12strings

2015 Jamis Quest Comp:



SUMMARY: Reynolds 520 steel, carbon fork, mostly Sora groupset (3x9...with a 11-28 cassette), Tektro long-reach brakes (will take 28, maybe 32mm tires). Richey Comp Logic handlebars. Jamis touring saddle. Size 54. weight 23lbs.

REVIEW: (I've been commuting and riding on group rides for about 1.5 years on a 28lb. Walmart Schwinn Varsity 1200 hybrid/flat-bar road bike...so obviously this is a huge step up, but I'll try to be objective with PLUSES, AND MINUSES):
+Ride: in a word, smooth. 2 friends who tried it out immediately had the same reaction: "This is smooth!"
+Looks, I think it is just a pretty bike, simple, thin downtube, and different than all the aluminum and carbon in the group rides. I think the silver is way prettier than the 2014 white version.
+Shifting is easy and predictable, no complaints.
+Speed: I am able to get low, in the drops, or even on the hoods with bent elbows. When I want to accelerate to get past another rider, I feel able to do so easily.
+CLIMBING: I've only tackled one small climb so far, but the 5lb drop from my old bike made it seem very easy by comparison...looking forward to see how I fare on our normal group ride climbs...I didn't come close to needing the 30/28 lowest combo.
+COMFORT: Even going from a hybrid to a road bike, This bike is easily much more comfortable, and fits me well.
+Saddle: Even the stock saddle is going to work, I believe. I rode for 30 minutes without bike shorts, and felt just OK...but when I rode with bike shorts, it was so comfortable I didn't even think about it...a good sign.

-welds...I don't really know what welds on a steel bike in this price range (800-900) are supposed to look like, but I was hoping they would be invisible...they aren't...they look like welds. Not as pretty as lugs, but I can't afford lugs. Oh well.
-Stem: It comes with a new-fangled ATS system that allows you to slide the stem up and down without messing with spacers, and it looks odd, and requires a wider stem. Probably works great, but I would have rather just had a normal threadless stem...I can still swap that out I want to.
-Brakes still need some adjusting, I think...might need to get better brake pads.
-***The realization that I just spent the maximum amount of money that I could justify (more actually) on a road bike that I really like, and hope to ride for may years...in fact spending 4x the amount that I paid for my previous bike...AND YET, I STILL will have the CHEAPEST bike in my group rides. :-)

...Never mind, that's a plus...it will feel that much better when I beat them to the top of the hills!

rms13

Awesome! Congrats on the new ride. Beat all those guys with the fancy bikes up the hills

lsberrios1 

Congrats! Good stuff. Seems like a solid bike to just have fun in. That can make a comfy commuter bike or a speedy club racer. Hope you put tons of miles on it and enjoy it.

lsberrios1 

Good review too. Seems like you've been riding enough to know you ins and outs about cycling.

a1penguin

That's a nice looking bike. It looks quite versatile in terms of tire width. It's a machine for riding, not for sitting and looking at :-) If it is comfortable and rides well, the welds won't matter!

tangerineowl

They're awesome bikes. A few years back they were 853 steel.

mawashi

Great bike, you'll enjoy it for years and years and it'll provide years of dependable service.

shelbyfv

Very nice. When you wear out the tires, try some Panaracer Gravelkings in 28. Will make a smooth ride even better!

jrossbeck

Nice bike. Also, I cracked up when I immediately noticed Andy Williams Christmas Album. That was one of the first records in my ever growing vinyl collection.

Solidjake

Congrats man, the bike looks great

12strings

Yep, that second picture is the bike in my office...after I added my real saddle bag (the little one was a "toss-in" with the bike), water cage, pump, and dual-platform spd/flat pedals. Christmas album was given to me as an inside joke.

qcpmsame 

Great review and a nice bike, good choice for your N+1.

Bill

12strings

Yep, there is still a level above this with 631 steel and 105 components...for 1600. Just too much for me right now.

12strings

I've actually already sold the old bike to a friend for his teenage son...I'm pretty much a one-bike at a time guy...minimalist.

qcpmsame 

Alrighty, its a good choice for your new "N" From another "1 bike at a time guy", here.

Edit: as to the ties size, I went to a 25, Conti Gatorskin, on my CAAD 10, from the stock 23 Schwalbe Luganos. Made for a much smoother ride and didn't feel like any loss in any form. Brakes, just put on some Kool Stop Dual combination pads, if need be get the cartridge type carriers if the Jamis doesn't have them. I love them on my CAAD 10.

Bill

12strings

Is that the best option even if I plan to never take it off-road?

rkg64

Nice bike bro!!

shelbyfv

Despite the name, it is a smooth tread in 28 and smaller. very supple and not prone to flats. Check for discounts, though. The msrp is kind of high but you can find them for $30 if you are patient.

bikecrate

I love my 2012 Quest. One thing that I appreciate about Jamis is the understated graphics on the Quest.

RIP Chainrings

Awesome!!

12strings

...BUT...this IS my fancy bike!!! :-)

exime

Nice bike. I have my eyes on the 2016 Jamis Quest Elite.

I'll leave this here... The never before seen 2016 Jamis Quest Elite spec sheet.

12strings

Ooh, where did you find that?

Looks like 105 crank and blue trim instead of red are the main differences...Color scheme is actually pretty similar to my 2015 Comp. I wonder what they'll do to the lower level pain jobs?

12strings

One more thing...I knew there was another negative I wanted to add, but couldn't think of what it was:

-TOE OVER-LAP... I didn't notice it till I had the bike home and was riding around the driveway following my pre-schoolers on their bikes...My foot will hit the front wheel if I try to pedal round slow tight turns. A slight disappointment, but I've since ridden an actual ride around my area, including some intersection turns and just curvy country roads...and it was not an issue. I realize the 54 size is not that big. I did not think to check the other bikes I test-rode to see if they had toe overlap as well, so I just don't know (Ventura, Allez, Secteur, Synapse).

exime

I e-mailed Jamis' support a couple weeks ago asking about their 2016 Jamis Quest Elite and they sent me that PDF.

You're right. I think the main difference is the crank is now 105. The color is a lighter silver with blue accents. It's definitely on my short list since it's such a good price. It is similar color to your comp.