2009 Jamis Quest
 

Greetings everyone,
I have the opportunity to pickup a new 2009 Jamis Quest for $1,179.
One of my LBS has it on clearance at a 30% discount. There's only 1 left
and it's my size. I'm presently riding a 2011 Specialized Secteur Elite w/APEX
but I'm looking for a 2nd bike that offers a new/different riding experience and
I'm intrigued by steel. This would also serve a backup bike for when the Secteur
is in the shop or whatever. I'm a casual rider who rides around 75-100 miles/week
on the back roads of NH with plenty of hills. Do you think this bike is worth picking
up? Should I ask them to do better on the pricing or at the very least ask them to
toss in pair of clipless pedals or something? To my novice eyes, this seems like a
pretty decent deal for someone interested in steel. Thoughts?

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik.../09_quest.html

If I were your shoes (actually, I *have* been in your shoes before), I would get something that is *more different* for my second bike. There is nothing wrong with the Jamis, but if you get it you will own 2 mid-level road bikes. Different frame materials and geometries, but basically you'll have 2 pretty similar bikes.

I'd get something different -- how about a 'cross bike for riding on dirt roads and/or commuting, or a touring bike (the Jamis Aurora or Aurora Elite are about the same price). A 'cross bike w/road tires and fenders makes a great winter/spring training bike when it is raining out. You can throw a rack on the back, or a big saddle bag, and do light tours or camping trips. If you go for a touring bike, you can use a touring bike for errands, commuting, or winter riding, too.

If you're really itching to get a steel bike, get a vintage steel frame off eBay or Craigslist and build it up over the winter w/modern parts.

My 2 cents.

The Quest is an awesome ride for sure.

It's a nice bike, should be smoother than aluminum, but seems like an extremely similar riding experience to your Secteur. I see them pop up on Craigslist for $500-600 occasionally and I'd much more tempted to get one at that price.

I have the Quest, I love that bike and have put close to 1000 dollars of upgrades on it, however I wouldn't say it rides differently than your Secteur Apex. It will serve well as an everyday bike but don't be under the false understanding that it will ride THAT much different.

The Quest is a great riding all around bike. No it won't be that much different than the Secteur, but it will ride much nicer. They are both road bikes and similar geometries but I know I would find myself jumping on the quest more often than the Secteur. As far as the price, the 2009 Jamis Quest MSRP was around $1500 and not much has changed to this year. The LBS is offering you a pretty good deal and you would in turn be getting a deal and doing them a favor to make room for new inventory. I would do it, but I also can't stand riding aluminum, so take this from that point of view.

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I think I'll go ahead and test ride the bike either way. No harm in that. The LBS guy even mentioned that if the ride isn't all that different than my current ride, then it wouldn't be worth buying. My Secteur is very comfortable so I'll be surprised if it tops that, but a lot of people seem to swear by steel bikes so I feel compelled to try one out. If it doesn't wow me, then I'll probably plan on trying out a full carbon bike. In fact they have a Bianchi Infinito in the store that I could probably try out the same day. I definitely don't want to purchase a second bike unless it's going to provide me with a completely different ride experience. If it's too similar, then obviously it'd be a waste of money. Thanks again for your feedback.

Buy it, and then buy two or three other bikes that are more different. ;)

I wish I had the money to buy a titanium bike, an all carbon fiber bike, a bamboo bike, an Extracycle, a Pugsley, a recumbent, a trike......hm, what else?

As it is, my wife thinks the four bikes I already ride (plus my "project bikes") are way too many. :D