1999 Kona Pahoehoe 'Pipmeister' build thread

thebenjordan

Devout Dirtbag
Hey, so I know the brilliant @wadsy and he's assisted with a few parts over the years - bits have gone onto my old Kona Dawg Dee Lux and a Trek 6500 which are from some of the old Pip builds.
More recently I started working at Kona Bikes (Flagship UK store) in Chertsey in the workshop and while I now ride a modern Process 153 as my heavy duty trail bike, I decided to amalgamate some spares and the Trek 6500 bike that I've somewhat lost interest in. I picked up the Pahoehoe from Martin on Monday and have begun the build today in our workshop. It's far from an authentic or period build, but it'll be a great all round XC, towpath and social bike. I expect it'll often sit on our shop floor as some kind of retro thing when Im not using it. Trek was a 6500 2010 which had an SLX/XT 9 groupset and a Recon SL air fork. Perfectly fine bike but I always felt the BB was a bit low to be truly any good at single track when it gets twisty and undulating. I doubt the Kona will have this problem. Wheels are from another Pip build, @wadsy may be able to advise, was definitely off of something Raw silver, gunmetal Hope Pro3 straight pull on DT XR4.20 with Pips ideal summer tyres, the Michelin Drys which are super light and I rather like.

Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.34.45.png

Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.07.png
The build starts with the Trek getting ripped apart, a swift and easy 15 min job, it's in good condition and the parts are well maintained and nothing seized.
May as well strip the Recon forks and do a lower leg service. Worth it, the foam rings are tired although the oil mostly ok. Cleaned, Slick Honey'd and refilled with Rockshox 15w

Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.30.png Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.36.png

We've got FSA cartridge headsets on the shelf so popped one in. The old Trek was internal so couldn't pinch that. The original Trek's Hollowtech2 BB is still good so just used spacers to adjust from the old 73mm shell to the Kona's 68mm one. All cleaned and greased and SLX cranks fitted back on and all smooth as!
Frame cleaned and covered in a fair bit of Muc Off Bike Protect.

Poor Trek - if anyone wants it, drop me a PM, its in great condition and super light.
Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.37.20.png

Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.23.png


So as of close of Tuesday:

Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.46.png
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.15.png
    Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.15.png
    1 MB · Views: 8
  • Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.41.png
    Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.35.41.png
    603.5 KB · Views: 10
... when not out on the Pahoehoe... I'll be out on the Process.

If anyone wants to come check out our store please do - Chertsey, we're all Kona mad...
Have recently done some really cool rebuilds for customers on some old Jakes, a base spec Dawg (had only ever been ridden about 20 miles since 04 🤩) and all sorts!
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.41.20.png
    Screenshot 2021-08-03 at 22.41.20.png
    2.1 MB · Views: 9
Nice little project. If I'm ever in the area (quite unlikely I suspect) I'll definitely pop in
 
Nice one Ben 👍
Great to see another of Pip's frames being put to good use, and at Kona HQ too! :cool:😁
I'll pop a link to your build thread onto the Pip frame register.
Cheers
 
Awesome, looks like a great build! A nice job to have too. I believe that's a 2001 frame though, the '99 and '2000 frames had the black stripes behind the graphics and no 'ballooned' font. @wadsy will be able to confirm no doubt.

2001 catalogue:

p.jpg
 
So the build is mostly done - I've certainly ridden it tonight!
Continued building it up, so from Pip heritage it's got...
Pahoehoe frame
Hope Pro3 straight pull on XR4.2s
Michelin XC Dry Grey
Formula K24 Bianco discs with 180mm front, 160mm rear rotors

Had never touched the wheels for 2+ years with a spoke key - quick true up but literally a turn or two on a few spokes - whoever originally built them did a great job.

Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.13.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.20.png

It's then ended up with 2010 parts that include SLX cranks with a triple, Hollowtech2 BB, XT mech(shadow I believe) and a basic Deore front mech (bit worn) and a brand new Sram 9spd chain. Raceface stem, 100mm - it's too long, getting replaced with a Kona XC/BC 60mm tomorrow. Raceface Atlas Bars. I had a pack of XTR gear cable inner and outers, the really nice coated ones, so the gears are super slick.

Pics to follow. Took it for a 15 mile spin tonight to see how it is - it's great. Rides very well, all smooth, all working really well. Gears super slick. Forks feel great since the service yesterday. Just need to get that shorter stem on as it's a bit too roomy right now.
 
Last edited:
So I had a chance to photo a few things - I lined it up with a few of our 2021 bikes, an XL Blast and Honzo, looks cool sandwiched in the middle. Its far from a proper heritage build... but its a lot of fun, cheap and will get well used!
Next build - 2015 Kona Wo Fatbike...

Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.28.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.34.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.42.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.55.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.05.05.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.05.13.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.05.20.png Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.05.36.png
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.13.png
    Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.13.png
    1.4 MB · Views: 7
  • Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.20.png
    Screenshot 2021-08-04 at 23.04.20.png
    1.4 MB · Views: 2
Back
Top