ClassicDodo
Kona Fan
Watching with interest for tips on mine
Explosif 1992
- Thread starter JCS
- Start date
Right - cockpit set up and goodbye riser bars.
The Explosif frameset came with the original Kona 165 gram aluminium handlebar. My first thought was 'that's a really narrow bar and might not be great for my back...' and I started looking at bars with a low rise as alternatives for the build.
My thinking here came from my Cinder Cone rebuild last year. I fitted riser bars to get a bit more upright riding position. I rode the bike like this and it was fine, but I never liked the look of the riser bars.
I decided to give the Explosif 165 bar a try, using the Cinder Cone as a test bed:
The flat bar looks a million times better and I prefer the ride - much better handling on twisty trails. So, the 165 bar gets the nod for the Explosif build and I will also be replacing the riser bar on the Cinder Cone with a flat bar.
The comparison of the bar widths is interesting. Here's me thinking the 165 bar would be too narrow, and yet i used to ride a cut down version of this bar on my Cinder Cone BITD - and not only was it cut down, I also had Onza bar ends on there, making it even narrower - here's a pic from around 1993:
Here's the comparison; the third from the top is the Explosif 165 bar, the bottom one is the original 165 bar from my Cinder Cone which I cut down:
Stem choice for the Explosif stem was straightforward as it came with a mint Velocity stem. Here is a comparison with the original Velocity stem from my Cinder Cone, which I cut down back in 91/92, because weightsaving..
Old vs new(er):
Having the Cinder Cone as a test bed for the Explosif build is really useful.
The Explosif frameset came with the original Kona 165 gram aluminium handlebar. My first thought was 'that's a really narrow bar and might not be great for my back...' and I started looking at bars with a low rise as alternatives for the build.
My thinking here came from my Cinder Cone rebuild last year. I fitted riser bars to get a bit more upright riding position. I rode the bike like this and it was fine, but I never liked the look of the riser bars.
I decided to give the Explosif 165 bar a try, using the Cinder Cone as a test bed:
The flat bar looks a million times better and I prefer the ride - much better handling on twisty trails. So, the 165 bar gets the nod for the Explosif build and I will also be replacing the riser bar on the Cinder Cone with a flat bar.
The comparison of the bar widths is interesting. Here's me thinking the 165 bar would be too narrow, and yet i used to ride a cut down version of this bar on my Cinder Cone BITD - and not only was it cut down, I also had Onza bar ends on there, making it even narrower - here's a pic from around 1993:
Here's the comparison; the third from the top is the Explosif 165 bar, the bottom one is the original 165 bar from my Cinder Cone which I cut down:
Stem choice for the Explosif stem was straightforward as it came with a mint Velocity stem. Here is a comparison with the original Velocity stem from my Cinder Cone, which I cut down back in 91/92, because weightsaving..
Old vs new(er):
Having the Cinder Cone as a test bed for the Explosif build is really useful.
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After all the hunting for components, cleaning components and polishing components, the Explosif is now built.
It's an exciting time!
Due to the condition of the frame and components, it almost feels like getting a new bike. I am so glad how this build has turned out.
I will now do some shake-down rides to tweak things like stem height, saddle position, etc.
I love how this bike rides. The best word to describe it is 'sprightly'. It picks up speed easily and feels like it really wants to move.
It's an exciting time!
Due to the condition of the frame and components, it almost feels like getting a new bike. I am so glad how this build has turned out.
I will now do some shake-down rides to tweak things like stem height, saddle position, etc.
I love how this bike rides. The best word to describe it is 'sprightly'. It picks up speed easily and feels like it really wants to move.
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Thankyou!That’s looking very tidy! Excellent job.
Excellent job, excellent bike
Thanks AlExcellent job, excellent bike
My dream bike is still a Brodie, but am more than happy with this as an addition to the stable
