I know nothing about road bikes....

TreeSaw · May 19, 2006

I don't presume to know much about road bikes, but I do know that 105 drivetrains are good, plus I like the yellow, so I vote for the Felt. How much does it weigh?

jacksonpt · May 19, 2006

I'd love to try a Felt - they are dead sexy bikes with reasonable price tags... but I know nothing about them.

I've got a Jamis (though not one of the ones you mentioned - mine is a Quest). I love their steel frame... it rides great, and while it isn't fancy, it just gets the job done. I highly recommend Jamis steel if you aren't racing. I will say that Jamis comes up with some ugly paint schemes though.

The only thing I'd really suggest is to spring for STI. I hadn't ridden a road bike in probably 15 years before I got my Quest last summer - IMO, STI is the greatest invention since, uh... well... you get the point.

Why don't you use your sponsor's deal to get a Felt F5c in a 54cm. I'll pay you for it, then you can buy my quest... I'll cut you a good deal on it.

reflux · May 19, 2006

McGRP01 said:
Sti??

I believe it's a reference to the 105 groupo on the Felt.

reflux · May 19, 2006

stoney98 said:
felt.

jacksonpt · May 19, 2006

McGRP01 said:
Sti??

I forget exactly what it stands for (single, something, index I think), but it's the way the shifters are "integrated" into the brake levers (think the road equivalent to shimano's dual control shifters). I believe it's on all Tiagra and higher stuff... not sure about campy/sram stuff.

JRogers · May 19, 2006

STI is the acronym for the indexed and integrated Shimano levers.

That Felt looks pretty good. 105 is the first level of really good stuff. Tiagra is so-so and, at least in my experience, Sora is crap. Plus, I hate the way that Sora levers feel and operate. So, I'd spring for the Felt if possible (and if it fits) but going down one step wouldn't be too bad either.

ito · May 19, 2006

The Ventura or the Felt.

Personally I'd go for the Ventura if it fits properly. Nicer frame with slightly lesser components. I have a friend with a Tiagra groupo and he has ridden the snot out of it. Not high quality, but not much worse than the 105 setup. Plus it has a compact double, Easton bar, stem, and seat post, which is sweet. Add to that the alloy steer on the fork and it is a nicer setup (and probably lighter) than the Felt.

You really can't go wrong with either bike, both are nice values and come from respectable companies, however I'd be looking at the Ventura pretty seriously. You can always upgrade parts, it is more difficult to replace the frame.

The Ito

splat · May 19, 2006

Off those 3 I like the felt the Best , because of the comonents. but the Jamis Satalitte , looks like the best frame , reynolds steel and all, but I don't like the Sora . Plus it is Odd that the Sora is only 8 Speed ??? is that an old model ?

And Campy's Brake lever shifting system is called ERGO :love: :love:

Not sure about sram.

Serial Midget · May 19, 2006

I'd go for the Jamis - steel frames rock, they are the most comfortable and they will last forever as long as you treat them right. The drivetrain is not bad for a first bike and you can always upgrade to 105 as the parts blowout... once you buy a frame you are pretty much stuck with it as few road bikes have any resale value.

Wumpus · May 19, 2006

splat said:
Plus it is Odd that the Sora is only 8 Speed ??? is that an old model ?

Sora is 8-sp. Shimano probably doesn't want to invest the money to upgrade it to 9sp.

LordOpie · May 19, 2006

jacksonpt said:
I've got a Jamis (though not one of the ones you mentioned - mine is a Quest).

The Satellite is a great bike for the price. I personally love the look. I'd only upgrade the rear derail immediately to 105, just cuz it'll hold a tune-up longer than a Sora. But other than that, I'd wait for stuff to break before replacing it.

That said, if your shop that sponsors you sells Jamis, can't you get a Quest? Isn't that a higher grade steel and higher components than the Satellite?

But whatcha doing with it?

Wumpus · May 20, 2006

LordOpie said:
I'd only upgrade the rear derail immediately to 105, just cuz it'll hold a tune-up longer than a Sora. But other than that, I'd wait for stuff to break before replacing it.

The only problem with that is that Sora is an 8sp group -- not that there is anything wrong with that and the 105 rear deraileur would work -- but if you wanted to upgrade, you would have to do everything at once: cogs, new chain, and shifters.

Wumpus · May 20, 2006

Sora shifter:

I assume that the little knob on the side is the downshift instead of being behind the brake lever like 105, ultegra etc. Haven't tried it, but that looks annoying and being on the inside means you would have to use your thumb.

LordOpie · May 20, 2006

McGRP01 said:
Yeah, they sell Jamis, Felt, oh, and Iron Horse.. The issue is budget. Even with my sponsor discount, these are at the high end right now. As for what I'll be doing with it, I'll be training on it, some group road rides, maybe a century or two a year. No racing or anything like that.

If anyone here understands about buying a bike on a budget, it's me... I mean, I get crap for buying a custom frame and putting on it, the cost-conscious 105 group.

That said, are you going to ride the bike at least 3-4x/week for the next 10 years? If so, find a way to get the Quest. I haven't looked, but I think: better steel, better components, better wheels!

Wumpus said:
Sora shifter:
I assume that the little knob on the side is the downshift instead of being behind the brake lever like 105, ultegra etc. Haven't tried it, but that looks annoying and being on the inside means you would have to use your thumb.

Actually, it's a great transition for mt.bikers who use rapid-fire. I liked it.

Wumpus said:
The only problem with that is that Sora is an 8sp group -- not that there is anything wrong with that and the 105 rear deraileur would work -- but if you wanted to upgrade, you would have to do everything at once: cogs, new chain, and shifters.

