Strengths: I feel you get far more bike than what you pay for. Tiagra/105 work great! The Ritchey DCS wheels that came on my bike are still true!!! This bike is very durable.
Weaknesses: Handling can be scetchy at little sketcy at times coming down mountain passes, the crankset flexes and is noisy under load. Not a fan of the ergo handlebar.
Bottom Line:
This review is on my older '04 Jamis Ventura Sport, but the bike hasn't changed much since 04 was the first year it was 7005 aluminum. I bought the bike the end of '04 to do a little riding and some commuting. First thing I did was upgrade the seapost and seat but everything else is still as it came from the LBS. I will turn 10,000 miles on the bike in the next month and I think this bike was the best $700 investment I've ever made! Granted the my model had a Tiagra/105 mix rather than the current Sora/Tiagra so shifting and overall operation has been great.
This year is the first year I've really focused on speed and power, thats where the miles, age and components start to show thier weakness. The bike still feels great under me except under extemely hard burst out of the saddle on larger climbs. I can feel the cranks/bb flex pretty bad and it even makes occasional mercy squeaks and pops. The frame however still feels and looks great. Minor knicks and dings expected from over 7 years of rain, mud and rocks but no defects, fade or peel.
For mose people, this bike will be a noble companion and offer years of flawless service. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again and will keep it in my stable as a commuter and trusty rider in bad weather.
Bike Setup: Ritchey cockpit and DCS wheelset, truvativ touro triple, tiagra sti shifters, 105 fd and rd.
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Submitted by
Billy Stratton
a Road Racer
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2011
Bottom Line:
STIFF. I just relocated to Australia until June, and this is the bike to get me through that time away from my beloved Fuji Newest 1.0 2007. For my money, it doesn't get any better than my Fuji (and I've ridden some rad stuff), but the Jamis Ventura Sport 2010 compares pretty effectively. The bike is used, so I think that explains a little creaking and squeaking that the warranty should take care of. Apart from the squeaking, the breaks are quite unresponsive. The derailleurs are clunky; not nearly as quick-witted as my old Fuji. One thing I will say is even without a carbon fork, the Jamis seems lighter, but it's stiff as anything I've ever ridden.
After riding my Jamis for close to a year, I feel that I have gotten to know it pretty well.
On the plus side, I find my bike to be very comfortable, even on 60 mile+ rides. In fact, compared to my other bike it feels somewhat like a Cadillac (slow and sedate). I found this to be an enormous plus in helping me put more miles in. The fastest bike in the world wont make you faster if its too uncomfortable to train on.
Also, $600 (what I paid) is about the least you can spend and still get an actual road bike, so value is a definite plus.
Things to be aware of: I hate my drivetrain. The Shimano 2200 shifters (the lowest quality they make) have eaten 3 shifter cables, leaving me stranded on the road twice. Also, shifting is often clunky and not responsive. This is my only serious complaint with the Jamis.
Overall, I really like the frame and comfort of the Jamis, but wish I could have invested in better shifters and derailleurs (I may still) to improve its reliability.
Strengths: Solid, well built frame.
Decent components.
Seems like it will last a long time.
Weaknesses: Not aggressive geometry.
Horrible stock wheelset.
Lousy stock handelbars.
Bottom Line:
I bought the Jamis Ventura Sport as my first road bike in spring of 08. After putting over 5,000 miles on this bike I can say I am fairly pleased with it. The stock sora/2200 drivetrain has held up surprisingly well despite the lousy reputation of those components.
The aluminum frame and fork feel solid and well built, but the geometry of this bike is on the relaxed side-a very tall headtube compared to other racier bikes makes it difficult to get into a really aero position if that's your thing. The ride style is more of a classic 1980's positioning where you spend a lot of time in the drops.
I did eventually replace the saddle with a nashbar gr2 which has been a big improvement and the red/black striping matches the frame perfectly.
I also replaced the handelbars with some 3t ergonova pro's as I did not like the sharp, angular bends in the drops of the stock bars-the 3t is more of a smooth curved bend.
However, the stock wheelset on mine was an alex dc19 rim/formula hub combo that was complete garbage. Spokes breaking constantly, wheels out of true, on the heavy side. I eventually had enough of the wheels and had a custom set of dtswiss rr1.1 rims/ultegra hubs built up that has been very nice, and matches the bikes aesthetics nicely as well if that matters to you.
Bike Setup: 2007 Jamis Ventura Sport 58cm with dtswiss rr1.1/ultegra wheelset, nashbar gr2 saddle and 3t ergonova bar. Stock everything else.
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Submitted by
griga262
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2009
Strengths: Good selection of gears, I never had a chance to wish for more. Vittoria Zaffiro tires work great for me - no flats in over 1200 miles.
Weaknesses: For this price - none.
Bottom Line:
My bike is 2008. It is a great entry level bike. Not lightning fast, but very well put together. I have done rides of up to 50 miles on it so far, and no problems experienced. I did replace the stock saddle and pedals, plus added two water bottle cages. Otherwise everything is perfect for me.
