Can anyone help?

[Stuart_Levermore]

Hi all. I have recently picked up this Kona frame for a retro single speed build but I am going round in circles trying to find the correct geometry for it. Do any of you lovely people know what the year, wheel size and axle to crown measurement should be. I have put 27.5 wheels on it and they seem to fit just fine but all the info I can find says it is a 26. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bikeworkshop]

27.5 with those narrow tyres is probably only al little bigger than 26 with 2.4s so that's no problem if you have clearance.
I would think though that the Exotic fork is a little shorter than what it was expecting a-c, so the head tube will be a little steep.

You can build it and ride it, see how you find it, and how it looks.

Put it up against another ht mtb (similar era pref) and compare head angle by eye.

If necessary, lift the front wheel until the angles are close,
and how far the tyre is off the ground is your extra a-c

 

[Stuart_Levermore]

27.5 with those narrow tyres is probably only al little bigger than 26 with 2.4s so that's no problem if you have clearance.
I would think though that the Exotic fork is a little shorter than what it was expecting a-c, so the head tube will be a little steep.

You can build it and ride it, see how you find it, and how it looks.

Put it up against another ht mtb (similar era pref) and compare head angle by eye.

If necessary, lift the front wheel until the angles are close,
and how far the tyre is off the ground is your extra a-c

Ok thanks. These forks are 445 a-c which is supposed to be correct for a 26 inch wheel with 100mm travel correction. The head angle looks to be about right compared to my other hardtail which is why I am trying to find the correct specs for this frame. Obviously the head angle doesn't change with different wheel / tyre sizes but if the frame is supposed to be 27.5 then these forks are too short.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Obviously the head angle doesn't change with different wheel / tyre sizes but if the frame is supposed to be 27.5 then these forks are too short.

The wheel size affects the ride by changing the bb height and the trail, although the head angle is unaffected.

A bike's handling is usually acceptable if the fork is within 20mm of design, and of course a sus fork usually has 20mm sag when you are JRA.

If it looks ok as is, it probably is ok,
give it a ride

 

[Stuart_Levermore]

Ok thanks. I am probably overthinking this. As you say just ride it and see how it feels

 

[sam_white]

What's the frame number? That should be enough to decipher the year.

 

[Stuart_Levermore]

What's the frame number? That should be enough to decipher the year.

 

[markoc]

I'd be in the "if it rides OK, then it is OK" camp as "correct" geometry is surely what fits you and your riding.

Looks fast (it's a steel Kona, so duh!) - and the black and orange really works.

 

[sam_white]

That's a 2011 if it helps you any! Thanks for the number.

 

[Stuart_Levermore]

That's a 2011 if it helps you any! Thanks for the number.

Thanks that helps a lot . I've got a good starting point now.