Date my Explosif?

[stevemar]

$125?? in a word..... WOW

 

[DrNO]

Yeah, I thought $125 was a bit of a steal, especially as i'd paid $175 for a 1995 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo a week before. Felt a bit bad taking it off his hands at that price!

 

[Anthony]

In the UK, a 94 Explosif in what looks like very nice and reasonably original condition would raise $500-600 on eBay, the frame alone $200-250. but I think our prices are a fair bit higher than in the US (it only cost $1,200 new over there!)

It is indeed a size 17, the fluted downtube and the seat tube are Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong as the sticker says, the top tube is Tange Ultimate Ultralight and I think the stays were still Tange Concept in 94. I'd guess it weighs 4.2-4.3, but I've never had a 93/94 Explosif so can't really say.

The original spec is most easily viewed on either http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike ... &Type=bike
or
http://www.konaretro.com/articles/catal ... 994/22.jpg

 

[DrNO]

In the UK, a 94 Explosif in what looks like very nice and reasonably original condition would raise $500-600 on eBay, the frame alone $200-250. but I think our prices are a fair bit higher than in the US (it only cost $1,200 new over there!)

It is indeed a size 18, the fluted downtube and the seat tube are Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong as the sticker says, the top tube is Tange Ultimate Ultralight and I think the stays were still Tange Concept in 94. I'd guess it weighs 4.3-4.4, but I've never had a 93/94 Explosif so can't really say.

The original spec is most easily viewed on either http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike ... &Type=bike
or
http://www.konaretro.com/articles/catal ... 994/22.jpg

Thanks for the info Anthony, the sticker on the seat tube does indeed say Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong. It is in great condition, save for a few scratches on the rear triangle. From reading the spec sheet it seems as if the brakes (Ritchey Logic), levers (Dia-compe SS-7) and fork are also not original parts. Total bike weighs in the 23-24lb range i would wager. A worthy replacement for my stolen Marin Eldridge.

 

[Anthony]

Thanks for the info Anthony, the sticker on the seat tube does indeed say Tange Ultimate Ultrastrong. It is in great condition, save for a few scratches on the rear triangle. From reading the spec sheet it seems as if the brakes (Ritchey Logic), levers (Dia-compe SS-7) and fork are also not original parts. Total bike weighs in the 23-24lb range i would wager. A worthy replacement for my stolen Marin Eldridge.

Every cloud has a silver lining!

With apologies, I have edited my post since you read it - to suggest that it looks to me like a size 17. If I'm right, the c-c top tube (measured along)should be 55cm and the c-t seat tube 43cm.

 

[DrNO]

The guy who sold it to me claimed it ws an 18" The catalogue says no 17" in 1994, but your measurements are correct. Am i just measuring wrong!?!

Regarding pricing of second hand bikes over here, whilst new bikes are cheaper, I would say second hand prices seem higher (i.e people are willing to pay more for second hand goods) I regularly see total crap being advertised in the $200-300 dollar range.

 

[Anthony]

The guy who sold it to me claimed it ws an 18" The catalogue says no 17" in 1994, but your measurements are correct. Am i just measuring wrong!?!
Regarding pricing of second hand bikes over here, whilst new bikes are cheaper, I would say second hand prices seem higher (i.e people are willing to pay more for second hand goods) I regularly see total crap being advertised in the $200-300 dollar range.

Lots of people don't know what size their bike is - I knew it was a 17 from the point at which the line of the top tube intersects the real wheel, if it was an 18 it would be just below the rim, whereas yours is quarter of the way to the hub, which says 17. The difference is 1.5cm on the top tube and 2.5 on the seat tube, head tubes the same. So no big deal I'd say, both are easily adjusted for with stem/post. And the 17 is prettier, no question.

Incidentally Kona Paul was right (as per usual) about there being no 17s in the European brochures, but Bikepedia indicates they were available in the US, so perhaps they just didn't export them until 95.

 

[Kona Paul]

I have to learn that eye measurement thing you do Anthony. I still can't nail it! There are quite a ew differences between the European and North American models, so I'll believe i's a 17". My favourite size....

 

[DrNO]

Thanks for clearing that up Anthony - i found it hard to believe it was an 18".