Kona Hot info wanted.

Hi folks,

Anyone got any info on the '96 Kona Hot that they could pass my way? I've searched the site but all I seem to find are ebay ads. Also been on Konaretro but the '96 catalogue isn't there. The rest of the web isn't turning up much for me either.

To explain, a friend of mine has just bought a '96 Hot but I thought '96-'98 models came with Ritchey dropouts and his hasn't. The cable routing configuration on his is two on the top tube and one on the down tube. It's a stars and bars paint job but has been resprayed, I'm not sure if this was the original colour scheme or not. It has an 853 sticker on it but I guess that doesn't necessarily mean that it's true.

That's all the info I have ATM and I don't have a picture yet either.

Any help/info appreciated.

Cheers
Steve

More info and a pic from him, he says the dropouts are Ritchey after all.

Sexy bike alert.

Yep My Frankenstein one had Ritchey dropouts. Thats a Hot alright.

Love it.

That went on ebay recently didn't it?
There is something about that colour scheme that is pure sex - i really wish i could have justified the need to have had a bid or two on it!

Cheers guys. Yep, he bought it off ebay recently and he's very pleased with it, very light so should build up into a sub 20lb bike for him (singlespeed).

Supposed to be real nice frames. Didn't Teesdale weld some of these up??

You're right John, Tom Teesdale built the Hots from '90-'95 using tange prestige tubing.

And a very nice job he did too.

That may be a 97 frame painted as a 96 as a couple of things don't look right.

I have a copy of the 96 catalogue and will check it later, but from memory the logos are wrong as it the cable routing for a 96.

Not a 96 Hot

Steve,

Thats definitely not a 96 Hot. The 96 frames have the deraileur cabling on the downtube and the logos/decals are not correct for the 96 model year either.

It's most likely a 97 custom painted to look like a 96 as it has the early 97 cable routing for a top pull front derailleur and rear derailleur along the downtube.

The best check would be the frame number as there are a few fakes about.

I can also scan the 96 catalogue if you'd like.

It's definitely a Hot, as to the year I'm not sure and whether it's been resprayed in the original paint scheme I don't know either. As soon as I see him again I'll get the serial number and perhaps it'll shed some light.