1996 Kona Kilauea

[fitzroybikeco]

Hi everyone, first post on here.

Just picked up a 1996 Kona Kilauea which I is in a barley ridable state.
My question is where does it fall in the pecking order. I had a look in the catalogue and assume that it's a high level hard tail with rigid forks.

KULA
EXPLOSIF
AA
MINI-MULA
KOA

KILAUEA
CINDERCONE
LAVA DOME
FIRE MOUNTAIN
HAHANNA

From what I can tell this has a few of the original parts but not everything. I will do a proper inventory when I give it a clean up.

 

[al-onestare]

Hi everyone, first post on here.

Just picked up a 1996 Kona Kilauea which I is in a barley ridable state.
My question is where does it fall in the pecking order. I had a look in the catalogue and assume that it's a high level hard tail with rigid forks.

KULA
EXPLOSIF
AA
MINI-MULA
KOA

KILAUEA
CINDERCONE
LAVA DOME
FIRE MOUNTAIN
HAHANNA

From what I can tell this has a few of the original parts but not everything. I will do a proper inventory when I give it a clean up.

It's up there with the Explosif - there's a good healthy argument with which is best. It's down to taste and riding style in my opinion but either way it's a very tidy frame. Along with TB forks you have the basis of a very nice ride.

IMO, from top to bottom:

EXPLOSIF
KILAUEA
KULA
AA = MINI-MULA = KOA (all about the same)
CINDER CONE
LAVA DOME (same frame different spec)
FIRE MOUNTAIN
HAHANNA

 

[cce]

it was the second most expensive non-custom steel hardtail.

They're cracking frames, I had one for ages.

 

[sho220]

Nice pickup...would love to find one of those one day...

 

[fitzroybikeco]

thanks, guys this is my first mtb build after acouple of miyata racers and a custom bamboo so on a bit of a learning curve.

So the explosif was the most expensive non-custom?

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

Steel wise yes with this a very close second. Both are excellent

 

[raidan73]

Re:

Here's the US dealer price guide for the 1996 range....

 

[matt24777]

Re:

Yup, nice frames, very good! My next build will be a 96 Kilauea!

 

[fitzroybikeco]

Re:

Took some better pics this morning

Frame and fork look in very good nick, stickers are good to. Coulpe of rust spots on some components but they should clear up. Wheels are different and needs a new rear tyre and the front brake cable hanger. Has XTR M900 brakes and RD. Cranks are mismatched Race Face.

Few more images in Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fitzroybik ... 562503245/

 

[moonlite]

Handsome bike! What an excellent find. Looking foward to your renovation.