1994 Kona Kilauea

[slackboy]

I'm not sure a 4g saving makes the kilauea "extralight" .

Doesn't matter - lovely looking frame, nice project and you were a bit low on bikes anyway weren't you?

 

[benjabbi]

I'm not sure 4g makes a difference, also remembered that the Explosif has a layer of clear protective tape on the top tube which probably accounts for the 4g!
Yeah bit low on bikes, there's about room for 10 so 10 there will be!

 

[magas]

no worries; I'm fine with all you said - and agree with you.

What I found interesting too is that even in the 94 Kona brochures not everywhere the Explosif is displayed or discribed have the fluted downtube - beside that the Europe spec. brochure showing an Explosif with Marz. fork, wether the US brochure showing an Explosif with Rock Shox fork

 

[The Pedal Dancer]

Do love the headtube logo on the Kona bikes from this era. Threads like this make me want another bike!

 

[benjabbi]

@The Pedal Dancer The spiral headbadge is definitely cool. As for another bike, I believe the general rule is N+1!
@magas yes I noticed that, it's a Quadra as well which seems a bit odd?
The colours look very different as well, although that could just be down to lighting/photo editing.

 

[benjabbi]

Cleaned up a few bits this morning,
Wheels: XT M737/8 hubs on Mavic 221s came up nicely, XT 8 speed 11-28t cassette

XT mechs and Suntour XC Expert shifters

Dia-compe PC-11s and 987 cantis, didn't really need cleaning, were NOS and have hardly been used.

 

[JRGSXR]

Looks like this will be a nice build. Will stay tuned for more updates .

 

[benjabbi]

Cranks arrived this morning.
I have decided to go with a typical Kona style spec on this, it won't be catalogue correct, but it won't be that far off either.
Sugino Impel. The arms are a bit tarnished so will get polished but the rings are in excellent condition. I'll probably fit some alloy chainring bolts and maybe some self extracting crankbolts.

 

[albash82]

Interesting that the frames appear to be identical.
I too have a real soft spot for the spiral HT badge. I'll never get rid of my '94 lava dome and these days I'm a bit sad I had it resprayed.
Just need to find a '95 explosif in 20"... Wonder if they did anything similar the year later between Kilauea and Explosif.

 

[benjabbi]

@albash82 The 94 Explosif was the first bike I ever really lusted after, now I have one it's not going anywhere!
Nice to hear you've kept your Lava Dome going all these years.
For 95 the Explosif moved to Columbus tubing and the Kilauea stuck with Tange but who knows what they could have done.
Good luck with your search.