Kona Kilauea Carbon

Neilio
Neilio Posts: 60
edited March 2010 in MTB buying advice
Afternoon.

I have just orderd a Kona Kilauea frame as i fancy building a bike with as much carbon as possible.

Just worried about the strength of the frame though. I'm 6'3" and just under 16stone, but i am a very smooth rider. I have only ever ridden steel or aluminium frames, will i have to take special care with the carbon? I won't be hammering it or doing anything stupid as i will use the other Kona for that.
Kona Caldera 08, hope, easton, SLX parts.

Kona Kilauea carbon, deciding spec.

Comments

  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    I'm not 16 st (I'm 85 kg whatever that is in old money) and although I felt like you (worried) when I bought my first carbon bike a couple of rides later I was no longer concerned. Carbon MTB frames are still MTB frames, it'll be fine (assuming it's not one of those mega light frames with a 65kg rider limit on it)

    I do pay attention to any rub points but as far as denting is concerned, I am now convinced that my carbon ferame (a tranny) is no more liable to get damaged by the trail than the lightweight (and thin walled) alu XC frame that proceeded it

    Assume you're going with some DT swiss carbon fork goodness? I wanted to on the Tranny but gave in on the pricing in the end and got a SID team, which I can thoroughly recommend, even if it has no carbon in it :wink:
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • Neilio
    Neilio Posts: 60
    Cheers buddy, i think i am worried for nothing.

    Forks will be the Sid WorldCup XX i think depending on price and availability.
    Kona Caldera 08, hope, easton, SLX parts.

    Kona Kilauea carbon, deciding spec.
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    Pics when you're done (ofc) :D
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • Neilio
    Neilio Posts: 60
    I will do pics as i go along, nice little build thread, its going to take a while to do, i'm not expecting to finish before next year and at a rough guess i think cost wise will be around the 4-5k mark.
    Kona Caldera 08, hope, easton, SLX parts.

    Kona Kilauea carbon, deciding spec.
  • OwenBird
    OwenBird Posts: 210
    I had a '96 steel kiluea for my first proper MTB, feckin loved it. Hope the build goes well.
    SOLD!
  • Neilio
    Neilio Posts: 60
    I've had a fair few konas now

    94 Cindercone x2
    96 Hahana (i think its 96)
    Stinky (unknown year)
    08 Caldera

    And then the project i am going to start working on soon.
    Kona Caldera 08, hope, easton, SLX parts.

    Kona Kilauea carbon, deciding spec.

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