KONA 2005 / 2006 Jake the Snake

[slagjumper]

Hey I am about ready to plunk down 1200 on a 2006 or 2005 Kona Jake the Snake. I was fit for a 56 and gave it a test ride. It was great.

The only thing that I can see that is different between 05 and 06 is the bottom Bracket-- it now has the external BB type of botom bracket, and the color. The '06 is construction-orange w black rear seat stays.

Any reviews from owners out there for these bike(s)? Mainly interested in
Paint
Frame issues
Warentee.
Is the crank / bb upgrade worth it?


The 2005 is $1070 and the 2006 is $1200. I love the LBS that caries this, but does anyone see these for less? Also any other simulair bikes for around $1000?

I weigh 184 and won't be junmping this thing, but will use it extensively on rough-ish trails and the road for commuting.

[Jarery]

I just bought a 2006 model.
See anti bling thread :)

I cant really give you any advice on the bb, and that is pretty much the only difference i believe. Well that and color :)

Oh , rims maybe. Isnt the 2005 MA3 and the 2006 Open Pro Sport ? Maybe they are the same rim, diff name, shrug.

Color. This is the other difference. Mines day glow orange, its freaking bright :) Its so ugly I love it.

Frames are same, warrenties would be same, etc.

[islenska]

if the 2005 bb was ISIS and the new one isnt, then you will definetly get more mileage out of the non-ISIS bb. basically, ISIS sucks, and its just a fact that regular replacement is necessary. a good ISIS bb...or, one that will last 6-12 months will run you approx $80.

[KrisA]

My stock bb on my 05 JTS lasted about 500km, for that reason alone I'd go with the 06. Unfortunately the 05 looks nicer! :D Other change I noticed on the Kona website is they list 14g spokes front and back, 05 had 15g front, might just be a website oversite though.

[chilly]

Mine's not a Snake, but I love it, good bike and good company.

[tozovr]

I just bought a 2006 model.
See anti bling thread :)

I cant really give you any advice on the bb, and that is pretty much the only difference i believe. Well that and color :)

Oh , rims maybe. Isnt the 2005 MA3 and the 2006 Open Pro Sport ? Maybe they are the same rim, diff name, shrug.

Color. This is the other difference. Mines day glow orange, its freaking bright :) Its so ugly I love it.

Frames are same, warrenties would be same, etc.

Ugly? I got an '04 (bought it as a leftover this past May...)

http://www.endlessearthphoto.com/BELLLAP/images/IMG_4073.jpg

[Lectron]

if the 2005 bb was ISIS and the new one isnt, then you will definetly get more mileage out of the non-ISIS bb. basically, ISIS sucks, and its just a fact that regular replacement is necessary. a good ISIS bb...or, one that will last 6-12 months will run you approx $80.

Basically ISIS suck?
OK. An outboard design can make use of 35% larger bearings then a standard inboard design.
An inboard design can make use of double row cartridge bearings, an outboard design
do not have the spacing to do that unless you make use of a very long spindle.
I'd say the price performance of an outboard design is beaten by the inboard design,
But. The maintenance part is much easier an cheaper with the outboard design.
You only replace the bearings (and cup set)

[alcycle]

I have the 05 and love love love it

[ivc]

Time to revive this thread..

Can anyone please put up pictures of their 2006 JTS? I'm interested in this bike, I couldn't get the 05 model anymore, so I'm considering the 06 instead.

-ivc

[endform]

If you're wondering about color, just go find a traffic cone that's not covered in grime, and then imagine that a little deeper but just as intense.

[waynesworld]

I have an '05 JTS and I love it. I had to buy it used late last year to get the color, so I did.

One just sold on Ebay for $770 with $50 shipping the other day. It had been raced throughout the winter, but was supposed to be working properly.

I know nothing about the BB.

[ivc]

Yea, I would like to see some more picures of how the color really blends with the normal scenery. So far I've only found action pictures of the 05 JTS, which looks pretty good.

These are the only ones I've found so far: 1 (http://www.colonelsbikes.com/newsletter/oct/kona_jakethesnake_2006.jpg) 2 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2112208&highlight=jake+snake#post2112208) 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcross/page10/)

I can't see the bike in person, it's a web order thing..

-ivc

[endform]

pic 2 is pretty misleading as far as the color goes, pic 1 is pretty good.

[sgtsmile]

Got a 2005 Jake the Snake last year and love it. I use it primarilly as a road bike (plan to commute total of 60k a day on it) and will rarely take it off road - but might do local gravel or something. I come from a traditional road riding background, but recently have spent a number of years riding in the dirt.

It is a bit twitchy in cross winds I find (spring winds can knock it around over 50kmph more than my old road bike was...) and the gearing limits top speed on hills (not an issue usually though).

Thus far, I have had no issue with the bottom bracket, but if it craps out, I will hunt up some sort of sealed cartridge bearing unit. Planned upgrades for the future include a Chris King headset, and some sort of Mavic cross wheel set and a much lighter saddle. Since I intend to commute on it, I want it as weather proof as I can make it so sealed cartridge bearings work the best for me.

Only issue was a crappy back wheel. It started blowing spokes - someone at the factory must have over tightened the thing I suspect - but my local bike store rebuilt it with new spokes for free and it has given me no grief since.

If you want a tough bike that works well as a road bike but will handle a bit of tossing around, this bike is a great bargan for the cash.

Hope that helps

[cyclochica]

I paid $1100 for my 05, so it looks like you are getting a bit of a break on the price. I have been commuting and riding XC with mine and haven't had a problem. If you like the color of the 06 and can afford the upgrades it comes with, then go for it. Just my .02.

[ivc]

I got a few more pictures from Jarery, hope its ok by him that I post them here.

Pictures: 1 (http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6800/img16815xl.jpg) 2 (http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1314/img16856oz.jpg) 3 (http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1848/img16837hi.jpg)

Later this week I'm getting the JTS 06 =) Got a good price online and starting to like the color.

-ivc

[jumpr]

That is a great looking bike. The black seatpost looks great with the blinding orange.

[waynesworld]

I love my '05 and went to a lot of trouble to get that color. Having said that, the above pics of the '06 are awesome. They look better than the ones on the Kona website.

I've seen an '06 at the LBS, and it is a great looking bike, IMHO.

I no longer think it matters which one you get.