Bike Setup: Deore LX crankset
Terry Fly Ti saddle
Removed stupid cross brakes
Replaced pedals with Shimano M520's
Tubus racks front and rear
Cool Stop Brake Pads
Planet Bike Fenders
Summary: Mine a 2008 but that option wasn't available. After approx 7K miles I can say that this bike is a winner. The rear wheel is ok. Keep an eye on tension and you should be good to go. I'm a big fan of STI shifters and the Tiagra shifters are great. I like the stock vittoria tires and have purchased additional tires of the same brand. Last about 2400 miles on the rear. Had one that never flatted in those 2400 miles on the rear. Good enough for me. Much lighter than some of the other options in touring tires.
Strengths: Shifters
fit/comfort
Steel 520 frame is smooooooth. Price is very attractive.
Weaknesses: The crank sucks! Why or why do bike companies equip touring bikes with a 30 small ring? If I lived in the flat lands I would still want something lower. Great if you just commuting but....... Steep grades are much more fun with a 26 or better yet a 24. I replaced my crank with an LX mountain crank. Much better choice. Replaced rear wheel after I had rim issues. Cracking around eyelets. Front wheel has been fine. Seat post sucks.
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Bike Setup: Stock except for Brooks B17 Special saddle.
Summary: After a year of riding this bike (2008 model actually), my praise for it has grown many times from my initial impression. If you need a bike that can take you on comfortable long journeys or quickly commute through town, buy this one-you won't be disappointed. It's a well built bike with quality components at a value price point. Comes with a bike lifetime warranty.
Strengths: Comfortable, smooth, and sturdy.
Weaknesses: Stock seats are not very comfortable after a while; after a year, front brake pads are beginning to squeak.
Similar Products Used: Some kind of Schwinn a long time ago.
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Favorite Ride: On the way home from work, Southeast DC, summer.
Bike Setup: Stock everything except upgraded pedals, seat, and a paintjob (stripped the maroon/beige for a neon green).
Summary: Fantastic commuter bike. I am emerging from a 5 day a week 24 mile winter commute, during which I beat the crap out of this thing. It deftly handles steep declines in heavy traffic, streets filled with potholes, dirt, gravel, etc. After using it, I would argue that this bike would be a great deal if it retailed for 1400. I have absolute confidence in this thing to do 6000 miles without a tune-up or a need for new tires.
Strengths: Solid stock features, variable braking mechanism (good for urban riders). Tough as nails. Cheap.
Weaknesses: Brakes are chattery. Cross bar wrap came off after 300 miles or so. 25 inch low gear makes steep inclines difficult when carrying extra weight.
Similar Products Used: Trek 502
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Bike Setup: i think mostly stock, but decent tires and an upgraded seat
Summary: I just bought this bike tonite. I havent ridden a bike since I was around 12 and I wasn't planning on buying this bike. The guy I bought it from was selling a few bikes, probably 5. Not all of them were nice, but this one wasn't for sale, but he needed the money and sold it to me for $250!!! Geez... I have dont quite a bit of reading reviews and i went and rode 3 bikes earlier in the day, I was planning on spending $90.00 on a cheaper bike. With that said, I must say that this bike is the %$^&#!! I have had motorcycles and stuff i'm about 6'0 maybe 6'1, and this bike is nice. The only thing I have to compare it too is the other 3 crappy bikes I rode today. I know they are crappy NOW that i bought a much nicer bike. It shifts like a dream, and they are right on the brakes!!! Its a 27 speed!!! are you kidding me?? I didn't know they made gears like that. When i got home I actually got up and counted them because i didn't know. 3 in the front 9 in the back?? I'm excited to get up tomorrow and mash around the bay!! thanks random guy!!
Strengths: everything. it's smooth, i dont feel any bumps and its light. It has the coolest brake shifters and the tires all come off very easily (dont know if that is stock or not), and it has a very comfortable upright position. This is a sure buy!!
Weaknesses: I dont know yet. Right now I would say the chance that someone will try and steal it, mine already had nicer tires and a nice seat which i heard was something that needed to be done. So all i have to say is GET A U LOCK!@@
Similar Products Used: NONE, A 750 GSXR (MOTORCYCLE) AND A DAYTONA 600 (MOTORYCYCLE AS WELL)
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Bike Setup: Stock, except for Koobi enduro saddle (great) and spd pedals.
Summary: Got a good discount because I belong to LACBC, worth joining. Its a good cause too.
The first frame had the water bottle braze-ons misplaced. The next frame had a serious weld defect which rendered it extremely dangerous.
The people at Bike Attack showed great patience in dealing with the crap quality of the jamis frames. Wish I had bought a Rocky Mountain Sherpa instead. I am sure the canadian frame would be better than the shoddy chinese one on the jamis.
I have had a Jamis Quest for a long time which I love, and am very disappointed by the poor quality of the aurora, I will not buy another jamis.
I bought it with the intention of doing some light touring and commuting. In hindsight I should have changed the fork on the quest to accommodate wider tires and had lower gearing put on it, then I would have had a much better commuting bike for a lot less money.
I give the bike a 3 out 5 for value because it has very poor deore rear derraillier - they could have spent an extra $10 and put something useable on back there.
I give the bike 1 out of 5 overall because of the terrible frame quality. If I hadn't noticed the problems I could have had a potentially lethal frame separation at high speed.
Strengths: The bike is very comfortable with a nice upright position. It is smooth and stable at high speed and the fattish tires work well on rough surfaces. Long rides leave me feeling much less achy than on my Quest. I must be getting old.
The stout fork and wheels inspire hopping off curbs and riding fire trails.
I have no doubt that it would be a bomb-proof long distance tourer.
Weaknesses: Slow and heavy and the frame is flexy, but that is to be accepted given its intended uses. But still, its slower and heavier than I expected on extended rides. The Quest is a rocketship by comparison.
Terrible frame weld quality and low end deore rear derraillier.
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