Alathea

I've ridden 8 bikes so far in the last week or so, and have liked three of them. The 'low' is a Raleigh Misceo 2.0 at 500, middle is a CL find, a Jamis Aurora for 600, with some upgrades, and high is a bike from one of the LBS that handles boutique and roadies, mostly, an Urban Xtreme KHS at Mark 869.00 ish. The Jamis was just full tuned and trued by the guy that owns the shop with the Urban, and the bike owned by a guy that lives in doctor Ville. It's a creme Ville and I don't know the year but it's in great shape and low miles.

I've ridden all three, like all three and can spend on the Urban if it's the better bike. They all fit, other than bits and pieces like grips or stock saddles. I'm an urban/paved trail rider, in Lincoln Ne. Which it's three better overall bike fit the cost listed? The Jamis chimes with no support, while the other two have lifetime adjustments.

Im 340, with a dismal inseam of 29.


JAMIS https://lincoln.craigslist.org/bik/5017995531.html

KHS https://khsbicycles.com/bikes/urban-xtreme-15/

https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-city-commute-misceo-2

Black wallnut 

The Raleigh seems the best value of the three you listed. The other two do not seem to have any better groupset than it. Which includes the shifters, front crankset (front gears) and deraileurs.

ColaJacket

Agreed. Lifetime adjustments for a Clyde can be a big deal with the wheels. The main reason to get a CL bike is that it is less expensive than a new bike.

The KHS and the Raleigh both the same range of 8-speeds, but the Raleigh has a triple crank in the front with a better granny gear than the KHS. Both the Raleigh and the KHS have 32/32 spokes on the wheels.

At almost half the price, the Raleigh looks like a much better value than the other 2.

Just make sure that the shop that you buy from does a basic fit for you on the bike. And ask them to make sure that the spoke tension is consistent for the wheels.

GH

dr_lha

I wouldn't go for the Raleigh because it has flat bars. That's just me maybe, but I believe if you're going to get into cycling, you're going to want drop bars in the future, so you'd be saving yourself needing to buy another bike in 12 months time by getting one with drops.

The Jamis Aurora is a very nice bike, I have a friend who rides one and he likes it. It's a little heavy due to it's lower end Chromoly frame (Reynolds 520 is basically standard 4130 Chromoly). However, I would say that the biggest issue with it I would say are the cantilever brakes, which can be finicky to dial in. That said I rode a bike with cantis for 2500 miles last year, and had few issues.

I have no real opinion of the KHS. It has disc brakes, which if you plan on downhilling in the rain a lot, will definitely be better than cantis.

Alathea

GOod points. I rode the Misceo and felt like I was going to break it- it feels really 'light' compared to the Urban and the Jamis (even being steel). Reading here, steel is something I looked for and found in the Jamis- I just dont want to worry about the alloy 6061 frame down the road. Maybe I worry too much.

I talked to the Urban dealer in town and he says he may have an Urban X he can build up. Its got 36 spk wheels. Im wondering, since I liked the upper end of that family if the 36spk wheel is enough of a benefit at the 589 he quoted me to consider it, too. HE did quote me a custom build, but I don't have the 1100 for a 'basic' build and frame that he charges. *gulp* I plan on replacing the saddle with a Brooks and the grips with Ergons at some point soon.

dr_lha

Even though I'm a guy who prefers steel frames on bikes for various reasons (comfort and aesthetics being amongst them), I wouldn't worry too much about breaking an aluminum frame.

MRT2

I like the Jamis, but wonder about the price. It is a 2009 model that sold new for $1,000. And as far as I can tell, it is stock down to original tires and brake pads. I would make an offer on it.

I wouldn't worry about cantilever brakes. I have that identical brake on my Salsa Casseroll, though I did upgrade the pads

ColaJacket

Comfort and fit are the best guides to buying a bike. It sounded above, like you liked the ride of all 3 equally. If you don't really like how the Raleigh rides, then eliminate it.

Does one of the bikes excite you about biking? If one of them does that more than the others, then get that bike. Don't over-analyze too much. Go back and ride the 2-3 bikes that you liked the most.

If you can only narrow it down to 2, then flip a coin. While the coin is in the air, if you're hoping that the coin lands in favor of one specific bike then get that one. If you're neutral, then buy the way the coin decides.

GH

Wilfred Laurier

I too think the Jamis is the best of the three, and probably worth the extra $100 over the considerably lower end Raleigh.

Although all three bikes should be decent and, if they all fit, you will not be disappointed no matter which you chose.

