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.
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 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.
