bradhorn

Hi Everyone!

I'm interested in buying a 2005 model JAMIS bike called "Quest" and I'd like some serious general comments on what people think about the particular bike. Suggestions are cool too.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_quest.html

Here is some relevant personal information:
* I live (just turned 50) and ride in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, PA
* Currently, I can only ride about 20-30 miles in a day (35 lb. bike - Panasonic DX-1000, 15 years old)
* Typical (on the flats) speed is about 17 mph. Can pedal to 22 mph for about a half mile.
* I'm looking for a bike where I can average 22 mph (about) and top out even more.
* I want a bike that I can ride for hours without serious bike-related fatigue, say for 50 miles or so.
* I'm willing to pay around $1200 or so for this bike if its worth it.
* I'm just learning about all the technical bike details.
* Currently, I only ride a few hundred miles each year. Would like to up that quite a bit. I love to ride!

What do you suggest?
What do you think of the bike?

Thanks in advance!
Brad

Olebiker

You could not do better than this bike. It's a tremendous value and exactly the bike for what you describe.

RonH

Jamis makes a great line of bikes. I considered a Quest a few years ago but the salesman talked me into getting another bike. I no longer have that bike.
In December I purchased a Jamis Nova (see link in signature). Great bike. I'm very happy with it.

bsyptak

I have the 2003 Jamis Quest. The only difference is that some of the components are different. It is a very nice bike, ultra comfortable (even the saddle). I have not changed a thing on it. There are more expensive bikes out there, but this one is tough to beat for $1200. It's become a bit of a cliche, but steel really is comfortable and supple.

FriendlyFocus

I think this bike will be perfect for you. I have a 2002 Jamis Eclipse and Jamis makes a fantastic bike. The steel frame will give you a fantastic ride and that is a decent carbon fork as well. It has many good Shimano 105 components and I don't think the freewheel/cassette or the crankset/bb will give you any trouble at all, Jamis makes a quality product.

The only thing you would have to think about off the bat is whether or not you like the stock saddle. I'd recommend having the LBS let you try out different saddles. Try to get something with a little width and very hard. Narrow saddles and soft gushy saddles can be killer when you start getting some distance, unless you have really skinny butt bones. Hard saddles may seem like they'd be uncomfortable but when you start getting in the distance the soft saddles will murder you. I ride a Brooks B17.

Most importantly make sure you get to test ride the bike very thoroughly before you buy it to make sure you really like it. Try to test ride similar bikes as well, it will help you "feel" how the bikes ride.

Shut up & ride

I test-drove a lot of bikes the past few weeks. Picked something else, but the Quest was on the short list and the best value of all I looked at. I'm thinking, if it fits, it's hard to go wrong with this bike.

Serpico

yeah, thats a sweet bike



FRAME Reynolds 631 seamless air-hardened chromoly main tubes, double tapered heat-treated stays, reinforced head tube collars, lost wax dropouts with eyelets.

FORK Easton EC70, carbon fiber blades & steerer, alloy crown.
HEADSET Aheadset, alloy, 1 1/8”.
WHEELSET Easton-VeloMax Vista wheelset, sealed cartridge bearings, 20H radial front, 24H radial NDS/2X DS rear.
TIRES Hutchinson Quartz, 700 x 23C, kevlar.
DERAILLEURS Shimano 105 GS rear, 105 28.6mm band clamp front.
SHIFTERS Shimano 105 Dual Control STI, 27-speed.
CHAIN Shimano CN-HG73.
FREEWHEEL SRAM PowerGlide PG-950, 9-speed, 12-23.
CRANKSET TruVativ Elita SL, 52/42/30, 165mm (XS),
170mm (50, 53), 175mm (55 - 59).

BOTTOM BRACKET TruVativ ISIS Drive SL, 68 x 118mm.
PEDALS NA.
BRAKESET Shimano 105, with 105 STI levers.
HANDLEBAR Easton EA50, 400mm (XS, 50),
420mm (53, 55), 440mm (57-62).
STEM Easton EA50 (±6°), 90mm (XS - 53),
100mm (55, 57), 120mm (59, 62).
GRIPS Jamis gel tape.
SEATPOST Easton Road, 2
50mm x 27.2mm
with cromo seatpin.
SADDLE Fizik Pave with microtex top & sides, cromo rails.
SIZES XS, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62cm
COLORS Radium Blue/Platinum
WEIGHT 20.25 lbs

tourist

The Quest is an awesome bike for all the stuff you described. Tremendous value!!

You may want to check this out as well.

https://www.lemondbikes.com/2005_bike...x_de_fer.shtml

The Croix de Fer is also a great value.

bsyptak

I wonder what the weight is on the Croix De Fer? At $1200, assuming it's 20 lbs, it's probably down to the one that fits the rider best.

