Modern Konas look rubbish. So pics of old ones are needed to brighten my day. Extra points for a Hei Hei.
Thang you very much.
I agree, pre 2000 Konas look the best. The golden period was 1995 - 1997 I reckon.
Extra points for a gold 1996 Cindercone. 8)
That's the boy xiphon. 8)
I've got a 2002 Lava Dome, but no pics of it, plus the decals were a bit rubbish around that time. I still love it though.
Nice bike, Soma!
aluM inuM - I always liked that as a name 🙂
[url= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/1306612877_a6c3981c02_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/1306612877_a6c3981c02_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
A mates i was fixing for him. Think its mid 90s?
Here we go: 1999 Fire Mountain
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4213720094_c6a4fb2aa5_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4213720094_c6a4fb2aa5_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyharp/4213720094/ ]IMG_5772[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/allyharp/ ]allyharp[/url], on Flickr
letmetalktomark - that first one is 1995 - it's the same as mine was before it was repainted
clubber - Memberletmetalktomark - that first one is 1995 - it's the same as mine was before it was repainted
Its actually a 1993/4 thats was also repainted .... not sure where I got 1996 from.
Ooh I like that!
What does that weigh in at?
ok, so I have a 93/94 cinder cone in the cellar. it was my commuter but I've not used it in almost 12 months... what should I do? sell it and let someone else love it or keep it in the hope one day I'll resurrect it?
When I went with my parents to buy my first proper MTB in 1997, I had a choice of an STX-RC Kona Fire Mountain with P2s, an STX-RC Kona Hahanna with some cheap RSTs or Rockshox Indys or similar, or an STX rigid aluminium Trek 6000.
I chose the Trek as I thought it had a better frame (Thinking - [i]'Aluminium is better than steel innit'[/i]), and worth the crappier gears. I later learnt just what a stupid mistake that was. I was 14. 😳
zippykona - MemberOoh I like that!
What does that weigh in at?
21 lbs, had it down to 19 lbs when it was v-braked though
@ letmetalktomark. A SPinergy Spox! Not seen one of those for ages!
[img][url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2309805418_7cac1602d1.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2309805418_7cac1602d1.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24346438@N07/2309805418/ ]2005_0113misc20007[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/24346438@N07/ ]nickendeacott[/url], on Flickr[/img]
stuartlangwilson - MemberA mates i was fixing for him. Think its mid 90s?
Ooh, earlier than that I'd say, that splatter paint had gone for the 1991 range as far as I can remember (although that's not [i]especially[/i] reliable 😛 ).
Here's my (ever so slightly modified) 1992 Fire Mountain, from it's last two rides.
I almost don't know why I bother owning any other bikes, this one goes out 10x more often than everything else I own.
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/5825118168_e26b5c3881.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/5825118168_e26b5c3881.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47933770@N07/5825118168/ ]P6040253[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47933770@N07/ ]T*inbred[/url], on Flickr
Sadly sold this recently, as although it was a thing of beauty, it wasn't getting ridden, which seemed a waste.
The guy that bought it was getting back into mountaion biking after a break (about 20 years!) and wanted a bike that would remind him of his yoof - so hopefully gone to a good home and a happy owner (with sore wrists!)
Here's one of the many build incarnations of my old Hei Hei, like a muppet I sold it, which I constantly remind myself was a stupid thing to do!
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/sets/72157605581520071/ ]Hei Hei gallery[/url]
This is great! More old Kona pics please!
'99 Kona "Nun" Used as a commuter. i love it! Square taper now changed to hollowtech 2...only original part left is rear wheel (and the frame obviously).
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6066072702_2439f288c7.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6066072702_2439f288c7.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/59140623@N02/6066072702/ ]IMAG0986[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/59140623@N02/ ]smoggy3[/url], on Flickr
Kona AA 1995[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4396190982_b67cd78731_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4396190982_b67cd78731_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47638700@N06/4396190982/ ]Picture 055[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47638700@N06/ ]jerrypc69[/url], on Flickr
Just before its retirement..,,sadly hung up in the garage now
Mine still gets regular outings. The stem adaptor and shorter stem have made a huuuuge difference to the way I feel about the bike. It's nowhere near as 'racy' as it was, but is so much more comfortable. It also now has the fattest tyre which I could get to fit up front which helps with the whole sore wrists thing...
