New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:32 pm
It seems a cyclocross bike is the best bet and now I am just intrigued by the advent of disc brakes on CX bikes.
Therefore I think I am tossing up between the 2012 Kona Jake the Snake and Merida CX 4d.
I am a complete Noob so hopefully some knolwedgeable people can provide some good comparisons or Pros/Cons for both.
Thanks in advance.
Also if it affects it I will be fitting ether with rack and panniers and commuting 15-20km each way.
- silentbutdeadly
- Posts: 2294
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:52 am
- Location: Somewhere flat...
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby silentbutdeadly » Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:40 am
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:05 pm
-
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:57 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby raistian » Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:23 pm
I've never seen the Merida in flesh, just checking it on their website. I'm leaning towards JTS more because of:
- cantilever brakes (simpler = better)
- internal cabling (i carry my bike upstairs)
- dark colour (don't like white for a commuter)
- rear rack/ pannier friendly
The worst part with JTS is the green paintjob - it's hard to find green gears to match it
- simonn
- Posts: 3763
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:46 am
- Location: Sydney
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby simonn » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:19 pm
Maybe even consider the 3d to save some bananas. Tiagra is more than good enough for commuting. FWIW, my CX/commuter has sora and I've even raced it successfully .
Although I generally adhere to the KISS principle, I have to disagree that anything other than disc brakes on commuter is better. They are heavier and make hills harder work to a degree, this has very little impact on the commute time though. Traffic lights etc have a much bigger impact. You do however wear out rims a lot slower and the pads are easier/quicker to change with discs, although, IME wear a little faster. Being able to stop in the rain is quite handy too .raistian wrote:cantilever brakes (simpler = better)
-
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:57 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby raistian » Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:34 pm
Any brakes work in the wet. Before disc brakes people commute & got wet too.simonn wrote:Being able to stop in the rain is quite handy too
IMO rider attitude is more important than the braking system:
(a) it's pouring so I ride slower OR
(b) it's pouring but I got disc brakes, no need to ride slower
I agree that disc brakes are mostly good but they need more owner's know-how. Most people don't know how to treat discs properly (greasy hands on disc, rubbing, bent etc). And most newbies don't commute when it rains period Weather resistance is something we all build over time
Between the 2 bikes OP is looking at, 1 is disc the other canti. Easy decision if the OP's decision is based on brakes.
- simonn
- Posts: 3763
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:46 am
- Location: Sydney
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby simonn » Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:02 pm
Most people don't know how to treat rim brakes properly either. "My brakes are making a funny noise", "Errm, yeah the pads completely worn" etc.raistian wrote:Most people don't know how to treat discs properly (greasy hands on disc, rubbing, bent etc).
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:52 pm
-
- Posts: 996
- Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:36 pm
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby AndrewBurns » Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:23 pm
http://www.this link is broken/cyclocross-bikes/
I got the CX Pro which they currently have for $1520 which IMO is a steal (of course after you pay shipping and GST it will be more like $1800). The CX Team is cheaper still with SRAM Apex running gear, still very nice stuff.
Here's a photo of my CX commuter bike just because I like looking at it:
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:10 pm
- queequeg
- Posts: 6483
- Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:09 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby queequeg » Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:05 am
I used to think that my V-Brakes and Calipers worked in the wet too, then I got a CX Commuter bike with Discs. What a difference! Yes, when riding in the wet you can ride slower (and I do, even with Discs). With non-Discs you can plan to brake much earlier than you would, which is all good and well until you need the brakes in an emergency and find that you get a delayed response when you squeeze the levers. The Discs give you back that delay, and when you do apply them they do not suffer from a reduction in braking performance in the wet (though they might squeal a bit!).raistian wrote:Any brakes work in the wet. Before disc brakes people commute & got wet too.simonn wrote:Being able to stop in the rain is quite handy too
IMO rider attitude is more important than the braking system:
(a) it's pouring so I ride slower OR
(b) it's pouring but I got disc brakes, no need to ride slower
I agree that disc brakes are mostly good but they need more owner's know-how. Most people don't know how to treat discs properly (greasy hands on disc, rubbing, bent etc). And most newbies don't commute when it rains period Weather resistance is something we all build over time
Between the 2 bikes OP is looking at, 1 is disc the other canti. Easy decision if the OP's decision is based on brakes.
So, really it comes down to what the OP wants. As you say, if it is a choice between Discs & Cantis, it is pretty easy to choose the bike. I know when I chose my current commuter, the two "mandatory" items were Drop Bars & Disc Brakes (due to the all weather commuting).
- simonn
- Posts: 3763
- Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:46 am
- Location: Sydney
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby simonn » Fri Apr 27, 2012 12:06 pm
Only ~$1000 landed.
More fun like this though:
-
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:57 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby raistian » Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:56 pm
People who've worn the pads and still not learning about maintenance deserve to get hurt When you wear a component out you lost your "clueless newbie" license.simonn wrote:"My brakes are making a funny noise", "Errm, yeah the pads completely worn" etc.
Grease/ oil on disc could happen waaay earlier, before wear and tear - something as innocent as: look, I have disc brakes *touches disc with grubby fingers* or my favorite: taking bike out of the car by pulling the disc
My suggestions are based on OP's being a newbie - not because I dislike disc brakes (2 out of my 3 bikes have disc brakes).
C'mon mate, decide already so we can see pictures of your new ride
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Fri Apr 27, 2012 3:38 pm
-
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:57 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby raistian » Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:59 pm
Pro tip: don't show her the second pic from the above post (the first pic is OK) when presenting your case .benam80 wrote:Proposal is before the minister for finance.
-
- Posts: 12218
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby jasonc » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:41 am
stop teasing me!AndrewBurns wrote: Here's a photo of my CX commuter bike just because I like looking at it:
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:38 am
-
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:04 pm
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby panda1971 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:54 am
-
- Posts: 996
- Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:36 pm
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby AndrewBurns » Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:04 pm
-
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:04 pm
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby panda1971 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:08 pm
cheers thanks andrewAndrewBurns wrote:The ones on mine are SKS chromoplastic P45's. They're good for up to 37C tyres but I'm only running 28's so they're a bit too big (keep me dry anyway).
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:55 pm
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicycles ... /102068969
Doesnt have mounts for rack but thinking a Seat post mount rack with a quick release could be cool.
Specs seem nice and I like the look of it heheh.
Any thoughts?
-
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:04 pm
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby panda1971 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:09 pm
-
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:01 am
New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby benam80 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:36 pm
-
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:04 pm
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby panda1971 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:44 pm
my guess is a 55, in merida, this one is a 52, tt of 535 and seat tube of 520benam80 wrote:Have to double check I'm 6ft tall but unsure. Can find out tomorrow
- Mugglechops
- Posts: 3037
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:51 pm
- Location: Wagga
Re: New Commuter , Merida Cyclocross 4d vs Kona JTS
Postby Mugglechops » Tue May 01, 2012 9:30 pm
Apart from that its been great. If I was buying again I would get the boardman or a specialized crux.
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.