is it silly to re-buy the same bike?

[bluegirl]

I just finished paying off all my credit card debt and I'm planning to commute 26 miles round trip to work once the heat of the summer is over. (I'm in AZ.) Therefore, I think I deserve a new bike!!

In all the internet looking I've been doing, it seems that I see the Jamis Aurora mentioned over and over as a great road/commuting bike. The thing is, I HAVE a 1998 Jamis Aurora.

I love her DEEPLY, but she's old and got millions of miles on her. Plus, the 650 tires are just too small for alot of the cracks in the asphalt around here.

Would it be ridiculous to re-buy the same bike? Or would by new bike money be better spent on something more upgrade-related?

Thanks for any opinions!!

[Grog]

Hi Bluegirl and welcome to TE.

A bike can have lots and lots of miles and still be good to go. My husband's road bike is about to be retired as a winter bike and has over 60,000 km on it (roughly 40,000 miles). It needs new wheels and will be a few new parts (again), but otherwise works great.

You can probably just get new, wider tires and an in-depth tune up. You'll be good to go! In the meantime, you can start saving money for your next bike instead of using a credit card to pay for it.

Good luck!

[Eden]

The new model may very well be lighter and have nicer components - its been 10 years since you bought the old one , so no I don't think its crazy to think about getting the same bike over again -one thing though, the diameter of your tires shouldn't make much difference in regards to cracks/potholes etc.... 650's may not have as great a selection of widths as 700's but the issue is more one of having wider tires, not bigger wheels.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The new model may very well be lighter and have nicer components - its been 10 years since you bought the old one , so no I don't think its crazy to think about getting the same bike over again -one thing though, the diameter of your tires shouldn't make much difference in regards to cracks/potholes etc.... 650's may not have as great a selection of widths as 700's but the issue is more one of having wider tires, not bigger wheels.

I totally agree with all Eden said.

[Zen]

I rode my new Aurora today and I am loving that bike. I know this is of no help. I just wanted to say it

[Cataboo]

I rode my new Aurora today and I am loving that bike. I know this is of no help. I just wanted to say it

did you get new brakes?

[bluegirl]

hi all! thank you for your replies!

I think that's mainly what I was wondering: whether a 10 year difference would be a significant upgrade, or whether I should up my budget and go for a more dramatic upgrade, i.e. the Jamis Quest. More bang, for my buck, so to speak!

As for the tires, yes, that's an important clarification! HA! My thought is that with 700s, I'll have a wider range of choices in terms of getting something sturdier.

That rough asphalt is EATING ME UP!

And don't worry! I don't even OWN credit cards any more. I messed up and I worked hard to get myself free, and I have DEFINITELY learned my lesson! HA!! It's all cash, all day, every day!

Thank you so much!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

As for the tires, yes, that's an important clarification! HA! My thought is that with 700s, I'll have a wider range of choices in terms of getting something sturdier.

That rough asphalt is EATING ME UP!

Rivendell lists a few different 650 tires and tubes, you might look at those and then do some additional googling/price comparing.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...s?a=1&page=all