Which to buy?
 

I'm looking at the Jamis Sputnik (with added brakes) and the Cannondale CAPO. they end up being pracitally the same price. NO STEEL VS. ALUMINUM FIGHTS!!!

Jamis. I don't like Cannondales.

"Jamis. I don't like Cannondales." You're so specific. GIVE ME SOME REAL REASON. one vote for cannondale because I dont like sfcrossrider.

I would get the 'Dale. I have two Cannondale roadies and I love them. But I did just buy a Specialized Langster.:p

Go with the Jamis...the name CAPO is really stupid. You can't go wrong with the formula hubs, the Reynolds 631 frame, plus you'll be rocking the carbon fork. The Jamis is hands down my favorite off the rack fixie.

I would convert an old Schwinn Varsity and buy a really nice bottle of scotch with your left over cash

+1

You don't want steel vs. aluminum arguments but that is the biggest difference between the two. Given the lack of specifics, sfcrossrider's response was perfectly justified. I think the jamis looks better. I'm not a fan of integrated headsets, to thats one against the capo. The geo on the capo is kinda weird 74.5 st, 73 ht. Chainstay length and wheelbase are similar on both bikes. I'd go with the jamis because it looks better and has marginally better components. And because I don't like aluminum.

TADA!

get the jamis. steel is a better ride. the regular road bike geometry will insure you don't get into anything over your head in terms of tracing tight weaves in traffic. you will have greater acceptance in the ss/fg community, nobody likes an outsider.
if you have to climb stairs to get to your apartment your girl will make you switch and carry her iro because the capo is way too light. capo has that silly "tag" on the top tube that i had to wrap with black and off black gaffers tape so i wouldn't have to be reminded of what they've done to my graffitti underground. luckily it looks good with the swift i just put on the seatpost. makes it much easier to kiss at night before i lay my head down and dream of brooklyn avenues in a blur.

The Capo is going to be a stiffer, more aggressive bike. The front end is stiffer and more responsive, and its a fairly quick handler. The Jamis is a bit more relaxed geometry, more akin to a roadbike, and it has a considerably smoother ride, but its not going to feel as "snappy". I've ridden both, I like both, it just depends on what you are looking for. Either bike is excellent quality, so no concerns there.

I haven't ridden the Capo, but I own a Sputnik, and it is awesome.

Both bikes have carbon forks, black paint jobs (a silver option on the Capo too), Formula hubs, and nice frames.

I like the Capo a lot. The frame is one of their road frames (just with fork ends) that has been around for years. I like aluminum more than steel for it's corrosion resistance because I beat the **** out of my bikes. I think they are equally matched on components.

The Sputnik still comes with cranks that are too long (for me at least), but that's the worst thing about it. I also didn't like the lockring, cog, saddle, or gearing on the 06. The cog and lockring are easy and cheap to replace, and that will let you change the gearing. The saddle is a different one for 07, so I don't know what it's like.

They are both nice bikes. You should try to ride each before making a final decision.

ok, when i said no al. vs steel fights, i meant no FIGHTS! opinions are good but I didn't want the advocates to step in a hijack this thread as if it was bring your knife day at the airport and all the security was drinking 191 proof. Otherwise, yes the big difference is the frames. by the way, i heard someone say the jamis had a less "jerkey" ride compared to the cannondale. not true, i've ridden both and the cannondale has more tracking in the front but I wouldnt call it jerkey in any way. From my opinion, the jamis has a smoother ride, but the 'dale isnt rough in my book. One big pluss for the dale is its as light as a feather and I like being streched out more at the top tube (just how i ride). And one last thing for jamis, it does look better. Now here you can help me in addition to compareing the two. corrosion resistance. I baby my bikes, but this one will be used in some nastier weather. Will a steel frame be fine if protected with that spray stuff? (I live in boston and salt is a terrible thing). Now because I havent really yelled in this response yet...
SAYING YOU DONT LIKE CANNONDALE IS NOT A REAL REASON TO CHOSE ONE OR THE OTHER, GIVE ME A REASON YOU DONT LIKE CANNONDALE! GIVE ME REASON OR GIVE ME DEATH! *&%*$

Ride both and buy the one that you like the feel of better. This isn't all that complicated.

i've always like cannondale's geometry and tubing but for some reason the capo looks like butt to me, but my friend rides jamis and gives them good marks... so as useless as this post is enjoi

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/C...ec/7PR1bbq.jpg
vs.
http://www.roadbikereview.com/Channe...uct_366943.jpg
Jamis. Steel, doesn't have the ugly oversized tubing, formula hubs, brakes are cheap, 631 yummy.

If you keep it clean, put some kind of coating inside the frame, and touch up any marks you see on the Jamis, then salt and bad weather shouldn't be an issue.

Let me reiterate. Both bikes come with Formula hubs, and they are basically equal in component quality.

I don't own either, so I can't be too specific. I do think (IMO) that Cannondales are VERY harsh riding bikes that are much better for racing than street use. The CADD4 Cannondale that I raced on in 98 was a very fast BUT harsh bike. I wouldn't use it for street use on a bet, that's just me. I can only assume that since you're in the SS/FG forum and not track that this will be a street bike. I could go into how steel is a better choice for street/ city bikes due to ride quality BUT you told me not to do that in your post. If your going to ask for advice you have to be willing to hear ALL the pros and cons, not just what you want to hear.

So, buy the Cannondale. In a month potholes and rough roads will be on the list of things you don't like... along with sfcrossrider.

BTW... +1 b!tch.

The OP already rode both bikes, knows how they ride and handle, how much they cost, what components are on them and which would fit him better. He also knows which one he thinks looks better. He does not want to hear comparisons between the brands or materials or any personal opinion.

Therefore there is literally nothing I could tell the OP even if I owned both of these bikes.


Are you looking for a psychic among us? Just make up your mind already. How indecisive can a guy get?

A third choice. Now this is an icysmooth bike!

you totally want the sputnik for riding in boston... try to find an 06 if you still can...

The Jamis really is a better looking bike..... to me anyway. It just looks like it's gonna ride nice.