I seem to have become a carbon magnet.
Introducing Project Black part deux; those with a longer memory will remember my previous long termer a Kona Kilauea singlespeed based on a ’96 frame.
A chance meeting with Andy Mee at the Keswick Mountain Festival resulted in me walking away with the all new Kilauea, available from Kona as a frameset only, in very shiny racelight carbon…
There’s a couple of details that might upset Kona aficionados not least the square top tube which has divided office opinion. But I like the fact that Kona have managed to update the Kilauea into a modern translation of what has been a classic frame.
Weight is a claimed 2lb 4oz; our 18″ frame came in at 2lb 10oz on our scales. Fast and light here we go.
The frame features an internal headset up front and a shorter back end, reducing deflection under braking and to “accellerate quicker”.
Which just leaves the question of what to build it up with? So far I’ve managed to grab the Rockshox Sid worldcups from the Issue 58 fork test and a pair of XTR wheels. I’m going to have to have a think about the rest….
Kona Kilauea carbon frame: £900
Available from: Paligap
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Tis’ nice that is! No sliding drop outs though?
Maybe it needs a “My other Kilauea is a singlespeed” sticker ;o)
nice !
that’s gorgeous
very nice try some new crest rims so i know what their like before i buy them
Sorry, but Kilauea is and should always be shonky steel
Decals are rubbish.
I think its shit. However, beauty is in the eye and all that…
The Torq pro team are racing these this year. Their build looks rather nice.
Personally I’d swap the XX kit off yer Cannondale Rush on to this as it would seem more appropriatte, and then stick some proper 3×9(10?) on the Rush.
Don’t like it. Why do they have to call it something it’s not. Just call it something new and leave the Kilauea as it is. It’s a bit like Orange bringing out a Carbon Clockwork???????? I’m sure it’s nice but those decals make it look cheap, but that’s just my opinion, im sure she’ll sell well and have an army of fans.
Wait for a 2011 XTR group, as it fits the bike’s character and would give you the opporchancity to compare the XX with XTR…
I reckon you should put some Alivio on it Dave.
Take the XX off the Rush???? Just as well it won’t swap over, too many incompatable parts. :o)
I think you should Singlespeed it, with rigid pace forks, etc…. ;o)
What XX is incompatible for the Kona? Front mech? Is the BB shell on the Kona press fit so a different “standard” to the Cannondale?
Front mech, BB on the Rush is BB30 so would need a different bb and chainset
Looks lovely to me. Anyway Kona are reknowned for lairy graphics. Torq riders seemed to be doing okay on them as they doppler’d past me at the BBF last weekend….
not a patch my steel 1992 model!
Big forks, bash guard, massive tyres, flat pedals.
I did a 59 minute 25 on this frame last year so can’t be all that bad!!