Wow! The 2013 Jake the Snake shows some nice upgrades. I wasn't expecting any changes in the Jake the Snake largely because the 2012 version scored high on all marks. So where did the improvements come in?

For starters, and of course this is subjective, the paint color looks awesome.  It looks great in the photo but when you see it up close it really pops! But that is only the surface. We all want our bikes to look good, but it is performance that we are looking for.

Beneath the paint KONA engineers found a way to improve both comfort and power transfer by using a completely new set of tubes on the rear triangle.  For those of you who are expecting to shoulder the bike you will be pleased to know that the underside of the top-tube is flattened for greater comfort.  The top-tube down-tube junction at the head tube is stout.  Steering precision and control are outstanding with this tube configuration.  This junction is not changed from 2012, but this is such a key design feature that I had to mention it.  It was one of the first things I noticed when I test rode the first 2012 model.  It matches the steering precision and performance of the KONA carbon frame.

Another new feature to be found in the 2013 Jake the Snake is internal cable routing that takes its cues from the carbon Major Jake.  Both shift cable and brake cable are internally routed. It is a very clean method of routing.  Shift cables enter the frame just behind the head tube and exit the frame just above the bottom bracket. Complimenting the shift cable routing, the rear brake cable enters the frame just behind the top of the head tube.  This means that the cables are unexposed and out of the way making for a very clean look to the frame that is as functional as it is good looking. 

For all the performance characteristics that you will find on this bike KONA has not forgotten that this bike is not just for racers.  You have told us repeatedly that you want your Jake the Snake to be as useful as a commuter and road riding bike as it is a cyclocross racing bike.  So KONA did not forget to leave room for fenders, and they have eyelets for racks. You can use this bike for everything and do it in comfort and style.