Audiophile121

Just a story I thought I'd share...

I've not decided which bike I want to buy for my first road bike ... Fuji Finest, Jamis Ventura Sport, or Jamis Satellite.

Fuji Finest was my first choice. It is fully aluminum and has pretty good specs .. but I have by now made up my mind not to buy this bike.

The primary appeal to me of the Jamis Ventura Sport is its ALU frame and CF fork, and the specs are also nice.

But the Jamis Satellite is different. I knew it had a steel frame and a carbon fork, but I must admit I have bit of a prejudice against steel frames. The component specs are just as good as on the other two with a little less bling and more realistic practicality, which I like for a choice as my first road bike. I hear that steel's riding quality depends largely on how it is made (as with everything else), but that when it is made well (which it usually is since bikes have been made of steel for a very long time now), steel can ride extremely well. This tidbit alone really attracts me to the Satellite; the price and practicality only further lure me in, especially for a first road bike that will get really broken into.

Thing is, I live on Florida's east coast! Things rust here! Realistically speaking, it takes a long time for something to rust around where I live, it's not like the bike will only be rust-free for a number of months, but I trust the information that the forum members have to share and I am wondering....

Which would you suggest? Keep in mind that this is my first road bike. Also, I should let you know that I intend to make some modifications to whichever one I end up with. So check the spec links below and please also give me your opinion of what should be upgraded, and I will see if I'm thinking the right things about the issue. (Please keep suggestions practical .. suggestions to "Deck it out with Campy Record!" and the like will be flatly ignored.)

Specs
2005 Fuji Finest
2005 Jamis Ventura Sport
2005 Jamis Satellite[/COLOR]

Prosody

Be very careful! According to conventional wisdom, the more you think about buying a bike, the higher you set your price limit. If you don't watch out, you'll be spending thousands.

Test ride the bikes you might consider buying, and buy the one that feels best to you. Don't get caught up worrying about materials. If you buy your bike from a good bike shop, you'll be getting good quality for the price.

lotek 

with proper care, wiping down the bike, don't store it outside.
Weigle Frame Saver (or similiar) there is no reason why your bike should
not last as long as Alu or CF.
rinse off salt spray and sweat (worse than the sea spray) daily
and you will be fine.

Marty