If you have a Jamis Aurora, please check in here.

[sandra]

I'm going to test ride a Jamis Aurora tomorrow hopefully. If you own one, what size do you have and how tall or you and what is your inseam?

The only one they have in stock for me to try is a 50. I hope it fits me!

[xeney]

The effective top tube length on the 50 is 535, which is too long for me. (I'm 5'6.) I hope it's a good fit for you!

[sandra]

According to my calculations, 53 cm ETT is supposed to fit me, but we'll see how the 535 fits and feels. I really would like for this bike to work.

[KnottedYet]

I'm 5'8" and have something like a 32 or 33 inch inseam. The 50 Aurora fit me wonderfully.

[sandra]

oh me. I'm 5' 5" with a 31" inseam.

[KnottedYet]

Try it anyway! Everyone's proportions and flexibility are different. What fits me could well fit you, too!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

oh me. I'm 5' 5" with a 31" inseam.

And here I'm thinking the Aurora would be too small for you.

You better just go try it.

[ehirsch83]

Sandra,
sorry for not getting back to you eariler, my laptop kept overheating and shutting down after about 10 minutes of use! I kept trying to post replies and I couldn't get that far.

I am going to make a huge guess that the 50 is going to be to big for you, and that you are going to want a 48.
I am 5'6 and I ride a 48, technically I have been told I should be on a 50- but it leads to me being to streched out(my legs are long enough about a '32 insteam, but the torso is not).
Ride the 50,see how you like it- if you love the bike but feel a little stretched out, the LBS should be able to get one in, in your size, and built up within a few days.

[sandra]

I just got home and saw this post. I hope I have not messed up. They didn't have a 48. I bought the 50. It was really hard test riding it. I've never shopped at a bike shop quite like this. It was in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Now I'm worried that I made a mistake. It feels a LITTLE stretched out, but it's definitely a more heads up position. Also I haven't ridden much in months and I'm playing with the seat. The seat was entirely too high and I've let it down twice.

oh dear. It's hard since I didn't have another one to compare it to.

but I love the bike.

[Blueberry]

Congrats!!! Maybe get DH to take a picture of you from the side, so our bike fit experts can have a look?? Everybody fits on bikes differently - if you're comfortable, that's what matters. How long is the stem?? You might be able to shorten up there for not much $$ if you need to.

CA

[VeloVT]

Sandra -- did they fit you (or offer to make an appt for you to come back...)? Might be perfect with a small stem adjustment?

Edit: oh, and congratulations :)!

[KnottedYet]

Congratulations! :D
Now, we want pictures! :p
Those Auroras are sweet bikes (and hard to find, as I'm sure you know)

Does it have the adjustable stem? Between that and the saddle adjustments you have quite a bit of wiggle room.

If you're worried, check your fit with the Andy Pruitt book AND post your side-view picture on the bike. There are a lot of folks on TE who do bike fit as part of their jobs, you'll have lots of help if you decide you need it!

Feel the bike love!

[ehirsch83]

Congratulations!
It is a great bike! The more I am around Jamis's the more I like them. I actually prefer to sell them over the Giants(and shhh I am technically working in one of the first giant concept stores-but we carry other lines also)

I feel you got the better bike and hopefully you enjoy every second you spend on it :D

I would call them back though and see if they would do a fit, or if there is a shop closer to you that could do a fit- you shouldn't have to adjust the seat height yourself- a fitting should be included in your purchase. The difference in positioning on a hybrid to a road bike is a lot, and requires a fitting to make sure your height and reach are correct. We don't want you to end up with any knee problems!!

Again, Congratulations on the new steed and can't wait to see pictures

[sandra]

ummmm. they didn't fit me. You really need to know what you want when you shop there, but it's the ONLY Jamis dealer anywhere close. You wouldn't believe this shop. It is in the French Quarter and there's not room to walk much less turn around!

I'm uploading pictures now of me on the bike. We snapped them really fast. One sec.

[sandra]

Here's one. Who's the expert.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0412-1.jpg

[sandra]

One more.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0413.jpg

[KnottedYet]

I've only seen one picture, gotta run (I'll take a better look when I get back, I promise!) but on first glance I don't think the bike is too big.

