Kona Explosif - Early model?

[rpstarkey]

Hi, I was looking for a spare bike recently and responded to a local add described as a 'Men's Mountain Bike', one fuzzy picture but i could see it was a Kona which didn't mean much to me at first or the guy selling it, it seems. He has been using it for local transport for a couple of years but has a shiny new bike. Once I got it home, I began to research it and realised that I may have acquired a classic bike, an early Kona Exclusif in remarkable condition for its age with all the Suntour XC Pro (18?) gears etc. The wheels and tyres are newer. I have studied the old Kona catalogues on here but can't be sure of the date. The Frame number is F1079011, I read somewhere that the 90 might refer to the year? I attach several images and would be very grateful for any information that anyone can supply and some idea of a resale value? At 58, I am not going to be riding along rocky mountain trails so perhaps it should be with a genuine retro enthusiast who will use it as intended I do appreciate the lightweight and fine engineering though. However, it would be helpful if any proceeds helped to fund my recreational cycling as i am not working. Many thanks to anyone who can help! Richard

 

[rpstarkey]

Just found this which makes an interesting comparison, his is more original as my wheels with hubs are replacements:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4511208723.html

 

[al-onestare]

Unless I'm mistaken you have an Explosif Pro from 1992. The difference between normal Explosif to the Pro was the colour, finishing kit and some of the components (Suntour vs. Shimano). It's lost the original seat-post and the front brake cabling needs to run on the stem but I think you have the titanium bar which is super cool. It looks like a 19" but if you measure the length in inches from the centre of the BB to the top of the seat-tube, it'll tell you the frame size.

Here's the catalogue spec:

She's a little shabby but nothing a strip down, clean, re-grease and tune-up couldn't solve. Price wise, well that's tricky. As is, maybe circa £225-275. In proper shiny, show-room condition, more £300.

It's a cracking bike by the way, minus the Hot and Hei Hei, this was (and I'd argue still is) the best and top the range steel framed production bike Kona made back then.

 

[rpstarkey]

Many thanks to al-onestare for your knowledge and estimate. Did you note in your estimate that the wheels, hubs and pedals have been changed? I had read the catalogue and wondered if it was a Pro, great about the titainium handlebars! But what is the extra vertical part of the front forks in the catalogue picture? I had thought about restoration but I don't think the missing decals are still available such as Velocity for the stem? I will measure the bike today or tomorrow against the catalogue geometry chart and post. Many thanks again!

 

[The History Man]

I've got some for the stem i think?

 

[rpstarkey]

Re: Stem decals

Hey that would be good, the Velocity ones, how much are those please?

 

[al-onestare]

Many thanks to al-onestare for your knowledge and estimate. Did you note in your estimate that the wheels, hubs and pedals have been changed? I had read the catalogue and wondered if it was a Pro, great about the titainium handlebars! But what is the extra vertical part of the front forks in the catalogue picture? I had thought about restoration but I don't think the missing decals are still available such as Velocity for the stem? I will measure the bike today or tomorrow against the catalogue geometry chart and post. Many thanks again!

Just noticed that you have the titanium railed saddle as well (needs a good refurb), so I'll bet my mortgage the bar is ti as well.

No worries, good point on the wheels. Have you got some shots of what they are; the hubs and rims? Things to look out for are names and branding stamped on the hub body and stickers on the rims. If there're decent then they shouldn't affect the price too much. If they are naff then yes, you can deduct a chunk from the asking price. The pedals aren't so much of an issue since they are often replaced.

Before you apply any stickers, it would be best to give the bike a thorough clean and remove any surface rust. For example, the stem surface looks pretty bobbly and applying stickers will just look naff without any pre-treatment. In fact, if you want to sell, I'd hold off making any investments other than cleaning it up since the buyer would most likely want to restore it themselves. Half finished or poorly executed projects can turn buyers off.

 

[rpstarkey]

Re:

Thanks, if some stem decals are available, I may acquire them to go with the bike but certainly won't be applying them, that stem needs some expert painting. I can tell you that the hubs are Joytech front and rear and there are no labels that I have found on the wheels. Have a look at the saddle which is labelled Kona Titanium, what was the optional Titanium Luxury Pack?

 

[rpstarkey]

Titanium

Sorry missed your top line, you did notice the saddle

 

[al-onestare]

Re: Re:

I can tell you that the hubs are Joytech front and rear and there are no labels that I have found on the wheels.

That's a shame, cheap and nasty by the sounds of it. Sadly that'll knock a good chunk off the price. In the current guise, maybe £180-£250 on a lucky day. That said, it's totally dependant on who's bidding, who's looking to buy, etc.