2004 Jamis Satellite

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a bike
shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never owned a road
bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite a while, to make
my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year 2000 Trek 800) can
take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm, which I think would be good
for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

Some favorable comments here:

http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/200403/road_bike_review_3.html

You could do much worse! ;-)

Quoted message said:

Actually, the other question would have to be: How do you get a wife to
allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike (well, plus new shoes for the
clipless pedals)? I've tried. I keep getting, "You already have a decent
bike. You don't need another one." Sometimes, they just don't get it.

Well you could tell her that most entry-level road bikes go for about 800
bucks, so you're getting a deal. Maybe emphasize the fitness angle and
weight loss. Get her interested in riding and have her on your old bike?

jj

jj<[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Well you could tell her that most entry-level road bikes go for
about 800 bucks, so you're getting a deal. Maybe emphasize the
fitness angle and weight loss. Get her interested in riding and
have her on your old bike?

jj

Unfortunately, she already knows the fitness angle. She rides her
exercycle every night, and on her days off, she gets out and rides her
bike outside with a couple other neighbor ladies. We both have Trek
800s. But, I feel I'm beyond that bike. I want more. I feel the
need...the need for speed!

Actually, maybe I can tell her that this bike is just not doing it, for
my commute. I don't ride as much as I used to. Partly, cuz it's not much
fun anymore. Partly, cuz I'm busy at work. Partly cuz I've been lazy
this year. Partly cuz my allergies and asthma have been out of control
the past couple months.

I'm getting the allergies and asthma in check. Just visited an
allergist, and am on new meds.

Would it be worth it to say that riding is just not as fun as it used to
be? And, a new road bike would make it fun again.

Maybe it's time to offer up part of my coin collection to pay for the
new bike. Hmmm. Hate to do that, but.....

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention
of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body.
But rather, it’s to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride!!!'

Eric Babula said:

jj<[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Well you could tell her that most entry-level road bikes go for
about 800 bucks, so you're getting a deal. Maybe emphasize the
fitness angle and weight loss. Get her interested in riding and
have her on your old bike?

jj

Unfortunately, she already knows the fitness angle. She rides her
exercycle every night, and on her days off, she gets out and rides her
bike outside with a couple other neighbor ladies. We both have Trek
800s. But, I feel I'm beyond that bike. I want more. I feel the
need...the need for speed!

Actually, maybe I can tell her that this bike is just not doing it, for
my commute. I don't ride as much as I used to. Partly, cuz it's not much
fun anymore. Partly, cuz I'm busy at work. Partly cuz I've been lazy
this year. Partly cuz my allergies and asthma have been out of control
the past couple months.

I'm getting the allergies and asthma in check. Just visited an
allergist, and am on new meds.

Would it be worth it to say that riding is just not as fun as it used to
be? And, a new road bike would make it fun again.

I don't know - I only believe I'm worthy of a new bike if I've kicked major
ass on the old bike - ridden some awesome hill climb or broken my avg trip
speed by several mph. Major suffering allows major rewards - women can dig
that stuff. ;-)

Quoted message said:

Maybe it's time to offer up part of my coin collection to pay for the
new bike. Hmmm. Hate to do that, but.....

What I did was take on some extra contract work and save up. I rode a 45lb
klunker with big knobbies in the sand for 8 months. When I finally traded
up it was like getting a jet engine, lol.

jj

Eric Babula said:

How do you get a wife to
allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike.

Point out that some guys [censored] away 25K on their Harleys in the quest to be
cool, but most of them ruin the look with enormous beer bellies--you, on
the other hand, can achieve a far superior level of machismo for only 4%
of that...

Nice bike. Very upgradable. Probably would make my short list if I was
looking to buy a pure roadie. A lot of folks might gasp and say "OMG, 23
pounds!!" but that's what a nice road bike weighed twenty years ago and is
going to probably be 10# less than the hi-ten Trek. The frame itself
probably only weighs a pound more than a light Aluminum frame--the extra
couple pounds will be in the basic wheelset, saddle, etc. It'll feel like
a stallion compared to the Trek anyway.

The Sora group shifts just fine, and when it does wear out, dirt cheap to
source new bits on fleabay. Wheelset is Ritchey/Alex which isn't bling,
but should prove to be very long lasting. I've had great experience with
the cheap double wall Alex rims--as long as they're built up well.

