Okay, I finally have it down to two bikes and I jsut need a nudge to decide which will win the brawl to be my next bike. Its the 04' REI/Novara Express v. the 04' Jamis Coda Comp. Both ride beautifully, with some advantages and disadvantages that are hard to quantify. They will cost me exactly the same, $785 including tax. Take a look at the specs and you will see some key differences including frame material and cassette ranges. PLEASE tell me what you think.
In this corner, the Jamis
Reynolds 520
double-butted Cr-Mo main tubes,
double tapered Cr-Mo stays,
forged dropouts with eyelets.
Carbon fiber unicrown, cromo steerer,
and low rider bosses.
Aheadset, alloy, 1-1/8",
2Omm alloy spacers.
Ritchey-built Aero wheelset,
700c, 32/32H,
with Ritchey Aero Comp rims
& hubs, 3x front & rear.
Hutchinson Excel,700x28C, blackwall
FShimano R443-A 28.6mm /bottom pull
RShimano Deore XT
Shimano SL-R660 for flat-bar,
27-speed.
Shimano CN-HG73
SRAM PowerGlide ll 7.0,9-speed,11-32T
TruVativ Elita, 52/42/30T, 170mm
TruVativ ISIS Drive SL, 68x118mm.
Wellgo full alloy platform type
with single sided clipiess body
Avid Single Digit 5 direct pull brakes
with Speed Dial 5 levers.
Ritchey Comp flat bar,
6061 T-6, 5° bend x 580mm
Ritchey Pro Adjustable, 1OOmm
WTB Dual Compound.
Suspension, 45mm travel,
350mm x 27.2, alloy clamp
with QR seatpin.
Selle Royale Look-In,
#2007 with gel,
Xsenium top and cromo rails.
16", 17.5"
Polished
And in this corner, the Novara
Frame AN6 aluminum
Fork EVO carbon fiber
Head set FSA cartridge zero stack
Rear derailleur Shimano 105
Front derailleur Shimano FD
Shifters Shimano SL-R440
Brake levers Shimano R440
Brakes Shimano A-550
Crankset TruVativ Elita 52/42/30
Freewheel Shimano 12/25 x9
Bottom bracket/axle TruVativ ISIS
Hubs Shimano 105
Rims Mavic CPX 22
Spokes Stainless steel
Tires Vittoria Randonneur 700 x 28
Stem Ritchey Angle Adj
Handlebar Ritchey Pro Mountain
Saddle Fizik CP Pave
Seat post Ritchey Comp
Pedals Platform w/ toe clips
Weight 22.7 (47 cm) pounds
THANKS