Commuting - took the jamis plunge

well, I ordered myself up a new Jamis Aurora from a not-so-local bike shop
today. I have had a devil of a time finding one to ride, and I am still a bit
spooked about ordering it up without having actually laid eyes on one, but the
more I looked around and rode other bikes, the more convinced I've become that
this is the right one for me. Thanks to all current and past posters in "what
commuter bike to get?" threads for the great tips and info. Decisive factors
in the Aurora's favor:

- STI shifters vs bar-end -- The other big contender was the Trek 520, and
while I understand now why people (especially tourers) like bar-ends, when I
rode the 520 it just didn't feel right to me. The usual arguments
against STI -- hard to get parts in obscure locations, non-obvious
maintenance, can't throw on just any hub/chainring and friction shift --
don't really apply in my case. Obviously I could swap out the 520's
bar-ends for STI, but at a $300 premium over the Aurora, I should get
exactly the bike I want, and not have to sink more cash to make it
right.

- Eyelets and braze-ons in all the right places -- I hand-hacked fenders on my
current ride last week and the ugliness of not having front eyelets made me
doublecheck all the bikes I've been looking at. The Aurora's got attachments
to support all the stuff I need to slap on. (rear rack and freddy fenders)

- Price -- ultimately, this bike feels like a good value and came in at a
price that won't break the bank.

Now I just have to see how my patience holds up for the week or two till it
gets here :D

I am going to pick up one of these as well soon. Luckily I live half an hour away from an awesome worker owned bike store that pretty much only carries Jamis bikes.

I'm hoping to find one to test-ride next time I visit the mainland.

I think you'll like it. :beer:
I opted for the big brother of the Aurora, the Jamis Nova, as my commuter. Picked it up last December. See pic below.

Ronh your Nova is suh-weet! :D

Part of me was holding out for one of those bad boys. But it was just outside the price range I could realistically go for.

./~ happy 30th birthday to me... o/~

i woulda bought one myself but i decided to go surly instead...

i did ride one and it felt like a good bike should! i think you made a wise choice! i looked also at the trek commuter/cyclocorss, and compared to the jamis it seemed like crap...

i woulda bought one myself but i decided to go surly instead...

i did ride one and it felt like a good bike should! i think you made a wise choice! i looked also at the trek commuter/cyclocorss, and compared to the jamis it seemed like crap...

What Trek did you look at... 520?

The Jamis Coda Comp looks like a sweet ticket to me, or the Surly LHT.

Here is my current vintage-80s ride; braze-ons for everything: http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=27324

Jamis is one of the best kept secrets in the cycling industry! You chose well. :)

Here is my 2005 Jamis Quest. (not used for commuting)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/N7CZinMT/Bikes/rb1.jpg

The Coda is a nice ride is you really do not want the cross style and you get the same Reynolds 520 frame. I did cross bikes last year and am now riding a Coda Sport.

I'm glad to see so many others speaking well of Jamis. I had ordered a Raleigh Prestige back in February, and was finally told by Raleigh last week that they wouldn't start production until May 5. I went into my LBS (who always treat me right) and they suggested a Jamis Comet Triple (the Raleigh was a double). Because of these wonderful (I almost said darn) hills in wetsern PA, buying the double worried me a little, being that I'm 47. Hopefully my new Jamis will arrive by Friday - I can't wait! For the money and the full Ultegra group, it seems like a great deal. I refused to buy a Trek!

Love my Jamis Coda Comp!

Decisive factors
in the Aurora's favor:

- STI shifters vs bar-end -- The other big contender was the Trek 520, and
while I understand now why people (especially tourers) like bar-ends, when I
rode the 520 it just didn't feel right to me. The usual arguments
against STI -- hard to get parts in obscure locations, non-obvious
maintenance, can't throw on just any hub/chainring and friction shift --
don't really apply in my case. Obviously I could swap out the 520's
bar-ends for STI, but at a $300 premium over the Aurora, I should get
exactly the bike I want, and not have to sink more cash to make it
right.

- Eyelets and braze-ons in all the right places -- I hand-hacked fenders on my
current ride last week and the ugliness of not having front eyelets made me
doublecheck all the bikes I've been looking at. The Aurora's got attachments
to support all the stuff I need to slap on. (rear rack and freddy fenders)

- Price -- ultimately, this bike feels like a good value and came in at a
price that won't break the bank.