Really do gotta run to the bank before it closes. Can you put up a pic from the side where you are on the hoods and the leg to the camera is straight down, and a pic where your leg to the camera is at the most forward (3:00) position?

[VeloVT]

Very nice bike!

How does it feel when you're all the way out on the hoods? It doesn't look too big in that picture (well, from my casual untrained observation anyway :D fwiw), but you're hanging out in that transition area between the tops and the drops -- maybe it feels more stretchy when you're actually all the way out?

Edit: Knot & I posted at the same time. Feel free to ignore my post and listen to the person who actually knows something about this :)!

[sandra]

Ok, my husband got involved in yard work, but as soon as he finishes, we will try again.

[Blueberry]

From my (untrained) eye, it looks pretty good (and they're SWEET bikes). I agree with Knot, seeing a pic on the hoods would help (and seeing the leg positions will help those in the know figure out whether your saddle is in the right position). All of my bikes are good fits, and I still tend to hand out in the crook of the bars most often.

You do look comfy and happy on it:)

CA

[sandra]

More:
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0415-1.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0416-1.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0417.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0418.jpg

[VeloVT]

I'M NOT AN EXPERT.

But I think it looks pretty good. Definitely not too stretched out. I'd almost wonder if you might think about a slightly *longer* stem.

[tulip]

I'm no expert either, but I think you look pretty good on the bike. Do you ever ride on the hoods? I find that the most relaxed position for me.

FWIW, I'm 5'6" with a 31" inseam and my bike's a 49cm (equivalent--it's custom), so it's close to yours. A 48cm would be too small for me.

[KnottedYet]

Knot & I posted at the same time. Feel free to ignore my post and listen to the person who actually knows something about this :)!

I don't know nuthin' about nuthin', I just like bikes and body mechanics! :D

Looks to me like that Aurora is the right size! Fine-tuning the fit is your next step, and honestly the best resource I know is Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists. Great book, love it with a powerful purple passion.

I just have one thing I want you to check (cuz it seems to get missed with the women riders I work with). Get on your bike, leaning against a wall or on a trainer stand. Make your cranks horizontal (one at 3:00, one at 9:00). Ask DH to tie his keys to a string and dangle the string from the front of your forward knee to a couple inches from the ground. Put the string so it hangs along the inside/bike side of the crank. The string should cross the crank somewhere from the pedal spindle to 3 cm back from the spindle. (toward the bottom bracket.)

If the string is hanging out in nekkid space beyond the crank or forward of the spindle (which on my bike is only about 1 cm before the crank ends) you might want to move your saddle.

Let me know how the string looks, and if you want we can work it through here or in PMs.

Nice bike!!!

[sandra]

Will check the string as soon as I can tie him down. :D I have a Brooks I'm going to put on it if it's a keeper, so maybe I should change saddles first.

We can take this to PM's instead of continually bumping the thread. Thanks so much. Also, I have Andy Pruitt's book, so I'll try to see what I can figure out. I'm not very good at reading. I just like to be told! LOL

[sandra]

One thing interesting. When Elk got her bike and posted the picture the top tube was slanted. My top tube is straight! Why?

[KnottedYet]

Hey, we can keep bumping this thread if others are interested in watching an online possibly-inaccurate attempt at fitting! I don't mind!

Yeah, I bet you that bike's a keeper, so throw that Brooks on! Whoo-hooo!

I'm guessing Elk's was a smaller size. The slanting top tube lets you get a functional geometry in some smaller sizes.

Oh, and is Jamis still putting the adjustable stem on the Aurora? (it will look like it has a couple pieces with a hingey-bolty thing in the middle of it. Probably says "Ritchey" on it.)

[sandra]

Elk's is a size smaller. I kept thinking how Elk was much shorter than I was, so the smaller size probably wouldn't have fit me. Plus I remember Elk having her seat post all the way out.

yes, they still have the adjustable stem. I got him to angle them up immediately. I'm not sure if I should go back down or what. I think I had the saddle way to high the entire time I was riding there.

