yac

New to biking and been creeping this forum. Lots of awesome information!

I have been eyeing the Kona Jake. I was told by the LBS that it would be announced this week. Lo and behold, pictures were posted by Kona yesterday.

The differences that they state are

• Of course the Tekro Lyra disc brakes with 140mm rotors (Replacing tektro oryx cantis)
• Different rear triangle (more horizontal from my understanding)

The differences I noticed are

• Alex Black dragon wheels (replacing Alex AT-450, I'm assuming due to the disc brakes)
• Freedom Ryder tires (replacing Maxxis Mud Wrestlers)
• Tiagra rear derailleur (replacing the 105)

Thoughts? Assuming the stay at the $1150 CAD price point, is the new bike the better buy? Or should I look for the older version and ask for a discount?

Thanks in advance!

Andy_K 

Let me start by saying that you have just made my day! I put a disc fork on my 2008 Jake a couple of years ago, but I've been telling myself that I would get a new one as soon as Kona offered a Jake with disc brakes. Sweet!

That said, the answer to your question depends on whether or not you want disc brakes. The rear derailleur swap is obviously a downgrade, probably done to keep costs at near the same price point. The wheel change is probably just a difference of rim vs. disc brakes and hubs. The tires, I suppose, are an acknowledgement of what's always been obvious...that the base Jake is targeted more as an all-around bike than a CX racer (though it's definitely up to the task of racing).

The new frame looks and sound nice. The internal shift cable routing is particularly cool.

I've heard bad things about the Lyra brakes. I'd swap them out for Avid BB7's as soon as possible.

I wouldn't expect that you'd get a great discount on the 2012 model for a few months, but it's worth asking about. The 2012 model is probably a bit lighter, as disc brakes and the associated bits add weight -- maybe a pound or so.

waynesworld

Cool! I like these color schemes much better. The Jake and JTS look particularly cool in those pics.

AMFJ

the Jake 1 (the one in the link after the Jake the Snake--I may be getting the name wrong)--does anyone know what the price point is generally around for it?

scruggle

That Tiagra derailleur is going to shift just as well as the 105 on last year's model; I wouldn't make a choice based on it. Some will say the 105 will last longer but by the time either of them conk out you'll have replaced half the stuff on a bike.

69isfine

Discs are where bikes are heading so at least you would be with the curve. I have been looking at the jake line as well and then saw that a ***** inc has disc already. Same price as the snake so I was thinking that a 2012 might come down to tha same level as the base jake soon.

Andy_K 

I would expect it to be under $1200. Historically the base level Jake has been around $1000, but it's creeping up. The 2013 Kona Rove (chromoly monster cross/gravel grinder with Hayes CX-5 discs and Apex) is going to sell for $1699.

yac

Thanks everyone for their input!

Andy I belive you are dead on the money... spoke with a store and they said $1199 and a few week till they would be available, distributors already have them but I would assume that they have to wait the 16 days (per Kona's weeksite) before they can sell

AMFJ

Why does the base level "Jake" come with disk brakes but the Jake the Snake doesn't?

I'm looking at buying a cross bike for cycloscross racing this season and pretty much have narrowed it down to a Kona model, Cannondale Caad10x (when it comes out) or something from Ridley.

I'm also trying to figure out if I want to wait for 2013's or go ahead and buy one now and get to training. Trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can.

Andy_K 

Kona seems to be testing the waters before diving in. I'm a bit surprised that it went this way too, but I think it makes sense. Disc brakes are a sure winner on an all-around utility commuter bike, but you could argue that the jury is still out as to whether or not they make sense for racing. Ridley seems to have been ready to place a slightly larger bet, offering discs on their X-Fire and their entry level X-Ride, but their top-of-the-line X-Night still has cantilevers and the X-Fire is available with cantilevers.

FWIW, I think you can get any Kona model as a frameset from a Kona dealer. If you get a Jake frameset, upgrade the fork and provide your own 105 components you could approximate a Jake the Snake with disc brakes.


