rgombine

Looking for a new bike and I have scoured these forums for advice. I am presently considering Dr. Dew, Dew Deluxe, Jamis Coda Comp or Coda Comp Elite. In my heart, I would love to get the Dr. Dew but there is no way to ride one -- I would have to order it site unseen. I have ridden the Coda Sport which I found unremarkable.

I will be doing mostly short commuting in Philadelphia (which has horrible streets) sometimes w/ my 3 year old in a bike seat. Anticipate a trailer in the future when my newborn is old enough to ride with his brother. Philly is a small city, so will be trying to use the bike for a lot of routine errand stuff as well. All this plus the occasional off-roading up the Wissahickon (unpaved bike path) and the City to shore (philly to AC -- 75 mi) once a year.

Anyone passionate about their Dr. Dew or Coda Comp and wants to sway me one way or the other? Would also be interested in hearing thoughts on getting a Dew Deluxe and upgrading drivetrain components.

Thanks for your advice and for taking the time to read yet another "what bike should I buy" thread.

max-a-mill

i suggest going to see the good folks at trophy bikes.

www.trophybikes.com

they are a jamis dealer and generally very knowledgable and friendly when it comes to helping us commuters out. they would have a bunch of bikes in your style.

the thing about buying a bike without a shop is; where do you bring that bike when it needs service??? if you bought one from a local shop you'd get taken care of with a smile if and when anything happens, plus you'd know the bike is safe and ready to ride!

welcome to philly (if your new to the city)! i live on the far end of wisahickon park and ride to center city everyday. it is a great city for getting around by bike!

btw, my bike is a surly crosscheck and i couldn't be happier with it; but i am not trying to push my bike on you...

rgombine

Thanks for the reply! I have been to trophy. They seem great. To clarify, if I were to get a Kona, I would be purchasing it from Bicycle Therapy on South St. They just don't stock them (and to be fair, Trophy doesn't stockk the Coda Comp).

desmoface

I recently saw a coda comp and I have to say I was impressed..very nice looking machine...the kona's are very nice also...the jamis is steel which I hear good things about.

Steve

pelikan

I got a Dew Deluxe and I like it very much. The thing stops on a dime, which is awesome for commuting. I dunno about the other bikes, but I have no complainst about the Dew Deluze (other than the Kona Jake I bought is just easier to lug up hills even w/o a granny gear). Going downhill or around cars, I'll take the Dew.

rgombine

thanks for the responses. I guess I was hoping some Dew or Coda Comp riders would stop by and say "you NEED this bike b/c of X, don't even think of getting anything else!" I just need the moral support as I have no real way to ride them first . . .

dynaryder

Ok. Buy the Dew Deluxe and don't look back!

Seriously,I'd recommend the Deluxe over the others. The Codas look nice,but I'm selling my Sirrus,which is pretty comparable. The skinny tires bother my wrists on all but the smoothest roads. Now the Coda's steel frame may help,but I can't see it beating out the Dew's Project Two fork and wider tires. The wider tires are also a plus when curb surfing or going off asphalt.

My Dew Deluxe is currently my fav all-around bike(although the Marin runs a close second). It's comfortable,fast,shifts smooth,and has great brakes and handling. Despite the discs,it'll take an Axiom rack and I've seen Freddy Fenders mounted. I'm pretty chuffed with the hydraulics on my Marin,but I wouldn't spend the extra dosh on the Dr just to get them and an extra gear out back. I'd also recommend the '05's;they wear WTB Slickasauruses,the '04's and now '06's use more trail-oriented tires. The Slickasauruses roll real smooth;I've got them on two bikes and am putting them on a third. I'm also more partial to the '05's black to the '06's blue,but that's just my personal taste.

So my advice,Dew Deluxe all the way.