[What&son]

I have this two framesets at home...
but I just don´t know which one to build ! I only have components for one frame, so I have to pick one. I hve ridden both for enough time, and I like them both a lot. Blizzard might be a better fitting size, but the explosif is nowhere far from fitting me great.Just put a straight seatpost and that´s it.
A little list of what I like from each:
(in alphabetical order )
Blizzard:
Frame is newer.
Higher paint quality and frame construction(faced disc tabs,etc)
Reynolds 853.kind of riding a legend.
73mm bb shell.cleaner setup for outboard bb´s
I run discs, and the frame is disc only. So is a cleaner setup over the explosif where I have to zip tie the hose along the frame.
Explosif:
Is 1930 gms.That is 330 gms lighter than the Blizzard which is 2260 gms! I´m not a weight freak, sure, but I like to go lighter if I can. Explosif build up could stay under 11Kgms (about 24 pounds)
I could go back to V´s whenever I get sick of the discs...which is very likely to happen unless I fix the rubing issues of the xtr calipers at once!

So, what would you do?

Pics:

 

[pixelninja]

Blizzard might be a better fitting size, but the explosif is nowhere far from fitting me great.

How similar is the geometry? Is one more suited for your riding style, or are they about the same? That would be where I would start. If they have similar geometry, then I'd go with the one that fits you better... but based on your post, I have no idea which one that is.

 

[What&son]

Í couldn´t tell any diff in geometry. However, the Kona is a bit larger, I mean, the headtube sits a bit more forward while keeping the same angle as the Blizzard (now I see them side by side) that is why is such a great descender, I guess (due to a longer wheelbase) in comparison to the Blizzard. But the Blizzard is a great ride too. Really good.The frame feels so well ! Both are very good in handling.

 

[unfluid one]

personally i'd go blizzard just because i'm super anal about the whole disc brake routing thing.. and wouldn't want the vbrake tabs on my frame.. but that's just me.
I've owned a rocky mtn hardtail before and like them plenty.

 

[What&son]

personally i'd go blizzard just because i'm super anal about the whole disc brake routing thing.. and wouldn't want the vbrake tabs on my frame.. but that's just me.
I've owned a rocky mtn hardtail before and like them plenty.

Me too.I mean, the hose routing and clean seatstays are really a plus for the blizzard. But as I said, I´m not fully convinced about my disc needs. Well ,they are nice and light,but...don´t know.....I may get enough from the Blizzard frame so I could pick some deal on a light V wheelset (older x-max or such). And I still keep a set of dual control V brake levers. mmmm

 

[DeeEight]

What's the tubeset on the kona ?

 

[What&son]

True temper Ox Platinium main triangle (not sure about seat tube though) The rest is 4130(4310?) chromoly.

 

[DeeEight]

Ox Platinum is the same alloy as 853, its just butted in different wall thicknesses, and thankfully those are lighter thicknesses. The blizzard is also only 853 for the main frame, 853 isn't drawn in the diameters needed for the stays. So essentially you've got two frames, using the same alloys (the rear of the blizzard is just taper drawn 4130 also), from different tubing brands. Myself I'd take the kona... Rocky just hasn't been able to make a light steel frame to save their arses for the past decade.

 

[Tracerboy]

If that Rocky is a 17" or 17.5" sell it to me!

I personally prefer 853 to OX True Temper. Rocky's are also hand built.

 

[DeeEight]

If that Rocky is a 17" or 17.5" sell it to me!

I personally prefer 853 to OX True Temper. Rocky's are also hand built.

Some are, alas the blizzard no longer appears to be one of them. They've gone back and forth with blizzard production from asian to canadian and it looks like this is one of their back to asian periods.

 

[Rivet]

Ox Platinum is the same alloy as 853, its just butted in different wall thicknesses, and thankfully those are lighter thicknesses. The blizzard is also only 853 for the main frame, 853 isn't drawn in the diameters needed for the stays. So essentially you've got two frames, using the same alloys (the rear of the blizzard is just taper drawn 4130 also), from different tubing brands. Myself I'd take the kona... Rocky just hasn't been able to make a light steel frame to save their arses for the past decade.

you actually can get 'stays" in 853 it's just that their is very little to no gain in lightness or strength because steel tubes this small can't be drawn thin enough to take advantage of 853's superior characteristics so most builders don't bother. This is actually steels Achilles heel in a nutshell.

 

[DocAltie]

Blizzard all the way.

 

[haggis1978]

IF are gonna be making their steel deluxe from reynolds 953 shortly which incidentally does not rust!!!
http://www.reynoldscycles.co.uk/steel953.html

 

[dirtdonk]

3/4's of a pound difference. based on all your other comments that's a no brainer. fyi. you can get these little stick on cable guides with zip ties. if you're not trying to stop the cable from moving back and forth you can go without the zip tie usually. not bad looking when compared to a cable tie wrapped all the way around the tube.

 

[jgsatl]

rocky mountains suck. build the kona and send the r.m. to me so you don't have to be involved with it.

 

[What&son]

my head is boiling....

 

[Kris]

Regarding the weight, I don't think Rocky is putting lead slugs down the down tubes of their bikes, the weight is likely due to thicker tubing and more paint. How much is durability worth to you?

The Rocky looks 10X better, get building.

 

[What&son]

Regarding the weight, I don't think Rocky is putting lead slugs down the down tubes of their bikes, the weight is likely due to thicker tubing and more paint. How much is durability worth to you?

The Rocky looks 10X better, get building.

Yes, that is what I said. Rocky frame looks much more quality made than the kona, and the paint is surly getting a great deal of weight on the blizzard frame. Kona´s paint is so thin. Just look at these pics.
The kona ones are showing how metal has raised just from cable rub, and some mud rides (something I rarely do)
But look at the Blizzard, at least where the garay and white overlap there are two paint layers !
(I will upload the pics later. The thing does not work, sorry.)

 

[What&son]

pics, finally

 

[ferday]

they both have different geometrys.

rockys tend to run a short eff. TT and short chainstays, i love the fit and ride of a rocky mtn.

i don't like kona geo. doesn't fit me, but may fit you. take a look at some numbers, then decide....