blubike

I'm sweating this decision over here as my LBS has only one '09 left, and would love some advice from everyone. The two bikes have completely different components, and I have no experience with any of them. Any thoughts on which one would be most appropriate for commuting/light touring?

And secondly, if I go with the 2010, which has disc brakes, does anyone know how feasible it would be to modify the frame to accept canti brakes down the line? Thanks for any advice!



2010 SPECS

DRIVETRAIN: Shimano Deore XT rear & Tiagra front derailleurs, Tiagra STI levers, FSA Gossamer crankset & Mega Exo BB, 50/39/30

BRAKESET: Avid BB-7 Road mechanical disc brake with 160mm rotors and Shimano Tiagra STI levers

WHEELS: Mavic A119 double-wall/eyeletted rims, 32H, Formula alloy disc hubs, DT Champion 14g stainless steel spokes


2009 SPECS

DRIVETRAIN: Shimano Ultegra/105 derailleurs, 105 STI levers, FSA Gossamer triple crankset & Mega Exo BB. 30/39/53, Shimano 12/27 10-speed cassette

BRAKESET: New Avid Shorty cantilevers with Shimano 105 levers

WHEELS: Mavic CXP-22 double-wall black rims with CNC sidewalls, Shimano Tiagra 32H hubs, WTB stainless steel spokes

BengeBoy 

I will give you my perspective - I was looking very seriously at the 2009 Jamis Elite as a commuter/light tourer, and finally decided not to get one for a couple of reasons that aren't necessarily relevant.

I think there are some more differences between the two:
- The 2010 has a wide-range cassette in the rear and has lower gearing.
- The 2010 comes stock with fenders and rack (which is part of the reason they raised the price)
- The 2010 has a 9-speed drivetrain, which should mean that the chain lasts longer.
- According to Jamis' own specs, the 2010 weighs about 3 pounds more.

To me, the 2010 is targeted to a more "heavy duty" tourist who wants a more rugged drivetrain, lower gears, and wants disc brakes. There are lots of pros/cons to disc brakes, which you can research on your own. However, they still didn't put more rugged 36-spoke wheels on the bike, which to me is the one thing they should have changed along with the other changes in the model year.

The 2009 in my view is more of a commuter/light tourer. The 32-spoke wheels and make more sense if you really are just using it for commuting and light touring, and - being a bit cheaper and lighter - seem to make a better overall value to me.

But if you commute in the rain and winter, you might appreciate the disc brakes on the 2010. You can ride the bike as is, and if you ever feel doubtful about the wheels for loaded touring, just get a new set of wheels (or even just a more rugged rear wheel, since it carries more of the load).

Either one is a great bike, in my opinion. I'd think hard about how you feel about disc brakes and make your decision based on that. If you don't need or value them strongly, get the '09.

old and new

The differences are not that significant except for the disc brakes which you don't want so the clear choice is the '09. Jamis runs out of bikes frequently, that '09 may vanish. I doubt that the "modification" idea is a practical option.

coffeecake

The significant other just bought an 09 over the '10. Reasons: didn't want disc brakes, and the 09 was cheaper. He also liked the component spec. Deore and Tiagra are a step down from Ultegra/105's. Granted, the 10 speed will eat your chain quicker.

staehpj1

Just one more opinion... I think the 2010 Elite is much more sensibly equipped with one exception. I'm not crazy about disc brakes. The 105 stuff, while higher end is not as suitable for touring. IMO the downgrading of components is a plus. If you like discs the 2010 Elite is the way to go.

OTOH, I think the regular 2009 Aurora (not Elite) is a better choice than the 2009 Elite. Not sure what the 2010 regular Aurora is like.

blubike

Thanks, everyone! Really helpful.

I don't feel strongly for or against disc brakes and wouldn't mind trying them out. I'd like the option of using canti brakes later on if the disc brakes didn't work for me, for some reason. Seems like there are a few options for affixing brake mounts if it came down to it.

old and new

Neither choice is a bad one.. Good Luck !

cyclist2000

if you look at the 2010 photo, it does not have the brake bosses for the canti or vbrakes. So you will be using disc brakes or caliper brakes.

cyclist2000

here is the photo of the 2010

/Users/apple/Desktop/10_JAMIS_AURORAELITE.jpg

cyclist2000

oops that didn't work

cyclist2000

also when I look at the 09 specs the chainring sizes are 50/39/30 so the crankset hasn't changed.