1991 Explosif - Edinburgh

[DeletedUser006]

Could be a bargain ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

 

[Caramba Kid]

Looks more like a 19" or 20" rather than the 17" stated in the listing.

 

[Anthony]

Looks more like a 19" or 20" rather than the 17" stated in the listing.

I don't think there was a 17 in 1991, even in the US, certainly not imported here.

Kona measured the frames differently in 1991 and 92, from the outside of the bb shell to the top of the seat tube. I believe this is probably a size 18, meaning that on a c-t basis it measures 18.7. The head tubes were also 2cm longer then, so this size 18 has a 13cm head tube, the length used for the size 19 from 1993 onwards.

So no wonder it looks bigger, but the important thing as far as fit is concerned is that it has the top tube of an 18.

 

[Caramba Kid]

Looks more like a 19" or 20" rather than the 17" stated in the listing.

I don't think there was a 17 in 1991, even in the US, certainly not imported here.

Kona measured the frames differently in 1991 and 92, from the outside of the bb shell to the top of the seat tube. I believe this is probably a size 18, meaning that on a c-t basis it measures 18.7. The head tubes were also 2cm longer then, so this size 18 has a 13cm head tube, the length used for the size 19 from 1993 onwards.

So no wonder it looks bigger, but the important thing as far as fit is concerned is that it has the top tube of an 18.

Thought I'd got this Kona sizing lark sorted & then you show me I'm still a student

Wondering now if my 1992 Hei Hei is actually a 20" :roll:

 

[Anthony]

Wondering now if my 1992 Hei Hei is actually a 20" :roll:

I should have said that I was giving what was my understanding - I believe it to be true, but as always I could easily be wrong, and if some kind person proves me wrong I'll be duly grateful.

If Hei Heis follow the Taiwan-build dimensions, your 94 size 19 should have c-t seat tube/c-c top tube/head tube of 485/575/130mm

And I think a 1992 size 19 has c-t seat tube/c-c top tube/head tube of 500/560/150mm and a 1992 size 20 has c-t seat tube/c-c top tube/head tube of 525/575/170mm. Does yours fit either of those descriptions?

 

[Caramba Kid]

Thanks for the info Anthony

1992 frame -
headtube 150mm
seat tube centre bb to top 508mm (bang on 20")
seat tube top bb to top 490mm
top tube centre to centre 575mm
chainstay centre to centre 425mm (16.75")

1994 frame ??? (extended seat tube above top tube a la 92/93 but with bullet style dropouts)-
headtube 130mm
seat tube centre bb to top 483mm (bang on 19")
top tube centre to centre 560mm
chainstay centre to centre 425mm (16.75")

What is your learned opinion?

 

[Anthony]

Thanks for the info Anthony

1992 frame -
headtube 150mm
seat tube centre bb to top 508mm (bang on 20")
seat tube top bb to top 490mm
top tube centre to centre 575mm
chainstay centre to centre 425mm (16.75")

1994 frame ??? (extended seat tube above top tube a la 92/93 but with bullet style dropouts)-
headtube 130mm
seat tube centre bb to top 483mm (bang on 19")
top tube centre to centre 560mm
chainstay centre to centre 425mm (16.75")

What is your learned opinion?

I don't think I've been fortunate enough to have sight of either of these works of art, so please bear in mind that any comments are blind.

Some of my info is from personal knowledge and some is what people have told me. In the case of a 94 size 19, I have one here, so it's knowledge. The dimensions you've given are those of a 1993 size 19, when the frames were shorter and the stems were longer. So the most obvious possible explanations are either that the 94 Hei Heis had different geometry to the steel and aluminium frames, or that your frame is a 93 and the stickers were renewed with 94 ones at some point. Either way, the significant thing is that under the geometry that they established from 1994 onwards, the top tube length of 56cm is that of a size 18.

My 92 info is what I've been told, so I'm less sure of it. Again, similar to the above, the dimensions you've given are very close to what I would expect for a 1991 size 19, and my belief is that 92 and 93 frames were shorter. So I wonder if there is any possibility that it's a 91 frame, or there's always the constant possibility that I could be completely wrong and it's a 1992 size 20 (and the different way of measuring size applied only to 1991). And again, perhaps the most significant thing is that under the geometry that they established from 1994 onwards, the top tube length of 57.5cm is that of a size 19.

I hope this helps. Many will say it's anal, but I think the serious issue that emerges is that when anybody is thinking of buying a particular bike, they want to know if it will fit. And the most important single measurement is the top tube. And yet for some crazy reason, the size is taken from the seat tube, so you're buying blind.

 

[Drapoon]

may have to take punt on this then cry if it's rotten.

My other halfs granny lives in Edinburgh...maybe she can pick it up for me

 

[Tallpaul]

My 1992 Lava Dome and 1993 Explosif are the same size. Both are 19" C2T with 130mm head-tubes.

I suppose now I should check the top-tube lengths :roll: