Whether you're a racing mom, looking to get the kids interested in joining you inside the tape, or a racing dad looking to take the kids out and give mom a day off, Kona Bikes has your litte racers covered with its Jake 24.
Kona's pint-sized Jake 24 cyclocross bike, with 24" wheels. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
Long-time cyclocross supporters, with bikes for kids as well as pros, Kona's Jake 24 isn't just a kid's bike. It's a real cyclocross bike made with young riders in mind. We took a look at the pint-sized racer at the 2016 Sea Otter Classic.
The Jake 24, as the name implies rolls on 24" wheels and has a standover height 59.7cm. The 6061 aluminum frame and alloy fork offer a quality base for the build and ensure that the bike can handle both the rigors of the local 'cross course as well as the punishment kids can dish out on equipment. The bike's official size is listed as a 35cm and has 47.5cm top tube.
The Maxxis Locust is a longtime fave of the CXM crew, and a 24x1.25 inch version graces Kona's Jake 24 cyclocross bike. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
The 24" wheels are the Alex R450 model and are wrapped in a favorite tire of Cyclocross Magazine staffers, the Maxis Locust, albeit in a 24x1.25" size, perfect for 'cross as well as rides to school.
The drivetrain is a smart spec of Shimano's 9-speed Sora brake/shift levers, along with the Japanese component maker's 9-speed Tiagra rear derailleur and a Shimano front mechanism. The FSA Tempo Compact crankset features 160mm arms and 34/48 rings paired with a 12-27 cassette, low enough for young guns to tackle most course features. Breaking is done by Tektro's Mini-V's.
Kona's Jake 24 cyclocross bike uses an alluminum fork and linear pull brakes. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
The cockpit components are all from Kona, with alloy bars, stem, post as well as the saddle all coming from the bike maker.
If you have a budding racer at home, or want to give your a kid a bike that will inspire them to ride, the Kona Jake 24 could well be the ticket.
More info: konaworld.com
Kona’s pint-sized Jake 24 cyclocross bike runs a 160mm FSA Tempo 34/48 double crankset. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
