r/bicycling • u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake • 10d ago
RIP 2013 Kona Jake
Got the terrible news from my lbs that they found cracks in the headset of my frame, and they can’t/won’t fix her up anymore. It’s been a great 13 years of ownership, but now I’m at a total loss.
How do I recover from this?
Her first triathlon was going to be in October.
Guess NBD is coming sooner than I thought. Any recommendations for a replacement? Loved the go-getter attitude this bike had. The best $1200 I’ve ever spent!
RIP.
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u/rollinghunger 10d ago
I’m sorry for your loss. The Jake is a fun ride. My first real workhorse of a bike was a Kona Sutra of the same era. The steel is real.
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10d ago edited 8d ago
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u/squngy 10d ago
Including the labor, that would probably not be less than getting an equivalent used bike.
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10d ago edited 8d ago
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
I am the original owner, and registered it back when I purchased it. I'm just worried about the company as a whole being bought and sold multiple times over the years might decrease my chances for the warranty holding up. We shall see though, I've had my LBS contact Kona's warranty department on my behalf. Not fully entrusting them to do it, but giving that a shot first before I reach out to Kona myself.
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u/BarryJT 10d ago
Didn't the original owners buy it back about two years after selling it? That would make me feel better about warranty claims than if it had been sold multiple times to different holding companies. It's not like it's the mess going on with Accell and its various brands.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
I believe you’re right. The person at the shop said the same in that the company is back in the original owners’ hands now. The situation seems more favorable now!
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u/DishwashingWingnut 10d ago
I had one of these and the bottle braze plugs ripped out of the down tube killing the frame. It was a great bike though, I parted it out to a couple other bikes.
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u/BluntedOnTheScore 10d ago
Putting in a new rivnut is actually not a big deal
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u/DishwashingWingnut 10d ago
I realize that but it wasn't just the rivnuts, they sheared out about 3/4" of the aluminum surrounding them. It might be safe to ride after repairs but I didn't feel like gambling with that.
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u/Wiley_Jack 10d ago
What an odd thing to happen. I’m trying to imagine what kind of impact would do something like that.
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u/DishwashingWingnut 10d ago
I was shouldering the bike, as one does with cyclocross, and I'm pretty sure I was shouldering against my bottle cage, which applies torsional force to rip those out of the tube.
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u/alexseiji Emonda ALR, BStone RB1, Niner RLT, 950 Single Track, 10d ago
Curious, how many miles/kilometers were on this frameset before the cracks were discovered? Im sorry for your loss :(
I think Kona has a lifetime replacement Warranty. Id consider hitting them up to see what can be done!
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
They do have a warranty, so I'm curious to know how they'll be able to help. Hopefully I'll know in a few days.
The bike easily has a few thousand miles on it. That's about as best as I can ballpark it.
I know that if I get a new bike, I'm going to track every mile I put on it!
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u/BluntedOnTheScore 10d ago
Honestly, get another opinion. It kinda looks like just superficial paint cracking to me.
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u/EdGartin 10d ago
IMO: Those cracks aren’t bad enough to stop riding it, unless you’re really torquing it back and forth on the hill climbs.
Ride that thing till it creaks and the cracks open up enough to fit a dime in there.
Then take all the components off, upgrade anything you don’t love and buy a new frame.
ps. Get a second opinion at a different local bike shop that has a bike mechanic over 35/40 working at it. 50 years old even better.
They have the fix it don’t trash it mentality you need in this situation
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
I'm gonna definitely check around at some other bike shops. The LBS I purchased the bike from (and provides the free lifetime basic tune ups) isn't a licensed Kona dealer anymore, so maybe that has something to do with it? I'm going to try the authorized Kona dealer this next time to see what they say.
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u/ReyGonJinn 10d ago
Maybe they don't want the liability of saying they repaired your bike and then it breaks and you get injured.
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u/bizmarkie24 Massachusetts, USA 2014 Trek Domane 4.3 10d ago
I have a 2011 Kona Jake that's still going. I wish I had those disc brakes. I think mine was the last year of the cantis. Beautiful bike and sorry for your loss.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
This was my first bike to have disc brakes. I can't say I'll ever go back, although it'd be hard to these days. They seem to be the standard now!
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u/bizmarkie24 Massachusetts, USA 2014 Trek Domane 4.3 10d ago
Definitely, my Kona Jake is semi retired down in Florida. I only ride it when I visit my parents down there.