At this point, you can work on fitness with any bike. If you see something you want in a 2013 model I think it's worth waiting for.

Breathegood

If I get to be one of the jurors, I say disc brakes on a race bike are too much. I was secretly wishing for discs before I built my bike up. Granted, this summer is my first experience with a cross bike and I live and ride in pretty DRY area, but after having put some miles on the new bike, good canti's have all the stopping prowess I would ever need. Load the bike up with a rack and various commuter gear, and I might be inclined to change my mind, but then it wouldn't be a "race" bike.

IFLUX23

This is a good point. I wanted a CX bike that's good for racing/touring/commuting with disc brakes. However, since I was going to go for touring this summer and I didn't want to wait another year (because I'll be 4th grade college and I won't have time) I bought Kona Jake 2012. Came with Tektro Oryx cantilever brake. I set it up nicely and it stops adequately, I changed the pads to kool stop and it stops well enough that I thought I was about fall over when I pressed the brake while running fast because a car was intercepting ignoring the signals. When I press the rear brake, it sometimes drags. So I say Cantilever is good enough.

That being said, if it's loaded with pannier bags and etc, then that might be a different story. I might want a disc brake, but honestly cantilever brakes does the job, considering that I am expressing my opinion using the cheap Tektro Oryx. By the way, I added cross levers on my bike.

69isfine

I just saw the 2013 jake today. As noted by others, the 105 has been replaced with tiagra for the rear derailuer. Color is a bland gray. perhaps to make less flashy for thieves. The discs are far from premium. Bike also weighs a bit more. Price was 1199. The 2012 is going down to $1050 so I am thinking that it is wash for value.

waynesworld

I like the gray, at least in pics. Can't wait to see one in person. My 2010 Jake is battleship gray, and I love it. Of course, I was a squid for 6 years

I did not like the paint scheme the past two years. Not the colors really, but the scheme. In the store I thought maybe they weren't too bad. Then I saw one on the street, and it looked hideous.

yac

Went to the bike store today and got told the 2012 are $1050+tax as well.. I think that will be my number one option right now

Big Lebowski

This places it well below the 2013 Specialized Tricross Elite Disc Compact @ $1,550. The Specialized has the Avid BB5 disc brakes, but I have no idea how much difference that makes. I'm just looking for a solid commuter that can handle streets and MUP's. I think that either of these would do the job.

bols2000

Seems like the 2013 Kona Jake is more expensive than expected. Price tag in euros is 1299 which is 1500-1600 in dollars... so the same price as the 2013 Tricross. I was hoping for a cheaper Kona Jake.

Big Lebowski

Hmmmm. The "Jake" is listed at $1,149 USD. Maybe you are referring to the 2013 "Jake The Snake"? That one is listed at $1,649 USD. From what I have seen, the comparable 2013 Tricross (disc brakes, Tiagra everything) is at $1,550 USD, so I think the Jake is a good price.

waynesworld

This seems to be the most likely scenario. If the Jake is that expensive, something is wrong.

bols2000

Here is what their website shows me (in Belgium) :


USD/EUR conversion seems biased.
1149 U.S. dollars should be 935 Euros

DM27

Just ordered the 2012...I'm 6-4 and the Jake comes with a 63cm frame...my guys at the bike shop thought the standard brakes were plenty good and the discs add a little weight. I got it for $900 since it was last years model. Won't arrive for a week, I'm pretty excited to see it.

Kona had 16 left after mine in stock in the 63cm. Seems like a pretty good deal if you are ok without the disc brakes.

idc

I just ordered the 2013 Jake, but asked my LBS to upgrade the brakes to BB7s w/ 160mm rotors, the crankset to a Shimano CX-70 46/36, and the shifters to 105. Still costs less than a Jake the Snake, although I like the orange color so much more It'll be ready in time for my first CX race...