Newbie needing advice, any thoughts on the Jamis Ventura Sport?

Hello all. I am so excited about getting into cycling. I have been researching and testing riding for weeks now and finally ready to buy... I just can't decide on which bike. I really liked the Specialized Dolce, but it is above my price range. My first choice is the Giant Avail 3 - I can pick it up for $750 or... I found a 2010 Jamis Ventura Sport that I can get for about $200 less, I just won't be able to test ride it. Both have comparable equipment and geometry so I'm pretty sure the Jamis will fit me. The biggest difference in the two is the fork. Giant has composite and Jamis is Cromoly. Will it make that big of a difference? I plan to use the bike mainly for fitness (no tris or races, yet:) hopefully riding 20 miles 2-3 times per week on flat roads, we don't even have hills in New Orleans. Which brings up another difference, the Giant crankset is a triple whereas the Jamis is a double Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I'm not familiar with the Giant, but I can clarify a couple things you bring up about the Jamis. If I understand the specs, the fork itself is not Cromoly (steel), but the steerer is. This is the part of the fork that inserts into the frame and that the stem goes around. The fork itself is "alloy.". An alloy of what it doesn't say. That would be a good question to ask the bike shop. I
Carbon forks, like what's on the Giant--are lighter. Depending on the fork, it might provide a somewhat nicer ride. I love the ride of a steel fork, but they are typically heavier.

As for the crank, it looks like the Ventura uses a "compact" crank. A compact is a hybrid od sorts of a standard double and a triple. It offers a few more small gears for climbing, but offers a few fewer big gears for sprinting and descending. It offers the ease of just two chainrings like a standard double. If your terrain isn't overly hilly, it might be a good choice for you. I've had both triples and compacts. There are pros and cons to each IMO.

when I was bike shopping about 2 months ago I checked out a Jamis - I loved it,but I couldn't get over the color - sky blue. I ended up with a Giant Avail (1 I think - the more expensive one with 105 componentry). I also tried out the Specialized Dolce, but the Giant Avail had better componentry so I decided to go for it, despite it being more.

I have a Triple crank on my Giant and have been dropping the chain some off the big rings when changing gears going down hills then starting up big hills. But, the guys at the bike store told me they could fix it by changing the limit (I only vaguely know what I'm talking about).

Someone in the Bike Club I hang out with suggested I go to the double compact as I'm riding more - less chance of a dropped chain. My understanding of the triple is that it is more necessary in hillier areas, like where I live (Central KY).

I hope this is helpful!

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Originally Posted by Nolagirl

we don't even have hills in New Orleans. Which brings up another difference, the Giant crankset is a triple whereas the Jamis is a double Any advice is greatly appreciated!

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It will be a lot easier to shift with just two chainrings.
Jamis is a great bike for the buck.

Thanks for the advice, it has been very helpful as I am horrible at making decisions:)

I too am not in love with the color of the Jamis. The Giant is "sangria" red/black... a really fine looking bike! Luckily, I was able to test ride a Jamis Satellite Sport locally (which is a steel frame as opposed to aluminum) with the same size, components, and geometry as the Ventura Sport (online purchase). It felt good so I made an offer. Got her for $450 (brand new) rather than $750 for the Giant. I couldn't justify $300 for a better color scheme.

Should arrive in less than a week and I'm so excited!

I think you'll be very happy with your steel Jamis. I just bought a Jamis Aurora as a touring bike. I also have a steel Bianchi. As you can see, I'm partial to steel.

You are one savvy shopper. What a great price!
You won't be sorry.

Congratulations.