Kona Kula/Kilauea 2009/10 18"

[al-onestare]

One of the nicest bikes Kona has ever produced. You might be familiar with Pip's production Kilauea version. I wrote about it for Kona (sadly the article is deleted) and in that I said the Kilauea production frame was born from the season before, from a small batch made for the Torq racing team.

Well, here's 1 or those 10 or so, currently for sale (orange decals, Kula named, and actually made by a 3rd party who's name escapes me):

Kona Kula Watt Torq Team | eBay

Kona kula watt torq team bike carbon Size medium (17.5 inch) A super lightweight 1 of 10 frames made, kitted with XTR drivetrain and formula brakes The bike is in relatively good condition with some marks on the frame. A great XC machine for the right person or a collectors item. Happy...

www.ebay.co.uk

If this were my size I'd be thinking about what to let go in the stable to make room for it. It was, along with the stars and bars King Kahuna, the most bad-ass, amazing Kona Pip had in his collection. Absolutely featherweight, a total XC weapon. If you can afford it, don't mind the lacquer peel and are after the best 26" XC riding experience, don't hesitate.

 

[Classiker]

I've already seen it and will do a little report on Konaheadz again.
I found this: https://www.torqfitness.co.uk/news/team-bike-sale

 

[Classiker]

]https://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/82467-kona-kula-watt-carbon-mtb-full-xtr-fox/

TORQ Performance MTB Team Bike - TORQ Ltd

The TORQ Mountain bike team bike has taken another leap forward for 2011, with the addition of some new sponsors the bikes have exceeded all expectations, providing the performance the [...]Read More... from TORQ Performance MTB Team Bike

www.torqfitness.co.uk

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2787355/

 

[murphy79]

Apparently the "10" refers to ten extra frames that Torq ordered and gave away for promotions, rather than the bikes the team would have ridden. You can read about it here. It looks like the team were originally riding the carbon Kilauea's before moving onto the Kula's. I have also seen a King Kahuna in Torq livery, I wonder if that was for team riders wanting an early 29'er.

Still a very cool bike.

@al-onestare , if you were interested I actually have a NOS 2011 Kula Watt frame in 19 inch, never had headset, BB or wheels in it. It is practically perfect. I'm downsizing at the moment and I don't think I will get round to building it up any time soon, so I would probably let it go. Let me know if you are interested.