Project Two Forks - Updated

[OrangeRetro]

So I'm looking to get some Project Two's for a kona project... I've had a look around and there seems to be a massive amount of them, all ages, plain gauge, triple butted, different lengths... :?

I'm looking to get some for a 1997 kula. Does anyone have any suggestions on what i should look out for, how much to pay? It would be good to know a bit about the history of them. I remember them from BITD but they still make them.. something must have changed over the years..?

 

[Wold Ranger]

P2 Forks

Can get them with V or Disc posts and in three differing lengths now, 100mm 85 mm Sus' corrected and zero. The zero are out of stock in the Uk for at least another month tho. Early "Spinner" forks were not butted, later ones were double or triple butted.

 

[DM]

A 1997 frame will be fine with the "normal" Project 2s that are available new from Wiggle etc. (nowadays only in gloss black).

These have an axle-crown around 400 to 410mm (I have about 4 versions and they're all a little different) and are suspension corrected for about 80mm of travel. They will be the same length as the grey / silver / bronze or whatever colour P2s that were current when your 1997 bike was new.

Earlier frames and forks (up to about 1992? Anyone?) weren't suspension corrected. But these aren't very common. Most P2s on Ebay etc. will be a bit older and so will suit your bike.

Variations that you can buy new include:
* The burly "jump" version with fatter oval legs. Disc only;

* The Cyclo-cross version (disc only or with added canti studs for 700c rims). This is around 395mm A-C. Sometimes with extra rack mounts on the fork leg for front touring panniers.

* The "100mm" version of the normal (non burly) fork, where the extra length is on the steerer. ABOVE the fork crown. They are an abomination and a disgrace to the Kona name and should be avoided at all costs.

* The massive 29er version. Not available after-market, it seems. Shame, as I could use a pair on my Fisher.

So there you go:
Your bike is suited to the "normal" versions still available new plus all the most common ones that will come up on Ebay.

The unsuitable variations are mostly easy to identify and thererfore avoid.

The paint and welding can be a bit crap. At least on the cheaper non-butted ones. But they work perfectly well.

Triple butted are very nice to ride, but the workmanship isn't any better. They used to be quite common but are more expensive. So most people buy the cheaper version. Many of the older triple butted ones will have a threaded steerer cut to fit whatever bike they came off. So [technically] not correct for yours, as Kona had moved to threadless by 1997.

All the new ones are (I THINK) threadless steerer. One inch threadless steerer are supposedly still available new but neither Wiggle nor Paligap (Kona importer) have an ETA for the next shipment. I wouldn't hold your breath.

HTH

 

[scant]

the modern, cheaper, non butted 1s also weigh 300g more than advertised :shock:
I know of some early 90s 1 1/8 threaded if you're interested..

 

[OrangeRetro]

some good info here, thanks guys..

I'm really looking for some threadless ones to keep with the 1997 theme (plus a have a shed load of ahead stems!!!). Thanks for the offer though!

The problem I am finding is that all of the ones on ebay look the same, apart from some are black, and others are a kind of blue/silver? I suppose I might just have to take pot luck and see what I end up with? :?

 

[Anthony]

You obviously need the 1997 ones in triple-butted flavour, nothing else is good enough for that frame (and well done for spotting it incidentally - I was the runner up and would have happily paid a good deal more for it!)

As has been said, the P2s were 39cms long (crown race to axle) until 1993 and then 41cms long for many years, although you can now buy them 44cms long for modern frames with geometry for 80-100mm forks. Your Kula obviously needs a 41cm fork and it (IMHO) needs to be in the correct grey. You still see them come up quite often on eBay although beware of plain gauge - P2s on a Kula is hardcore enough in any case, so you surely need triple-butted. The weight is 1.85lbs (pg = 2.35lbs) and the ride is as accurate but noticeably less bouncy and therefore faster.

The example in the picture came off my 97 Kilauea and isn't for sale i'm afraid. You might have to pay up to £30 on eBay for the right one, but often less. The new ones are £70 IIRC.

 

[Anthony]

some good info here, thanks guys..

I'm really looking for some threadless ones to keep with the 1997 theme (plus a have a shed load of ahead stems!!!). Thanks for the offer though!

The problem I am finding is that all of the ones on ebay look the same, apart from some are black, and others are a kind of blue/silver? I suppose I might just have to take pot luck and see what I end up with? :?

If you spot one on eBay, PM me and I'll tell you if it's the right one.

 

[OrangeRetro]

Here are the two i've been looking at so far...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kona-Project-...ryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kona-Project-...ryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[scant]

I've weighed the PG disc only fork @ 1200g on my digital gram scales, in the rare event that it ever brakes (I think the legs are solid rods? ) I can use it as an anchor

 

[Anthony]

The first looks authentic 96-97 with the correct decals, the second looks like a modern one. I always assume that if the seller doesn't specify tb or pg then it's pg, but it's worth asking him - if he doesn't know, it would follow from what bike he took it off, or alternatively he could weigh it for you.