quittaboy

Or should I just be happy and ride?

My roadie is a beautiful, meticulously maintained '02 Jamis Quest.

My cruiser is a Madwagon Fulsom. Lots of fun and the cool factor can hardly be beat.

However, I bought an SE Draft because it was a cheap, black SS, ready-to-ride. I was giving myself an ulcer every time I walked away from my locked up Jamis, afraid it would be gone when I returned. So, I wanted a bike that would not turn the heads of the many bike thieves we have in Chicago. Hence, the SE Draft.

I can't say I have any complaints with it, other than the BMX crank which means I can't put clipless pedals on it, i.e.1/2" vs 9/16" boring. I put a longer Bianchi stem on it and a more comfortable Bianchi saddle (I dig the leopard print stripe). I'm 5'11" 215lbs, so it feels sturdy enough, though I do think it's very heavy. But, all in all, I feel like I got what I paid for ($225) and it rides fine.

However, having read a number of posts, particularly on the SS forum, I feel like a sucker. You guys shred this thing and say it's completely worthless. Should I ditch it for something else? Is it worth throwing some lighter components on it, or is the net weight of the frame itself not worth whittling ounces elsewhere?

Thoughts? Ruminations? Consternations?

Thanks, ya'll.

NoBumDeals

Realistically, if you're comfortable on it, and it "gets the job done", keep it! You're only a sucker if you sell it because people on here don't like it...

On a side note, I have the same saddle on my Pista, I dig the print too... I've got a la-z-boy just like it.

moe sizlack

I checked one out at the place near me.
It's a beast, but you can get a new BB conversion kit for it.
Decent townie rolling bike IMO.

streetlightpoet

If you had the money to spend on a prebuilt beater and are satisfied with how it rides then it sounds like you're in good shape. I'm sure some others will argue to the contrary though

tinytownhustla@

i wouldn't worry about changing anything until things started to go..if the bike functions just fine then why not ride it?

asherlighn

if it ain't broke ...

Cromulent

...head over to bikeforums.net, post a picture of it, and someone will tell you how to fix it.

iamtim

If you like it, and it works for you, and you're comfortable on it, and it serves your needs...

...eff everyone who talks any smack about it.

It's not about what everyone else thinks of you and your bike, but what you think of you and your bike. And if you're happy? That's all that counts.

Tangsooyuk

You are obviously confused about what bike thieves in this city are looking for. They probably dont even look twice at your Jamis Quest unless you leave it locked up ALL day, every day. Fixed gear bikes are all the rave now. Every bike Ive heard of being stolen has been SS or Fixed.

ps - I also have a Quest and I only U lock the headtube and its fine.

zippered

i dunno if you're a sucker, but you're certainly not in love either. it's hard to have a bike that makes you swoon and then lock it up, but it's hard to get excited about a bike if it doesn't make your heart go pitter-patter. words like "enough" and "fine" sound rather boring... maybe once you get used to it you'll appreciate it or decide it will make someone else happier and move on to greener pastures?

asherlighn

Must depend on the city. People around here (NH/Maine) seem to think that the more gears and bling a bike has the more its worth. Almost all the bikes I hear of getting stolen are high end road bikes or mountain bikes.

ryanlovesyou

I say rock it til the wheels fall off, then look for something a little better. All that matters is that you're enjoying riding it.

CF4L

as others have said here, its probably "good 'nuf". About the component upgrades to save weight: ride more and save weight off of your 215 lb frame. that will make you way faster than anything you take off the bike.

cc700

ouch, fatties require tact!

jk.


i think it's a steal for the price, even if the components and ride are way less than a windsor or fuji or any of the other bargain buys discussed on here.

i loathe the "if it's good enough for you who cares what anyone on the forum says" answer because it is such a copout...

the thing is, you have a bike that's ugly, slow, and probably virtually worry-free unless something breaks. for a cruiser, it's sure as hell better than a wal-mart road bike of equal value. i think you have a good solution for your needs.

however, if you want to make it less ugly, add some nitto b123's and cross levers and flip the stem. then get some lime green tires, lime green grips for the drops, and a top tube pad.

blickblocks

I've been trying to build, in my mind, the ideal bicycle for the proletariat, and the SE draft seems very similar. Singlespeed (inexpensive and reliable), skinny tires (improve efficiency), flat bars (unintimidating for new riders), and available for around $200. Reasonably light overall (consider the 40 lb monstrousities people are more likely to encounter at WalMart).

It's not a track bike and was never intended to be.