Alathea

I try to avoid looking at the prices if at all possible just so I don't get caught in the marketing blitz. I wont get lifetime tuneups with the Jamis, and it is mostly stock except for the safety brakes on the bars, and the road bar. If its the better frame and bike overall is what im looking for but it sounds like all of them are pretty much in the same family all the way around. Im going to look at the KHS Urban since I liked its big brother so much.

I liked the way the Raleigh rode, I just wasn't used to the frame 'feel'. Im coming from a 2011 Specialized Hard Rock Sport 29 with 700cc tires, Brooks, and Ergon grips that I added later. It was heavier than all of these.

MRT2

nope. The extra brake levers were stock that year.

Don't worry about lifetime tuneups. What they are talking about is very basic adjustments that you can and should learn to do yourself, not major overhauls or replacing worn parts. For sure that will cost you.

I would offer $500 cash and see if they take it. I think that is fair for a low mileage 6 year old bike with stock everything.

Wilfred Laurier

All are good bikes, so as long as it fits, whatever you get will be good.

A quick correction, though - 700cc is a volume measurement of a wine bottle with one gulp taken out; 700C is the name of a bicycle tire size.

Alathea

Derp. I was talking with my son about the corkscrew device in that Schwarzenegger movie from the 90s, where he goes to Mars when I typed that.

camp43

Isn't the 57cm Jamis a little big for a 29" inseam? I'm a 29" and I don't think I'd fit over it. I generally need a 54 or less.

Alathea

With the seat all the way down I just clear it. It's probably more 29.5, but I don't quibble much

UrHuckleBerry

Jeez that Jamis is down the street, glad to see another Lincoln Clyde even if half of the paths are covered in mud and sand from recent weather. As everyone has stated lifetime adjustments can be a big deal if you are hard on rims, at least for spot truing that Joyride offers. The basic maint of adjusting brake cables and derailleur is easy. How does the stand over feel on the Jamis?

Alathea

Lol, right at the bottom of'the package' with mostly flat feet and the seat down. It feels better to ride, more stretched than the Coda I tried.

Alathea

Jamis guy keeps whaling me about the bike, and it's middle of the road components that are better than what I've looked at already....

But, I found the bike that makes my ❤ go zing. On a whim I stopped at the other used bike shop in town that had a bit more selection and I got a.........

2007 SURLY black crosscheck 54 with uploaded new cassette and front crank, stock derailleur, upped new brakes, and index bar end shifters, with fenders. For 625.00 and tax after installing the fenders.He's giving it another once over tonight and checking the tension on the spokes to fit me. I'll get it tomorrow. His shop is one of three where all the 'bikers' hang out, kind of like the vint shop for motorcycles where all the Triumph owners and Indian owners hang out. He's young but I gather he has a pretty good reputation.

Alathea

I know. Pics or id didnt happen....

Ritchie hndlebar post, stock bars, cork, Kenda John Tomac(?) tires, stock 36 rims, Sram (?) bar ends (that I may move up if I feel I might kill myself in traffic), and basic SKS fenders. 2x9 font and back, and im not sure on the cassette and brakes- they are new and added after by the shop guy.

I want to put a Brooks on it. What color, thats the question. Bike is Black. Im thinking a B190 or a b66. Which is better for 300+? Tom Stormcrow?

CAS

dr_lha

Alathea

I am thrilled beyond belief and I did tell him I wasn't sure which one of us came out ahead.

Alathea

It just occurred to me- the bar end shifters look like tiny little middle fingers to the people behind me. :-) That's funny.

beakersbike

Maybe we need a Lincoln Clydes forum. Okay, I'm in Denver now but most of my life has been in Lincoln. I'm glad you found the Surly, I'd have said none of the above before that. The Jamis was a much better bike and even without the lifetime tuneups probably would have cost you less in the long run. Take it from another 340 Clyde with enough experience buying entry level bikes - you spend more replacing wheels, seat posts, seats etc than you save. Surly's are generally more sturdy, that was a great find.

Alathea

The guy is really nice, too. walked me through the frame, reminded me to avoid a kickstand if at all possible, also reminded me to bring it in in a month or two for both checkups, to talk about the shifters and how they feel for me, and to wet coat the inside of the frame because he does not know if the prior single owner had it done. Shook my hand on the way out the door and said to come on by if I needed anything.

Recycled Bicycles
Lincoln, NE

Incidentally, he had an older couple bring in a small 'bannanna' bike while I was there, with full steel fenders and frame, with integrated rack, for kids. I didnt think much of it except it was 'radio flyer' red and faded in that patina way that only older bikes can get, AND it had a separator bolt at the crank to split the frame into two and fold up. A real 'garage' find of some kind. He doesn't know much about it yet, but I know Ill be going back down there just to find out what it is that he has. Its a real neat looking piece.

HA it was one of these-