This is a sore thread. My Dad binned my bronze Cindercone (trying to establish year, i think '92 or '93) a few years back.
His n Hers 94 Lava Domes. Still in use as MTBs and tourers.
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5614070168_d0e6c30629.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5614070168_d0e6c30629.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/crewlie/5614070168/ ]The Future 15/52[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/crewlie/ ]crewlie[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4619804236_661b055439.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4619804236_661b055439.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/crewlie/4619804236/ ]May 18th[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/crewlie/ ]crewlie[/url], on Flickr
NNOOOO!!! I want one so bad, have done for 15 years now! half my bloody life! 😥
This photo was taken two and a half years ago and the bike is still in this condition
[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3562822093_3cb4d34254_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3562822093_3cb4d34254_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/3562822093/ ]25/05/2009[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3563688176_40a6597365_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3563688176_40a6597365_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/3563688176/ ]25/05/2009[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3562921499_0c3dcd892b_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3562921499_0c3dcd892b_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/3562921499/ ]25/05/2009[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/druidh2000/ ]druidh_dubh[/url], on Flickr
Not mine though - a friends.
Please will Kona re-issue *that* green Cinder Cone, and will someone tell me how I get my bike painted that colour?
Argh! What a great thread. I wanted a splatter Cinder Cone sooo badly for my first proper mtb (about 25 years ago, gulp!). Would have taken me another six months in paper rounds so I settled for a Marin. Such is life. I'd buy an old Kona (pre-cartoonish decals) in a shot, especially a ti Hei-Hei. They all look so 'right'.
thorpie - That Cindercone is magnificent. I loved the matt blue colour that year, with the new graphics.
Why don't they make the new bikes look as good?
Thanks GlitterGary, certainly is a minter. It was up for sale cause I need the money but I think I will keep it now, took me a while to settle on some forks but I love the look of the PACE RC30s that fit in with the black and silver theme. They are not as lively as P2s, probably because they are db compared to tb P2s but are direct and compliant. The rest of the build was quite easy, mainly XT with period correct sugino mighty 900 chainset, even managed to get some nos Kona tyres!
Trevor.
No pics yet, but I have a 1998 Hei Hei Ti with the original, but by now trashed, groupset. I was going to sell the frame as I have new Ti hardtail on the way, then I thought 'no way I'm selling this', so I'm re-building it with a newish s/h XT groupset (inc V-brakes) and rigid P2s.
Ace!
I've got a Aha cruiser (stars n bars ) but wouldn't have the foggiest how to post a picture of it !
oops
97 Kilauea daily commute
[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3167209866_bceb21739d.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3167209866_bceb21739d.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/9538953@N03/3167209866/ ]kona kilaeua[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/9538953@N03/ ]martindc5th[/url], on Flickr
ooops bear with me
My 1994 Kilauea:
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/5346946020/ ][img] http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5346946020_e52e04f38f.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/5346946020/ ][img] http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5346946020_e52e04f38f.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/5346946020/ ]IMG_0977[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/12617230@N03/ ]blackhound59[/url], on Flickr[/img]
And the resprayed frame, again by Mercian Cycles, no built up pics:
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/6306418555/ ][img] http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6306418555_80fef32e80.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/6306418555/ ][img] http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6095/6306418555_80fef32e80.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/12617230@N03/6306418555/ ]IMG_1118[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/12617230@N03/ ]blackhound59[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Ace pic woodsman!
Old kona's are bloody great. I had a 99 explosif and I flippin sold it! Only bike I regret selling.
Arrgh! My picture has disappeared again even though it is on a public photo hosting site? Any way here is a link to the full build thread along with loads more photos.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=156266&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
Trevor.