Now I just have to see how my patience holds up for the week or two till it
gets here :D

You missed the most important reason why I purchased my Aurora. Reynolds 525.

If it were not for the frame, I would NOT have purchased the bike but the price at $200.00 dollars was too good to pass up. Unfortunately, the frame is one size too big and I'm trying to make it fit. It feels lighter than my Volpe but the spec is lower. Overall, the frame is solid and feels comfortable. Totally underrated.

Overall, the frame is solid and feels comfortable. Totally underrated.

I hope I will be able to say the same pretty soon - I haven't gotten on one yet so I couldn't comment on how it feels. It's very encouraging to hear so many people happy about their Jamises!

(Jamii?)

Ronh your Nova is suh-weet! :D

Part of me was holding out for one of those bad boys. But it was just outside the price range I could realistically go for.

./~ happy 30th birthday to me... o/~
I got my Nova for my 60th birthday. You should celebrate your 30th by getting the bike you want. ;) :beer:
Here's a picture of mine without all the reflective tape, if that will help with your decision. ;)
http://home.mindspring.com/~rhorne/Jamis%20left.jpg

I'm considering the Jamis Aurora or Nova myself (3rd alternative is Trek 520). I want touring geometry (rack/fenders with plenty of clearance for panniers to avoid hitting with my feet). From looking at the specs the Aurora has slightly longer chainstay than the Nova. I would have to drive to get to the Jamis dealer, which is the only reason I haven't gone to check them out in person yet. It also looks (to my untrained eyes) that the components on the Nova are slightly better than the Aurora?

I got my Nova for my 60th birthday. You should celebrate your 30th by getting the bike you want. ;) :beer:
Here's a picture of mine without all the reflective tape, if that will help with your decision. ;)


I am getting the bike I want. It's too late to tempt me anyway - the aurora's on its way!

Now I just have to see how my patience holds up for the week or two till it
gets here :D

My LBS told me it'd be 4-6 weeks when I ordered my Quest. Its now week six...I'm calling him tomorrow to see what's up?

I'm using an '01 Aurora for commuting and its a solid ride, like an old Schwinn, but lighter.
So, yeah, I like Jamis.

Jamis makes a very nice bike. I had a Drango MTB that I rode some last year and was very pleased with the workmanship and the ride. That is one reason I got the CODA and glad I did.

You missed the most important reason why I purchased my Aurora. Reynolds 525.

If it were not for the frame, I would NOT have purchased the bike but the price at $200.00 dollars was too good to pass up. Unfortunately, the frame is one size too big and I'm trying to make it fit. It feels lighter than my Volpe but the spec is lower. Overall, the frame is solid and feels comfortable. Totally underrated.

Update:

I just changed the saddle of my Aurora and to my surprise, the bike fits MUCH better. Jamis put a horrible saddle on the bike and now it's almost perfect. Incredible.

I am looking at the picture of the Aurora on the Jamis web site. The bike comes with 28c tires. From the picture there appears to be very little clearance between the front tire and the fork. Will this bike be able to accomodate both 32c tires AND full frenders?

I am looking at the picture of the Aurora on the Jamis web site. The bike comes with 28c tires. From the picture there appears to be very little clearance between the front tire and the fork. Will this bike be able to accomodate both 32c tires AND full frenders?
I just spoke to the folks at the lbs where I bought my Nova (they're only 3 blocks from my work :) ) and they say there is ~1.75" clearance between the curve of the fork and the top of the tire with the standard 700x28 tires. He said there should be plenty of room with 700x32 tires for standard fenders.

My LBS told me it'd be 4-6 weeks when I ordered my Quest. Its now week six...I'm calling him tomorrow to see what's up?

I'm using an '01 Aurora for commuting and its a solid ride, like an old Schwinn, but lighter.
So, yeah, I like Jamis.

Yep, I'd be calling them! The 05 Quest is like a rocket ship. They dropped from Ultegra on the '04 to 105 on the '05, but put a better set of wheels on it. The frame is just supple enough to be good for long rides and responsive enough to a decent climber. Don't know that I would use it as a loaded commuter. The Nova or Aurora geometry is better suited for commuting. IMHO

Love my Jamis Coda Comp!