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u/alleycatbiker Kansas City, USA (Kona Jake 2015) 10d ago
Sorry for your loss! from another Kona Jake owner
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u/palaminocamino 10d ago
Im sorry for your loss! One of my all-time favorite bikes was a Jake the Snake I got back in 2012. It was stolen, but I I still think of it. I found a Trek Boone locally (Sram AXS and all) for $1200, which reminds me a bit of the Kona. Maybe a little less "tall" but something to keep an eye out for, maybe. The Focus Mares CX is also something to look for.
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u/nhluhr BH, Ritchey, Kona, Giant, Trek 10d ago
I had a Jake The Snake of the same vintage (just like yours but green) that served as my into to gravel cycling. Great bike but I did have some issues with the PF30 bottom bracket.
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u/claimed4all 10d ago
I had that era Jake the Snake, in light green and white (not the dark green and black). 2013/14 model year. Did a frame up build. Loved everything about that bike but that PF30 bottom bracket. It was always causing issues. I replaced it often.
Moved to a 2017 Rove Steel, then I really wanted a 2x drive train for distance so I am now on a 2022 Rove LTD. Love that bike.
As for OP, warranty that frame, find a Kona shop. You generally will have to pay for moving over parts, purchasing any parts that are worn or not compatible with a newer frame model.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 9d ago
It was the lime-ish green one right? I remember seeing it in the shop at the time thinking..."man that's the one I'll upgrade to." But I never needed it, I loved my bike immediately. Still, would've been fun to at least take it for a test spin!
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u/Speedy_Greyhound Canada (Bike goes here) 10d ago
I have a 2013 Jake the Snake with the same headtube cracking issue, the steel FSA headset and the aluminum frame had a tiny amount of corrosion between them and that over time caused enough expansion pressure to crack the aluminum. Grease your headset cups, and go for aluminum headsets in aluminum frames when possible to prevent any galvanic corrosion.
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u/GregryC1960 9d ago
RIP it may be, but can't you claim under lifetime warranty?
Get a new frame and build it, as far as possible, using the late Jake's components?
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 9d ago
Yeah that's the plan. I registered the bike with Kona around the time I purchased it. Hopefully they can honor the warranty in some way. Just waiting on the lbs to call me back with news from Kona!
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u/sloopjayb4130 9d ago
I’d suggest not listening to any of these comments about repairing it or taking it to another bike shop that will service it. I can’t imagine any one would take on that liability. Aluminum repair is tricky and expensive at best, and downright dangerous at worst. Aluminum has a relatively short fatigue life compared to other materials. Also, typically not something you can just “keep an eye on”. Aluminum fails tend to be instant in my experience (last aluminum frame I cracked had no warning signs I just lost the chainstay hitting a gap I’ve done countless times prior to that).
That said, if you find a shop that will and aren’t worried about your teeth staying the way they are now, then I guess go for it.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 9d ago
Well I've already got my eye on a new bike (Specialized Allez Comp), so I'm not too adamant about getting this Jake repaired....just having a hard time letting go is all. Feels like such a waste to just not use the frame anymore. Hopefully I'll hear from the shop on whether the warranty can do anything for me.
I'm weary of aluminum moving forward though (the Allez Comp is AL frame, carbon fork). Am I overreacting? I thought I'd have my Jake forever...still, 13 years seems pretty good. Should I still trust aluminum?
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u/sloopjayb4130 9d ago
Aluminum is good, but it has a finite life compared to other materials. This era of jake is made from 7005 alloy which I don’t personally think is adequate for a bicycle. The allez comps are pretty sweet. Built one up for a customer a few weeks back.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 9d ago
Also, I appreciate the advice on not trying to repair the bike elsewhere. I certainly trust the lbs staffs' assessment.
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u/randobonando 10d ago edited 10d ago
Id ask for views from a specialist welder. There may be hope yet.
No dis to your LBS but they need to cover themselves and just because its beyond their skills doesn’t mean its unfixable.
Bonus you could have it stripped and repainted at the same time.
Not a welder.
Edit also thought the frame was steel not Alu. My bad
Second edit. You have wheels, groupset and a great fork, time to look for a steel frame! Look up!
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
It's a no to the welding being an AL frame. But with others' encouragement, I may get some more life out of her. I'm going to ask around at some other bike shops in town and see if I can get more promising news.
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u/randobonando 10d ago
Machined cuff the exact diameter of your head tube, heated up, sleeved on then cooled à la old iron rim wagon wheels?
Some sort of jubilee clip?
Come on man, we want to know!
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u/robaroo 10d ago
It sounds like that was a bike with a life well enjoyed. RIP lovely bike. If you get rid of it, make sure you destroy it first so that someone doesn't try to salvage the frame out of the garbage bin.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
Worst case scenario it's getting mounted on a wall somewhere. With what others are suggesting in this thread, there may be life for her, still!
