ArchEtech

I currently have stuck to road bike, have a Madone.
I want to purchase a CX bike for some gravel and mud rides out in the country. I will also tour with the bike and commute.

I have searched around and found a 2011 Major Snake Ultegera and Addict CX Rival for $1500 (lightly used)

My own research is leading towards the Jake, because of slightly more road geometry.

Opinions?

Andy_K 

Given your intended use, I think the base level Jake would be better than the Major Jake. Sure, the Major Jake is all carbony and everything, but that's a bad thing for touring. The base level Jake, on the other hand, adds a triple crankset and eyelets for rack and fenders. The new Tiagra stuff is plety good enough for gravel and mud rides out in the country.

Sawtooth

Going to agree with Andy_K on this one. Carbony race bikes are AWESOME fun to ride and have their place but I would probably not tour on one. I would, however, do extended Credit Card touring on one.

The exception in your description might be if the types of off road adventure riding you are doing will be with ultra fast club/team racing type riders. But even then I have seen many situations where someone was out in front on an old FUJI aluminum cross bike and having the bling just was not that big of a deal.

I have a scandium Major Jake and can't think of anything it can't do (besided technical off road fast descents). I reach for it just about every day but I probably would choose my Jake the Snake or a Jake (if I had one) if I intended to load one up with racks/panniers.

ArchEtech

I want a light race oriented cx bike for country roads. I don't ever carBaganda and junk all over my bike. I carry a large camelbak. By touring I mean longer 50-100 mile charity races and rides.

Mostly I want to train on gravel and light trails for fitness but still have the road bike feel for commuting. Some group rides with the ability to hang with roadies if i want (mostly due to my legs of course) I like carbon. I'm going to get carbon. I would ride ti, but right now I found good deals on the mentioned bikes.

Sawtooth

Ok, that is quite different from what I originally thought. In that case carbon will be wonderful. I don't own the carbon MJ but my scandium one is probably my favorite bike I have ever owned (including my carbon tarmac). I am sure the addict is a great bike too but I can't speak highly enough of the Major Jake or the entire Jake series. Fun to ride, great to race, do anything-bikes.

ArchEtech

I can't find a whole lot of reviews for either bike. They are similar in weight and price. The Jake appears to be a bit more road bike in geometry. Jake has Ultegra, Scott Rival. But an all around fun bikes exactly what I'm after.

IcySmooth52

I'd personally be going Jake instead of Addict because of a preference in handling. Quicker on a turn.

ArchEtech

Picked up the Jake. I almost forgot what it was like to ride off pavement without fear!

I was a SRAM guy and still prefer it, but ultegra is definitely more quiet and smooth.

With road tires I really can't tell it's not a road bike, but then agin I dont ride with an aggressive set up.

Sawtooth

Glad you like it ArchEtech. Keep us posted. One thing to consider is selling the ultegra before it gets "used" and putting sram on it. Would be pretty easy and probably not cost you too much.