Rivendell bikes are all steel. Various models come with 700, 650B, or 26" wheels...some models come with 700 wheels on the larger frames and 650B wheels on the smaller frames.
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Rivendell bikes are all steel. Various models come with 700, 650B, or 26" wheels...some models come with 700 wheels on the larger frames and 650B wheels on the smaller frames.
You can get a Serotta Fierte in steel in a 48p with 650c wheels. I demoed it and it is a very nice bike. It also comes in ti and ti/carbon.
http://www.serotta.com/pages/fierte_steel.html
I thought the smaller Serottas came with 650 wheels also. They should be more clear on their web site (there is a note at the bottom that the Fierte only comes with 700c wheels....) I think that they just mean that they won't do smaller or wider wheels on their stock frames built for 700's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathi
After my first week of riding I was still pretty much hating it. I had been dragged down the driveway by my pedals, ran into a fence, etc....
I went to a bike show in Seattle and the only bike there that caught my eye was the Jamis Aurora. It really is as pretty in person. I picture it with a nice brown leather Brooks saddle and some nice canvas bags. It is pretty...
I agree that comment is confusing. Here is what they say about the Ottrott,Quote:
Originally Posted by Eden
"Minimum seattube size on an Ottrott ST is 46cm C-C
Ottrott ST available for 700c wheels only"
which led me to believe that they wouldn't make an Ottrott with 650c wheels. What it means is that they won't make a 650c wheeled Ottrott with carbon seat stays, for 650's they use ti seatstays.
BTW, Serotta did an awesome job on my Ottrott with 650c wheels.
I'm lusting after that bike. Sigh. And I already have the Brooks!Quote:
Originally Posted by nicole309
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I loved the Jamis Aurora.
It rode like silk, like it was made for me. (once the LBS put the bars up higher like I prefer them) I was deeply tempted. But then Flosshilde stole my heart....:D
Pooks, I think you really need to ride a Jamis Aurora. Even if you have to drive a ways. (did you say it's 45 minutes to a shop with an Aurora?) Then you'll at least know if it's still in the running. :D
Alas, the closest shop with an Aurora is in Denver and I'm in Dallas. (Yes, I've been looking!)
I did ride a Jamis Quest and loved it, though. But the Aurora has my heart.
You mean that you can't get an Aurora to try in Dallas? Forgive me if this has been addressed, but sounds like Jamis isn't taking care of their customers. Not like Dallas is some tiny little burg and they won't sell it. If this is truly the case, maybe we can start an email campaign. Should make a difference if they are hearing from all over the US about someone in Dallas who can't get one of their bikes to try. Or just point them to this message board. This board has convinced me to buy items of which I had never heard. It's a powerful advertising tool.
I'm in, I'll write Jamis. Are you game Pooks? Oh, and we need to make it clear this is just for a test ride, you aren't necessarily going to buy it, but d*&#@t, we should be able to test ride anything on their website within 100 miles, doncha think?
I emailed Jamis and told them I'd been looking everywhere for an Aurora and hadn't found one in the state of Texas, and could they help me out.
I got a perfunctory email back telling me that the Auroras are in high demand, so it's unlikely I'd find a dealer with one on the floor, and telling me to find a list of dealers on their website and call them.
I wrote back and told them:
Of course that got an apology and a very nice reply, but the answer was still that the Aurora was a niche bike and most dealers don't sell them or stock them at all, so finding one on the floor would be difficult, and that they can't keep them in the warehouse. Evidently it's a case where if you get measured and fitted and order one through a Jamis dealer, you'll probably get one, but they aren't stocked often.Quote:
I'm sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear when I said:
Question: I'm very interested in an Aurora. However, I live in Dallas, TX
and have been unable to find a dealer who stocks it so I can test ride.
I've already gone through your list of dealers near me and called them all.*
So I guess your response is, there's nothing else I can do.
Thanks anyway but I have to say, I'm less than impressed the way you handled this simple question. You told me I'm unlikely to find one. You told me to do what I've already done. I'm thinking customer service might not be high on your list of priorities, and as much as it grieves me (because I love what I see and read about that bike) I think I'll just mark it (or any other Jamis ) off my list.
When I responded and thanked them and told them that I'd searched as far away as Colorado for one, since we'll be there in June, they then told me the name of a dealer in Denver that had just beeh shipped an order.
Edited to add: The place where I tested the Quest could order it for me, but I doubt if they'd want to unless I was already committed to buying it. It wouldn't be just for a test ride. The Quest they have is a WSD 2006 (which is too small for me) and they haven't sold it, yet, so they may feel justified in not wanting to order "just in case" somebody wants it.
