UGH! Jamis vs. Raleigh vs. Schwinn vs. etc...
#1
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UGH! Jamis vs. Raleigh vs. Schwinn vs. etc...
Looking at buying my first road bike (I know, same old song and dance). Just uncertain as to what to go for. Been riding two different comfort bikes with more road type seats and clipless pedals (GT and a Dimondback, both 21 speed).
LBS has Jamis and Raleigh lines, but I also know of a Schwinn dealer nearby but have not been there yet.
Looking for something versatile, that will not kill me, but will be good for the tour. I do not see racing in my future...
Looking in the $500-800 range.
LBS has Jamis and Raleigh lines, but I also know of a Schwinn dealer nearby but have not been there yet.
Looking for something versatile, that will not kill me, but will be good for the tour. I do not see racing in my future...
Looking in the $500-800 range.
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The 08 Jamis Ventura Comp will be an excellent choice. Or the 07 if you prefer. I have an 06 comp, but that's more comparable to the race. Jamis is known for excellent bikes at a great price. The 07 Ventura Comp was Bicycling Magazine's Entry Level Bike of the Year I believe. Also the retail on it was...700 I believe.
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Most all of the bikes you mentioned in the ``cheap'' price range are pretty much the same. Get whatever fits best and has a color combo that you like.
Me, I have a '07 Jamis and with 1,500 hard miles on it, the thing is still running like a champ. $400 bike.
If you think you'll get serious into the hobby, either spend a lot of money right from the get-go, or don't. Avoid the middle ground. Go cheap and you'll have a winter ride once you get a higher end ride, or go nuts and get the best so you'll have a steed to last the ages.
Me, I have a '07 Jamis and with 1,500 hard miles on it, the thing is still running like a champ. $400 bike.
If you think you'll get serious into the hobby, either spend a lot of money right from the get-go, or don't. Avoid the middle ground. Go cheap and you'll have a winter ride once you get a higher end ride, or go nuts and get the best so you'll have a steed to last the ages.
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Well from back when I was shopping for a new roadie (back in '05) it seemd that Jamis offered alot of bang for the buck in their given price range. i didn't get to ride one but they sure seem like a good value.
Good Luck and Cheers,
Brian
Good Luck and Cheers,
Brian
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Get something that fits, is comfortable, and in your price range. The 105 groupset is "good enough" and ultegra is better if you can afford that.
It's really not about the bike -- A buddy of mine just won a pro/1/2 crit on a piece of junk Jamis frame he built up with ultegra. He used to win cat-3 races on a 17 year old trek with downtube shifters before upgrading.
It's really not about the bike -- A buddy of mine just won a pro/1/2 crit on a piece of junk Jamis frame he built up with ultegra. He used to win cat-3 races on a 17 year old trek with downtube shifters before upgrading.
#6
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Thanks for the replies and thoughts. I will keep you posted....
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At a given price point, any of the major brands will have models of similar quality.
The biggest difference in a cyclist's satisfaction and enjoyment of a bike come from getting a bike that is the correct size, that is properly fitted to the rider's physique and riding style, that is correctly assembled and tuned, with wheels that are perfectly trued. That means that it is FAR more important to pick the "right" bike shop more than the "right" brand.
Spend some time in the three or four shops closest to your home. Ask questions. Watch how the staff treats you and other customers. Look at how they handle problems when folks come in with something that needs adjustment.
Then, buy from the shop that is most serious about customer service, both before and after the sale. Buy from that shop even if they are the MOST expensive shop (and odds are, the shop with the best personal service WILL be the most expensive shop). High quality service is the difference between a bike that will provide years of satisfaction versus a bike that gets parked in the back of the garage and is soon forgotten.
The biggest difference in a cyclist's satisfaction and enjoyment of a bike come from getting a bike that is the correct size, that is properly fitted to the rider's physique and riding style, that is correctly assembled and tuned, with wheels that are perfectly trued. That means that it is FAR more important to pick the "right" bike shop more than the "right" brand.
Spend some time in the three or four shops closest to your home. Ask questions. Watch how the staff treats you and other customers. Look at how they handle problems when folks come in with something that needs adjustment.
Then, buy from the shop that is most serious about customer service, both before and after the sale. Buy from that shop even if they are the MOST expensive shop (and odds are, the shop with the best personal service WILL be the most expensive shop). High quality service is the difference between a bike that will provide years of satisfaction versus a bike that gets parked in the back of the garage and is soon forgotten.
