dlatta01

So after trying out quite a few bikes, I've narrowed my new city bike search down to two:


2009 Giant Seek 2

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...le/2345/32165/

2009 Jamis Coda Sport

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...port_spec.html

I really like both of these bikes. Both are about the same weight, and have very similar component sets and gearing. Both will cost me almost the same amount. The big difference is that one is all steel with rim brakes and one is aluminum (steel fork) and has hydraulic disc brakes.

My commute is hilly and I live in Seattle, so rain is pretty much a given. The road is also pretty rough. I'm looking for a bike that will be primarily a city rider, but is capable of longer weekend rides on occasion. I have no interest in taking it off-road, and I'm not much for curb jumping.

Even though I like the ride on the Jamis a bit more, I'm leaning towards the Giant because of the disc brakes. I know lots of people here love the Jamis Coda series and I don't see much about the Giant Seek series.

Anyone have input on either of these bikes, in particular, the Seek 2?

Hoping today will be new bike day...

JeremyZ

There should be a rule: no "which bike?" threads without at least links. (preferably pix)

There are so many bikes out there, and it takes time to look them up. Make it easier for us to give our thoughts.

dlatta01

Fair enough! I added links to my previous message.

texasdiver

Disk brakes will likely make it more difficult to mount a rear rack on the Giant. For me a rear rack is a necessity on a commute bike. And not one of those lightweight seatpost racks, a real rack that mounts to the rear dropouts and frame so that it is stable and can take weight.

And since you are in Seattle, fenders are a must. Not flimsy clip-on fenders but real ones that bolt to the frame.

With just the photos in the link it is not really possible to tell how well the Giant will take a rack and fenders. It looks like the Jamis is better set up for both a rack and fenders but without looking at the two bikes in person I couldn't really say.

For me racks and fenders are far more important the disk brakes. I've been biking for 40 years and never once have I ever failed to stop a bike with properly adjusted rim brakes. But I have gotten miserably soaking wet and grimy by riding fenderless bikes in Portland and Seattle. Not fun.

dlatta01

Both will easily take racks and fenders. I might need a new rack with the Giant, but it's a non-issue. And I agree, fenders and a rack are absolute necessities.

coffeecake

Tough decision. Personally, I have a steel frame with caliper brakes (and fenders). Steel does ride nicely, but if I lived in a wetter climate with a demanding commute I'd go for the disk brakes. (Since it's rained here 3 out of the 4 weeks in May, I guess I'd better take my own advice and buy another bike without calipers. Ha!) Then again, calipers with decent pads work well, and disk brakes can be finicky, especially if you crash and bend the rotor. Like I said, tough decision.

Are they both from the same shop? If not, who has better service?

alan s 

The Giant comes with a bell, so definitely go with that.

I haven't seen or ridden either, but both brands have a great reputation. Disc brakes are definitely a plus, particularly in wetter climates. Also, the aluminum frame will not rust, but will give a little harsher ride. The steel fork will help soak up the bumps. Topeak and others make racks for disc brake equipped bikes, and fenders should easily fit under the rack, so I would go with the Giant. Other than that, the bikes seem to be speced about the same.

waynesworld

All I have to add is that if you do get the bike with disc brakes, I have the Axiom Journey Disc model rack (on my non-disc Felt), and it's a nice rack.

Axiom racks are somewhat inflexible with their top mounting, due to their design. Mine eventually got mounted with two clamps to the tubes, because the brakes were directly in the way of reaching the rack braze-ons. With a rear disc, this should not be an issue. In fact, since my frame will accept a rear disc, I might eventually add one, and then mount the rack the way it is supposed to be.

Anyway, the rack itself is sturdy, and is long enough to eliminate my heel strike issues.

exile

If you like the way the Jamis rides I'd go with that one. Plus I think it would be easier to mount a rack and fenders like another poster mentioned.

JeremyZ

See how many replies you got once you put links in? Hehehe

I'd go with the Jamis.

- I don't see any front fender eyelets on the Giant.

- The Giant has disc brakes, yes, but hydraulic discs. Yuck. I wouldn't want to mess with hydraulic fluid on a bicycle.

- Aluminum frame of the Giant may be better for a long-term bike in Seattle, so have the inside of the Jamis frame coated before they put it together.

- The fork on the Giant looks super-rigid. That, combined with the fact that it is aluminum, and it is going to be more jarring to the hands & wrists. See how the Jamis has thinner fork tubes and they're curved a bit, to allow it to bend a bit and absorb some shock? That's nice.

- The Jamis has a classy vintage-style paint job. Dull gray is so blah.

- I prefer the 32 tires of the Giant to the 28s of the Jamis. No biggy though. The Jamis will be faster because of this though.

- Regarding clip-on fenders, they're good enough to keep you dry & clean, but not good enough to keep your chain clean.

coffeecake

The Giant has a steel fork.

No fenders are going to keep your chain clean. You'd have to go to a fully-enclosed drivetrain for that.

dlatta01

Thanks all for the input. For the record, I went with the Giant. The bike shop that it was from offered better and more convenient service, and more importantly, it has a bell.

The shop put my old hybrid fenders on the bike with no real difficulty. Might not even need a new rack, but we'll see. Hooray shiny new bike!

dwr1961

Congratulations! Let the adventure begin...

And we're waiting for pics.

waynesworld

Hooray Bell!!!