Jamis Aurora!?!?

I was so puzzled as to why the gal didn't have me try the 47cm JA when the 50 was too big that I called the shop, asked if they had one and went down to ride it. Maybe it just wasn't built last week.... Thing is, I remember the Coda being such a nice ride...I had to go back and see.

It fit. :eek: :D The reach felt perfect AND it has brakes on the bar as well as the hoods and it has an adjustable (:eek: :D :eek: ) stem so one can lower or raise the bars!!!! For an upright or more aero position. It has clips already on the peddles and I rode it for about 30 minutes (with stopping and starting) and don't have crotch pain.

Even though it had the same shifters/brake lever as the Volpe, I found them much easier to use. I felt pretty much at home on it.

ANd it is less---by hundreds---than any of the others.

The ONLY thing is that in that size it looks like a kid's bike...the top tube slopes (thus it fits...) so it lacks that sweet 90 degree triangle...and the pipes ...530? steel--- look a little fat in relation to everything else because it's small.
I like the color...wish it didn't have that cream...but love the copper.

I have it on hold. The shop is CityBikes, a collective, so folks were busy and a little harried...helpful...to a point.

The ONLY thing that makes me hesitate is
a) the look...and it isn't exactly ugly...
b) I've become a bike snob...I don't know if the quality is as good as a Surly or a Trek. I mean, after all, I have a Brooks saddle...I'd have to rewrap the bars in natural cork or leather....And I'm not sure it is a bike for the rest of my life....but it seems pretty good for right now.

Talk to me... some more....

i've been considering a Jamis Aurora for some time as well. The top tube slopes down, you say? Interesting......i have to perform major contortions to mount the Trek...hmmm...
I want an all-round bike and I think the Aurora is along those lines...hmmm

"Talk to you"??? Are you nuts??
I was trying to talk you into trying the Jamis Aurora long ago already!

A great value steel touring bike- not cheapo at all, well made and well thought out with sweet geometry. Jamis are perfectly fine and respected bikes.
Remember- NO bike is for the rest of your life. This could be your real do-it-all bike for the next few years.

Ugly?? The copper and cream scheme is GORGEOUS!

You say it fits like a glove? And the price is hundreds less than what you've been looking at?

um.....what are you waiting for????
Jump on that baby and ride it, girl!

OR....you could go buy a way more expensive bike with a straight top tube that is too long for you and that you'll spend months of time, parts swapping, aching body parts and numb hands, and money trying to get people to help "fit" you to it and it never will quite feel right, but it will be just like everyone else's bike and therefore must be good. :rolleyes: ;) :cool:


(ok, did I "talk to you" enough now?)

Take it for one more good test ride first. If it feels great, if your weight feels nicely balanced over the center and not forward on your hands, and if it makes you really happy, then buy it fer gosh sakes. ;)

The Jamis Aurora is a touring bike that will go fast on its own if you want it to. It will also haul tons of stuff if you want to tour:
http://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/image/79929962
Here's a gal giving her Aurora a workout:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/travelog...ains_came.html
It will also feel comfortable for long rides because it's steel and because it's semi-upright like most touring bikes (and like Rivendells).

It will go beautifully with your Brooks saddle. :p

I wonder if I could switch out those Ritchey Biomax handlebars for my Bontragers? Love those Bontragers.
I like the color scheme too, very classy.

Where is Deore in the Shimano pecking order?

I wanted a Jamis Aurora when I bought my Trek and could not find anywhere close that sells them If you get this bike, I'm going to be so jealous.

It looks EXACTLY like that loaded for touring one...

I said: it isn't exactly ugly meaning: it isn't ugly...

I agree the copper/cream is a great combo...I just like the proportion of color better on the bigger bike..:o (what can I say...I am nourished by sight...) and given my druthers I alwas go for solids...

BUT!!! I'm not a total fool....and it makes SO much sense doesn't it!?