Can't think of too many other ~700 dollar bikes that have a frame as nice
as the Jamis. 😉

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a bike
shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never owned a road
bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite a while, to make
my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year 2000 Trek 800) can
take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm, which I think would be good
for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

Actually, the other question would have to be: How do you get a wife to
allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike (well, plus new shoes for the
clipless pedals)? I've tried. I keep getting, "You already have a decent
bike. You don't need another one." Sometimes, they just don't get it.

Hi Eric, who is the dealer? I regularly check out Wheel & Sprocket -
Brookfield and Emerys in Tosa, and I've never seen a Jamis there. The
last time I was at Wares, Johnsons, and Ben's,they weren't carrying
Jamis at that time.

If your bike is 5 years old and you can afford the new one, just do
it. Good God man, you work for the money, you should be able to spend
it;-)

It reminds me of that PM Bedroom Gallery commercial, with that
irritating woman, telling us what she thinks is a waste of money. A
bass boat, a titanium driver, and in my opinion her, with her whining
voice.

Buy the bike!!!

Life is Good!
Jeff

Jeff Starr <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a
bike shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never
owned a road bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite
a while, to make my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year
2000 Trek 800) can take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm,
which I think would be good for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but
didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

Actually, the other question would have to be: How do you get a
wife to allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike (well, plus new
shoes for the clipless pedals)? I've tried. I keep getting, "You
already have a decent bike. You don't need another one." Sometimes,
they just don't get it.

Hi Eric, who is the dealer? I regularly check out Wheel & Sprocket
- Brookfield and Emerys in Tosa, and I've never seen a Jamis there.
The last time I was at Wares, Johnsons, and Ben's,they weren't
carrying Jamis at that time.

If your bike is 5 years old and you can afford the new one, just do
it. Good God man, you work for the money, you should be able to
spend it;-)

It reminds me of that PM Bedroom Gallery commercial, with that
irritating woman, telling us what she thinks is a waste of money. A
bass boat, a titanium driver, and in my opinion her, with her
whining voice.

Buy the bike!!!

Life is Good!
Jeff

Hey, Jeff. Now, if I told you where the bike was, I'll probably lose it
to the likes of you! Ha!

Actually, Wares is carrying Jamis, now. That's where I saw this one.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Eric Babula said:

Actually, the other question would have to be: How do you get a wife to
allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike (well, plus new shoes for the
clipless pedals)? I've tried. I keep getting, "You already have a decent
bike. You don't need another one." Sometimes, they just don't get it.

Yet the same people (not your wife, I'm sure) don't blink at spending
$25,000 on a car to do the same commute, or even $1500/year for the
train.

My wife is a reasonable person. She not only wants me to be healthy and
fit, but understands that $2000 for a bike I spend 10 hours a week
riding, and that will last for years, is such a trivial expense that
it's not even worth discussing. If I were collecting bikes that I
didn't ride very often, it would be different.

It's my opinion that regular bike commuters deserve the best bikes they
can afford. The cost of a good bike is tiny compared to the cost of any
other means of commuting, aside from walking. To quibble of the cost of
the bike is to not understand the issues.

RichC

"rdclark" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

It's my opinion that regular bike commuters deserve the best bikes
they can afford. The cost of a good bike is tiny compared to the
cost of any other means of commuting, aside from walking. To
quibble of the cost of the bike is to not understand the issues.

RichC

My thoughts exactly. But, try explaining that to the one who doesn't
understand the issues. Not always as easy as it seems.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a bike
shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never owned a road
bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite a while, to make
my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year 2000 Trek 800) can
take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm, which I think would be good
for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

Pretty good, though the Bianchi Brava (also Sora and 520 chromolly)
might be a better choice.

If the Jamis is as pictured, then you're going to need a headset
extended if you're going to be using it as a commute bike.

SMS <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

If the Jamis is as pictured, then you're going to need a headset
extended if you're going to be using it as a commute bike.

Sorry, I'm a bit ignorant about bikes. What do you mean by this? My
commute is 14 miles each way, FWIW.

And, thanks for the Bianchi Brava tip. I'll look into it.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention
of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body.
But rather, it’s to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride!!!'

Eric Babula said:

SMS <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

If the Jamis is as pictured, then you're going to need a headset
extended if you're going to be using it as a commute bike.

Sorry, I'm a bit ignorant about bikes. What do you mean by this? My
commute is 14 miles each way, FWIW.

The poster is commenting on being able to achieve proper comfortable
handlebar height for commuting. Whats proper for the poster may or may not
be proper for you. I happen to have always ended up *lowering* the bars on
my commute bikes as I felt to tippy and upright. To each his own.

