1993 Kona Lava Dome advice

[gradeAfailure]

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

 

[rc200ti]

What a nice Kona.

The best upgrade I made on a 92 Cinder Cone was to ditch the Suntour bottom bracket (which weighed an absolute ton) for a roller bearing / titanium axle model, which is still there fifteen years on, smooth as silk and light as you like.

 

[hardtail1976]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Sadly the bike now has no back wheel - some bugger has stolen it! So now need a new wheel etc.

The Lava Dome's frame (which is a size 19 incidentally)

Just wondering how you work out its a 19 from a photo?

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.

Yeah was thinking go clipless. Will look at V-brakes - I imagine these are a easy replacement for the current brakes?

 

[Anthony]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Sadly the bike now has no back wheel - some bugger has stolen it! So now need a new wheel etc.

Shame! But actually upgrading the wheels would be the next on the list, as those ones weren't the lightest ever.

Just wondering how you work out its a 19 from a photo?

Ah well, I'm sad like that - I don't know what you had for breakfast though, don't worry!

Will look at V-brakes - I imagine these are a easy replacement for the current brakes?

Check out the other recent thread about a 1993 Kilauea - there's a discussion in there all about how to upgrade a Kona to Vs.

 

[hardtail1976]

Hi everyone,

Just spec'ing my first round of upgrades for the lava dome:

Shimano Deore Wheels
Shimano HG50 7 Speed Cassette 12/28
LX V-Brakes
Race Face Evolve XC low bars and stem

Just wondering what people throught - can anyone foresee any problems with buying these all new and fitting to a retro bike?

Cheers

 

[unocogero]

This is what a 1996 Kona looks like with riser bars and V's.

I've popped a picture of the cable routing for the rear V and also the set up at the front (with a reduced 80mm travel Reba) with 100mm stem and riser bars.

It rides as well, if not better than a modern steel hardtail, particualrly with the fork. But I can understand keeping it period as well. This bike was shedded when I got it and ripe for upgrade rather than restoration.

Hope this helps

 

[hardtail1976]

Thanks unocogero, cheers for the pics - thats a great looking Kona - there is defo something special about Kona sloping frames and high seat posts

After the comments in this thread I have decided to keep the bike rigid - so keeping my P2 forks.

The brakes and wheels are the first things to be replaced. Never used v-brakes, so am interested to find out how good they are.

 

[unocogero]

Thanks unocogero, cheers for the pics - thats a great looking Kona - there is defo something special about Kona sloping frames and high seat posts

After the comments in this thread I have decided to keep the bike rigid - so keeping my P2 forks.

The brakes and wheels are the first things to be replaced. Never used v-brakes, so am interested to find out how good they are.

Thanks, it needs a respray but I am pleased with it.

V's are easier to initially set up and offer more power and more modulation with good levers but...

On a rigid Kona (and my 1990 Fire Mountian is rigid) I find you don't really need the extra stopping power as their is a natural speed limit imposed by the rigid forks (unless you are super skilled!)

If you have some nice Canti's stick with them and that way you can keep original levers etc.

Hope that helps!

 

[Badwulf]

Nice Bike!

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?

Funnily enough I am currently in convo to purchase a 93 Lava Dome, in pretty much pristine condition and with all original parts (no rust, dings... just a few scratches) problem being I can't try it out for size as its not close. It's a 20" frame and I'm 5"10 ish with inside leg of 31 Inch.

I had one of these back in the day which got niched and am pretty sure it was a 18-19 inch frame but can't remember. Would you think a 20 is too big?

Good Deal though, am looking at about £120 plus courier fees of £23

 

[MattC59]

Nice bike

I've got a similar vintage Kilauea which came with Quadra 10 forks. Peak district grit killed them in no time and in about '96 I replaced them with some Judy DH forks (the ones with the silver crown, 70mm travel ?) and it rides really well.

As long as you stick to some early short travel forks on there it should be fine. To be honest though, those Konas had a great ride with the P2 forks, so I'd stick with that.

Are you sure it's a '93 ? Mine had the same fade paint job, but in burgendy and grey and it was the first of the '94 bikes (bought at the end of '93)

M