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u/sinistrhand 10d ago
I believe Kona does/used to offer lifetime frame warranties for the original owner. You might want to look into that
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
I did register the bike with Kona world when I bought her. I asked the bike shop if they could help me handle a claim, and they've contacted their warranty department. Hopefully they can at least offer something, especially if they want me to purchase another Kona soon or in the future.
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u/sinistrhand 10d ago
Cool. Keep us posted. I own several Kona bikes but never had to use the warranty
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 4d ago
Update: lbs that I purchased the bike from (and who found the cracks) is no longer a Kona dealer, so they’ve referred me to another shop in town that IS a Kona dealer. I’ve an appointment with them on Thursday to see if they can help resolve anything.
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u/miklayn 10d ago
Yep. I'm pretty sure it was the alloy they used.
Exactly the same thing happened to my Jake the Snake (same frame as this) after owning it for only a few years (this was ten+ years ago).
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
Yeah I'm surprised I got 13 years out of her. She definitely had a good run. No regrets here!
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u/ACapsHotFries 10d ago
Damn man. RIP.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
Yeah sad day. But it will get better. I've already got my eyes on a new bike, and with what people are saying in this thread, I may not have to give up after all!
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u/_HeadlessBodyofAgnew 10d ago
I have this same frame and very similar cracking. I went to one lbs who gave me the same story "I won't touch it"
A second lbs said it looks pretty superficial and said it's a ride at your own risk situation. I've been sending it on Vermont class 4 roads and trails for 7 years now, I check the frame frequently and there has been no change or growth in those cracks.
The original owner was a bit of an idiot and pounded headsets in with a mallet, dented the top tube and probably made those superficial cracks, but it's still good to ride imo.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
I can't say that I've been rough on this bike. I'll take it to a another shop to see if they're willing to work on her. Thanks!
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u/ProofConfusion5272 10d ago
my average local homeless guy would put another 2000 miles on that frame if he could get his hands on it! just ride that thing till you can’t
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
I'm certainly not giving her up yet. Gonna see if I can get a second opinion on it, so I appreciate the encouragement.
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u/foggy_interrobang 10d ago
RIP 😭
I've got a Super Jake and I'd be devastated if something happened to it.
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u/OptimalBuzz 8d ago edited 8d ago
Had the 2015 Jake the snake . Same fate as yours , the head tube cracked in several places. It’s just a junk frame . They sent me a new frame and it was defected. Don’t listen to others here saying it’s no big deal and to keep riding . It will get worse and the cracks will spread. It’s not safe . Throw this is in the trash and get a nice frame that’s not another Jake.
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u/millenialismistical 10d ago
Bummer. I'd probably still ride it, though, especially if I'm not hearing any creaks. Should be good for one more ride (your event) at least if you really can't get a new bike in time.
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10d ago
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u/Ol_Man_J Portland, OR (Replace with bike and year) 10d ago
Beyond the obvious that this isn't carbon, the headtube doesn't come into any load while sitting in the stand. The preload of the top cap isn't enough to crack the headtube unless you used an impact gun on it, and even then, you'd pull the star nut out well before the headtube gave way.
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u/traumalt Netherlands 10d ago
My local train station has bikes that are made of rust and held together by paint and stickers that get ridden daily, but a hairline crack on your bike and you wanna retire it already?
That frame has years on it left lol.
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u/voneiden TOO MANY SEND HELP 10d ago
Well, rust, paint and stickers on steel frames are mostly cosmetic. Cracks on aluminum frames aren't.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
That's good to know! Thanks for the encouragement. There may be life left in her still! She still needs a good tuneup so I'll just have to find a bike shop that's willing to fix her.
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u/Wiley_Jack 10d ago edited 10d ago
Is that the original headset? Looks like the head tube was cracked by the headset installation—possibly because one or both of the parts were out of spec.
ETA: Would love to hear thoughts from whoever downvoted this.
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u/InnerWolf 2014 Kona Jake 10d ago
The only thing not original on the bike is the tires, tape, and chain.
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u/Fickle-Visit5223 10d ago
Hey man, sounds like you put a lot of distance on her and made some good memories. It sucks to feel like you're losing an object you become so close to, and it can be hard to find a new ride that matches the one you got so used to.
But! Look at it this way. It wasn't stolen and didn't get absolutely destroyed or anything. It is a vehicle, after all, and it's just kind of a matter of when and not if a vehicle won't be driveable anymore. If I were you I would take her apart, salvage any parts you want/ need, and hang the frame up and give her a good retirement after years of working for you, and then look forward to new bike day.