Kona boffins- frame geometry and recommended size

[parma_ham]

Hi Guys,

I'm fairly new here. I have tried to search but have not yet found quite the info I'm after.

Basically I bought a 1997 19" Kilauea and although it was fine on test ride, on a long commute in feels like I am having to stretch a little too much for the bars. Did geometry change between 1997 and 1998 Kilaueas as there is a 1998 18" Kilauea for sale that may suit me better? Were there any other differences between 1997 and 1998 frames?

I have measured my inside leg using two methods. Slipping a book between the thighs and measuring from the ground to the top of the book. I also used another recommended method- standing against a wall and having someone mark just above my head. I then sat down against the same wall and had the wall marked just above my head. The distance between the two measurements was noted. Book method was 29 and 3/4 inches and wall method was 31 and 1/2 inches. Is it common for there to be such a difference between the two methods :? ?

I know Kilaueas came in 17" as I have found this thread listing all the different sizes. Are second hand 17" Kilaueas super rare? I have searched and never seen one for sale on here. Do you think I will need one given my leg measurement. I am approx 5'6" tall.

Many thanks in advance

Ben

 

[Splatter Paint]

At 5'6" I'd definitely go for a 17" frame.

 

[cce]

geometry is the same, i used to ride an 18in at 5ft 10, so it'd defo be worth trying a 17

 

[Whatleymeister]

I ride a 19" lava dome and I find it a bit of a stretch too, I also find that the older konas have a more aggressive riding position. I am 6'2" and am still going to fit a shorter stem and riser bars for a more upright position. After a while, my back and wrists start to ache in the bikes current set up (see thread in sig).

Could be a bit of that for you, but also sounds like you could use a slightly smaller frame too.

My two pence for ya!

 

[Anthony]

It sounds as though your leg length is fairly typical of a height of 5-6, perhaps slightly on the long side. That might argue slightly for a size 16 as your ideal Kona size, rather than a 17. Size 16s are less rare than 17s.

Kona geometry remained the same from 1994 to c 2005, but size 17s weren't imported before 95 and weren't made at all in later years.

I won't repeat what I said in the other thread you found, but I'll show you two bikes, a size 18 and a size 16, which are near identically the same size and have nearly the same handling. The size 18 has a 2cm longer fork, a 2cm shorter stem and a 2.5cm longer top tube. i.e., in devising your personal design, you could start with the length of fork you wanted, that determines the length of stem and that determines the top tube and thus the frame size. I haven't myself tried a size 19 Kona with a 120mm fork and a 60mm stem, but I don't see why it shouldn't be a good bike - and effectively the same size as a retro size 16.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Only you'll know what feels right.
But kona know what they designed it for

P.S. That's 1998, only things that ever changed this late on where stem lengths as they changed fork length. Alter that to your preference.

 

[hamster]

I suspect that you are riding one a single size too big. I am very happy with 18" Konas, and I'm just under 5'7" with similarly long legs.

A 18" Kona is definitely much smaller-feeling than a 17.5" from many other brands - Marin in particular.

 

[petertreglown]

if it helps...my 1991 lava dome is a 16 and i am 5 foot 6 and a half, the bike has a short ( 90mm) stem and 'spinner' project 2's and feels really fast and exiting

 

[Gruff]

I'm 5ft 7 & have always ridden 18" Konas.My inside leg is a short 29 inches and have never had any probs with standard setup.

 

[RobMac]

Only you'll know what feels right.
But kona know what they designed it for

P.S. That's 1998, only things that ever changed this late on where stem lengths as they changed fork length. Alter that to your preference.

I think that chart is about right, not because Kona said so but from personal experience.


.