TBG Cinder Cone

[Pipmeister]

I managed to buy this from another member last Sunday, but had to wait until this morning to take these pictures.

I would say that it is virtually original going by information that I have gleaned from this site, and the first Kona “catalogue”.

Anthony and Sinnerman’s archived posts have been helpful, so I am fairly sure that I’m correct in saying that this is a 1988/89 Cinder Cone. I believe the spec was the same for both years? The 1990 model had the Seat Post Clamp at the front of the Seat Tube, and the U-Brake had been replaced by Cantis. I hadn’t realised until now that the Brake Bosses for a U-Brake are positioned in a different place on the Seat Stays – i.e. above the rim radius.

The frame’s serial number is F9052451, which I gather reveals it was manufactured at the Fairly works in 1989.

Apart from the Stem, and possibly the Bars, the rest of the components appear to be original including the 26 year old Reaction tyres!

I cleaned it up, waxed the frame, greased the Headset, fitted a hanger (to accommodate the replaced stem), and tweaked a couple of cables…. but apart from that, it’s more or less as I received it.






















Tange Double Butted tubing: Seat Tube 17 ¾” C-T, Top Tube 21 ¼” C-C
Seat post 26.6mm, Front derailleur 28.6mm, Bottom Bracket 68mm, Headtube 130mm.

Forks: Project Two 1” Threaded – serial no: 169F360.
Headset: Sealed Tech.
Crank: Shimano Exage Trail FC-M350.
Chain Rings: Shimano Bio Pace 48/38/28.
Bottom Bracket: Tange Cups (non-cartridge).
Brake Levers: Shimano Mountain LX SLR BLM-451.
Front Brake: Shimano Exage Mountain LX BR-M454.
Rear Brake: Shimano Exage Mountain U Brake c/w “U-2” BR-M453.
Shifters: Shimano SL-M453 7-Speed Thumb shifters on Mountain LX brake levers.
Front Mech: Shimano FD-M452 Mountain LX.
Rear Mech: Shimano RD-M452 Mountain LX.
Cassette: Shimano 7-Speed Exage Mountain LX Hyperglide 13-30.
Chain: Shimano 7-Speed Uniglide.
Bars: ?
Grips: ?
Stem: ?
Seatpost: Kalloy 26.6mm x 300mm
Saddle: Avocet Racing
Wheels -
Rear: Ukai UM-20 26 x 1.50 Rims on Shimano FH-M452 (135mm)
Front: Ukai UM-20 26 x 1.50 Rims on Shimano HB-M451 (100mm)
Tyres: Reaction 26 x 2.00”
Pedals: LTX
Quick Release: Shimano Steel chrome

Pip.

 

[MatBH5]

You got this then! Very nice... Looks to have cleaned up very well. First ride thoughts?

 

[Pipmeister]

You got this then! Very nice... Looks to have cleaned up very well. First ride thoughts?

Yeah cheers - I even managed to blag a lift in a work's van, so free delivery - hurrah!

I've been gagging to ride it to & from work all week, but resisted using it in the dark.... and dealing with traffic :roll: .

I took it for a quick spin when I got back last Sunday, and thought that it is surprisingly sprightly, considering the somewhat weighty components - particularly the wheels and tyres.

I'm off out on it now, so I'll get a better idea soon.

Pip.

 

[al-onestare]

With that splatter and top tube decal plus the serial nunber it's an 89 spec model. Careful on those old tyres!

 

[sinnerman]

Great Score and great condition. Small amounts of first batch stock had chainstay mounted U-brakes. the Latter Seatstay. but date coding the group will pin point either 88/89 too.

 

[JonTom]

Nice!

 

[Pipmeister]

With that splatter and top tube decal plus the serial nunber it's an 89 spec model. Careful on those old tyres!

Rightyho, cheers - and I will take notice of your advice regarding the poor old tyres. Something a little newer & lighter will be on there soon.

I also gave the cable routing a bit of a tweak. The front and rear Mech inners now crossing underneath the Down Tube and the rear Brake routing around the Headtube - I can't trust myself to adopt your preferred method of brake lever set-up :shock: .

Great Score and great condition. Small amounts of first batch stock had chainstay mounted U-brakes. the Latter Seatstay. but date coding the group will pin point either 88/89 too.

Yeah I had heard of the Chainstay mount on here somewhere.

Do you know the purpose of the chrome steel brace on the U-Brake? I haven't stripped it out yet, but is it a brake booster type device?

Pip.

 

[Bryncrug72]

Now this really takes me back !
Brilliant bike in fantastic condition, hope this is a keeper !

 

[Vinevo]

Nice and tidy that, if I remember correctly it's the one that took ages to sell, don't know why in that condition, well done!

The U 2 is a brake booster/bridge.

 

[al-onestare]

I had an 89 with the black finished groupset; the silver finish is much better. Excellent bike!

Good stuff on the cable routing ;-)