Kona explosif ? Frame Columbus Max (Germany)
- Thread starter Bbill1972
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Retrobike93
Senior Retro Guru
Year is this ?
Retrobike93
Senior Retro Guru
To new for me , nice though
Check those drop-outs, that's pre-97 as is the cable routing. 97 Explosif's were made in Hodaka and stamped H, I can't see that on the BB. And there's something off with the paint, compared with the 97. Clearly there are some touch ups, but the colouration (and there's green showing through on the chainstay braces like 95/96s) looks more 96 Kula than 97 Explosif.
It's an Explosif, possibly a resprayed/modded 96 or early 97 production model, a trade-show piece...or something else. And who's the dude's signature on the top tube?
It's an Explosif, possibly a resprayed/modded 96 or early 97 production model, a trade-show piece...or something else. And who's the dude's signature on the top tube?
Pipmeister
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As Al has pointed out, the 1997 has Cast Investment socket Dropouts, so I would rule that year out.
I also can’t see the mitred angle of the Top Tube at the Seat Tube weld, which would rule out 1996.
The 1995 has Columbus Max tubing but without the mitre, although that year wouldn’t have a rear brake stop – however I think that the rear brake stop looks to be a different design than the others on that frame, so possibly welded on afterwards before a respray?
Looks like it may have an “F” prefix for the Fairly factory, then a 5 for 1995 production. Was the 1995 Explosif made by Fairly?
Pip
As Al has pointed out, the 1997 has Cast Investment socket Dropouts, so I would rule that year out.
I also can’t see the mitred angle of the Top Tube at the Seat Tube weld, which would rule out 1996.
The 1995 has Columbus Max tubing but without the mitre, although that year wouldn’t have a rear brake stop – however I think that the rear brake stop looks to be a different design than the others on that frame, so possibly welded on afterwards before a respray?
Looks like it may have an “F” prefix for the Fairly factory, then a 5 for 1995 production. Was the 1995 Explosif made by Fairly?
Pip
Pipmeister
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Here you go:
Junction of Top Tube and Seat Tube on a 1995 Explosif looks more like the frame for sale.
SAMSUNG by Philip Mock, on Flickr
1995 Explosif by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Junction of Top Tube and Seat Tube on a 1996 Explosif showing the mitre to accommodate the more ovalised Top Tube.
1996 Explosif Top Seat Tube_1 detail by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Finally, I don’t think the rear stop on the frame for sale looks like a 1996 Explosif.
1996 Explosif Frame NDS_1 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
1995 Explosif_3 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
Pip
Here you go:
Junction of Top Tube and Seat Tube on a 1995 Explosif looks more like the frame for sale.
SAMSUNG by Philip Mock, on Flickr
1995 Explosif by Philip Mock, on FlickrJunction of Top Tube and Seat Tube on a 1996 Explosif showing the mitre to accommodate the more ovalised Top Tube.
1996 Explosif Top Seat Tube_1 detail by Philip Mock, on FlickrFinally, I don’t think the rear stop on the frame for sale looks like a 1996 Explosif.
1996 Explosif Frame NDS_1 by Philip Mock, on Flickr
1995 Explosif_3 by Philip Mock, on FlickrPip
I think its a strange piece of kit we got here. Colour not anything a 96 Explosif does show up, neither in Europe and the rest of the world; nor for Spain, as they had a plain yellow colour. (When I had asked the seller he assumed that this could be the Spanish version). So the remaining decals (looks original to me) and the juctions of the top tubes, as Pip excently visualized to us, makes me believe its from 95 vintage.
on the other hand, in the 95 range the Explosif comes with only one cable stop and the dog collar and not like this one. Also that rear cable stop looks quite "homebrazed" to me - not what you would expect from a factory.
Then there is signature - this is also unknown to the seller; I asked him - Best guess: A special frame from a fair f.e. Eurobike 94/95 - from a display bike. During the fair some "VIP" signed the bike and later on the bike was brought to pieces and the frame was sold or given to someone.
btw. the other no. near the serial, the one with "10" does that mean anything ?
on the other hand, in the 95 range the Explosif comes with only one cable stop and the dog collar and not like this one. Also that rear cable stop looks quite "homebrazed" to me - not what you would expect from a factory.
Then there is signature - this is also unknown to the seller; I asked him - Best guess: A special frame from a fair f.e. Eurobike 94/95 - from a display bike. During the fair some "VIP" signed the bike and later on the bike was brought to pieces and the frame was sold or given to someone.
btw. the other no. near the serial, the one with "10" does that mean anything ?
