Jamis Aurora!?!?

[elk]

I was so puzzled as to why the gal didn't have me try the 47cm JA when the 50 was too big that I called the shop, asked if they had one and went down to ride it. Maybe it just wasn't built last week.... Thing is, I remember the Coda being such a nice ride...I had to go back and see.

It fit. The reach felt perfect AND it has brakes on the bar as well as the hoods and it has an adjustable ( ) stem so one can lower or raise the bars!!!! For an upright or more aero position. It has clips already on the peddles and I rode it for about 30 minutes (with stopping and starting) and don't have crotch pain.

Even though it had the same shifters/brake lever as the Volpe, I found them much easier to use. I felt pretty much at home on it.

ANd it is less---by hundreds---than any of the others.

The ONLY thing is that in that size it looks like a kid's bike...the top tube slopes (thus it fits...) so it lacks that sweet 90 degree triangle...and the pipes ...530? steel--- look a little fat in relation to everything else because it's small.
I like the color...wish it didn't have that cream...but love the copper.

I have it on hold. The shop is CityBikes, a collective, so folks were busy and a little harried...helpful...to a point.

The ONLY thing that makes me hesitate is
a) the look...and it isn't exactly ugly...
b) I've become a bike snob...I don't know if the quality is as good as a Surly or a Trek. I mean, after all, I have a Brooks saddle...I'd have to rewrap the bars in natural cork or leather....And I'm not sure it is a bike for the rest of my life....but it seems pretty good for right now.

Talk to me... some more....

[Zen]

i've been considering a Jamis Aurora for some time as well. The top tube slopes down, you say? Interesting......i have to perform major contortions to mount the Trek...hmmm...
I want an all-round bike and I think the Aurora is along those lines...hmmm

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

"Talk to you"??? Are you nuts??
I was trying to talk you into trying the Jamis Aurora long ago already!

A great value steel touring bike- not cheapo at all, well made and well thought out with sweet geometry. Jamis are perfectly fine and respected bikes.
Remember- NO bike is for the rest of your life. This could be your real do-it-all bike for the next few years.

Ugly?? The copper and cream scheme is GORGEOUS!

You say it fits like a glove? And the price is hundreds less than what you've been looking at?

um.....what are you waiting for????
Jump on that baby and ride it, girl!

OR....you could go buy a way more expensive bike with a straight top tube that is too long for you and that you'll spend months of time, parts swapping, aching body parts and numb hands, and money trying to get people to help "fit" you to it and it never will quite feel right, but it will be just like everyone else's bike and therefore must be good.


(ok, did I "talk to you" enough now?)

Take it for one more good test ride first. If it feels great, if your weight feels nicely balanced over the center and not forward on your hands, and if it makes you really happy, then buy it fer gosh sakes.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The Jamis Aurora is a touring bike that will go fast on its own if you want it to. It will also haul tons of stuff if you want to tour:
http://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/image/79929962
Here's a gal giving her Aurora a workout:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/travelog...ains_came.html
It will also feel comfortable for long rides because it's steel and because it's semi-upright like most touring bikes (and like Rivendells).

It will go beautifully with your Brooks saddle.

[Zen]

I wonder if I could switch out those Ritchey Biomax handlebars for my Bontragers? Love those Bontragers.
I like the color scheme too, very classy.

Where is Deore in the Shimano pecking order?

[sandra]

I wanted a Jamis Aurora when I bought my Trek and could not find anywhere close that sells them If you get this bike, I'm going to be so jealous.

[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...

[sandra]

Oh my gosh. I just looked at the bike. I LOVE IT. It's beautiful. I love the copper and cream!!!

I'll hand it to you Elk, you don't let any grass grow under your feet.

[sandra]

I just like the proportion of color better on the bigger bike

Girl, I'd cut my legs off to fit that bike if I could have just found one anywhere close to here.

[mimitabby]

Girl, I'd cut my legs off to fit that bike if I could have just found one anywhere close to here.

good grief, Sandra, don't do that. Have you looked at a fixie?

[sandra]

I don't think I'm interested in a fixie.

I'm not supposed to be looking at anything. I guess I'll mosey back over to the non-cycling forum.

[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...