1996 kona explosif ... To respray or not dilemma

[pimpmykona]

Hmmm

I've a 1996 kona explosif frame that is currently just kicking around the shed . It looks tired - chipped paint etc.

Should I get it re sprayed back to its former glory and transfer all the kit from my well speccd but immaculate orange 96 kona lava dome ?

Or do the transfer and go for the shabby look ??

Decisions decisions..

 

[Anthony]

To me, the answer is obvious, but some people on here ride their bikes and some just look at them. The answer for you may depend on which group you're in.

The frame is way better than the Lava Dome, so I can't see that having the Lava Dome in action and the Explosif frame unused in the shed has any sense to it at all.

 

[al-onestare]

^ that ^

And no to respray unless it's completely knackered.

 

[spokes]

I've not ridden either but just wonder... Is the ride difference 'really' that noticeable and if so in what way? If you changed everything off one frame onto the other without changing anything but the frame, would the average rider really notice?

 

[Matthews]

Very doubtful if you'd notice any difference Spokes , the geom's are the same so there will only be a very slight difference in metal twanginess , I run a 97 LD and a 2102 Soul , both set up very similar in spec and the diff between 853 on the Soul and the DB chromo on the LD is hardly noticable , both ride great .

 

[Rampage]

It could be up to a pound lighter, you will definitely notice that when lifting it onto the car rack after a hard days riding.

Would be a good comparison is the geometry is the same and parts are the same.
It will probably feel lighter to ride than it really does and will feel 'more alive' when riding.

 

[spokes]

Ok, so if it were me I would build your Explosive as a separate bike and leave your Lava Dome as is. Why strip an immaculate bike to build a rough one if they're going to ride the same anyway?

 

[Anthony]

I've not ridden either but just wonder... Is the ride difference 'really' that noticeable and if so in what way? If you changed everything off one frame onto the other without changing anything but the frame, would the average rider really notice?

I can't believe that anybody wouldn't notice the difference. The half pound in weight is really a minor thing put alongside the handling and ride quality. The 96 Explosif is an exceptionally sophisticated and efficient design, very stiff at the front with the bi-ovalised tubes, compliant at the back with its slender seat stays, and yet fast accelerating owing to its stiff chainstays. Overall, it's just a very fast bike, and although I haven't ridden either the 95 or 97, I would guess the 96 is the best of the three versions of the Columbus Max Explosifs, at least for me.

That's not to say that the Lava Dome is a bad frame, on the contrary it's a very good generic double-butted frame. But you can't say that the experience of riding a bike with 9-6-9 tubes and plain-gauge stays is indistinguishable from one with 7-4-7/8-5-8 bi-ovalised tubes and that sophisticated rear triangle.

 

[al-onestare]

I've not ridden either but just wonder... Is the ride difference 'really' that noticeable and if so in what way? If you changed everything off one frame onto the other without changing anything but the frame, would the average rider really notice?

Miles apart, absolutely miles apart.

Anthony articulates it much better than I. My Explosif is an absolute rocket going up and light as a feather and therefore much more agile going down and on the flats.

My current and previous Cinder Cone's are fine at the above - totally fine - but compared to the Explosif, it's like chalk and cheese.

 

[cce]

i definitely noticed the difference when i went from lava dome to kilauea. Probably bigger than kilauea to Merlin XLM if i'm honest, but diminishing returns are well in play by then...