Kona Hot 1997

Re: Kona Hot 1997: finished pictures P10

Thats boneriffic Al. Chapeau.
I love it when the fork colour compliments the frame like this too.
 
Re: Kona Hot 1997: finished pictures P10

Cheers dudes.

KIS - yep, the colour really does complement it, more than any other fork/frame colour combo I have in the garage.
 
Re: Kona Hot 1997: finished pictures P10

Well, I ain't ever gon' find me anything that rare in my size. Soooo.... I'm gonna just steal me that colour scheme for a future modern hardtail build I'm planning. So there.
 
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Loving the latest pics and text feedback - looking super sharp. Real eye candy!

Fork also looks a million dollars with the black post and stem to make the metallic stand-out. Roll on a full ride report!
 
Re: Kona Hot 1997: finished pictures P10

albash82":3kfwb4lm said:
Well, I ain't ever gon' find me anything that rare in my size.

Never say never - these things do exist and often appear when you least expect it.

romanrinos":3kfwb4lm said:
Fork also looks a million dollars with the black post and stem to make the metallic stand-out. Roll on a full ride report!

Cheers dude, yep, I have to agree it's come out really well, even better than expected. For me, the black rims and spokes really look the part. I didn't mention just how good they feel. They cost a fortune back in the day and still command a strong price and for once, the hype matches the performance. The weight difference is remarkable and as result it really did "feel" like I was bombing around more easily and quickly. I'm very fortunate to have 2 wonderful racing pedigree machines :oops:
 
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Alasdair’s Retro Builds on Kona Cog makes for some excellent reading - and there is more to come yet! We love Kona for having the Dream Builds section on their site. Does any other bike manufacturer have a web site section that tips a hat to their own history and the bikes that we admire on RB?

I've been privileged to a preview of all of this, but I'm sure you can all guess by now the final installment for the week ;)

Pip
 
Well done Al and thank you for the hat tip yesterday! Amazing week indeed.

Loved reading the background and context to each bike. Looking forward to today's new instalment.
 
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Cheers dude. It's been overwhelming!

So I had an absolute blast last week back in the Forest Of Dean. I spent 3 mornings at the bike park in Cannop ( https://www.fodmtb.com/trails ), spending the first 2 on the blue runs and the last on the reds. I won't spoil it if you haven't been so all I'll say is, you need to go. It's ace!

To the bike, I realise why the Hot's, to a point, were the race bike of choice. Last year I rode the Explosif there so this was as close a comparison I can give so far. The fundamental difference between the two is the rolling abilities. The Hot beats the Explosif, just. The rear - whatever it's made of - has more give and with the CrossMaxs, it's has a little more rolling speed. Where it's down is the power to driver transfer, presumably where the stiffer stays mean absolutely nothing it lost when I turn the pedals.

What does this mean in reality? I'm blessed with 2 incredible riding bikes that push me to the absolute limits as the following pictures show. You might remember I had some similar body shots 2 summers back on the Explosif so it was only right the Hot did the same. Looking back on it, the speed I came into the berm was representative of how comfortable I was feeling. Again, it's relative on an older bike, compared to a 29er I'm sure it's nothing. Anyway, in this case, the berm was an entry point into the next downhill section. It crosses a fire-road. So imagine the banked berm flattening, then going into another angled berm. Standard stuff except the flat part is dry and loose gravel. So I washed out as soon as I hit it. And yes, no damage to the bike....

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...apart from the once NOS Smokes which look like they've been eaten into. Proof (again) that 20 year old rubber after 3 days of riding is for garage queens only. Anyway, here's me about to drop in on a red (check out the new Kona Hand-Up gloves which are ACE), then a bit later on nearing the end of the (Freeminers) red loop...man that was good, can I go back please?

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