CenturionIM

Looking at these 2 bikes:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...fy/7307/44047/

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...09_eclipse.pdf

I could get the 2009 Jamis Eclipse for 1300$. It is almost new and the frame is 853 steel. It comes with the old 105 5600(exposed cable) group and Aksium wheel. This bike is likely 1-2 lb lighter than the defy.

The defy 1 is $800, almost new too, with alu frame. It comes with the new 105 5700 group.

I think the main difference is the frame. Is the Jamis frame really worth the difference? Which one would you pick? Be grateful of opinions from any Eclipse owner too.

CenturionIM

bump

vesteroid

I own a different model defy and like the frame quite a bit. I cant comment on the other bike as I have no personal experience with it. From my limited knowledge, I have found Giant to be a good value for the money spent (compared to other major brands...ie Trek, Specilaized)

sced

Riding-wise it's not gonna matter. Bling-wise the Jamis is nicer but older. The $500 is a big swing that you could use for all kinds of things. 5600 is really nice shifting though. I'd get the Giant and trickle the $500 on kool stuff as you need/want it.

h2oxtc

IMO if you're okay with a used bike I think you can do better in terms of bike specs in either price range. I have a Jamis Aurora Elite which I bought new (first road bike) from a LBS. Two years later the LBS is out of business and coincidentally Jamis became a department store brand. Have you ridden them? From the specs, frame included, I suspect that they're completely different in terms of ride. Is money a factor? Good luck choosing! BTW, my Jamis is now a winter trainer. I have three new (used) road bikes, all Cannondale, which I love to ride.

fstshrk

I have a Jamis Aurora and have been happy with my bike. I also ride a Roubaix SL2 which is also great. BTW, I prefer the exposed cable shifters in the Shimano line so you won't go wrong with the 5600 group.

Realistically, you can't go wrong with the 853 steel.

shelbyfv

I have an older eclipse frame and it is very nicely made and rides well. I think the price is too high for the one you are looking at. The components and wheels are downgraded from the original specs. I like steel frames and would pay a couple of hundred more for the Jamis than the Giant, but not $500 more.

CenturionIM

I am leaning toward this strategy since clipless system cost quite a bit... I tried really hard, but just could not bring myself to drop 2k on the Le Champ Ti i really liked. Going cheap(er) first feel much a-okay. The Eclipse is nice, but the frame is black and white. I prefer the 2012 red version better, but no deal on that.

I test rode a 2011 defy 2, pretty comfy fit and the paint looks even better than the 1, lol. No Eclipse in stock at LBS but tried the Quest. it was good, but I didn't feel the magical "steel ride". It was mostly the same as the defy. A steel racing bike just sound really cool, though.

thplmn72

Have a jamis quest steel frame rides nice better than aluminum or carbon as far as feel goes not sure about the big store comment mines from lbs Atlanta it has 105 components as you keep them tuned they work well and this bike weight 19 lb

songfta

The Reynolds 853 Eclipse frames are simply lovely, and when treated well, are very long lasting. I have a 2006 Eclipse that I bought as a used frameset and built up to a full bike (originally with a 105/Ultegra 9-speed mix, now with Campy Chorus/Centaur 10-speed mix), and it has been a lovely ride. As a frame with more long-term upside, it's better than the aluminum Giant, hands-down.

Yes, $1,300 is a bit pricey for a 2008 model, but that frame is truly lovely, and the 5600-series 105 drivetrain is rock-solid. The 5700 series is also good, but I think it's a matter of ride 'em and think of long-term: do you plan on keeping this bike for more than 5 years? If so, the Jamis is a better investment (the Eclipse has shipped with Ultegra or Centaur since 2005).

Pistard

The Eclipse is a great bike, I own several Jamis bikes, surprised to read they are sold in a box store somewhere,,, they are usually sold by Lbs etc

h2oxtc

I was equally surprised to see Jamis bikes in a department store (Sportchek) having originally bought mine from a LBS. As for theEconomist's decision - money aside, it ultimately should come down to how the bike feels / fits. We can't do that for him. I won't disagree with anyone regarding the Reynolds steel frames - a durable frame that will be around for a long time.

unionmade

The Eclipse is a high end 853 frame, the Defy is a nice alum frame, but nothing to write home about. Price delta is steep, so only you can decide. I'd love to find a nice used Eclipse frame...

acckids

$800 for the Giant Defy with the new 105 is a great price. I just bought one off Ebay for $900 in new condition but had Reynolds Solitude wheelset. It took me about 4 rides to get used to it because I rode a True Temper Plat Ox frame/carbon fork. I have no regrets. My perfect bike would be a steel frame in the Giant Defy geometry.

The geometry on the Ecplipse is more aggressive with shorter headtube/longer top tube. The Defy allows more fit options of aggressive vs less aggressive.

hhnngg1

Can't comment on the Jamis, but I have a 2008 Defy3 with Sora on it and it's my main road bike. My racing bike is a Cervelo that costs 4x as much and honestly aside from slower shifting (which still works totally fine even on aggressive rides) there's no compromise in ride quality. Not once have I thought "Dang I'd be happier on my Cervelo instead of this Giant!" on any ride.

Really does make you question why we spend so much on premium bikes when the entry level stuff is so good nowadays. I definitely can say this WASN'T true about 8-10 years ago; my 'entry' level bike back then was a real clunker in weight and handling - 30+ pounds, unreliable shifting, and bad handling/geometry. The Giant on the other hand, is as smooth and nimble as a true racing bike. It's 'generic' looking, but it's a solid performer and probably amongst best bang for buck you can get for an LBS bike.

My only complaint about my Giant is actually really sort of a compliment for its bang for buck - I would feel weird slapping on a $1000 Powertap or even more so, a $2000 Quarq powermeter since both of those would be significantly more than the cost of the entire bike (I'm still considering it though.)

CenturionIM

someone snagged the defy before I did. He made an offer before I bidded. Why didn't I think about that? gah ebay kills me. 800 for defy 1 was def a great price, LBS sells NOS 11 defy 2 for 950 w/ Tax.
I didn't pull the trigger on the eclipse. 1300 was too close to le champ ti i was looking at, and the bike is not in choice color. Hopefully the seller can lower the price.

there was a 2012 on ebay. it went for 450, i lost that bid too, lol.

WhyFi

Oh, if only Slim hadn't been banhammered.