I don't think you'll need an extender, a gizmo that raises up the portion
where the stem clamps onto, that's just from looking at the pictures
though--if you get the right size, seems you should be able to get the
bars within an inch or two of the saddle. You can also swap stems for one
with a bit more rise.

No big deal, unless you want a "Rivendell" setup with the bars several
inches above the saddle,then get an extender--they're not very expensive.
No worries.

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a bike
shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never owned a road
bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite a while, to make
my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year 2000 Trek 800) can
take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm, which I think would be good
for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

You can commute on any bike, of course. The price seems fair for a bike
of this spec. However, while it would be a good choice as an
entry-level road bike that's a little nicer than the barebones models
you can get for a little less money, it's still entry-level. Sora,
Tektro, Alex.

Personally, for me this bike would not qualify as a suitable commuter.
The wheels seem insufficiently robust, clearance for fenders seems
unlikely, and (it's hard to tell) there don't seem to be rack mounts on
the seat stays. I don't know how big you are, but

For a commute of similar scale to yours, I ride a cyclocross frame set
up with high-mounted drop bars, a mix of road and MTB drivetrain parts,
and touring wheels and tires. I do have a road bike more like that
Jamis, but I only use it for training-type rides on better roads out in
the country. It gets the fewest total miles of my three bikes. I weigh
215, and while the wheels and tires on my road bike have been reliable,
I wouldn't trust them on the city streets of Philadelphia.

If you're looking for an "all-rounder" that can stand up to thousands
of commuting miles while still offering a "road bike experience," I'd
give some thought to a tourer or 'cross bike.

My two cents; YMMV.

RichC

maxo <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Eric Babula said:

SMS <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

If the Jamis is as pictured, then you're going to need a headset
extended if you're going to be using it as a commute bike.

Sorry, I'm a bit ignorant about bikes. What do you mean by this?
My commute is 14 miles each way, FWIW.

The poster is commenting on being able to achieve proper
comfortable handlebar height for commuting. Whats proper for the
poster may or may not be proper for you. I happen to have always
ended up *lowering* the bars on my commute bikes as I felt to tippy
and upright. To each his own.

I don't think you'll need an extender, a gizmo that raises up the
portion where the stem clamps onto, that's just from looking at the
pictures though--if you get the right size, seems you should be
able to get the bars within an inch or two of the saddle. You can
also swap stems for one with a bit more rise.

No big deal, unless you want a "Rivendell" setup with the bars
several inches above the saddle,then get an extender--they're not
very expensive. No worries.

I guess I was thinking of using a road bike for my 'fun' commute - days
that are nice, when I don't have a bunch of work to haul. And, I'd keep
my Trek 800 for bad weather days, and days that I had to have the rack
(e.g. if I had my briefcase or laptop to haul).

I don't know how I'd take to a road bike. Handlebars low or high? Won't
know until I give it a shot. Won't get the shot, until I can convince
the wife that I NEED another bike.

Ah, there's the rub.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention
of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body.
But rather, it’s to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride!!!'

Eric Babula said:

I guess I was thinking of using a road bike for my 'fun' commute - days
that are nice, when I don't have a bunch of work to haul. And, I'd keep
my Trek 800 for bad weather days, and days that I had to have the rack
(e.g. if I had my briefcase or laptop to haul).

I don't know how I'd take to a road bike. Handlebars low or high?

Here's how it happened for me:

I was riding a straight bar bike, when after about 8 months I discovered
that I was able to get in a much more stretched out position. I found
myself using a thumb-less grip on the handlebars and that turned out to be
because I was trying to get more 'stretched out' on the bike.

I knew that I needed to go for a roadbike and that 'sitting more upright'
just wasn't working anymore. (I needed it initially b/c of a hip injury
limiting my flexibility).

So I got the guy at the bike shop to put the bike on a trainer and I rode
and had him adjust the seat and move the handlebars until I started feeling
OK on the drops. It still wasn't working so I asked him for a different,
longer stem. He went and got one and tilted the handlebars up a bit and we
raised the seat a bit more and I got a good fit. (I still need to have
longer cables put on when I replace them because this caused them to be
stretched to their limit).

Quoted message said:

Won't
know until I give it a shot. Won't get the shot, until I can convince
the wife that I NEED another bike.

Ah, there's the rub.

