Origin of Diamondback and Kona
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 59
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From: Calgary, Canada
Bikes: Commencal Meta 5.3, Marin Verona, Cannondale F3000 single speed, Standard STA
I don't know the history of Kona but know a few things about Diamond Back. They were originally a BMX company started, I believe in the late '70s. Since then, they have had numerous ownership changes including a period when Raleigh USAs parent company owned them.
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger
Originally Posted by Bikebros
I don't know the history of Kona but know a few things about Diamond Back. They were originally a BMX company started, I believe in the late '70s. Since then, they have had numerous ownership changes including a period when Raleigh USAs parent company owned them.
#4
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,754
Likes: 26
From: Mesa, AZ
Bikes: Moots RCS, tandem, beach-cruiser, MTB, Specialized-Allez road-bike, custom track-bike
Is Diamondback a separate operation? A lot of the brands are simply private-labeled bikes imported by the parent company.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Pittsburgh
Bikes: Domane 5.9, Cannondale Super X, Dedaciai Nuerissimo.
I was wondering that myself. The similarity between diamondback, giant and some house brands is amazing. But then again most of the components are all the same. Anybody know for sure?
Kevin
Kevin
#6
Kona was founded in 1988 by Joe Murray, Jacob Heilbron, and Dan Gerhard and base their operations in British Columbia and Washington.
Jake "the snake" and Dan still run Kona while Joe Murray has moved on to other projects.
I have a first year Explosif in the works... the frame is simply awesome.
Jake "the snake" and Dan still run Kona while Joe Murray has moved on to other projects.
I have a first year Explosif in the works... the frame is simply awesome.
#7
#8
totally louche
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,023
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From: A land that time forgot
Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes
JOE MURRAY was one of the founders of Kona?
Didn't he design, one of the first recognizable 26" 'mountain' bikes, the Murray Baja? That stuff was HAWT back in 1970 something.
Didn't he design, one of the first recognizable 26" 'mountain' bikes, the Murray Baja? That stuff was HAWT back in 1970 something.
#10
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
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From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Joe Murray was THE mountain bike racer for a while in the eighties.
#11
totally louche
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,023
Likes: 12
From: A land that time forgot
Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes
sorry, confused 1981 murray baja, was muddling the late seventies in with the very early 80's.







