After lot's of research and dreaming of the perfect bike it's time to actually buy a bike. The budget has shrunk from the dream of an Jamis Aurora Elite to something much more affordable. So herare the choices. Two different bikes with the same primary purpose but offering different options for other riding. They'll mainly be used on a 11 mile RT commute. Both fit.

https://www.khsbicycles.com/12_vitamin_b_m_12.htm
Pretty much a solid bike for it's purpose. Not much versatillity.


https://www.gtbicycles.com/2012/bikes...-avalanche-4-0
Will get the job done. Can be used for light off road riding. Front shock will protect damaged right shoulder. Can be upgraded to discs if needed.

Any thoughts? I'm hoping to ride through the Winter. There are some local spots to go off road nearby that I can ride to. I have a nice road bike. My old commuter was in an accident repairs and upgrading it will cost more than either of these bikes.

Thanks.

You have a dealer selling those brands, where you live?

GT brand went to non bike shop, big box store sales, no service dept there.

I would get something with disc brakes.

I'd get a fixed gear - this KHS is $130 cheaper than the KHS vitamin bike you're looking at, and a lot more fun.

Since you've presumably gone over the web sites more carefully than I will, does either have the eyelets needed to mount a rack? You can, of course, use P-clamps, but screwing a rack into braze-ones on the frame is satisfyingly secure.

I saw one of those KHS's a couple of days ago. It's a nice looking bike. It seems kind of expensive for the components, but the frame and fork look good. For just a little bit more (isn't that always the deal with budgets?) you could get a Kona Dew Plus.

Of course, either of the bikes you linked to would be fine for your commute. I don't like low-end suspension forks, especially on a commuter, so that's a negative for the GT in my view, but it sounds like you might want something like that. When I first started commuting, I did 22 miles round trip on a GT Timberline with an even lower-end suspension fork than the Avalanche you're looking at. It was decent. I have fond memories of that bike.

I would suggest that you stick with Jamis, but go with a less expensive steel-framed model, that can be upgraded beyond the level of an Aurora.

However, the Aurora is somewhat of a touring/road bike, whereas the Vitamin and the Avalanche are both hybrids. In this case, go with the Jamis Coda Sport which cost less than both of the previously mentioned hybrids, but can be upgraded to the 105 level in time. An upgrade which will surpass that of the Jamis Coda Comp and the Jamis Aurora, as well. Since its frame is steel, it will be certain to render service for decades, if well-maintained.

Good Luck!

- Slim

That gets my vote.

DVC45, the GT is disk ready and I'm thinking the discs used on the next model up arn't the best quality.

pdlamb, they both seem to have eyelets for rack and fenders. But for a rack I think I'll go with one that attaches to the seat post so I can remove it when it's not in use. Especially if I get the GT.

DiabloScott, I'm hanging on to the old frame and will probabley turn that into a fixe/ss if I can find a 26" flip flop wheel.

disks after the fact are really going to drive the price of the bike up quite a bit. If you think you want disks, it's probably best to get them right off the bat

Between the two, I'd opt for the KHS. However, if I could choose something else within those brands, I'd go with the Urban X. Reynolds 520 frame, disc brakes, already kitted for commuting/utility. With those tires, they'd help cushion any jarring your shoulder might encounter. And you could always go down in size on the tires a bit so that knobbies or studs would fit.

Disc Brakes are awesome when it’s raining.

Out of the two I would go for the GT simply on the fact that it has 26" wheels instead of the 700s. As a commuter/utilitarian rider, there are two huge advantages:

1. 26" wheels last a lot longer and can take more abuse

2. Tubes for 26" wheels are available at your local Kmart Target WalMart etc whereas with 700c your have to find an LBS or order online

1. I have 26" wheels and I ain't so sure about the validity of your statement, not after breaking one spoke and it sounded like it was trying to break another before I dropped off the offending wheel at the LBS to have it trued and retensioned.

2. I get my tubes from the LBS. All of the tubes offered at the big box stores run larger than my 26x1.5's.

neither. get drop bars and gears with 700c wheels, don't forget the rear rack and trunk

Novara ETA for a little bit more.

https://www.rei.com/product/808767/novara-eta-bike-2011

If you plan on getting or may consider adding a rear rack, GT's triple triangle frames sometimes make installation more difficult.

Schwinn rack fits like it was made for it. I have a GT Mountain bike. Best description of it: Bomb Proof.

Of course it's just my personal experience, but when I ride 700c or the ol' 27" wheels I get only about 2000 miles before they start plinking spokes and making me cuss. With 26" I have never had problems. Again, just my experience. Right now on the commuter (the "Rig") I have 26 by 1.6 Continental SportContact with pre-slimed tubes from Target. I know that I can get down to 26 by 1.0 at a local Kmart when I used to use Performance street slicks, but I like the Contis better.

Edit: Also, speaking with my Trek rep, he states that my dream bike (Trek Transport) has 26" wheels because they stand up better to the intended load . . .

Thanks for all the replies. I ended up going with the GT. It was about $420.00 as a leftover 2011. We swapped out the tires for something a little more asphalt friendly. Now it's time to get back in the swing of commuting:-)

Looks like I came late to the party, but I think you made the right choice.

I mostly wanted to comment on the misinformation being put out here; first of all, GT MIGHT be in a few big-box stores, but any GT bike that runs 6" of travel, X.7/X.9/XT-level components, Fox suspension, and costs $2K isn't a big-box bike. "Dual-channel marketing" seems to be working for GT and Mongoose.

700c tubes, presta-valved, are available at Wally.

I own a 2009 Aurora, and think it's a great touring/road bike (though definitely too heavy to be sporty. It's very comfortable to ride long distances, though. Very solid, geared to be fast but with the triple crank for hills and loads). I think, though, if you're interested in some light off-roading and bad weather commuting, your new GT may be a better fit. I just bought an old 26" ht mtb for running errands, commuting when I need something a little more sure-footed in Pittsburgh's winter weather, and something that handles bumps better for when our roads get bad and I'm riding in worse light where potholes and debris are harder to see and thus avoid. The Jamis takes those bumps harder than my mtb. Your GT may not be the bike you want when you're riding 50+ road miles (though you certainly could), but for what you're describing, I think you got the right bike.

If you're considering disc brakes and a GT I'd look at Performance Bike and get an older year model. It'll be cheaper. I bought a 2005 Avalanche 3.0 in 2006, although I wish I'd paid $100 more to get the one with disc brakes. Not only do you need the disc brake, rotor and cable but you also need disc compatible wheels.

Oh wait you already got the GT.