Jamis Coda Comp

Price Paid:  $870.00 at Missing Link, Berkel

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
East Bay Commute

Bike Setup:
Stock except for: Low riser MTB bar, Serfas RX saddle, old-school Shimano 747 SPD clipless pedals.

Summary:
I bought my 2008 Coda Comp (there was no pulldown for '08) after I decided my 15 year-old mountain bike was not best suited for on-pavement recreational/fitness riding (well, duh)....

As a casual rider who only rode MTBs, the upright posture and flat bars of the Coda cut down on the intimidation factor. Other MTB-esque features like rapid-fire shifters, Shimano LX gruppo, etc. also smoothed the transition.

I cross-shopped the Trek FX, Specialized Cirrus, and Cannondale Bad Boy (had a discount on those brands thanks to a friend who worked at another LBS). I also had half an eye out for one of the boutique brands that seem so popular on bay area streets--I ultimately decided that my riding level hardly justified a $2000+ bicycle.

The single biggest difference between the Jamis and the aforementioned contenders is the Coda's Reynolds 520 steel frame. The old-timers had already told me that "steel is real," but I didn't fully realize it until I took the Coda on a bombed-out and depleted (i.e., typical) Oakland street. Put simply, the steel frame takes the edge off. Small road imperfections and large potholes alike are soaked up by the steel. The difference is immediately noticeable; over the long haul, the relative cushiness of steel makes up for any weight difference compared to the aluminum competition (my 21.5" Coda Comp weighs almost exactly 25 pounds "empty").

The benefits of the steel frame were so striking that I'm surprised Jamis doesn't promote it more--perhaps they're worried about steel's old-fashioned image? Frame material is something the casual buyer can easily overlook, especially in this price/market segment, but my experience has been that frame material alone can be a MAJOR determining factor...enough for me to skip my Trek/Specialized/Cannondale discount and pay full price for the Coda.

The included components are a nice, rugged compliment to the frame, and if my knee weren't so sketchy, I'd ride this sucker across the country.

Strengths:
Steel, steel, steel. (The carbon fiber fork and suspension seatpost also don't hurt....)

Perfect first road bike for the ex-MTBer.

Tried-and-true MTB components won't leave you stranded in the urban grind.

Sub-$900 price won't break the bank yet buys you enough bike for years of enjoyment.

Weaknesses:
Weight--heavy for a "true" road bike. Fancier components would lighten (and price-n) it up.

Similar Products Used:
Nothing, really. Only other bike is a '94 Trek 7000 MTB. Which, not surprisingly, is HELLA slower than the Coda on the street.

Price Paid:  $216.00 at Play It Again Sports

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Love 'em all

Bike Setup:
Stock, but upgraded the following: Seat (WTB Rocket V), Handlebars (Race Face XC), Stem (Thomson), Pedro's lock on grips, thorn resistant tubes (I live in Arizona). http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?ItemID=93144&Type=bike

Summary:
It's like a road bike on steroids! The frame is a little small for me, but I put a longer stem on it and she's good to go. I figure I can find a bigger frame on CL or at the semi-annual bike swap meet. That said, the steel frame is solid and I was impressed with how the carbon fork (my first) handles the bumps in the road. Very nimble and agile, I love this bike.

Strengths:
Price! Comfortable seat (upgrade), suspension seatpost, solid frame, decent carbon fork (Kinesis), good wheelset, solid component mix, smooth shifting. Came with PLanet Bike fenders and a rack too!

Weaknesses:
Frame is a little small, the bike looked like it had sat out in the sun for a while. :(

Similar Products Used:
First hybrid, but have ridden road & touring bikes.

Price Paid:  $499.00 at Biking Buddies, Jeff

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Natchez Trace northern Miss.

Bike Setup:
Stock except for water bottle cage, cycle computer, rear rack, lite in front and back, handle bar extenders, lizardskins chain stay protectors (work great)

Summary:
I purchased the 2007 Coda Comp mostly because of all the great reviews and the great deal I was getting. After the first ride it was like night and day from my aluminum framed bike. You barely know your traveling over the road because it's so smooth. I can hardly wait to use it on the century this weekend.

Strengths:
Quiet, smooth shifting, deceptively fast and absorbs almost every vibration from the road.

Weaknesses:
The paint marks up easily. That's about all I can complain about.

Similar Products Used:
2006 Schwinn Super Sport aluminum with carbon fork and seat post. Daily commuter use. (and it's harsh compared to the Coda)

Price Paid:  $720.00 at Desert Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
they are all good

Bike Setup:
Standard except for the addition of a computer, and bag.

Summary:
I chucked a Trek 1500 WSD for this bike. It feels more secure, ride upright, shifts flawlessly, and is very comfortable. For anyone who is not a road racer, but wants to ride, this is a great bike. It isn't as skittish as a road bike, but still has speed and agility. This bike is rated as a hybrid, but it is actually a road bike with slightly wider tires and a more upright riding position. For those who don't necessarily want to race, but would like a good bike to ride long distances, this is a dream.

Strengths:
Speed, comfort, shifting

Weaknesses:
The rider

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Sparta, Trek 1500 WSD

Price Paid:  $800.00 at City Bikes, DC

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
CT Avenue, Washington DC, rush hour

Bike Setup:
See weaknesses. Also it came with pedals platform on one side SPD on the other (I clip into them), I added fenders, LED lights, blackburn rack (though mostly I use an EMS flipside backpack instead).

Summary:
This bike is a beast and I love it. In city commuting it laughs at cars, taxis, buses, and potholes. CT Ave. ranges from 2 to 4 lanes in the travel direction, and this bikes loves them all. The 7.5 miles takes me 25-35 minutes. In a car the time is longer and more variable: 40-60.

Strengths:
Strength is strength (steel frame), feel (agressive and comfortable both), and overall performance (sure shifting braking and steering, great gears for both speed and climbs).

Weaknesses:
The bigger potholes gave me a couple of snake-bite flats, so I changed to fatter tires (35mm) and no more problems. Arm leverage improves with bar ends. Otherwise the bike commutes like a trooper right of the showroom floor.

Similar Products Used:
Giant Sedona rigid mountain bike, 1993. After 5 years of mountain biking, I commuted on this until it was stolen in 2005. The Jamis immediately shaved 3-4 minutes off my commute. I also just bought a racing bike for weekends, 2007 Giant TCR C2. It's faster than the Jamis, but in the commute the Jamis is way better.