kokomo61

I'm going to start looking to replace my commuter (the Kona JTS) that got mangled in a car accident. Obviously an '08 JTS is on the list, but I'm not a big fan of the new color. If I could find an '07, that would be ideal.

Other candidates are:

'07 Jamis SuperNova
'07 Fuji Cross Pro (I've seen a couple around, and the prices are competitive).
'07 or '08 Fuji Cross Comp


I could consider the BikesDirect equivalents (Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro, Fantom Cross), but I'd rather buy local if I can.

Jamis unfortunately killed off the SuperNova in favor of putting carbon stays on their cross bikes, and the Aurora is a triple, which I don't want. The Redline Conquest has Tiagra, and I don't know if the Pro has fender/rack mounts.

Cross Check has bar ends - I'd rather have STI.

The requirements are:


Cross bike - The touring frames generally have triples, and I don't need one. Road frames don't have the fender clearance for 28mm tires.
Drop handlebars - I don't want a
Bosses for front and rear fenders - don't want to do clip-ons
105 or better shifters and drive train. I don't want Tiagra or Sora on the bike.
$1500 or less MSRP - I could go higher, but the Kona fits all those reqs, I don't like the blue color - but since a comparably equipped Trek or Specialized is $700 more, I could paint the frame any color I wanted to.

Steel or aluminum is OK - but from what I've seen, the bikes in that price range are either Tiagra-based,

Anything else I should consider?

shubonker

This seems to fit the bill https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3040

ok_commuter

Look at the Salsa La Cruz. It meets your description perfectly. I think they're more like 1650 MSRP but the 09 will be out soon enough and you might find a deal on an 08.

kokomo61

Went out shopping today, and found some interesting things -PBS has their Fujis on sale and has lots of them. Hudson Trail Outfitters will beat their price, too. Also found a couple Jamis (steel / carbon frames...)

2007 Kona JTS (105) $1299 (If I can find one, or more if I buy an '08 and swap frames)



2008 Kona JTS (105) $1299



2008 Fuji Cross Comp (105/Ultegra) $899



2008 Fuji Cross Pro (Ultegra/Dura Ace) $1199 (at that price, it's only $150 more than the BD Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro)...with the PBS membership, I'd pull $120 in accessories, so the prices are almost the same.



2007 Jamis Nova (if I can find one (105 drive train) $1299, but $850 on a eBay Buy it Now) It's a bit different - Steel frame, carbon fork. The others are all aluminum, with carbon fork. The late great JTS was aluminum with a steel fork.



Yeah, I've looked at the Cross Check, but the Complete is Tiagra (which I don't want), and I don't want bar ends, either. I have STI on 3 bikes, and would like to stick with what I know. From what I can figure out, turning a CC into an STI bike will put it above the price of a Rocky Mountain or Felt CX bike.....which already have those features.

dynaryder

Since you asked...

I'd go to one of the Revolution Cycles locations and see if they have a leftover Trek Portland in your size. They had them down to like $1400. It's a triple,but it'll do everything you want,in all weather. They ride awsome,will take wider tires/racks/fenders,and have disc brakes. Couple owners on here rave about them and even use them for light cross work. Just my $.02.

kokomo61

Interesting - I hadn't thought about the Portland - do those fenders work well enough? I've never used disc brakes - are they as easy to adjust as cantilevers? I might also miss the cross levers, but those can be added easily enough.

I won't be racing, so that part is OK - weight seems a bit heavier than the other bikes though.

dynaryder

The fenders are worthless;sell them to a hipster and put on some proper PB's or SKS's. The fork has brazeons on the inner legs,and the rear caliper is inside the stay V,so normal fenders will go striaght on(as will a rear rack).

Discs are much easier to adjust than cantis,Avid BB7's are way easier. Once your cables bed in,all you do is spin two knobs on the ends of the caliper. No toe-in,no up-and-down or front-and-back adjustments,plus no rim wear,no opening/closing your brakes(or forgetting to) to pull a wheel,and much longer pad life.

Should've pulled the cross levers off my Redline before I sold it,but was too lazy. Will get around to putting them on the Portland.

My 56cm Portland weighs 22lbs 14oz stock. That's not heavy.