2012 Jamis Coda or 2012 Jamis Allegro

[Bikexln]

2012 Jamis Coda
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...asport_rd.html

2012 Jamis Allegro
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...egrosport.html

Well I was set on getting the 2011 Sirrus and the shop never called me back and kept saying they would so I missed out on it, then we took a temperature drop so I'm back to shopping for spring now. All trails in town are paved with the exception of 1, but it's hard packed dirt. Decided not to get the sirrus due to the 28mm tire size and that shop just put a bad taste in my mouth now.

Anyway, I've got it narrowed down to these two. I am loving the looks of the new Allegro. Not sure how the components stack up or how the bike in general stacks up to the coda though.

[erg79]

The obvious difference between the two is that the Coda is steel, the Allegreo is aluminum. I've never read a bad thing about the Coda line. I know that when I scrape enough money together for a new bike, it will be one that I try for sure.

[Dunbar]

Just FYI, tires are very easy to change so I wouldn't write a bike off just because you don't like the stock tires. The Coda and Allegro look pretty comparable spec wise. The Coda has a steel frame vs the Allegro's aluminum. The Coda has a slightly shorter mountain bike style cassette and rear derailleur vs Allegro's road bike cassette/rear derailleur. Cassettes run about $25-30 plus about $5 in labor for the bike shop to swap.

[Bikexln]

Yeah tires are easy to change, but this is pretty much the top of my budget as is and I'd really just like to buy a total package. Changing anything right away is not an option. Also not going to do business with a story with poor customer service. Would I notice a difference between the road/mountain type derailers?

[Dunbar]

Yeah tires are easy to change, but this is pretty much the top of my budget as is and I'd really just like to buy a total package. Changing anything right away is not an option. Also not going to do business with a story with poor customer service. Would I notice a difference between the road/mountain type derailers?

If you're buying it new from a bike shop they would almost certainly swap wider tires on at no cost if you asked them. You would only notice the mountain bike cassette on steeper hills because it has a couple shorter gears. The Allegro would give you tighter gear spacing in the 15-25mph range on flat ground.

[SlimRider]

If you should decide to get the Coda. Just remember that it's frame is made of a more refined state-of-the-art chromoly 520 Reynolds steel. This bicycle, if kept dry, will render you service for many decades to come. If you take good care of your Coda, you'll most likely be able to will it to your grandkids.

While the components on neither bicycle are the best, the Coda has better componentry. It doesn't matter, you'll be able to upgrade your Coda components at your leisure. That chromoly steel frame isn't going anywhere! It will still be around whenever you should decide to upgrade. The goal of obtaining Alivio/Deore componentry should be on your short list for the coming years. At that point of the Alivio/Deore componentry transition, your bicycle will approach the ride status of the coveted Jamis Coda Comp.

I've personally ridden the Jamis Coda Comp. It was one of the most comfortable bicycles that I've ever ridden. I couldn't believe that it maintained its level of comfort even after hours of flying over the paved and uneven roads of Barberton, Ohio, the Flats of Cleveland and then finally, the country roads of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

I was always able to keep up with the road bikes of my group, never wavering a bit.

There's little wonder that the Jamis Coda bicycle was granted the most distinguished Editor's Choice award for being the best hybrid bicycle of the year (2011), by Cycling magazine.

- Slim

[a1penguin]

^^^ Slim always recommends steel bikes. And he also doesn't read well. You stated your budget and he recommends a bike that costs more after you pointed out you have limited budget.

Ride them both; pick the one that you like better. They are pretty comparable. Both have 32mm tires. While fatter tired give you a smoother ride, they have higher rolling resistance. I don't think you would notice a lot of difference between a 28 and a 32.

Ride and decide!

[SlimRider]

^^^ Slim always recommends steel bikes. And he also doesn't read well. You stated your budget and he recommends a bike that costs more after you pointed out you have limited budget.

Ride them both; pick the one that you like better. They are pretty comparable. Both have 32mm tires. While fatter tired give you a smoother ride, they have higher rolling resistance. I don't think you would notice a lot of difference between a 28 and a 32.

Ride and decide!

A1penguin falsely accuses people because he, doesn't read very well, himself. He totally misses the fact that I've suggested that you get the Jamis Coda and that you look forward to upgrading it, years later. I then tell you that once you've upgraded your Coda, your Coda will then approach the higher status, of a Jamis Coda Comp.

I never in my reponse recommend the higher priced Jamis Coda Comp.

- Slim

PS.

If he was observant, he would have noticed that I've also recommended aluminum framed bicycles and the occasional carbon fiber bicycle, in the past.

Apparently, there's just too much Silicon in that Valley!

[The Chemist]

Personally, I'd go with the Allegro. It (IMO) looks better, it's lighter, and it has a more road-oriented drivetrain.

[Pendergast]

I don't push chromoly as much as Slim does, but I'm definitely part of the "steel is real" faction, too. I'd probably get the Coda. The Allegro is a pretty bike though.

I tend to keep bikes a loooooong time. Three years ago I upgraded my 1988 Bridgestone RB-2(bought new in 1989) with a mix of Ultegra, Rival, and 105 parts. I'm getting ready to convert my 1997 Fuji Roubaix(bought new in 1998) to a hybrid/flat bar road bike. And I still have my 1989 Jamis Diablo rigid mountain bike(bought new in 1989 and currently serving as my hybrid.) Steel has treated me well over the years.

