sefk

Hi everyone!

I'm currently a graduate student who just finished his first year. I recently decided to do something that I wanted to do since high-school: getting more serious with biking (my best friend getting brand new Cannondale CAADX is also a strong source of peer pressure).

So, after some thought, given that I'm newbie to everything, I choose to spend around 500-700$ first on a hybrid bike that will serve me to commute around town and to do some weekend riding (10-20 miles). Eventually (aka one or two years), when I'll be in better shape and more knowledgeable about biking, I'll spend some more money on a good road bike, and the one that I am shopping for right now will become a back-up/bad-weather/city bike that I can lock outside.

I visited my local bike store a couple of days ago, and among the ones that I tried there are two that stood out:
1) Jamis Coda Sport:
https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...cat_grp=strt_2
2) Bianchi Camaleonte 2:
https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/stra.../camaleonte-2/

I really liked riding the Bianchi: the bike was quick and nimble, all the controls were responsive, and the overall construction/assembly seems to be top-notch. But the Coda wasn't a bad ride either is cheaper.

Now I am not sure which one to buy. So any suggestion, comment or opinion would be appreciated.

Wanderer

I vote for the Bianchi - nice looking, more gears, better brakes

corwin1968

I vote for the Jamis because it's steel.

Actually, you should choose the one that you enjoyed riding the most. Sounds like the Bianchi at this point. You can't go wrong with either bike. Both brands have been around for a long time. I also think you have a good plan to buy a relatively inexpensive but still good bike as a starter and then deciding at a later date if riding is for you and if you want to upgrade.

bikemig 

I'd get the Jamis. They are both fine bikes but the Jamis is a $130 less. It will make a better lock up/commute bike if you plan on leaving it outside for the reason primarily. They're both fine bikes in any case.

BruceHankins

Bianchi.

Bravin Neff

Jamis.

sefk

Thanks everyone for the input!
Yeah I guess this is the main argument for the Coda from my perspective. However I just find it a bit "wrong" to prefer a bike because I care less about it.

jbchybridrider 

Can't go wrong with steel

ikaika777

If I were you I would check out more bike makers like Giant, Trek, and Specialized before you commit to just those two. I think you can get a better bike from Giant, Trek, and Specialized for the same money or even less.

sefk

Well, the bike store that I went to doesn't carry most of the more popular brands, and it's pretty much one of the best bike store around so I would like to stick to their stocks.

edit: especially considering that their bikes comes with free tune-up every year and lifetime warranty.

ikaika777

Well, I personally would look at other Bike stores just to test ride other bike manufacturers. Bikes come with limited lifetime warranties, the once a year free tune-ups is cool but if you get into biking you'll end up learning and doing your own tune-ups. I'm just saying to cover all your bases.

sefk

I finally went for the Jamis: the ride was more comfortable, the components were good enough for my use and that as a first bike, I should save the money for accessories (which are usually transferable from bike to bike).

MRT2

Maybe Giant offers comparable value to Jamis, but Trek and Specialized are typically more for comparable components. Though I love my '97 Bianchi, I would go with the Jamis.