[Closed] Bike purchase input!

Presumably both s/h full bike purchases? Be wary, especially of obsolete parts that may need replacing, especially suspension forks. Are you the beginner? Second hand can lead to some great bargains if you know what to look for but can also be a minefield so make sure someone who knows what they are doing examines potential purchases. The newer of the 2 choices you mention is a notch below the Cinder Cone but will have less wear and tear presumably. Konas have always been highly regarded but I don't know enough about these specific models to comment on them individually

Think they're ideal - light, sturdy, fun. I've got a 1998 Kona.

You can modernise it cheaply enough with shorter stem, wider bars, 1x etc.
Depends on what kind of riding you want to do but I'd suggest getting one with a rigid Kona Project 2 fork rather than anything with suspension.

Thanks for the input.

Whats the budget?
At that age there could be trouble with getting hold of new parts for them. Also with anything second hand be prepared for a potential big bill for replacing the drivetrain etc. Do either have disc mounts? (Hubs - are tehy a standard 6 bolt?) if they are IS on the frame/fork are they standard or something else.

Both of those are oldish and won't be easily modernised.

Cinder Cone was pretty desirable in most of its model years.

Hahanna was always bumping along the bottom of the Kona range.

1997 was a good vintage for Kona, 2004 was not.

All else being equal, I'd have the Cinder Cone personally. People will come up to you and reminisce about old Konas of yesteryear if you're on a Cinder Cone. They'll not bother you if you're on a Hahanna.

🙂

People will come up to you and reminisce about old Konas of yesteryear if you're on a Cinder Cone. They'll not bother you if you're on a Hahanna.

This would be my main reason for buying a hahanna

[Abe Simpson voice]
I remember I had a cinder cone back in nineteen jickedy six, which was 1976, but we changed it in the fight against communism. My ears hurt. Oh, a cinder cone? I remember I had one back in nineteen.....

^ 😆

This is what I am aiming at:

[url= https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/bik/5987617747.html ]Kona Cinder Cone[/url]

Any further guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

Well it's cheap, for that price it's what it is really.
For me no disc mounts, not sure if the fork is 1 1/8th or 1" somebody will probably confirm that.
The drivetrain may need a refresh but that should all be compatibile with a modern 10sp group set when needed.
Oh and that saddle!

[url= http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufacturer+Archive/Kona/Catalogues/Kona+Catalogue+1997/ ]Retrobike has the catalogue archived. [/url]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

It doesn't give the fork steerer diameter. I'm pretty sure that it was 1 1/8th" though. [url= http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=1997&brand=Kona&model=Cinder+Cone ]This agrees.[/url]

Yep, it will be 1 1/8th.

That spec sheet linked above is really useful.
Good for spotting if original bits have been replaced over years with crappier things - like that chunky sadddle.

I would suggest getting shorter stem and slightly wider bars to give more modern look/feel. It's easy to replace any of the drivetrain stuff - new cassette, chainring etc. Can also make it a 1x by removing big and small chainrings.

Weakest part of the bike is likely to be those old suspension forks. I switched mine for some rigid P2s off ebay. Brings overall weight down to around 23/24lbs.

Thanks everyone of the valuable input. Hopefully if it is still available I will settle with the Cinder Cone. And the specs and notes provided will be helpful for a DIY project.

If buying a steel bike, make sure the seat post hasn't seized - they can be a bugger to get out!