Cyclocross - Kona Jake vs Fuji Cross Pro vs Fantom Cross

I know these three are all fairly different from eachother, but I mostly ride for fitness, and I'd be happy with any fast bike that can handle my commute and some singletrack. So value and price pretty much got me down to these three.

Originally, I had settled on the Jake because it was the best deal I could get from a LBS, and so I decided to embrace it's practicality. Since then, I found a killer deal on the Fuji (150miles away), and I'm tempted to take the leap for that. But when I step back and think about it, the Fantom uses the Fuji frame, and comes with better components than the Jake for less money.

I'm leaning toward the Fuji Pro. But with that, I need a bit of help choosing a size. I hear Fuji Cross bikes (and the Fantoms, too) run a bit small. The more confident I am about knowing whether I'm a 56 or 58, the more comfortable I'll be about driving 150 miles to kick some tires. Hopefully, you guys can help.

'09 Kona Jake - $900 msrp
Can't argue with the reputation. But I'd be paying MSRP from the LBS for the low-end Jake.
Pros: LBS can measure/fit me with confidence, triple crank should be more practical than the others, good starter to build up on.
Cons: The triple is TOO wide. Not nearly as good deal as the Fuji.

'08 Fuji Cross Pro - $1,100 (edit- Guy at PB was wrong. Pro is $1299. Comp is $899)
Called around, found this at a Performance Bike store on Tuesday. Hopefully it's still there this weekend.
Pros: A bike this well equipped for $1,100. That speaks for itself.
Cons: The store is 150 miles away. I'd have to make a day of it, and I would have to decide on the 56 or 58 size once I get there. That is, if there's still even a choice by then.

'09 Motobecane Fantom Cross - $800
A cheap compromise. Slightly better components than the Jake for $100 less.
Pros: $800 no tax. Nicely equipped.
Cons: What size am I? The Jake will be fit to me, and I will atleast see the Fuji in person...But the Fantom will be a totally blind purchase.

Me:
5'11"
34" inseam (barefoot to pelvic bone)
Reach is about 660mm.

Thanks for any/all help

see if you can do a bike fit in your local area. If they do a road fit then you just subtract off 1cm in seat height and reach and you are good to for some cyclocross racing.

that is cheap for the fuji, gotta be 40-50% off MSRP? get the performance membership and you'll get $110 back in free merchandise anyway.

that is cheap for the fuji, gotta be 40-50% off MSRP? get the performance membership and you'll get $110 back in free merchandise anyway.

Yeah, when they told me over the phone I had to make sure he was talking about the Pro. (Fuji Cross Comp is $900...even that would be a better deal than either of the other two).

To the other comment...how would I just walk into a LBS, ask them to fit me for a Fuji road bike, and then just walk right out? Far as I see, they're not eager to give out free fitment service unless they're convinced you want to buy something from them.

Yeah, when they told me over the phone I had to make sure he was talking about the Pro. (Fuji Cross Comp is $900...even that would be a better deal than either of the other two).

To the other comment...how would I just walk into a LBS, ask them to fit me for a Fuji road bike, and then just walk right out? Far as I see, they're not eager to give out free fitment service unless they're convinced you want to buy something from them.


Many bike shops will offer a fitting service for a fee, usually ranging from $50-$100. They'll watch you pedal on a trainer, adjust things, and give you numbers you can transfer to any bike.

I love my Jake, but cannot remember the last time I used the smallest front chainring. Unless you need a triple, get something with a double. Keeping the front shifting clean/smooth has really been the only problem I've had with this bike.

If/when my Sora shifters ever conk out, I am going to a 2x10 drivetrain, but at 8K miles they are still going strong.

The Fuji. _Probably_ in a 56. Then you can swap stem and adjust saddle to fit.

Go on wrenchscience or some other online fit program and follow the directions exactly. Then get the size fuji that matches closest to the top tube of the middle of the range recommended. From there, you wil have room to adjust.

Once thing, the cross pro comes set up for cross racing... which is not a problem except for one minor detail: Chainrings.

It probably has a 36/46 or a 38/48.

For general riding, you'll probably want a 36/50 or 34/50.

Luckily chainrings can be found for $20 ea or less from a number of sources.... so no big deal to change these out later.

Take a big book, back up to a wall, snug the book up like it was a bike seat. Mark the top of the book on the wall. That is your inseam. If your inseam is really 34 then the 58 might work just fine. Google Greg Lemond bike fitting

The Fantom Cross will need to be put together and tuned up.

The Cross Pro is a nice bike. Performance isn't the best spot for good bike fits but a 56 or a 58 and you can make it work. You can shorten or lengthen your stem for reach.

Hopefully this will change your bike choice

cannondale cross xr7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8XR7C.html

Brodie Ronin '08 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2008/2008_bikes/ronin.php
Brodie romax '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/romax.php
brodie ronin '07 - http://www.brodiebikes.com/2007/2007_bikes/ronin.php

lemond poprad disc - http://www.lemondbikes.com/bikes/cross/poprad_disc.php

orbea diem drop disc - http://www.orbea.com/ingles/interior.php?tipo=1&familia=6&gama=13

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php
focus mares disc 2009 -

rei novara element - http://www.rei.com/product/744808

co-motion mazama - http://www.co-motion.com/mazama.html

rocky mountain Solo CXD - http://bikes.com/2008_preview/2008_preview.html

rotwild rs1cx - http://www.rotwild.de/en/ (street bikes section)

fixie inc. pureblood - http://www.cycles-for-heroes.com/2008/download/pureblood.html

maxx roadmaxx custom (you choose the color and parts at the LBS and the factory puts it together, i.e., not a custom frame) - http://www.maxx.de/frmain_bikes.htm (road - roadmaxx custom)

Salsa la Cruz - http://www.salsacycles.com/laCruzComp08.html

Opus Sentiero - http://opusbike.com/site_route.php?lang=en (see 2009 bikes > road > cyclocross)

Genesis Croix de Fer - http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/series/croix_de_fer

The Fantom Cross will need to be put together and tuned up.


