Tough Decisions...

[Kubla]

I've started looking at light touring bikes and test rode 4 different models today. My rides are getting longer and my aluminum road bike isn't always forgiving on rougher roads. Would just like to have another option for those situations, and be able to carry a rack and some supplies.

At the moment I'm undecided between two bikes that I tested; one thing holding me back is that I haven't used one of the shops before. (I tend to avoid larger stores like this...and definitely stay away from the city.) Being from the 'burbs, driving to the city was on the white-knuckle fringe of my comfort zone. But-I survived.

I found a 2009 Surly Cross-Check at the first shop, after taking out a Bianchi Volpe that was a little too large. Neither shop had one in my size so that I could give it a fair trial.

The color of the Surly (gravy brown) is less than lovely, but it rode and handled nicely as the owner reviews I'd read. I've dealt with this shop before and I like them; I'd hoped to give them another sale. I've never had bar end shifters, but should be able to adapt.

Unfortunately, the 2009 Jamis Aurora they had-the bike I am really interested in-was too large. They are willing to order one, but I'm hesitant to buy something I haven't ridden. (I love my Coda Sport-hence the interest in the Aurora.) I have called around and cannot find one to ride anywhere within 50 miles.

The second shop is further away and is one of the few Masi dealers that actually had the bikes in stock. I was interested in the Speciale Randonneur and the Speciale CX.

The Randonneur I rode was a big disappointment. I'd barely started riding when the the chain dropped off. I walked it back and the salesman asked if I'd shifted it or something. (Well, yes...isn't that part of a test ride?) He got it in place, then I set out again. The gears clunked and were noisy, and there was a rattle in the front somewhere that drove me nuts. He just kind of shrugged when I told him it seemed to need some adjustments.

I liked the '09 Speciale CX a lot more. It's a gorgeous bike, felt solid and handled well, but this is a large shop and I don't know how their service is. I'm tempted to gamble and order a Jamis Aurora based on my satisfaction with the first shop-or try to get a deal from them on the '09 Cross-Check (it was still full price). I think it would suit my needs, even if I'm not thrilled with the color choices. Definitely a decent ride.

Would be interested in hearing any opinions about these three bikes in particular.

[SLash]

Hi Kubla,

FWIW, I ordered my Aurora sight unseen. I was uncomfortable doing it but it turned out fine. I did discuss with shop before hand that if the bike didn't fit or work for me that there was no obligation to buy. They said I could exchange it for something else or pay a 20% restocking fee if I bought from another lbs.

One thing they did before they ordered is measured me to see which frame they should order. They also put me on two other bikes in the store that were very similar to the Aurora geometry in the two different sizes that would fit me (47 and 50). Based on that and the measurements taken they ordered the 50 and it's a pretty perfect fit.

Let me know if I can answer any questions about the Jamis or sizing for it.

Have fun bike shopping and good luck with getting what you want.

Susan

[mariacycle]

I don't know if all shops offer this but Performance, for instance, will let you order something (off your credit) and if it comes and you don't like it you can return it for a full refund. Can you do that with the Jamais?

[MartianDestiny]

Whether or not I liked the bike I would not deal with the second shop, period.

Sounds like Performance. Sales people aren't really interested in bikes and don't care. Mechanics are high school and college students that are learning (or not) to wrench as they go.

No thank you.

To have a front derailleur mal-adjusted enough to allow the chain to fall off during a shift is one thing (that should never happen). That the shop wasn't falling all over themselves in apologies and embarrassment after it happened is another. "Did you shift it"...."Well DUH!"....

Either keep looking or pick one of the two from the shop you like. Can they order you a cross-check in another color (it comes in black too, at least this year)? At what price? Can they work with you on the Jamis so that you aren't stuck if you hate it? (perhaps they'd be willing to order one for you to try if you committed to either buying it or the cross-check from them?)

[Kubla]

....
To have a front derailleur mal-adjusted enough to allow the chain to fall off during a shift is one thing (that should never happen). That the shop wasn't falling all over themselves in apologies and embarrassment after it happened is another. "Did you shift it"...."Well DUH!"....

Either keep looking or pick one of the two from the shop you like. Can they order you a cross-check in another color (it comes in black too, at least this year)? At what price? Can they work with you on the Jamis so that you aren't stuck if you hate it? (perhaps they'd be willing to order one for you to try if you committed to either buying it or the cross-check from them?)

As a middle-aged woman who was not in full biking attire like some of their customers, he might have assumed I didn't know anything at all? (I didn't appreciate his dismissive comment afterward that most of the time I 'wouldn't be needing the big ring'. How could he possibly know how I ride? I told him that I wanted to see how the gearing felt-and (gasp) how smoothly it shifted.)

I wouldn't have bought that Randonneur on a bet-sale or not-but I did like the Speciale CX. I can order a new CX (full price of course) at a shop that's closer to me, but I haven't dealt with them before, either.

The first shop would happily order a 2010 Jamis Aurora. (They aren't stocking that model this year, so there is no chance that one will show up in the shop later on.) Your suggestion of committing to buy that or the Surly Cross-Check if the Aurora is not quite as hoped is a good idea. It might be worth taking a chance this time-based on owner reviews and my own satisfaction with the Coda Sport.