The standover ~ I can feel the bike, just barely. I do have some space that I can lift it off the ground before it really presses into me. Is this OK?

Hubby is reading Andy Pruitt and I did the test for reach about putting you elbow at the end of your saddle and stretching your arm with hand open to the handlebar. My longest finger just did touch, so that sounds good.

[Blueberry]

The standover ~ I can feel the bike, just barely. I do have some space that I can lift it off the ground before it really presses into me. Is this OK?

I think it's fine - others may have a different opinion. I always (habit) tilt my bikes slightly to the side when I stop anyway. However, I'm pretty close to on the top tube of my crosscheck.

CA

[VeloVT]

I find I need setback on almost anything I try. Even the Felt I just sold, which was too big for me (reach was too long) -- I still needed a setback post in order to achieve a good position vis a vis the bottom bracket.

Not to say that you will be the same. But definitely worth checking.

[KnottedYet]

yes, they still have the adjustable stem. I got him to angle them up immediately. I'm not sure if I should go back down or what. I think I had the saddle way to high the entire time I was riding there.

The standover ~ I can feel the bike, just barely. I do have some space that I can lift it off the ground before it really presses into me. Is this OK?


You can adjust the bar position as needed. Very cool! Ride the bike a bit first, and get to know it. Yeah, you might be a bit close right now, but wait until you get the saddle situated before you play with the bars much. (fine tune the saddle first)

Your standover sounds pretty "normal" for a horizontal-ish top tube and touring-ish geometry. I can lift my road bikes about a couple inches before they jam into me. (my mtb-style critter, well, that's another story! We're looking at a whole lotta inches there!)

Edit: And like CA-in-NC, I'm pretty close to my Cross Check! :D

[uforgot]

Sandra: you and I fit the same according to the "fit" kit, and when I had my 50cm Jamis Quest, it fit like a dream. You can always make minor adjustments with the stem, but I honestly think, (based on my Jamis experience) that the 48cm would be too small for you. But then again, I think that the Quest has a more aggressive "racing" geometry than the Aurora, so I think that makes it even better.

[sandra]

I am going to take a breath now. I think for sure she is a keeper. We have been doing some of the Andy Pruitt tests, and I think it's a fit.

So, I slapped on the brown Brooks. I also have a black if it would look better. I'd just have to do some trading around. Brown Brooks leather bar tape would be nice too. :D

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0420.jpg

[sandra]

But WHY is my bar straight when Elk's was slanted. I don't get that at all!!!

[KnottedYet]

But WHY is my bar straight when Elk's was slanted. I don't get that at all!!!

The brown Brooks looks beeeeoooootiful with the lovely copper paint! And brown leather tape would be, of course, a mighty fine addition!

Georgena Terry has a nice set of videos about bike frame design, I think she talks about slanting top tubes vs smaller front wheels to allow short tt/short standover. http://www.terrybicycles.com/movies.html

Or maybe it was Sheldon Brown...

Basically, a slanted top tube allows you to bring the front wheel closer to the back wheel (so a shorter effective top tube length) without giving the rider a serious wedgie problem. (cuz the tt has to be higher than the front wheel, and with a 700c front wheel, well, you have a limit on how low you can go with the tube attachments in the front. But at the seat tube, you gotta clear the rider's crotch. So: clear the wheel at the front of the tt, clear the crotch at the rear of the tt, slanted top tube lets you clear both on some smaller sizes)

[sandra]

but, but, but. We have the exact same bike and hers is slanted and mine is not. Is it because hers is a smaller size (48)?

[KnottedYet]

but, but, but. We have the exact same bike and hers is slanted and mine is not. Is it because hers is a smaller size (48)?

Yes.

To make her bike smaller (wheels closer to each other, and the top tube shorter) and still let a smaller rider stand over the top tube, the designers decided to lower the end of the top tube that would be under the rider's crotch.

If they had kept the top tube horizontal on the 48cm, it might have given a shorter-inseam rider looking for a smaller bike a nasty wedgie. All they really did is drop the end of the bar under the rider's crotch. (kinda like a mixte)

[uforgot]

I like the brown, but now slap on the black brooks so we can compare.

