Questions for the Coda camp
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Questions for the Coda camp
After searching the forums, I'm extremely interested in the base Coda. Downside is that based upon a zip code search for a dealer off of Jamis' site, the closest one is in Springfield MO, some 175 miles away. Before I invest the time/gas to check them out in person, I must rely upon your observations/opinions.
1. Do you have any issues with the adjustable stem?
2. Do you have any issues with the stock wheelsets? I'm 6' by 230#'s, so I'm curious about the 32h double wall rims. Maybe anxious would be more like it.
3. How do you rate them as far as performance/durability/hill-climbing?
I'm a fan of steel. My current ride is steel, but I now think that it would be better use as a beater. I'm wanting something a bit more 'quicker' than my current ride.
Though I'm looking hard at the Coda, I'm not totally fixated on it. I'm also considering the Marin Muirwoods (same tube size as my current) and possibly the KHS Urban Xpress.
1. Do you have any issues with the adjustable stem?
2. Do you have any issues with the stock wheelsets? I'm 6' by 230#'s, so I'm curious about the 32h double wall rims. Maybe anxious would be more like it.
3. How do you rate them as far as performance/durability/hill-climbing?
I'm a fan of steel. My current ride is steel, but I now think that it would be better use as a beater. I'm wanting something a bit more 'quicker' than my current ride.
Though I'm looking hard at the Coda, I'm not totally fixated on it. I'm also considering the Marin Muirwoods (same tube size as my current) and possibly the KHS Urban Xpress.
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I have a Coda Sport, not sure which components are shared between the two (I think the hubs are different). Here is my take.
1. Do you have any issues with the adjustable stem?
No. Stem works great and the adjustability helped get a nice fit for me.
2. Do you have any issues with the stock wheelsets? I'm 6' by 230#'s, so I'm curious about the 32h double wall rims. Maybe anxious would be more like it.
I had to get these wheels trued more than I would have liked. I did hit a few potholes and big road cracks though.
3. How do you rate them as far as performance/durability/hill-climbing?
Overall I'm very satisfied. I have used this bike on a few long distances rides in flat and hilly terrain and the bike has worked like a champ. I have not had it that long so I cannot comment on durability.
1. Do you have any issues with the adjustable stem?
No. Stem works great and the adjustability helped get a nice fit for me.
2. Do you have any issues with the stock wheelsets? I'm 6' by 230#'s, so I'm curious about the 32h double wall rims. Maybe anxious would be more like it.
I had to get these wheels trued more than I would have liked. I did hit a few potholes and big road cracks though.
3. How do you rate them as far as performance/durability/hill-climbing?
Overall I'm very satisfied. I have used this bike on a few long distances rides in flat and hilly terrain and the bike has worked like a champ. I have not had it that long so I cannot comment on durability.
#3
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I was looking at the Coda in my lbs and the salesguy was actually recommending the cheaper KHS Urban Xpress. He said they were essentially the same bike. The coda had slightly better components and the KHS had better wheels.
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I don't have a Coda, but I do have a Muirwoods 29er, so if you don't mind I'll chime in about that. It's got mostly the same components as the base Muirwoods except brakes, wheels and tires (the 29er has disc brakes). The crankset is fairly cheap looking. I've only got about 350 miles on it, so I can't comment on how decent it actually is. The Deore rear derailleur is nice.
As it rolls off the floor, the Muirwoods doesn't feel quick (I'm comparing it to my Kona Jake). I can get it to go as fast as the Jake, but it feels like more work. My current theory about this (and this is relevant to all the bikes that you are considering) is that it has to do with the gearing. The 11-32 cassette, which comes standard on both the Muirwoods and the Coda, has a jump from a 26-tooth cog to a 21-tooth cog. That's a big jump and gives you a harder time spinning up to faster speeds from a standstill.
I arrived at this theory after I put an 11-32 9-speed cassette on my Jake (which comes standard with a 12-25) and it started feeling a lot more like the Muirwoods. I've just ordered a 12-26 8-speed cassette for the Muirwoods. I'll know in a couple of weeks if this makes it feel quicker, but my hope is that it will.
I weigh 200 pounds. I've had no problems with 32-spoke hubs. One thing about being a 200-pound rider is that it gives you perspective about steel frames. Given my weight, it really doesn't make much difference whether the bike and I together weigh 230 pounds or 220 pounds.
As it rolls off the floor, the Muirwoods doesn't feel quick (I'm comparing it to my Kona Jake). I can get it to go as fast as the Jake, but it feels like more work. My current theory about this (and this is relevant to all the bikes that you are considering) is that it has to do with the gearing. The 11-32 cassette, which comes standard on both the Muirwoods and the Coda, has a jump from a 26-tooth cog to a 21-tooth cog. That's a big jump and gives you a harder time spinning up to faster speeds from a standstill.
I arrived at this theory after I put an 11-32 9-speed cassette on my Jake (which comes standard with a 12-25) and it started feeling a lot more like the Muirwoods. I've just ordered a 12-26 8-speed cassette for the Muirwoods. I'll know in a couple of weeks if this makes it feel quicker, but my hope is that it will.
I weigh 200 pounds. I've had no problems with 32-spoke hubs. One thing about being a 200-pound rider is that it gives you perspective about steel frames. Given my weight, it really doesn't make much difference whether the bike and I together weigh 230 pounds or 220 pounds.
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The real reason your Muirwoods isn't quick is those tires. That's alot of weight to spin up. I test rode a M29 back to back with my Novato,and the Novato felt much quicker. They both have the same gears and tire widths,but the 26 vs 700 wheels made a huge difference.
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After 650 miles other than a little creeking no issues with the stem
The front wheel i've not had any problems with .. But the rear wheel i've broken a spoke 1x. Now the road that i ride are far from perfect and since 1/2 my commute is after 11pm its a little hard to avoid some of the rougher spots on the road. Also Im 5'7 and 190, i comute with a trunk bag with my lunch, work cloths, and various other things in the bag. Plus I have a back pack to carry my werk laptop and its stuff.
Oh yea i've got a freind riding the Coda Sport with 300 miles w/o any issues
My average speed via my comp is 12+ mph including all my hills . Hill climbing seems to be pretty good.
Since i got my Coda mid June and started commuting, have a 20 mile round trip, my times commuting in have dropped by about 10 minutes. Originally was at about 50ish minutes for my ride in and today set a new personal best of 42 minutes.
So my impression of the bike to this point is that I do not regret the purchase and I enjoy riding the bike to work and back.
Hope this helps you out.
Oh yea i've got a freind riding the Coda Sport with 300 miles w/o any issues
My average speed via my comp is 12+ mph including all my hills . Hill climbing seems to be pretty good.
Since i got my Coda mid June and started commuting, have a 20 mile round trip, my times commuting in have dropped by about 10 minutes. Originally was at about 50ish minutes for my ride in and today set a new personal best of 42 minutes.
So my impression of the bike to this point is that I do not regret the purchase and I enjoy riding the bike to work and back.
Hope this helps you out.
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Well, I can't say how much quicker the Novato would be with road gears, but they definitely helped the Muirwoods 29er a lot. I picked up around 1 mph on my average speed, which is limited by about 25 stop signs and traffic lights in 11 miles, and it felt even better than that. I'm would recommend road gears to everyone who is buying a hybrid/urban bike and doesn't have steep climbing to do.
Last edited by Andy_K; 09-05-08 at 11:53 AM.