The I'll have my beloved hybrid AND a road bike for about the same price as a Salsa or even a "custom" LHT (NO ONE has them...but they could build one for me...) and way LESS than a used Riv.

HEY!! I could buy another Ibex switch back!! (I bought the persimmon one on sale and I haven't taken it OFF since I got it...and I don't even LIKE the color!!!)

It did feel very comfortable...and who knows...a year or two from now my needs may be sharpened and shifted...

Lisa you said EXACTLY what I wanted to hear...
Zen... go get one...

Oh my gosh. I just looked at the bike. I LOVE IT. It's beautiful. I love the copper and cream!!!

I'll hand it to you Elk, you don't let any grass grow under your feet. :D

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I just like the proportion of color better on the bigger bike

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Girl, I'd cut my legs off to fit that bike if I could have just found one anywhere close to here.

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Originally Posted by sandra

Girl, I'd cut my legs off to fit that bike if I could have just found one anywhere close to here.

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good grief, Sandra, don't do that. Have you looked at a fixie?

:D I don't think I'm interested in a fixie.

I'm not supposed to be looking at anything. I guess I'll mosey back over to the non-cycling forum. :o

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Originally Posted by elk

HEY!! I could buy another Ibex switch back!! (I bought the persimmon one on sale and I haven't taken it OFF since I got it...and I don't even LIKE the color!!!)

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Ah, but so visible in traffic! ;)

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It did feel very comfortable...and who knows...a year or two from now my needs may be sharpened and shifted...

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A year or two from now ALL our needs will be sharpened and shifted. :D

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Lisa you said EXACTLY what I wanted to hear...

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Yeah, I know. ;)

Elk, check out these reviews. One review is even from a guy in Mississippi that talks about how hard they are to find.

Jamis Aurora are sweet. I rode one last year a couple times and just adored it. Came *very* close to getting one. (there are lots here in Seattle, I had 2 shops within 5 miles to chose from alone!)

For another hundred bucks I got a Surly Cross Check. It just felt so good, and called out to me, and it was love. Can't argue with bike love, eh?

The Surly is made in Taiwan, the Jamis is made in China (if that kind of thing matters to you.) There is a little difference in weld quality and paint that makes the Surly look a little sleeker, but in all honesty what matters most is that gut level bike love! (the Surly top tube won't slant downward, so fit matters too, but I always vote bike love first and foremost!)

Believe me, that copper and cream will grow on you. And if it doesn't, you can get it repainted later!

Put the picture on your computer desk top. (I did!)
Ride it again.

Don't restrain yourself, be free! Feel the bikey-love!

Knot-the-enabler

Love the pix and the reviews...:D :D love to be validated!!

Oh...Sandra...don't you remember after you bought your Lotus Blossom but before you got yr hands on it to make it yours..you were testing the waters of your convictions?!

I have ridden almost all the bikes on my list ...Surly Cross Check, Salsa Caseroll, Bianchi Volpe, Trek 520, Jamis Coda, and each one had a fit issue....in fact, before I went over to try the Jamis again, I talked to a woman at yet another BS who sugested that for a bike that small, I should consider spending 1200 for a fit and "custom" build.... (Not a bad price I'd say...)

so when I got on I just went whoa...it fits.... and I was kind of surprised... and it really was my first thought (after I went back and had the seat raised)...it actually fits. I maybe don't know what fit really is...but this one felt pretty true...

oh yeah....and maybe I 'll get another Brooks..!!! without springs...the B68 is it? I'll just have to do more research...:p The shop with the Jamis sells the Brooks too.....hmmm brown? black? honey...with copper...cream...hmmmm
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PS
I just looked at ALL those loaded touring bikes Lisa linked to...they almost ALL have that sloping tube and when I got back to "my" bike... I thought...sexy...now I'm getting stoked...

I vote black Brooks to go with the nice black lettering on the bike. ;)

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Originally Posted by zencentury

Where is Deore in the Shimano pecking order?

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Deore is Shimano's line of "mountain/touring" components.

