New Bike Search: Thoughts on the Jamis Satellite Sport

[Juliegoddess]

Hi Everyone!

Well, I'm being turned in every direction for a new road bike! Price is a HUGE concern for me (single mom, three kids, two with special needs of autism and tourette's...blah blah...)

I was really surprised at the incredibly reasonable price of the Jamis Satellite Sport steel bike. I've heard only good things about Jamis. Anyone have one that they can share experiences about?

My other bike of choice is the Trek 1.1 WSD. It's entry-level, of course, but that's okay with me.

Fit and price are my main concerns. I'm short-waisted, long-legged, and big boobed! I do not want a long reach, and i know I'll have to do a LONG search for a good saddle.

But...what do you experts think of these two bikes?

[sarahspins]

i know I'll have to do a LONG search for a good saddle.

Just buy a Brooks :p I love mine.. I've yet to have any saddle pain, and I went through a bunch of saddles before I finally broke down and bought one, and then another :)

I don't have any specific advice, but the Satellite Sport Femme one was on my short list of bikes to check out if I ended up shopping new for my first road bike. Ultimately I bought a used bike (not a Jamis, and not steel) with slightly better components which I am super happy with... so don't discount that as a possibility. My used bike was in "like new" condition, it really didn't seem like it had many miles on it. It seems like that may happen to a lot of the lower-end road bikes... people buy one to try it out, then don't stay with cycling.

I think Fuji may have had a model or two I wanted to look at as well in that price range.

[Juliegoddess]

Hey Sarah! Yes...saddle pain is a huge issue for me. The one I have right now is SO bad that, after last season, I was literally numb "down there" for at least a month. I'm back on it again, hurting until my new bike, and this is an area that I will not compromise on.

As for bikes, yes, Fuji and Felt both have ones to look at. My LBS said that I may be either in the men's OR women's model of the Jamis, due to my height and leg length. I hope I get into the women's, 'cuz I love the color!!

[abejita]

I have a Jamis Venture Race Femme...I love it. I do think that you get a little more bang for your buck with jamis.

[Juliegoddess]

I have a Jamis Venture Race Femme...I love it. I do think that you get a little more bang for your buck with jamis.

I agree! I can't wait to test ride this one. Did you replace your saddle with something else? If so, what did you get?

[Catrin]

Hi Everyone!

Well, I'm being turned in every direction for a new road bike!

While I can't help you decide on a road bike, being very new to cycling myself, I can CERTAINLY identify with being turned in every direction for a new bike! I just recently went through this when trying to decide which touring bike, or cross bike, or touring bike, or... you get the idea :p Everyone here was very kind and patient with me and I wound up with a great bike.

So take your time - me saying this is a hoot :o

+1 on the Brooks, and if you get one from Wallbikes, http://www.wallbike.com/index.php, they have a 6-month refund policy if it turns out not to work for you and you don't put anything on it other than Proofhide (their conditioner).

[Juliegoddess]

Thanks, Catrin! I think the biggest thing I am afraid of is trying out a bunch of bikes at the shop and falling in love with something I can't afford...but I also know I'm not going to settle for something that I will hate later.

And yes, I'm leaning toward a Brooks. I NEVER have trouble with my sit bones, though. I ALWAYS have trouble with the girly-soft-parts. Last year I firmly believe that I would've had nerve damage had the biking season not ended. I'm thinking that I might be okay if I can tip the nose of the saddle down a little bit. I'm liking the B67 to start with, but hoping it'll be okay on a bike that is not an upright seating position.

[sarahspins]

And yes, I'm leaning toward a Brooks. I NEVER have trouble with my sit bones, though. I ALWAYS have trouble with the girly-soft-parts.

If your sit bones aren't actually supporting you, they probably won't hurt :p I went through a string of saddles last year and everything BUT my sitbones was just killing me.. then I finally stumbled on a saddle that did hit my sitbones (mine are on the wide side) and the difference was like "whoa, so that's how it's supposed to work..." and then at that point they were sore for a few weeks. That saddle was one of the lower-end Selle SMP saddles, and ultimately I decided it was too squishy and too wide through the nose. It was fine up to about 20 miles or so, but much past that I was getting some sore spots and chafing.

