OK, here's the brief: My outlaws are Argies, (careful...) and Mrs Johnny, Johnita and I go out there at least once a year. I've taken a bike over there in the past, but it is a faff. As it isn't a particuarly strong or global economy, bikes there are not cheap, so i'm planning to take one out to leave there.
This would be to ride a few weeks each year, so the budget isn't huge. Something that would be good for long XC riding. An old bike would be best as i don't want to get it nicked in mid-ride. (I've heard plenty of stories from locals and guides) As well as the fact it seldom rains there, so V brakes will do.
I've been looking on Ebay and am considering a solid, old hardtail, and have seen a few of the following: GT Zaskar, Kona Kilauea and Kona Explosif (all mid 1990's on)
Any opinions on which are any good/fun/reliable?
Ta.
An old Zaskar will be a bit on the harsh side like lots of old alloy frames were. But they do look nice!
Personally, I'd go for a steel Kona (I actually have a 1992 Cinder Cone) because they ride beautifully, even compared to modern bikes. I'd stick with rigid as well, suspension sounds like it could be a nightmare over there! 🙂
Steel explosif, if you can find one.
They're out there!
My '96 Zaskar felt no harsher than the stell frame it replaced. Older ones tend to be pretty bombproof though.
Agreed about staying rigid, less likely to seize up / wear out, esp if minimal useage etc.
hmm, i think my instincts agree with your comments. This would be for riding in and around Mendoza, which runs into the Andean foothills. (probably not SS territory then). I will probably put sus forks on it, as i have a past wrist (scaphoid) injury. Anyone know how much the Kona frames weigh, and if the mid-1990's ones could take an 80 or 100 mm fork?
I'd say 80mm for maximum. The frame should be no more than any other decent steel hardtail, maybe less because the tubing is quite slim. My '92 Cindercone SS weighs in at 23.5lb with rigid forks, but I did have a '93 Lave Dome back in the day which was about 26lb IIRC (Rigid)
They are all good quality, fairly lightweight frames. You'll love it. 🙂
Zaskar all the way mate, they ride like nothing else. Had one with some short travel RSTs (might as well have been rigid for all the good the elastomers did!) on it way back when, it always felt like the front end was low. It matched perfectly though with some 100mm Z4's, get some from 2001 and you'll never have to service them.
Mind you... you couldn't really go wrong with the other choices either.
excellent stuff. I was thinking about 80, i could probably pick up a set of old SIDS for not too much.. (especially as i'm looking for something with v-brake bosses!) Any idea what sort of tyre clearance there is on the Konas? roughly? 😕
+1 for old steel Kona. My 96 Lava Dome just won't die no matter how much I 'try'. Stripped it for parts recently (it was quickly rebuilt as a commuter though) and was pretty shocked to find that the 19" frame inc. headset only weighed 2,049g. Stick some old bombers on one and it'll probably outlive most of us.
EDIT: tyre clearence is a bit iffy, but ok with most kinds of 2.2 Conti (MK, RK, SK, etc).
Any idea what sort of tyre clearance there is on the Konas? roughly?
My '92 and '93 bikes won't/didn't take any more than a 2in tyre, and that's tight. More recent ones may be better though.
Ah, bombers would really make it a nostalgia trip. In fact Argie biking is a bit like when i was first riding; there's not a lot of money going into it, and the scene is all racing and bike show rides, with a few tours for tourists!
hmm, have just got used to riding baldy 2.3's for everything i guess, but most of the riding is dirt road and bits of fairly smooth foot/sheep/goat/cow path, so i could do a 2" tyre.
There's an explosif on ebay now. Wigan. 18in, 853, needs a bit of TLC
+1 for the Zaskar.
Oh, and try looking on Retrobike. There are usually a few little gems on there.
Old Kona Steel FTW!
Always lusted after a Zaskar when I was younger, not sure I’d want one now, loved my 96 Fire mountain, wish I still had it, I’d happily have an old Hahannah (sp?) now…
If you need the bounce stick to period 80mm Marz forks I reckon, should still be pretty reliable, still sets knocking about on fleabay, although I remember the P3 forks having quite a forgiving ride compared to any other rigid I’ve ever ridden, killed trail buzz quite nicely, although could be me 20/20 rose tinted hindsight of course…
lovely, off to trawl the 'bay i go....!
More indecision... anyone know if the zaskars are at all forgiving? there's a couple of '96 era ones on the bay... and do THEY take bigger tyres!?