Kona kilauea

[mk one]

Hear a lot about how bad the cranks are, i still have a set that is going strong despite regular heavy use

 

[fattiman]

every set I have ever come across have been cracked on both sides. You got lucky

 

[al-onestare]

100% a 96 model and I wouldn't worry too much about the dropouts. That issue wasn't unique to the Kilauea.

 

[fattiman]

Have you seen it on different steel Kona's Al? Would be interested to hear your opinion on why it happens.
I have also experienced the brake bosses shearing off on Lava Dome models circa 95, very strange indeed.

 

[magas]

I had bought once a 19" 96 Explosif which chainstay snapped near the dropout and had been Guerilla welded.

Also I still own a 18" 96 Explosif where the seller was curious and removed the paint at that particular spot of the rear triangle to check for cracks. Luckily the frame was sound at the dropout, but now lacks the colour there..

 

[magas]

found some pics. - sorry for the poor quality; they are from 2010

 

[al-onestare]

Have you seen it on different steel Kona's Al? Would be interested to hear your opinion on why it happens.
I have also experienced the brake bosses shearing off on Lava Dome models circa 95, very strange indeed.

Cinder Cones (2 of mine) and Lava Domes, and as magas has shown, even Explosifs.

Sadly, it wasn't that strange; a combination of more aggressive riding, trail conditions and a design that was by that point "old" (in relative terms). You'll notice there's a heat exit point close by. Moisture can build up over time and, weaken the structural integrity.

 

[oldave]

Colours change (as well as the tube sets) from year to year. ’96s were this greeny blue, ‘97s were blue blue.

And I'm pretty certain the 97s didn't have the Curve components?

 

[al-onestare]

And I'm pretty certain the 97s didn't have the Curve components?

Not quite. The flat bars on the upper-end models are Curve.