Sweet looking bike. A new one turned up on the bike rack at work yesterday. Hope it's a new regular!

:D

http://www.jushookem.net/satellite-small.jpg

I took the plunge myself today! I drove 30 miles to the only Jamis dealer in town, and after taking a closer look at the other Jamis bikes and an older Aurora, ordered the '05 Aurora (62cm, largest frame). It should arrive in a week. I ordered it upgraded with 32c tires and fenders. I'll use my existing rack on it.

Gonna be a loooong week.

I've had my Aurora for close to 2 weeks now and I'm really enjoying it. I ordered it on a Wednesday and the guy said it would probably be in the following Monday. I then got a call the next day (Thursday) saying it was there for me to pick up! I had them put on fenders and a rear rack and I bought a couple Nashbar Townie Baskets for getting groceries and now I am set (well, almost :p). I've been cruising around Philly and am gaining confidence every day.

ElSaturnino - They ship out of New Jersey apparently, so you're a lot closer than me (California). BUT I did confirm that it's on the way! Hopefully I'll be on it next week!

Glad you like it -- How is the stock seat?

I just spoke to the folks at the lbs where I bought my Nova (they're only 3 blocks from my work :) ) and they say there is ~1.75" clearance between the curve of the fork and the top of the tire with the standard 700x28 tires. He said there should be plenty of room with 700x32 tires for standard fenders.

How about 38s? (Has to fit the studded tires for the winter.) This info was for the Aurora right?

Does the Nova have the brazeons for the front fender stays? I couldn't tell by your pic or from the mfr site pics

I'm trying to decide on a new commuter and there's a store in town that will let me trade my current bikes in toward the purchase of a new Jamis. Don't know if I want the aurora or the nova. Aurora gear range looks nicer, but specs of the Nova are a tad better and replacing a rear der. & cassette can be done without TOO much expense. Aurora is less expensive to start with though. Oh well...I guess I should stop thinking about bikes and get back to work...:D

I too am a Jamis fan. Last year I got a close-out '02 Coda. It's a great all purpose bike, sturdy yet still responsive and fun to ride. They seem to be under the radar, but make quality stuff.

Glad you like it -- How is the stock seat?

The stock seat is OK. I'm new to cycling so i don't have a good point of reference but it feels fine to me.

I picked up my Aurora today! Man, this is a beautiful bike! Picture on the Jamis web site does not do it justice, this thing is georgeous. A lot of people gathered around it at the LBS when I was checking it out and getting it fitted. I brought with me a Brooks B17 Narrow for them to put on it (this was quite a novelty for these guys as well, apparently they don't see too many Brooks saddles). Tires upgraded to Vittoria Randonneur 32c. Had them install full fenders as well.

The bike is not quite complete yet. I'm going to move over my existing rack, and also need to get a mounting set for the computer.

I'll post some pictures later.

Does the Nova have the brazeons for the front fender stays? I couldn't tell by your pic or from the mfr site pics
The fork is CF so no braze-ons for fender or rack.

I picked up my Aurora today! Man, this is a beautiful bike! Picture on the Jamis web site does not do it justice, this thing is georgeous. A lot of people gathered around it at the LBS when I was checking it out and getting it fitted.

I'll post some pictures later.

JPG! JPG!

Mine's not in yet and I'm bummed :( I had hoped to pick it up this weekend.

And here we go! So excited. It's a great ride. Several times during my first commute on the Aurora I was moving along pretty nicely, then realized I had three more gears to go before I was topped out. Click the picture to go to my gallery.

http://explosive.net/albums/biking/00009_G.sized.jpg (http://explosive.net/gallery/biking/)

Sweet! <check wallet...> Have you tried weighing it in that configuration?

Sweet! <check wallet...> Have you tried weighing it in that configuration?

Nope, but it's probably around 23 lb with fenders & frame, and then plus 10-15 lb when i put the panniers full of work stuff on.

And here is mine.... Not the best of pictures, but it's what I was able to do for now...

Darnit, quit talking up Jamis! That's what I decided not to buy when I bought my Giant. Now you're making me second-guess myself.

