MRT2

After buying a new bike for me last year, we are looking to get something new for the wife. We are just in the beginning stages of the process, and wil need to do some legwork (literally) to decide which would be the better long term choice.

She is a longtime cyclist, though she doesn't go much for the nerdy gear aspect of the sport. She just likes to ride. Her current bikes are a 70s era Peugeot UO8 she rode through France when she was a teenager (still with the original Simplex components!), and two cruisers from the mid 2000s: an entry level Trek WSD 7000, and a Bianchi Milano I bought used last year that we share as a general utility bike. The Simplex components on the Peugeot are at the end of their useful life, and the wheels are steel. So while I considered upgrading the Peugeot, I don't think it is a cost effective solution long term. She wants a bike with drop bars, rather than a flat bar bike. She is agnostic on other variables (SRAM vs. Shimano, brifters vs. bar end shifters, canti brakes vs. sidepulls vs. discs), though she does like a bike that can accomodate fenders and a rack.

I upgraded to a Salsa Casseroll last year and I am more than happy with my choice so far. Unfortunately, that model is now discontinued.

So I went to the same bike shop that sold me the Salsa, and some of the bikes they had were the three Jamis bikes, as well as the Surly Pacer (and Cross Check and LHT). This LBS also sells Kona and Raleigh. There are also Trek, Cannondale, Giant, and Specialized dealers in the area, though most of those shops focus on aluminum or carbon fiber road bikes. I like the idea of sticking with steel rather than aluminum, but maybe that is just me. This particular LBS seems to focus in on steel, which is why I bought from them last year.

Right now, our rides are mostly as a family with our 11 year old son. And the rides are mostly paved, though we have done rides on crushed limestone and gravel trails. Right now we ride 15 to 30 miles just for fun, though we hope to do longer rides, perhaps a multi day tour sometime in the future. I doubt we will ever do fully loaded touring, but one never knows.

As I said earlier, I know she will have to test ride and utimately pick what trips her trigger, but putting it out there to the collective wisdom of the good folks on bike forums. Anyone have experience with the Jamis in general or Bosanova in particular? Any other bikes that should be on the short list that I forgot?

Retro Grouch 

1. You already have a bike shop that you like and trust.
2. Your wife has enough bicycling experience to know what she likes and doesn't like.
3. Your price range was determined when you bought the Salsa Casseroll for yourself.

What was the question again?

MRT2

Anybody have any experience with any of these models? Does anybody have strong preferences for Jamis over Surly, or Surly over Jamis? Or some other brand I haven't mentioned? Is there a model in that price range ($1,300 or less) that just has to be test ridden? I went through the process myself last year. Just looking for some other data points to consider.

Cfiber

You already have a really decent steel frame. I would disassemble that Peugeot and have it powdercoat painted. I would then salvage any of the decent components, replace my wheels, and completely upgrade my drivetrain.

https://projectpeugeot1.blogspot.com/

* The Jamis Satellite Comp femme model seems like a great deal in steel!

fietsbob

Ms Terry has the frames for Her Bikes , at least some of them, Made right there in Wisconsin
at the Waterford Facility.

dynaryder

Modern version of her Peugeot:
https://publicbikes.com/p/PUBLIC-R16?position=hero1

Just a thought. Already has the fenders an kickstand.

eofelis 

I had a Surly Pacer as my first road bike a while back. I had the 42cm size frame, with the Surly steel fork. I used it for general road rides, some with big climbs and descents. It is not as light and fast as many other road bikes out there but it was very comfortable and stable to ride. I only moved on from the Pacer frame when I got a deal on a second hand Gunnar Sport frame.

MRT2

Really? It isn't a PX10. I thought UO8 was basically hi tensile steel. She is attached to it for a variety of reasons, but I figured that any modern steel bike in the $1,000 range would be much lighter. I still might go that route, but my thought was to keep the Peugeot for the memories and get something new.

MRT2

Looks pretty cool.

MRT2

I like the idea of a Wisconsin made frame, but not aware of any LBS that sell her bikes. I will look into it.