Kona Kilauea 1997 - now living in Germany
- Thread starter al-onestare
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Re: Kona Kilauea 1997 - experiment time
So, the theory (and proof I suspect) for 97 at least, is that the Explosif is more rigid. The stays are different to the 96 if I recall was, perhaps, Kona's attempt to make high-end steel as firm as top-end aluminium. I can echo that it absolutely flies on the climbs and on the flats. On the decent's you've got to have your body on maximum shock absorber mode as it bounces all over the place (hence I took Anthony's advice to ditch the awful SL's and invest in the RC36's).
The Kilauea is more fluid with a bit more give and if you consider that it came with TB P2's you'd need as much give as you can get. Apparently.
Pricing was a bit wonky, in my opinion, for 97. However for these two, the Explosif and Kilauea are closely spec'ed, it's the forks that caused a big price difference. I'm running the Kilauea kit on the Manomano and it's been as good as the kit on the Explosif. I really can't feel any difference between 221 and 220 rims, the LX and Sugino cranks are equally good and the XT rapidfire are my all time favourite - 100% reliable with a lovely click.
Delivery confirmed for Monday!
So, the theory (and proof I suspect) for 97 at least, is that the Explosif is more rigid. The stays are different to the 96 if I recall was, perhaps, Kona's attempt to make high-end steel as firm as top-end aluminium. I can echo that it absolutely flies on the climbs and on the flats. On the decent's you've got to have your body on maximum shock absorber mode as it bounces all over the place (hence I took Anthony's advice to ditch the awful SL's and invest in the RC36's).
The Kilauea is more fluid with a bit more give and if you consider that it came with TB P2's you'd need as much give as you can get. Apparently.
Pricing was a bit wonky, in my opinion, for 97. However for these two, the Explosif and Kilauea are closely spec'ed, it's the forks that caused a big price difference. I'm running the Kilauea kit on the Manomano and it's been as good as the kit on the Explosif. I really can't feel any difference between 221 and 220 rims, the LX and Sugino cranks are equally good and the XT rapidfire are my all time favourite - 100% reliable with a lovely click.
Delivery confirmed for Monday!
Re: Kona Kilauea 1997 - experiment time
Yep, that's it - hence it's a right, but very fun, handful. I love it. And it's gold!
Yep, that's it - hence it's a right, but very fun, handful. I love it. And it's gold!
Re: Kona Kilauea 1997 - experiment time
As soon as a rasta flames 97 in 19" or 20" becomes available ;-)
As soon as a rasta flames 97 in 19" or 20" becomes available ;-)
paulswheels
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Personally I prefer the Explosif or Kilauea to the Hot in ride quality.
Why I almost let her go a short time ago.
Personally I prefer the Explosif or Kilauea to the Hot in ride quality.
Why I almost let her go a short time ago.
Re: Kona Kilauea 1997 - experiment time
The donor bike is here. I think it's a bit small for me:
Yesterday's horrid wetness met a very, very soggy trip back from Seven Sisters and not at all helped with half of SouthEastern disabled thanks to an evacuation at Charing Cross.
I've learnt that when it comes to builds, sometimes it's better to strip and flip than buy the components separately. In this case, the 98 Kula - the top (minus the Ku) aluminium Kona that year (and indeed in 97) - is kitted out with XT, XTR, Easton bars, X517 rims. All top stuff and all will look very nice and work very well on the Kilauea. If I'd bought this individually it would have cost a shed-ton more than the deal struck on this.
Riding a 16" frame when you're 6 2 = uncomfortable but fun! (Check out the steerer extention - just :facepalm: ) It's so light, I almost fell off when I peddled hard
Anyway, if anyone is in the market for a tiny, higher-end aluminium frame then let me know (it'll go up for sale before Christmas along with the Z2's).
The donor bike is here. I think it's a bit small for me:
Yesterday's horrid wetness met a very, very soggy trip back from Seven Sisters and not at all helped with half of SouthEastern disabled thanks to an evacuation at Charing Cross.
I've learnt that when it comes to builds, sometimes it's better to strip and flip than buy the components separately. In this case, the 98 Kula - the top (minus the Ku) aluminium Kona that year (and indeed in 97) - is kitted out with XT, XTR, Easton bars, X517 rims. All top stuff and all will look very nice and work very well on the Kilauea. If I'd bought this individually it would have cost a shed-ton more than the deal struck on this.
Riding a 16" frame when you're 6 2 = uncomfortable but fun! (Check out the steerer extention - just :facepalm: ) It's so light, I almost fell off when I peddled hard
Anyway, if anyone is in the market for a tiny, higher-end aluminium frame then let me know (it'll go up for sale before Christmas along with the Z2's).