#8
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I have an LBS near me that I like quite alot, and they offer test rides for all of their bike, not to mention that they have a huge selection of used bikes as well.
Just need to get my but back home so I can ride. Been living in hotels too long.
Just need to get my but back home so I can ride. Been living in hotels too long.
#10
pan y agua
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personally, I'd have an attitudinal problem buying a Schwinn. The only thing left of value of the original Schwinn company is in Waterford Wisconsin.
Moreover, I'd be reluctant to pay significant money to buy a bike from a company that sells crap bikes through Wal Mart.
I'm sure some of Schwinn's higher end bikes are ok, but personally I just wouldn't care to do business with them.
Moreover, I'd be reluctant to pay significant money to buy a bike from a company that sells crap bikes through Wal Mart.
I'm sure some of Schwinn's higher end bikes are ok, but personally I just wouldn't care to do business with them.
#11
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So much hate merlinextraligh
So Schwinn, GT & Mongoose aren't owned by the same people who founded them. Neither is Merlin.
The people who work for the company that owns Schwinn, GT & Mongoose are trying to bring the bike brands back to some bit of their former glory. Selling some low level bikes to Xmart helps to subsidize their high end bike business. I see no problem with this strategy. Then again, who can argue a 1972 40 lb Schwinn Varsity is any better than your garden variety Schwinn xmart bike? Also, for the millions of people who buy these bikes, they'd probably rather be riding a Schwinn than a Motiv/Vertical/Roadmaster. It's brand name cache on a little lower scale than you're used to.
I've actually talked to the guys that design the bikes. They're up somewhere near Boulder, CO (Longmont? can't remember). I actually talked to them on the phone, after getting warm transferred from the mother company. They're regular Americans just doing their job. I asked them questions and they knew the bikes and were able to answer my questions. Honestly, I might add. Even overheard the person on the phone ask another about something. The other person actually rides the bike I was asking about. You'll not get this kind of customer service at most bike manufacturers.
I just don't see anything wrong with what they're doing. They're just bikes. Most of them are pretty respectable too. And excellent values in most cases compared to the competition. They're good enough to win races too:
2007 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships
Fort William, Scotland
Sept. 4-9
Day Four Results:
Elite Men’s 4-Cross
1. Brian Lopes (San Clemente, Calif., GT)
2. Romaine Saladini (FRA)
3. Jurg Meijer (NED)
4. Roger Rinderknecht (SUI)
Elite Women’s 4-Cross
1. Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash., GT)
2. Anneke Beerten (NED)
3. Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz.)
4. Jana Horakova (CZE)
So Schwinn, GT & Mongoose aren't owned by the same people who founded them. Neither is Merlin.
The people who work for the company that owns Schwinn, GT & Mongoose are trying to bring the bike brands back to some bit of their former glory. Selling some low level bikes to Xmart helps to subsidize their high end bike business. I see no problem with this strategy. Then again, who can argue a 1972 40 lb Schwinn Varsity is any better than your garden variety Schwinn xmart bike? Also, for the millions of people who buy these bikes, they'd probably rather be riding a Schwinn than a Motiv/Vertical/Roadmaster. It's brand name cache on a little lower scale than you're used to.
I've actually talked to the guys that design the bikes. They're up somewhere near Boulder, CO (Longmont? can't remember). I actually talked to them on the phone, after getting warm transferred from the mother company. They're regular Americans just doing their job. I asked them questions and they knew the bikes and were able to answer my questions. Honestly, I might add. Even overheard the person on the phone ask another about something. The other person actually rides the bike I was asking about. You'll not get this kind of customer service at most bike manufacturers.
I just don't see anything wrong with what they're doing. They're just bikes. Most of them are pretty respectable too. And excellent values in most cases compared to the competition. They're good enough to win races too:
2007 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships
Fort William, Scotland
Sept. 4-9
Day Four Results:
Elite Men’s 4-Cross
1. Brian Lopes (San Clemente, Calif., GT)
2. Romaine Saladini (FRA)
3. Jurg Meijer (NED)
4. Roger Rinderknecht (SUI)
Elite Women’s 4-Cross
1. Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash., GT)
2. Anneke Beerten (NED)
3. Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz.)
4. Jana Horakova (CZE)
#12
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I purchased the '07 Jamis Ventura Comp earlier this summer based on the spring review it received. Love the freakin' bike. Have put around 1,000 miles on it since the start of summer and have no complaints.
