MacAttack

I called a couple stores, and I'm going to try these 2 bikes out this weekend, but I was wondering why the Giant TCX 2 costs $70 more than the Kona Jake.

From what I've read the components seem to be better on the Jake, but since I don't know much is there something about the Giant that justifies a higher price?

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/....2/3889/36630/

https://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=jake

KONA JAKE
Frame sizes 47cm, 49cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 60cm, 62cm
Frame tubing Kona Race Light 7005 Aluminum Butted
Rear Shock N/A
Fork Kona P2 700C
Headset TH
Crankarms FSA Omega (47-49=165, 52=170, 54-56=172.5, 58-62=175mm)
Chainrings 50/39/30
B/B FSA MegaExo
Pedals Wellgo LU-A9
Chain KMC HG53
Freewheel Shimano HG50 (12-25, 9spd)
F/D Shimano Tiagra
R/D Shimano Tiagra
Shifters Shimano Tiagra
Handlebar Kona Road (31.8mm, 47-49=400, 52-54=420, 56-62=440mm Wide)
Stem Kona Road (6°± , 47-52=90, 54-56=100, 58-62=115mm)
Grips Kona Cork Tape
Brakes Kore Sport
Brake Levers Shimano Tiagra
Front hub Formula
Rear hub Shimano Tiagra
Spokes Sandvik Stainless 15g
Tires Continental SpeedKing Cross 700x35C
Rims Alex AT-450
Saddle WTB Rocket V Comp
Seatpost Kona Road
Seat clamp Kona Clamp
Color Grey

GIANT TCX 2
size S,M,M/L,L,XL
color White/Black/Team Blue
frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum
fork Alloy, OverDrive Steerer
handlebar Giant Connect, 31.8
stem Giant Connect
seatpost Giant Connect, 30.9
saddle Giant Performance Road, Men's
pedals Not Included
shifters Shimano Sora
front derailleur Shimano Sora
rear derailleur Shimano Tiagra
brakes Tektro CR-720, cyclocross specific
brake levers Shimano Sora
cassette SRAM PG 950 11x26, 9-speed
chain Shimano HG-73
cranks FSA Tempo Compact, 34/50
bb FSA Cartridge
rims Giant CR41
hubs [F] Formula Cartridge Bearing, [R] Shimano R2200, 32h
spokes 14g Stainless
tires Kenda Small Block Eight, 700x35 Folding 120TPI
extras Top Bar Tektro RL721 cyclocross specific brake lever

deyendznyr

The frame is much lighter and better on the Giant TCX, and the fork on TCX is aluminum while the fork on the Kona is steel. Either one will work fine. I'd ride them both first as they have different geometries and will handle quite differently.

Fastdrive

I recently went through this but with the TCX 1 and Jake Snake. I chose the TCX 1 as to me it just handled better and was a much better fit. You can't really tell unless you ride both as see which fits your style better.

Love my TCX1.

scary_perry

I got a 2010 TCX 1 to replace my 2009 TCX 2. I sold the 2009 for only a tiny bit less than I paid, and it was quite well used.

The reason was that to upgrade the TCX 2 to the same level as the TCX 1 would cost a lot more than the delta between the price for which I sold my TCX 2 and the cost of a new TCX 1.

Riding SRAM Rival has been a real eye opener. And my TCX 1 is 3 lbs ligher than my TCX 2 was.

UBUvelo

the Kona is nice, but Giant is really continually blazing the trail with regards to design, package, etc. the payoff is in the actual performance. you won't be disappointed. and heck, scary above just made it even better with the upgrade. 3 pounds!? nice