The cyclocross season is fast-approaching. Earlier this week we brought you news of the new performance focused, and divisive looking, Canyon Inflite, and today we have news from Kona – it has launched an updated version of its Jake cyclocross model with carbon and aluminium versions sharing the same new features that include disc brakes and thru-axles. 

Kona is keen to remind us that the Jake – the family name for its various cyclocross models – has been around for 20 years and what began as a race-bred race bike gradually evolved into a versatile all-round number, ideal for commuting and adventure riding. Well now the company has the Rove, a dedicated adventure/multi-surface bike in its range, the Jake can go back to its race-focused pedigree.

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Major Jake Kelowna LRG-1672 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

There have been some subtle changes to the geometry as a result of this update. The bottom bracket is 8mm lower to drop the rider’s centre of gravity for a bit of extra high-speed stability. The front triangle size has been increased, to produce more shouldering room for tackling obstacles in a ‘cross race that force a dismount, which in turn has reduced the standover height. Chainstays remain at 425mm length but tyre clearance is good for 40mm.

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There are three new frames in the Jake range offering a choice of aluminium and carbon, but the top-end Super Jake we’re focusing on here gets the full carbon fibre treatment. Other updates include a full carbon fork, Shimano E-thru axles at both ends and flat mount hydraulic disc brakes – there are no rim brake ‘cross bikes in Kona’s 2018 range, a move we’re seeing across the industry. Frame weight for a 56cm carbon is a claimed 1,080g and the fork is 460g.

20170613-Kona Details 2-Major_Jake- 19.jpg
20170613-Kona Details 2-Major_Jake- 19 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

That’s pretty light. But despite that race focus, the carbon frame still has mudguard eyelets so there’s still the possibility of adapting for other riding beside racing around a school playing field. And with clearance for up to 40mm tyres there’s no stopping to swapping out the 33m stock tyres for something with a bit more grrr.

20170613-Kona Details 2-Major_Jake- 1.jpg
20170613-Kona Details 2-Major_Jake- 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Other details include full internal cable and hose routing, with the main entry port on the top of the down tube – we’re seeing this increasingly on the latest carbon fibre road frames. Bike designers do like to follow trends.

super_jake.jpg
super_jake (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Super Jake gets a SRAM Force 1×11 groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, Clement Ushuaia tubeless-ready wheels and Clement MXP 33mm tyres, and a Kona and WTB finishing kit.

major_jake.jpg
major_jake (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Major Jake uses the same frame as the Super Jake but with a Shimano 105 11-speed drivetrain with RS500 double chainset and the same Clement MXP tyres on WTB i19 Asym wheels.

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jake_the_snake (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Further down the range, the Jake the Snake switches to an aluminium frame but with all the same details as the carbon version. This model is equipped with a Shimano Tiagra 10-speed groupset and Clement MXP tyres on WTB STP i19 rims.

We’ll add prices once Kona lets us know what they are.