I'm probably going to get one no matter what, but let's see what the collective has to say about the new model.

This is what I know about the 2008 offering:
1) Minor price increase (5-10%)
2) Same paint job as 2007
3) Same frame geometry as 2007
4) All carbon fork and steer tube (!!)

Anybody know anything else??

The reason for the new fork is because the standard Easton EC70 has been discontinued.

It'll probably be this fork: https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/FORKS/fork_ec70_SL_'06.html
Shiny finish as opposed to matte on earlier models.

I have the 2007 Sputnik. Great bike, can't really go wrong.

hmmm, think i prefer the matte...sandpaper please

Sounds like the same frame and paint job as 2006, then. Which is a good thing!

Are the components getting a bump in quality to warrant the price increase?

I really want a Sputnik. I don't know why, but it's my favorite complete bike.

I guess nobody knows...

FWIW, the dealer I talked to said that the ever-weakening dollar is making everything made overseas, more expensive. Then factor in fossil fuel cost and price-increases seem inevitable

I heard that the only difference is the fork. I've had the 2007 for about a month, and I'm in heaven, though I should add that because of some confusion at my localest bike shop about putting a singlespeed cog safely on the narrow singlespeed side of the stock flip flop hub (you can do it, but these mechanics, used to fixed gear only, were not familiar with it) I have never ridden the stock bike. I upgraded immediately to Deep V rims and Phil Wood hubs, and I've never looked back.

But the bottom line is that it is a really nice set up for an off the rack bike, fits more perfectly, and rides like a dream.

Good point man; I didn't even think of that.

I've been riding the 2007 for almost a month now and I have about 750kms on it (about 450k with a freewheel and 300k fixed)...Other than the addition of front and rear brakes and an ACS freewheel, a swap out of the handlebars to 44cm Bontragers and a San Marco Regal saddle, my bike is stock...
The EC70 fork is great...I'm sure the new version with the carbon steerer will only be greater...The most pleasant surprise has been the wheels...They came from Jamis severely undertensioned but the mechanic who built up my bike for me spent the necessary time to tension them correctly and it's really paid off...I'm not a skinny man, and I have been known to carry as much as forty pounds in my messenger bag...I've pinch flatted over a giant pothole...I've ventured offroad...The wheels are still perfectly round and within a millimeter of true laterally...I guarantee that wouldn't be the case with a low spoke count set of wheels such as those that come from the Trek Corporation...
If you're looking for a fast, tough as nails, fixed gear bike for the road, the Sputnik is it...
I'm happier with it every time I ride it...
If you live in or around Toronto, I couldn't recommend Cycle Therapy on Queen East enough...They did a fantastic job of setting my bike up for me and they did it at a great price...I wouldn't hesitate to go back to them even though I'm a 150km bike ride away...I really believe that a bike is only as good as the people who build it up for you and I think they are a key factor as to why the Sputnik has worked out so well for me so far....

You're talking about the stock Formula hub? What exactly was the source of confusion about putting a singlespeed freewheel on it? Is the stock Formula hub different from a typical flip-flop hub? I would like to put a singlespeed freewheel on the other side of mine and am wondering if there's anything unusual to expect.

Yes, it was the stock hub. The threads on the "freewheel" side are about half the width that the guys in the shop expected them to be (and half the width as they are on the free side of the Phil Woods hub and the other track hubs that the guys in the shop were used to looking at). They were afraid that that was not enough thread to be safe with the freewheel, which is obviously wider than a cog. But the consensus here (and at Jamis) is that because of the way that the freewheel threads and the natural tightening that occurs with every turn of the cranks, this setup is perfectly safe. The guys in this shop were just being extra cautious with a set up they weren't used to seeing. Here in Manhattan, the vast majority of single speeds they see are FIXED. I left the shop a little poorer for the confusion, but with a great set of wheels at a good price.

No problem with those threads.....in fact I have an ENO freewheel cog on my fixed/fixed threaded Formula hub.

So here is my question, because I am just two months into this game: what is the actual difference between the fixed and free sides of the flip/flop hub? Can you actually use a freewheel on either side, or on any the fixed side of a single sided hub?

Pretty much, yes...

The freewheel side has about another 1/4" or so of threading to accomodate the entire width of the freewheel cog.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like the stock flip-flop is fixed/fixed versus fixed/freewheel. I didn't know there were two kinds of flip-flop hubs. The empty side of mine has larger diameter right-handed threads and smaller diameter left-handed threads for a lockring. I guess a freewheel flip-flop wouldn't have threads for a lockring? Glad to hear that you can still put a freewheel on threads for fixed.

Thanks for the help Roadfix, I think I get it now.

You are welcome. And that sounds right to me, I've even seen it in print: fixed, fixed and fixed, free, but now we know that you can if need be fit a free on either--without the lock ring of course.

New to this stuff myself, I don't know what I would do without these forums.

Just checked out the 2008 Jamis catalog and it looks like the 08 Sputniks are now running 46/17 which works out to a much more reasonable 73 gear inches!

Only cosmetic change seems to be in the "SPUTNIK" font...which is a small loss cuz the old font was great

Not sure how accurate this page is but they have info on the 2008 Sputnik and the new Sonik.

Sputnik https://www.bike-alog.com/BikePedia/Q...tnik&Type=bike
Sonik https://www.bike-alog.com/BikePedia/Q...onik&Type=bike

Interesting....From that photo, it looks like they're not using an Easton fork anymore...

I have yet to see one of these at any of the Jamis dealers within 100 miles of my zip. I wanted to compare first hand the fork from the 07' to the 08' models. Anyone know of a LBS on the east coast of the US that has any leftover 07's?

proteus bicycles in college park MD has quite a few.

I am picking up my 2008 sputnik on Friday and I will post pictures.

Have you taken pictures yet? Please post. None of the LBS have an 08' in stock

If you want any specific shots or have any questions about it post or pm me. It is a 62CM.
Only thing I have done is add a front brake.