes gave ample stopping power. The wireless shifting group also provided a clean cockpit free from burdensome cables.

After I got home from my mini Odyssey, I stripped the bags off the bike and started laying down miles in a manner that was more intended for the new Libre CR. Mixed-terrain rides featuring a smattering of gravel, singletrack, road, and paved paths became the norm, and the bike shined.

After spending so long loaded down, the unincumbered Libre felt like a rocket. The carbon frame and fork provided a stiff and responsive platform to put down some serious power, and the bike felt like it just danced over gravel and other off-road terrain. It felt glued to the ground, even when things got a little chattery, which made me want to push harder and harder.

Kona Libre: Final Thoughts

The latest Kona Libre strikes a new chord in Kona’s lineup that leans hard into big gravel events and races. It is tailored to be fast and fun but not entirely stripped down to the point that it is unworkable as a more adventurous rig. For those who spend more time on multiday bikepacking trips or in more adventurous terrain, bikes with more tire clearance and gear-hauling options may be a better route.

But for those who prioritize speed, versatility, and performance, the Libre CR fits the bill perfectly.

The Kona Libre CR is a complete build with the spec outlined above, and it has an MSRP of $3,600. The Libre CR/DL frameset, including the Kona Carbon Libre Fork, has an MSRP of $1,950. The bike comes in six sizes for a more dialed fit, ranging from 48 to 58.