1997 Kona Kilauea - Special Edition ?

[Mortonm]

Re:

I was able to get the grips off without much issues, replaced with some half worn race fave lock on grips I had around. Swapped saddles and put some flat pedals on

Just took it for a 90 minute ride and man is it a nimble nice little bike. Mostly asphalt some gravel slme single track.

It feels a lot different than the 95 lava dome. I was concerned about the suspension fork at first as it will be mostly for around town but since it's a coil fork it wasnt revving me of power too bad and smoothed out some bumps nicely.

Any issue with taking off the rubber boots ? Is it really protecting much ?

 

[Mortonm]

A few pictures from last summer, looking forward to getting it back out this spring

 

[Paul R]

that is soo nice especially with that backdrop

 

[KeepItSteel]

Fantastic colour and find. That one should be a keeper fo'sho

 

[Mortonm]

Re:

Thanks guys. Definitely a keeper for now

 

[Mortonm]

Here are a couple of pictures from this weekends ride around town (all our trails are closed).

It highlights a few changes that I have made, some SRAM foam grips, a shorter stem off of a 97 hahanna or fire mountain. Race face flat pedals, swapped in my WTB saddle that I like. I removed the dust covers as one was cracked and a bit ripped.

I had a set of the 90s "Dewey Too" bar ends that I have tossed on, havent gotten a chance to ride it set up like that yet. Not sure about the looks but I want to try having a different hand position for longer rides, we will see if they stay or leave. What is everyone's thoughts on this?

I have all the original parts in a bin (Seat, stem, pedals, grips) that I can put back on if desired.

I am running a pair of 26x2.0 Kenda Kozmik Lite Pro tires, I actually really like these, quite supple and fast rolling, not so great in the mud obviously

 

[jonthefish]

That is so nice. Keep the bar ends. It is good to have the different hand and body positions and I usually seem to end up on my bar ends when climbing.
Neighbour took a ride on my Explosif last night while I rode his modern lump. Two things he said were:
1. This feels quick
2. (while climbing) I like these bar ends.

 

[Mortonm]

That is so nice. Keep the bar ends. It is good to have the different hand and body positions and I usually seem to end up on my bar ends when climbing.
Neighbour took a ride on my Explosif last night while I rode his modern lump. Two things he said were:
1. This feels quick
2. (while climbing) I like these bar ends.

It really is amazing how quick they accelerate and how live they feel compared an old bruiser crap bike

 

[Kona-Ian]

Lovely bike
I had a 1997 Kilauea too but just a UK spec one.
Swapped it for a car around 2000.

 

[Mortonm]

Lovely bike
I had a 1997 Kilauea too but just a UK spec one.
Swapped it for a car around 2000.

Unfortunate but I get the feeling. There is always another Kikauea out there for you haha