Jamis Coda Elite

[Catrin]

Curious to hear opinions on the Jamis Coda Elite. My research on my next bike continues, it helps me to take my mind off my hamstring injury I had a long conversation with my fitter today and he encouraged me to check it out. I figure my chances of getting a Luna are very slim as she isn't take any more orders for the time being, so am looking at other options.

I really like Gunnar bikes, and right now there is a 75% chance that I will go that route next year, but I want to consider an appropriate stock steel bike as well. Obviously a stock bike is less expensive, though for custom bikes, Gunnars have a good price. At this point if I were to go with the Coda Elite I would likely just upgrade the rear cassette to a 34 rather than the stock 32.

Interestingly, my fitter steered me away from the Coda Femme. He doesn't like the quality of the components and thinks if I go this route that I would be far happier with the Elite, assuming the geometry fits me. I have certainly had better luck with my male/unisex LHT frame over the one WSD bike that I have owned. I also learned that my LBS does layaway on bikes - including custom

So, does anyone have an Elite? If so, what do you think about it?

[HillSlugger]

I ride a 2007 Coda Comp as my commuter bike. It's been very good to me.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, if you go with a stock bike, do you plan to change out the bars and shifters so that the set up is similar to your LTH? What does that add to the cost?

Other than my new Jamis Aurora, which hasn't gotten ridden since I bought it, I have no experience with them. Brian loves his Jamis road bike. There are a lot of other custom builders out there by the way. I'm not sure why you're limiting yourself to Gunnar and Luna.

Edited to add: I just took a look at Jamis's website. It indicates that the bike weighs 25.5 lbs. I imagine that's not for the smallest size, but thay may not offer the weight savings you're looking for. My steel bike in a size 50 weighs 19 pounds.

[Catrin]

Out of curiosity, if you go with a stock bike, do you plan to change out the bars and shifters so that the set up is similar to your LTH? What does that add to the cost?

Other than my new Jamis Aurora, which hasn't gotten ridden since I bought it, I have no experience with them. Brian loves his Jamis road bike. There are a lot of other custom builders out there by the way. I'm not sure why you're limiting yourself to Gunnar and Luna.

Edited to add: I just took a look at Jamis's website. It indicates that the bike weighs 25.5 lbs. I imagine that's not for the smallest size, but thay may not offer the weight savings you're looking for. My steel bike in a size 50 weighs 19 pounds.

Good questions!

The Jamis Coda is a flatbar bike, so it already has flatbars and trigger shifters The shifters are comparable quality with what is on my Surly. I would want a different rear cassette, and my LBS said they would probably upgrade it at no extra charge.

I know there are a lot of custom builders out there, but I do like Gunnars frame prices and everything I have read about them is quite positive. The Coda Elite is almost 10 pounds lighter than my LHT (without rack or bag on the LHT), I think that is pretty good for a stock steel bike.

The Gunnar would give me the weight savings that I would like as the steel is higher quality. I don't need to make my mind up until spring, and who can say what I will have decided by then, but right now they are my top contenders. Waterford and Rivendell are quite attractive as well, but they are far more expensive of course.

[indysteel]

I'd be curious as to what Gunnar could do for you weight and tubewise. I don't have anything against the Jamis; I just think you could potentially get even lighter with better tubing than what's offered on it (that will also likely result in a better ride quality). You might also take a look at Shamrock Cycles--a custom builder in Speedway. He does pretty stuff at a decent price.

[Catrin]

I'd be curious as to what Gunnar could do for you weight and tubewise. I don't have anything against the Jamis; I just think you could potentially get even lighter with better tubing than what's offered on it (that will also likely result in a better ride quality). You might also take a look at Shamrock Cycles--a custom builder in Speedway. He does pretty stuff at a decent price.

Gunnar uses a higher grade steel tubing and thus is no doubt lighter than the Jamis, that I do know. I've time to research and figure out the best way to balance my champagne tastes and beer budget I think that Jonathan mentioned Shamrock Cycles to me in the past. I've got all winter to look around, which is a good thing!

edited: I found Shamrock's website, pretty steel bikes indeed!