Cyclocross - Jake vs Tricross Triple?

With spring here, its time to get my own wheels (been borrowing my wife's Dew). I'm of two minds, one is to get a Cyclocross the other is a hybrid. Will be riding on roads and flat, fairly smooth gravel bike trails. I'm edging toward Cyclocross because of the handlebars and they're more what I'm used to (road bike).

Of the Cyclocross bikes, I've narrowed to the Kona Jake or the Specialized Tricross Triple. They seem to be in the same price point (my local dealer has the 2009 Jake the Snake for the same price as the 2010 Jake - $999cdn, but its a 58cm, I'm 56cm) .

Of these which would be the better choice?

As long as your not too much closer to riding a 54 than a 58 you should be able to put on a stem that's 20 mil shorter than the current one and the reach would be exactly the same as a 56. The Kona Jake the Snake is easily the best option of the bikes your looking at, I would definitely ride it first, but if it doesn't feel too big that would be the way to go.

As far as your being torn between cyclocross and hybrid, unless you plan on strictly relaxed trails, cyclocross is the way to go. With a change of tires it becomes a functional road bike, with racks and fenders it becomes a very serviceable touring or commuting bike, and if you like riding it as is, it has the perfect fusion of comfort and performance. A hybrid bike might be a bit more comfortable, but by no means is a cross bike uncomfortable, and I really don't see any other advantage you would have by going with a hybrid.

If you are not doing hills go for the JTS (105 double) with mods mentioned by Capt Jake. Otherwise go with the colour you like best.

The bike shop has had the JTS since at least last Aug, because that's when I first road it. It seemed a bit big at the time. I'm 5"9 (or 10") with a 31" inseam. I was admiring the bike on Saturday and they pretty much told me again it was too big for me...so I'm guessing it likely is or they'd sell it to me.

Suppose I could always try it for a year, then give it to my 6'2", 14 year old son if I can talk him into it.

I would think that a 58 will be too big. I am 6' with a 33.5 inseam and I ride a 58.

I'm 5'9" and ride a 52cm Jake. I can't imagine the 58 would fit you. Eliminating that, the only thing I can see that the TriCross Triple has going for it is the carbon fork. The components on the Jake are better than on the base Tri Cross triple (I believe 2300 components are basically Sora-level). If you can swing it in the budget, the Kona Jake the Snake is a nice upgrade over either, but then again you might like the triple crankset on the base Jake.

The JST is definitely too big, I'm 5' 11'' with a 32" inseam and I ride a 54.

Well, most think JTS in the right sized frame is the way to go of these options. How about that verses the Specialized Tricross Comp?

Seconding (or fifthing, I lost count) the too big comment. We are pretty much the exact same height (5'10") and inseam. I was just testing the 56 and 54 JTS today, and the 54 had a good horizontal fit, but I had no stand-over clearance. I'm going with a 54 anyway. With legs like ours you can either have stand-over or a top-tube length that fits, not both. I went with stand-over on the Angus and regretted it. Look at all the seatpost and stem I'm showing, all so my bike will fit properly when I'm not riding it. :rolleyes:

Just had one of the bike shops that told me back in Sept. that I was 56cm that I'm really 54cm!? They also had the same bike I looked at back then, now discounted - a 2009 Tricross Sport 56cm for $1100cdn cash. I remember it seems large when I road it.