Completed 1997 Kona Kilauea Update pg. 5 Pics added

[al-onestare]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

How much better are the Explosifs and Kilaueas to ride compared with a Cinder Cone or Lava Dome? I've always been super happy with my Lava Dome with TB P2 but then... have never ridden the higher end steel Konas... :?:
Don't tell me Lava Domes are crap though i've been loving mine since '96 and it was all i could afford at the time. Go easy.. LOL

Honestly? Chalk and cheese.

The TB frames are great - don't get me wrong. But the high end steel frames are even more lively. You really can chuck them around because they are so light, so quick and so responsive.

 

[RadNomad]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

How much better are the Explosifs and Kilaueas to ride compared with a Cinder Cone or Lava Dome? I've always been super happy with my Lava Dome with TB P2 but then... have never ridden the higher end steel Konas... :?:
Don't tell me Lava Domes are crap though i've been loving mine since '96 and it was all i could afford at the time. Go easy.. LOL

Honestly? Chalk and cheese.

The TB frames are great - don't get me wrong. But the high end steel frames are even more lively. You really can chuck them around because they are so light, so quick and so responsive.

Heck i had a feeling that was coming! Now i know i won't rest 'till i own one! :roll:

 

[Anthony]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

How much better are the Explosifs and Kilaueas to ride compared with a Cinder Cone or Lava Dome? I've always been super happy with my Lava Dome with TB P2 but then... have never ridden the higher end steel Konas... :?:
Don't tell me Lava Domes are crap though i've been loving mine since '96 and it was all i could afford at the time. Go easy.. LOL

The Lava Dome/Cinder Cone were good-quality frames, double-butted generic 4130, and a higher standard than most brands' mid-range models, as Kona always put a bit more into the frame and a bit less into the parts list than other brands.

The Explosifs and Kilaueas were more sophisticated designs, using heat-treated tubesets so that they were lighter whilst just as strong, giving better trail compliance and feedback, and just a better ride. This particular frame was the lightest of the Kilaueas, with a 28.6 top tube of 0.7-0.4-0.7 gauge and a 31.8 by 0.8-0.5-0.8 down tube. Compare that to the Lava Dome of the same year, which had 31.8 by 0.9-0.6-0.9 top and down tubes - that is obviously going to be heavier and stiffer, but no stronger because generic 4130 has a lower specific strength than heated-treated steel alloys.

The 1997 Explosif was, unusually, slightly heavier than the Kilauea because the bi-ovalised top and down tubes are fatter although of the same very thin gauge. That makes a stiffer frame, better suited for racing, while the 97 Kilauea is possibly better suited to fast all-day rides.

 

[paulswheels]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

Upon inspection my "good condition" buy on the bay is cracked at the chainstay/seatube intersection. Email has been sent to seller. Very very bummed right now.

 

[AndyMc]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

:facepalm:

Was reading this with interest and then this! Really sorry to read that, was all looking so promising.

 

[paulswheels]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

Still awaiting sellers course of action. If things work out I may silver solder it since I will be add some cable stops on another build shortly, or have a mate weld it.
Then I'll be proud as punch again

 

[paulswheels]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

Good news! The chap has agreed to refund enough to have the frame repaired which I will have done one day this week. Back on to happy times building and riding instead of sitting in front of the telly remembering holidays.

 

[paulswheels]

Re: Kona Kilauea Help

Build has started to progress. Only a few odd bits to come across, front mech., chain, pedals, cables and some granny spacers. Oh and also some blue nail polish for the bare spots on the frame.

 

[paulswheels]

Re:

Time to dismantle and change directions on this one. Going to make it slightly more fit my needs than a hardly ever used back up bike. Will post current pics, of the now bike and the kit that will be used shortly.

Leaning towards making her a ss, dingle or tringle, possibly a 1x9/10.
Going to strip her down to bare and leave it raw, was going to go white, but was reminded that has been played too often.

 

[paulswheels]

Re:

Well chaps, this is how she sits today.

And some pics of different kit for the makeover
Can't wait to strip her down and leave her raw