It's easier to ask for forgivness...heh-heh.

jj
(good luck)

"rdclark" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a
bike shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never
owned a road bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite
a while, to make my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my
year 2000 Trek 800) can take me. They had this bike there, in
59cm, which I think would be good for me, for $619.00US. I wanted
it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

You can commute on any bike, of course. The price seems fair for a
bike of this spec. However, while it would be a good choice as an
entry-level road bike that's a little nicer than the barebones
models you can get for a little less money, it's still entry-level.
Sora, Tektro, Alex.

Personally, for me this bike would not qualify as a suitable
commuter. The wheels seem insufficiently robust, clearance for
fenders seems unlikely, and (it's hard to tell) there don't seem to
be rack mounts on the seat stays. I don't know how big you are, but

For a commute of similar scale to yours, I ride a cyclocross frame
set up with high-mounted drop bars, a mix of road and MTB
drivetrain parts, and touring wheels and tires. I do have a road
bike more like that Jamis, but I only use it for training-type
rides on better roads out in the country. It gets the fewest total
miles of my three bikes. I weigh 215, and while the wheels and
tires on my road bike have been reliable, I wouldn't trust them on
the city streets of Philadelphia.

If you're looking for an "all-rounder" that can stand up to
thousands of commuting miles while still offering a "road bike
experience," I'd give some thought to a tourer or 'cross bike.

My two cents; YMMV.

RichC

I was thinking of this being my fun commuter bike. You know, a bike to
go fast on, when the weather is decent, and I don't have to haul a lot
of work back and forth. Just get on and go. No rack/panniers. No
fenders. Just pure speed. Well, I'd have to add lights, of course.

I'd keep the Trek 800 for my bad weather commuter, and for days when I
know I'll need to carry 'stuff' back and forth.

BTW - I'm 6'-0" and about 175lbs. I'm not sure how that matters, but...
many of the bike messengers around here are about my size (ok, so
they're mostly thinner), and they all ride single-gear road bikes, with
the skinny tires, all day long. I certainly wouldn't be beating my bike
up as much as they do.

Again, all this wonderful talking/dreaming is moot, unless I can find a
way to convince the wifey that this is a necessary purchase.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a bike
shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never owned a road
bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite a while, to make
my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year 2000 Trek 800) can
take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm, which I think would be good
for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

Actually, the other question would have to be: How do you get a wife to
allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike (well, plus new shoes for the
clipless pedals)? I've tried. I keep getting, "You already have a decent
bike. You don't need another one." Sometimes, they just don't get it.

Easy, you tell her the other option is a car that costs $10,000 a year
to operate and that $700 bike seems pretty reasonable.....

W

The Wogster said:

Eric Babula said:

What do you people think of the 2004 Jamis Satellite? I was at a bike
shop for kicks and giggles, and saw this bike. I've never owned a road
bike before, but have been jonesing for one for quite a while, to make
my 14 mile commute faster than 'The Tank' (my year 2000 Trek 800) can
take me. They had this bike there, in 59cm, which I think would be good
for me, for $619.00US. I wanted it, but didn't fall to impulse buying.

So, any comments on this bike?

Actually, the other question would have to be: How do you get a wife to
allow you to spend over $700 on a new bike (well, plus new shoes for the
clipless pedals)? I've tried. I keep getting, "You already have a decent
bike. You don't need another one." Sometimes, they just don't get it.

Easy, you tell her the other option is a car that costs $10,000 a year
to operate and that $700 bike seems pretty reasonable.....

W

Heh, or even more devious - tell her you've just gotta have the $5K Trek
Madone. Get crazy about it. Then 'settle' for the Jamis.

jj

jj<[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Easy, you tell her the other option is a car that costs $10,000 a
year to operate and that $700 bike seems pretty reasonable.....

W

Heh, or even more devious - tell her you've just gotta have the $5K
Trek Madone. Get crazy about it. Then 'settle' for the Jamis.

jj

Unfortunately, neither argument is gonna work. We have a 2002 car and
2004 minivan. And, I already told her how juiced I was about the Jamis!

This is gonna take some work.

--
Eric Babula
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Eric Babula said:

jj<[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Easy, you tell her the other option is a car that costs $10,000 a
year to operate and that $700 bike seems pretty reasonable.....

W

Heh, or even more devious - tell her you've just gotta have the $5K
Trek Madone. Get crazy about it. Then 'settle' for the Jamis.

jj

Unfortunately, neither argument is gonna work. We have a 2002 car and
2004 minivan. And, I already told her how juiced I was about the Jamis!

This is gonna take some work.

Well, time to pull out all the stops. Soft lights, music and just a
teaspoon of honey. Work between the screams... ;-D

jj
"...han I geth theth Jameth?"