1996 Kona geometry with modern 80mm forks

[Anthony]

We know that a head angle of 71 plus a stem of 120ish and a 5 degree flat bar gives Kona-style handling. What Kona is saying now is that a head angle of 68.5 with 100mm of travel, a stem of 80ish and swept riser bars also gives the same Kona-style handling.

"Kona-style handling" is not what it was. A 2010 Kona doesn't ride like a 1990 Kona. Steep head angle + long stem gives different characteristics than shallow head angle + short stem. You're absolutely right that slack head angles and long stems aren't a winning combination, but you have to ride the two setups differently to get the best out od them - they're not directly equivalent.

Apologies if that's exactly the point you're making

Maybe I should have said equivalent rather than the same, but I think the two are close to being equal and opposite in their effect. Obviously a 100mm set up is never going to handle the same as rigid, but they're looking for the sweet spot between lively and too lively, and that sweet spot can be found in either of these ways.

FWIW, the "XC" Kona hardtails like the Kula have 75mm stems on the tiny ones, 90s on the middling ones and 105 on the big'uns.

That's what I meant by 80ish. On the face of it, varying the length makes no sense, slowing down the handling for taller riders. But making the stems longer does enable Kona to fit out the taller riders without having to lengthen the wheelbase too much - and a longer wheelbase will itself make the handling less lively, so that's another equation with factors that are close to being equal and opposite.

 

[Anthony]

That is until 2011, which does appear to be the year that some changes have been made!

Yes, they've finally caught up with what Gary Fisher was doing in c1999! Even getting ahead of him. The head tube lengths in particular are right up my street, even better than 2010 Rocky Mountain.

 

[mikesnowdon]

I have a 96 Lava Dome with 80mm forks on it and it rides and handles brilliantly. No issues whatsoever. I think the real reason some oppose putting a modern longer travel fork on an older frame is purely to do with aesthetics and preferring a period look.

On Sunday I kept up with the front of the pack who were all on circa 140mm burly FS bikes even on the downhills.

If you want fast twitchy nervous handling go 'period'. If you want a proper handling bike with modern geometry then put 80mm forks on your old steel Kona. You wont regret it

 

[mikesnowdon]

I have a 96 Lava Dome with 80mm forks on it and it rides and handles brilliantly. No issues whatsoever. I think the real reason some oppose putting a modern longer travel fork on an older frame is purely to do with aesthetics and preferring a period look.

On Sunday I kept up with the front of the pack who were all on circa 140mm burly FS bikes even on the downhills.

If you want fast twitchy nervous handling go 'period'. If you want a proper handling bike with modern geometry then put 80mm forks on your old steel Kona. You wont regret it

 

[kaledi]

WEll, against my better financial judgment I've just gone and found myself a set of bargain Magura Menja 85mm with canti bosses.
I've already got a set of the 100mm versions on my Kona FS and love them, so can't wait to get out on the Kilauea again.

Although I grew up on bikes before suspension, I've come to realise that 20 years on, both skill and physical toughness have diminished greatly so some comfort at the front is a required.

I'll post some pics once they arrive and are fitted.