[sandra]

tomorrow, dear, tomorrow.

All this excitement and worry has me plum tuckered out! I'm going to relax and start again tomorrow. I need to make some saddle adjustments anyway (thanks to tips from Knotted), so I'll post pictures and figure out which saddle before I do that.

Tune in tomorrow.

[uforgot]

What room is that in? I think it needs to stay there. Looks great with the color of the wood and walls!

[sandra]

why, the keeping room, of course. :D

tomorrow this baby's hittin' the road!

[sandra]

OK: black
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0421.jpg
brown
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb12/Sandradav/DSCF0420.jpg

[Blueberry]

I vote for brown (and eventually adding black bar tape). If you want to keep the black bar tape, I'd stick with black. Out of curiosity only, are those B17's or something else?

She is a beauty!!

[uforgot]

I think I'll vote brown. The brown gives it a "softer" look whereas the black is just too much black. Doncha think? I just had to see. You know how it is.

[sandra]

The black is a B17.

The antique brown is a B67, straight out of the box. Never even had proofhide on it. I like the brown too, but I may have to sell it and get one without springs because I really want to use this seatbag and it just doesn't work with springs.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a B67, PM me. Otherwise you may see it on ebay.

[Blueberry]

I'd go with the saddle that's the most comfortable......The B67 should be significantly wider than the other....

My preference would probably be to not have springs on that bike (the only one I want springs on is our tandem), but that's just me....

[uforgot]

How about one of these? (http://cgi.ebay.com/bag-support-MIDLANDS-chrome-vintage-seat-stay-England_W0QQitemZ290109773469QQihZ019QQcategoryZ7295QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem) I have one, but I use the rack most of the time. You definitely have to put some electrical tape or rubber strips between it and the seat stay. There is also this (http://www.carradice.co.uk/racks-and-attachments/saddlebag-support.shtml).

I have this (http://www.carradice.co.uk/racks-and-attachments/bagman-qr-standard.shtml) on ebay now in the expedition model. The expedition is just too large for the acorn bags we have and it's also pretty heavy. Wallingford and everyone else around here is always out so I just ordered from carradice. SJS in England is also reasonable. I'm going to start looking for the sport model.

[sandra]

Claudia, you offered me to many choices. Just tell me what to get. :D

[sandra]

Or maybe I should just put a black rack on it? and I could still use the bag, but it would rest on the rack????

[uforgot]

I really like the idea of it clamping on my seatpost instead of the frame, and those others are a minefield trying to get them on. Hey, I remember another on the Rivendell site! Look at this (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bags_and_racks?page=2#product=none). The silver hupe.

I may have to give this a shot. Like I said, those Bagmans are heavy, but I guess if you get the titanium one it won't be. They are so hard to find!

[KnottedYet]

I vote brown.

And if your B67 is really gonna be replaced with a B68, let me know. (ride that B67 a bit more, you might loooooove it!)

I have a "new" lugged steel Giant RS940 that needs a B67...

[sandra]

No, I don't love it because I can't use my bag with it!!!

[xeney]

Man, you must be an easy fit ... I can't imagine buying a bike that easily and then getting to choose my saddle based on which one went with my bag! ;)

It's a lovely bike. Many happy miles.

[sandra]

Xeney, I'm just a fred and don't know any better. :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, I remember another on the Rivendell site! Look at this (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bags_and_racks?page=2#product=none). The silver hupe.

I may have to give this a shot. Like I said, those Bagmans are heavy, but I guess if you get the titanium one it won't be. They are so hard to find!

Warning....do NOT get the Silver Hupe. I used it on my Rivendell and discovered too late that the very sharp metal ends just chewed their way right through the rubber 'protective' coating they had and gouged horrible deep scratches in my frame, gouging more every time the bike hit a bump, for weeks. You couldn't see it happening because it was under the rubber, didn't see it until I took the thing off and saw the awful damage. Made me feel sick to see it on my beautiful new bike back then. I think both ends ground their way even beyond the paint and into my frame steel itself. Thanks to the Silver Hupe my Rivendell Rambouillet is now worth less than it was. Stay away from these nasty devices.
I also advse you not to use any rack that clamps onto your frame tubing. Your paint will not hold up to a tight metal clamp with bag weight bouncing around on it mile after mile.