Way back before mountain bikes were invented, or hybrid bikes even....there were racing bikes, there were casual/errand/delivery/working bikes, and there were touring bikes built for long distance rides over varied terrain and steep hills.

Touring bikes, unlike casual/working or racing bikes, have a wider range of gears to get up big hills. They often have special deraillers and big cassettes in back and triple rings up front.
When mountain bikes were invented, they too needed super low gears to get up steep hills. Manufacturers put touring rear deraillers on them to handle the gear spread. They started calling the touring deraillers "mountain deraillers"....but they are the same parts as the original touring deraillers. :rolleyes: :cool:
Nowadays, because of the multitude of mountain bikes around as opposed to touring bikes, these parts are usually called mountain parts. Oh, the irony.

My Rivendell is made like a semi-touring bike. It has some really low gears in a wide spread, and to accommodate them it has a rear touring derailler- a Shimano Deore LX (also known as a "mountain derailler" now). It didn't come stock with this extra wide gear range and "mountain" derailler- we asked for it. The other components on my bike are mostly Shimano 105, but the rear derailler is a Shimano Deore LX. If I gave up some low gears I could go back to a 105 rear derailler. No way, love my low gears!

My next bike is going to be similar- basically a road bike with semi-touring geometry and wide range gears. I'm going to move up on it a bit from Shimano 105 to Shimano Ultegra components....but I'll still have a Deore rear derailler to handle the gear spread.

Oh- and Shimano Deore components have their own pecking order- the "LX" is in the middle somewhere I think, but I'm sure someone else has that information better than I.

I wonder how Elk is enjoying her new Jamis. I bet she went back to try and buy it first thing this morning :D

Hopefully she'll take another test ride before buying it! It's on hold already, so it won't get sold out from under her.
I wonder what kind of tires they have on it?- she could make them swap a few parts before buying it.
Kind of like buying a car...at the last moment you say- "If you throw some mud flaps and fog lights in at no charge, I'll sit down right this minute and write you a check."

"If you will throw in a Brooks saddle, consider it sold!":D

As far as quality, look here for a short lesson on steel in bikes.

I had a Jamis Quest and the quality was outstanding and the ride great. It was just too small for me.

heehee I woke up with a COLD...but I'm goin out anyway....

I'm not sure how willing they are to deal: they are the only store in store who has them, and not many. There is a tiny ding in the top tube...I pointed it out, mentioning that steel rusts and the guy said, we can patch that and I don't think it goes down to the tube anyway....kind of thing.

It is a collective, not a "real" BS....

But...what would you ask for as far as tires and parts? I want it fast but grippy and fairly puncture proof...

I think I'll go for antique brown saddle and get brown tape....I think...

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Originally Posted by elk

But...what would you ask for as far as tires and parts? I want it fast but grippy and fairly puncture proof...

I think I'll go for antique brown saddle and get brown tape....I think...

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If it were me I'd get the kind of tire I love to ride on all kinds of surfaces and which are not too heavy:
I get Pasela Panaracers in 700x28 with "Tourguard" (a Kevlar puncture resistant inner belt)
I'm assuming your wheels are 700's, right?

Definitely get a tire that's at least 28mm wide, and that has a Kevlar belt. I can't believe the rough stuff I can ride over and not get flats. I used to have the same tires but in 700x38, they seemed excessively wide and heavy after a while. 28's are the narrowest I'll go on rough gravel roads and feel safe.
Again- just my own experience, others may have other recomm's...

I like your idea of dark brown saddle and tape.

I'll ask!

If they have another 47 in teh box....maybe I'll ask them to build it anew....and put fenders on? (SKS plastic)....should I do fenders?

I want to keep it light for awhile..use a saddle bag...wait on racks.

e
ps I have been using that side shot of Lisa in the drops on her Riv as a template for position...it has really helped me visualize.