1995 (I think) Cindercone - although not the usual colour as it was bought frame only. Snapped the chainstay around 2002 - welded it and have used it as a commuter since. Sometimes get tempted to convert it back to a mtb.
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4575811433_2dd42669f0.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4575811433_2dd42669f0.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartmarshall/4575811433/ ]Getting lost on the commute[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartmarshall/ ]Stuart Marshall[/url], on Flickr
1995 Kilauea (with a bit of a slack chain):
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6152193897_c227387faf.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6152193897_c227387faf.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
And a similar vintage work in progress:
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4290433408_c546ca028a.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4290433408_c546ca028a.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
which has accumulated a few more bits since that picture was taken but is nowhere near being an actual bicycle yet 🙂
what year did kona start using aloy for cindercones ? i thought i bought mine in 97 but the one above in blue was steel,mine was blue too but is made from DB 7005 aluminium, ive still got the frame its hangin on the bedroom wall.. 🙂
Grizzer, I think alloy Cindercones came in around 99-2000. I think. 😉
Looks like it was 99 model,iam thinkin of gettin it respraid and would like to know what you retro guys think as it seems that if aint steel it aint reel 😉 worth it or not ?
Fantastic thread,I have to ride one to make sure I still feel the lust!
Grizzer...your call
But personally I'd not waste my time..
I ride the old Konas because they work for me, ive never been swayed by the fashions, and are fixable if they break.
Great thread! I have a 94 or 95 Cinder Cone (must take photos), it used to be my commuter but I now have a ~50 mile round trip which is a bit much for that 🙂 When I got it through Ebay the only thing that wasn't original was the saddle, since then I've changed tyres, pedals, brake pads, and a new BB.
(Dumb) Question - the brakes have always terrified me at speed in the rain with panniers (and I'm too fat), I know they were never that good but would new cables help? Even in the dry it's hard to stop and the levers feel very tight.
yep - new inners & outers - properly set up they should be absolutely fine.
I was out on my '95 Kilauea this morning 🙂
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6350190822_85f2b8e363.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6350190822_85f2b8e363.jp g"/> [/img][/url] [url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/49925017@N07/6350190822/ ]Picture 106[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/49925017@N07/ ]Ian Dyson[/url], on Flickr
Apologies for quality, it was taken on my mobile in a hurry but I love this bike. Rides great with lots of steel spring. Always puts a grin on my face.
i have seen a lovely classic kona explosif at bradford on avon canal towpath a few times just like this one [img]
[/img] :-)i totally agree about modern kona's not being what they used to be (and i'd like to add marin as well to that 😉 edit my charge skinny duster is a lot like the classic steel kona's 🙂 (as i never was lucky enough to be able to afford a kona back in the day)
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6349667727_f32acd0991.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6349667727_f32acd0991.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/fr0gd0g/6349667727/ ]007[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/fr0gd0g/ ]Kerv F[/url], on Flickr
My '97 Explosif, owned from new..
racefaceec90 - My brother used to have that exact same Kona, it even looks the same size.
I used to take it for a ride on the sly when he was out, it absolutely flew, and it was fun bunny hopping with his spd shoes that were 3 sizes too big. 😀
99 I think. Sold on when I bought my first FS. Shame as it'd be awesome around the FoD
[url= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/210/505704611_063bd34d80.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm1.staticflickr.com/210/505704611_063bd34d80.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/505704611/ ]Kona Caldera - May 03 - July 05[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
And a 92/93. Also sold on as it looked lovely but was never really ridden.
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3012/3034896528_c385896f04.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3012/3034896528_c385896f04.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/3034896528/ ]Kona Kilauea[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
a lot of the new 29ers seem to echo the classic looks of old Kona frames
What frame material were the gold Explosif's?
Used to love mine!
have a look here [img]
[/img] 😉 http://www.konaretro.com/showarticle.php?path=articles/catalogues/ EDIT i really wish i could have got a kona.i actually was going to get a cinder cone (splatter paint job one) but for some stupid reason,i never ended up going for one DOH!
