I test rode my road bike with the stock saddle on, and it was clear that my sit bones were literally "off" the edges of it... obviously I put one of my brooks on it right away when I brought it home. So I have a b.68 s on my road bike :)

[Kubla]

I was really surprised at the incredibly reasonable price of the Jamis Satellite Sport steel bike. I've heard only good things about Jamis. Anyone have one that they can share experiences about?


While I haven't ridden the Satellite Sport, I have a Coda Sport (hybrid) that I thoroughly enjoy riding. I love the way the steel frame deals with the road, and the bike itself handles and shifts nicely.

The Satellite is a bike I'd definitely like to try some day. Would be curious to see what you think of it.

[Juliegoddess]

Thanks Sarah! After I read your post, I went out for my ride, and I realized that, just as you said, my seat bones are NOT supporting my weight. Nearly ALL of my weight is being supported by the line of "girly bits"...no wonder they hurt so bad! I then decided to try sitting in a more upright position, and immediately felt my sit bones take over the job, and I felt pressure removed from the front. I'ts obvious this saddle was made for a bike with a more upright seating position.

I think I am going to go with the Brooks saddle...I am just curious how it can work on a road bike with such a bent-over riding position. But obviously it does work for many riders here, who have them on their road bikes! Thank goodness for that return policy!

Thank you for all your help!

[sarahspins]

You can adjust the tilt to what is more comfortable for you... you might be surprised though, because the saddle itself is so stiff, your bones are able to support you how they were meant to, rather than the seat squishing and causing soft tissue pressure. It seems counter intuitive, but more padding isn't the answer :)

[MuttNut]

+1 for Brooks saddles AND Jamis bikes. I'm built a bit like you- long legs and no torso and my Jamis Quest (same geometry as the Satelllite) fits me perfectly. I'm training to do a century on it and as the miles inch up I've experienced no discomfort (besides the usual "wow that was a long bike ride" aches). Of course you should test ride anything, but I think the Jamis bikes are well worth a look. Good luck!

[badgercat]

+1 for Brooks saddles AND Jamis bikes. I'm built a bit like you- long legs and no torso and my Jamis Quest (same geometry as the Satelllite) fits me perfectly. I'm training to do a century on it and as the miles inch up I've experienced no discomfort (besides the usual "wow that was a long bike ride" aches). Of course you should test ride anything, but I think the Jamis bikes are well worth a look. Good luck!

Do you have the Femme model? I ask because I'm considering getting a Quest Femme this year as my first non-vintage-non-craigslist roadbike (I started a thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=36380) about it a while back). I haven't ridden a Femme yet but I rode the 51cm "men's" model and it was a bit too long for me in the top tube--I'm a little on the leggy side, but not super disproportionate. I considered the Satellites (which, as you've pointed out, have the same geometry), but I'll have a bit of a windfall from my summer job and I think I'm just going to go all in on the better components.

Juliegoddess, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to see what you end up with... have fun with your search!

[Juliegoddess]

Thanks Badger! I LOVE your avatar, BTW...that is SO cool!! ha!

I am going to try out the Jamis on Wednesday. I will be trying both the Femme and men's model, to see which will work. I bet I will end up on the women's. I just don't want too long of a reach...then the saddle issues will come into play, I think. I may be much heavier (215 pounds) than the average "athletic female" on a bike, but I still have the typical female long-legs-short-torso thing going on!

But hey, by the end of the riding season this year, I highly doubt I will still be at 215...I'm looking at most likely 190 or less. Ohhhh I can't wait....!

[Juliegoddess]

Hey Sarah...you know, for some stupid reason, I have not been able to FIGURE OUT how to "tilt" my saddle. It will slide from front to back, but I can't see how it could tilt. Is there a special clamp or mount for a saddle that will allow it to tilt? Or am I just vastly stupid?? (grin!)

