Sintesi Bromont/ Kona EFS
- Thread starter Buzzsaw
- Start date
Magpiegifts
Kona Fan
- Feedback
- View
That's certainly different. Fair shout to you
Buzzsaw
Retro Guru
Re:
I tried tracking down neither the anodised blue or bronze swing arm versions but the frames are getting very rare on the market nowadays. I remember DH legend Steve Peat use to race a bronze swing arm Kona version in the early days and later campaigned under the Saracen team banner using the same frame alongside Rob Warner.
Because of odd headset and seatpost size fittings I ended up using reducer shims to change the headset from 1 1/4 to a more available headset 1 1/8 sizing and the seatpost from 29.4mm to 27.2 size.
Specs:
Shimano XTR M900 48/34 chainrings
Shimano XTR M900 rear derailleur
Shimano Tiagra front derailleur
Magura HS33 brakes front & rear
Shimano BB
Shimano Deore thumbshifters
Ritchey clip pedals
Tranz X handlebars
ITM lite stem
Mavic 221 rims
Shimano LX rear/ Coda front hubs
Selle Italia Flite saddle
Marzocchi DH3 forks/ Marzocchi A033 rear shock
DMR grips
Generic headset & 27.2mm seatpost
I tried tracking down neither the anodised blue or bronze swing arm versions but the frames are getting very rare on the market nowadays. I remember DH legend Steve Peat use to race a bronze swing arm Kona version in the early days and later campaigned under the Saracen team banner using the same frame alongside Rob Warner.
Because of odd headset and seatpost size fittings I ended up using reducer shims to change the headset from 1 1/4 to a more available headset 1 1/8 sizing and the seatpost from 29.4mm to 27.2 size.
Specs:
Shimano XTR M900 48/34 chainrings
Shimano XTR M900 rear derailleur
Shimano Tiagra front derailleur
Magura HS33 brakes front & rear
Shimano BB
Shimano Deore thumbshifters
Ritchey clip pedals
Tranz X handlebars
ITM lite stem
Mavic 221 rims
Shimano LX rear/ Coda front hubs
Selle Italia Flite saddle
Marzocchi DH3 forks/ Marzocchi A033 rear shock
DMR grips
Generic headset & 27.2mm seatpost
Attachments
It is nice. I think i have only ever seen one or two with blue swingarms, they are pretty much the same frames for all the manufacturers they made them for, with the exception of one or two. The swing arm changed slightly too, with the extra gusset underneath.
My trouble is not so much the colour, could always get it re-done, but trying to find one in my size.
My trouble is not so much the colour, could always get it re-done, but trying to find one in my size.
Buzzsaw
Retro Guru
I agree with you on that. The ones that recently shown up for sale seem to be all in the 19” size which is too big for me. The one I got measures around 16” or 17” mark(bb - mid or top of top ) tube and pretty much the same size as my other Kona hardtails I own currently.
I remember around the early 2010s there use to be quite a few of the Sintesi/ Verlicchi Bromont frames popping on FleaBay and Gumtree and for quite reasonable prices and wish I should’ve jumped at one back then. Prices are abit bonkers currently.
On another note I quite surprised of the frames handling when riding on the flat the rear shock doesn’t react to bumps much at all and seems to lock out when climbing but when pointed downwards on rough terrain the barely there three inches of rear travel actually takes the sting out of the bumps.
I remember around the early 2010s there use to be quite a few of the Sintesi/ Verlicchi Bromont frames popping on FleaBay and Gumtree and for quite reasonable prices and wish I should’ve jumped at one back then. Prices are abit bonkers currently.
On another note I quite surprised of the frames handling when riding on the flat the rear shock doesn’t react to bumps much at all and seems to lock out when climbing but when pointed downwards on rough terrain the barely there three inches of rear travel actually takes the sting out of the bumps.
I’ve got a couple of these and previously had a “Cully” Iron Horse version...a 17” in silver/turquoise with turquoise Verlicchi seatpost/stem, anodised turquoise Marzocchi XC400’s and a 19” in silver/3DV (purple) with 3DV Verlicchi stem and anodised 3DV Marzocchi XC400’s (*** both will be up for sale soon ***)
The Kona version was no different at all to the other stickered up variants of the Verlicchi’s. The only version of these that was slightly different was the Iron Horse version that had silver cable stops/guides as opposed to the matching anodised cable stops/guides that matched the anodised colour of the swingarm. Later versions of these had the extra gussets under the main pivot as they had a habit of cracking there.
These were designed by Marzocchi (hence the perfectly fitting first generation Marzocchi air shock and matching anodised Marzocchi forks up to and including the DH3) and built by Verlicchi (an Italian race motorcycle frame and component manufacturer). The frames were available in 15”, 17”, 19” and 20.5”. Later Diamondback collaborated with Verlicchi to design the DBR Dual Response.
I have a full service manual for the Marzocchi air shock if anyone requires it.
The Kona version was no different at all to the other stickered up variants of the Verlicchi’s. The only version of these that was slightly different was the Iron Horse version that had silver cable stops/guides as opposed to the matching anodised cable stops/guides that matched the anodised colour of the swingarm. Later versions of these had the extra gussets under the main pivot as they had a habit of cracking there.
These were designed by Marzocchi (hence the perfectly fitting first generation Marzocchi air shock and matching anodised Marzocchi forks up to and including the DH3) and built by Verlicchi (an Italian race motorcycle frame and component manufacturer). The frames were available in 15”, 17”, 19” and 20.5”. Later Diamondback collaborated with Verlicchi to design the DBR Dual Response.
I have a full service manual for the Marzocchi air shock if anyone requires it.
Buzzsaw
Retro Guru
Re:
Made some final changes on the bike with a narrower bottom bracket from 107mm to 103mm as the chainline and gear changes weren’t too smooth plus changing the cheapo road Tiagra front derailleur to a XT m738 one helped as well. To finish off a longer 130mm silver polished Uno stem to match up with the frame and a bit more stretch room because of the quite short top tube dimensions. Unfortunately the DH3 fork seals has spun an oil leak so awaiting some tools in the post from Dr Marzocchi so I can rebuild them although they’ve still retaining their air.
Made some final changes on the bike with a narrower bottom bracket from 107mm to 103mm as the chainline and gear changes weren’t too smooth plus changing the cheapo road Tiagra front derailleur to a XT m738 one helped as well. To finish off a longer 130mm silver polished Uno stem to match up with the frame and a bit more stretch room because of the quite short top tube dimensions. Unfortunately the DH3 fork seals has spun an oil leak so awaiting some tools in the post from Dr Marzocchi so I can rebuild them although they’ve still retaining their air.
