Hybrid Bicycles - 2011 Jamis Coda vs 2012 Giant Escape 2

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Lobs616
05-21-12, 03:59 PM
I like to ride mostly on hard packed gravel trails but want to be able to increase my road riding. I currently have a Giant MTB and it does make the hills very difficult. I just got my son a Giant Escape 2 and was seriously thinking about buying one for myself. However, I just found a beautiful 2011 Jamis Coda on Craigslist for less money than the Giant. Any thoughts on this? I am thinking that the Coda with its Chromoly frame and fork might be more foregiving on the trails, and probably on the roads for that matter. I do like the cushioning of the front suspension on my hardtail, but I find that it really does make going up hills much more difficult.

mi77915
05-21-12, 04:20 PM
Choosing a bike is a personal decision. Not everyone will recommend the same bike. However, with all things being equal, I would personally choose the Jamis over the Giant. I have ridden both of these bike not too long ago, both are good bikes!!!! My advice is to take each one for a ride and see which one "feels" the best.

The Coda has a chromoly frame (steel) and the Giant has an alumimum frame. There is a lot of opinions as to which is better. I'm not an expert when it comes to the differences, but I'm sure someone will chime in and help describe what the major differences are between the (2) different materials

Not long ago I was in the same situation you are in, I researched all of these bikes and rode as many a I could. I eventually ended up buying a Cannondale CX-3, it just "felt" right to me.

Good luck with your search for a new bike!!! Let us know what you eventually end up with.
bjjoondo
05-21-12, 05:00 PM
I ride a 2012 Jamis Coda Sport, (same as a 2011 Coda) and a 2011 Jamis Allegro 1, the "ride" of the Coda is smoother than the Allegro 1, I guess there is something to the "steel" vrs. aluminum" talk. The Coda feels like a sweet older touring bike, the Allegro 1 (alum. frame/cro-mo fork), seems quicker but doesn't have the comfort level of the Coda. I use the Coda as my "EVERYDAY" bike and the Allegro 1 as my "club ride" or fitness bike. JMHO, YMMV. Whatever you get ENJOY! :)

Dunbar
05-21-12, 07:22 PM
The geometries are pretty much identical so I would buy the Coda if it's a better deal.