...and my wife and I visited a couple LBS’ in SLO-town. I got a chance to view and ride a few different options. Just thought I’d share my general experiences.

LBS #1

Mainly a Trek dealer that does some custom bikes using Surly and other frames. I rode a Trek 7.3 FX because it’s on my list of flatbar road bikes to consider. That bike felt great; very comfortable ride, not as upright as my old Hard Rock but still not bending down very far.

Since I haven’t ridden a bike with drop bars in… well, ever… I also test rode a Trek 1.5. Drop bars are definitely different. That bike felt VERY fast – but I think the oddest thing about it were the STI shifters. I’m sure I can get used to it. The guy was very friendly and helpful. I have no qualms driving 15 miles to have a bike serviced by these folks.

LBS #2

These guys carry Jamis, Fuji and one or two other custom frame brands. I wanted to try a Jamis Coda Sport (the other flatbar road bike on my list) but they only had an Elite in stock in my size. I thought the steel frame would be an obviously better ride (and the Elite even has a carbon fork) – but it felt no different from the Trek and its aluminum frame/fork. If it came down to just those two it would be a very close call.

Then I saw the Jamis Aurora. That is one beautiful bike. I told the sales guy I wanted to use it for commuting up to 30+ miles RT. He told me the Aurora was “overkill” and I could save some money by looking at the Jamis Satellite. That seemed like an odd suggestion because A) the Aurora has front rack/fender mounts and the Satellite does not (because of carbon fork), B) the Aurora was my size and the only Satellite he had was not, C) the Aurora was $100.00 more – don’t you want to sell me a nicer bike?

Anyway we talked for a while longer about different options, lights, frames, etc and found him generally knowledgeable but half-baked. He did offer lifetime adjustments for the original purchaser of new bikes. LBS #1 didn’t mention it but I’ll bet they offer a similar included service.

Other thoughts

Next to try will be the Specialized Sirrus (last on my flatbar list) and probably one or two other drop bar road bikes to see if those grow on me. My current commute is 2.5 miles RT but within 6 months that will change to about 31 miles RT. Most of that commute will include winding and hilly country roads. Thus I’m guessing most people here will suggest drop bars. I’m totally open to that idea but I want to get more comfortable with that style before dropping $600-$1000 on a new one.

P.S. The Jamis dealer said it's pronounced "JAY-miss". Glad I asked.