http://2018.konaworld.com/wheelhouse.cfmGot this last November and have since been using it for audax, club rides, no proper off roading.
I saw the last one in my size on sale on Chain Reaction Cycles and was entranced by the spec and the price point. I've always preferred mechanical discs on an ease of maintenance standpoint (yeah I know they don't provide that much more raw stopping power than calipers in dry conditions but they're far better in the rain) and tiagra was more than good enough for my requirements.
The wheelhouse is a cheaper edition of Kona's own 'roadhouse' which has a 105 groupo and hydraulic discs (it was on sale for £1589 when I last looked).
The groupset and assembly quality of the bike is spot on. No adjustments needed.
The wheelset is an Alexrims Boondocks 5, tubeless ready disc set. They're not super light but they've been up to the job.
The best point of the bike is definitely the frame. The ride is very comfortable and it provides clearance for larger tyres (I'm currently running 32mm Gravel King SKs, but I think there are room for 35s). It came with Schwalbe 30mm spicer tyres which aren't tubeless compatible (though the wheels are). 'Proper' mudguards don't really work with chunkier tyres but the clip-on ones are prefectly compatible. And frankly it looks really gorgeous.
Recommended!
*Pluses:*
Comfy endurance geometry but can still give its turn of speed - I have no problems using it on club rides - according to the manufacturer the smallest possible tyres on the alexrims wheels are 28mm.
Looks gorgeous (I've since added some personal touch finishing kit which I think helps bring out the best in the bike).
Great VFM (Reynolds 853 steel and tiagra + discs at this price point is pretty good IMO).
Mechanical discs function very well in poor conditions.
Tiagra external BB should keep help the squeaks and creaks away.
Comes with an 11-32 read cassette and 34/50 chainrings for hill busting.
*Minuses:*
The stock tyres aren't tubeless ready if that's your deal.
Might be hard to get hold of owing to selling out.
Limited 'proper' mudguard compatibility when using larger tyres.
