1994 Kona Explosif

[AxelS]

Hi everyone!
I’m Axel from Argentina.

I’m a retro MTB enthusiast. I started building and collecting them around 2019/20.
There’s one brand in particular that has always caught my eye, mainly because of its unusual geometry for the time, and this brand is Kona!

For a long while, I’d been searching for one in my size (18”), which isn’t easy here in Argentina since Kona bikes were never very common. I’ve owned a few that weren’t quite my size, but I still enjoyed riding them. Eventually, I managed to get this 1994 Kona Explosif, which is in surprisingly great condition for its 31 years, both the frameset and the components.

I’d like to share some photos and a quick bike check.
Hope you like it as much as I do!

– Axel

Frame: Kona Explosif 1994 18, Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong.
Fork: ProjectTwo triple butted.
Stem: Velocity.
Headset: Shimano Deore XT HP-M742.
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-UN91.
Saddle: Vetta SL.
Seatpost: Ritchey 27.2.
Handlebar: Ritchey ForceLite.
Cantilevers: Ritchey Logic.
Brake levers: Ritchey Logic.
Crankset: Ritchey Logic.
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore XT 737.
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT 737.
Cassette: Shimano Deore XT 737.
Shifters: Shimano Deore XT 739 M008.
Hubs: Shimano Deore XT 737.
Rims: Araya RM-395 Team.
Tires: Tioga Psycho 26x1.95.
Pedals: Tioga Surefoot VI.
Quick reléase: Avenir Ti.
Grips: soon to be replaced.

 

[haggis]

That's a peach

 

[winjohn]

Great looking bike, fantastic condition for the year. I have the 1999 853 framed Explosif which rides very nicely but I prefer the look of the mid 90s bikes.

I have owned a few Konas over the years, they are fairly easy to pick up in the UK but are often in quite poor condition, I have had Hahannas, Fire Mountaiis, Lava Domes, Cindercones, Munimulas and Explosifs and currently have an 88 splatter paint Cindercone and a 97 AA as well as the Explosif. I also Have a Jake he Snake and a Kapu so I am clearly also a big fan.

 

[d8mok]

Very nice

 

[Monkeeee01]

Great bike, I had the same model but mine was reprayed by a previous owner

The condition of yours is lovely, thinks one of the more sought after years with the flutted down tube and flanged seat tube