philosophers, life coaches and kona people needed

[lewis1641]

as you may or may not know i have a 93 kona lava dome and i have just aquired most of a kona aa. my other bikes are a single speed saracen to get to work on and a single speed khs for best. also a modern bike. and a couple of full sus retro projects firmly on the back burner.

i could do with a bit od a swat analysis i think as i have just aquired a kona aa and something has to give.

the modern, khs and projects are staying put. i think i have sold the saracen commuter. i want to keep one of the two konas and use it as a single speed hack to allow the khs to become my lovely geared retro.

the problem is, which kona do i keep?

the lava dome is lovely steel, but then i can get my steel fix from the khs. i have 2 sets of forks for it (judy's and project 2's). the aa is alloy and i decided i'd never have rigid alloy again. it comes with the original marzocchi forks but they need work. i have seen plenty of steel mid 90's kona frames for sale for sensible money ( most of the time) but early alloy frames are that bit rarer.

what would you do? i really like them both but that really isnt an option at the moment.

 

[cce]

i seem to remember you're quite big? if so bin those marzocchis, they flex like hell unless you are a whippet

FWIW, i always thought a gold judy XC would be THE SEX on one of those AA frames when i had one...

 

[coomber]

The Kona AA was my favourite Kona. In that purple was probably the best looking bike I've seen in the flesh.

 

[lewis1641]

i seem to remember you're quite big? if so bin those marzocchis, they flex like hell unless you are a whippet

FWIW, i always thought a gold judy XC would be THE SEX on one of those AA frames when i had one...

you are correct, i am a "larger gentleman". infortunately the steerer on the judy is way too short for the aa. i know that can be changed but budgets matter too.

i am not overly bothered about fork flex at the minute as it will just be a work and back bike for the next year or so

 

[FluffyChicken]

Seen as you've already had the Lava Dome up for sale and it's low end steel, keep the AA. It's the new girl, (as it looks girly )
But it'll be a change.

If you know the approx steerer length for the AA in ahead I may have one I'm not using as long as it's not too long. I would think the Judy's will need far less looking after. The AA is the one from somebody on here and has the XC51 Air/oil forks that where not tip top condition ?


I assume larger is not in reference to your vertical size the steel would make you fitter as it's heavier though

 

[mtbfix]

Isn't it a SWOT analysis? Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats.

Those Judys look like they need new springs.

Random advice ends.

 

[lumos2000]

the lava dome is 93 so befour suspension corrected geometry which means your limited to what length forks you can use. personally i prefer the later models but probley wouldent go for ally.
id sell them both and look for a 94/95/96 explosif or kilauea that probley didnt help did it?

 

[dek1165]

Definitely keep the Lava Dome as IMHO it's from the best year for a Kona.
Saying that, when the AA was launched I nearly bought one but plumped for a Kili Comp instead. BIG mistake.

Add me to list for not being very helpful.

cheers

Jon

PS
Keep the Lava Dome as it's steel

 

[KeepItSteel]

the ally looks nicest, give it a go....but in reality whats the lava dome worth? strip it down, sell the bits if you must and hang the frame for a rainy day.
nothing looks better than tons of cool frames hanging up, and its not going to break the bank is it?

 

[Anthony]

The Lava Dome is size 16 and the AA is size 19. Surely if one fits you, the other one doesn't? (Or maybe neither does.)

The Lava Dome is a nicer colour(s) in many people's opinion

The 93 Lava Dome has pre-suspension geometry, so is really better with 39cm P2s, the 94 AA has suspension geometry

The Lava Dome frame is double-butted steel, but not a high-end tubeset. The AA frame is db 7005 Alcoa, also not high-end, half a pound heavier than the 94 Kula (Easton Varilite).

The AA is rarer

The Lava Dome is a Lava Dome

Surely the size is the most important - size 16 is really designed for 5-0 to 5-6, size 19 is for 5-9 to 6-3.