KONA KILAUEA FRAME EBAY U.K.
- Thread starter Ernie
- Start date
stedlocks":ngox5wt6 said:
I don't know about that, but I will say in this case that if the pictures are *not* distorted then it has an oval bottom bracket shell, so nobody should buy it. It's that distortion in the main picture that makes it look bigger than 18.
But even with the distortion, the gap between top and down tubes is roughly the width of the down tube, so it must have an 11cm head tube. A 19 has a 13cm head tube.
The art of discussion is great ... i am happy that its an 18" frame..Anthony, Ratbane and steadlock has agreed...so thanks to all..I am one for giving full disclosure of information i was given..thats why i copied and pasted the "Q and A" from the seller i got last night.Again thanks to all
Ernie
Well, I'm going over to take a look at it tomorrow evening so I'll take a tape measure along and let you know. Too small for me if it's 18 but it's only a 20 min drive and I've got it arranged now, might as well check it out just in case.
I'll let you know how it measures up and how that seatube/chainstay looks.
I'll let you know how it measures up and how that seatube/chainstay looks.
OK I've just got back from seeing the frame.
Unfortunately (for me) it measures 18" from centre BB to top of seat tube (I'll take Anthony's word next time!) and my Cindercone which is as small as I can ride is 19"
So, onto the condition:
There are a few small paint chips around the frame but only light surface rust on a couple of them, nothing that a bit of fine emery won't get rid of.
There has been some chainsuck gouging on the chainstay but no hole. I'd be ok with it myself but be aware it would probably still show a bit after a respray. Paint is missing from the seatube around the front mech clamp (see pics) but it's not crushed out of shape. There is no corrosion eating into either of these spots.
I asked about the year and the guy is certain he bought it in 1995 but may be a late 1994. He was very certain about that as it was a school year/paperound saving up thing. However, I'm not arguing with Anthony, just repeating what he said!
The seller was a nice guy and seemed geniunely sursprised by the 400+ watchers and messages from someone in Germany about it. He's a little worried that he didn't described the frame in enough detail as he assumed anybody buying a 15 year old frame would expect it to be well used with a few chips here and there. Don't think he realised how popular these frames still are!
Overall, if someone doesn't mind touching up a few chips or is prepared to respray (prob the best option) then only the chainsuck gouging would be any of issue. Personally I would tried an offer or put in a bid if it had been a bigger size.
Unfortunately (for me) it measures 18" from centre BB to top of seat tube (I'll take Anthony's word next time!) and my Cindercone which is as small as I can ride is 19"
So, onto the condition:
There are a few small paint chips around the frame but only light surface rust on a couple of them, nothing that a bit of fine emery won't get rid of.
There has been some chainsuck gouging on the chainstay but no hole. I'd be ok with it myself but be aware it would probably still show a bit after a respray. Paint is missing from the seatube around the front mech clamp (see pics) but it's not crushed out of shape. There is no corrosion eating into either of these spots.
I asked about the year and the guy is certain he bought it in 1995 but may be a late 1994. He was very certain about that as it was a school year/paperound saving up thing. However, I'm not arguing with Anthony, just repeating what he said!
The seller was a nice guy and seemed geniunely sursprised by the 400+ watchers and messages from someone in Germany about it. He's a little worried that he didn't described the frame in enough detail as he assumed anybody buying a 15 year old frame would expect it to be well used with a few chips here and there. Don't think he realised how popular these frames still are!
Overall, if someone doesn't mind touching up a few chips or is prepared to respray (prob the best option) then only the chainsuck gouging would be any of issue. Personally I would tried an offer or put in a bid if it had been a bigger size.
Good on you for going anyway D_XZ, and thanks for the report.
Incidentally, you mentioned Kona changing the geometry and I said they didn't at this time, but they did change it between 92 and 93 and then again between 93 and 94, so if you have a 92 or 93 size 19, I wouldn't rule out a 96 size 18 being roughly the same size. The key thing is the top tube, which on the frame you measured should have been 562mm c-c along the tube. I wonder how that compares to your current top tube?
He could well have bought the bike in 1995, as 96 models went on sale from September 95. It probably has a 95 serial number as well - most 96 models do!
I once saw a 96 Kilauea frame fetch over £200, but that was in just about perfect condition and even then it was an exceptionally high price. Normally they don't go much above £100, although I personally would say that is the market under-valuing them. Columbus Cyber is a very good tubeset, and it makes a very good, light weight, all-day cross country frame. The original paint is very good too, especially in full sunlight. There's no way I would have it resprayed.
Incidentally, you mentioned Kona changing the geometry and I said they didn't at this time, but they did change it between 92 and 93 and then again between 93 and 94, so if you have a 92 or 93 size 19, I wouldn't rule out a 96 size 18 being roughly the same size. The key thing is the top tube, which on the frame you measured should have been 562mm c-c along the tube. I wonder how that compares to your current top tube?
He could well have bought the bike in 1995, as 96 models went on sale from September 95. It probably has a 95 serial number as well - most 96 models do!
I once saw a 96 Kilauea frame fetch over £200, but that was in just about perfect condition and even then it was an exceptionally high price. Normally they don't go much above £100, although I personally would say that is the market under-valuing them. Columbus Cyber is a very good tubeset, and it makes a very good, light weight, all-day cross country frame. The original paint is very good too, especially in full sunlight. There's no way I would have it resprayed.
