...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.

I switched to drop bars on my Trek 1000 (predecessor to the 1.2). I love the drops on windy days, and I could see the clear benefit of drop bars on a 30m rt commute. Also, go with the Jamis Aurora, if that is the bike you want, and it is comfortable get it. It has better brifters on it than the 1.5 (Tiagra v Sora) and it is cheaper. Sora = crap

But really go with what is the most comfortable for you (the Jamis...go with the Jamis)

The Aurora looks great for your purposes. Reynolds 520 steel, rack/fender mounts, built for touring (read: comfort). Very nice.

EDIT: I've read good things about the Vittoria Randonneur tires as well. Not that tires are a very expensive upgrade, but it shows they're paying attention to detail.

I'll second or third the Jamis Aurora. Drop bars are no big deal at all. STI shifters take about 5 seconds to get used to. Once you go drops for a decent distance you'll never go back. And that bike has ability to add-on all of the racks/fenders/whatnot that make for a sweet commuter. It's out of my price range or I'd be on an Aurora.

Ditto

That's why I may wait until the end of the year so I can save my pennies and go for the gold. I've read nothing but rave reviews about the Aurora on these forums. And damn what a fine paint job.

Before buying a used Miyata 610 I was doing a lot of research on a second bike to use as a commuting and light touring bike. I had pretty much settled on the Jamis Aurora although I hadn't test ridden one yet - I was about to when the deal for the 610 popped up. The Aurora is supposed to be a great bike, about the best steel road/touring bike in that price range.

I've been running Vittoria Randonneurs, 28s, on my OCR1 for 3 - 4 months now. Great tires, no flats, good performance for a touring tire.

Drop bars are great but yeah, they take some getting used to. For me it was about 2 miles of riding. Now I'd never got back to straights. The drops and hoods are both very comfortable positions.

You could also go for the Satellite, which is a similarly-equipped bike but in racier form.

The LBS suggested the Satellite but confirmed that fitting regular fenders would be difficult if not impossible. Plus I like slightly wider tires for a comfier ride.

Seemed like a decent alternative otherwise...

I recently purchased an Aurora and although I'm still waiting for the rack and panniers to make it my commuter and weekend tour bike, I've throughly enjoyed it to this point in the sparing time I've had to ride it (her, definitely female.) It is a beautiful bike and rides real nice, even under my clyde body. I wouldn't consider it overkill for your commute. Definitely worth it if you can afford it!

i got the 2007 fx3 in sept of 2006 and have been happy with it. the only upgrade i did was brooks 17 saddle and speedplay frogs......tried a comparable specialized (sirrus i think it was) but the trek was less $$ but more important to me, it felt like it fit me better and was smoother shifting......

That Aurora is a really nice looking bike.

FYI - There are several LBS's where I live that don't do free adjustments, so I wouldn't assume shop #1 does.

Maybe more profit to be made on the cheaper bike? MAybe they have a glut of the cheaper bike in the basement? Either way, doesn't sound good.