Jamis Aurora - all steel

[mimitabby]

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I know I want a full steel frame (no carbon fork or carbon seat stays.... full steel!). It has been tough to find one in my price range. I know the geometry I want is loaded touring. I'm looking at complete bikes, and frames that you have the shop add the components to. Buying a complete bike (like an Aurora) is cheaper, even if I cut corners on the frame build-up (like a Surly or Soma). Surly is owned by Quality Bicycle Parts, and they can give some good deals on complete bike kits for Surlys, as long as you buy the complete package.

Knotted, when I replaced my fork, I wanted a steel fork. Samm. Bikes had one but they talked me out of it. they said that the carbon gives you a lot less jolty bumpy ride. There were 3 of them there; and one mechanic said he had a bike with a steel fork and it was a lot harsher than the carbon ones..

so.. i'm on my 3rd carbon fork on two bikes...

[Veronica]

... they said that the carbon gives you a lot less jolty bumpy ride. There were 3 of them there; and one mechanic said he had a bike with a steel fork and it was a lot harsher than the carbon ones..

I descend some pretty gnarly, bumpy roads at 30 - 40 mph on an all steel bike, 23 mm tires, 100 psi.

It is not a harsh ride.

If you are looking for an all steel touring bike, the ride will be even less harsh, since you will probably have wider tires, more likely the 27 - 32 range.

V.

PS KY if you can save your pennies, the Rivendell Rambouillet is a great bike for doing lots of different things. I did my NS tour with it, just by changing wheels. I even did some single track with it, and lots of gravel/dirt roads.

Right now I have it set up for doing a double century so it's as light as I can get it. I know it's more money than you want to spend, but if you can only have one bike and lots of different ways you want to ride...it's quite versatile. AND pretty.

[SadieKate]

V, a steel fork can be harsh. Just like frames - it depends on the tubing, the design, the geometry, the rake, etc. The steel fork on my Mercian is probably much like your Riv. Fabulous, comfy ride. The steel fork on my Kelly cross bike is very rigid as it needs to be for cross racing. The Alpha Q carbon road fork on my Kelly road bike is somewhere in the middle.

Matter of fact, Bill replaced his Kelly cross fork with an Alpha Q carbon to get more compliance. The steel cross fork was very harsh on the road.

It just depends. That's one reason why one really can't state categorically that one material is stiffer than another. Knowledgeable builders can do incredible things with each material.

[Veronica]

V, a steel fork can be harsh. Just like frames - it depends on the tubing, the design, the geometry, the rake, etc. ...

It just depends. That's one reason why one really can't state categorically that one material is stiffer than another. Knowledgeable builders can do incredible things with each material.

So true... I just can't resist the opportunity to write about how much I love my bike.

V.

[SadieKate]

Did you read on BJ that I upgraded my Mercian to Campy Ergo from bar ends? I know you Riv nuts love your bar cons, but I do not. I'm so thrilled. Whoopeeeeeee!

That was Andrew's last project before he left for Washington yesterday morning. Made him earn his keep. Told him he could then add experience with Wheels Manufacturing's spacing kit and quality vintage bikes to his resume.

[Veronica]

It doesn't matter what we love. It's your bike, you gotta love it!

That's awesome, when are you going to take it out for a ride? I hear there's a pretty hilly century in Marin this weekend...

V.

[SadieKate]

Now that we've hijacked the thread . . . The gearing is for flatlands. Larger chainrings than the Litespeed and same cassette.

Bill and I decided against the Holstein because we have so much travel right now. We'll be doing a part of the Napa Valley course this weekend. Maybe Saturday to avoid the actual century which is on Sunday, I think.

When are you doing the TT in Davis?