2007 Jamis Nova Questions
09-11-07, 07:57 AM
#1
Triathlete
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 56
Bikes: 2007 Jamis Trilogy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
2007 Jamis Nova Questions
Still new to this forum, joined because I am looking to buy my first new bike in many years. I went to several local shops, found one that I really like. The owner spent an hour+ with me going over lots of different information.
I am pretty set on a Jamis Nova. I have not decided on pedals yet, but I will be buying slicks and an Aerobar to use for racing as well. I am looking for something that is pretty fast on the street and can do some basic off-roading if necessary. The other issue is I am going to compete in a few sprint triathlons before winter sets in. This will be the bike I use (hence the slicks).
There are not alot of reviews out there, anything I should be concerned about or worried about? The sprint triathlons are less than 20miles each. In the spring I may look at something else.
Questions:
Anyone have direct experience with the bike?
Any known issues (I saw earlier models that the paint chips easy)?
Good use for sprint triathlons?
Light off-roading (dirt trails)?
Anything else I should consider?
Thanks
I am pretty set on a Jamis Nova. I have not decided on pedals yet, but I will be buying slicks and an Aerobar to use for racing as well. I am looking for something that is pretty fast on the street and can do some basic off-roading if necessary. The other issue is I am going to compete in a few sprint triathlons before winter sets in. This will be the bike I use (hence the slicks).
There are not alot of reviews out there, anything I should be concerned about or worried about? The sprint triathlons are less than 20miles each. In the spring I may look at something else.
Questions:
Anyone have direct experience with the bike?
Any known issues (I saw earlier models that the paint chips easy)?
Good use for sprint triathlons?
Light off-roading (dirt trails)?
Anything else I should consider?
Thanks
Last edited by AaronDavidson; 09-11-07 at 08:16 AM. Reason: quick addition
09-11-07, 08:15 AM
#2
Triathlete
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 56
Bikes: 2007 Jamis Trilogy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Forgot to add that another reason I chose this bike is that it seems that the next step up does not have any rack capability. I have a 13 month old, that I would like to strap on to the back of the bike.
09-11-07, 09:43 AM
#3
B.C. to D.C.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: between the Popeye's, the liquor store, the funeral home, and the strip club
Posts: 576
Bikes: 1992 Miyata Nine 14; 1971 Raleigh Super Course fixie conversion; 2006 Jamis Nova (853 version); 2001 Diamondback Topanga (SS conversion); 1956 Rudge Sports; 1971 Raleigh Competition (processing); 199? Schwinn World Sport (processing)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hey aaron, I ride a 2006 Nova as my commuter, and a couple folks in the shop where I work ride the '07s.
the nova is a great all-rounder bike, and will indeed do well by you. I think they've ironed out a lot of the kinks that plagued my '06, particularly surrounding the front crank (boo truvativ). I had a frame with very flaky paint, but I think that was just a one-off problem.
The only issue I've seen with the '07s was two bikes that came back with cracked seat tubes, both ridden by pretty big dudes. We sell the hell out of the Nova, and I haven't seen any further probs. In any event, Jamis has excellent customer service and will do right by you.
The Nova with slicks will definitely keep you competitive on the road, but if you're "serious" about triathlons, it might not be the best bike--although I know next to nothing about triathlons. As a cyclocross bike, it's meant to be sized small and ridden more upright in conditions where aero is not that big of a concern--the cantis and big fork will create wind drag, etc. While still plenty nimble, it also has a slacker (slower-turning) geometry compared to a lot of road bikes to help you maneuver through offroad stuff.
All this doesn't mean you can't convert it into a tri bike, but you'll probably have to monkey around with spacers and stems so you can get the bars down and in for an aero position. riding aero bars offroad might not be such a great idea either. But heck, I know a dude that did a triathlon on his mountain bike with knobbies, so again, it just depends how "serious" you are.
Another option is the jamis quest, which is a straight-up 631 road bike with rack/fender eyelets so you can carry your kid. It's not as versatile in the sense that it doesn't have the tire clearance for offroad knobbies, but it's a very respectable bike, equal or slightly better than the nova for road applications.
In any case, I would recommend kid trailers over bike seats or sitting on the rack any day. Way safer, better handling, and probably more fun for the kid, as they can draw or whatever (I have a 20-month old). You can find them cheap on craigslist. Easier for toting groceries/picnics/kid supplies, etc.
the nova is a great all-rounder bike, and will indeed do well by you. I think they've ironed out a lot of the kinks that plagued my '06, particularly surrounding the front crank (boo truvativ). I had a frame with very flaky paint, but I think that was just a one-off problem.
The only issue I've seen with the '07s was two bikes that came back with cracked seat tubes, both ridden by pretty big dudes. We sell the hell out of the Nova, and I haven't seen any further probs. In any event, Jamis has excellent customer service and will do right by you.
The Nova with slicks will definitely keep you competitive on the road, but if you're "serious" about triathlons, it might not be the best bike--although I know next to nothing about triathlons. As a cyclocross bike, it's meant to be sized small and ridden more upright in conditions where aero is not that big of a concern--the cantis and big fork will create wind drag, etc. While still plenty nimble, it also has a slacker (slower-turning) geometry compared to a lot of road bikes to help you maneuver through offroad stuff.
All this doesn't mean you can't convert it into a tri bike, but you'll probably have to monkey around with spacers and stems so you can get the bars down and in for an aero position. riding aero bars offroad might not be such a great idea either. But heck, I know a dude that did a triathlon on his mountain bike with knobbies, so again, it just depends how "serious" you are.
Another option is the jamis quest, which is a straight-up 631 road bike with rack/fender eyelets so you can carry your kid. It's not as versatile in the sense that it doesn't have the tire clearance for offroad knobbies, but it's a very respectable bike, equal or slightly better than the nova for road applications.
In any case, I would recommend kid trailers over bike seats or sitting on the rack any day. Way safer, better handling, and probably more fun for the kid, as they can draw or whatever (I have a 20-month old). You can find them cheap on craigslist. Easier for toting groceries/picnics/kid supplies, etc.
Last edited by comradehoser; 09-11-07 at 09:48 AM.
09-11-07, 10:44 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 226
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi.
I own a "decommissioned" '07 Nova & I thought it was an absolutely fantastic bike. If money weren't such an issue right now I would replace the frame and fork in a heartbeat.
Do it.
BDS
I own a "decommissioned" '07 Nova & I thought it was an absolutely fantastic bike. If money weren't such an issue right now I would replace the frame and fork in a heartbeat.
Do it.
BDS
09-12-07, 07:01 AM
#5
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 49
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I own a Jamis super Nova 2006 this like the Nova but uses 853 steel to make for a lighter, and slightly stiffer ride(was available as a frame only, I think offered in 05' as the SuperNova bike). I got my bike as a cyclocross/commuter/light tourer. It is fun I put on a shorter 80mm 45 degree stem with big tires 42mm in front and a 40mm(biggest tire you can really put in the back) Mythos cx and it is a blast to ride on mountainbike trails. For dirt roads I ride the WTB interwolf still big at 38mm and for cross the Conti Twister 35mm. My bike might be a little big(fits more like a road bike) but I think a size down would have been too small.