I like the bagman myself. Yes they are hard to get but worthwhile. Also check Velo Orange site, they are now selling a bagman-like alternative.

Sandra, Congratulations!!! I remember when you wanted an Aurora from the beginning, over a year ago, right? ;)

Is that a Carradice 'Junior' bag? Or is it an Acorn? either way, Nice choice.

[sandra]

Thank you for the warning!

Yes, I've been wanting this bike since before I got the Trek. I settled for the Trek because it was a deal, but a deal is not a deal if it's not what you want. So finally.

I STILL wish all of you could see the shop where I bought it. I've never seen anything like it in my life. If they hadn't had the Aurora I wanted, I'd probably never shop there!

When I finished paying, there were a couple of customers in the store. To get my bike OUT of the store the bike shop guy had to stand it up ON END on the back wheel and roll it out straight up. There was not enough room in the store for the handlebars to go through down on two wheels.

Edited to add: that is the acorn bag made without the side pockets.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I STILL wish all of you could see the shop where I bought it. I've never seen anything like it in my life. If they hadn't had the Aurora I wanted, I'd probably never shop there!

When I finished paying, there were a couple of customers in the store. To get my bike OUT of the store the bike shop guy had to stand it up ON END on the back wheel and roll it out straight up. There was not enough room in the store for the handlebars to go through down on two wheels.

I've been to bike shops like that in new york city. They're cool.

And- what's the bag you got, Sandra?- Carradice or Acorn?

[sandra]

sorry. I added it at the top. see above.

That shop was cool, but I learned all kinds of new words for my vocabulary. :eek:

[sandra]

THIS?? (http://www.velo-orange.com/visabagsu.html) Where does it attach? I can't tell.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

THIS?? (http://www.velo-orange.com/visabagsu.html) Where does it attach? I can't tell.

It attaches to your seatpost (not your frame) right under your saddle.

If you look at the pix of my new Luna bike standing by the fireplace, you will see my BagMan clamped onto my B68 saddle rails and supporting my Baggins Little Joe bag:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22349
Here's the same setup on my Rambouillet:
http://harmonias.com/207.jpg

The VeloOrange model attaches to the seatpost instead of the saddle rails, but probably works just as well (and is available).

I know your Aurora is a touring bike, so it must have braze-ons for a rear rack. Why not try Mark's small rear rack from Rivendell? It's more than enough for your size bag or larger and heavier too, and your bag will cover most of it visually:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bags_and_racks#product=none

[sandra]

Rear rack...because I would have to have black. I'm vain.

[sandra]

I wouldn't mind a silver bag support, but if I put a rack, I think I'd want black. :p

poof. her message is gone!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I wouldn't mind a silver bag support, but if I put a rack, I think I'd want black. :p

poof. her message is gone!

Oh, I understand now. ;)

By the way, I saw not one but TWO Jamis Auroras today at Harris Cyclery near Boston!
They sure are purty.

By the way, how is Bull doing? Is that a recent photo of him? If so, he looks great.

[sandra]

I rode mine today. First time. Matter of fact I took ride pictures for the first time ever too. It was a smooth ride! So much better than the Trek.

That's a recent picture of Bull going to be groomed. He was not a happy boy that day. He has been doing great. He's on some new expensive ($60 a month!!) heart medicine and has really been feeling good and sometimes even frisky!

For some reason yesterday he felt poorly. He wouldn't eat or move about. Today he seems to be better. I don't know what his problem was.

Thank you for asking. He is such a sweet boy.

[Blueberry]

Sandra-

I'm so glad he's doing well!!!! And that your new bike it turning out to be just what you had hoped for:)

CA

[sandra]

Thanks all.

I don't have a carbon seatpost, do I? DO I? :eek: No, I don't think so, so the VO bag support might just do the trick.

