Early Kona Explosif

[bedraggled]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kona-Explosif-198 ... 286.c0.m14

 

[DeletedUser006]

That is a stunning example , I think its a 1990 as the 1988 / 89 had rear U brake.

 

[Anthony]

To be fair, I expect he may well have bought it in 1989, and Kona didn't date their bikes until 1991 - the '1990' catalogue didn't say 1990 anywhere.

This isn't just an exceptional example, it's also quite an interesting one - it differs from the bikes in the catalogue in having a Rocky Mountain style to its seat stay/seat tube/top tube cluster that I've only ever seen once before, on Hilts' bike. It seems to be a fairly clear indication that the design was inspired by Paul Brodie, who had previously created it for RM, and then moved to Kona to 'work alongside' Joe Murray (but Murray never 'designed' a sloping top tube bike until he met Brodie).

Brodie also hand painted the frame and forks, and the 'spatter' design was also his - he was an artist of sorts before he went to Rocky Mountain as a painter, then turned himself into a welder, and then went freelance as a frame builder and designer and founded Brodie Bikes.

 

[Caramba Kid]

Now that is very
Think it's worth a serious punt!

 

[Kilawayah Child]

don't take a punt; maybe that would give me a chance

 

[Tnega]

Fleabay watch time.