Kona Explosif Upgrades
Discussion
I have a 1999 Reynolds 853 Kona Explosif. It's had its fair share of gnarl, and is due a couple of upgrades. I have upgraded wheels, added Hope hubs and mostly XTR gear over the years. I have been considering getting an FS bike for XC riding, but cannot see myself preferring it over the steel hardtail. The bike is very light, responsive and fast.
Problem Bits. It is still running on red Marzochi Bomber Z2s. It has Hope XC4 front disc brake. It has XT SPDs. All of these have come to the ends of their lives.
I've been off the gear wagon for several years, and could do with some advice regarding a suitable replacement for the Z2s, a new front disc setup, and new spuds. The rest is perfect.
Problem Bits. It is still running on red Marzochi Bomber Z2s. It has Hope XC4 front disc brake. It has XT SPDs. All of these have come to the ends of their lives.
I've been off the gear wagon for several years, and could do with some advice regarding a suitable replacement for the Z2s, a new front disc setup, and new spuds. The rest is perfect.
Why not just service the brakes and forks, you may also be able to rescue the SPD's, join upto www.retrobike.co.uk good source for spares etc....
ratbane said:
I have a 1999 Reynolds 853 Kona Explosif. It's had its fair share of gnarl, and is due a couple of upgrades. I have upgraded wheels, added Hope hubs and mostly XTR gear over the years. I have been considering getting an FS bike for XC riding, but cannot see myself preferring it over the steel hardtail. The bike is very light, responsive and fast.
Problem Bits. It is still running on red Marzochi Bomber Z2s. It has Hope XC4 front disc brake. It has XT SPDs. All of these have come to the ends of their lives.
I've been off the gear wagon for several years, and could do with some advice regarding a suitable replacement for the Z2s, a new front disc setup, and new spuds. The rest is perfect.
That is a stunning bike you have there. Fork Tech has come on a bit since the Z2, but they are good forks. 100mm travel or 85mm, they are easy to service.Problem Bits. It is still running on red Marzochi Bomber Z2s. It has Hope XC4 front disc brake. It has XT SPDs. All of these have come to the ends of their lives.
I've been off the gear wagon for several years, and could do with some advice regarding a suitable replacement for the Z2s, a new front disc setup, and new spuds. The rest is perfect.
I would be tempted to stick with Hope for the Disc brake replacment, although shimano disc brakes are very good.
Sorry do not know anything about SPDs except they are not for me
Thanks for the help. I've serviced the Z2 BAMs a couple of times. You're right, they are a good fork and easy to look after, but the alu alloy legs are beginning to corrode, which worries me a bit!
I have bled and serviced the XC4s several times, but they are a bit tired, and I cannot get operating like they used to.
Decisions/decisions!
I have bled and serviced the XC4s several times, but they are a bit tired, and I cannot get operating like they used to.
Decisions/decisions!
Edited by ratbane on Friday 8th August 14:12
Well I can recommend what I have got on my Cove HJ, which is Rockshox revelation u turn, I have got another pair to go on my Cove stiffee when i build it back up. they are good forks, the lockout is nice feature I use a bit on climbs, you can wind down the travel to suit your geometry of your kona, they are not too expensive.
I am currently running hope moto v2 on two of my bikes they are great, but they were expensive. I like hope disc brakes also running a set of C2's, they were good but the moto v2 are in a different class.
I have been impressed with shimano deore and XT discs, i have tried on others bikes, where as not to impressed with hayes or avids, neither were the owners of said brakes. But I am sure there are others that get on fine with them, try some bikes with different brakes to get a feel of how the levers feel and how the braking feels, it will help with your desisions.
Good luck.
I am currently running hope moto v2 on two of my bikes they are great, but they were expensive. I like hope disc brakes also running a set of C2's, they were good but the moto v2 are in a different class.