*Also Edited to add: When I said "near me" I should have been more specific -- I called Louisiana, Oklahoma, and emailed every dealer in Texas and some in Boulder, to no avail, which is why I was annoyed at being referred to their dealer list. OTOH, I hadn't made that clear in my initial email, so maybe I was too snarky.
Hmmmm.... it's a niche bike, but it's so popular that they can't keep it in stock?
I think they need to make more. Lots more!
The person (no name so I'm not sure if it was he or she) said they have increased their number by 30% every year and still can't keep them in the warehouse. But that bike stores don't stock them because they're a niche bike.
It doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?
Anyway, I'm not sure an email campaign would mean anything. It's probably a matter of me letting the local Jamis dealer know I really do want one, and then ordering it. I'm not at that point yet, especially since I have had an unexpected expense dumped on me recently. (A trip to Hawaii that I hadn't planned to take; I know it's a good thing, but it means putting off my bike! Whimper.)
More time to test ride, though. And since I'll be passing through Denver, it may mean I'll give that bike shop a visit when I'm there in June if they still have them in stock.
Pooks, check for Hawaiian dealers!
I had a Jamis Quest, loved the ride, but it wasn't a good fit. When you first started looking at these bikes, I posted how I thought it was more of a racing geometry and knotted indicated that the one she tested had the seat higher than the bars. I looked at the Quest vs Aurora geometry and sure enough, they are slightly different. I'm no expert, but I would caution you on test riding a Quest and thinking the Aurora would be the same. I don't think they are.
Yeah, the Aurora I rode had the bars higher than the seat. I had them adjust the bars a scootch higher still (cuz I know I like them that way) and it was lovely.
Oh yes, I'll certainly test ride on Oahu! (wink)
That's where Konas come from, isn't it?
I love that Quest because it's the only steel bike I've ridden, and was enough to convince me that I want one! Although I'll continue to test ride all and sundry. Why not?
But the price of the Jamis is right and the color is gorgeous.
I lust for that bike.
I think the Aurora is intended more as a touring/randoneering bike than a "racing" bike. It says it has relaxed geometry.
That's exactly what I think, too, which would make them feel completely different.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
I sold my Quest frame and fork on ebay for $150. Previously I had purchased the entire bike for $330. (I think the list price was around $1500) The Jamis bikes seem to go rather cheaply. Could you save a search on the Quest or Aurora and then get the frame powdercoated the color you want? You still may save a bundle. You might have to wait awhile, and you know that you already liked the Quest. You could shop guilt free, also since you have tried so hard to purchase what you want locally.
Yes, it's definitely a touring bike. They market it that way. Is your Rambouillet (sp) a touring bike, Lisa SH?
I think (if it was a good fit) the Aurora would be a perfect bike for me because:
1) It's a considerable step up from my current 38 pound shaftdrive Hybrid, but at an extremely good price.
2) Its light weight and smooth ride might keep me happy for a very long time.
3) I could afford to buy it much sooner than the other bikes I'm likely to want.
4) I can always get a road bike later if I decide I really want one, and keep the Aurora, too!
I have it all worked out except for the immediate cash and the, well, ability to test ride the bike.
We crossposted, uforgot. Wow, that's an idea. Of course I'm not really sure what size I need ... but I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for one. Thanks!
Good question. All of Rivendell's bike are made for "real life" riding on varied road surfaces. conditions, and distances. Thus, they all have slightly more relaxed geometry than typical road/racing bikes. They also all are set up to have their handlebars about the same level as the seat, and are all made to accept wider tires so as to be able to ride gravel roads, etc. They are of course heavier than carbon bikes. But as to my Rambouillet- the Rambouillet was billed as the most "road bike like" of the various Rivendell models. It's not made for extra heavy loaded touring (like the Atlantis), or for cyclocross (like the Legolas), for example.Quote:
Originally Posted by pooks
It has some road bike type features and some touring bike features. It is definitely more a touring bike than a true "racing" bike though! :eek: It can go fast....with the right engine (like my DH, for instance!) ;)
So this is a Jamis Aurora, but it doesn't appear to be steel.
1995 Aurora
It says it's steel, and it looks like it. I wonder if that's the current Aurora geometry listed or the 1995 geometry. Sometimes they aren't the same. The seat is way above the bars, but who knows if it's too high.
Hey, I just saw the price. Mine was a 2002 Quest with the Shimano 105 on it and it was $330. I think it's too high.
Chromoly is steel? Oh. I thought it was aluminum.
And, um, oh NOW I see where it says "steel." I swear I couldn't find that anywhere, before.
