2005 Kona Smoke

[Buzzsaw]

Won this 2005 Kona Smoke on Ebay early this year for a pricey sum of 90 bucks (approx 60 quid). It's a bit of a pedestrian sort of a bike but at least it's got an old school steel frame. Stripped all the original parts off and rebuilt it with left over parts bin stuff and the odd new bits like the Ritchey adjustable stem and Brooks Flyer saddle. You don't need suspension with the sprung seat but it squeaks abit on bumpy paths - it's brilliant! Gearing is taken care by Shimano thumbshifters (didn't like the gripshifters) via a front STX-RC front shifter, rear LX derailleur and 8 speed 11-34 cogset. Thinking about doing a bike tour to New Zealand in the summer time so front wheel was replaced by spare dh rim brake Rhyno/XT hub one and rear one by a WTB Dual Duty - will get another Rhyno wheel built up later on when more funds come to hand. Really comfortable bike to ride and abit heavy (try lugging a Kona Stab with Monster forks up hill!!!) but fun to ride and decent looker with the matt black paint job.

 

[Buzzsaw]

After acquiring a 96 Kona Kula with a cracked frame few months ago from local fellow Retrobiker Jon Tom and failing to find a replacement I decided to reincarnate my Kona Smoke bike into a bum up head down 90's style racer with most of the running gear from the Kula. Added a Sugino Mighty 900 crankset from US Ebay and retaining the adjustable Ritchey stem, thumbshifters and V brakes. It's quite light compared to the previous build and handles great on the trails. Got some ideas for the Kula donor Magura rim brakes to go with the Marzocchi DH3 forks for another future project. Thinking about an old school Sintesi/Ironhorse Bromont DH frame if I can track one down that's not wrecked and seller willing to send down under for a reasonable price.

 

[shinobi]

Re:

That looks really cool often thought you could build a nice retro style 29er out of these !
Paul

 

[Buzzsaw]

Re:

Thanks shinobi glad you like it. It's actually a normal 26" first generation Smoke frame. I think they later changed to bigger wheels a few year later. I was quite surprised with the more performance parts (especially the Mavic 221 rim/XT hub wheels) it's as light as my 94 Kilauea. Specs for bike as follows...


Frame: 2005 Kona Smoke
Fork: Kona P2

Headset: VP aheadset
Stem: Ritchey adjustable stem 100mm
Handlebar: Kona Easton Racelite
Grips: Ritchey
Brakes: Tektro V brakes
Brake Levers: Avid sd5
Shifters: Shimano Deore 7/8 speed thumbshifters
Front Derailleur: Shimano STX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR M952

Cassette: Shimano
Chain: KMC 8 speed
Cranks: Sugino Mighty 900 42/32/22
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN72 113MM
Pedals: Ritchey

Hub Skewers: Shimano XT
Rims: Mavic 221
Hubs: Shimano XT HG72 11-32
Tyres: Michelin WildGripper Sprint

Saddle: Kona Racelite
Seatpost: unknown
Seatpost Binder: Kona

 

[mattiamerca]

with that michelin lightblue wildgripper it looks so damn race!
beautiful bike!