Advice needed
 

Hello everyone,

New member here (1st post) so sorry if I'm posting on the wrong section.

I'm in search of some advice/opinions from more experienced members. I bought a Jamis Ventura Sport from 2013 last year, I bought it new and so far it has roughly 1350 miles in it (2150 kms). I really enjoy riding and I bought cleats and pedals shortly after I bought the bike, now I'm at that stage where I go to bed early and watch my eating so I can have a good ride the following morning, no crazy 5am rides or anything like it but I try and push it a little more each time. My top distance is 66kms and I regularly ride somewhere in between 30 and 40 kms, avg speed around 25 to 28kms/hr, maybe less. I'm 36 and my height is 5'6", roughly 163 lbs.

So my question is the following:

I'm kind of itching for a new bike but I know that mine still have a lot of miles left in it, also I'm not sure if a new bike (carbon fiber) will help me improve my current stats? I'm not looking to be faster but to ride farther, I have friends that ride 125 kms on one single ride and I normally I'm close to death with my measly 60kms, so how can I achieve better endurance? Will a better bike do that?

Since I really like my Ventura Sport, I was thinking of maybe getting a Xenith Comp, but Jamis bikes aren't so easy to find. I also like Specialized but I was put off by the fact that they are bullies with smaller companies and sue them for everything. I do not like abusive brands. Colnago and Cervelo are really good too, but not sure if I they are within my budget?

Anyway, bottom line: Does upgrading my current bike makes sense or should I wait some more?

Thanks all!

Welcome to Bike Forums.
Keep the Jamis Ventura and get a second bike. Not sure what your budget is but have you looked at Cannondale bikes? I love my SuperSix EVO carbon. :thumb: Here's the 105 model.
Good luck.

No, a better bike will not give you better endurance.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Ron, what would be the point of keeping the Jamis also? I was planning on selling it to help offset the cost of the new one.

Yes a new bike will let you perform better but going from a Ventura to a Xenith will only affect that marginally. Here's what you need to buy to go faster or longer:

http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/...04/ttchart.jpg

You'll save a lot of weight by having a much lighter wallet to carry around!!!!

If you can take a 51cm bike, then this might not be too bad of a deal.
Jamis Xenith Comp Bike 2011 > Complete Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA

However, don't expect the new CF bike to make you magically able to do faster/longer rides. You need more saddle time.

Get out and try a 100 mile ride. Allow the speed to drop a little... and just ride. Often if you have a goal, you can find a bit of extra energy to get to the finish line. Make sure you have plenty of water and some calories for the longer rides (that extra 33 oz water bottle may weigh as much as the difference in weight of the two bikes).

Do you bike commute? It is a good way to get a bit of extra saddle time, and the miles add up (also a good reason to keep around the older aluminum bike).

There will be tons of upgrades to improve performance responses. So what I say doesn't mean much.

IMO, increasing your distance or speed will be more a product of your cycling ability. In your case you are averaging 15-17mph which is not bad at all, so you probably just have to log more miles and get stronger before you buy a replacement bike.

A lighter frame and components that are static and are not moving will not make any more impact than if you lost 5 lbs because it is still the total mount of weight you have to move (not factoring quality). It may feel more nimble, handle better, sprint better, etc. but being able to ride 60kms/125kms and how fast may not be any different.

That said, from my unscientific experience, the best upgrade that someone can make is going from bad heavy wheels to good lighter wheels. But they don't have to be race wheels. I have swapped out 2500 gram wheels with lower quality hubs for 1800 gram wheels (that are not really light) with good hubs and I can tell the difference.

Will you be able ride farther and faster? Maybe not significantly, but if I am trying to ride faster I find it easier and more enjoyable with lighter wheels.

John

I can see how it can get very expensive very quick. At this point I know I'm nowhere near a 100 mi ride, at 40 miles my legs are getting ready to jut drop.
That bike in that link looks really nice but (and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bear in mind I'm a total noob when I ask this) it's two years older than my current model, does it make sense to change for this? It is certainly less expensive than what I wanted, so in that regard yes, I like it a lot.