I guess I better get one so I can know for sure... :)

And here we go! So excited. It's a great ride. Several times during my first commute on the Aurora I was moving along pretty nicely, then realized I had three more gears to go before I was topped out.
Great looking bike. :beer: I like the color. I wish the Nova had a selection of colors. But like Henry Ford said, "You can get it in any color you'd like, as long as it's black." ;)

Everyone else was doin' it so I had to do it to. Without further adieu, here is my bike:

Looks like we're all using the same fenders here..... Pretty cool!

Got a flat on the ride home from work today :( My ride is very glass-strewn and my previous tires (Panaracer Tourguard) were kevlar-lined. Are you other Aurora riders finding the Hutchinson tires to be sufficient protection, or have you upgraded? I'm thinking a set of those Schwalbe Marathons might be in order.

Got a flat on the ride home from work today :( My ride is very glass-strewn and my previous tires (Panaracer Tourguard) were kevlar-lined. Are you other Aurora riders finding the Hutchinson tires to be sufficient protection, or have you upgraded? I'm thinking a set of those Schwalbe Marathons might be in order.

I upgraded mine to Vittoria Randonneur 32c. I wanted a slightly fatter tire than the stock, and I also liked the reflective sidewall. I think they are more flat-resistant as well, but that's just an added bonus.

I've been happy with the Hutchinson tires that came with my Coda. So happy, that I recently replaced the old tires with new Hutchinson Excel tires (the old ones were pretty worn). I kindof wish I had purchased the Hutchinson's with the blue reflective sidewalls, just for fun.

Here goes the jinx: I've not had a flat yet in 3 years of commuting on my Coda...I'll let you know when I do, since now it's inevitable. Me and my big mouth!

Here goes the jinx: I've not had a flat yet in 3 years of commuting on my Coda...I'll let you know when I do, since now it's inevitable. Me and my big mouth!

Oh, wow. Either your Public Works Dept is a lot more assiduous about street-sweeping, or people in your area toss a lot fewer bottles out their window than they do here.

Or you're really good at dodging!

Oh, wow. Either your Public Works Dept is a lot more assiduous about street-sweeping, or people in your area toss a lot fewer bottles out their window than they do here.

Or you're really good at dodging!

There is a 3rd possibility. Riding farther to the left (if you don't already do that). All the road junk (bottles/wires etc) that cause flats seems to collect on the shoulder by the edge of the road. If you ride about 3 ft into the road (the outside edge of the right tire-mark) you will greatly reduce the amount of road debris you have to dodge, and give you more room to dodge it.

I didn't have Velogirl's luck - I flatted the front Hutchison on my Coda Elite on my second week of commuting last summer.

I then swapped for Specialized All Condition Armadillos, and have not had a flat since. Of course, I suspect I am a good deal heavier than Velogirl so using standard tires for an everyday commute would probably always be a risky proposition for me.

Oh, wow. Either your Public Works Dept is a lot more assiduous about street-sweeping, or people in your area toss a lot fewer bottles out their window than they do here.

Or you're really good at dodging!

HA HA HA! Washington DC is not exactly known for its assiduous street-sweeping and pot-hole filling! And the parts I ride through have lots of tossed bottles. No, as DogBoy suggested, I ride farther to the left, outside of the door zone, taking the lane when needed. I don't ride on the major arteries, but prefer to discover different neighborhoods. Quieter streets make negotiating road hazards easier since there is less traffic to worry about. I suspect that my 135 lbs is lighter than many posters out there in bikeforumland.

With all that said, my luck will no doubt run out soon. I'll just make sure that I have a tube or two, tire irons, and my pump at all times.

There is a 3rd possibility. Riding farther to the left (if you don't already do that). All the road junk (bottles/wires etc) that cause flats seems to collect on the shoulder by the edge of the road. If you ride about 3 ft into the road (the outside edge of the right tire-mark) you will greatly reduce the amount of road debris you have to dodge, and give you more room to dodge it.

Usually if a road has a wide enough shoulder to accumulate debris, it also often has faster traffic than a bike can keep up with. Stock tires on affordable bikes tend to be thin or crap, too. I ride a few streets with the double-whammy: debris under a layer of leaves. I hardly even bother watching out for it anymore, as my four-seasons have been rolling over it for almost a year without complaint. Car parts are the worst.

I just got an 08 satellite. I loooooove it. Perfect for me since I dont really race but I like the responsive feel of a semi racy bike and also works well for light touring.