Pre 98 they looked great. And different too. You could spot a Kona a mile off. You could even spot the silouette a mile off. And they rode impressively well. There came in metallic orrange and plum purple. Not your run-of-the-mill red, blue and yellow.
They were spec'd with the likes of Avid, Curve and Gripshift X-Ray. Not excluslively Shimano and that made me think that actually put some thought into it.
They had the whole Hawiian vibe going on in the mid nineties, and not the usual hardcore-extreme-mtb-macho image.
Essentially,they were different. I suppose that gave them a certain gravitas that equates to collectability nowadays but it is a much more accessible collectability than say, Salsa or Fat because dispite being different in style to ther brands, they were of course very popular so there are more of them about.
Post 1998 they went all 'Halfords' and became exactly the same as every other major brand like Trek, Specialized, Giant, Scott etc..
I have had 14 Konas pass through my shed over the years. The most I have had at any one time is 5. I have three now and have two brand spanking new bikes in my garage, neither are a Kona (Although the 2006 Kula Supreme does look the dogs bollox).
