Why am I riding 4000km Across Europe on a 36 Year Old Kona Explosif? Yes, this is unhinged...
I am riding 4000km across Europe this summer, on a crazy converted "restomod" mountain bike, to raise funds for Mens Minds Matter. Check out the build, why I am doing it, and join me for a ride! This mint 1990 Kona Explosif is the bike which made me fall in love with mountain biking and led to my career as an adult. Is this the wildest restored mountain bike on the planet? Very possibly - see why, and meet its' completely original twin too! See how the bike has been fully repainted in it's original finish, and completely restored, but modernized with 29"/ 700c wheels, wireless shifting, disc brakes and some of the finest modern components available. For several years I struggled badly with my mental health - and almost lost my life as a result. Now I want to help men speak up about their struggles, whist raising funds for this important cause. ▶️ CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction 1:16 Comparing old and new Explosifs 2:18 Come on a special gravel ride with me! 3:04 Talacre Lighthouse 3:25 My plan to ride 4000km to Spain in July 4:33 Modernising and repainting the frame 6:50 The custom bikepacking fork build 7:40 Adapting the frame to 29" / 700c wheels 8:15 Tweaking the geometry 9:05 Recreating the splatter paint 9:50 Retrodecals 10:21 Men's Minds Matter fundraising 11:07 The route across Europe 11:55 Lighthouse to Lighthouse 12:10 Riding to Tarifa 12:38 Fully Original 1990 Kona Explosif overview 12:50 Kona Track Two fork 12:58 My history with this bike as a 90s kid! 14:00 The 1990 restoration specifications 15:35 The crazy 2026 restomod specifications 18:25 Rowdy rainbow anodizing! 19:47 Summary of the ride plan across Europe 22:52 Out on the installation ride in sunny North Wales 24:20 My first thoughts about the bike 25:40 Why I am riding for Mens Minds Matter FOLLOW: / my_singletrack_mind #bikebuilds #90sgravelbikeconversion #gravelbikebuild #bikebuild #bikebuilds #restomod #bikemaintenance #bikerestoration #gravelbikeconversion #bikemaintenance #bikelife #gravel #mysingletrackmind #singletracksafari #mentalhealthcycling #cyclingwellness #gravelbike #bikerestoration #gravelbikes #howto #bicyclerepair #bicyclerepair #gravelbikebuild #mensmindsmatter #gravelbike #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #biketouring #cycletouring #kona :#konabike #konaexplosif #konarestoration #retrobike #retromtb #explosif #retrokona
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