Dirt Farmer

Yep, the title says it all.

I've got a couple of bikes in mind, and am wondering if anyone owns these and can chime in.

First up is the Jamis Quest Elite.

questelite

Pros: I've a Jamis Coda Sport from 2005 that is my commuter and I love it!; Ritchey components seem decent, don't they? (help a lifelong mountain biker out.... they are decent, aren't they?); Reynolds 631 tubing.

Cons: The sloped top tube, as I prefer a more vintage triangle. A minor quibble, though.

Next is the Raleigh Grand Vitesse.

https://www.raleighusa.com/grand-vitesse-1425

Pros: Top tube not quite as sloped as the Jamis; even better Reynolds tubing (853)!; Ultegra vs. 105, (another minor quibble).

Cons: the ugly black components!; how are ProMax brakes? I've not heard of them.

Both bikes are about the same weight (20 for the Jamis; 20.19 for the Raleigh). Both feel good in the cockpit.

Any others to check out in this price range? There is the Bianchi Vigorelli, but I've not ridden one. How are the Bianchi proprietary brakes (Repartee Corse)?

Again, if you've ridden either of these, let me know what you think. Even if you haven't, let me know what you think.

I'm more into endurance/comfort and am not a racer/competitor. Also, I doubt I'll feel the need to change out to wider tires, so clearance should not be an issue.

Thanks

MagicHour

Have you looked at the Black Mountain Cycles Road? Love mine - 21lbs with Ultegra(cranks, derailleurs)/105(cassette,shifters)/Tektro(brakes) mix, Fulcrum 5 LG wheels and Ritchey/Fabric cockpit. Has a steel fork whereas the Jamis and Raleigh have carbon forks, that's why it comes in a little heavier. Has endurance geometry, takes up to 700x33 tires, and has a low and long wheelbase which makes it very stable on decents. Really fun bike.

PS built as above came in around ~$1500.

PeregrineA1 

Have you considered used? Opens up many options and it is easy to stay within your budget.

Scarbo

Surly Cross Check. In Mule Mug, of course.

PS: If you're gonna do steel, then do steel and nix the carbon fork. I can't stand these kinds of equivocations.

Dirt Farmer

I can't find the weight of one, but I assume it's gotta be, what, 25-27 pounds? Sadly, no Reynolds tubing. It's also much more CX than what I'm wanting.

seypat

This is the thread you should be looking at.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...i-s-ergos.html

12strings

I have a 2015 Jamis Quest Comp (520 steel, carbon fork, Sora), and really like it. I use it for fast group rides with lots of hills. Also, I've recently discovered that it fits 30mm cross tires, so pretty versatile. Not sure if the Elite has the same clearance. I would have gotten the elite if money allowed, but I'm very happy with what I have...stands out from all the Carbon bikes.

I've grown to like the appearance of the slopes tube...I got a stem that basically matches that angle, which helps with line symmetry (a down flipped stem from the steered tube angle, but still angled slightly up from horizontal, like the top tube).

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/1097135-new-wheel-day-2-bikes-one.html

Dirt Farmer

Yeah, I usually live in the C & V forum, and saw that thread. Very nice bikes, indeed! I already have a vintage Falcon, but am looking for a modern day bike.

Dirt Farmer

Thanks for the info.

Marcus_Ti

ProMax primarily has done BMX components. They also sell some other cockpit-related components for road/MTB. Inexpensive stuff not worried about weight much, their bits can be sold blingy with nice looking anodize treatments. They're one of the few people that do blue-anodize stems/seatposts (hence how I know-I have a post and stem on my touring/unpavement rig).

Their stuff is sold on QBP.

https://www.promaxcomponents.com/

Can't comment on how good/bad their brakes are. Odds are, like their posts/stems, inexpensive and not remarkable in terms of weight.

Ajkollme

If I were buying one at that price point I would get the all city mr. pink. $2200 for a Columbus zona full build.


Mr. Pink | All-City Cycles

Dirt Farmer

Yeah, those look nice. The only dealers near me only sell frames, and I don't want to build.

Marcus_Ti

All-City is a QBP branding. Any shop that sells QBP can (if they want) get them. Same as Foundry or Surly or Salsa.

Pompiere

I have a 2011 Quest, which was the only model back then. At 55, the "endurance" geometry works well for me. The only change I have made is a Brooks saddle. In 2011, there weren't many steel road bikes to chose from, but I have been very happy with it.

bikecrate

I like my 2012 Jamis Quest. Solid comfortable ride.

kingston 

Did you see the Raleigh Carlton Ti? Although for $2k I would buy a vintage frame and build my own, this one looks pretty good.

ptempel

If you're willing to build you own, then you can open up your search to framesets. The Soma ES and Smoothie look nice. The ES has a little longer chain stays and wheelbase and is their century type frame. You could probably build one for less than $2000. They have the ES frameset for ~$467 online. Only drawback is that there is no try before you buy.

Edit: Some more I'd consider:

Holdsworth Competition
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOCO/...ition-frameset
(only avail in 4 sizes, though)

Bob Jackson Audax
https://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product/audax-club/
https://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/pr...audax-end-end/

Gunnar Roadie
https://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/roadie/

Dirt Farmer

Whoa, I did not . Looks much nicer than the Grand Vitesse. Thanks!

Dirt Farmer

Yes, I must try before buying.

ptempel

Yeah, that makes it tough to buy online only. You could also compare the geometry to what you do know about and/or like. Also, there must be folks here on BF that bought some of these framesets. Maybe they can give a mini review? I forget the thread where I saw the Bob Jackson mentioned...

Hiro11

The Carlton is sort of a deliberately retro model with 531, steel fork, a 1" steerer and silver Potenza. If that's what you're looking for, it might make sense. It's a bike trying to strike a pose, though.

The Grand Vitesse is a more modern (and more practical) bike. However, the wheels, cockpit and calipers are all generics.

The Jamis is a very upright frame with a practical build. It's not as good a deal as the Grand Vitesse to me.

If you can stretch to a bit over $2K, I'd recommend building your own. I'd get a Ritchey Road Logic frame (or a nice vintage / used frame), an Ultegra group from Wiggle, good alloy components and a set of hand built wheels on Shimano hubs.

Lastly, if you're an experienced cyclist and you know what you want, I disagree that you need to try before you buy. The key is to know exactly what sizing you need. Short road tests are a bit meaningless.

kingston 

Interesting that the spec sheet says Potenza and the picture shows Athena. Athena does a much better job at striking the retro pose than Potenza will.

Please don’t put an ultegra crank on a vintage steel frame. I personally wouldn’t put one on a Road Logic either. You can still get silver Athena and silver Centaur comes out in September.

Completely agree

Frank72

Not sure what size you need but there's a dealer in Chicago that has a few 2016 Quest Elites for around $1200. Might be worth checking out if you go with a Quest.

Jamis Quest Elite (e11) - Kozy's Chicago Bike Shops | Chicago Bike Stores, Bicycles, Cycling, Bike Repair

Of course you may want to buy local and already have a good relationship with your LBS.

Danny01

Since you are is WI, you can check out Gunnar. You can get a custom fit geometry made to measure steel frame. They are located in Waterford, WI. Same company as Waterford but cheaper.

With 105 groupo, you can probably build it up for around $2k.

kingston 

I've always been intrigued by this wabi.