POLL: Best Kona Year

Well, my faves so far are:
-my '01 Kilauea. Stiff yet supple, great geometry, and such a stealthy looking beast 8) rare too... doesn't technically exist (not in the catalogues at least :wink: )

-and '90 Cindercone... not ridden mine yet (not even met it) but a ride bitd literally changed my view of what a mountain bike should be!!

G
 
Drewson":1kckm1s7 said:
88-90 just for the splatter paint jobs alone....but not for the angles so much..though 89/90 were better than 88/89 on that front....

I had my '88 Explosif out on a club ride last Sunday, and with the fast/whippety group too. There was nothing wrong with the angles in 1988 and there's nothing wrong with them now either.

It was a great race bike (for me at least) in the late '80s/early 90s and I must get it out in a race again one of these days.

Not an up to date photo though - now with Easton EA70 post and stem and Monkeylite bars, SDG TiFly saddle plus Shadow rear mech and 9 speed cassette.
 

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I've ridden lots of them and you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a better all round frame than the 98 Explosif :wink:

I want to say its the 97 Explosif :? its definitely a better race frame and if I'm chasing people quicker than me for a couple of hours I'll grab it first and have a great time :wink: but for longer rides I'll grab the 98 every time 8)

Also have a bit of a soft spot for the 95 Kilauea 8)
 
88 and 89 are my fav years, u-brake, 1 inch headtube and splatter, looks awesome. the explosif from 1990 with the track two fork is also superbe.

cheers
 
TBG......mines still ripping... 8)
 

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'97/'98 for looks, decals, proper v brake stop etc but my fave to ride is the '95 Explosif 8)
 
The memories of my '91 Cindercone just gives it the edge over the better ride of my '92 Kilauea
 
IS THERE REALLY A BAD YEAR FOR A HARDTAIL KONA......?
 

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