#13
pan y agua
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Hardly analagous. There is no connection between the original Schwinn company, and the current "Schwinn", other than the current owner bought a name out of bankruptcy.
Merlin, while owned now by the American bicycle company is still the continuation of the original company,and still handcrafting quality bikes.
If you want a Schwinn, call Richard Schwinn in Wisconsin.
#14
Luggite
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You're ignoring the lower end of the original Schwinn company's offerings. They were about the same quality as today's xmart bikes.
It can be argued that Schwinn created the Paramount name to differentiate the better bikes from the Varsitys & Suburbans. Not much connection between a Varsity and a Parmount. None really. So, in my opinion, Paramount became Waterford. Schwinn didn't. Probably one of the reasons why they had no problem ditching the brand...
By the way, Waterford owner here.
It can be argued that Schwinn created the Paramount name to differentiate the better bikes from the Varsitys & Suburbans. Not much connection between a Varsity and a Parmount. None really. So, in my opinion, Paramount became Waterford. Schwinn didn't. Probably one of the reasons why they had no problem ditching the brand...
By the way, Waterford owner here.
#15
Senior Member
I piped up in a similar question thread about intro road bikes. A very good friend of mine is getting back into riding after about 10 years off. He was a super strong Cat 3 before a couple of serious crashes put his riding on indefinite hold. He had a beautiful Coppi with all Chorus on it.
So when he went looking for a bike, he knew what to look for - a frame that fits well, is reasonable in weight, and will accept replacement parts. He bought the first Jamis that has a carbon rear triangle (aluminum main triangle).
The components, to semi quote him, are garbage. He doesn't mind - he knows that this level of components simply won't last a long time. He knows he'll be putting on some nice group in the spring. In the meantime, he's doing about an hour and a half pretty much daily, a little more on the weekends.
Regarding "racing vs casual riding". I don't race cars but I appreciate a nice handling car. Having driven a (primitive) true race car (Formula Ford), I know that the tightest street car is miles from a race car. My cars are geared towards handling more than comfort but that doesn't mean I race.
I do race bikes. My bikes are optimized for simply riding, not for anything else. I swap wheels to hone a bike's purpose, but the position, fit, seat, etc are all the same. I'm comfortable on my bike for 5-6 hours at a time, even though it's a "race" bike (Giant TCRs, one in carbon, one in aluminum).
With a carbon fork, normal tires, a carefully selected saddle, shorts, and some riding technique knowledge, a good "race" bike becomes a good all around bike - good for racing, long rides, etc. Just no loaded touring.
Select an efficient frame which fits you well (concern yourself with top tube length, seat tube angle, and head tube length - everything else follows with a sloped top tube frame) and you'll be fine.
A note - with the 2007 Interbike show around the corner (less than two weeks) you might be able to pick up some leftover bikes soon. Or find a new 2008 model which has some frame upgrade or some such thing.
Good hunting,
cdr
So when he went looking for a bike, he knew what to look for - a frame that fits well, is reasonable in weight, and will accept replacement parts. He bought the first Jamis that has a carbon rear triangle (aluminum main triangle).
The components, to semi quote him, are garbage. He doesn't mind - he knows that this level of components simply won't last a long time. He knows he'll be putting on some nice group in the spring. In the meantime, he's doing about an hour and a half pretty much daily, a little more on the weekends.
Regarding "racing vs casual riding". I don't race cars but I appreciate a nice handling car. Having driven a (primitive) true race car (Formula Ford), I know that the tightest street car is miles from a race car. My cars are geared towards handling more than comfort but that doesn't mean I race.
I do race bikes. My bikes are optimized for simply riding, not for anything else. I swap wheels to hone a bike's purpose, but the position, fit, seat, etc are all the same. I'm comfortable on my bike for 5-6 hours at a time, even though it's a "race" bike (Giant TCRs, one in carbon, one in aluminum).
With a carbon fork, normal tires, a carefully selected saddle, shorts, and some riding technique knowledge, a good "race" bike becomes a good all around bike - good for racing, long rides, etc. Just no loaded touring.
Select an efficient frame which fits you well (concern yourself with top tube length, seat tube angle, and head tube length - everything else follows with a sloped top tube frame) and you'll be fine.
A note - with the 2007 Interbike show around the corner (less than two weeks) you might be able to pick up some leftover bikes soon. Or find a new 2008 model which has some frame upgrade or some such thing.
Good hunting,
cdr