Help me with the size difference please
06-19-20, 04:56 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Help me with the size difference please
Hey guys - after weeks of thinking and riding my current bike (I'm a roadie), I decided to buy a gravel bike. As we all know it's slim pickings right now, but I found a couple in my area. There are more but I'd have to travel 2-3 hours.
I'm narrowed it down to the Trek Checkpoint ALR 4, and the Jamis Renegade Expat Ltd. I rode the Jamis today and I loved it. I cannot believe how smooth and stable this bike was compared to my road bike. I was sold instantly, plus I haven't had a steel bike since my Schwinn Traveler years ago. But they only had a 56cm. My current road bike is a 58.5cm (Marin Argenta Elite with a 105 groupset). I put a shorter stem on it last year as it felt kind of long. The Jamis felt small to me, but I don't know if it's because I'm used to a longer bike.
I'm 6'0 with a 32" inseam (182 cm, and 81 cm inseam).
There is a 58 cm Checkpoint in stock, but looking at the geometry for the 58cm Trek, it's really close to the Jamis 56cm. Here are the links:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...orCode=reddark
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegadeltd.html
The Jamis is $500 less expensive, and while it's not a Shimano 105, the Tiagara shifted great.
Can you guys look at the geometry charts for the 58cm Trek vs the 56cm Jamis and offer you opinions please? To me, they seem so close that I'd be willing to go with the Jamis, but it all comes down to feel I guess. I will be test riding the Trek tomorrow. But in the past I've always bought Trek and would like to try something different.
I'm narrowed it down to the Trek Checkpoint ALR 4, and the Jamis Renegade Expat Ltd. I rode the Jamis today and I loved it. I cannot believe how smooth and stable this bike was compared to my road bike. I was sold instantly, plus I haven't had a steel bike since my Schwinn Traveler years ago. But they only had a 56cm. My current road bike is a 58.5cm (Marin Argenta Elite with a 105 groupset). I put a shorter stem on it last year as it felt kind of long. The Jamis felt small to me, but I don't know if it's because I'm used to a longer bike.
I'm 6'0 with a 32" inseam (182 cm, and 81 cm inseam).
There is a 58 cm Checkpoint in stock, but looking at the geometry for the 58cm Trek, it's really close to the Jamis 56cm. Here are the links:
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...orCode=reddark
https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/renegadeltd.html
The Jamis is $500 less expensive, and while it's not a Shimano 105, the Tiagara shifted great.
Can you guys look at the geometry charts for the 58cm Trek vs the 56cm Jamis and offer you opinions please? To me, they seem so close that I'd be willing to go with the Jamis, but it all comes down to feel I guess. I will be test riding the Trek tomorrow. But in the past I've always bought Trek and would like to try something different.
06-19-20, 07:36 PM
#2
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What’s the distance from center of seat to middle of stem on current, and what will it be on the 56 Jamis ?
The ETT on the Trek and Jamis are only .7 cm different and that’s an easy stem swap.
I’d prefer hydraulic brakes as on the Trek, as well it has a 46/30 crank, vs. 50/34 on the Jamis, which I would not want on a bike going off road. Then and from what I can gather, the Trek is maybe 2 lbs lighter, which is to be expected from aluminum vs. steel.
The ETT on the Trek and Jamis are only .7 cm different and that’s an easy stem swap.
I’d prefer hydraulic brakes as on the Trek, as well it has a 46/30 crank, vs. 50/34 on the Jamis, which I would not want on a bike going off road. Then and from what I can gather, the Trek is maybe 2 lbs lighter, which is to be expected from aluminum vs. steel.
06-19-20, 08:09 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
What’s the distance from center of seat to middle of stem on current, and what will it be on the 56 Jamis ?
The ETT on the Trek and Jamis are only .7 cm different and that’s an easy stem swap.
I’d prefer hydraulic brakes as on the Trek, as well it has a 46/30 crank, vs. 50/34 on the Jamis, which I would not want on a bike going off road. Then and from what I can gather, the Trek is maybe 2 lbs lighter, which is to be expected from aluminum vs. steel.
The ETT on the Trek and Jamis are only .7 cm different and that’s an easy stem swap.
I’d prefer hydraulic brakes as on the Trek, as well it has a 46/30 crank, vs. 50/34 on the Jamis, which I would not want on a bike going off road. Then and from what I can gather, the Trek is maybe 2 lbs lighter, which is to be expected from aluminum vs. steel.
I agree with you on the hydraulic brakes. My road bike has caliper but I also have a Trek DS2 with hydraulic and I love them. The mechanical on the Jamis weren't too bad, and I could always swap for hydraulic.
The gearing I have mixed feelings on. I wanted a gravel bike mostly for all the broken roads I ride on and I wanted more comfort. But at the same time I want to start exploring and 46/30 would be nice.
Thanks for your input.
06-19-20, 10:03 PM
#4
Senior Member
You're getting a bike with a better gearset that is 2lbs lighter that is sized properly for you. I don't know exactly why you are hesitating here. If that's not $500 well spent I don't know what is.
06-20-20, 07:41 AM
#5
Full Member
You are almost exactly my size. Slight difference in inseam, reach, but very close. I have poured over the renegade geometry charts because I have been seriously considering getting a frameset.
Believe me; you are a 58 in a Jamis Renegade. IMO, it would be a very expensive mistake to get a 56 Renegade, regardless of what make or model you end up choosing. Mi dos centavos.
Believe me; you are a 58 in a Jamis Renegade. IMO, it would be a very expensive mistake to get a 56 Renegade, regardless of what make or model you end up choosing. Mi dos centavos.
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