Fenders...if you want to commute to work on it in Portland, then yes. If you will just be riding it for enjoyment, errands, and fitness- then maybe not, as you wouldn't be likely to go riding on a day that lots of rain is forecast.
I always thought I'd put fenders on my bike, but never found much need. If the weather says rainy, I don't ride. I structure errands around the weather too.
Yes ride it light for a while, it will be fun! You can always get racks later.

P.S. don't use me as an example of good bike position- i have lots to improve! :eek: Also keep in mind that my bike is a little bit too long in the top tube for me- so I have a shorter than normal stem and bars, and I don't actually feel perfectly balanced on it. It's generally comfortable.

Elk, you're planning on riding all year round? you want fenders. Those rooster tails up your butt are for amateurs.

I agree with Lisa, get a bigger tire size if you can for winter.

I'll second your choice of Jamis. I ride a pink Jamis Ventura and I love it.
Enjoy!

:p :D :p

It's MINE!

I got them to throw in the fenders...and I ended up adding a rear rack too because I'm not sure there's enough room for a saddlebag without a rack for it to rest on...I also got an antique brown B68 for the old price:D So I did well!!

And That little bike rocks!!! It's so smooth and responsive. Have to wait to pick it up....not sure what to do. I'm MASHED by this cold and wanna take a nap...but but but It'll be ready in about an hour or so....(it's a traffic-y over the bridge drive....) hmmmm such troubles...a nap or go get my new bike...:p

I want PICTURES of your Jamis bikes!!! and Lisa...I use it as a guide more than a template...ever since you said that thing about "floating over your bike" I've been in search of that valhalla...

I knew it! CONGRATULATIONS! Of course we want pictures immediately! :D

thanks Sandra!

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Originally Posted by elk

:p :D :p

It's MINE!

I got them to throw in the fenders...and I ended up adding a rear rack too because I'm not sure there's enough room for a saddlebag without a rack for it to rest on...I also got an antique brown B68 for the old price:D So I did well!!

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You did FABULOUSLY!
I forgot that yours is a smallish frame so yes a rear rack will keep your saddle bag off your wheel (not usually an issue with a big men's bike).
Good deal on the fenders and the B68, girl!! You did a great job researching and test riding and keeping your mind open to many things in searching for your bike. And in the end, it was YOU who actually went back and asked to try the Jamis in another size that they hadn't even recommended. Most excellent job. Goes to show we can look at all the geometry charts we want but we never really know for sure until we test ride.

Don't forget a heavy duty lock for that new beauty of yours. Others will covet it. (and watch out for Sandra lurking about your neighborhood behind the bushes in her black ninja outfit...she may try to claim that bolt cutter in her hands is just a "hedge trimmer") :cool: ;) :eek: :D

I want to see some pictures of the happy YOU WITH your new Aurora!

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Don't forget a heavy duty lock for that new beauty of yours. Others will covet it. (and watch out for Sandra lurking about your neighborhood behind the bushes in her black ninja outfit...she may try to claim that bolt cutter in her hands is just a "hedge trimmer")

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:eek:

Yes, I'll be the one with the sawed off legs. :D (Oh, and the funny accent talking on my cell phone)

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Originally Posted by sandra

:eek:

Yes, I'll be the one with the sawed off legs. :D (Oh, and the funny accent talking on my cell phone)

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Ah yes....stumpin' around the neighborhood, rackin' up those 7000 cell phone minutes trying to talk people into buying poor homeless Ebay mixtes! :eek: :p :D ....Hey it's a hard job but somebody's gotta do it! :D :D :D

:D :D :D NOT 7 THOUSAND. only 700! :cool:

That is a gorgeous bike, Elk. I like the Jamis bikes too. I think you've made a great choice when it comes to getting the most out of a bike for this area and for the type of riding you are doing. It'll be geared nicely for our hills and flats and will work well for touring or just riding to work. Good job on having the patience to wait until you found the one that spoke to you.
I'm currently trying to decide if I want to keep my current mtb or go with a bike like the one you just bought. (I'm also considering Kona among others.) I use it on the trails and to just run around town for groceries and such. I'm looking for a bike that will do all that but also be good for when we start doing some short, self-supported tours next year. The mtb won't quite cut it then and I don't feel the need to have 3 bikes. (I have a road bike that is not good for touring.) I'd love to know where you got yours. A test ride wouldn't hurt. Maybe you can PM me on the LBS details.

