2013 Kona Explosif 650b coming

[howard619]

Anyone hear of Kona's soon to be released 650b Explosif? From what I've heard from a US Retailer, it's going to be based off of the 2012 Kona Steely. A Google search turns up some UK retailers with an image of a 2013 Kona Honzo photoshopped with an Explosif logo. I hope it's based on the Steely like I heard instead of the Honzo. I prefer the burlier build and the clearance of the rear yoke/chainstay. Here's an image taken from one of the retailers...

Kona, Explosif 650 B 2013 Mountain Bike from only £1,499.00. Free UK Delivery | Wheelies

[r1Gel]

Anyone hear of Kona's soon to be released 650b Explosif? From what I've heard from a US Retailer, it's going to be based off of the 2012 Kona Steely. A Google search turns up some UK retailers with an image of a 2013 Kona Honzo photoshopped with an Explosif logo. I hope it's based on the Steely like I heard instead of the Honzo. I prefer the burlier build and the clearance of the rear yoke/chainstay. Here's an image taken from one of the retailers...

Kona, Explosif 650 B 2013 Mountain Bike from only £1,499.00. Free UK Delivery | Wheelies

OHmygosh!!! My dream hardtail is finally a reality!!!
I've been wanting a Honzo 650B for the longest time!
What a totally awesome way for Kona to break into 650B.
Excellent find! Do keep us up-to-date on this

edit: that's a Photoshopped 2012 Honzo

[howard619]

OHmygosh!!! My dream hardtail is finally a reality!!!
I've been wanting a Honzo 650B for the longest time!
What a totally awesome way for Kona to break into 650B.
Excellent find! Do keep us up-to-date on this

edit: that's a Photoshopped 2012 Honzo

I share your enthusiasm, but I'm pretty sure it's 2013 Honzo. 2012 is blue.

[r1Gel]

I share your enthusiasm, but I'm pretty sure it's 2013 Honzo. 2012 is blue.

Not to split hairs, but they just changed the colour. The 2013 Honzo (gold) has a gusset on the seat tube.

[phoenixbikes]

The 1993 Explosif will also include 650b wheels, a Hite Rite, and a White Industries Limbo Spider.....

Oh wait, wrong model year..

[zombinate]

The 1993 Explosif will also include 650b wheels, a Hite Rite, and a White Industries Limbo Spider.....

Oh wait, wrong model year..

OMG, a Hite Rite in the wild. Had totally forgotten about those.

[howard619]

Not to split hairs, but they just changed the colour. The 2013 Honzo (gold) has a gusset on the seat tube.

Touche'...I was so caught up on it being a Honzo, the frame differences slipped right by.

[morkys]

Kona hasn't had a production 650B bike yet...correct? This Honzo was not 650B so if a 650B comes out in 2013 it will be new for Kona to have 650B?

[howard619]

Kona hasn't had a production 650B bike yet...correct? This Honzo was not 650B so if a 650B comes out in 2013 it will be new for Kona to have 650B?

correct!

[r1Gel]

Touche'...I was so caught up on it being a Honzo, the frame differences slipped right by.

No worries mate

[Gallain]

Specifications...

Frame Material Kona Cromoly Butted
Sizes 15", 17", 19", 21"
Rear Shock N/A
Fork RockShox Revelation RL 120mm Tapered w/15mm Axle
Crankarms Sram X7 GXP
Chainring ?? probably 36t?.
B/B Sram X7 GXP
Pedals Shimano M520 Clipless
Chain Sram Powerchain 1031
Freewheel Sram Powerglide 1030 11-36t 10spd
F/D Sram X7
R/D Sram X9
Shifters Sram X7
Brake Calipers Avid Elixir 5
Front Brake Rotor Avid HS1 180mm
Rear Brake Rotor Avid HS1 160mm
Brake Levers Avid Elixir 5
Headset ZST NO. 10/7B/44
Handlebar Kona XC/BC Riser
Stem Kona XC/Road
Seatpost Kona Double Clamp w/offset
Seat Clamp Kona Clamp
Grips Kona Race Light Lock-on
Saddle WTB Volt Comp
Front Hub King Kong
Rear Hub Formula
Spokes Sanvik Stainless 15g fr/14g rr
Rims WTB Speed Disc i23
Front Tire Maxxis Ardent 650B 27.5x2.25"folding
Rear Tire Maxxis CrossMark 650B 27.5x2.1" folding
Paint Color Raw Steel with Orange & Black
Extras N/A

[SteveF]

Anyone know if it'll come with the sliding dropouts as shown in the pic above? If so, will it be available as a frame only or with a SS build?

[Gallain]

Anyone know if it'll come with the sliding dropouts as shown in the pic above? If so, will it be available as a frame only or with a SS build?

It will have sliding dropouts.
No SS build or frame that I heard of.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[howard619]

I don't know about the dropouts, but I'm hoping not. I did hear that it will be available as a frame only.

[skidad]

Heard back from Kona finally about this bike and here is the info...

"The Explosif will be available to the US market. It is a late season arrival and we haven’t published all of the specs yet. It will be trail geometry though, with a moderately slack head angle and short-ish stays. It will also be available as a frame only."

Better yet....frame only $500

Might just be my first HT

[r1Gel]

Heard back from Kona finally about this bike and here is the info...

"The Explosif will be available to the US market. It is a late season arrival and we haven’t published all of the specs yet. It will be trail geometry though, with a moderately slack head angle and short-ish stays. It will also be available as a frame only."

Better yet....frame only $500

Might just be my first HT

Good stuff

[eurospek]

Heard back from Kona finally about this bike and here is the info...

"The Explosif will be available to the US market. It is a late season arrival and we haven’t published all of the specs yet. It will be trail geometry though, with a moderately slack head angle and short-ish stays. It will also be available as a frame only."

Better yet....frame only $500

Might just be my first HT

Good stuff

Good stuff indeed.

Kona is killing it!!!

[Gallain]

Might just be my first HT

Now I feel old, when I started there wasn't even suspension forks...

I've booked one, will be coming in march.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[elrancho66]

Heard back from Kona finally about this bike and here is the info...

"The Explosif will be available to the US market. It is a late season arrival and we haven’t published all of the specs yet. It will be trail geometry though, with a moderately slack head angle and short-ish stays. It will also be available as a frame only."

Better yet....frame only $500

Might just be my first HT

Any photos from Kona yet? Frame color options?
Thnx

[skidad]

Any photos from Kona yet? Frame color options?
Thnx

I'm pumping for more details and color now as I want to pre-order a frame.

I've got enough spare parts and 650 wheels kicking around that I should be able to build one of these pretty cheaply. Might just be a 9 speed with mechanical brakes but fine with me.

[reformed roadie]

Now I feel old, when I started there wasn't even suspension forks...

Or disc brakes, reliable shifting, etc. etc.



Things are good now, and it is hard to find "bad" bikes.

[Gallain]

Any photos from Kona yet? Frame color options?
Thnx

Same colour as the Unit "Raw" with orange logo. Looks really good!

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[rockhound]

OMG, a Hite Rite in the wild. Had totally forgotten about those.

I have two, new in the package.

[rockhound]

Darn. I was hoping it would be like the Explosif from a few years back... Built for 80mm forks and XC geometry. I think it fit 650b as well.

[carabao]

Darn. I was hoping it would be like the Explosif from a few years back... Built for 80mm forks and XC geometry. I think it fit 650b as well.

Emails I've exchanged with Kona said it will be more xc oriented:

"We are making a 650B explosive… it is quite a different beast from the Honzo, bit more XC. They are still finalizing some of the frame attrabutes as far as I know. "

This was on 10/30/12.