'05 POPRAD or Connondale?? - pls Help :)

[Mako]

I need help choosing between these two bikes. Poprad or Cannondale Cyclocross

I'm fairly new to cycling but am pretty sure that a cyclocross bike is going to fit my needs. All of the components, frames etc are making my head spin haha.

I have found a cycle shop that has both of these bikes but I can't seem to find which would be better for me. There is barely a price difference between the two bikes so I'm not concerned about that.

I'm not sure what the advantages of each bike would be over the other. From what I can see the cannondale has carbon forks, but the Poprad has a slight edge in components. I don't know which has the advantage framewise, which might be the most important thing as components can always be upgraded.

If anyone can offer me any suggestions or help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks ...

[Shorty]

The Poprad has a great frame from everything I have heard (too big for me so I didn't get it). If it has an edge in components go for it. I think carbon forks are overrated esp. for something you plan to beat up, but I'm sure there are others who will disagree.

[Mako]

thanks for the reply shorty,

Now I've just gone and complicated things by finding a cycle shop in town that carries the Kona JTS.... this just gets better and better LOL.

[markhr]

Icannondale has carbon forks - it's also aluminium so won't rust - especially if hosed down and left to dry after races. Not sure about the difference in components - I thought they were pretty equally matched.

Also, I'd recommend going for the disc brake option - yes, you won't be able to race UCI races but, IMHO, you'll definitely never regret the choice. Better braking in all conditions, especially mud. It also makes switching wheels race/training wheels a snap as there's no adjustement necessary.

[ZenNMotion]

I'd go for the Poprad- steel frame, nice handling bike. Cyclocross bikes get banged around and abused quite a bit in races, and Aluminum frames, though maybe a little lighter than steel, also dent more easily and have a more limited fatigue life, especially for cyclocross rough use. If you're not racing cyclocross, then this is mostly a moot point, but I'd still go for the Lemond for an all around do everything bike, you'll find it more comfortable than the Cannondale. Don't worry so much about the components, the differences are not that big a deal. Try both bikes out to see the diff in how they ride, but make sure you have the same wheels on for the test for fair comparison.

[Mako]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I wound up buying the Kona JTS. I doubt I'm going to race at all, but the bike was comfy and handled really nice. I never got the chance to ride to poprad, which I think was also a nice bike on paper anyways. I hope the alum can handle commuting etc.

If I decide to unload the bike after the summer, I know I'll be able to get rid of it. The bike shop said there's alot of guys phoning trying to find used Kona JTS.

[wildjim]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I wound up buying the Kona JTS. I doubt I'm going to race at all, but the bike was comfy and handled really nice. I never got the chance to ride to poprad, which I think was also a nice bike on paper anyways. I hope the alum can handle commuting etc.

If I decide to unload the bike after the summer, I know I'll be able to get rid of it. The bike shop said there's alot of guys phoning trying to find used Kona JTS.

I also bought a JTS this year and everything about it just seems right. . .

[ultra-g]

Can't go wrong with a Poprad. I bought one ('05 model too) and it is great for city use (I've got fat 28c tires on it). Great frame, good wheel set and 105 components are always reliable!

[darkmother]

Personally, I would buy whichever one fits you better. This is the most critical aspect of choosing a bicycle, but it usually gets downplayed, b/c the shops want to sell what is in stock, and most expensive.

I would not let the carbon fork be a deciding factor, personally. The Poprad has a nice Kinesis made aluminum fork which is light, durable, and perfectly fuctional.

[pstrauss]

I have the Cannondale and really like it

[DRLski]

I agree with darkmother, both bikes are very very nice but they both fit very differently. Best bet is to try them and buy the one that feels the best.