I'm in love...lust...no, definitely love (Jamis Quest)

[badgercat]

So, I found out last week that I'm going to have a sweet research gig this summer, complete with a generous (by my standards, anyway) stipend. Time for a road bike, no doubt. I like to go fast, but I don't race--I want something zippy enough to have fun but comfortable enough for long charity rides and potentially a little light touring someday (so rear-rack eyelets would be a plus).

I'm drawn to steel, so I've been doing my homework on Jamis the last couple days. I called the only Jamis dealer in town and inquired about the Satellite Femme and Quest Femme. They had neither in stock, but did have the non-Femme Quest, in an appropriate size to boot (51cm) on the floor. I went down there with DBF today and (very briefly) test rode it (6'1" boyfriend took it for a spin, too, which was quite the sight). It was a smooth, lovely ride (brifters are so cool!)--it sailed over the lousy side-streets near the shop. However, I was just a teeny tiny bit too stretched out, and it was a bit of a stretch for my fingers to reach the brake levers in the drops--though both might be improved by the Femme model. I'm not ready to commit yet without riding some other stuff--I know I need to ride some other bikes first to make sure that it's not just "good enough" but "right"--so far, I've got the Trek store calling me as soon as they get some 52cms on the floor. But I just love the idea of steel, the simplicity of the Jamis styling, and the Quest seems like a lot of bang for the buck ($1600).

I had originally been thinking about the Satellite (~$600-700 less than the Quest), but regardless of what brand I settle on I'm thinking I should just spring for a lighter frame and nicer components and figure that this will be a bike to last me for years and years.

The guy who was working with me at the LBS today said that he thought they should have one or two of the Femme models in stock anyway, so if I asked them to order one they would, no commitment required. That idea really appeals to me, since I could take it for a more involved test-ride before I buy.

I shouldn't spend such a big chunk of my summer stipend before I have it (though I do have plenty in the bank to cover a bike at the moment), but I do have two charity rides coming up next month that would be even more fun with a new bike...

oh boy.

Pictures and specs at these links...
Quest Femme
Satellite Femme

[Zen]

I think Jamis is a fabulous bike, but I'm biased
(I like the white one)

[roadie gal]

2+ on Jamis. My SO has both road and mountain bikes and I have a mountain bike by Jamis. They're great bikes for the money.

[Biciclista]

sounds like the Jamis Femme will be just the thing. you do what you like with your stipend, you're going to EARN it!

[badgercat]

Thanks for the input, ladies. I knew there were a few Jamis fans here and I'm glad to hear the support for the brand.

I'm definitely smitten, but after taking into consideration that my parents are in a bit of a financial bind right now with a house that's been sitting on the market for a year, my mom was out of work for several months, etc... they don't support me financially anymore, but I still feel like it might be a bit... insensitive if I, the "poor grad student," dropped that much of my money on a new bike *before* the summer stipend rolls in.

I can happily ride my Trek FX for a couple more charity rides, and treat myself to the road bike in the fall for all my hard work (that's when the weather starts to get more reasonable in AZ anyway, and maybe I'll catch an end-of-season sale!). Besides--I'm going to be living in another city/state (Omaha) in a shared house for the summer... I'm probably only going to bring one bike, the hybrid would be the most practical choice, and then I wouldn't have to a. worry about keeping track of my new investment in a house where my renter's insurance probably won't apply or b. being sad about leaving my sweet new ride back at home for 3 months.

All things considered, it just seems like I should wait through the summer. But, it doesn't hurt that I'm doing my homework now, right? I'll have to avoid setting my computer wallpaper to a picture of the Quest Femme and sighing a lot for the next 6 months.

[Zen]

Well...you could sell the Trek to offset the price a bit.
I'm just sayin'