My Bikesdirect mountain bike took 27 minutes to get into riding shape, and the deraillers were set perfect. Hell, the tires even had air. Putting one of these together isn't too tough. If you have any mechanical aptitude what so ever you can do it in a hour or maybe 2 if you take the time to down 3 or 4 beers.

The questions about sizing is legit. If you can't figure out what size you are, and they can't help you out, then I understand that is nice to have a shop help you out there. Assembly shouldn't be an issue, though.

focus cross disc - http://www.focusbikesuk.com/focuscyclocrossbikes/cyclocross_bikes_cross_disc.php
focus mares disc 2009 -

i really dig the looks of those Focus frames. unfortunately it seems they're not accessible to the U.S. :(

i really dig the looks of those Focus frames. unfortunately it seems they're not accessible to the U.S. :(

So I've read elsewhere. It's a German company, I think, so you may have better luck trying an EU reseller rather an UK one.

Also, I tidied up the original link list (see thread below) as some of the bikes are either sold out or not made any more.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=368115

Take a big book, back up to a wall, snug the book up like it was a bike seat. Mark the top of the book on the wall. That is your inseam. If your inseam is really 34 then the 58 might work just fine. Google Greg Lemond bike fitting

The Fantom Cross will need to be put together and tuned up.

The Cross Pro is a nice bike. Performance isn't the best spot for good bike fits but a 56 or a 58 and you can make it work. You can shorten or lengthen your stem for reach.

Ditto,

I'm 6' with a 34 inseam (crotch to the floor distance, measured barefoot) and I was professionally fitted to a 60cm size Soma.

Michael

I have a 33.4" pbh and ride a 60cm c-t-c traditional road frame and I figure a true 58 number with similar top tube length would be right for me. I think 56 is going to be too small for you since you're even taller than I am.

Having said that, I'd be careful about what "58" or "56" or "60" even means. Some companies measure to the top of the tube, some to the middle, some have sloping top tubes so the seat tube number is totally different, etc. We have to really look at the geometry diagrams of the various companies to see how they measure. (fyi, the fuji and moto are the same frame, right? why not just go stand over one and see what you think. if the frame is vaguely correct - enough standover clearance but not terribly too much - the rest can be dialed in by seat post and stem adjustments after you buy a bike, right?)

Well, looks like the Pro is actually $1299.
I was already pushing it with $1100; $1299 is just out my reach.

The Fuji Comp is the same price as the Jake, though, so I'm still tempted to make the trip for the Fuji Comp: 105/Ultegra, carbon fork, compact crank, shorter gearing...

If I try to make a case for the Jake, this will be my everything bike. And although I want something relatively fast that I can train on and get a great workout, I should also consider my commute through some hilly towns. And I'm the type to learn as much as I can and eventually start customizing my toys. So if I get serious about CX in a year or two, a Jake could turn into a semi-Jake The Snake relatively easily, right?

The Fuji would still be a better value, but I won't be getting local support, and would be going through a hassle to get it. Still, it seems sportier right out of the box, so I'll be able to enjoy my long weekend rides that much more.

I think I'll just use the K.I.S.S. rule and get the Jake at the LBS. For my intended uses and my experience level, I probably wouldn't really notice the difference between the Tiagra and 105 stuff. And if/when I do, I can eventually upgrade. Also, it might help to have a relationship with a local shop who vows to make the bike fit perfectly before selling it to me. I'd like to FEEL like I'm getting a good deal, but that's no excuse to upsell myself on stuff I don't need.

not sure if this helps, but Im 5'11 and for my cross/commuter I ride a 56 JTS. TT is 56.5 and with a 100mm 10 degree stem it fits great.

My road bike has the same TT, but I run it with a 120mm 0 degree and it feels great too. THought I could size up and be ok with a 110 and 5 degrees

if it matters: the Jake will have a much better/faster resale if/wehn you decide to dump it.

if it matters: the Jake will have a much better/faster resale if/wehn you decide to dump it.

Really? I've heard they have pretty bad resale. Or do you mean it would hold value better than the Fuji?

Hopefully, I wouldn't be selling it quickly. The whole point of my next bike will be to fit well and last a long time. My current bike was what got me really into the sport, but with more experience I came to see it's too small. That's why I'm hung up on fitment this time around.

To the other comment...how would I just walk into a LBS, ask them to fit me for a Fuji road bike, and then just walk right out? Far as I see, they're not eager to give out free fitment service unless they're convinced you want to buy something from them.

Good bike shops do fits that they charge for, some bike shops will deduct your fit from a bike you purchase from them. Good fits run usually run around $100 but it is money well spent

I always think the Jake frame is a better brand name to people looking for a "good" cyclocross starter frameset. Not saying the other frames are not good, just that the Kona name comes with a bit more of a "hardcare" image than fuji.

Generally the $400 frame comes with headset, carbon fork, and seat clamp. So when you go to sell it for $300 - especially at the beginning of cx season - Im pretty sure you could get it.

I can't get a jake until 2/2009.....whats up with this????

I can't get a jake until 2/2009.....whats up with this????


When I visited the LBS last wednesday, the shop called Kona and the word was early November for the regular Jake. I believe she said they still had some Jake the Snake bikes available.

Feb '09, really?

I got a 2008.5 Jake in September (2009 frame and brakes, 2008 parts). It is surprising that you can't get one.

I heard that the availability issues were only with the Majors.

If you want to do single cros, getthe one that has a compact crank.