blairm24

Hi I have the option of an older 2015 brand new Jamis xenith comp. Its a 105 groupset but a FC-RS500 crankset with 105 breaks and carbon frame. For the same price I can get a 2018 Giant contend sl 1 disc. It has a full 105 groupset with disc breaks but aluminum frame. What would you suggest?

Cyclist0108

Jamis.

McBTC

Is it for use as a road bike with a more upright position and narrower and higher pressure tires or for dirt and off-road hilly back country mountain biking with knobbies and lower gears?

blairm24

Looking for best option for all around riding. I am new to road biking but would guess i would change the jamis tires from a 23 to 25mm

McBTC

The '15 Jamis has a pretty tight cassette, only going to 25T but the compact crank is normal even by '19 standards. You could probably put on a wider range cassette for some lower gears but you'd have to add some chain and possibly a larger capacity derailleur.

blairm24

Would have to do the same for the giant? which bike would be a better overall bike?Thank you for the help

McBTC

Giant looks ready to go... even comes with 28s which is what I'd want-- I can only fit 25s on the rear of my rig.

rms13

Should go without saying but ride both. The Giant is more relaxed and upright geometry. Giant has hydraulic discs that are cable actuated. I've never used those brakes so I dont know how they perform vs full hydraulic but I like the mechanical shimano levers much more then the hydraulic levers. I think Giants house wheels are probably better then Alex on the Jamis. The rest of the finishing parts are probably a wash. Aluminum has come a long way and Giant makes nice frames.

Lazyass

I would get the Jamis. I like discs but not the hideous Giant Conduct's, and I like a racing geometry. I like snappy, sharp handling bikes. For a race bike the Jamis doesn't have a real short stack like race bikes used to, it would be more than comfortable enough for me. Probably weighs a couple of pounds less as well.

bbattle

Test ride both bikes, get the one that you like to ride.

rms13

I would agree between the two. But for the record, the listed weight on that Jamis is the same as the Fuji Roubaix I just got with Tiagra for about $765 new and the Fuji has more traditional race geometry. The Fuji is aluminum but sub 1100 gram frame. Most of the new Tiagra parts are very close in weight to 105 . The big difference is crank weight but neither bike has the series crank . The oval/praxis crank on the Fuji weighs less then 105 cranks . I'd imagine the non series Shimano cranks on the Jamis are a bit heavy on top of being ugly . That's the one real negative on that bike for me aesthetically but an easy upgrade

blairm24

Thanks for this! ya the 2015 xenith comp with 105 groupset minus the crank is 1000 for carbon which i thought was a good deal

goenrdoug

Both appear to come with pretty basic wheels, but, all else being equal, I'd go with the Jamis.

TiHabanero

Seven thousand bucks? Some damned fine hooch they are drinking over there in Waterloo.