Description With its Reynolds 520 double-butted steel frame, broad-range triple-chainring gearing and friendly price, the Coda Sport has become one of our most popular bikes. The friendly riding posture, sensibly...
Bike Setup: stock setup, no frills, not even a kickstand!
Summary: buying this bike has been one of the best things i've done for myself. i bought it just to get some exercise, and have ended up getting really enthusiastic about bicycling. i have a lung disease, so i was looking for a way to get some aerobic exercise that my lungs could handle - which meant going for something lightweight, with narrow tires, and a whole lotta gears to choose from, to get up hills with. after growing up riding garage-sale 10 speeds, spending this much on a bicycle was difficult, but as i've said, it turned out to be an excellent purchase, absolutely worth every penny, for me. i started out riding only 2 miles a day, but now i'm up to over 30 miles a day, over 120 miles a week. i know i'm not an expert rider, and i don't have alot of experiences with other bikes to compare this to, but i can't say enough about this bike.
Strengths: i love that rear derailleur!
Weaknesses: like others have said, the stock seat is this bike's weak spot. it's not a big problem, but i do notice my seat rocking and wobbling around a little bit. also, the front derailleur gets temperamental on occasion, but it may just need to be adjusted.
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Bike Setup: Put on full SKS fenders and a rear rack (I felt like I was putting a saddle on a colt--I didn't want to do it but I had too). New saddle--not sure what brand, but narrower and designed for a male's backside.
Summary: I bought a 2009 Coda Sport after a month of looking around for a good match for my 20 mile round trip commute. This bike is the right combination of practicality and fun. It is a fast bike compared to most hybrids that are in the "comfort bike" category. A very attractive looking bike that has opened up new vistas for me--I stop less frequently at red lights due to faster speed, and have built up my stamina and strenght considerably in just a month.
Strengths: It is light and quick. I shaved five minutes off of my commmute (10 miles each way). The thing weighs about 26 pounds. I love being able to accelerate quickly. The handlebar stem is adjustable--I have it all the way up to accomodate my high seat post position. Components are solid throughout. V brakes stop well, which is very important for urban riding. The handlebars slope down at a slight angle, which provide an aerodynamic position--but I need to use cycling gloves or my hands will slip when I perspire a lot. The chromoly frame is very comfortable.
Weaknesses: The seat is atrocious--bulbous and uncomfortable. I replaced it within a week.
Similar Products Used: Trek 7000 (aluminum hybrid)
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Bike Setup: toe clips added. After 2 years riding, I 've just replaced the rear set with a higher rating. Now much better. Added Scwarhbe?? Marathon + tyres
Summary: I went over to the USA specifically to buy a bike & this looked the best at the time
Strengths: Strong, responsive, high seat position
Weaknesses: none
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Bike Setup: Ergo grips, toe clips and straps, basic wireless computer, Planet Bike Cascadia fenders that I install only on rainy days.
Summary: I purchased a 2008 Jamis Coda Sport because I wanted a faster and more aggressive steel-framed commuter bike that would allow me to start doing long fitness rides. In particular, I wanted gearing that was closer to a roadbike, with a taller chainring set (on this bike, 30-39-50) and more options in the cassette (11-32 in 9 speeds). I love this bike so much that since the second day of ownership I've been inspired to take up cycling seriously and am considering the addition of a Jamis Quest to my stable. But I will never get rid of the Coda Sport because it's just too high performing and too practical.
I purchased the Coda Sport in May 2008 and have put about 800 miles on it so far (September 2008). I use it for a mix of commuting between Brooklyn and Manhattan (9 miles each way) or within Brooklyn (6.5 miles each way), plus 30 to 40 mile rides in Prospect Park, Central Park, or to the Far Rockaways once or twice a week when I can. I'm about to start doing weekend 80 mile rides to Nyack and back with some friends who ride road bikes. This lightweight, rugged and efficient "flat bar road bike" has got to be the best value in commuter cycling.
While commuting, I usually cross the Brooklyn Bridge and take the east or west side bike paths for a little more distance and a more pleasant time. However, on several recent rush commutes (left too late) I took the more direct route up 8th Ave and through the streets, and I can tell you that this bike really shines in aggressive traffic and surface conditions. The light and responsive Reynolds 520 Chromoly frame provides a smooth and stable ride. My last bike, an aluminum framed commuter, was heavier, harsher, and twitchy. The perfectly balanced geometry and straight blade fork of the Coda Sport allow the bike to corner and swerve on a dime with zero effort. As well, the 700 x 28 kevlar-reinforced Vittoria Zaffiro tires are thin and fast, but just wide enough not to get railed into every crack and cranny on city streets. The tires and rims are more than rugged enough for the harsh NYC conditions. I've only had one puncture so far from the long thin shard of a beer bottle. The Tektro brakes do squeal a bit, but they're precise and will stop on a dime, and the noise frightens pedestrians who might unwisely step into my path. Shifting is quick and accurate, with no ghost shifting or other irregularities reported by mountain bike riders. When in heavy traffic I tend to find myself doing 20-25 MPH in the middle of the street, at speed with or faster than traffic, and able to weave with precision and confidence.
On my non-commuting days I'll do 20-40 mile fitness rides in a park or on a long bike path. I enjoy the feel of light, smooth rolling over the pavement for the 75-150 minutes of the ride. On a few occasions I've joined a peloton of roadies doing workouts in the park and had no trouble keeping up. The stock seat is generally comfortable but sometimes feels a little too wide for me, so I'm considering getting a narrower seat with a cutout in the center to relieve the pressure on "no man's land."
The handlebar is perfect for aggressive city commuting but the lack of variety in hand positions becomes annoying on fitness rides of 2 hours or more. That would be true of any hybrid, which tells me that I really need a roadbike with drop bars for those occasions. The grips that came with the bike were too narrow in diameter and too hard for my large hands. I purchased some gel ergonomic grips at my local bike store (sorry, forget the brand), which are much better but still not great. I'm thinking of trying the ergo grips offered by Performance, perhaps coupled with some bar ends. I also use aluminum pedals with toe clips and straps.
Aside from the seat and grips, I see no need to upgrade the components on this bike because they would be for longer, intense workouts. Instead, I'm keeping this bike (forever) and will invest in a roadbike, probably a Jamis Quest, when I'm ready for the next step.
Summary: I'm not exactly a racer, but I ride open roads regularly. I've put 2,000+ miles on the Coda Sport since May 2007...Now riding about 20-25 miles/day except Saturday sometimes Tuesday when I do 40-50. I am 71 years old and this is my first bike since a Shwinn Varsity in 1973. I love the Coda Sport and love riding. (Bought previous year's model. Price includes 8.25% tax.)
Strengths: Weight and flexibility
Weaknesses: Having trouble with adjusting derailleurs...could be an operator problem though...
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