cyclocross commuter advice
 

Hey I've been researching for some time now and need some input. I live in nyc and will lock up the bike during the day in my office parking lot under video surveilence. At night I will lock it up at college by the racks near a security gaurd booth. Ill get the kryptonite nyc chain and ulock. So I narrowed my choices down to a 2010 Kona Jake brand new for 750. 2010 Scott cx comp used for 800 great condition. Or the bike I want os so badly Kona Jake the Snake for 1680 new with free tune ups and other perks. What do you think? Am I taking too big a risk with the jts? My main concern is if someone will steal the carbon fork off of it because there is no way to lock it except through the wheel, but they can just leave the wheel and take the fork. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm a big fan of the Kona Jake, but if the Scott is your size and is in great condition, it sounds like a better value. Unless you're racing, the Snake probably isn't worth the extra money, and even if you are racing I'm not sure it's worth the difference over the Scott.

I'm not sure I'd leave any of these bikes locked up at night, near a security guard booth or not. I wouldn't worry about the fork so much as the entire bike. Locks can be cut.

I love my new 2010 Jake. Having said that, I don't know what I'd do if I had to lock my bike outside in NYC. I might even get a folder if I lived there.

That's a really personal decision. Will you cry if you roll up $1,700 and burn it? Not everybody would and that *could* happen. If somebody wants your stuff they'll take it no matter how thick the lock.

All you can do is weigh your financial position against the likelihood of losing your bike.

Get whichever one will look best covered with duct tape and spray paint. Then cover it with duct tape and spray paint and hope it doesn't get taken.

moto fantom cx 2

I didn't spend a fortune, and I feel like I am getting every penny out of it so far.

New bike ? Shop the dealer, who will back up the sale , service,
after it goes out the door, best. a relationship.
the brand name on the bike is there because of the Importer's contract,
with one of the big manufacturers in Asia, thats where the Investment money went.

If you get a folding bike , instead, you can take it inside with you..
unless you also want to join in actual cyclocross races.

I would argue fit over quality of components if you're just commuting. A bike that fits well won't make your hands/elbows/shoulders hurt as quickly on long rides and will make for a more enjoyable commute. You can always upgrade shifters, derailleurs, brakes etc with the money you saved down the road as things stop working or break.

Racier CX models lack useful features such as threaded eyelets, chainstay bridges, ie things that can collect mud in a race.
For commuting these things are really useful. Even if you don't use a rack and fencers now, at some point you probably will.

It's really up to you. Personally I would get the bike I liked the best if I had the money (granted they all fit). However, the dilemma seems locking it up in NYC.

When I took a night class at Fordham University (Rose Hill Campus) there was a security booth at the gated entrance. The only problem would be sometimes there wasn't a security guard (could have been doing rounds or something).

Also, video surveillance needs to work (sometimes they have dummy cameras or are have them pointed in general areas), needs to be clear (to recognize an individual), and needs to be monitored (so someone can respond if something is happening).

Basically before deciding what to purchase, just double check the locations you plan on parking it. If money is an issue then you may want a beater bike for commuting and look at the less expensive bikes you listed above for other purposes.

p.s. A poster here named Adam dz commutes in NYC, you may want to email him

I plan on using this for century's and biatholon on the top of commuting.

I've done centuries and CX racing on my Jake. Any of these bikes will be up to that.

Sounds like a cyclocross bike would be great for you. Get good locks, locking skewers, seatpost clamp, headset, etc... Fill all the heads of everything with glue and ball bearings. Use a cable as well. Maybe even spray paint it ugly. Then hope for the best.

+1... there's a guy in my area who has a nice Lemond road bike he rides to classes and work and stuff, he covered up the logos with duct tape and put stickers on the seat tube and stuff, grinded the Dura-Ace logos off of his derailleurs, has mismatched, nasty-ass bar tape, and a messed up Brooks saddle. Look up How To U.G.L.Y. Your Bike, from Make Magazine, it's a cool guide on how to make your bike look like ****, while still making it work fine.

Thanks everyone I decided to go with the 2010 Scott cx comp. I'm gonna get some kryptonite nyc locks, security bolts, and I put ball bearings with wax in all the allen slots to make it more difficult for theives.

Cool! Enjoy!

You should be able to find lots of specifics about 'theft-proofing' your bike on here, google, and youtube.

disc braked frames, like RedLine Conquest classic, and Trek Portland,
are a real benefit in wet weather, Avid BB7 road, cable operated.