FluffyChicken":3rodfefs said:If the team over here where riding and demoing them in 1991 season then there will have been an importer, no point advertising what's not available.
They where certainly in the shops for the 1992 season, and from memory in there before that year all at my LBS. They are still open so they may remember when they got them.
I think oldned knows the chap from the old importers
Anyways, on with other peoples preference. (Still Orange here
Dr S":ott8v6iy said:Cor blimey. We only get to choose between an Orange or a Kona?? Harsh.
Would have to be a Kona. I have never liked the way Oranges ride- tried them BITD and more recently. Konas have a decent ride and look nicer too.
Kona.
RobMac":2slo2d46 said:I bought my Explosif new in '94' and Ive still got and I'll never sell it EVER!
Ive raced, toured, commuted on it, I love the riding position long and stretched out room to breath, it climbs like a goat, does technical like a ballerina, comfortable ride yet stiff when you hot up the pace, steep top tube to let you do trials sty-lee, its light, its strong, Ive had a few steel Kona's and Ive got a '91' Explosif project on the go, bottom line is I love early steel Kona's.
Ive never owned but Ive ridden a few Orange's they felt like good bikes but nothing memorable, not as comfy as the Kona, possibly that wishbone rear end, I like the look of them, tidy looking cable routing I thought. Would I own one I dont know, the fact that I hesitate maybe speaks for its self.
The Kona
.
maverick":3sdjny3g said:OK, here is my 2 pence worth:
I have owned both brands and at the time made an informed decision about buying the bike. If i really had to choose just one now it would have to be ............ neither.
There is no way you can separate the 2, they both did different things in different ways. The 'KONA' brand came from good solid backgrounds; it had the builders of legends and the history already in place.
The 'ORANGE' brand came almost from nowhere, they did whatever they could do to get sponsorship initially as Tushingham, then when they started to get a toehold they branched off and took a chance.
As for 'Yoofs bike' this was the brand that brought honest affordable frame design to the masses, the first I think to market the slopping top-tube through main stream shops, not custom made efforts.
As for 'Garden shed operation', they where entrepreneurs that where forging new ways and design/paint by a UK builder, they have forged history in what they have done.
So I couldn't possibly choose just one, maybe next I’ll do a hybrid Kona/Orange mix see how that turns out.
That is my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
:xmas-cool:
Neil":2r435w0o said:BITD, with only the two choices here, I would have bought the Kona.