Cyclocross - Poprad or JTS

Would like to have some fun with cross this season. Between the LBSs I can drive to, I could get either a Poprad or Kona JTS? Sell me on one or the other. Thanks :beer:

Ryan Trebon amd Barry Wicks both race Kona Snakes and they are two of the fastest guys in the nation. No one has gone fast on a Poprad since 1999. ;)

True that... what more can you say? the 'true' racing cross bike wil be the jts, proprad heavier, steel, pehaps a bit 'cooler' if you are into the flavor of what's under your crotch. if i was guuna really race i'd choose jake, if i was gonna ride and train and have fun, i'd choose the first american cyling hero's rig.

Since I put myself in the latter category, I am going to narrow my focus to the steel bikes I crave (and the few I can afford). Anyone in the SF bay area wanting a JTS that is virtually new, check Craig's list.

Cool. Thanks. Finding an '06 JTS seems to be a challenge in my area, but I'm working on it.

I just got a poprad, and I'm digging it. I assume you aren't one of the two fastest CX guys in the country or you would have a cross bike already, so you are probably safe either way. The poprad is very soulful, though.

Nope, I'm definitely not quick. I've found a frame and fork in my size...no small effort let me tell you. The '07s aren't due for about a month and the season is starting here before then. I've worked on road bikes and have a couple of ultra-competent friends that could get me out of a jam with a build, so what's the quick, cheap, way to get from frameset to complete bike? Build kit? From? I run both Campy and Shimano on the road. No real pref for this. Would like to keep it around the quality and (close as possible) to price of off the rack JTS. Tall order?

Build kits for cross. Always check with your LBS to see how they can accomodate you. If they are good, then they should be able to hook it up. Otherwise for the DIY Cyclocross World (http://cyclocrossworld.stores.yahoo.net/buildkits.html) has build kits specific for cross.

My friend started on a Poprad, and he likes it as a B bike now. He upgraded to a Scott cross just before last season.

I raced a Ridley Crosswind last year, and hated it. Bought a JTS thinking it would be my B bike and I would have a Scott as an A bike. Got ahead of myself and it's just no gonna happen this year. I really don't care. The JTS is dope!! Way more dope than the Ridley could ever want to be or try to be. Seriously! I like the JTS that much. Aluminum frame with a Steel Project Two fork. I placed nice components on it, and it rides great. It's does not feel fragile, so I believe I ride it even harder than the Ridley. I will not be upgrading to a carbon fork either. $500 to shed 0.75lbs does not equate to me. I can think of better things to spend money on and other areas wher I could shed 5 ~ 6lbs. ;)

I would like to think JTS wins over Poprad, but only by a small margin. Sorry Poprad, If you had a straight forkyou might win out. :(

Ready to race. (http://lh4.google.com/velocommunity/ROoU3Ib1ABI/AAAAAAAAAA8/7BEmfyUoQNE/DSC_0001.JPG)
http://lh4.google.com/velocommunity/ROoU3Ib1ABI/AAAAAAAAAA8/7BEmfyUoQNE/DSC_0001.JPG

Other detail pics of my JTS. Drive train (http://lh5.google.com/velocommunity/ROoU3pxQABI/AAAAAAAAABE/_mWbAaTLL3k/DSC_0002.JPG). Front end. (http://lh4.google.com/velocommunity/ROoU6ckQABI/AAAAAAAAABU/yG22aO_mFyk/DSC_0010.JPG?imgmax=512)

Ready for the work week. (http://lh5.google.com/velocommunity/ROoU5ORGABI/AAAAAAAAABM/5b_uOqV3xfw/DSC_0004.JPG)
http://lh5.google.com/velocommunity/ROoU5ORGABI/AAAAAAAAABM/5b_uOqV3xfw/DSC_0004.JPG

I would of held off a few weeks, the 07 redline scandium looks like the ticket. There was nothing wrong with the original conquest geometry but the 07 in scandium without disc and rack tabs looks sweet.

I bought the Poprad. Buying bikes is crazy. After pouring over all the geometry charts (which was never my strong subject) and knowing that the only true test is to ride it - and even then, I have screwed that up buying a hybrid that was comfortable but not fun -, I found a couple of bikes in my area to ride. I tried the Bianchi Axis (56) and the Poprad (57). Both had to have the hb stem shortened to accommodate my shorter reach. I am fortunate to live in an area with oodles of LBS and the only other in stock bike available for me to try was the Specialized TriCross. I did not go try it as liking it would have not been in a great option due to the greater cash outlay and that basic black thing. There was a barely used JTS in SF to go try but from what I gather it has a stiffer ride and the guy had done a few mods which brought the price up almost to new without the mods. Since I needed a shorter hb stem and a narrower hb as well, buying new made more sense as those mods are included in the sale price which was under a grand (okay, by a buck). I liked the idea of the Surly although I have to admit that as a forty-something mom, the name leaves a bit to be desired, but the reality of commiting to a bike sight unseen, especially with my personal geometric fit challenges, seems foolish.

It does appear that for 2007, Poprad is only available with disc brakes.

Oh, and about the ride. It's a blast. A 4-mile test ride was great. My body remembers riding a road bike (I never got the hang of the upright hybrid which was tooooo slow and the hb so close I could not figure out standing for hill climbs! Talk about body memory - the only neural pathways I have are for drop bars). I can't wait to bring it home and try it off pavement. I live in a great bike riding area and now I will again enjoy it to its fullest!

Pulling my hair out trying to get this done before the season starts out here. I didn't love the Poprad, no offence to anyone. Loved the friend's JTS, but need a smaller size and there were very few shipped. No '06s available anywhere. '07s are coming a bit late for me. Waiting on the cost from the LBS to build up a frame. Buying bikes always gives me a stomach ache :(

I don't know much about Propad. But I bought an 06 JTS (56) this past Spring and haven't looked back. To quote Ferris, "It's so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend it."

The GuyMysterio

Try the tricross!!!

I checked out the Tricross...I'm generally a fan of Specialized, and LOVE the LBS that deals them, but that bike left me a little cold. It seemed like I'd have to get up to the Comp to get the same spec as the cheaper JTS. Unfortunately, by the time I buy a build kit (or piece one together) I'm up in that price range. The best I'm able to do so far is an 06 JTS, Truvativ crank, full Ultegra, Mavic Equipes, for $1600 built. That's more than I wanted to spend, and it's about $300 over the off-the-rack 07 JTS (but spec is a little better). The 07 JTS has the Easton carbon fork.

I'll be picking up an '07 tricross for $1600- for me the ride sold me on it. Much smoother then other's I test rode- which the JTS wasn't one as there weren't any in stock at the time.

I don't race, but I have an 05 JTS and love it. The Kona website has the 07 bikes now, and the 07 JTS is lime green (which I like) and has an Easton carbon fiber fork, as well as a 10 speed cassette.

I don't know how much it costs, but the fork alone is a huge upgrade.

Just my opinion.