Touring - Bike Questions, Advise, Touring, bike makes

Hello Experienced Bikers!
I am looking to get a bike for my main source of transportation. Mainly in city and city to city riding but also some state to state. I am looking into a Jamis Coda Elite. I really like its because its strong and a hybrid so its multi purpose. I also like that it can take larger tires if I wanted to do dirt roads and such. What I am wondering mainly is will it be efficient enough for long distence travel. I am not going to compete so I am willing to take it easy (as far as biking across Texas being easy is concerned). Also I need a bike that can carry packs. I would assume that most touring bikes are capable of this aswell.
I would love oppinun, advise, and such.
Thanks
Q

>>will it be efficient enough for long distence travel>>

I don't think efficiency would be a problem...as long as the bike fits properly. Durability? Well, this bike may not qualify as a full-on touring machine. The wheels may be a bit too light, the gearing a bit too high and personally, I can see no advantage to a lightweight carbon fork on a touring bicycle. Does the frame have the needed braze-ons (and clearances) for racks, fenders and so forth?

For loaded touring and everyday commuting, it just appears a bit too light...based on the Jamis website. I may be a bit old-school in this regard, so...

It does have the fittings for racks. It is a steel frame but it does have a carbon fork. So what type of bike would you suggest looking at then? A touring bike? Or just one with lower gearing and a stronger fork. I appreciate your input as I would not want to make a purchase and have it fail on me.
Thanks
Quinn

in the Jamis line, the Aurora is not a bad option (I have an older Aurora; the new one has even wider clearances); if you like being more upright, just get a taller stem
Also consider the Nova if you want to do off track/dirt rides (more of a cross bike with braze ons)

The Coda seems more of a dedicated town/commute bike (have seen them with commuters on here in town)

I agree the Coda isnt the best bet. I am looking and liking the Trek Pilot 2.1 and Jamis Nova and I like the Canondale bikes. Would you have a suggestion from a bike of theirs?

A road bike, like the Pilot (or what it appears to be) is a horse of a different hue. it has compact geometry, aluminum frame (stiffer, lighter, but harsher road ride)... looks to be made for short, day rides or club rides. If you ride on a bike like this for a prolonged period time, it can be jarring. This bike will likely not have eyelets or brazeons for any racks.

After dabbling in aluminum road bikes (well, one bike for one season), I am back with steel. it is a bit heftier, but the ride is mellower. the Aurora has rack mounts and nice geomtry so I don't feel all cramped up.

Cannondale makes mostly aluminum bikes, tho I think they offer two 'touring' type bikes (T800 T2000), and they may offer a 'cross/ bike as well

the best thing to do is take time, ride a few different types of bikes, worry about fit, and don't rush.

>>what type of bike would you suggest looking at>>

As mentioned, the Aurora seems a good choice...steel frame, steel fork, a full set of braze-ons, a decent wheelset...

Many tourists and commuters prefer a relaxed, upright riding position as well. This is something that you'll have to discover on your own.

I really really appreciate all the input and so fast at that.
I really like the road bikes because they are just so quick, light, and tight...I understand though what you are saying. I guess because I havent done really long distence riding I dont really know...I will go and ride a few and see how they feel. That is what everyone says. I was also thinking about the Trek XO 1 but its not steel either. It seems as though you definatly recomend the steel. The carbon and aluminum seem really nice but steel is definatly going to be able to take more.
Thanks again

So the Nova and The Aurora are very simaler bikes. It seems though that the Aurora is a bit stronger, has more steel. So that is why you seem to advise more on that bike than the Nova.
I will definatly try bikes to see how they feel but I also take your advise on what the bikes should be made of because if I piked based on what felt best and looked best I would definatly go with a carbon. So its great I am talking to experience rather than just buying.
Thanks

I wanted to resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one.

I have a jamis coda sport and like to carry stuff with it. Also, lately i have been getting into bike camping. Last night i was getting some groceries with my coda sport and backroller classics and the bike was a bit noddley feeling. The bike is steel so i am not to worried about it's durability as far as the frame goes. I am wondering if the noddley feeling is coming from only having the back loaded down and no weight up front. If i disperse the weight between front and back panniers on my bike camping trips will this feeling go away?

I wanted to resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one.

