desmoface

Just came back from visiting some bike shops...I am in lust/awe/love with the coda comp..what a beautiful machine.. Haven't seen the felt sr-71 but it looks to be equally nice..along with the kona dew...I guess the jamis has a steel frame vs. aluminum for the rest...but I was expecting the jamis to be heavier than the other and it wasn't noticably....

Anyone have one of these beauties? Is it a noticable difference between a steel and aluminum bike? Thanks in advance ..

Steve

Dahon.Steve

Go with the Jamis. You can't feel the difference between Al and Steel until you've hit the 40 mile marker or sooner. If the weight between the bikes are similar you go with the Reynolds frame.

desmoface

LOL...I don't think I'll be doing 40 miles at one time anytime soon hehe...Thanks for the reply.

Steve

Eatadonut

It takes a while to notice the difference, I agree with you there. The difference can swing either way, though. I actually like the feel of steel better, it's hard to explain but it feels a little more buttery. And buttery feels fast

desmoface

Hey gang, thanks for the replies..it really is a thing of beauty. I just bought a specialized crossroads so I can't really justify spending $800 on another new bike..plus the fact that my wife would probably shoot me out of a canon LOL..I don't know if I'll be able to hold out for more than a year though...I will probably pick one up if I stumble upon a good deal over the winter..

I guess 2 bikes isn't too many..Thanks again.

Steve

tulip

The Coda Comp is as nice, no, nicer, than it looks. I've been riding mine through the mean streets of DC for three years and it's fabulous. It takes me everywhere. It's smooth and fast. There is a huge difference between aluminum and steel--all you have to do is a comparison ride to figure that out.

Trade in that Specialized if you really want the Coda, and if it's not in the budget to have two bikes. I've never had fewer than three bikes, so I can't quite comprehend the budget part. No car--fine. No bikes--no way!

desmoface

Hi Velogirl, I don't know of any dealers around here that take trade ins so I do believe I will keep the specialized and get the coda comp. That coda comp is one impressive looking machine. I'll use the specialized for a second bike I guess...The wife is going to freak when I bring home another bike LOL..

Steve

KeithA

I have the Coda Elite and truly think it was a big part of me getting back into cycling. Not only is it smooth riding, but the handling is just perfect, meaning the steering takes you easily where you want to go rather than being over or under responsive.

Since I took up cycling again around May, I've also purchased a nice road bike, but keep on coming back to the Jamis because it is a great bike for my daily rides. Although, I'm going to be using my road bike for longer rides, the Jamis has been used a couple of times of 50+ miles and was extremely comfortable for those rides.

desmoface

I really want that coda comp. I keep trying to convince myself that I need a second bike LOL...the other thought that keeps crossing my mind is that I already have a specialized crossroads, maybe I should just buy a road bike...but that coda comp is sooo nice...Oh well, thanks for the reply.

Steve

01GTB

I wish we had a dealer nearby. I am looking for my first bike in years and really want to check one out.

desmoface

01GTB, the coda comp is really beautiful in person. I will say that the pic's don't do it justice. The bikes I really am thinking about are:

1. coda comp
2. felt sr-81
3. specialized sirus
4. Kona dew series

I have seen the kona's, very nice, rode the sirus - also very nice. Have yet to see an sr-81 in the flesh. The local jamis dealer also sells marin, their "Lucas Valley" would be the comparably priced competitor to the coda comp. They didn't have a Lucas Valley in stock but it would have to be pretty nice for me to like it over the coda comp. The coda's are steel and I'd love to try a steel bike...

I have to ride them all and scrutinize them all before I make a decision. I'm guessing this winter I will be at an advantage as far as shopping...Oh well, do try to find one if you can, very nice.

Steve

tulip

I don't know about the Felt (nice bikes, overall, though), but the Sirrus and the Kona are aluminium, if my memory serves. I really dislike the ride of aluminium bikes, so just make sure that aluminium is okay with you before you decide. In other words, don't decide on looks alone. I almost bought a Sirrus and I'm glad I didn't. I like the look of the Kona bikes, but I'm not interested in aluminium.

As for your Specialized/wife issue, why not turn over the Specialized to her, assuming it's the right size?

desmoface

Hi Velo, well, I bought my wife a bike already LOL..plus my crossroads is a large and she's very petite..so that wouldn't have worked...I will just have to get a second bike I guess...Probably not bad to have two just in case one breaks. I have never ridden a steel bike, I'm actually a newbie so I haven't ridden many bikes at all...Oh well...we'll see what kind of deals come around when the weather changes..

Steve

speedlever

I would have loved to check into the Jamis Coda series and the Kona bikes... but alas, what few local dealers there are have no stock.

I imagine you'd have to ride an aluminum bike and or a steel bike for a while to note the difference. True? Or is the difference readily apparent?

FWIW, I bought a Marin Novato and am enjoying it. However, my buying process was somewhat stymied due to lack of available stock to test ride.

BTW, my wife was lukewarm to the bike idea, but I bought her a Trek 7100 and she is really enjoying riding with me.