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My bike got stolen :mad: so I'm replacing it with a bike more suited for road riding. I'm coming from a hardtail mountain bike but since 80% of my riding is on pavement, I'm leaning toward a cyclocross. I don't intend to tour or race. I'd simply like to zip past the college students riding their mountain bikes on the road but still hit the dirt trails. I assume a cyclocross is the way to go then?
LBS's have in my price range
2006 Specialized Tricross Sport $1100 - this shop charges full retail for everything
2006 Bianchi Axis $1000 - on sale at a shop 1.5 hours away
2007 Kona Jake the Snake $1200 - need to order/can't seem to find much opinions on this new model
Which would you take and why?
I've test ridden the tricross because it's the only one actually here. I like it but the shifting was disappointing, not as snickety-snick as the xt on my old mtb; Is there a big difference between tiagra on the tricross/axis and 105 on the jts?
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I love my Tricross Comp. The Sport, not so much. You can get a good 'cross bike with much better spec for the same price. Out of the three, get the JTS. Best spec for the price. And 10-speed. Sweet. My TriX Comp has 9spd 105/Ultegra RD/FSA cranks. No complaints. HTH
Out of those I'd go with the jake the snake. The 2007 looks sweet, especially with the carbon fork. I'm not familiar with the bianchi.
I have a 2003 Axis. I have to tell you, it is an absolute blast. I use it on a combo of fire trails, country roads, around town, and our local bike autobahn, the Greenway. I have made several upgrades including new wheels, Velocity Aeroheads with 105 hubs, Ritchey Speedmax Comps, Kool Stop mountain bike pads, and other goofy little things. Here's the deal though, the bike was great right out of the lbs. I have several bikes to choose from for daily rides, including a San Jose, and an older S-works. Right now, the Axis is my favorite! It also makes a great bike for commuting, and I have done a 20 mile commute fairly regularily on the bike. As a side note, two of my riding buddies have Bianchis-a Cross Veloce and a 2006 Axis. I have riden both of these bikes, and they are solid bikes. The only upgrades made to his Axis were tires and brake pads. Good luck with your choice! Sorry to hear about your loss.
I can only speak for my 2 day old 07 JTS, but I love it (except for the inline brakes, which are getting removed back at the shop...merely personal pref here) and the shop owner, with his 06 JTS, was "green" with envy at the 07 upgrades :)
I have a 05 Axis 55CM like new I am thinking of selling. John
I have a Bianchi Axis that I LOVE. I really like everything about the bike.
Is there a big difference between tiagra on the tricross/axis and 105 on the jts?
As I mentioned in my other post I recenlty tried Axis and JTS ( same shop) . First impression from my 5 min rides - shifting is better on JTS, but I liked overall feeling and geometry of Axis much better. But it may be just due to poor FD adjustments on demo bikes.
You really need to test it yourself.
As I mentioned in my other post I recenlty tried Axis and JTS ( same shop) . First impression from my 5 min rides - shifting is better on JTS, but I liked overall feeling and geometry of Axis much better. But it may be just due to poor FD adjustments on demo bikes.
You really need to test it yourself.
thanks. the only bike i've been able to test is the tricross sport. no axis in town and jts had to be ordered.
likely going with the jts unless it really turns me off on the test ride.
I haven't ridden any of the others, but I own an 05 JTS and I like it a lot. With the upgrades this year - especially the CF fork - I think you'll like it, as long as it fits you properly. Let us know what you decide.
Picked up the JTS! Some ramblings.
The 105 shifts noticeably better than the tiagra on the tricross sport I tested (sora f. der. on cross sport). The avid shorty brakes stop harder than the tektro on the cross sport if I'm not imagining things. I seem to have some pedal tire overlap which I've never experienced or even knew existed before, guess I'll just have to watch it. It's going to be tricky putting a light/cyclometer on this bar, not much real estate. I'm worrying that the geometry of the tricross felt better :(
I have a computer on one side and room for a light on the other on my JTS. I have noticed some overlap with my feet and the front wheel, but only at very low speeds and very tight turns.
The 105 does shift very well. What do you dislike about the geometry, aside from the overlap?
Lack of real estate and cheesy levers led me to get the shop to strip off the inline brakes, all better now. Overlap with knobblies feels...interesting :D
My 03 Axis does not have this overlap issue, but my fixie does. Just be careful until you get used to this, and all will be cool. Also, if you get a chance, take your jts right back in and make sure they get the fit set up for you. There are lots of little things you can do to adjust cockpit size, like stems and bars. Also, don't forget about crank arm length. Don't worry, you'll probably end up having a blast on your jts. :)
...What do you dislike about the geometry, aside from the overlap?
The specs I could pull are similar between the 52cm JTS and 54cm Tricross.
52cm JTS : 54cm Cross
Head angle 71.8 : 71.5
Seat angle 73.8 : 73.5
Top tube 540 : 545
Chainstay 435 :440
Headtube 115 : 140
BB 283 :280
Standover 775 : 787
... I'm inexperienced so it's hard to say but I thought the Tricross felt more relaxed. Maybe the JTS's 0.3 degree steeper head and seat angles are noticeable? I'm wondering about the headtube length too because the handlebars feel lower on the JTS. I suppose JTS is more race-specific whereas I'm a casual rider :o
I appreciate all the advice as well, thanks.
One change I'd like to make on my JTS is to get a stem that rises a bit higher, and some On-one Midge handlebars. That's about it.
Candybottom, I will say that the TriX's geometry is very relaxed. Almost absurdly stable, but will react fast enough when you need it to. The JTS looks more race-oriented. I can't say because I haven't ridden one. If you're an experienced rider, don't worry about it and enjoy your new bike! 10-speed? I'm totally jealous...
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