I have a jamis coda sport and like to carry stuff with it. Also, lately i have been getting into bike camping. Last night i was getting some groceries with my coda sport and backroller classics and the bike was a bit noddley feeling. The bike is steel so i am not to worried about it's durability as far as the frame goes. I am wondering if the noddley feeling is coming from only having the back loaded down and no weight up front. If i disperse the weight between front and back panniers on my bike camping trips will this feeling go away?

If you regularly ride with these kind of loads and this is the first time you've felt this, something is wrong. Inspect it carefully.

Now, if this is the first time you've ridden with this kind of load...

I don't know that model, but just based on the name it's probably not built to be quite as stout as a loaded touring bike. The frame may just get wiggly under load. Loading the front as well may help or make it worse. I had a Volpe that did that, too. It depends upon the frame design. You might just have to get used to it.

I wanted to resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one.

I have a jamis coda sport and like to carry stuff with it. Also, lately i have been getting into bike camping. Last night i was getting some groceries with my coda sport and backroller classics and the bike was a bit noddley feeling. The bike is steel so i am not to worried about it's durability as far as the frame goes. I am wondering if the noddley feeling is coming from only having the back loaded down and no weight up front. If i disperse the weight between front and back panniers on my bike camping trips will this feeling go away?

You need to check that the wheel is tensioned good and you didn't break a spoke.

According to the web page I found, the coda elite's msrp is $1200. That's a lot (I don't mean for this bike; I just mean in general.) For that you have lots of options. In my opinion, if you are going to do fully loaded touring, there's nothing like a dedicated tourer. Plus, a tourer will work fine for everyday riding, commuting, centuries, etc. It won't be a good racer. It might add a few minutes to your century time. But my point is it will make a good all-arounder, while being the right bike for loaded touring. Loaded, long-distance riding wears out parts.

In this price range, consider a Surly LHT, Novara Randonee, Fuji Tourer, or a Trek 520 (I think that's around the price of a 520????)

If you are going to do loaded touring, I don't think you want a carbon fork. I also would want more than one hand position. If you go with straight bars, consider bar ends. Drop bars are all-day comfortable if you have them raised up close to the level of your saddle.

According to the web page I found, the coda elite's msrp is $1200. That's a lot (I don't mean for this bike; I just mean in general.) For that you have lots of options. In my opinion, if you are going to do fully loaded touring, there's nothing like a dedicated tourer. Plus, a tourer will work fine for everyday riding, commuting, centuries, etc. It won't be a good racer. It might add a few minutes to your century time. But my point is it will make a good all-arounder, while being the right bike for loaded touring. Loaded, long-distance riding wears out parts.

In this price range, consider a Surly LHT, Novara Randonee, Fuji Tourer, or a Trek 520 (I think that's around the price of a 520????)

If you are going to do loaded touring, I don't think you want a carbon fork. I also would want more than one hand position. If you go with straight bars, consider bar ends. Drop bars are all-day comfortable if you have them raised up close to the level of your saddle.


Yeah, i already have the coda sport (not elite), and i am not shopping for a bike. While i realize that a dedicated touring bike would be better, i have this bike already and i wanted to use it for some bike camping, getting groceries, and just hauling stuff around. The bike is all steel, including the fork, and it has braze-ons front and back which led me to believe that jamis must have enough faith in this bike to carry some loads.

I have a seven year old Coda with all the braze-ons, Conti 32c tires (although the label says 37c), and absolutely love it as my all-around bike. I even upgraded the crank to a 105, and put a new SRAM 5.0 rear derailleur on it when my old one snapped in two. I also have a Girvin FlexStem on it, which I would hate to ever give up. The gearing is a combo road crank (52/42/30) and MTB (11-32) rear sprocket.

Even though I added bar-ends to the bike, it just doesn't feel quite fast enough when I go out on long rides of 35+ miles. I have a hard time keeping up with my super-quick road bike friends, and this has led me to believe that I may have outgrown my Coda a bit, and now it's time for the Aurora as my all-purpose bike. And this is my game plan. I'll be getting the Aurora soon, and "maybe" keeping the Coda as my backup bike in case of theft or inclement weather. The two bikes weigh almost exactly the same (around 26.5 lbs), but after test riding the Aurora, I think it'll be just a bit more comfortable out on the rodes. And even though I could afford the Aurora Elite (formerly Nova), the high risk of theft here in Chicago prevents me from upping my investment. I take my bike and lock it up EVERYWHERE.

Good luck on your search :)