My act is not yet together but I am hitting the road
Written: Sep 04 '05 (Updated Apr 20 '06)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Light, responsive road bike in the intermediate price range, with great features.
Cons: A usable aftermarket replacement fork was hard to find
The Bottom Line: Well worth the $900 I paid for it with computer.
|
|
|
| Saxguy's Full Review: Jamis Coda Comp |
Many thanks to user openroad for adding this product so that I could review it.
Late last summer, I was looking to upgrade my road bike. The one I had was a 1999 Specialized Cross-Roads, and I felt like the bike was a little slow and sluggish and didn’t have enough speeds, particularly for steep hills and for speed on flats.
While certainly my fitness was and is a continuing issue, I hoped that getting a lighter, more responsive bike would improve my speed. I had purchased quite a likable recumbent bike earlier in the summer, but that had speed issues as well, since the rear wheel was only 20”. Here is my epinion on the Cycle Genius model:
Cycle Genius ALX 20 Squared Recumbent Bicycle
So, I looked around at bikes in the $700-$1200 range, looking for many and varied speeds, light weight, straight handlebars and great features. I checked ratings online and in magazines and did some test rides.
The Jamis Coda Comp immediately came to the forefront as having nice value within the price range, light weight (less than 25 lbs) and a nice range of speeds. I checked the local stores and found one in my size in stock at Johnny Sprockets on the North Side of Chicago. A half hour test drive on the lakefront and I was ready to buy, particularly since the store was willing to discount the bike about 10%. The other dealer I checked wanted full retail price and did not have my size in stock to test drive.
I accessorized with a Cateye Astrale 8 cadence computer, the Bell Double Gel seat pad and, later, a rear view mirror, seat bag and foot pump. The all-in cost for the basic bike and computer, including Illinois sales tax, was around $900.
Here are the reviews for the computer and the seat pad:
Bell Double Gel Bicycle Seat Cover
Cateye Astrale 8 Cadence Bicycle Computer
I’ve listed the specs and features at the end, but there are a few I’d like to comment on.
First, I like the two sided pedals. One had a clipless pedal mount and the other is a standard pedal. The clipless pedal is to hook with a bicycle shoe that had snap in cleats of the same type as the pedal. I’ve been told by a lot of people I respect that using the cleat improves the power transfer from the legs and reduces extraneous effort. On the other hand, I’m afraid of a fall if I use the cleat and cannot disengage. Although I have a pair of shoes with the right cleat, I have not used them yet. I have improved my power transfer a bit by using a mountain bike shoe with a stiff sole, so there isn’t much shock absorption between the shoe and the pedal. That has worked pretty well.
Second, the shifters took some getting used to. I had the grip shifters on the Cross-Roads and really liked them. The shifters on the Coda use the thumb and index finger. I’m used to it now, but I like the grip shifters better.
Third, this bike and the recumbent for that matter, use a new valve system called Presta valves . They are supposed to inflate better than the older standard valves. However, I had trouble getting used to them and I actually broke the valve because I was not using it correctly. I can use them now. If you get a new bike, I suggest that you have the store show you how to use them.
I’ve been riding on this bike nearly a year now and I am very happy with it.
- My average speed is 1 to 2 MPH faster on the Coda Comp vs the Cross-Roads, even though I was in better shape and weighed less a year ago, My spinning speed (speed I can maintain on long flats) is up a couple of MPH.
- This bike is noticeably faster than the recumbent. I suppose it’s because the recumbent has 20” wheels.
- The ride is a little stiffer but seems a little more responsive than the cross-roads.
The one thing I dislike is use of somewhat nonstandard parts and the lack of good aftermarket parts inventory. I got into a minor accident with a car. Minor, because I walked away from it. However, I had to replace the front wheel and the carbon fork. Carbon forks are made with a substance that is supposed to be lighter while maintaining good structural integrity. When I went to get the fork replaced, I was told that all the parts distributors were back ordered on the carbon fork I needed. The explanation was that the mount setup used by the Jamis designers was different from most. After much discussion, including a call to Jamis, who had none in stock, the store found an aftermarket aluminum fork, the Kinesis Crosslight. The new fork seems to ride about the same. I haven’t been able to notice any difference.
The accident disrupted my plan to bike a lot this summer, but I’ve still been out fairly regularly and I will continue doing so. I had done some commuting to the office (10 miles each way) earlier this year on casual Fridays and I may do it through mid to late October.
I’m quite pleased with the bike and can recommend it. I understand that the 2005 Code Comp was little changed from the 2004 model. My goal is to get to the point where I can consistently average 15mph or better for rides longer than 10 miles. It didn’t happen this summer. However, I am confident that it will, using this bike.
I will dock it a star because of the aftermarket replacement problem caused by the design. 4 stars.
Here’s a component listing from the Jamis site:
Component summary:
FRAME Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly main tubes, double tapered cromo stays, forged dropouts w/ eyelets.
FORK Carbon fiber unicrown,cromo steerer, low rider bosses.
HEADSET Aheadset, alloy, 1 1/8”, 20mm alloy spacers.
WHEELSET Ritchey-built Aero wheelset, 700c, 32/32H, Ritchey Aero Comp rims & hubs, 3x front & rear.
TIRES Hutchinson Excel, 700 x 28C, black blackwall.
DERAILLEURS Shimano Deore XT rear, Shimano R443-A bottom pull front.
SHIFTERS Shimano SL-R660 for flat-bar, 27-speed.
CHAIN KMC CN-HG73.
FREEWHEEL SRAM PowerGlide II 7.0, 9-speed, 11-32.
CRANKSET TruVativ Elita, 52/42/30, 170mm (16-17.5”), 175mm (19.5-23”).
BOTTOM BRACKET TruVativ ISIS Drive SL, 68 x 118mm.
PEDALS Wellgo full alloy platform type w/ single sided clipless body.
BRAKESET Avid Single Digit 5 direct pull brakes with Speed Dial 5 levers
HANDLEBAR Comp flat bar, 6061 T-6, 5° bend x 580mm
STEM Ritchey Pro Adjustable,
100mm (16-17.5”),
120mm° (19.5-23”).
GRIPS WTB Dual Compound
SEATPOST Suspension, 45mm travel, 350mm x 27.2, alloy clamp,QR.
SADDLE Selle Royale Look-In, #2007 w/ gel, Xsenium top and cromo rails.
SIZES 16”, 17.5”, 19.5”, 21.5”, 23”
COLORS Polished
WEIGHT 24.75 lbs.
Thanks for reading. God bless!
You might be interested in the following reviews:
Cateye Astrale 8 Cadence Bicycle Computer
Cycle Genius ALX 20 Squared Recumbent Bicycle
Performancebike.com Online Store
Nashbar.com Online Store
Jandd Mini Mountain Wedge
Nashbar Neck Gaitor
Performance Pro Balaclava
Topeak Joe Blow Sprint Floor Pump
How to commute by bicycle
Cateye Astrale 8 bicycle computer
Bell Double Gel Seat Cover
Nashbar Cold Weather Gloves
Nashbar Crochet Bicycle Gloves
Nashbar Gel Gloves
Bell Solair Pro Helmet
Nashbar Millenium Shorts with Liquicell
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.