I just realized this post beloned here rather than the other area sorry.
I am trying to deceide between the stock kona jake verses a modified (dura ace rear derailers shifters, ultagra front derailer and a few other modifications) jamis nova. both are the same size and price and have the same extras (rack, fenders ect). both frames steel. any thought out there about either bike?
thanks

Well the nova is not concidered as being a very "racey" bike but, i have the same 03 nova that your talking about as kind of a do-all bike and I love it. I find myself riding it more than any other bike that i have. In fact i pulled the wheels of my giant tcr 2 weeks ago and put them on the nova and have been doing all the group rides on it. it has raced cross, been on miles and miles of singletrack and tons of road miles. she aint pretty and she aint special but she never complains and never lets me down. All that said i've never owned a snake, ridden one but never owned one, so i can't speak for it's worthiness but the nova is a respectable ride.