its_kirby":3tltvsg5 said:
Each to their own on the stays as with most things in life! As for the Kilauea, the 1998 has Reynolds 631 tubes and out of all the mid to late 90's steel hardtails I've ridden I rate this as the best, maybe it was the build I had on it but it just seemed effortless to ride, and with a tb p2 was also one of my lightest and most responsive rides
That's interesting, I've never heard anyone speak so highly as that of the 98 Kilauea before. I've never ridden one myself, but I would say that the 98 Explosif (853) is of all my Konas the closest in nature to the 96 Wanga (Tange Prestige). I find the Wanga nicer to ride than any of my Konas, if not perhaps quite as fast as the 96 Explosif. How it compares to the 96 Bizango (Prestige Ultimate Superlight) I still hope to find out one day! And then again, although the 853 Explosif is very good, it is completely put in the shade by the Rock Lobster 853 as far as I'm concerned.
These comparisons are all down to personal tastes and physical characteristics though. Everybody always thinks they want the lightest possible frame, but they really aren't suited to heavier riders. I only weigh ten stone, and perhaps that's why I prefer the Rock Lobster take on 853 to the heavier Kona design. If I was heavier, maybe I'd prefer something stiffer like the Explosif, or even a Blizzard.