Kona Cinder Cone 1989 - now with more sensible pictures!

al-onestare

BoTM Winner
Kona Fan
So here, at last is episode 3 in my series of how to navigate the world of retrobiking :LOL: Previous episodes (see the links in the signiture) have focused on the more affordable routes in but also explain how to chose the right bike. In other words, pick something you like and what to spend some time on as opposed to just getting something for the hell of it.

After the Fire Mountain and Lava Dome, it was only right I wanted to own the one I wanted the most; the white Cinder Cone splatter. Problem is, a lot of you lot want or have one so when they come up they can go for a fair price.

So, when this came up on ebay at the tale end of last year I took a massive punt. It looked like it has a stuck seatpost and it had been unloved for a long time. But, I figured I could probably fix most of it. And for under 70 notes even if it went wrong I could split it and break even.

After a pick up at Camden and a quick ride on her back to Victoria, past the Rememberance veterans I realised this was going to take a while. Indeed the seatpost was "welded" stuck and the BB was fucked. It had been replaced with a more modern BB but they had failed to put a screw where the old grease nipple had been so it was rust infested.

The paintwork looked grey, the kit tarnished and well...it looked really sorrz for itself. So, as usual, I took it apart completely and thanks to the LBS they freed the post. After the usual epic cleaning, polishing, cleaning, polishing, lube and love (arf arf) plus the standard ebay and rb sale section wins I'm proud to present "old" Cindy.

1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 19". All original apart from the seat, BB, tubes, tyres, cables and grips. Full spec list to come. Feedback and comments always welcome!

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Sad, grey and dusty :cry:

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Now looking nice and shiny after some epic degreasing, cleaning and t-cutting :)

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Mountain LX porn after more cleaning and autosol magic.

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Love it.

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First time I've used thumbshifters in over 10 years. Nice and clicky after a refurb.

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It's a 1991 model saddle but still the right style and type.

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The extra long head-tube. It does make the front more upright but also a little more twitchy.

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TBG goodness.

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Many thanks to everyone that helped through the advice (BB help), sourcing the parts and of course the inspiration.

Personally I like the more simple splatter of the yellow and red, than the yellow, red and blue in later models. She rides super smooth and is eager to climb.
 
Bump - now with sensible pictures.

Frame: Tange Cro-Mo tubing.

Fork: P2 1" threaded

Headset: No name, original
Stem: No name, original
Handlebar: No name, original
Grips: Modern Bontrager foam grips (it came with welded on rubber jobs)

Brakes: Front, Shimano BR-M454 canti, Rear, Dia-compe U-Brake XCE
Brake Pads: Front, Shimano, Rear, Dia-Compe, both original pad sets
Brake Cables: Modern standard Shimano
Brake Levers: No name, original

Shifters: Shimano Deore Thumbshifters SL-MT62
Front Derailleur: Shimano Mountain LX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Mountain LX
Cassette: 7 Speed Shimano, original
Chain: Shimano, original
Cranks: Shimano Exage 400LX
Chainrings: Shimano Biospace B-48
Bottom Bracket: Modern, Shimano LX UN54
Pedals: Tioga, unknown model, original

Hub Skewers: Shimano, original
Rims: Unknown, original
Hubs: Front, Shimano HB M451, Rear, Shimano FH M452
Tyres: Specialized Hardrock'r

Saddle: Avocet Racing
Seatpost: No name, original
Seatpost Binder: Shimano, XTR (NOS)

Weight: Significantly lighter than the '90 FM and LD
 
They are lovely arent they, these early TBG's....

Mine is set up as a purely SS town speedmachine at the moment, due to a slightly bent mech hanger.. its good to see one pretty much bone stock

I much prefer the earlier Velocity stems, where the cable routes internally compared to the later ones with the cable slung underneath... much more elegant I think.... MUST swap mine back over

Want a better saddle on mine too
Love your bike

G
 
Yes, yes they are lovely. Just want the daddy now...the Explosif ;)

There is something about white that works with these frames. I prefer the 90 with the silver themed groupset and rear canti but this is a very close 2nd :D

Was the blue speckle on yours original?
 
al-onestare":301jtu7k said:
Yes, yes they are lovely. Just want the daddy now...the Explosif ;)

There is something about white that works with these frames. I prefer the 90 with the silver themed groupset and rear canti but this is a very close 2nd :D

Was the blue speckle on yours original?

The '89 and '90 were the nicest, the gunmetal Suntour XCD setup just shading it in the looks, but I think the '89 LX would outperform the Suntour. One thing that might help the looks of yours is if you could find the Silver Mountain LX Biopace chainset (but I reckon you must be searching anyway) for it and a Silver U brake.

Carl.
 
No more searching for now :D

This'll be going up for sale shortly; there aren't too many scuffs on the cranks so it still looks neat.
 
al-onestare":umx7cdek said:
Yes, yes they are lovely. Just want the daddy now...the Explosif ;)

There is something about white that works with these frames. I prefer the 90 with the silver themed groupset and rear canti but this is a very close 2nd :D

Was the blue speckle on yours original?

Yep... Completely original
Mine appears to be more specklely than splattery than others I have seen tho... I guess thats the nature of hand painting :cool:
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G
 
unkleGsif":3eeuk2p5 said:
al-onestare":3eeuk2p5 said:
Yes, yes they are lovely. Just want the daddy now...the Explosif ;)

There is something about white that works with these frames. I prefer the 90 with the silver themed groupset and rear canti but this is a very close 2nd :D

Was the blue speckle on yours original?

Yep... Completely original
Mine appears to be more specklely than splattery than others I have seen tho... I guess thats the nature of hand painting :cool:
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G

....and the decals are different in style (top tube) and colour (red vs yellow/grey).
 
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