oboeguy

My little one is going to school next year and neither the carbon road bike nor the folding bike are suitable for a kid seat. I'll have 8-9 more miles in NYC to go after dropping him off and no place to stick the kiddie trailer so I'm thinking rear seat until he's old enough for a trail-a-bike. I've coveted a CX bike as a commuter for a while after three warranty frame replacements on my folder. Let's face it, it's not cut-out for my big body and rough urban commute.

Any suggestions? I test rode a Jamis model that fit nicely but it lacks a triple crank which I'd like for when I do take the kid trailer (which currently attaches to the folder). I would like to get a test ride on the low-end Scott CX bike (I have a Scott road bike) but it appears to be a double too and nobody has it in stock in my size (56). Price range is around $1200 give or take, i.e. roughly what I'd expect the replacement cost of my folder to be.

Any suggestions (and experiences with a rear kid seat) would be greatly appreciated.

Andy_K 

Kona Jake

oboeguy

That does look like a great option, thanks. The top tube is a little on the long side compared to what I've seen already, but worth seeking out a test ride. How do they get such a low price tag on it?

Edit: And they have it at NYC Velo (great bike shop IME).

flargle

Bianchi Volpe
Surly Long-Haul Trucker or Cross-Check
Salsa Vaya
Vassago Fisticuff

But seriously, the commuter forum is more active and is a better source for this kind of advice.

oboeguy

Thanks. I'm a regular over there (or used to be) and never really noticed a lot of CX bike talk. I figured I'd get some more specific model suggestions here. If the mods want to move this thread I have problem with it.

Andy_K 

It's a bit of a mystery if you ask me. It has an aluminum fork, which I'm sure helps with costs. In 2011, they had a Sora crankset, but for 2012 they upgraded everything to the new 10-speed Tiagra stuff, added a 105 rear derailleur and only bumped the price $50. I got my 2008 with Tiagra drivetrain and FSA Gossamer crankset for $900, so the price has creeped up a bit, but it's definitely a good value.

oboeguy

I picked-up the Jake late last week after a second test ride. I am very pleased with it so far. Thanks again for the suggestion. Let's see how it does with the kid seat attached!

waynesworld

Enjoy the Jake! I really like my 2010. They changed the geometry after 2010, and made it 'racier'. At the time I wanted the old style, and I do like it a lot, but after seeing a new one in a shop recently, I'm intrigued. Great looking bike.

jfmckenna

I think you'd be better off with a touring rig or something like the Surly Big Dummy.

GrayJay

I am really suprized that CPSC still allows those rear seat carriers to be sold, they just look like an absoltely horrible child brain injury waiting to happen (even with a helmet). I am a fairly accomplished and skillfull biker but I cannot imagine subjecting one of my kids to the danger of those rearseat carriers. THere are just way to many variables out of your control to ensure that you will never crash, particularly when your bike is top-heavy. A tow-behind carrier is probably 1000X safer. Find somewhere to lockup or store a trailer.

Standalone 

I tend to never use the inner chainring on any triples when pulling/hauling my kids. There are some moderate hills around here. I used to live in NYC -- I don't think you need a triple in the city to haul kids around unless you're making that run up and down broadway through that huge valley heading uptown.

I think that a 26" hardtail regular fork MTB is the best thing for hauling kids around. Cheap. Rarely stolen. Xtracycle capable when they hit 40lbs and outgrow that seat. That time between baby seat and riding on their own is longer than baby seat age... so an xtra is a good option to plan for.

My xtra is set up to stretch the bike out and use the regular rack for a topeak babyseat.

another issue might be rear cantis interfering with feet and legs or the baby seat. Just a thought-- you should look into that as V-Brakes or sidepulls might be better suited to the kiddie seat thing.