Classic & Vintage - Help please! Kona Hei Hei '96 brake issue

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dannymelancholy
05-14-05, 08:47 AM
Hi there

I hope someone can help. I recently bought a (claimed) '96 Kona Hei Hei from eBay (probably not such a good idea when you read the following...)

I cant find a set of V brakes that will fit - the spring pin on the brakes is too far out to fit into the locator holes on the frame ie the diameter from centre of brake boss to spring is too big on brake/too small on the frame. Ive tried Avid, Shimano and Tektro (yeuch!) but none fitted. I dont want to bend the spring pin as this will either break or cause the brake to twist in the boss and not operate correctly. I tried KonaWorld but no luck/reply and all my LBSs are baffled as they claim all V and Cantis are the same diameter in theory, although old, low quality Cantis with plastic housings may have a looser tolerence they say (again, yeuch!).

Any suggestions? (useful ones please :¬) )

Many thanks!

luker
05-14-05, 11:14 AM
'96 should have had v-brakes, but you might try some regular cantilevers to see if the bike wasn't originally spec'ed with 'em. Bending probably isn't a good idea. I have never seen this particular problem, though. Try resubmitting this post to the bike mechanics forum and see if anyone over there has the key.
dannymelancholy
05-14-05, 12:51 PM
Thanks Luker, I'll post to the mechanics board.

clayface
05-14-05, 01:49 PM
According to that year's catalogue. the 96 Hei-hei was speced with Magura hydraulic brakes. You can contact Konameister at http://www.kona.dk
dannymelancholy
05-16-05, 06:24 PM
Thanks a bunch clayface, very much appreciated.
dannymelancholy
05-18-05, 11:35 AM
Update:

Yes, hydraulics were the 96 spec. However, everyone I speak to says hydraulic rim brakes use identical brake bosses to Vs and Cantis so its still a mystery as to why I cant find one to fit. Original owner is now unavailable (which is somewhat suss) so cant check that avenue.

However, apparantly the solution is a pair of Paul components v brakes which dont use the brake boss holes to tension the springs at all but some mechanism internal to the brake. Already got some on order via singletrackworld classified forum, adn they are light light light.

Thanks again all for your help.