Kona Explosif 853 or not ?

Afternoon all. My first Retrobike post and already asking for help!

I've recently bought a steel Kona frame which at some point in its life has undergone a respray and been restickered as per the Reynolds 853 Explosif from the 1998 Kona Catalogue.

The Frame number is either H8GO 7405 or H860 7405.

From the importers I know that the H8 means it was manufactured in 1998 although it has provision for the rear mech cable on the seat stays which is consistent with the 1999 catalogue.

So if my detective work is good to date its a Kona steel frame manufactured in 1998 for the 1999 season.

It could therefore be an Explosif, Lava Dome, Caldera, Hahanna, or Fire Mountain.

The seat stays have rack mounts and the drop outs are stamped with the Kona "K".

If I’m measuring it correctly (centre of Bottom bracket to top of seat tube) then it’s an 18” frame (bought as a 17” doh) which means it could still be any of the above as all were sold in that size.

Weighed on my wifes kitchen scales (don’t worry she was in the bath) it weights 2040g or 4lbs 8oz.

Can anyone out there help shed any light on whether I have an Explosif or what it might it be.

Cheers

My 98 Explosif is H8A2 7042. As you say, the 8 signifies that the frame was made in 1998 and my 2 and your 0 could (but I'm not at all sure) mean that mine was made in February for the 98 model year and yours was made in October for the 1999 model year.

Other than that, I don't know how to differentiate between the 98 and 99 frames. Although the 98 catalogue shows down tube rm routing, all 98 production actually had top tube routing, just like the 99s.

Both years Explosifs had the sheath-type ends to the stays, but so did the 97 and 98 Kilaueas and the 99 Caldera. Mine are stamped K on the outside of the seatstay sheaths.

Both years had a 31.8 top tube and a 34.9 down tube, but so did a 98 Kilauea.

My size 17 frame weighs 4.35lbs, which suggests that a size 18 1998 Explosif would weigh close to 4.5lbs, as yours does. A size 18 99 Caldera probably weighs a fraction more, but I don't know the weight of a 98 Kilauea and it could be close or equal to the Explosif, as the Explosif had been made burlier in the move to 853.

It sounds like it is probably an Explosif, but I don't know how you're ever going to be certain, unless the previous owner has any evidence.

[Actually if you have a 34.9 down tube and the importer could confirm that your 0 (or O?) means October, then that would leave only 99 Explosif as a possibility, so you could be sure.]

Thanks Anthony. So I can rule outanything but an Explosif, Kilauea or 99 Caldera based on the "Sheaf" type ends to the stays ?

Explosif

To confirm, I have owned both a Blue 98 and a grey 99 Explosif 853. They are identical frames.

Yes, and you can rule out the Caldera too, if your top tube is slimmer than your down tube.

1999
EXPLOSIF
Our top of the line steel hardtail is a classic Kona model. Although steel frames are generally heavier than Aluminum,
Reynolds 853 is lightweight and has the resiliency that many experienced riders prefer. Steel is an efficient "spring" and provides a
comfortable & fluid high-performance ride.
Constructed of Reynolds 853 tubing.
Top - 31.7 x .8/.5/.8t,
Down - 34.9 x .9/.6/.9t,
Seat - 28.6 x 1.2-.6-.9t,
Seat stays - 18-16.5 x .7t,
Chain stays - 22.2-16.5 x .9/.6t.
Custom drawn, oversized stays with Kona "New Drop" investment cast dropouts dramatically improve braking and accelerating performance.
Made for 27.0mm seat post, 28.6mm front derailleur, 68/110 bottom bracket, & 1-1/8" headset.
Available as frame only, 4.2 lbs (18").

CALDERA
Main frame constructed of seamless double butted tubing.
Top - 31.8 x .9/.6/.9t,
Down - 31.8 x 1.0/.7/1.0t,
Seat - 28.6 x 1.2-.6-.9t,
Seat stays - 18-16.5 x .7t,
Chain stays - 22.2-16.5 x .9t.
Custom drawn, oversized stays with Kona "New Drop" investment cast dropouts dramatically improve braking and accelerating performance.
Made for 27.0mm seat post, 28.6mm front derailleur, 68/110 bottom bracket, & 1-1/8" headset.
Available as frame only, 4.6 lbs (18").

LAVA DOME
Seamless double butted tubing.
Top - 31.8 x 0.9/0.6/0.9t,
Down - 31.8 x 0.9/0.6/0.9t,
Seat - 29.8-28.6 x 1.3-0.7-0.9t,
Seat stays - 19 x 0.7t,
Chain stays - 22 x .9t.
Made for 27.0mm seat post, 28.6mm front derailleur, 68/110 bottom bracket, & 1-1/8" headset.
4.6 lbs (18").

FIRE MOUNTAIN
Seamless double butted tubing/PG rear.
Top - 31.8 x 1.0/0.7/1.0t,
Down - 31.8 x 1.0/0.7/1.0t,
Seat - 29.8-28.6 x 1.2-0.6-0.9t,
Seat stays - 19 x 0.7t,
Chain stays - 22 x .9t.
Made for 27.0mm seat post, 28.6mm front derailleur, 68/110 bottom bracket, & 1-1/8" headset.
4.6 lbs (18").
Fire Mountain is available with rigid (Kona Project Two) or front suspension (RST 381R).

Re: Explosif

ratbane":2isz2d0c said:

To confirm, I have owned both a Blue 98 and a grey 99 Explosif 853. They are identical frames.

Click to expand...

They look identical, but I believe that the 98 had Reynolds 725 stays and the 99 had generic 4130 stays.

Re: Explosif

Anthony":d96pjjpu said:

ratbane":d96pjjpu said:

To confirm, I have owned both a Blue 98 and a grey 99 Explosif 853. They are identical frames.

Click to expand...

They look identical, but I believe that the 98 had Reynolds 725 stays and the 99 had generic 4130 stays.

Click to expand...

Visually identical I should have said. You cannot tell the stays apart by eye.

Re: Explosif

ratbane":3sxkkj1t said:

Anthony":3sxkkj1t said:

ratbane":3sxkkj1t said:

To confirm, I have owned both a Blue 98 and a grey 99 Explosif 853. They are identical frames.

Click to expand...

They look identical, but I believe that the 98 had Reynolds 725 stays and the 99 had generic 4130 stays.

Click to expand...

Visually identical I should have said. You cannot tell the stays apart by eye.

Click to expand...

More important, can you tell them apart when you're riding down a rocky path? Or back up it?

I think the 98 Explosif is the most stable descender I've ridden. But doesn't feel as fast as a 96.

Thanks again guys, after your second post Anthony, I went straight round to borrow my fathers digital callipers. Sure enough top tube is 31.7 and bottom tube is 34.9 (give or take for the paint thickness).

So with your help have therefore ruled out the Caldera.

Guess I'm therefore left wondering whether I have a 98 or 99 Explosif or a 98 Kiluaea !

Re: Explosif

Anthony":60q8axqh said:

ratbane":60q8axqh said:

Anthony":60q8axqh said:

ratbane":60q8axqh said:

To confirm, I have owned both a Blue 98 and a grey 99 Explosif 853. They are identical frames.

Click to expand...

They look identical, but I believe that the 98 had Reynolds 725 stays and the 99 had generic 4130 stays.

Click to expand...

Visually identical I should have said. You cannot tell the stays apart by eye.

Click to expand...

More important, can you tell them apart when you're riding down a rocky path? Or back up it?

I think the 98 Explosif is the most stable descender I've ridden. But doesn't feel as fast as a 96.

Click to expand...

Not really. However, I kep going back to the 99.