Jake Upgrades?

[bac]

I'm going to buy a cross bike for winter road riding, and to do a few races per year. I can get a great deal on a 2004 Jake the Snake. In fact, I can get such a great deal that I'm going to have some change left for upgrades. If you were going to buy a 2004 Jake the Snake, what would you upgrade, and why??

Wheelset? Tires? Fork? Crank? Anything?

ThanX!!

FYI, here's a link:

2004 Kona Jake the Snake (http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_jake_the_snake.cfm)

[shinomaster]

just the wheels and the brakes. looks sweet!

[velocipedio]

carbon fork. the wheels are ma3s -- othing super-special, but not too bad.

[bac]

just the wheels and the brakes. looks sweet!

ThanX for the reply! What would you suggest regarding wheels and brakes?

[bac]

carbon fork. the wheels are ma3s -- othing super-special, but not too bad.

Hmmmm ... carbon fork, eh? Any thoughts on a model/brand? Also, I see that you are riding a Kona Major Jake. Any thoughts on this frame vs. the Jake the Snake frame??

ThanX Velocipedio!

[shinomaster]

I do agree with velocipedo that everything is fine as is. Try racing it and see what works well and what does not. If the brakes work great then keep them . Botique brakes are so expensive and so are carbon forks and fancy wheels. You would probaably have to spend $500 to get much better wheels, $300 for a carbon fork, and $100 for some trick brakes. If you have the cash and want to, go whole hog!

[velocipedio]

my major jake is a 2001, which is exactly the same frame as the 2003 snake. good frame...

as for carbon forks... the reason i suggest its is that the project 2 fork is big and heavy and harsh. a relatively inexpensive fork like the winwood [@ $175] will drop almost 400 g and make for a somewhat smoother ride.

truth is, though, that the jake is a very well specced bike for the price.

[shinomaster]

In Portland there is a Kona sponsored cross racer and he is among the best in the area. He finished close behind Vervecken (8th) in the Stumptown cross race last month...I was just checking out his bike and it's pretty basic. Kona frame , woundup fork, avid brakes, ultegra parts, and some normal bars and an Easton seat post. Pretty normal wheels too. All this means is that he kicks ass because of the rider he is, not because of fancy Paul brakes or Zipp wheels or carbon bars, or Dura ace parts, or carbon cranks.
Just ride it....and win some races

[Limba]

It's pretty nice as is.If you have the money I'd get a nice carbon fork and better wheels/tires/tubes.I'd change the pedals to Egg Beaters too.