New Commuter

[benm80]

Hey All,
I am looking at possibly getting into commuting next year and am curious about choices of bikes.
I have hasseled the guy at my LBS who has been super helpful and just looking for some extra thoughts.

At the moment the weapon of choice is looking like a

Kona 2011 Jake the Snake

I will be looking at commuting about 20-30 Km each way probably everyday once i get going. This seems to be an ok mix of road ability with some slight offraod mixed in

The other thought was a 29er with slicks something like a GT Zaskar

Anyhoo thx for any time and thoughts given

[zero]

I think the cyclocross bike is perfect for the task. As my MTB is a dual suspension example and carries a lot of performance penalties in road riding, it ultimately lead to me buying a road bike for some road riding tasks.

Had I owned a cyclocross bike from the start, I might have been able to stave off n+1 for even longer.

[Boognoss]

I think the cyclocross bike is perfect for the task. As my MTB is a dual suspension example and carries a lot of performance penalties in road riding, it ultimately lead to me buying a road bike for some road riding tasks.

Had I owned a cyclocross bike from the start, I might have been able to stave off n+1 for even longer.

+1. Review of mine here - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=14311

In it's 2 years and almost 16000km there's not much that I haven't upgraded or replaced but I love it for commuting. I must update the review with a 2 year update at some stage.

[baabaa]

I have a 29er and a “few” cx bikes.
The cx bikes just seem right for commutes around that 60 ks a day mark. Not a road bike or a tourer just a bit of both that seems to work. I really do like (and use) the option of wider tyres and mudguards.
Does the new Jake have rack mounts? I was very close to a jake a few years back but went for a steel salsa la cruz with cable discs which I do like in the wet. What about a salsa vaya?

[Fred Nurk]

Merida's got a new cyclocross bike with disc brakes, the Cyclocross 4 disc.
Looks alright for the spec.

I commute on a GT Avalanche with slicks, the extra weight means that a drop bar bike would be quicker. A cross bike with cross tyres is probably about as good (read: fast for commuting) as you get if the off road stuff is just fire trail.

Otherwise the Zaskar 29er would certainly be appealing.

[Aushiker]

Does the new Jake have rack mounts? I was very close to a jake a few years back but went for a steel salsa la cruz with cable discs which I do like in the wet. What about a salsa vaya?

Hi

Looking at this photo it does seem to have rear rack mount but it does appear to have mudguard mounts; on the front at least. Someone?

Also it has cantilever brakes. I wonder if they are really ideal for commuting?



Andrew

[Baalzamon]

Looking at the high res pic from kona's website it doesn't appear to have mudguard or rack mounts. Kona Jack the Snake 2011

Andrew what year bike is that as 2011 colour scheme is Blue/White/Black?

[Aushiker]

Andrew what year bike is that as 2011 colour scheme is Blue/White/Black?

It might be a 2009 or 2010. I just did a quick search for the bike specs; really didn't take much notice of the model year.

Andrew

[Mulger bill]

Jake is Konas cyclocross line, looks like the 2011 has its full race face on, no mounts.

The older versions fitted a rear rack but it's hard to see dropout holes in that pic.

[DrJay]

I've been looking at that one for a while. The older ones had rack mounts, the new one doesn't. Can be worked around with some clamps and an appropriate quick release such as the Tubus racks setup. The rack costs more though.

The Merida is higher spec for the money, but I don't know how they really compare.

[familyguy]

Also it has cantilever brakes. I wonder if they are really ideal for commuting?
Andrew

Do you ask this because of the growing prevalence of discs available on road-oriented bicycles capable of being racked? I debated this point prior to fitting my Fuji up, but the cost was prohibitive, and as people said, the Jake is the 'cross bike in Kona's range more than a road-commuter.

Jim

[Aushiker]

Also it has cantilever brakes. I wonder if they are really ideal for commuting?
Andrew

Do you ask this because of the growing prevalence of discs available on road-oriented bicycles capable of being racked?

Hi

No; stopping power.

Andrew

[jugglingogre]

Also it has cantilever brakes. I wonder if they are really ideal for commuting?
Andrew

Do you ask this because of the growing prevalence of discs available on road-oriented bicycles capable of being racked?

Hi

No; stopping power.

Andrew

Canti's on my Masi CX have heaps of stopping power with the stock pads. I'll be getting some kool stops soon as I'm nearly through the stock pads. The Masi has rack and fender mounts but the front wont take fenders with the stock 35 tyres. I commute on 23c but I reckon 25's or 28's would be fine.

As for what a CX can handle on a track, green and blue single track should not be a problem for an experienced rider. Loose stuff is what unsettles my girl as the tyres are only really treaded on the outer edge so they roll wonderfully. Mud on the other hand....awesome. The big wheels and narrow tyres just dig straight in and get traction.

The steel frame is nice and forgiving and the 105/tiagra group set is a great mix for what I got her for and a heap cheaper than a Jake.

[familyguy]

Also it has cantilever brakes. I wonder if they are really ideal for commuting?
Andrew

Do you ask this because of the growing prevalence of discs available on road-oriented bicycles capable of being racked?

Hi

No; stopping power.

Andrew

Thats kinda what I was getting at. The growing trend towards discs on tandems and tourers isnt without reason.

Jim

[Aushiker]

Thats kinda what I was getting at. The growing trend towards discs on tandems and tourers isnt without reason.

Jim

hi

Okay I am with you.

Andrew

[il padrone]

Hmm.... not having too much problems with my V-brakes, whether commuting, touring or tandeming. Wet weather and dry.

Discs are great for MTB trail riding, but overkill for most road riding, IMHO.

[Oxford]

with the weather we're currently having, when it was similar and I had rim brakes I would go through front pads about every 3 weeks, the silt and mud just grind away the pads, let alone the damage to the rim. with disks (where the pads are about 1/3 the price) I get months of use before needing to replace the pads. disks make the wheel a long term investment that needs no replacement parts, everything about hydro disk brakes that wears out is replaceable without affecting the wheel. thats why I recommend them.

[il padrone]

with the weather we're currently having, when it was similar and I had rim brakes I would go through front pads about every 3 weeks, the silt and mud just grind away the pads,

You need better pads*. Standard Shimano black pads are made of some form of meringue I believe



* Recommended: Koolstop salmon

[Mugglechops]

I pick my Merida Cyclo Cross 4 on Saturday. I compared a lot of CX bikes and found this one to be the best spec.

Plus I couldn't see myself going back to canti brakes after not using them since 1997.

The lack of rack mounts doesn't really worry me as I leave my work gear at work so only need to take my lunch and a t shirt with me, so I just use a back pack.

[Mugglechops]

The lack of rack mounts doesn't really worry me as I leave my work gear at work so only need to take my lunch and a t shirt with me, so I just use a back pack.

Just to quote myself Got the bike today and it has rack mounts, even though every shot I have seen of one doesn't have them.

[Boognoss]

Lucky stuff there Mugglechops.

Merida's model-naming department was on fire the day they came up with your bike's model name hey?

[Mugglechops]

Lucky stuff there Mugglechops.

Merida's model-naming department was on fire the day they came up with your bike's model name hey?

Yes they earnt there money that day