Maybe I need caffeine.
Chromoly is an abbreviation for "chromium-molybdenum steel" (sometimes spelled "cro-mo"). (from Wikipedia)Quote:
Originally Posted by pooks
That bike is steel.
The seat can be raised or lowered, even a new seatpost put on if you need a different range to fine tune the saddle position.
The stem is quilled, so the bars can be raised or lowered in about 30 seconds.
The way the bike fits the current owner is not necessarily going to be the way it fits you. I needed to lower Flossie's seat much lower than Limewave had it, to the point I needed to have the seatpost end cut shorter. LBS didn't charge me for that. I needed to have a shorter reach/higher rise stem put on Flossie, which came to about $50 with parts and labor. (I got a pretty one.)
$300 is a bit on the high side, but if this bike calls out to you, decide accordingly. The pictures look good.
Even if you buy the bike and end up not liking it, because it IS a Jamis Aurora, you will be able to re-sell it easily.
(Edit: BTW if I had somewhere to store that bike, I'd be bidding on it right now. Just as it is with the wider tires and lower gear cassette. Of course, my tax return is already spoken for, so I'm just talking thru my hat... but I'd be seriously tempted.)
I'm 5'8" and that bike will fit me great. (though I'd probably get a shorter reach stem eventually) If you get it and are unhappy, PM me and we can cut a deal... :D I'm not kidding. Really, if you get it and decide it's not the right bike for you, PM me!
Start bidding, Pooks!
It's pretty, isn't it?
But you say $300 is high, and it's only going to go up from there.
I think that bike is worth way more than $300, especially with all those parts they've included.Quote:
Originally Posted by pooks
Looks good to me. The 54" would probably fit me too. I'd put slimmer tires though. (And black ones!) :eek:
No no no! It's a Jamis and they don't sell for much on ebay. The Quest is more expensive than the aurora and the most it goes for on ebay is around $400. The same components on a Bianchi, however, bring a much higher price. It's the beauty of eBay. I had a daily search on Jamis bikes for a long time before I got mine. I know they are better than that, but a 2002 Quest was mine for $330. Shimano 105 flight deck in like new condition. That's about right and the Quest retails for more than the Aurora, (Quest $1375 Aurora $850) so a 1995 Aurora is absolutely not worth that. A 2002-2006 maybe. Just wait. There will be one, but they don't come along often. You can find the geometrys on the later bikes, too, to compare to something you have ridden. I'll be surprised if it gets a bid. But hey, I've been wrong on here before. I just think you need to be patient. I did the research. You would be better off paying $850 for a new Aurora than $300 for one that is over 10 years old, doncha think? And trust me, they don't hold their value. I stripped the Shimano 105 parts off and sold my frame. No interest locally, and not much on ebay. Not that they aren't good bikes, I just really think no one knows about them.
Go to completed items on ebay and it will give you a good idea of what they sell for.
Meanwhile, you've got me interested in the 10-year-old Aurora if you don't want it.
Knot (who loves her 10 year old Waterford)
Edit: you could also try contacting the seller and offering less. Or wait to see if he lowers the price.
He's offering a pair of 23's, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
Lisa, you and I are biased, because we loooooooove the steel bikes! I'd be all over this Jamis Aurora if I could even remotely justify it! (but being between jobs... well, must restrain myself). Maybe you and I could split the cost and share it! :D
Yeah you're right, we are biased. Maybe we could ship it back and forth every few months! :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
I saw an old blue English-made steel Raleigh in the garbage on my ride this morning. It was awfully hard to just leave it there, but it needed ALL new components and I think it was a bit small for me anyway. I couldn't justify what it would cost to redo it. Sad.
You guys are impossible!:eek: Anyway, I'm not sure since I'm really only familiar with Shimano 105, ultegra and dura-ace, but isn't Tiagra and RSX their low end components? that's what is on this bike. The only 105 part is the sti shifters. Maybe someone who has dealt with components can give an opinion?
And oh yeah, I'm STILL in the steel club. I have a steel Burley Sahalie that rides like a dream. I solemnly swear to never own an aluminum road bike again.
And Pooks? Don't bid just yet...let it ride until the last day. I'm still wondering if you will see any bids at all. (Unless Lisa and Knotted jump in there!)
Oh, I wouldn't bid now, you're right, uforgot. And I see your point on all of it. Thanks.
Tiagra is a step down from 105. not sure about the rsx--I've gotta look at the advert again.Quote:
Originally Posted by uforgot
RSX is part of the mt bike line of components, though I'm not sure where it fits in the quality scaleQuote:
Originally Posted by stella