First Look: All New 2018 Kona Jake – Versatile, race-bred cyclo-cross bikes

‘Cross racing, commuting, backroad adventuring, the Jake is one of the most versatile bikes in the Kona lineup’ is how Kona lure you in when introducing their new designs. But can the ageing Jake still cut it in the modern world?

The Jake has been a part of the Kona family for the last 20 years, but this time their product manager, Joe Brown, tells us that all frames, not just the top spec–Super Jake, have had a total redesign from the ground up, the Major Jake and Jake the Snake have also gone under the pencil. See what Joe has to say about the changes.

Kona have realised that their 2017 bikes, for competition level at least needed to up their game. With newly designed carbon layup for lighter frames as well as changes in geometry for a more aggressive feel. But with all that’s been going on in their design studios they still haven’t forgotten to give the aluminium Jake the Snake some TLC.

The Super Jake, Major Jake and Jake the Snake have all finally been updated to have Shimano E-thru axles as well as flat mount hydraulic disc brakes. Tubeless ready rims and tires are also available on all three models. The Major Jake and Jake the Snake models come with a 2x drivetrain, whilst the Super Jake, raced by Cyclo-cross pro Kerry Werner, with a 1x drivetrain is said to be their World Cup level race bike. Check Werner pretty impressively showing his moves somewhere sandy and gritty.

The Kona Jake New Models and Specifications

SUPER JAKE

Their top of the range model has an all new carbon frame and fork with the industry standard flat mount disc brakes and thru-axles both front and rear with fender mounts; so if on the weekends you’re a serious racer but weekdays a serious commuter/gravel hunter this bike should have it covered. Along with SRAM Force 1x drivetrain with hydraulic discs and Clement tubeless-ready wheels and tires it’s looking light and slick. Both the Super Jake and Major Jake frames weigh in at 1080 g on a 56cm frame with a 460 g carbon fork, so no weight contest won but still pretty respectable.

We currently don’t have any confirmed pricing but we’re guessing that the Major Jake will be around the $3,000 mark and the Super Jake around $4,500.

Super Jake Specs

Frame Material Kona Race Light Carbon
Wheels Clement Ushuaia Wheelset Tubeless Ready
Fork Kona Full Carbon Flat Mount CX Race Disc 100x12mm
Crankset SRAM Force 1 X-Sync
Drivetrain SRAM Force 1 11spd
Cockpit Kona Road Light bar, Kona Road Deluxe stem and Kona Cork Tape
Brakes SRAM Force 1 HRD
Tires Clement MXP Tubeless Ready 700x33c
Saddle WTB SL8 Pro

MAJOR JAKE

The all new carbon ‘cross frame and fork with flat mount discs and thru-axles at both ends is the evolution of the Jake series’ storied lineage in the muddy trenches and sand pits of the CX World Cup. A Shimano 105 2×11 group with hydraulic brakes links up to tubeless-ready WTB rims and Clement tires.

Major Jake Specs

Frame Material Kona Race Light Carbon
Wheels WTB i19 Asym
Fork Kona Full Carbon Flat Mount CX Race Disc 100x12mm
Crankset Shimano RS500
Drivetrain Shimano 105 11spd
Cockpit Kona Road Light bar, Kona Road Deluxe stem and Kona Cork Tape
Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic flat mount
Tires Clement MXP Tubeless Ready 700x33c
Saddle WTB SL8 Pro

JAKE THE SNAKE

The Jake the Snake has long been their workhorse cross bike, and luckily wasn’t left out of the redesigns. With a brand new frame and fork with flat mount disc brakes, front and rear thru-axles, and internal cable routing, helps modernise their alloy model, while rack and fender mounts keep that everyday versatility.

Jake the Snake Specs

Frame Material Kona Race Light 6061 Aluminum Butted
Wheels WTB STP i19
Fork Kona Carbon Cross
Crankset Shimano
Drivetrain Shimano Tiagra 10spd
Cockpit Kona Road bar and stem, Kona Cork Tape
Brakes Shimano Hydraulic flat mount
Tires Clement MXP 700x33c
Saddle WTB Volt Sport

For more information on the new range: kona.com

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Words: Photos: Kona Bikes