[sarahspins]

Some have different adjustments.. but usually you just loosen the clamp bolt enough and you can adjust it... but if you don't know what you're looking at that might not make any sense :)

[Slowspoke]

Juliegoddess- I am from Michigan too (Redford). Where are you checking out the Jamis bikes? I haven't seen any around. I'd like to try the Aurora.

[Juliegoddess]

Hey Slowpoke! (Although you can't be slower than me!) YES, I'm actually on my way in a few minutes here to try out the Jamis. The only bike shop around that I found with it is in Toledo, and because I'm in Monroe, I'm not far from there!

I'll let you know how it goes!

[moderncyclista]

How did it go? :)
Did you like the Jamis?

[Juliegoddess]

YES, I sure did LOVE the Jamis! I went into Wersell's Bike shop in Toledo, and they took one look at me and said I would NOT be in a WSD bike. That actually was kind of nice to hear, because there are so many more men's models to choose from than women's.

They had the Jamis Ventura in stock, in my size (56cm), and I absolutely LOVED it. Jamis has a slanting top tube that was perfect for me, and the reach was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. It shifted nicely, too, although I know sometime in the near future I will want to upgrade those Sora THINGS!

They did not have the Satellite in stock for me to try. The Satellite is steel, something I really wanted for my first road bike. I think I am going to have them order it for me...I know that the Jamis 56cm frame works well for me, so I think I will absolutely love the Satellite. Also, the Ventura that I rode there did not have as many speeds as the satellite.

I also tried the Kona Honkey Tonk, and another one, I can't recall. Both felt HUGE...LONG reaches that had me aching just pedaling down the street. No thanks!

So...I think Jamis will be the one for me! I'm sooo excited!

[Bike Goddess]

JG- I have a Jame Quest ( steel frame) with Shimano 105 gearing . I've had this bike since '03 and have gotten many a mile on it (not sure how much since I also have a Scott carbon that I ride most of the time). The Jamis I have is quite comfortable. I use it as my climbing bike as I put a Mtn bike cassette on the back to get lower gearing. It is a triple which is fine with me. We have a lot of long tough hills (Mt Diablo, for example) around here so when I want to do long climbs the Jamis is my preferred bike.

[Juliegoddess]

Hey BG...sounds like a great bike! I went ahead and ordered the Jamis Satellite Sport, men's model, 56cm. I decided NOT to compromise and get the Ventura, just because they had it in stock. It isn't steel, which I really wanted, and only has two "big rings"...not sure what that's called, but I know the Satellite has a triple. I have been known to go WAY DOWN LOW in the gears when climbing hills, so the two big rings kinda concerned me.

They also said I could upgrade the Sora derailleur, too, eventually, when I want to. And of course, that saddle it comes with has GOT to go! I'm thinking that a Brooks is going to be the way to go.

Thanks for all your help and advice, everyone!

[Juliegoddess]

OH, here's a photo of the Jamis I've ordered...and although it's pretty obvious, his name is going to be "J'amais" (I'm French, and it just seems to fit...haha!) And I think a Brooks saddle will look great with the cork tape, doncha think?

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/images/bikes_page/10_satellitesport_bk.jpg

[Catrin]

OH, here's a photo of the Jamis I've ordered...and although it's pretty obvious, his name is going to be "J'amais" (I'm French, and it just seems to fit...haha!) And I think a Brooks saddle will look great with the cork tape, doncha think?

Very nice and congratulations on your choice! I remember how hard my choice was :) Now we have to see pictures when you get him home - and looking forward to hearing how the first ride goes :D When do you think he will be ready to come home?

Honey Brown or Black Brooks? Which way are you thinking? The Honey Brown would go nice with the cork.

[Juliegoddess]

Yup, the honey brown is going to be nice, huh? And J'amais will be ready by about the end of the month. They said there were none of this model and size in the country, but were expecting a shipment this coming week. I have to bring in my old bike for them to get the pedals off it, 'cuz I'm too inept to know how to do that!

Oh, and my new ride is a "he"...I figure anything I "ride" has gotta be a "he"...HAHAHA!!