Kona Kula 2003 Peter Wedge race bike

[al-onestare]

<opens forum door and peers in>

Anyone here?

I'm from the <1997 section. I've got something you might be interested in...

Where to begin? I haven't sought any new old bike for some years now, not after finally completing the Tomi Misser replica which took a lot out of me mentally and financially. The squad (garage) is full, looks ace and has everything I need for a ride.

In the spring @swannymere dropped me a DM. Usually it's about newly identified Kona custom programme bikes for Pip's list, but this one was different. Had I seen this ex-team race bike for sale?

The answer was no I hadn't and on first, second and third virtual inspection, whilst it was interesting to look at, I had zero interest in purchasing it. For one, it has in my view, the worst Kona badge/decal design. It's from a period that didn't interest me, I had zero "skin in the game" back then. And it's from a rider that's had a chequered history.

But.

It's a race bike.

And that niggle grew and grew and grew. You know what happened next. The seller was super-good, we had a IG facetime call to check we're both who we said we were, and I could see the bike in the virtual flesh. Shipping was smooth but as expensive as the bike after import duty.

I'll pause the story here because there's a lot going on with this bike, and a lot more information I still need to find out. Plus we're only here for the pictures right?

Here's how she was in the sellers garage back BC. I'm sure you've a few questions about what's going on with the build!

 

[al-onestare]

And here's how she was out of the box at HQ.

There was absolutely no doubt this is what it is. A genuine race bike, raced in the 2002/3 season. We'll get onto more about that in later posts. For now, named wheels and hubs, and of course the factory named decal. Absolutely mega-cool.

But why o why has it shitty flat pedals and the iconic, totally un-XC Tioga "sofa" saddle? All will be revealed...

 

[al-onestare]

I realise I'm rushing a bit here. This bike will be with me at the Kona stand at this years Malverns Classic and I wanted to share it as a) an enticement to anyone going to come and say hi, and b) to share it with those who can't make it there this time round

I couldn't live with the busted grips, the crazy saddle or the flats. So by the power of luck, I somehow managed to score a period correct, properly Kona branded SDG satelite saddle. Don't ask how much that was. Technically it should have the red inner part, but try finding one eh? I think it looks ace in black.

The first gen Kona Jack-Sh7t grips were much easier to find, as were the correct pedals after removing the silly flat extensions.

I've not cleaned it. It still has BC dust and dirt on it, and I think that's important, at least for it's forthcoming showcase. After that it's cleaning, and most importantly, riding time Before then it'll hit the workshop for a brake bleed, new pads and a quick service of the forks that need air. Oh and new inner tubes, alignment of valves and labels!

It's without question, the lighest bike in the fleet, and by some margin.

 

[al-onestare]

So, almost ready for a few weeks time. I'll stop for now and explain a bit more about her and what it all means in the coming weeks.

 

[swannymere]

I thought you had lost it