The rear derail is independent. 9spd derail will work just fine with 8spd shifter and 8spd cassette.

So, let's assume he goes with the Satellite (good choice 2nd to Quest

)... by the time he needs to replace the brifters (aka STI, aka brake/shift levers), he'll have already replaced the chain once and will be needing to replace it again, so no extra cost there. The cassette will have good use on it, so not really a big issue with changing that out. The front derail isn't that much money anyway. And the cranks/bb won't need replacing for a while longer and don't need to be 9spd specific anyway

splat · May 20, 2006

Wumpus said:
Sora shifter:

I assume that the little knob on the side is the downshift instead of being behind the brake lever like 105, ultegra etc. Haven't tried it, but that looks annoying and being on the inside means you would have to use your thumb.

That is the way Campy does it. and there is another lever behind the Brake lever.
your brake lever is not involved in the shift. Also all the Mechanics is inside the brake hood , not in the brake lever. so the shift cable is routed under teh handle bar tape , just like the brake cable.

Wumpus · May 20, 2006

splat said:
That is the way Campy does it. and there is another lever behind the Brake lever.
your brake lever is not involved in the shift. Also all the Mechanics is inside the brake hood , not in the brake lever. so the shift cable is routed under teh handle bar tape , just like the brake cable.

One reason I don't have Campy on my cross bike. The Sora stuff looks like it would be even more difficult to shift from the drops.

Wumpus · May 20, 2006

LordOpie said:
Actually, it's a great transition for mt.bikers who use rapid-fire. I liked it.

I guess I should nave went with downtube shifters since I was using thumb shifters at the time.

LordOpie said:
The rear derail is independent. 9spd derail will work just fine with 8spd shifter and 8spd cassette.

Isn't that what I said? Maybe it wasn't clear enough.

LordOpie said:
So, let's assume he goes with the Satellite (good choice 2nd to Quest )... by the time he needs to replace the brifters (aka STI, aka brake/shift levers), he'll have already replaced the chain once and will be needing to replace it again, so no extra cost there. The cassette will have good use on it, so not really a big issue with changing that out. The front derail isn't that much money anyway. And the cranks/bb won't need replacing for a while longer and don't need to be 9spd specific anyway

Even when I had those crappy ultegra brifters, I never had everything wear out at the same time. Hopefully the front rings are 9sp capable or you would have to change them, too. Might have to anyway with a new chain and rear cogs.

Serial Midget · May 20, 2006

Wumpus said:
One reason I don't have Campy on my cross bike. The Sora stuff looks like it would be even more difficult to shift from the drops.

I've never had any difficulty shifting anything... I remember all the objections guys made when sti came around in the early 90s or when I got integrated shifting for my MTB. Human hands are remarkable in their ability to adapt, brains and predrawn conclusions take just a little more time.

Wumpus · May 20, 2006

Serial Midget said:
brains and predrawn conclusions take just a little more time.

You're right. I've never tried Sora so I'll keep my opinions to Campy Ergo and dual control STI levers.

splat · May 21, 2006

Wumpus said:
You're right. I've never tried Sora so I'll keep my opinions to Campy Ergo and dual control STI levers.

also Sora and Campy are Worlds apart. as for the difference. I have riden campy for quite a while and when I built my Cyclo-cross bike this past winter , I put STI on it, I wasn't sure about it , but I figured I try it . and I have to say I was pleasently surprised. I still prefer the Campy. The hand platform is much better , and I did not like the extra wieght in the actualy brake handle , Caused it to chatter on bumpy roads. But my Fear of the brake handle moving (side to side ) while I brake and shifting while I braked were unfounded. I found while in the drops , Yes campy is more difficult to upshift , but it is much easier to down shift.

LordOpie · May 21, 2006

just wanted to chime in with me prefering shimano. I only test rode a chorus bike for an hour, but I really didn't like anything about the shape, angles, texture or finish with the campy shifters.

ito · May 21, 2006

Shimano STI=shiftable up and down from the drops and from the hoods

Campy=shift down from the drops, shift up and down from the hoods

Shimano STI > Campy

Shimano Sora = :nuts:

The Ito

rooftest · May 22, 2006

Campy makes some low grade components (I forget their lower end names) that are just as crappy as Sora.

I've ridden both Campy and Shimano - I've got Ultegra now, and prefer it because upshifting and downshifting use essentially the same motion. Campy's easy to use too, but Shimano gets my vote.

(my two cents.)

Serial Midget · May 22, 2006

LordOpie said:
just wanted to chime in with me prefering shimano. I only test rode a chorus bike for an hour, but I really didn't like anything about the shape, angles, texture or finish with the campy shifters.

Is that because of your little girlie-man hands?

ink:

Serial Midget · May 22, 2006

I still don't understand why its so difficult for you guys to shift campy up or down from the drops... it ain't rocket science.

Honestly - have you ever seen anyone racing campy who changed bar positions in order to shift gears?

MMcG · May 26, 2006

Congrats Tigg!

jacksonpt · May 26, 2006

Cool! When's the ETA?

Goddy43 · May 26, 2006

Nice! - I just saw this thread. I was actually admiring that jamis the other day in the shop (yes I already have the itch for a better road bike than what I have)

splat · Jun 3, 2006

What type of pedals ?

narlus · Jun 4, 2006

McGRP01 said:
And hopefully my bike will be here sometime this year.....

if not, you can practice yr penguin walking.

I know nothing about road bikes....

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Monkey

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Ride till you puke!

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