Upgrading older Kona hardtail
02-29-24, 01:50 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Upgrading older Kona hardtail
I picked up a 2004 Kona Caldera in very nice condition for 300.00, probably as much as one would be worth at best and even though the Deore rear shifter was not working properly and the Hayes Nine brakes had been unused for 5 years due to storage and basically needing an overhaul I decided to change out a few components. The Tioga knobby tires will be replaced with Schwalbe Billy Bonkers Performance as well as XT front derailleurs and shifters. I did not care for the early Hollow tech crankset so went with XT Hollow tech II.
The brakes will be Shimano M 6120 with 180 mm rotors in place of the 160mm. Due to older age I ordered a shorter 50mm riser stem along with a 115mm extension much as I would prefer a cleaner look. Hopefully once the bike is together it will be a nice rider for light trails and gravel. Might look into a good used air shock instead of the stock Manitou spring fork unless it works well enough.
I know many have put higher end components on a good basic frame as parts wear or they want better performance or to lighten the bike. I just like quality even though I will be easily paying more than I did for the bike. Nothing new there!
The Kona as purchased:
The brakes will be Shimano M 6120 with 180 mm rotors in place of the 160mm. Due to older age I ordered a shorter 50mm riser stem along with a 115mm extension much as I would prefer a cleaner look. Hopefully once the bike is together it will be a nice rider for light trails and gravel. Might look into a good used air shock instead of the stock Manitou spring fork unless it works well enough.
I know many have put higher end components on a good basic frame as parts wear or they want better performance or to lighten the bike. I just like quality even though I will be easily paying more than I did for the bike. Nothing new there!
The Kona as purchased:
Likes For VintageRide:
02-29-24, 03:31 AM
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11
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For me, nothing says "unmolested" better than a dork disc. Can't wait to see what changes you make, and the final result!
03-04-24, 05:16 PM
#3
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
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Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
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good purchase 
03-08-24, 01:42 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Will update in the near future with images, looks better now, had a Fizik Flight seat with titanium rails which took off a bit of weight, that stock seat actually was relatively heavy. Some of the items are coming from China so might be awhile arriving.
03-08-24, 06:24 PM
#5
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Selle Italia makes the Flite saddle.
