1997 Kona Explosif

Hot off the bike stand is My 97 Explosif.

Bought it off here recently as a virtually off the shelf model.

Have stripped it back to the frame and rebuilt it to this.

Hope you like it

Chris.

Very nice

What's the build run down (as in RetroSpec sheet), like the blue cable touch though.

that looks so good. chainset does it for me

FluffyChicken":3h3dvsip said:

What's the build run down (as in RetroSpec sheet), like the blue cable touch though.

Click to expand...

Here ya go:

Frame: 1997 18" Kona Explosif

Fork: 1997 Pace RC36 Proclass

Headset: Chris King threadless
Stem: Pace RC45
Handlebar: Answer Hyperlite
Grips: Yeti Clear
Barends: Onza

Brakes: Xtr v's
Brake Pads: Xtr cartridge
Brake Cables: Gore Ride on
Brake Levers: Xtr sti

Shifters: Xtr sti
Front Derailleur: Xt
Rear Derailleur: Xtr rapid rise
Derailleur Cables: Gore ride on
Cassette: Xtr titanium
Chain: Sachs PC 890
Cranks: Race face turbine LP
Crank Bolts: Middleburn ti self extracting
Chainrings: Middleburn
Chainring bolts: Pace titanium
Bottom Bracket: Hope titanium
Pedals: Xtr spd's

Hub Skewers: Hope titanium
Rims: Mavic crossmax ceramic
Hubs: Mavic crossmax
Nipples: Mavic crossmax
Spokes: Mavic crossmax
Tyres: Wtb velociraptor
Tubes: Generic

Saddle: Flite titanium
Seatpost: U.S.E titanium
Seatpost Binder: Kona

Weight: ?

Love the colour - and the hints of blue work too.

Very tasty indeed ,looks light and fast !

Nice but we need to see more pics

I like the basic built Chris. I'm surprised it looks so comfortable with the RC36, but the bb drop and the head angle both look very reasonable. I would have thought an RC36 would be too long, but that looks right for it. I assume you've got it set up for 70mm travel have you? Even then, I thought the RC36 was long, but it looks c44cm. I haven't seen a 97 Explosif with an RC36 before, but I think this sets the standard.

I have to dissent over the blue outers though, I'm sorry. To me, they're pretty and that frame is a stiff, macho racing frame and it doesn't suit anything pretty. It should look like a mean machine. XTR grey is the colour for serious outers.

The one thing I think is missing from the basic 'Readers' MTBs' format is Riding Impressions. I'd be really interested to know what it's like to ride, and how it compares to the other bikes you've ridden.

re forkheight

looks right to me, I just got hold of a 80mm's rockshox judy that is going on a koa from 96, I have a 63mm sid on right now and it acctually almost feels a bit odd. konas tend to like a flatter angle...

nice work on the bike, chainset looks really good