Ryan Trebon and Barry Wick have a new weapon in their race kits. While shooting the latest and greatest at the Crankworx festival in Whistler, Cyclocross Magazine contributor Joe Sales was able to catch a glimpse of the new all-carbon Kona Major Jake. The new photos provide a closer look at the updated ride that we profiled earlier this summer.
by Jamie Mack
In the world of ’cross bikes, 17 pounds is a respectable weight that many manufacturers claim for their average size frames. With a new ’cross frame revealed during the Sea Otter festival earlier this year, Kona has met that benchmark with the bikes built for two of the tallest riders in ’cross, Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks. Typically found on custom 62+cm frames, the Twin Towers of Kona ride some of the biggest, and perhaps heaviest, frames in the Elite field. But their new 2011 Kona Jakes are taking things to a lower level, in weight anyway, and giving the Kona duo a leg up on the competition. Cyclocross Magazine was able to check in with Barry Wicks and get the inside story on the new rides.
Kona was given a simple mission by their star riders – make a bike that was lighter, stiffer and faster than one of the most respected frames on the circuit. And don’t dare sacrifice the ride quality and durability that the scandium Major Jakes have shown over the past few years. And do it all in a 63cm frame. Nothing like a little pressure from the daunting pair of Elite ’cross riders to bring sweat to the brow of a few engineers and builders.
Read the rest of the review and see the photos HERE
One final test before the racers are allowed to rest, team Kona confirms with one final win – Rafter Six Ranch: Canmore, 46km, 1350m climbing/ 1350m descending
Kona Surges Back to top during Stormy Day in the Rockies – Anchor D Ranch: Little Elbow Camp, 54km, 1500m climbing/1300m descending
After a day of riding over and through the foothills of the Rockies to the west of Calgary, riders headed back into the heart of the mountains on Stage 5. In doing so, they left the mud and meadows of the cattle ranch lands behind entered the high peaks and spectacular valleys of Kananaskis Country.
The 54km route starting at Anchor D Ranch included no major passes or high-altitude rides but a relentless up and down profile and endless singletrack added up to another gruelling day in the Rockies for the over 200 riders still moving toward the finish line in the TransRockies.
Stage 1 (August 8th) Fernie Time Trial, 31km, 1300m climbing. Barry and Kris take the first stage. Looks a little muddy to me. Cory Wallace takes third place behind Max Plaxton and Adam Craig. In the mix category, Wendy and Norm are sitting in third as well.
Day two today. Check back here on the Cog to see how the Kona factory riders fair.
After seven grueling days, the final stage of the BC Bike Race rolled into the singletrack Shangri La of Whistler, BC and Kona Was on the podium for the majority of the the Epic stages. Barry Wicks and Kris Sneddon took the overall in the men’s team category. Husband and wife duo Wendy Simms and Norm Thibault took third in the mixed category. While Cory Wallace also placed third in the men’s solo category. Congratulations Team Kona on a fine showing.
A little rundown the final stage….
From the start at the base of Blackcomb straight up with everyone riding fairly tight, out of nowhere Cory Wallace kicks it into overdrive and drops the entire field before disappearing in to the singletrack. A power move that helped him secure third spot overall from Colin Kerr. Wendy and her husband Norm had a rough first stage but fought their way hard to finish third with a 4 hour lead on fourth place. Click READ MORE for full race results and photos.
This just in….Barry & Kris have been ruling the singletrack Mecca known as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. 400+ kms of trail with two days down along with a time trial for day one. Kona is sitting pretty. Wins for both Day One and Day Two. Check back here for the official release and more photos when we get them.
I raced the WORS race this weekend at the Sunburst “ski area” outside Milwaukee. This was said to be the most hated course on the whole WORS circuit, and although I found it lacking in technical singletrack, it was still quite difficult.
Imagine a European cyclocross race doubled in distance and placed atop a 400 ft hill, and that was esemtially this mtb race. We climbed to the top of the hill on a steep, goey, smooth single track trail, then proceeded to wind our way up down and around the various grassy knolls and berms strewn along the hillside. Traction was abundent in account if my prototype Maxxis 29 wet conditions tires, and by the end of lap one it was apparent the race would become a tactical battle of wits.
The Xterra went well this weekend. I was 4th out of the water, had a good start and was able to hold my own in the swim. My superior navigation skills came into play as well as some guys I was near were swerving all over the place while I kept it nice and straight between the bouys. I knew I would need an advantage going into the run, so after I got out of my wet suit and into my clown suit I hit the pedals hard, quickly taking over the lead on the bike course and laying down a blistering bike split that put me 4:50 ahead by the time the run started. The legs always feel a bit funny making the transition from the bike to the run, and the first 400 meters of the run was on the beach, but I got through this tough patch and found my stride, turning out a 6:38 pace and holding on to victory by a fare margin.
The following was a from Barry from two weekends ago:
Today marked my first foray into the world of off road triathlon at the Xterra Del Valle outside Livermore California. The idea of doing an Xterra began forming in my head during the cold winter months in Chicago as I ran and swam my way into some form of fitness while the blizzards raged outside. I have limited experiance in triathlons, competing in a few road sprint triathlons in high school, and also a decsent swimming background as I was the district champion in the 200 meter freestyle race my senior year. Even with this I had no idea of what to really expect going into this event. Dusty had dialed in my Hei Hei 29 during Seaotter so I pulled it out of the quiver and headed for California. Doing a race solo without support reminded me of the early days of my mtb career but nostalgia aside I definatly appreciate having someone around at events to help out.
Ryan Trebon and Barry Wick have a new weapon in their race kits. While shooting the latest and greatest at the Crankworx festival in Whistler, Cyclocross Magazine contributor Joe Sales was able to catch a glimpse of the new all-carbon Kona Major Jake. The new photos provide a closer look at the updated ride that we profiled earlier this summer.
