The ’98 Kona Explosif in Bad Blue is something really close to my heart. 💙
And I’m not the only one. Konas have a huge fan club in the UK — just take a look at the British Retrobike scene. Back in the ’90s, they were known for beautifully made frames, quality components, and above all their sloping geometry, which was way ahead of its time. No wonder my first brisk ride on this dream Kona, built from Reynolds 853 tubing, left me buzzing. 🥳
A little gem to finish. The whole brand image was built on inspiration that was thought through down to the smallest detail. Guess what it was. 🔥
It drew on Hawaiian volcanic poetics. In Kona’s ’90s catalogues, you’ll find models like Kilauea, Lava Dome or Fire Mountain. And then there was Humuhumunukunukuapua’a — a name so long it barely fit on the top tube. Yet it was actually the name of a Hawaiian reef fish. 🐟
Kona’s ’90s marketers had some seriously killer style.