I do not bike commute, I could, my office is around 6 mi from my house but the one time I did it I arrived all sweaty (I'm in Miami) so I never did it again. I could take the train and have a split commute also.

Elvo, thanks also for the chart, very informative and a bit discouraging also, ;-)

You can never have too many bikes. :)

If you're budget is limited sell the Jamis. Go to several bike shops and test ride any and all bikes that appeal to you. Then buy the one that "speaks" to you that you can afford.

Be prepared for your legs to be ready to drop at 40 miles on your new bike though (maybe 40.1).

What I try to say is that while it is ok to want a new bicycle, be aware that at your current performance level your current equipment is not holding you back.

Consider taking your bike with you on the train in the morning with your bike clothes in a backpack. At the end of the day, take the long way home on your bike.

As to your original question: No, you don't need a new bike. But I wouldn't talk you out of one either.

I'm sure they would take a "tip" if the bike is too cheap.

My guess is the 2011 Jamis Xenith is NOS (New Old Stock). How they let them get 4 years old, I'm not sure, perhaps they purchased old inventory that just got older. As mentioned, it only comes in 48 and 51cm, so if that is close to the size you want, good... otherwise, you're out of luck.

Personally I don't get too stuck on years. The bike I rode two century-plus rides on last week was much older, with a steel frame. Some frame manufactures have been optimizing for vibration, so there may be some differences between a 2011 and 2015 frame, but is it a $1000 difference? And, what did Jamis change?

The 105 component group should be slightly better than what you have. However, it is a 10-speed component group. Still widely supported, but the new 105 groups are 11 speed. Personally I wouldn't stress over it.

Sitting collecting dust for 4 years... it may be ready to go out of the box, or perhaps a good thorough tune-up would be worth it.

As far as whether it is worth it to buy a new bike... That is up to you. As others have mentioned, it won't make you a better athlete, but it may make you feel better about getting out on the bike. So, if you like your new Carbon Fiber Wonder-Bike, that may be all that is important.

a new bike will use the old motor....want to go faster longer, improve the motor...
a new bike might motivate you, but that will be the source of any improvement in your performance, not the bike....been there, done that, have the T-shirt and multiple bikes.

This is exactly what I needed to understand, thanks.

Cool man, I'll also consider that. At this point I think I might stay with my current bike a while longer, I'm just not sure if I want to upgrade individual components on this bike.

Upgrading individual components is easy enough. But jumping from a Sora to an Ultegra derailleur won't make you faster either.

Nice wheels could be used on any bike, so you wouldn't be out too much if you choose to upgrade later. A 10-speed wheelset should work fine with your 8 speed Sora, or perhaps an 11 speed wheelset for future compatibility. However, again, the benefits are minimal.

Nonetheless, a little here and there adds up. I think I can feel the difference between my cyclocross bike and my road bike. But, you already have skinny tires on your Jamis Ventura.

I do, it has Vittoria Saffiro on Alex Rims, not sure if that's good or bad, It's the tires the bike came with.
Pretty much everything it's what the bike had originally, except the pedals, I put Shimano r540 on it.

This. How about going slower for a longer period of time? Instead of pushing your speed, just slow down and see how many hours you can ride? I am willing to bet if you allowed your legs to recover while on the bike, you could stretch those rides much longer and further.

the Ventura is a fine bike that you have barely broken in. Unless you are competing, you don't need another road bike, and won't for years to come.

ok, just to get the point across, consider this... I am old and slow so pay no attention to the numbers, just their relationship...
I have a new 2015 whizz bang, light carbon fiber sprint bike.... on my normal lunch time ride I average 18.8 mph...
I have a 1998 steel bike, I did upgrade the group and wheels, but on my normal lunch time ride with that bike, I average 18.2 mph...I am the motor on both bikes.

My wife picked up a newer road bike that came with Alex A Class AKX 2.0 wheels with wire bead Hutchinson tires. The wheels weighed in at around 2400 grams and I was fortunate to find a set of new Fulcrum T's, (still not the lightest wheels but a lot lighter), for less than $100 on ebay. I also swapped out the tires for the Vittoria Rubino Pro tires that she had on her old road bike. She could definitely feel an improvement when she rode. I could feel it just lifting the bike off the ground.

