Any experience with one? I was sold on the felt then I found this locally. Same brakes, cheaper components.... But way cheaper. I could easily put bb7s on it right off the bat and then upgrade the components later when I trash them. Plus this leaves money for a second set of wheels....
I appreciate any thoughts good or bad.
You know, I was going to suggest the nova on your other post (I think that was you), but you had listed so many other bikes I figured you were at capacity. I wsa looking at this bike too, but went with the Felt cause I liked the LBS and they cut me a deal for 1500 cause they new me. I do like the idea of extra cash for better wheels. Also, Tiagras are great if you ask me. I doubt you'll be "wearing them out" too quickly.
I think the Nova Race looks like an excellent bike. I like the geometry. I don't have any direct experience with that bike.
It's a bit odd that a 2012 bike had 9-speed Tiagra components. My 2008 Kona Jake came with 9-speed Tiagra, and I got a lot of use out of those components. They generally shifted well. I moved them around to a lot of different bikes, so I can't tell you how many miles I put on them but I never did manage to wear them out. I included the shifters with a bike I sold last week and I'm still using both derailleurs.
The Jamis comes with a file tread tire, so you might also want to budget for a pair of all-arounds or mud tires. My only other criticism would be that it has top tube cable routing but a bottom pull derailleur, so there must be a pulley there. I haven't used a bike with a front derailleur pulley, but I imagine it as a possible problem once it gets muddy. I think Shimano makes a top pull CX front derailleur.
I just bought a 2013 Kona Jake, and I'd recommend that to you if I hadn't read in your other thread that your primary use will be racing. The Jake has 10-speed Tiagra bits, which I'm really liking -- even having had 6600-series Ultegra on the bike it's replacing. It also has a very nice frame. The triple crank, though, is probably a deal breaker for you.
I used to be a BB7 snob, having been blown away with the upgrade experience from BB5's and hearing bad things about most other mechanical discs. However, I'm actually surprised at how well the Tektro Lyras on my new Jake work -- not necessarily better than BB7's but definitely in the ballpark. This has me questioning whether my previous disappointment with BB5's had more to do with the levers (which I upgraded at the same time) than with the BB5's themselves. That is to say, if I were you I'd give the BB5's a try for 50 miles or so before upgrading unless the dealer will give you a nice price on the BB7's at the point of sale.
Last edited by Andy_K; 08-22-12 at 04:47 PM.
Well I pulled the trigger on the Jamis. Liked the shop and they knocked $100 off it since the 2013s are coming out. 13s come with BB7 and 10 speed Tiagra, but that wasn't worth the extra $200 to me since I can get BB7s new off ebay for $100. I still REALLY like the Felt and think it's a great bike for the money, but hard to beat the price of the Jamis for its geometry and I'll feel better putting it behind the camper on family vacations than I would the Felt, not as flashy and not screaming "steal me" as much.... I have not ridden it yet, they are ordering it it, but the geometry is almost identical to the Crux and I liked that. Worst case I don't like it and they will sell me a different bike as they can get just about any of them. Hopefully it will be in next week.
I'm already looking at getting a set of Major Tom's and some tubular Challenge Fangos or Limus tires.
I rode a bike with the Tiagras and a bike with the Ultegras and I have 105s and honestly to me the difference between the three is so minimal (that is new and clean) that I think the Tiagras will be fine for now. Changing to t atop pull derailer would be cheap too if need be. Plus just starting off at my level the bike isn't going to make a huge difference for me and I won't feel so bad if/when I break something. When I do need to upgrade it, I'll take the 105s from my road bike and upgrade it.
Thanks guys. Reassures my deposit
Welp... Picked it up today and got it dirty even before I got pictures of it
great looking bike!
maybe my 2001 Nova needs an upgrade...
Congratulations. Looks like a real nice ride.
I'm considering a 2013. Anyone know if it's 135mm rear spacing?
Don't know. When I asked about the 12 here is the response I got. I've not had an issue finding 130mm hubs, but there are less to choose from.
Thank you for your inquiry to JAMIS BICYCLES dated August 24, 2012 regarding your question the spacing of the rear hub specd on the 2012 Nova Race. We appreciate your interest in our Cyclocross models and would like to inform you that the rear dropout spacing of this particular model is 130mm to accommodate the Formula Road Disc hubs specd in the wheel set. If you are interested in the 2012 Nova Race we would suggest contacting any authorized dealer to see what they have available on the floor to test ride and possibly purchase. If you are unable to locate a 2012 model in the size that you require we would suggest looking into the 2013 model which is scheduled for release within the next 10 days. The 2013 Nova Race will be offered in Ano Silver and some notable changes done to the parts spec include the use of a PF30 bottom bracket (BB30 bearings housed in nylon cups before pressing into frame), Shimano Tiagra 10 Speed drive train, and Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes. The Nova Race has become a very popular Road model due to the high level of performance and well rounded capabilities that it is able to deliver to a wide variety of riders having different specific demands. If you have any other questions feel free to contact us again.
Update: Having put some miles on it I figured I should offer an update. I still like it
My ONLY complaint is the junky BB. I'm swapping it and the crank out. They used a square taper bottom bracket and I can feel the bearings grinding away in there. I threw my road BB/crank on and it felt fantastic so I now have a BB and crank on order.
Other than that it was still worth the money. A few minor upgrades and I'm still several hundred ahead. The only things I would point out to anyone considering this (besides the BB) is for $200 more the 2013 has BB7s and is a 10 speed. I think a 10 speed offers more options for upgrades/replacement parts without having to replace your shift levers in the future. That wasn't a concern for me, but for some it might be. Likewise the 130mm rear hub is not very standard, but there are options out there.
All in all I am still very happy with my purchase.
Thanks for that.Originally Posted by Dave.H
I also like Tiagra just fine (I have 9 speed on one bike and I feel the shifting is as good as the Ultegra 6700 on my road bike). 130mm spacing might kill it for me though.
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