I'm fairly new to the road bike scene. About a year ago i purchased an entry level road bike so that i could start riding 7 miles to school instead of driving and dealing with parking. However, within the past year i've started riding more than just to school and back. I've been riding atleast 30-40 miles a weekend whenever i can.

My question is if it is worth upgrading any components on my current bike or just save up and get a better bike. My goals are to ride more often, maybe if i'm confident enough, compete in some local races here in arizona.

My current bike:

07' Jamis Ventura Sport


Specs:

FRAME Kinesis 7005 taper-guage aluminum, sloping top tube frame design, replaceable derailleur hanger
FORK Alloy, straight blade Aero Road with cromoly steerer
HEADSET Threadless Aheadset, 1 1/8:
WHEELSET Alex DC19 double-walled rims, 700c, 32H with Formula hubs, 14g stainless steel spokes
TIRES Vittoria Zaffiro, 700 x 23C
DERAILLEURS Shimano Sora rear 2200 31.8mm band clamp front
SHIFTERS Shimano 2200 Dual Control STI 16-speed
CHAIN Shimano CN-HG40
FREEWHEEL SRAM PowerGlide 850 8-speed 12-26
CRANKSET FSA Vero Compact, 50/34, 165mm (48L), 170mm (51L/54L/51/54), 175mm (56/58/61)
BOTTOM BRACKET Square taper, Sealed Cartridge, 68 x 110.5mm
BRAKESET Tektro dual pivot calipers with Shimano Sora STI levers
HANDLEBAR Jamis Road with anatomic bend, 400mm (48L/51L/54L/51), 420mm (54/56), 440mm (58/61)
STEM Jamis Forged Road, 6D x 90mm (48L/51L/54L/51), 105mm (54/56), 120mm (58/61)
GRIPS Jamis cork tape
SEATPOST Jamis micro adjust road, 300mm x 27.2mm with alloy clamp
SADDLE Jamis Road SL top and satin steel rails, gender specific shape & size
WEIGHT 22.50 lbs

Thanks.

-Paolo B.

I don't see that bike as being worth upgrading. Even if you put Sram Red and Zipp 808's on it, it would still be a load of junk. Just save for a new one and only replace worn parts on this one, such as chain, tires, ect. And I assume you are using clipless pedals. If not looking into getting those now.

I would not have been so harsh...I would have said...enjoy your entry level bike and begin saving for a higher end model that will serve your advancing skills....

I disagree with Cdy and wouldn't say it's a 'load of junk'. In fact, that's a perfectly good bike that will take you far places, and it ain't bad lookin' either.

But if you're looking for a more advanced ride, save up and keep this one as a 'rain bike' or commuter, or sell this one and buy a new one. It usually is not very cost-effective to upgrade entry-level bikes, simply because components cost an assload when bought individually.

That bike is not a piece of junk, it's just entry level. go to walmart, find the Schwinn road bike they carry, and there's the piece of junk.

Just begin saving for a new bike! Not really worth upgrading that bike.

Thanks for the quick responses. I was leaning towards saving up for a more advanced bike. I was just asking since i'm very new to the scene and i still don't know what's good and what's not along with all the terminology. I'll save my current bike as a "rain bike"/commuter

Wheels are always a good place to start. Plus they can be transferred to a new bike.

+1. Almost any wheelset you get will be an upgrade over the Alex rims.

G0LFII, what are your complaints about your current bike and are you using clipless petals? the petals will greatly increase your effective. do you have problems with your hands being numb after 40 miles, or does your butt hurt, in which case look at a carbon fork or cycling shorts.

if you just wanna go faster, do you feel like you need more gears, are you pedaling at a high cadence?(80-90). honestly you have a pretty good entry level bike and you should be able to get 1k-2k miles out of it easy before you need to upgrade, or replace something. a lightweight aero wheel set might be a good idea.

That is ridiculous.

Of course, SOME people here would say that anything below buying a $5,000 bike is a waste of effort anyway, since you run the risk of.... I really don't know what the logic is there. Run the risk of "wasting" money? In theory, you could replace every piece of that bike until you're riding the best, most expensive bike in the world. You'll just have spent more money getting there. Anyway, the more rational people here are on the money I believe. Clipless is huge and sometimes just getting something new to spiff it up helps, or a professional bike fitting. I'd try to get yourself in a lower position than that picture.

Load of junk... what a ******bag.

Most riders start out with a beginner bike and then figure out what their likes and dislikes are within a year or two. By that time a rider would put in a few thousand miles of riding in a year.

Some of these likes and dislikes are motivated by discomfort like the seat, or back ache, or knees or leg muscle issues. These are bike fit issues.

Some are motivated by the "need for speed". As you get aerobically fit, your body can handle more strenuous performances. This is one of the big payoffs of bike riding. You'll feel fit and it will show.

From your original post, sounds like you're a student...in college? Many colleges have road bike teams or clubs. Usually a local bike shop will be a sponsor and give out discounts on equipment and bikes.

Jamis definitely makes one of the nicer entry level bikes. i would keep it the way it is, unless anything is broken.

i personally recently also bought an entry level road bike, and i plan to keep it in running condition as long as i can. i allready know what i want in my next, more expensive bike, and i am learning from this one. when i do get a super nice bike, i wont want to take it out in the rain, or on bad roads, and i'll always have my trusty starter bike.

I agree with most others here. I think Jamis makes nice machines. I'd keep it, keep cycling, and save up. By the time you've saved enough for a new ride, you'll have a clear idea whether you're in this sport for the long term. (If not, no harm done; you can use the cash on something else.) Also, as others have mentioned, even if you do get a new bike, you should keep this one for your rain bike.

Good luck, and ride safely!

I have no problems maybe i'll invest in a good wheel set. I'll just keep riding and save money for a nice bike