Kona Cinder Cone '92

Cheers guys!

Not the lightest bike I've ever had but so much fun, held its own amongst the hordes of gravel bikes on the SDW, actually handles really nicely at speed, very predictable. Brakes are a weak spot, need better pads.

Despite the new clamp the seatpost keeps slipping. I've cleaned everything with rubbing alcohol, greased the bolt of the clamp really well, applied generous amounts of grip paste and torqued to spec but still getting some slippage.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

A drinks can shim - cut a strip with scissors and wrap around the seatpost as much as needed, maybe only one wrap. I've had one in for years now, works a treat and still adjustable if needed.

I vaguely remember Tester saying the tolerances on seatposts etc are crap.
Kona is so rad!

Nice one, will give that a go for sure

Yeah I didn't want to go beyond the 8Nm stamped on the Hope clamp as I've read about them failing if overtightened.
Really didn't expect the Kona to get so much love, but it's also turned out so much better than I expected.
Might try to ghetto tubeless those rims for a bit more comfort, definitely feeling it now after 60kms on the South Downs Way today.

This is great!

Love this bike, looks so much fun to blitz about on.

So the drinks can shim has worked an absolute treat, despite the botch job it hasn't budged at all, thanks @si_mon628

Few other accessories/additions to the bike:

Oury single lock-on grips
Crane E-Ne bell
Tool roll by @mjef
Bar bag by @user71349
Soma Deluxe Porteur rack that I picked up from @supersonik-zlad
Restrap fast straps and rack straps

Been doing King Alfred's Way since Thursday and the bike has been absolutely brilliant. Yes, it weighs a metric tonne, I packed way too much shit and all the weight is over the front wheel but with ~50kms left to do tomorrow, I really can't fault it. Coped with the varied terrain of the Ridgeway admirably, the Kenda Small Block 8s are superb; roll really nicely on tarmac but just about grippy enough on loose stuff, not fit for proper mud but have encountered very little of that thankfully.

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Good to hear! Went out for a great MTB ride this morning and were just talking about doing King Alfred's Way - I take it this is a recommendation from you to do the route?! Enjoy the remainder!

Ringing endorsement from me! I've obviously massively lucked out with the weather but yeah the route is great. I can imagine parts of it would be a bit of a slog in the wet though. In terms of bike, I'd edge towards hardtail over gravel type bike, my mate is on a Triban on 38c tyres with not much bite and he's managed fine, but would have a lot more fun on a hardtail as just able to attack the rutted sections and steeper descents.

We're doing it quite leisurely over 5 days/4 nights, staying in nice pubs overnight. Drop me a PM if you want more details/recommendations. I'll probably post a bit of a ride report on the KAW thread at some point.

Good info, thanks. I will definitely send a message if we make a plan to do it, cheers!

Thinking of getting a basket for this, should I get a Wald and zip tie it or go with the shallow fence that is supposed to go with this rack?

I'm thinking the latter but open to hivemind opinions.

Zip tie wald

Great bike. This is pretty much exactly what I plan to do with my 1994 Bianchi Osprey, even down to them same front rack. I’m going with knobby tyres to make up for what my gravel bike can’t do.

FWIW, I have always found Wald baskets zip tied way more useful than racks and rails.

Two votes for the Wald... @Maj generally knows best so the die was cast.

@Verbs_&_Nouns - that Osprey looks class, if you've not pulled the trigger on tyres I'd highly recommend Kenda Small Block 8s; I recommend them so much people must think I'm on commission but they really are sound; roll fast on tarmac (and make that sweet buzz) and are grippy enough on loose stuff. No good for proper mud though.

Awesome looking bike! and the trip sounds great - any more photos?

Lovely bike, my first mtb (I've only had two anyway) was a Lava Dome I bought in (I think) 1988. I'd love another Kona!

I think I shared pics in some other thread but can't remember, trip was sublime!

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Thanks. I’ve been looking around. I’ve been using a Maxxis DTH on the rear on my other 26er and it is okay, but doesn’t quite cut it on looser stuff. I’ll look into the Kenda’s. I’m leaving towards the Maxxis Ikons, a) because they’re a decent price and b) I’m planning to (try and) ride this where I’ve been taking my gravel bike, which is on WTB Nano’s. Lots of it is steep, loose, occasionally muddy and rutted.

Yeah for rough stuff the Ikons are a better bet for sure

Been a minute. This thing is still going...

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very cool
I've recently acquired a '96 lava dome and am considering my build options