My husband and I are thinking of either the Jamis Quest or the Bianchi Brava........does anyone here have a Jamis? Read one review about rear wheel disengagement on hills with the Quest? Anyone know anything about that?

We want a steel frame bike, which is why we're thinking of these.......

Thanks!

The Jamis is much better equipped. Shimano 105 in 9-speed vs Sora 8 speed on the Bianchi. If the price is roughly the same the Jamis is better, hands down. The rear wheel disengagement story was mentioned here a while back. Odds are that someone didn't tighten their quick release down hard enough, which is no reflection on the bike itself. But the story told here was that a rear wheel change fixed it, which could only make sense if Jamis got a batch of wheels that were built up with less than 130mm spacing. I'd go with the Jamis.

Thanks for the information! That is what I was thinking, also.

Now my husband just called and we're going to look at Treks...........this is a "quest", isn't it?

I've got a Jamis Sattelite that I love. Excellent bike for the money. I've ridden the Quest & thought it was even better (but too much $ for me...) Bicycling Mag rated the Quest the best bike in that $ range and I agree. My next bike will be the Quest.

The Bianchi is also a decent bike, but I think you get more for your money with Jamis. (you just won't get the 'ooooh. a Bianchi!' comments)