I have been impressed with shimano deore and XT discs, i have tried on others bikes, where as not to impressed with hayes or avids, neither were the owners of said brakes. But I am sure there are others that get on fine with them, try some bikes with different brakes to get a feel of how the levers feel and how the braking feels, it will help with your desisions.
Good luck.
Pedals: I'd junk the pedals for new ones - in this disposable society a new pair of Shimano M520 SPDs are around £20-25 including cleats.
Fork: new fork time too I think. Something like a Rock Shox Reba would be ideal - can get in fixed travel versions at 85/100/115mm travel or a u-turn version that covers 85-115mm range. I wouldn't fit anything with more than 100mm to that Kona because you'll c0ck up the geometry and the handling with go all to pot.
Brakes: Shimano all the way! Merlin Cycles online had XT front setups for £50 last time I looked. Brilliant brake but consider upgrading to a 180mm rotor for a better amount of stopping power.
All my thoughts though!
Ally
Fork: new fork time too I think. Something like a Rock Shox Reba would be ideal - can get in fixed travel versions at 85/100/115mm travel or a u-turn version that covers 85-115mm range. I wouldn't fit anything with more than 100mm to that Kona because you'll c0ck up the geometry and the handling with go all to pot.
Brakes: Shimano all the way! Merlin Cycles online had XT front setups for £50 last time I looked. Brilliant brake but consider upgrading to a 180mm rotor for a better amount of stopping power.
All my thoughts though!
Ally
All fitted.
Agreed that the XTR/XT brakes are good. Better than the XC4s have ever been.
The fork is excellent. One prob though: my footpump won't get to 100psi without losing some pressure when you release the adaptor? What pumps would work at this psi. Forecourt pumps go to about 80psi.
Agreed that the XTR/XT brakes are good. Better than the XC4s have ever been.
The fork is excellent. One prob though: my footpump won't get to 100psi without losing some pressure when you release the adaptor? What pumps would work at this psi. Forecourt pumps go to about 80psi.
ratbane said:
All fitted.
Agreed that the XTR/XT brakes are good. Better than the XC4s have ever been.
The fork is excellent. One prob though: my footpump won't get to 100psi without losing some pressure when you release the adaptor? What pumps would work at this psi. Forecourt pumps go to about 80psi.
Did you not get a shock pump with the fork? My Reba Race did.Agreed that the XTR/XT brakes are good. Better than the XC4s have ever been.
The fork is excellent. One prob though: my footpump won't get to 100psi without losing some pressure when you release the adaptor? What pumps would work at this psi. Forecourt pumps go to about 80psi.
Anyway, you can pick up a decent shock pump just about anywhere for around £20 or less.
Ah, if you bought it from Merlin Cycles it's probably an "OEM" fork, i.e. it's been fitted to a bike as some point but never actually used. That would explain why it didn't come with a shock pump.
Edit: actually, I might be talking rubbish as both my pairs of RS Revelations were bought from Merlin, both were OEM forks and both came with shock pumps. Go chase 'em up
Edit: actually, I might be talking rubbish as both my pairs of RS Revelations were bought from Merlin, both were OEM forks and both came with shock pumps. Go chase 'em up
Edited by a11y on Friday 22 August 16:28
Contacted said shop. They informed me that the forks were on offer and didnt include a pump, although i could buy one off them if i wished!! I told them that the advert was not clear, and that the shocks were not fit for purpose without the pump.
Together with the missing rotor, and lack of Shimano paperwork with the brakes, I was not impressed by the lack of service.
Somewhere else next time methinx.
They are the Z2 BAMs. They have spring adjust, and damper. They are nice forks, and are going on ebay shortly. Very plush. I think theyt were 100s. When I took them off, it was obvious that the alloy corrosion was only superficial at the brake bosses. But at that point i was in fettling mist, and put the RockShox on. Gotta say (although they need pressure adjusting) the RockShox are nice forks. I've had RockShox Mag21, Pace RC35, Maz Z2 and now the REBAs, and the Maz and REBA are by far the best.
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