I hate it that some (most) mfgrs don't put their bike weights on the web site or anywhere for that matter. Tells me that they are hiding something.

tourist

It's actually a shade under 20lbs. Like 19.5 in 59cm. Not bad.

flatwater biker

I would really like to ride a Jamis Quest, however, I am having a terrible time finding a shop (even in the surrounding states) that carry any kind of Jamis road bike inventory.

Are others having the same difficulty? Sure they all will be glad to "order one for you" but no-one has stock on-hand.

I did locate a 2004 Eclipse - how much higher up the scale is this over the Quest?

bradhorn

The Eclipse, I believe, sells for over $2000. I've test driven it and its very nice! Its preferable to the Quest but above my spending limit.

I'm assuming you've already checked the JAMIS web site (https://www.jamisbikes.com) for dealers. While your profile doesn't specify your location, I can personally recommend a local (to me, in southeast PA) dealer whom I can personally vouch for being terrific - honest, technically fantastic, great prices.
https://www.biketopia.net

DynamicD74

Check the last issue of "Bicycling," magazine. I think this was one of the bikes that got very high marks from their testers. (I left my magazine at a friend's house, so I'm working from memory....one of the first things to go after 40!)

lilscotboy

i ride a 2003 quest, same frame, different/ comparable components to the 2005 model. The 631 reynolds frame is super smooth and responsive, the biggest thing is that they don't skimp on components at all, if they say 105 drivetrain, everything is 105 down to the BB etc.

i've been riding the quest for 2 years and have only just purchased my first upgrade (American Classic 420 wheels over the mavic cosmos set up) but to be honest that was really only because of a bonus check, the previous wheels were bombproof and have never needed to be trued in 1000's of miles.

i think the quest has won best entry level bike for under $1500 in both 2003 and 2005....what more can you say? + many say its worthy of a price 2-3 times that much

go and buy it

bsyptak

That's definitely the problem with Jamis. Nobody carries them. I think it's because in this homogenized country, if the name on the down tube doesn't say Trek/Specialized/Giant/(Magna!) that nobody will buy them. It's sad, because Jamis is usually spec'd better. Andy they're one of the few mfgrs that still make affordable steel bikes. If you're anywhere near a Performance Bike Shop, I believe they will transfer one in for you without obligation.

mda2345

I bought a Jamis bike (Coda) through https://www.bicycleblowout.com They have access to some older models (mine was a '02) and also the current line. They don't charge for shipping. The 'out of the box' bike needed a tune up after I put it together, but all in all I was happy with the purchase. Check them out. I too am a Jamis fan...

oneradtec

yes that is the problem with some of these smaller manufacturers like Jamis and Felt...they don't have the distribution. In business...distribution is everything....and Trek is king of this. So when distribution is lacking...availability will always be an issue. The Trek 1500 is a fairly comparable bike in this price range. I think the Trek is priced around $1100 with a 105 drive train. You could upgrade the generic stock brakes(to 105) and come in around $1200 out the door. That bike has a carbon fork and seat post....and a set of Bontrager Select wheels that compliment the 105 drivetrain. I'm only suggesting this if availability becomes a problem with the Quest. That Lemond that someone suggested might be a good alternative. Any Trek dealer could order that Lemond for you. The odds are good that you can find the Trek 1500 in stock at a local shop.

Shut up & ride

Except that the Trek 1500 is Aluminum. I personally would have no interest in it. Depends what you're looking for. If you're open to Aluminum, there are lots of other choices. If you want the silky-smooth ride of steel...

tnscoop

The one I purchased in May weighed in at just under 21 pounds on the official bike shop scales.

I can't find the link right now, but LeMond offers an argument on why it doesn't publish weights. I recall the argument is that every bike made varies a bit and publishing weight is actually an opportunity to be misleading rather than an opportunity to hide something. Whatever the merits of that argument, the bike is plenty light for its cost.

hi565

random question...

How come your thing says newbie in the red when you joined 2002?

bradhorn

Its been a long time since the last message on this thread so I thought those checking it out might be interested to hear what I did with all your advice. I TOOK IT!

In May 2007 I bought myself a Jamis 2007 Quest 53 cm bike. Its great!!! I've gone where I've never gone before, on hilly and long treks I would never have attempted before, with relaxed assurance I could do it with my new bike! I have to watch out for that Quest - it can quietly stroll faster than I can realize its actually moving - like 25 mph when I'm not really looking! Almost seems limited by what fuel I've had rather than where I can go.

So far I've been able to ride past my 28 mile limit all the way to 39 miles, where I've either run out of food/water, time or daylight. I could ride my Quest all day long if I felt like it! What a trip!

Thanks, everyone, for all your welcome advice! You were right on about it!

v1k1ng1001

The Croix de Fer hasn't been available since 2006.

laryanshabaz

Upgrade the motor.
You could average that on your Panasonic.

I'm not suggesting you don't deserve a new bike, just don't forget the more important part.