KONA AA rebuild questions....with added pictures !

[BerthaPog]

Well that plan didn't survive long...since I'm told that I can't fit the Rockshox to the AA because of the steering stem/headtube (which is 1 1/8th). Not quite sure I understand the problem (I'm a rider...not a mechanic...)

What he probably meant was, the new forks would require an aheadset, rather than the threaded headset you have currently, which would also mean you would need a new (ahead) stem.

though the chap in the shop was distinctly - indeed, given the money I was willing to part with, quite amazingly - unhelpful. Utterly miserable sod who was uninterested in helping to find a solution which would have unlocked the sale of a bunch of other parts. "Go and look on the internet" was his suggestion.

Methinks a new choice of bike shop is in order - fundamentally all it would need is a new headset & stem, and with the budget you have, not a problem.

So here I am again: Oh retro experts - What is a good, modern set of forks that it's possible to fit to a Kona AA ? And which among them is it possible to adjust/modify so that they won't screw up the ride geometry - given that the original Marzocchi forks only have 80mm of travel and pretty much everything these days has 100mm ?

As above, with a new set of forks, you'll need a new headset & stem to suit. Other people have got 100mm forks on an AA (think Bocatmax has some older Z1s), mine is running 410a/c P2s so no travel issues. Usual advice when upping the travel is to shorten the stem to compensate. Wiser people than I on here can advise on that and the impact of new fork increase in a/c length vs travel.

 

[BobCatMax]

Other people have got 100mm forks on an AA (think Bobcatmax has some older Z1s)

*taadaaa*

 

[JCKN]

Well that plan didn't survive long...since I'm told that I can't fit the Rockshox to the AA because of the steering stem/headtube (which is 1 1/8th). Not quite sure I understand the problem (I'm a rider...not a mechanic...)

What he probably meant was, the new forks would require an aheadset, rather than the threaded headset you have currently, which would also mean you would need a new (ahead) stem.

though the chap in the shop was distinctly - indeed, given the money I was willing to part with, quite amazingly - unhelpful. Utterly miserable sod who was uninterested in helping to find a solution which would have unlocked the sale of a bunch of other parts. "Go and look on the internet" was his suggestion.

Methinks a new choice of bike shop is in order - fundamentally all it would need is a new headset & stem, and with the budget you have, not a problem.

So here I am again: Oh retro experts - What is a good, modern set of forks that it's possible to fit to a Kona AA ? And which among them is it possible to adjust/modify so that they won't screw up the ride geometry - given that the original Marzocchi forks only have 80mm of travel and pretty much everything these days has 100mm ?

As above, with a new set of forks, you'll need a new headset & stem to suit. Other people have got 100mm forks on an AA (think Bocatmax has some older Z1s), mine is running 410a/c P2s so no travel issues. Usual advice when upping the travel is to shorten the stem to compensate. Wiser people than I on here can advise on that and the impact of new fork increase in a/c length vs travel.

Thanks for all of the above. Yup - spoke to another shop (let's say - shop 2) and they said that I'd need a new headset and stem - which, given the extent of what I'm planning to do is not really a drama. What I don't understand is why the bloke I spoke to at - let's call it Shop 1 - couldn't simply say that - after all, I'd be buying from them ! Bizarre...all I wanted to do was spend my money in his shop...you'd have thought he would want to find ways to facilitate that - especially if it was as simple as adding a new headset and stem to the shopping list.

Unfortunately, his shop (shop 1) is selling the forks for substantially less than shop 2.

Ho hum.

Will let you know what happens....

 

[JCKN]

I wanted to post this [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSINO6MKtco] in the previous post, as chap in shop 1 reminded me very much of the shopkeeper in this classic Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch; so superior about the fact that mechanically I'm a klutz more interested in riding bikes than messing about with spanners that he was willing for forego me spending money... But being a newbie - I had to wait until my sixth post (this one) to do so....

Business must be good...

Now...to concentrate on the positives.....and actually get the bike rebuilt...

 

[JCKN]

Other people have got 100mm forks on an AA (think Bobcatmax has some older Z1s)

*taadaaa*

Ride geometry on that OK ?

 

[hamster]

A lot of later Konas got longer forks over the years while the geometry remained the same, so I suspect you'll get away with it.

 

[JCKN]

Well...all the bits are bought. Now just have to wait for them to turn up.... It seems the wheels are hard to get hold of...

 

[JCKN]

I thought I'd take a bunch of photos before she goes in for her rebuild. Ironically I was going to take it out for a last spin in the current configuration over the last couple of days (great weather) and then the locking ring on the rear gear cassette failed....

Anyway - lots of pics. I just love the simplicity compared to some of the vastly complex (and heavy ?) full suspension monsters that seem to dominate bike shops these days....

 

[JCKN]

yet more photos....

 

[JCKN]

...and more.....