1996 Kona Kula

[Anthony]

Sorry to sound a more negative note about such a nice looking bike, but you make it look as though the frame is too small for you, setting it up with the saddle on maximum layback and the long stem. Fit is important obviously, but both those features make the bike less dynamic.

The long stem in particular is slowing down the steering in combination with a fork that's so much longer than the frame was designed for. For an 80mm fork on a mid 90s Kona, anything longer than a 10cm stem is going to rob you of the sharp steering that Kona intended.

Superb frame though, and looks in brilliant condition.

 

[swos]

Nice bike very good build

 

[Ernie]

lovely looking steed there bud..thank colour is beautiful it just sparkles

Ernie

 

[bluebouye]

Cheers for the comments guys.

I appreciate what you're saying Anthony, however, she isn't being used as a pure race machine. I know what you're saying about the travel on the forks, but the SIDs don't higher the front end like other longer travel forks do, and work wonderfully (even if they are fiddly to set up).

It is a 19inch and I'm 6'1" and I think it fits me well. However, Like most people, I would always go a size smaller on frame anyway if I am riding off road. I'm not sure what difference an extra 20mm on the stem would make, but I'll take your word for it! Like I said it's not one for the purists...... it's for me! I took her to Sherwood Pines for the first time last week and the handling on fast, twisty singletrack was second to none and I've ridden a few bikes in my time. I appreciate the concern though

 

[Reluctant]

Is this the original paint? I remember them being gold,but i remember them being much paler, more champagne than yellowy gold like yours. Looks awesome! Beautiful build which looks great and practical - only bit I'd change is the Marin post - nothing against Marins, but it's just not right on a Kona

 

[Scarfacexxx08]

Yes it is original, the frame used to be mine. I think the 94 was a champagne gold

 

[bluebouye]

Yeah I know what you're saying about the post. It's 27mm and after several attempts to find something nice on here, and elsewhere, nothing was found, so I had to put on something so I could ride her while I looked! :cry: It will get sorted soon tho!

As for the paint job, it's all original. The close up of the Kula decal shows how it glistens - the other photos don't do it justice. I think it's the same paint they used on the 97 explosif (someone correct me if I am wrong). You just can't get a frame these days with this quality paint job, that's why I love her.

 

[Monkeeee01]

Yeah I have one of these, its not complete bike any more its just a lonely frame sitting in the corner of my room but every time I think about parting with it - it breaks my heart.

Was my ultimate bike back in the day when I first got into MTB in 96 and took me over 10 years to find one.

The colour is amazing - if only I could find one in 14,15 or 16" so I could build it for my girl to ride!

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[bluebouye]

That's a very clean looking frame! Too nice to be collecting dust

 

[Monkeeee01]

Indeed