1994 Kona Cinder Cone

Here goes, my first entry into Readers' Wives despite lurking on this site for about 18 months now. I was originally waiting for a retro road project to finish as that's what set me on the road to RB ruination, but that's on hold for now ...

So here's my Ford Escort - or at least the two-wheeled version on this site. I originally bought a matching pair in 17" and 15" for me and the GF but the small one went soon after as it was far too long for her. The spec on both was pretty much original - I bought both of them from an American guy who was relocating back to the US and couldn't take them. He was the original owner and had bought them over here with him about 12 years ago when he first arrived.

I've made a few changes - cranks, mechs, shifters, brakes - and added the requisite Flite, but IMO they add subtle character nuances rather than altering the basic quality of the bike. The bronze (ie orange) in the brakes might not be for everyone but I think it really goes with the orange in the decals - and cantis were never my thing either. She still rides like a dream!

Frame: 1994 Kona Cinder Cone 17", Tange Race Lite tubing

Fork: Kona Project 2 triple butted

Headset: Kona Impact
Stem: Kona Velocity 110mm
Handlebar: Kona RaceLite
Grips: Yeti
Barends: Concept

Brakes: Avid Single Digit Mag, in funky bronze
Brake Pads: Kool Stop
Brake Cables: LBS special w. Nokon from rear stop
Cantilever cable hangers: Kona original
Brake Levers: Avid Single Digit Mag, in funky bronze

Shifters: Shimano XT M740 Rapid Fire
Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR M900
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR M900
Derailleur Cables: LBS special
Cassette: OEM SRAM 8speed
Chain: OEM SRAM 8speed
Cranks: Middleburn RS2, 170mm
Crank Bolts: no-name steel
Chainrings: Middleburn 42T&32T; unspecified Shimano 22T
Chainring bolts: no-name steel
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN52 68x122mm
Pedals: Crank Bros Candy

Hub Skewers: Shimano
Rims: Mavic 237
Hubs: Shimano Parallax LX F&R
Nipples: yes
Spokes: naturally
Tyres: Kona The Cleaner (R) and Mr Dirt (F)
Tubes: Continental

Saddle: Flite Trans-Am
Seatpost: Suntour XC Pro
Seatpost Binder: Kona

I adapted the original dog collar rear stop with the famous grommet and ran a short length of Nokon outer to the rear V-brake, looks much cleaner than a full-length outer.

Apologies for the pink strip at the top of each pic, my camera is slowly but surely dying a death!

Very tidy machine. Concept always made bar ends that looked upside down!

ver' nice, i like!
is this a USA different colour cinder cone then? always thought my mate's orange one was a '94.. maybe this is a '95?? correct me if i'm wrong,,,

<sigh> my first CC. Stolen within the week!

Lovely stuff!

Two small corrections - it's a 1995 frame and it's size 19 (they measure to the top of the seat tube). The P2s and Velocity are also to the 1995 pattern. Nice bike, I like the bright colour!

Thanks for the clarification, Anthony - it was sold to me as a '94 17" model but the seller wasn't 100% sure, and since it fits me and I like the look I wasn't too concerned. Also, my tape measure is metric only and I can't remember my 2.54-times table by heart

I don't know whether the colour is USA specific but it certainly polished up well. There are a couple of chips that would benefit from a touch-up so I'll try to get round to that this summer. I have replacement decals courtesy of gil_m to go on once I've tarted the paint and then we're done.

Unless anyone comes up with some bright suggestion, of course ...

Cheers all!

They used to come out with various different colours at this time - here are some examples from 94 and 95 and note the different decal colours.

Some Interesting reading here if your set on painting it

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=329900&start=140

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=389543&p=2883361#p2881653

Re:

That's what you call thread resurrection! just over a month shy of 10 years ...

I can't even remember exactly when I sold the bike, but I'd guess around 2012. I can't say I don't regret setting it, but I needed the space, and the money helped at the time.

Thanks for the links though, interesting reading.

Cheers,
Gareth.