[MartianDestiny]

As a middle-aged woman who was not in full biking attire like some of their customers, he might have assumed I didn't know anything at all? (I didn't appreciate his dismissive comment afterward that most of the time I 'wouldn't be needing the big ring'. How could he possibly know how I ride? I told him that I wanted to see how the gearing felt-and (gasp) how smoothly it shifted.)

I hate this kind of attitude. I've had my fair share as a "kid" and a "woman" quite a few shops assume that a) I don't know what I'm doing and b) I can't afford what I'm asking to look at anyway.

I've turned this into a bit of a blessing since I DO know what I'm talking about. If they treat me the way they treated you I turn around and walk out. They will never ever see me again, not even for a tube. Works wonders for narrowing down shops to "the one", which I have now found! Go SGCycling

[Kubla]

I hate this kind of attitude. I've had my fair share as a "kid" and a "woman" quite a few shops assume that a) I don't know what I'm doing and b) I can't afford what I'm asking to look at anyway.

This reminds me of buying a car on my own-which I have done for a number of years. DBF sometimes comes along, just for the entertainment of observing while a salesman tries to appeal to him-only to be reminded that I am his customer.

I had the specs of each bike with me, printed and highlighted. I'm certainly not an expert, but I'm not afraid to say what I want. He looked surprised, but it seemed that he was not taking me very seriously. This shop is well-known in the area, but I don't think they need my business all that much.

I liked the Speciale CX, but will go with my gut reaction and give the sale to the shop where I bought my Coda last year. I brought it in yesterday for an adjustment, and the mechanic couldn't have been more pleasant (he also mentioned that the Aurora was a particularly nice ride). The staff is friendly and quickly checked each bike over before sending me out to test ride. (Obviously this didn't happen with the bigger shop...)

[Crankin]

Kubla,

I didn't know you were really looking for a Jamis, so I didn't address that in my PM.
You should try Quad Cycles in Arlington. I bought my Jamis Coda Femme there and my DH bought a Coda Sport. It is a smaller shop, though not teeny, and they were super nice and had lots of Jamis bikes.
Just a thought.
We are where you are now, too. The Jamises are great, but very heavy, for me and the flat bars are killing me, even on the shorter errand rides I use it for (though I have ridden 50 miles on it). We are now looking at lighter weight touring bikes, too, for just the reasons you specified. I can't put anything on my carbon road bike, because it's so light and small, so I really want a dropped bar bike, with fatter tires that I can put a rack/pannier on. he fact that I am short and live on a huge hill makes it hard to find exactly what I want, but we are working on it.

Good luck!

[Kubla]

Kubla,

I didn't know you were really looking for a Jamis, so I didn't address that in my PM.
You should try Quad Cycles in Arlington. I bought my Jamis Coda Femme there and my DH bought a Coda Sport. It is a smaller shop, though not teeny, and they were super nice and had lots of Jamis bikes.
Just a thought.
We are where you are now, too. The Jamises are great, but very heavy, for me and the flat bars are killing me, even on the shorter errand rides I use it for (though I have ridden 50 miles on it). We are now looking at lighter weight touring bikes, too, for just the reasons you specified. I can't put anything on my carbon road bike, because it's so light and small, so I really want a dropped bar bike, with fatter tires that I can put a rack/pannier on. he fact that I am short and live on a huge hill makes it hard to find exactly what I want, but we are working on it.

Good luck!

Crankin, sorry for the delayed update. (Work and other things seem to get in the way of my computer time.) I went back to Harris Cyclery on Saturday, took the 2009 Surly Cross-Check out for a much longer ride, then asked if the price was negotiable. (We are well into 2010 and they are still asking list price.)

I did like the bike's ride -but the 'beef gravy brown' color was not exciting enough to inspire me to pay full price for a leftover.

Unfortunately, he would only reduce the price by $55-not enough to forego my back-up plan of ordering the '10 Aurora that I'd coveted in the first place. He seemed surprised, but it is doubtful the Aurora will disappoint me; I really enjoy my Coda Sport. There was apparently some question that he'd be able to get one-even though it's only April-but I was prepared to grab the Cross-Check if it fell through.

The condensed version of the story (admittedly, I'm not good at this...) is that it's now on order and might even be here by the end of the week. As much as I liked the Masi Speciale CX, I got bad vibes from the other shop. Without mentioning the name of the other shop, I told Mr. Harris that their customer service is superior and greatly appreciated. He was tickled to hear that. They wouldn't even write up a purchase order until I've ridden the Aurora and am satisfied with it.

[MartianDestiny]

YAY! Good shop. Hope the Aurora is everything you want when it finally gets in.

[Kubla]

I've been very pleased with them. They are courteous and treat all of their customers with the same respect-regardless of how much money is being spent. (I did not get that same feeling from the other shop-where I was chastised for daring to change gears on a test ride.)

I brought my Coda back to Harris Cyclery for a free adjustment Friday, and the mechanic was more than willing to take care of it-as soon as I walked in the door. He also helped me with my bike computer-which decided to poop out between Friday and Sunday for some unknown reason.

Although there are other LBS in my area that I would be willing to recommend, Harris is the closest that carries Jamis.