Cyclocross - Is JTS the only one?

I'm looking for a cross bike to do some short commutes, weekend road rides, and some light offroading.

I've got a budget of $1400.

Criteria I'm looking for are:
Double Crankset
105 or better components (Campy equivalent is OK too)
Carbon Fork
Fairly light

I've looked around, and since they upgraded the fork on the JTS, this is the only model I've found that meets my goals.

I wouldn't be against building from a decent frame, but the prices I've seen for bare frames don't give a lot of leeway for components.

So, anyone know of a bike or build that would meet my goals?

Fuji Cross Comp MSRP $1200. It seems to meet all your criteria except the front derailleur is Microshift Compact (whatever that is). RD is 105, fork is carbon, double crank - I have no idea about weight. Go to www.fujibikes.com if interested.

FWIW I have an 05 JTS, which has a steel fork, and I really like it. The 07 should be even better, except it isn't bright blue :)

Green is the new blue :)

Kinda hard to argue with the 07 JTS spec. And I'm a Tricross owner! If you really want to pinch pennies, look into the Fuji as suggested by waynesworld (Party Time!)...

Jamis Nova,

105, compact double, carbon fork, light-ish (spec'd at 22.25 lbs), eyelets [edit: forgot to mention: steel Reynolds 631]. $1300. You'll probably want a road wheelset/tires though.

and a b!tching new color:

http://jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/nova.html

I have the '06--about to embark on her maiden cross race this wkend.

If you are willing to look at slightly used bikes (ebay, craigslist), I recommend the Salsa Las Cruces. Speedgoat has a complete, new one for $1799, but they can be had for less. A few months ago, I bought the SLC with everything (105 throughout, EC90 seatpost and bars) except a wheelset for $650 (incredible deal on ebay at 4am). I then added a set of mavic speedcities, since the bike had disc brakes mounted.

I have a Bianchi Axis (look for 2006 leftovers on ebay for about $1000), a redline conquest pro (wife’s), and a redline conquest disc (sold); none of them compare to the ride of my SLC.


JAH

Green is the new blue :)

I do like the green too, just not as well as the blue :)

You definitely got a bettter component package, though. I'd love to have that fork on mine, and it is a tremendous value.

Jamis Nova,

105, compact double, carbon fork, light-ish (spec'd at 22.25 lbs), eyelets [edit: forgot to mention: steel Reynolds 631]. $1300. You'll probably want a road wheelset/tires though.

and a b!tching new color:

http://jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/nova.html

I have the '06--about to embark on her maiden cross race this wkend.

Huh -- is that carbon fork new for '07? I just bought the '06 about a month ago (dunno, the new orange *is* nice, but the old green has kind of grown on me), and I was pretty sure it was all steel. (Feel like a doofus that I don't know for sure!!)

I really wanted a JTS, but alas, they don't make 'em to fit someone as small as I am. But I'm really enjoying the Jamis so far!

I noticed that the JTS was oddly oversized. The dealer in town had a demo in 54cm, but it was huge, I usually ride 52 and I had to lower the seat almost all the way to the top tube. If I get one it will be a 49cm.

I'll see if the Nova is in stock at the local dealer. I go there all the time (closest LBS) and I've never seen a Jamis in there.

Huh -- is that carbon fork new for '07? I just bought the '06 about a month ago (dunno, the new orange *is* nice, but the old green has kind of grown on me), and I was pretty sure it was all steel. (Feel like a doofus that I don't know for sure!!)

I really wanted a JTS, but alas, they don't make 'em to fit someone as small as I am. But I'm really enjoying the Jamis so far!

I'm 100% sure that the '06 model is also carbon fork. That's what's on the Jamis spec sheet, and that's what I have at home. However, it's an understated carbon (all green), which I like. Maybe you got a special steel-fork model or a frame-only build? Jamis does mix and match sometimes, like making the nova in 853, or in a 9-speed version.

I like the new color, but I like my green machine pretty well as is--it's just a tad simpler. Looks like Jamis got away from the Truvativ crankset, which was causing them grief. I'd be interested in seeing if any problems crop up with the new FSA set-up which, at 50/34 is even more extreme of a jump than the '06 50/36.

brian--I think it's normal for folks to get a size smaller in cyclocross bikes than their regular road size.

I know about the raised BB and all that, but I rode a 52cm Bianchi and a Tricross and they were great. The 54cm JTS was sized more like a 56. Even the mechanic mentioned it was oddly sized (they'd ordered it for an employee, but it ended up being too big).

I'm 100% sure that the '06 model is also carbon fork. That's what's on the Jamis spec sheet, and that's what I have at home. However, it's an understated carbon (all green), which I like. Maybe you got a special steel-fork model or a frame-only build?

Nope, you're right, mine is the normal stock bike, and has the carbon fork. My doofus-ness is hereby confirmed. *sigh*

I noticed that the JTS was oddly oversized. The dealer in town had a demo in 54cm, but it was huge, I usually ride 52 and I had to lower the seat almost all the way to the top tube. If I get one it will be a 49cm.

I'll see if the Nova is in stock at the local dealer. I go there all the time (closest LBS) and I've never seen a Jamis in there.

A true cyclocross bike fits differently than what most mfg's pass as cross bikes. The BB is much higher for ground clearance. That means the seat tube is shortend to give it the same standover height. So the 54 you tried out might be the equivalent of a 56 or 57cm road bike. Use the top tube measurement for fit not the seat tube. Good luck

Tim

Take a look at the Ibex Xray Race. (http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/X-RAY-RCE-Details.html)

I love mine and use it for everything you plan to (although I wouldn't call my commute short). Meets your specs too. Also comes in well under your budget, so you can have $400 extra bucks to blow on other bike gear.

Only drawback is it looks like they're sold out until Feb of 07

Well Brian, what did you decide?

I'm waiting for the 07 models to come in at a couple of shops in town (the Specialized and Jamis dealers). I liked the Ibex though, but I'd like to ride some more bikes in person before I think about buying a bike without riding it.

Focus are a new bike company from germany and they will be releasing their bikes in 07.
they make a lot of different cross bikes.

http://www.focus-bikes.com/englisch_neu/bikes_neu/bikes_lang_3.asp?modell=mares%20cross&kategorie=road

http://www.focus-bikes.com/englisch_neu/bikes_neu/bikes_lang.asp?modell=black%20falls&kategorie=cross

here are a couple of their bikes and they should be quite cheaply priced.