Cyclocross - Kona JTS vs Specialized Crux

I am looking for a new race frame to replace my Motobecane that served me very well last season. It is however, a bit flexy for my taste. I ride a big frame (64cm) IN THE MOTO, but, i would like to go a size or so smaller, geometry is similar between these frames... i am more wondering about the quality. I don't want to end up with another flexy frame. Any thoughts on the JTS vs the Crux? the JTS would be a bit more economical of a build up (frameset on ebay for 479 shipped), but the CRUX elite is available at my LBS for about 1350 complete

I just completed a JTS build and have been riding a Major Jake for years. I don't have enough time on the frame (less than 120 miles) to be able to judge it completely (especially in the larger sizes (I ride a 54)). That said, I took it out for 100 miles on Saturday and it was not in any noticeable way any less rigid than my major jake.

I'm a big Kona Jake fan. The 2011 JtS is redesigned and they claim it's stiffer than previous models, which were already very good. Take note of the BB30 bottom bracket if you're planning a part swap.

I can't remember when they started showing up this season (most of the deliveries might not have been until after your surgery), but I know in the last few cross races in our are there were a LOT of Cruxes, including at least one A-class win. I've heard great things about them, but Kona JTSes are also pretty popular around here. It's not like either of these are bad bikes. I have a Tricross, and while I wouldn't call it flexy (of course, I'm shorter and slower than you), it's definitely not as stiff as my road bike, and I have heard the Crux improves on that, and weight as well.

Personally, knowing the LBS in our region that carries these, I'd favor that, because I'm a big fan of them. And if you want to be economical and reuse parts from your Moto, you could always get a Crux frameset instead.

But I'm sure either solution would work great.

(Not that one of the fastest guys in town winning on it should really be a selling point, as I seemed to imply, he won before he had it too, and there are plenty of mid-pack Cruxes. I'd also wager that the material properties of the frames are quite similar.)

I have a Crux and it seems to me that it is stiffer than my previous cx bike (a crappy nashbar one) and my road bike (trek 1.2). I have only probably 50 miles of true cyclocross riding on it so far, but probably in the 300-400 mile range of single track riding and it's holding up pretty good. I really love how the cables are routed as well.