Reader’s Rig: Phil’s Kona Sutra LTD

Words and photos by Phil Snider (@phil_snider)

My name is Phil Snider and I have lived in 12 different states, but currently live in Silverthorne, Colorado. I chose Colorado because of the beauty and the great riding that it provides. In the winter, I snowboard and work as a shuttle driver for a ski resort. I take the summers off to go on long bikepacking trips. My favorite trips are those that allow me to get lost in large forests for days at a time.

I’m a left above knee amputee who uses a prosthetic specifically designed for cycling, snowboarding, motocross, etc. I get a lot of attention while I’m out on the bike because of it, so I use that attention to raise awareness for my fellow amputees. Sports-specific prosthetics are, for the most part, not covered by insurance companies, leaving the costs up to the individual. That’s why I donate YouTube and Patreon earnings to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a non-profit that helps cover the costs of expensive adaptive sports equipment.

My bike is a 2018 Kona Sutra LTD that I’ve named Olive. Every cyclist should name their bikes, by the way! I looked at and researched bikes for months and the Sutra had everything I wanted in a bikepacking rig, even down to the color. Thats why I haven’t really changed much on it. The only modification I’ve done is swapping out out the 36T RaceFace chainring for a 32T Absolute Black oval chainring. Oh, and my bike fitter put a 10mm longer stem on it.

The bags I use are from a variety of manufacturers, mainly because I wanted to share the love throughout the bikepacking community. The seat pack is from Revelate Designs and I’ve been very happy with it. None of that bag sway when tightened down properly. The frame bag is a Double Decker bag from Rouge Panda and has taken a lot of abuse without wavering one bit. And the accessory bags are from Dirt Bags—the gas tank bag is appropriately named “The Burrito Hauler.”

• Frame/Fork Kona Sutra LTD
• Rims WTB Asym i23
• Hubs Formula
• Tires Clement MSO
• Handlebars Kona
• Crankset RaceFace Aeffect
• Cassette Sunrace 10-46T
• Derailleur SRAM Rival
• Brakes SRAM Rival
• Shifter(s) SRAM Rival
• Saddle WTB
• Seatpost Bontrager Carbon
• Stem Specialized
• Front rack Origin8
• Frame bags Rouge Panda Designs Double Decker
• Rear bags Revelate Terrappin 14L
• Accessory bags Dirt Bags Burrito Hauler and Grub Bag
• Other accessories Salsa Anything cages with 2L Kleen Kanteens, Arundel Looney Bin cage

You can find more from Phil on Instagram @phil_snider, on YouTube, and via his website, BikepackingAlliance.com.

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