Kona question

[jez-4-bikes-max]

Is a 1993 Kileaua frameset the same as an Explosif frameset from same era?

Its bugging me - I think it is but not entirely sure.

Also what tubing was it made from? Thought it was Prestige double butted?

 

[Tallpaul]

http://www.konaretro.com/articles/catal ... 993/15.jpg

 

[jez-4-bikes-max]

Aha - shares the same front triangle it seems (more or less although it claims the Explosif has "custom" at the front). rear triangle as the others in the range.

Wierd!

 

[Anthony]

Not wierd, just progress! The Explosif was made from Tange Prestige Concept from 1990 to 92, then for 93 and 94 they used a mix of Tange Prestige - initially Ultimate for the TT and DT and Concept for the seat tube and rear triangle, then for 94 I think the seat tube was Ultimate also. Meanwhile the Kilauea was made of Concept from 1993 to 95, i.e., the same as the Explosif had been up to 92.

Funnily enough though, they never made a frame out of the lightest Ultimate of all, Superlight (Superlight was lighter than Ultralight!), even though at various times the RM Altitude, Orange Prestige, Park Pre 825(?) and maybe Marin Team all used it. But I think that Altitude you had recently pre-dated Superlight incidentally.