Good luck with your new wheels. And by all means, go get that bike now before rush hour. I'm not sure which bridge you have to cross, but looking down on (most of) them right now, I wouldn't wait. :rolleyes:

I just want to offer my sincere apologies to all TEers. Yes, I'M the one who first mentioned "mixte" to Sandra. But on the bright side, many homeless mixtes have now made their way to Mississippi and are happily a part of Blossom's family. (Even though they have to share the guest room)

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

You did FABULOUSLY!
I forgot that yours is a smallish frame so yes a rear rack will keep your saddle bag off your wheel (not usually an issue with a big men's bike).
Good deal on the fenders and the B68, girl!! You did a great job researching and test riding and keeping your mind open to many things in searching for your bike. And in the end, it was YOU who actually went back and asked to try the Jamis in another size that they hadn't even recommended. Most excellent job. Goes to show we can look at all the geometry charts we want but we never really know for sure until we test ride.

Don't forget a heavy duty lock for that new beauty of yours. Others will covet it. (and watch out for Sandra lurking about your neighborhood behind the bushes in her black ninja outfit...she may try to claim that bolt cutter in her hands is just a "hedge trimmer") :cool: ;) :eek: :D

I want to see some pictures of the happy YOU WITH your new Aurora!

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kryptonite lock: check
motion detector lights: check
VERY alert dogs: check
yankee intuition: check

The ONLY bike I didn;t get to check out was the LHT...but I got myself a Brooks saddle, a light and a rack for the price difference!!

still waiting for a call...and rush hour officially begins...

OH! I forgot to tell you this story! Yesterday after I tested the Aurora, I saw this burly dude fly by on a Surly and I yelled out, "Hey izzat a Long Haul Trucker...???" He looked back at me, and rode away faster...I only wanted to LOOK at it!!!

congrats on the new bike! Yay!

(pictures, we want pictures!):D

Okay, enablers. I was looking at cyclocross bikes for hauling a kid trailer, because I want something that can do gravel and pavement, but the guys at the bike shop just about talked me into an Aurora instead (with a few modifications for my purposes). I have to order it, though, because they don't have it in stock.

They'll talk to me about fit but I wanted to see what you all think. I think the 50cm is right for me -- specs are here. The effective top tube length is listed as 535, which seems pretty long, though. I seem to remember that there is something about the seat tube angle changing how that reach is going to work but I can't get my head around it.

For comparison, my road bike is a 53cm, and I believe it had the same effective top tube length, and we had to put a 5cm stem on it to make it fit me. I'm 5'6 with longish legs and a shortish torso.

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Originally Posted by xeney

Okay, enablers. I was looking at cyclocross bikes for hauling a kid trailer, because I want something that can do gravel and pavement, but the guys at the bike shop just about talked me into an Aurora instead (with a few modifications for my purposes). I have to order it, though, because they don't have it in stock.

They'll talk to me about fit but I wanted to see what you all think. I think the 50cm is right for me -- specs are here. The effective top tube length is listed as 535, which seems pretty long, though. I seem to remember that there is something about the seat tube angle changing how that reach is going to work but I can't get my head around it.

For comparison, my road bike is a 53cm, and I believe it had the same effective top tube length, and we had to put a 5cm stem on it to make it fit me. I'm 5'6 with longish legs and a shortish torso.

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same birthday...same bike?!?!? ;)

Can you try a Coda for size? My Aurora is a 47...so I'm not sure I can help. It is a VERY comfortable bike though.
The other bike I really liked was a Bianchi Volpe and it had a very similiar fit...the top tube maybe was a LITTLE shorter...but not much.