1993 Kona Lava Dome advice

[hardtail1976]

Hi all,

New to the forum, but not so new to mountain biking. Basically I have a 1993 Lava dome - had it from new - its all original (even has Kona combo cage and bottle!). It was my offroad bike when younger, then a commuter bike. I would really like to get back into offroad again (join local club) and am considering my options - getting a new bike etc, but from looking around nothing takes my fancy expect costly custom builds!

So to my question - would it be possible to use my 1993 frame (I love the classic Joe Murray geometry) as a base and modernize with todays front suspension etc? I know this is a retro bike forum and I may get some flak with such an idea but any help / ideas would be appreciated

Running for cover!

Cheers

 

[Mr Panda]

'course you can - its the only thing to do

I'm doing similar with my '92 C/Cone

So to my question - would it be possible to use my 1993 frame (I love the classic Joe Murray geometry) as a base and modernize with todays front suspension etc? I know this is a retro bike forum and I may get some flak with such an idea but any help / ideas would be appreciated



Cheers

 

[hardtail1976]

'course you can - its the only thing to do

I'm doing similar with my '92 C/Cone

Cool - thats great to know! I now need to sit down and work out what i'll need I'll post back my progress should I decide to take this route.

 

[DeletedUser006]

Hi There and welcome to the site ,

1st of all post some pics of you bike pleeease, we can then detrmine its exact age and spec etc etc, If its a 93 which it certainly does from your description it wont have suspension adjusted geomotery as the 1994 range did.

I would think you could add sus forks but would guess they would have to be early one's with little travel. If you are from the old school of riding you may find that you dont get on with suspension forks, I have a year 2000 kona with suspension up front and I find it unatural when cornering at speed and especially when going down hill with obsticals..... ..............I keep fekking falling off . I way perfer a rigid ride and me being the suspension.

 

[hardtail1976]

Yeah I am from the old school of riding - I enjoy going up hill as much as down! I have tested some bikes with FS, it will take some getting used too I know - but am prepared for that. One thing concerning me is the weight FS will add, I am used to riding light.

I attach a recent pic of the bike (20inch frame btw) I know some early 90s kona's did come with optional suspension forks, but it would be great to know whether I could use 08/09 forks - Rock shox Reba's for example. I was thinking I would need to change the headset, stem, bar, front wheel and brake if I go FS.

The more I look at bikes on this site - maybe I should keep it retro

Further thoughts welcome.

Cheers.

 

[lewis1641]

it would be cool to keep it retro but i still like to see a good retro frame with modern components. if you go for rebas i'd suggest setting plents of sag in them. they will definately add height tothe front end and slacken off the head tube but shouldnt be too bad with loads of sag. better still go for some "mid school" forks. disk mount but 80mm travel. pace rc36 pro class 2?

 

[gradeAfailure]

Personally, I'd keep the Kona 100% original as there's not many left in that state.. If you want something with more modern components and modern suspension, buy one of the modern steel hardtails from Genesis, Charge or the like.

Just my 2p though!

 

[hardtail1976]

Thanks for everyones feedback, gradeAfailure - your be pleased to know - I have decided i'll get a modern bike - maybe a on-one 456 for riding hard offroad and keep the Kona retro (needs a bit of work but nothing major)

Then i'll have two cool hardtails

 

[drystonepaul]

Thanks for everyones feedback, gradeAfailure - your be pleased to know - I have decided i'll get a modern bike - maybe a on-one 456 for riding hard offroad and keep the Kona retro (needs a bit of work but nothing major)

Then i'll have two cool hardtails

Sounds like the right decision to me. That Kona is far too nice to modernize and the 456 will keep you more than happy IMHO.

 

[Anthony]

The Lava Dome's frame (which is a size 19 incidentally) is not 'suspension-adjusted', i.e., it's designed to have the desired head angle with a 39cm (axle to crown) fork. Modern forks are far longer than that and would mess up the handling. Admittedly some people seem to prefer a really slack head angle, but it just depends whether you want the steering sharpness to be the way Joe Murray intended it to be. The fork you have on it is the triple-butted form of the P2, and as rigid forks go it is about as light and compliant as steel forks get.

The two most effective upgrades you could make on it for not much money would be V-brakes and clipless pedals. They would give you far more of a performance boost than say a 9-speed drivetrain.