Jamis Aurora!?!?

[elk]

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.. (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...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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!!!)

Ah, but so visible in traffic!

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

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

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

Yeah, I know.

[sandra]

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

[KnottedYet]

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

[elk]

Love the pix and the reviews... 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... 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...

[sandra]

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

[uforgot]

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.

[elk]

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...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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...

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.