Thinking of trying to swap Major Jake frame for a Poprad...Am I Nuts?
 

I have a 2005 Major Jake frame that I am not crazy about. Thinking of trying to swap for a lemond poprad (that 2008 Poprad really turns my crank). I do not currently race cyclocross and am just more interested in an efficient do-anything bike. But the Major Jake is supposed to be so great. Am I nuts?

If you don't like the MJ, what makes you think you will like the Poprad? (I ask as a Poprad owner.)

What specifically don't you like about your MJ? Geometry? Fit? Aesthetics? Ride? Answering those questions might help you answer your Poprad question.

(I admit the new white/crimson Poprad turns my crank too.)

Excellent question. I base this on three things (only two of which make rational sense)

1: (does not make sense, but does affect how much I ride it): I do not care for the looks of the Major Jake, but the Poprad....Oh man, I find them beautiful in everthing from the colors to the thin stays to the retro decals...

2: The Poprad has a slightly lower bottom bracket and is reputed to ride more like a road bike with better clearance. Given that I do not race, this is more appealing to me as my optimal use of the bike would be a 100 mile on road/off road ride. More of an adventure cycling bike and a commuting bike.

3: Although I will not ride the Poprad until tomorrow, I have owned a Lemond Zurich that I fell in love with the moment I swung a leg over it. It was compliant, lively, beautiful, and quick. I am hoping that the Poprad feels the same tomorrow when I test ride it.

4: Thought of one more: The lemonds seem to have longer top tubes relative to to seat tubes, so I am hoping I can go to a 52 instead of my current 54 in the MJ. This way my top tube won't be touching my junk like it currently does.

The geometry on those two bikes is quite different. Get thee to a tape measure.

What I like about the MJ:
1. Offroad performance is excellent
2. Climbs like a billy goat
3. Really lightweight
4. Fit is somewhat tall but nothing I can't handle and I love the top tube length.

What I do not like about the MJ
1: On road performance (even with 23mm slicks) has felt sluggish from day one
2: The aesthetics do not appeal to me
3. The geometry feels...wierd....less performance oriented than my TCR 0 road frame(it is my first and only cross bike so that may just be the way they are).

1. Correct. Poprad > MJ aesthetically.
2. The Poprad feels fairly nimble on the road and handles turns very well. Stable when banking and compliant over the rough stuff.
3. Hope the test ride goes well. I am a huge fan of the ride on the Poprad. Very refined feelings versus the mega-stiff bikes currently available.

The Jake is a better race bike (the US champ races on one...nuf said), the Poprad is a better do all bike. A guy on my team has both; he uses the Jake for racing and the Poprad(disc) for a do all bike.

Nice to know. How would you compare the acceleration/speediness of the poprad's onroad performance relative to a road bike? I am looking for faster on-road feel.

And your pretty sure that he rides the Poprad as his do all bike because he thinks it is better for that and not just because he would not ride his race bike for that?
Thanks

I have a Caad 8 Cannondale and a Bianchi Pista track bike. Both feel way more nimble and faster off the line. Both are way stiffer. I knew that when I test rode. The Poprad is is a better bike for comfort and fits me better over all. It shines when the going gets rough.

Hard to isolate the effects of the tires vs frame construction, but the Poprad is fine for the road - just a little sloppy handling. Even the the Switchblade fork (on the disc version) is badass looking, the canti brake fork is much stiffer when I test rode both. I got the disc version because I wanted an all around bike.

Thanks guys. I will update after the test ride.

I'm sure that the Major JTS is a purebread race bike and the Poprad isn't.

Agreed, and I think it is that all-rounder characteristic that I am seeking.
THanks

sawtooth-- you ain't nuts. The Poprad is a nice steel bike. True temper OX Platinum... can't beat that!

I'm getting the white canti poprad, hope I don't regret it. I'm gonna do unholy commuter things to it like racks, fenders, glow-tape, etc. I'm guessing it'll last me a good 15-25+ years if I take good care of it.

Why cantis for the commuter?

Uh, I like the white better than the red. I know it's not a good criteria, but it doesn't rain much here anyway.

The canti model is solid. 1.5 lbs lighter than my disc version too.

sorry for hijack, but what about the Major Jake vs the Felt FX1, primarily for racing, and secondary for commuting? I'm considering a frame upgrade from a generic aluminum cx frame with carbon fork (chucks bike). Just talking frame, I would transfer all my components. Looking for lighter weight.

I'd take the Jake. Maybe Sawtooth will sell you his.