Kona boffins- frame geometry and recommended size

[Kentphil]

I'm 5' 10" and ride a 19" 1998 cindercone. It does have a racy stretched position as they are XC bikes.

 

[RobMac]

Im 5' 10" and my Kona fleet is a 50 50 split (18" & 19")

 

[parma_ham]

Wow, thanks for all the responses chaps. There's the 1997 chart to go with the other one ^. It seems some there's some differing opinions and I do appreciate I'd really need to try a bike but I did this last time with the 19" . Also, it's a 13/14 year old bike so it's not like I can just go and test ride one from a shop. Anyone close by with a 17 or 18" Kilauea ? My bike currently has an adjustable stem set really high and short so I don't think I can make this particular frame work any better for me. I think I'd probably most be at home on a 17" given the comments. I feel a 16" would be too small for my short person's long legs .

But..... What are the chances of finding a 17" one :? ? I don't want anything without an 1"1/8 a-headset so guess I am looking around 1997/1998 am I?

Ben

edit: nb. My bike is fully rigid so this affects the standover height.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

For what it's worth;

I'm 6'1" and ride 17" or 18" Kona frames with long seatposts and long stems purely because that is how I like them...

My 18" framed Explosif for example, and my old 17" Kilauea below...

I would say you should def go for a 16" frame with probably an 80mm stem, you'll find it much more comfortable and manouverable.

Go with your 'book' measurement BTW...

 

[haggis]

i'm 6'1" and ride 19" konas

 

[We_are_Stevo]

i'm 6'1" and ride 19" konas

Bet they look saner than mine though!

 

[Woz]

IMHO never consider seat-tube, but top-tube. The rest is academic.

 

[parma_ham]

My mother has a 1999 nunu (I think it is anyway- it's a goldy/yellow) in size 16". Is frame sizing fairly similar between slightly ealier kilaueas? I just found it a little small tbh although and didn't swap the stem or anything- I just whacked the seat up. If geometry is similar I think it's definately a 17" I need.

So come on guys, how rare are they? Where can I find one? I search here and ebay most days.

Cheers

Ben

 

[Jones]

17" kona frames are pretty rare, I've probably seen less than 10 for sale in the last few years and I'm pretty sure only one or two of those was a Kilauea.

I'm 5' 7" and can comfortably ride 16" through to 18" Kona frames, 17" is perfect but I raced for years on an 18" frame and regulary ride a 16" frame.

You might be waiting a very long time to find a 17" Kilauea, there are loads of old Kona bikes out there and they all have the same geometry so it shouldn't be that hard to find some you can have a test ride on.

 

[parma_ham]

Thanks Jones, top answer.

Ben

Edit. Sorry Woz, I missed your post. Are you saying that in your opinion seat tube length is irrelivant and that top tube is the one to consider?

Cheers

Ben