JustBrowsing

I posted this in the Road Cycling forum, but the first reply there suggested I might have better luck over here. So apologies in advance for cross-posting this.

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Hi all. I'm in the market for a new bike and wanted to ask for some suggestions.

I currently have an old Cadex ALM1 that I bought from a former cow-orker several years ago. He was about 5'5", and I'm just under 6', so obviously the current setup is on the small side for me (hasn't stopped me from cranking everything as high as it will go and riding it like that for 4 years though). The thing is getting to the point where some major components need replacing, so I figured it's time to step up to a proper bike for myself. (If anyone in the DC area is interested in the old one [or just the frame], I'll be getting rid of it when I upgrade).

Since I generally ride on roads and bike paths (usually 10-25 mile loops around parts of DC in the evenings and on weekends), I've been looking at some flat bar road bikes. Some of the ones I've looked at so far are the Marin Lucas Valley, Jamis Coda Comp and Coda Sport, and the Trek 7.5 FX. I'm looking to spend right around 800 bucks (or less). Does anybody have any thoughts on these or other bikes I should be looking at. Also, I realize that the shop itself will have a good deal to do with my decision, since they'll be doing the sizing and initial setup, tune-ups, etc. The places with the Jamis and Marin were both very helpful. The place with the Trek not so much.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks very much.

fat_bike_nut

Go test ride them at the bike shops and figure it out.

I'm sorry if I sound rude here, but those are all good brand names, so it's really up to how you feel about the way they ride.

FormerFF

I just bought a Cannondale Bad Boy. One of the problems I ran into when shopping was that unsuspended flat bar bikes aren't very popular here. I would have like to have considered some of the bikes you mentioned, but nobody has them.

Because I pull a trailercycle, I needed some short gears to get us up the hills. I had picked out the Cannondale Road Warrior 400, Trek 7.3 FX and SU100, and Specialized Globe and Globe Sport as bikes I'd like to see. I hadn't originally thought about the Bad Boy. I stopped to look at Treks, and could only find the 7.3FX, but in the wrong size. The same dealer sells Specialized, but didn't have any Globes. Nobody in the area had the SU bikes. The Cannondale dealer didn't have a Road Warrior 400, but they did have a Bad Boy. This dealer also handles Giants and a number of other brands, but didn't have an unsuspended flat bar bike in any of those brands. At first, I wasn't so sure about the Bad Boy, but warmed up to it after a few days. Then, I went to ride them. I stopped at the Trek dealer first, and rode the too short 7.3 FX and also a 7.2 FX in the correct size. They were nice, but I wouldn't say they spoke to me. Next, I went to the Cannondale dealer and got on the Bad Boy. After 15 minutes, I went back and made a deal for one. On my way home, I realized I had completely forgotten about any of the other bikes I'd thought of. Hopefully when you ride some of your choices, one will stand out, like it did for me.

The Bad Boy has more of a mountain bike feel than did the FXs. It also seemed a lot stiffer and faster, plus it has a style of its own. I'm using it to replace an old steel Trek mountain bike that has city tires, and the BB is way faster. I've read that aluminum frames in general and Cannondales in particular are harsh riding, but that's not my experience, the BB ride is just as comfortable as my old Trek, even though it's on much higher pressure tires. I think you could put some cyclocross tires on it and do some light off roading as well.

pinkrobe

Those bike are all pretty similar, so you should start off by seeing which ones fit the best, then seeing which one rides the best [bear in mind that seats, pedals, stems, etc. can all be changed quite easily]. If the best fitting, best riding bike isn't rocking your socks, then choose your next best favorite. Personally, I'd just get a used road bike that fits well, and pop on some mtn bike shift/brake levers and be done with it.

o-dog

can't go wrong with the Jamis Coda Sport at all. it's what I've been commuting almost daily and doing various errands and longer fun rides on for about a year and a half and it's a great flat-bar road bike.

with DC-area pavement being the way it is, you'll probably want to replace the stock rear wheel with a tougher touring or cyclocross rim and 36h hub/spoke count, and possibly swap the 28c tires out for 32c tires if the pavement is REALLY bad where you are (and since you're riding on the bike paths here that's probably the case), but other than that, it's the perfect flat-bar commuter. just the right combination of speed, good components, and durability.

which shop was the Jamis dealer?

LastPlace

If it matters, the Jamis are 'Steel' and not aluminum. I am also looking for a similar commuter and want a Jamis, because it is steel.

There is a shop that sells on E-Bay that usually has Jamis models. I am looking at them because there are no Jamis shops within 100 miles. Here is their url.........

https://www.thebicycleshop.ca/default_store

In the interest of full disclosure I have not ridden a Jamis but prefer my steel Soma over my aluminum Trek....but both are road bikes.

Good luck.