I think I might like a black rear rack instead though. I wish the Rivendell one came in black! :mad:

[Triskeliongirl]

CONGRATS on the new bike! The size looks right from your pics. In fact you look a tad too upright and bunched up to me. Perhaps you should try a normal stem set at saddle height and see how that feels. But do be sure to get the saddle fore-aft set up correctly before you play with the handlebar position.

I just love the tubus racks. They come in many designs ranging from minimalist http://www.wallbike.com/tubus/fly.html
to heavy touring, and both front and back models.

[sandra]

bumping this up because if you have a Jamis Aurora, I'm really curious if you kept the stock seat post.

If not, what did you change to?

[elk]

Jeepers...go off for a month and miss EVERYTHING!!!!:D

Sandra, I wrote you about seatposts.

My top tube is slanted ---and I like the way yours looks better BTW--for the reasons Knot said, and also because it allows you to use larger tires on a small frame.

Mine is a 48". I am 5'3.5" and have kind of short legs. I couldn't stand over the 50 and the sales person at the co-op thought the 48 would be too small. 48" haunted me. Finally I went to another shop where I happened to catch the attention of one of their fitters who essentially gave me the parameters for a road bike that would fit...and doggone if the 48 wasn't perfect. I went back and bought it. I have not adjusted ANYTHING except the seat height.

P.S. Don't you just LOVE those extra brake handles!!!!?????

BROWN saddle --no question. I bough the brown Brooks tape to go on the handlebars, but haven't been brave enough to out it on yet...:p

I need to take some photos...but I bought a bag...Acorn? from a guy on ebay...its the bigger one---black with brown leather---and it's beautiful.
Only problem is that it uses genuine buckles instead of snaps...a bit of primitive technology I'm not fond of on bags or dog collars....

I was looking for the thread where someon directed me to a seatpost besides the one wallbike has, or the Salsa....cheaper than both, I think Jensen carries it.. I needed a longer one.

I actually may go riding today for the first time in months....:D:D:D:D:D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sandra- some saddles do not attach properly to some seatposts. Are you sure you have the right kind of saddle for your seatpost?
Your problem of the saddle tipping and loosening should not be happening- it does not sound like a 'faulty' seatpost to me, but perhaps you don't have the saddle/seatpost combination that will attach properly. Take it into a good bike shop and they will set you straight I bet.

[sandra]

Maybe so Lisa. I sold the Brooks B67 and bought a B68 just like it (because of the bag issue). I wish I had a really good bike shop because it's too far to run back to NO about the seatpost.

I'll keep working with it or I may try the local one.... :(

[xeney]

The B68 has modern rails so it should work with that seatpost. If I were you I'd take a picture of the setup and post it here, and maybe someone can help you. I'd do that before you spend the money on a new seatpost.

[KnottedYet]

Yeah, show us a picture or two?

My B67 rails start to "pinch in" while still in the flat seatpost attaching bit. If I move my B67 too far back the *slightly* narrower front part of the rails doesn't sit in my seatpost grooves correctly and the saddle is unstable. (it looks for all the world like I have another 1 or 2 cm of front rail to use, but that bit is not compatible with my particular seatpost.) Maybe your saddle rails and seatpost have the same somewhat tempestuous relationship as mine?

[sandra]

OK, todays update. We worked on it again. The first thing we did was see if the seat would move.... and it did. It moved forward. So, while the bolt appears to be tight the seat would move, that tells me that it was not clamped in good.

I think the problem was exactly what Knotted described. There is a little curve in the front part of the seatpost rails and I think possibly it was in that position and keeping it from being secure.

I decided it was a little too low so I raised it up. I rode it around the neighborhood and it appears to be just fine. Thanks for all the help. I hope this does the trick.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I decided it was a little too low so I raised it up. I rode it around the neighborhood and it appears to be just fine. Thanks for all the help. I hope this does the trick.


Yay! Sandra the Wrench. :p

[uforgot]

Glad it worked out Sandra! How is the non-sprung saddle as compared to the one that was sprung? Do you notice any difference?

[sandra]

personally, I really don't notice any difference. Those springs are so stiff, I don't know how they could do too much.