Open wide and say "AA......" - 1995 Kona AA

[jimo746]

Facebook Marketplace proffered this Kona AA locally for the Princely sum of 55 Scottish pounds.
The good, it's in pretty good shape, everything works (mostly), and it's definitely rideable as it is.
The bad, there are a few chips & scratches on the frame, and the forks needed a bit of lubrication to get them working, but now seem to be squishing as they should.
I'm not sure on the "correct" spec, maybe someone can confirm the model year? But it's a mix of LX and XT, the forks are obviously newer 2001 Marzocchi Bombers.
The first job is to swap out the rather worn Duro "Brave" tyres for something better, and I'll be swapping the narrow flat bars for some risers.

 

[mk one]

bargain

And it is a '95

 

[jimo746]

Out to the shops on this today.
Instantly regretted not fitting knobbly tyres, or even the ice spikers I have somewhere, but somehow made it home without incident.
The bars have been changed for some X-Lite risers,, and wheels are Wobblers (quite apt for today's ride ) with LX hubs. Also fitted some Kona pedals and fitted new cables, even found some offcuts of gold braided outer to utilise .
And found a carbon brake booster arch during my rummaging, so that got used on the rear.

Pretty happy with how it rides, just need to give it a good ride off-road soon.

 

[W7Ford]

blumin eck that's a good find! Looks much better on the amberwalls and with a riser fitted. There's some really nice Kona builds on here at the moment.

 

[jimo746]

Been test fitting some drop bars to the Kona today, along with the Suntour Command Shifters I've had for years and never used. Took a bit of trial & error, but I think I've got things where I'd like them now, just need to finish things off tomorrow.

 

[andym999]

Looking good...

Question on the booster - is there a noticeable benefit would you say? My AA came with boosters front (later model P2s) and back and I cant decide whether they should / need to stay or not...

 

[al-onestare]

Drop bars? Errr

I'm chuckling imaging saying "ah ah" to the dentist

 

[andym999]

Drop bars? Errr

Everyone's doing them to AAs these days....

 

[jimo746]

Looking good...

Question on the booster - is there a noticeable benefit would you say? My AA came with boosters front (later model P2s) and back and I cant decide whether they should / need to stay or not...

In my opinion it does "firm up" the brake feel a little, however since I'm using V-brakes they're powerful enough as it is imo, so not sure if there's any real world advantage to having the brake booster.

 

[jimo746]

Drop bars? Errr

I'm chuckling imaging saying "ah ah" to the dentist

Considering the bar & stem were from AliExpress you may well be right . They're alloy however, I've learnt to avoid Ali-carbon when it comes to anything my future existence relies upon!
The Ti bottle cages are from AliExpress too, and they seem quite nice as it happens.