Stringerfabrication
Dirt Disciple
New member (although i thought I was registered previously?) with a new (to me) bike.
I've had various retro stuff over the years, last properly old one was a '93 orange clockwork I had a couple years back. Although these days my early 2000s jump bikes I still ride class as retro I guess!
Recently I've started riding more what would be classed as XC, for fitness reasons and just to get out and enjoy the countryside more. With none of my other bikes really suitable (24" wheeled, tiny framed single speed 5"+ travel hardtails) I went looking for something more suited. I wanted a steel frame, much prefer the ride over aluminium, and after looking at silly priced massively over-specced new stuff, I decided to go retro again.
I narrowed it down to basically a kona, orange or Marin, out of the stuff that was easily available. I found Marins to be a bit bland, nearly bought an orange prestige but even a 19" frame seemed on the small side, before happening across this 20" lava dome. I'd always lusted after a kona in my youth (I was 11/12 when these came out) so after doing some research and finding it was the same frame as cinder cone I was happy with it even though it was a bit low specced compared to others I was looking at. Just means I get to do some period upgrades!
The pics I bought it from-
Aside from the obvious V-brake upgrade to '98 stx-rc, it's largely stock. Only other deviations as the seat clamp, and some later model gripshift and grips, presumably to replace worn out bits. The bars are questionable as they're not race lights, and the commuter spec tyres are unsuited to even light gravel work. Best find some bits then!
I've had various retro stuff over the years, last properly old one was a '93 orange clockwork I had a couple years back. Although these days my early 2000s jump bikes I still ride class as retro I guess!
Recently I've started riding more what would be classed as XC, for fitness reasons and just to get out and enjoy the countryside more. With none of my other bikes really suitable (24" wheeled, tiny framed single speed 5"+ travel hardtails) I went looking for something more suited. I wanted a steel frame, much prefer the ride over aluminium, and after looking at silly priced massively over-specced new stuff, I decided to go retro again.
I narrowed it down to basically a kona, orange or Marin, out of the stuff that was easily available. I found Marins to be a bit bland, nearly bought an orange prestige but even a 19" frame seemed on the small side, before happening across this 20" lava dome. I'd always lusted after a kona in my youth (I was 11/12 when these came out) so after doing some research and finding it was the same frame as cinder cone I was happy with it even though it was a bit low specced compared to others I was looking at. Just means I get to do some period upgrades!
The pics I bought it from-
Aside from the obvious V-brake upgrade to '98 stx-rc, it's largely stock. Only other deviations as the seat clamp, and some later model gripshift and grips, presumably to replace worn out bits. The bars are questionable as they're not race lights, and the commuter spec tyres are unsuited to even light gravel work. Best find some bits then!
welcome, and a nice condition bike you have there, can't go far wrong with a Kona. Keep us updated with the bikes progress 
