When James brought this beauty into my workshop it had just been rebuilt with new paint and decals and fitted with most of its original Suntour XC LTD parts and some tasty looking XC Pro wheels. However James noted the gears were slipping and the ride just felt off. Closer inspection revealed that the OEM groupset was all well past its prime, with serious play in both derailleurs, nasty cones in the hubs, worn rims and drivetrain! I’m all for originality but bikes are for riding so, to me, refitting completely worn-out parts is just folly. It was time to reset and refresh the bike.
For her second rebuild in as many months then, the Cinder Cone was treated here at DRC to a complete, very low mileage 1993 Shimano STX groupset* with a NOS Alivio front derailleur, plus new chain and cables, and the Kona’s ‘new’ wheels have silky smooth STX Parallax hubs with mint condition Araya TM-18 rims. Also fitted are new MKS pedals, ODI lock-ons grips and Halo H-Block tyres – all of which have some retro flavour in their own way – plus a NOS Deore XT Sharkfin and a catalogue-spec rear brake booster to complete the classic build. The bike stills uses its original bars, Velocity stem, Impact headset, Avocet saddle, seatpost and QR clamp. After a thrilling test ride I’m very pleased with the overall result… the bike now goes, turns and stops as good as it looks!
* the STX groupset & wheels were removed from our 1994 Diamondback Ascent, which is now in the process of being rebuilt with a modern 1×10 drivetrain.
I’ve got a similar project awaiting in my shed. Picked up a Cinder Cone at the local tip/recycle centre, £10. All original XCD, except for rear wheel/hub and crankset.
The frame and forks will get a refresh. Then what? Not sure. I think I may make it my town bike. STX-RC/Mavic wheels that I have and a 1x 10 drive train. Sell the XCD to someone who needs period correct parts?
Sounds like you got a bargain! Hope it turns out nice, can’t go wrong with a ’90s steel Kona! Thanks for your comment