Still looking for that Cross Bike ... Jake the Snake?

[marcw]

To my embarrasment Potsy - none of them. they must have been on another frame while I was browsing the store and got them welded onto the wrong bike in my memory. Sorry for confusion.

As it happens, the LBS got back to say they don't have the Tricross in my size (49cm).

The other LBS called to say they have the Kona Jake the Snake in 47cm - but is that going to be too short a reach I wonder? I am 5'3" tall and 29" inside leg. They say their supplier has a 47cm but my reservation is that the reach is going to be too short.

the smallest Croix de Fer is 52cm so too big. I'm 5"5.5 with 28 inside leg and could only just get over the cross bar. I've ordered a On One Pompetamine Versa instead, 8 speed Alfine hub and disk brakes. Smallest they do is 50cm. Can't tell you what it's like as I haven't got it yet.
Any rim brakes will wear down your rims quickly, if commuting. Constant stop start and grit on the Rims, not so bad if you only ride in the dry though. Having your braking surface submerged in oily puddles isn't much help either.

 

[Zippy]

I'm running out of enthusiasm now - the two cycles I was looking forward to are no longer available - Specialised Tricross and a Kona Jake the Snake. There is a 47cm still available but the nice lady at Kona said it would be too small for me (5'3" with inside leg 29").

I guess it'll have to be a 2011 model for another £100. I have to move fast though as the NHS in my end are finishing the Cycle to Work scheme at the end of this month!

 

[ammwhite]

Does it have to be a proper cyclo-cross bike, or are you just looking for a sturdy drop bar bike for commuting etc?

If the latter, what about a Kona Honky Inc?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/honky-inc-2010-road-bike-ec021790

Steel frame drop bar bike from Kona, with disc brakes, Shimano 105, and 28C tyres ... I think this would be a great winter bike/commuter. I quite fancy one myself for the winter, but I've just bought a new road bike, so it'll have to wait

 

[Lerxt]

I'm running out of enthusiasm now - the two cycles I was looking forward to are no longer available - Specialised Tricross and a Kona Jake the Snake. There is a 47cm still available but the nice lady at Kona said it would be too small for me (5'3" with inside leg 29").

I guess it'll have to be a 2011 model for another £100. I have to move fast though as the NHS in my end are finishing the Cycle to Work scheme at the end of this month!

I've just ordered a 2011 Genesis Day One Alfine from my lbs on my CTW scheme. It comes with disks, afline 8 speed gears for just under a grand:

http://road.cc/conte...1-bikes-icebike

I'm expecting delivery soon. Not sure about whether Genesis will do the size you're after for 2011.

Cheers,

L.

 

[marcw]

I've just ordered a 2011 Genesis Day One Alfine from my lbs on my CTW scheme. It comes with disks, afline 8 speed gears for just under a grand:

http://road.cc/conte...1-bikes-icebike

I'm expecting delivery soon. Not sure about whether Genesis will do the size you're after for 2011.

Cheers,

L.

Genesis have no plans to make anything smaller than a 52, I phoned them 2 weeks ago. The Day One Alfine looks nice, although it's £200 more expensive than the similarly specced Pompetamine Versa. The Day One is prettier though, the On One logos are horrible.

 

[g00se]

Hi,

The 2011 UK prices come out at the Kona launch this weekend. It might be tight for getting one in for the end of September though. The cross bikes are some of the first they ship due to the start of the cross season, but whether they'll be in by the end of September I don't know.

When I got my Kona on cyclescheme, there was a hold up with my company paying the invoice. However, the LBS held the bike in the shop for me. It was in August so stocks were low - they said it was the last Dew Plus at the warehouse in my size in the country.

One thing to think about though, if you order the voucher in September, you can take a little while to spend it - so you could wait until next week when the 2011 prices are out and order the bike through the local shop. The processing of the voucher application can take a few weeks so by the time it's all done and dusted, a 2011 Jake the Snake could be ready. the only thing is to try and find somewhere with a 49cm in stock for you to try out.

Something else to consider, if you are sure the size is right and have found one to try out - and that's mail order. This London Kona dealer has a good reputation and it looks like they have a 49cm JtS in stock:

http://www.chamberlainecycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b6s23p1435

It has a £100 discount but a lot of places will only sell cyclescheme bikes at RRP (they seem to do cyclescheme there too).

This time of year is a cr@p time to order bikes on cyclescheme....

Finally, saw this on another thread - another option?

http://www.marin.co.uk/2010/bikepage.php?ModNo=10LO

http://www.marin.co.uk/2010/bikepage.php?ModNo=10TO#

 

[Zippy]

Can anyone comment on the Kona Honky - good or bad? It seems to be what I want - a road type bike which is tough enough for dirt trails and rubbish commuting roads, 501 components and disc brakes. I quite like the idea it is a steel frame as well.

Have had the lbs order one today.

 

[RRCC]

Seeing your size how about an Islabikes Luath 700. A cross bike with mudguard and rack fittings, no disks but plenty left for extras.

 

[Zippy]

Seeing your size how about an Islabikes Luath 700. A cross bike with mudguard and rack fittings, no disks but plenty left for extras.

I'm not that blummin' small!

 

[g00se]

The Honky Tonk or the Honky Inc?

(sorry - obvious from the spec you mean the Inc)

 

[g00se]

Oooh - the 2011 Honky Inc looks nice.

 

[potsy]

Oooh - the 2011 Honky Inc looks nice.

Gorgeous machine,only the fact it has a 39/50 chainrings puts me off a bit.

 

[ammwhite]

Gorgeous machine,only the fact it has a 39/50 chainrings puts me off a bit.

That's interesting ... I wonder why they changed it, as the 2010 bike had a more standard compact 34/50 setup.

I actually prefer the looks of the 2010 model too ... the new one has gone all retro!

 

[MacB]

That's interesting ... I wonder why they changed it, as the 2010 bike had a more standard compact 34/50 setup.

I actually prefer the looks of the 2010 model too ... the new one has gone all retro!

Agreed, that 2011 model seems to have had a whack with the ugly stick, there are still some 2010 models around, I nearly purchased one.

But be warned, despite all the write ups indicating the spec includes Avid BB7's this is not the case on later production.

 

[MacB]

Another thing on the Honky Inc, I actually contacted them re this bike as I couldn't find all the details I needed. I believe the rear spacing, certainly on the 2010 model, is 130mm. If you fancy upgrading the wheelset this makes things very hard as there's still limited choice in 130mm disc brake hubs. Though, as the frame is steel, springing it out to 135mm shouldn't be too hard.