Kona Frame Geometry Changes - Old V New

[Afflicted.John]

Did the "Mountain Shock" decals signify any changes geometry wise on the 97 bikes?

 

[Anthony]

No, the Mountain Shock frames were always identical to the ones badged as Race Light and sold with Project 2 forks.

 

[Andy R]

Kona didn't change their frame geometry from 1994 to 2009, instead they just used shorter stems to compensate for the longer forks and still keep the same sharp handling/steering. This is a 96 Explosif with a 100mm Fox Float and an 80mm stem and it has excellently sharp handling. I wouldn't fancy using this fork with a 120mm stem though, I expect that would be dire.

If I had a 120mm fork, I'd be up for trying it with a 60mm stem. I expect that would work quite nicely too, but I can't say for sure whether the formula works as well when stems get really short. I think that's roughly what Brant Richards does though.

For what little it's worth, I have a '95 Kilauea which I use with 120mm Marzocchi Marathon forks and a 70mm stem. As above, it too is an excellent handling bike - well, in my opinion anyway.

 

[Afflicted.John]

It's great to know there's a whole lot of life in these old Konas!

 

[martymcfly]

I've got 100mm forks on my 2002 Lava Dome, with a 50mm/60mm stem (I can't remember which) and it works a treat. I like the handling of a shorter stem anyway.

Just try different arrangements, whatever suits you best!