[SlimRider]

I don't push chromoly as much as Slim does, but I'm definitely part of the "steel is real" faction, too. I'd probably get the Coda. The Allegro is a pretty bike though.

I tend to keep bikes a loooooong time. Three years ago I upgraded my 1988 Bridgestone RB-2(bought new in 1989) with a mix of Ultegra, Rival, and 105 parts. I'm getting ready to convert my 1997 Fuji Roubaix(bought new in 1998) to a hybrid/flat bar road bike. And I still have my 1989 Jamis Diablo rigid mountain bike(bought new in 1989 and currently serving as my hybrid.) Steel has treated me well over the years.

Don't let Pendergast fool you. He's really a diehard chromoly steeler!

[Pendergast]

Diehard until 2008, anyway. I was in on the group buy when Bikes Direct introduced their titanium bikes. I didn't think I'd ever be able to bring myself to lay out the $$$ for a titanium bike, but Mike from Bikes Direct sure made it easy with that deal. Those bikes are still a phenomenal bargain even at what they're priced now.

[erg79]

Since people have mentioned the looks, just thought I'd chime in with an opposite view--to me, the Coda Sport is much better looking that the Allegro Sport. I don't like the Allegro's frame, with the arch in the top tube (this really puts me off of the Specialized Sirrus), and how the downtube looks thicker as it goes to the head tube. Also not a fan of the graphics. I think the black Coda Sport looks much better than the red one, though. But I really preferred the graphics on the 2011 Coda over the current 2011.

[SlimRider]

Diehard until 2008, anyway. I was in on the group buy when Bikes Direct introduced their titanium bikes. I didn't think I'd ever be able to bring myself to lay out the $$$ for a titanium bike, but Mike from Bikes Direct sure made it easy with that deal. Those bikes are still a phenomenal bargain even at what they're priced now.

AGREED!!!

Titanium is better, and they still have phenomenal Ti deals on bikesdirect.com!

- Slim

[Bikexln]

I like the look of the Allegro more, but I also realize it's ridiculous to spend more money on a bike if it's components aren't as good and if it's not going to hold up as long. I haven't really ridden a bike since I was 12, I'm 26 now. What's the difference in riding feel with an aluminum frame vs. steel? I'm going to test ride both, but when I test road a giant a few weeks ago I could barely keep my balance (lol) so I'm not sure I'd be able to tell the difference between components/materials when I test ride.. I just don't want to kick myself 6 months down when I will notice the difference.

[Pendergast]

Steel bikes tend to be springier and absorb vibration caused by roughness of the road surface better than aluminum. The fatter your tires, the less of an issue this becomes.

Because aluminum bikes tend to be stiffer, you may feel like you're getting more out of your pedal strokes than with steel.

I think both materials are good with hybrid frames. I'm less of a fan of aluminum for road bike frames because of the skinnier higher pressure tires typically found on road bikes.

[Bikexln]

Any reason why no one really mentions Bianchi? I found this bike when I was reading around http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/turismo/iseo/

[erg79]

I've never really read anything, good or bad, about the Iseo. I've also looked at it, and I really like the look of it.

[bjjoondo]

Been extremely happy with my 2012 Coda Sport so far it's got a bit over 500 miles on it now. I too test road and looked at both these bikes and I just like the way the "steel" felt over slight road imperfections, jmho. I've lusted over a certain MASI Touring bike at my LBS for the last 3 years, (yes, it's still there) thought seriously of trading in the Coda Sport for it come my income tax refund BUT, I like the Coda Sport so much I'm keeping it, that will save me $600 dollars which always makes me happy! YMMV.

[otg]

I've got a 2012 Coda Comp on order, should be in any day now! Reading this thread is getting me more excited.

[MTBnOH]

They called, have 2 coda sports coming in in my size ... One is black, the other crimson red...

Gettin 1 of them next week

[MuteMode]

I called my store yesterday and they said it was still at least 3 weeks before they would get any black Coda Sports in my size. So I ordered the new Black Coal (Graphite) Comp instead. Should be here before the end of the week!

[SlimRider]

I called my store yesterday and they said it was still at least 3 weeks before they would get any black Coda Sports in my size. So I ordered the new Black Coal (Graphite) Comp instead. Should be here before the end of the week!

Nice Choice! You won't be disappointed!

[otg]

I called my store yesterday and they said it was still at least 3 weeks before they would get any black Coda Sports in my size. So I ordered the new Black Coal (Graphite) Comp instead. Should be here before the end of the week!

Great choice, I just got the Comp in blue and silver. They had a charcoal one in the shop. I put them side by side and decided I liked the blue better. I've got about 125 miles on the bike so far and I am really pleased with it. I had to move the shifters a bit, my hands felt a little cramped the way they were set up. I'm still not sure if I'm going to stay with the Selle saddle, it's taking a bit of getting used to and adjusting. Overall great bike, enjoy it! Here's mine.

[Bikexln]

i ended up getting the coda sport in black, no regrets. i love it.