KevinTX

I am selling a Trek 7.3fx. Just bought it for my GF this christmas and she only road it 8 times. She is 5'9" so it might fit you. If you are interested i can get you more details.

M_S

Jamis makes good bikes, and I've never heard anyone ever say they though the msrp on a Jamis was more than it should have been. That said, all are great bikes. I you're going as much as 25 miles, you'll probably want handlebar extensions.

I'll second the stronger wheels, but only to a a point. Though the ones it comes with are on the flimsy side, they're still decent. I hear all about the rough roads in DC, but you might at least get some mileage out of the wheels it comes with, especially if you aren't going off-road.

Good luck!

jimcross

Is there a particular reason for the flat bar setup? My commuter had flat bars at first. I took about 2 months commuting on the it to decide that the flat bars didn't offer enough hand positions to get out of the wind when it started blowing in my face (which it does a lot). I have since made the move to drop bars and have found them to be very versatile and easy to get used to.

That being said, I think the standard Road bike configuration would broaden your choices significantly. Many entry level road bikes have a somewhat relaxed geometry and other features geared to the "I just like to ride" category of cyclist. I have a Giant OCR3 that I bought when I got back into cycling. I have been very happy with it for my weekend road , and charity rides.

keytree

I`ll cast another vote for the Jamis Codas for many of the reasons already mentioned, primarily the Reynolds steel frame which is very sweet and forgiving. The Alex rims, while certainly not primo, have been satisfactory so far and durable enough for my style of rugged daily city/commuter riding here in The Peoples` Republic of Austin, TX. Handlebars, like seats, etc, are a matter of personal preference. I like the flats with bar-ends for urban riding, it`s what I`m comfortable with. But whatever, go out an test ride a buncha bikes, have fun, and buy the one that fits and feels the best. Spending the day riding different bikes and flapping gums with cool bike shop people is a blast. What could be better? Let us know how it turns out.

bdinger

I have a Trek 7.3FX that I just picked up, and love. The only things that I'm starting not to like are the stock wheelset (absolute crap) and the pedals. They're fine and all, the latter, but I'd like something a little grippier.

Anyway, all are good choices. I agree with everyone else, ride them all, and buy the one that makes you want to turn around and buy it.

JustBrowsing

I mentioned this over in the Road Cycling thread, but my main reason for looking at flat bars is that I've always ridden some form of upright bike, so that's what I'm most comfortable with. I agree that more positions is the way to go, and I'll definitely add bar ends to a flat bar if I get one (the Marins come with nice comfortable little stublets). Several people have mentioned that after getting used to drop bars you generally don't look back.

At this point, though, after reading through the comments and digging around on a few of the other forums, I think I might look into some of the cyclocross bikes. I generally ride on roads/paved bike trails, but I want the freedom to take it offroad on a whim if I feel like it. I don't do any technical MTBing, just fun spurts plowing through some mud and grime from time to time.

And thanks to everyone for their comments.

Chuck G

You may want to look at the REI/Novara Express and Big Buzz. REI members can get 20% of a bike during March (it costs $15 to join). Both are flat bar bikes with 700c wheels, the Big Buzz has disc brakes.

dynaryder

Of the bikes listed by the OP,I'd go with the Coda Comp. Steel frame + carbon fork = sweet ride. I had a comp,sold it because I needed room and it had rim brakes,and finally found an Elite with discs. Great bikes.

As for the Big Buzz;I have one and it would totally rock if it weren't for the aluminum fork. Riding it every day as a commuter was killing my carpel tunnel. I've been riding my Safari for the winter,but come Spring the BB is getting a carbon fork. Otherwise,the riding position,gearing,and discs make for a really nice bike. Just wish it came with a carbon or cro-mo fork to begin with.

vinnydelnegro

i agree that test riding the bikes are going to be critical. fit should be a huge consideration.

for what it's worth, i test road the trek last year and the marin mill valley. i did not like the trek that much. it seemed a bit bulky and heavy with not so great components....no offense to those who are riding this bike. it just wasn't for me. the mill valley was a really nice ride. the one i test rode had a compact double crank and shifted nicely. it was extremely light and fast and rode more like a road bike. the top tube was pretty long for its size which i assume was done intentionally to get a more aero position. i don't know how the mill valley compares to the lucas valley that you are looking at, but i figured i'd give some info as long as it's rattling up there in my brain. good luck!

MichaelW

The riding position of FBRB is not neccessarily upright, you can set the bars to be quite sporty if you like. You lose the variety of positions and gain some nice controls.
Beware that some designs of FBRB are too RB for commuter use. I have seen them with short drop calipers which lack clearance for medium tyres and fenders. I have also see ones lacking any rack or fender eyelets.

stevel610 

I test rode a Coda and it's the only bike I didn't want to get off. I wound up with a raleigh only because the shop is much closer.