Kona Velocity stem types?

[pazaudi]

This might seem a daft question but did the 1991 Explosif have the same Velocity stem as the rest of the range? I know the forks went from double to triple butted for this model so I just wondered if the stem might be any different. Secondly, did the different models have differing lengths/rise or was that just specific to frame size increments?

Many thanks.

 

[Pipmeister]

Re:

I was hoping that someone would reply to this and enlighten me too!

From glancing through the catalogues, it would appear that there are indeed differences in the type of Velocity Stem through the hierarchy. It's the two lower end models however, the Hahanna and Fire Mountain that share a different version, while the Lava Dome upwards seem to have the same version. No quoted weights in the 1991 Catalogue, but by 1993 the difference is CroMo Double Butted Heat-Treated at 250gr for Lava Dome upwards, and CroMo 300gr for the Hahanna and Fire Mountain.

The 1994 US catalogue does list the Velocity Stem as "Made in 4 different reaches and rises to match the frame size".

There is of course the Titanium version. I see it is listed in the 1992 & 1993 catalogues at 110mm 10deg rise, 130mm 5 deg rise & 150mm 0 deg rise, which would indicate that it was available for an ever increasing race friendly set-up.

Pip.

 

[romanrinos]

This might seem a daft question but did the 1991 Explosif have the same Velocity stem as the rest of the range? I know the forks went from double to triple butted for this model so I just wondered if the stem might be any different. Secondly, did the different models have differing lengths/rise or was that just specific to frame size increments?

Many thanks.

The Velocity stem is an interesting topic. As Pip says, it was the same from the Lava Dome upwards. The P2 fork, however, was only triple butted for the Cindercone model and upwards presumably because of completing price point and to make distinction in the ranges? Having owned both, there is a big difference in frame weight & feel in performance between a CC and a Lava Dome.

91' range aside, for the Velocity Stem in 1993, there was also a polished silver Cromoly version that made it's way onto the Hot which is quite rare (See US catalogue) As above, the design for the 93' stem was considerably lighter than the 91/92 ranges, in continuation of the 'Racelight' brand theme and integrated cut-outs.

Following a tip from Raiden73, I replaced the steel M5 quill bolt of the Velocity Stem with a titanium version to shave off a chunk of weight (I'm not frequently downhilling it at the weekend )

There is also a 120 or 125mm length version, making the 4th variant, but unsure of the rise without measuring.

 

[pazaudi]

Also, can anyone confirm the stem for a 19" frame should be 120mm?

 

[romanrinos]

Well measure for you this evening but believe it was 125 or even 130mm for a 91'

 

[pazaudi]

Well measure for you this evening but believe it was 125 or even 130mm for a 91'

I've also been informed its 135mm so I'd appreciate it if you could measure yours.

Many thanks

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

If you're riding it you really should consider what's comfortable rather than what the catalogue dictates. That's why Kona made the variety of sizes in the first place ;-)

 

[pazaudi]

Re: Re:

If you're riding it you really should consider what's comfortable rather than what the catalogue dictates. That's why Kona made the variety of sizes in the first place ;-)

I had two 19" Konas back in the early 90's which were perfect so the standard size "should" be perfect...he says.

 

[dablk]

Following a tip from Raiden73, I replaced the steel M5 quill bolt of the Velocity Stem with a titanium version to shave off a chunk of weight (I'm not frequently downhilling it at the weekend ).

Would you have a link to find such a quill stem bolt? I'm having google fail.

Cheers
Chris

 

[deepwood11]

The Velocity stem is an interesting topic. As Pip says, it was the same from the Lava Dome upwards. The P2 fork, however, was only triple butted for the Cindercone model and upwards presumably because of completing price point and to make distinction in the ranges? Having owned both, there is a big difference in frame weight & feel in performance between a CC and a Lava Dome.

91' range aside, for the Velocity Stem in 1993, there was also a polished silver Cromoly version that made it's way onto the Hot which is quite rare (See US catalogue) As above, the design for the 93' stem was considerably lighter than the 91/92 ranges, in continuation of the 'Racelight' brand theme and integrated cut-outs.

Following a tip from Raiden73, I replaced the steel M5 quill bolt of the Velocity Stem with a titanium version to shave off a chunk of weight (I'm not frequently downhilling it at the weekend )

There is also a 120 or 125mm length version, making the 4th variant, but unsure of the rise without measuring.

Hello, I am pretty new to the Retrobike website. I recently purchased a 1991 Explosif XT that I am working on. It was ridden hard in the Pacific Northwest (I am in the US), and I'm refininshing the frame and cleaning parts, etc. Most of the bits on it are original and just need a cleaning, but I am putting a new saddle on it and putting a Kona 165 flatbar on it to replace the non-Kona bar that it came to me with. Otherwise all good (although the Project 2 fork appears to be single-butted - it is marked 1991 CM/SB).

Anyway, I ran across your post above and am wondering if the stem that was on the bike when I bought it is the 1993 polished Co-Mo stem you refer to (a picture of my stem is attached). It is a very nice stem and I'm going to keep it on the bike regardless of it being non-original. Can you let me know what you think? (If you can point me to any pictures I can compare my stem to that would be great as well.) Thanks in advance.

Regards, Bruce