John

I think your bike is fine as well. Like many have said nothing wrong with getting a new bike if that is what you want.

To build endurance you must simply (or not so simply) push past the point you are right now. Part of it is physical and part of it is mental. The physical part is you simply need to ride more. 1350 miles is great don't get me wrong but you need to invest more saddle time. Work up to your fitness. Go on some shorter rides but at higher intensity. If you are giving out at 40 plan a 45 but go at it slower. Make sure to fuel and hydrate properly. And just as important as the preparation physically prepare yourself mental. Convince yourself I have done the training there is no question it is possible and there is no question I will succeed. Then go out and do it. Train on shorter higher intensity rides for a couple of weeks then go out and do 55. Rinse repeat go for 62. Getting in a group instead of going it alone is a huge help as well

There is a ride we do with 5th graders and take them on a 7 day tour the longest day is 55 miles. Everybody succeeds. How? there is a set plan for training certain mileage and hilly or even mountains routes must be completed. But more important is the factor of installing the belief in these young riders. Before they take the first pedal stroke on the tour they believe they can do it. The support group around them is also key.

I think you are more than 3/4 of the way there now. You have a good bike, you have miles under your belt, you have the desire. You need to push past a couple of barriers and you will be a century rider with ease.

Good luck

I'm a firm believer in N+1, but no getting a carbon bike will not instantly make you faster or let you ride longer.

If your training plan is to simply ride lots and 'push a little harder each time,' then you probably have no idea what's required to get faster. Which is fine if you just want to ride for enjoyment. If you want to get faster, get a HRM and a book on how to use it. Then develop a training plan. Your current method is not a plan.

It's hard to tell what your goals are. Do you want to go faster? Farther? Both?

There's a lot of good advice already in this thread, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the most cost effective one yet.

It sounds like you ride alone -- if so consider finding a riding partner or two, or even a regular riding group. Local Bike Shops often organize such things for their communities.

Riding with other people, especially if they are stronger riders than you are, will improve your endurance and stats for sure, that competitive juice gets flowing and you can trash talk and/or encourage one another on the way.

If you don't have anyone locally you enjoy riding with, then get online and ride segments on Strava or Endomondo or MapMyRide, which is basically like riding with the best riders in your area, just not at the same time. Just don't get yourself hurt trying to win King of Mountain status on your favorite segments.

There is no magic bike that will make you suddenly stronger (barring an electric assist of course) any more than there is a magic golf club that will stop all your shanks and duffs.

Farther, I would welcome a faster ride but it's not my goal, my focus is on distance.
Thanks, this thread helped me a great deal to understand that. I genuinely believed that was the case, now I know it's not. I already own a HRM and I'm trying to lower my heart rate as I push myself a little more, however, as mentioned above my goal is endurance, not speed.

Thanks man, I'm planning for a long ride this thursday and I'll try precisely that. Longer, less intense.

This is interesting, but no idea really on how to shop for wheels/tires? Do I need to pay attention only to the size? I have no idea about brands or anything, how do I know if my current set is good or if I swap, how do I know the new one is better?

I ride alone during the week and with a couple of friends on the weekends (never all three at the same time, though, the only one who is constant is me). There's a big group here in Miami that I want to join, in fact they had a training ride yesterday (sunday) and I wanted to go but I do not have spare tubes and the multi tool yet, so I'll go next month. However the main reason I haven't joined a group yet is because quite frankly I'm afraid I might not be able to keep up with their pace and cause and accident as I slow down or stop. They have a beginners group but still, it doesn't mention on their website how far they ride, only how fast.


I did some tweaking on my bike this weekend and felt slightly more comfortable, so I'm already reaping the benefits of joining this forum. The friend I rode with this saturday is more experienced than I am and told me pretty much the same you guys already told me. He also mentioned that since my bike does not have the greatest of components it might be one or two years before they give in and I need to replace (at my current pace), at that point then I'll be in position to look at a new bike or upgrade the groupset on my current one.


Thanks a lot everyone, lots of great advice here.

D.