After months and months of looking online, I finally went out and tried some bikes. After reading a lot of great things about the Giant Escape, I went to my nearby dealer...unfortunately they didn't have the Escape 1 in stock. Rode the Escape 2 and Escape 0. Both felt really good, and the SRAM derailleur on the Escape 0 was great. Didn't like the white color they had, so on I went to try out a Jamis Coda Sport.

The Jamis dealer had a Coda Sport that was a bit too big for me, but they just happened to have a Coda Comp that fit me like a glove...and why, in black as well! It's like they knew I was coming and were temping me. The Coda Sport rode just as well as the Giants, but the Coda Comp...I knew I was going to end up spending some more money! The ride was better than the Escape 0 to me, and the Deore derailleur seemed just as good as the SRAM on the Escape 0. Plus, aesthetically appealed to me much more.

So I'm the proud new owner of a Jamis Coda Comp, and I'm loving it. Put on a rack and panniers that I had on a different bike, and I'm good to go.


Untitled by Evan G, on Flickr


Untitled by Evan G, on Flickr


Untitled by Evan G, on Flickr

I went out for a 22 mile inaugural ride on my birthday yesterday, taking in some of the sights of the LA coastline.

Santa Monica Pier in the background:

Untitled by Evan G, on Flickr

Venice Beach:

Untitled by Evan G, on Flickr

Over the Ballona Creek bike path bridge, as the creek meets the ocean:

Untitled by Evan G, on Flickr