OK, sorry. Things got sort of busy and some of you were kept in suspense for too long. Plus, I had to wait until I had good light during the day to take pictures. I got a new bike!
I ended up finding a good deal on a bike that is, in my opinion, a pretty good value even at MSRP. I bought a 2004 Jamis Satellite. I got intrigued by Jamis a few months ago because I saw a Quest on eBay for a reasonable amount that I could almost afford. When I was researching it I found out that the Quest had won Bicycling Magazine's 2005 Editor's Choice award for best value road bike. Pretty impressive for a brand I'd never heard of. So that put them on my radar. What I found was a 2004 Satellite that was new old stock. It sat in a warehouse somewhere, unsold, unbuilt, unridden, until somehow somebody found it and sold it to me.
The Satellite is the little brother to the Quest. The frame on the Satellite is Reynolds 520 where the Quest is 631, and the components are bottom of the barrel Shimano Sora instead of the Quest's 105 gear. But hey, let's be realistic. I'm not Lance Armstrong. I don't race. Currently the best bike I have has Suntour downtube friction shifters. Sora is a quantum leap up for me. And it's got a carbon fiber fork. I've never owned a carbon fiber anything before. Thrillsville, let me tell ya. It weighs a whopping 3 pounds more than the Quest too. Which I'm finding humorous. My winter bike weighs in at almost 50 pounds, not including the big commuting pannier I strap on it every day. This bike lists out at 23 pounds. But fortunately it's got a triple front chainring so I can really granny down if I struggle getting that extra weight up a hill.
I took it for a small spin this morning, just down the street in my neighborhood. Nor far enough to really get a feel for it. Not really even long enough to say I've ridden it. But just enough so I'm not quite so antsy to ride it. Don't worry, the streets were dry and I carried it over the snow in the driveway.
When's summer going to be here??
More pictures available my flickr account.
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14 comments:
Pete, Nice ride! What a thrill it is to get a new bike. Glad to see someone else still believes in steel. I ride only steel framed bikes. Unless you're riding at a very high level of racing, steel is the best riding material out there for the best price. And, if you choose, it will last you the rest of your life.
Congratulations on the new bike! What a beauty!
Wahoo! Congrats -- it's beautiful!
It's no Masi, but it is pretty to look at!
Yay, bike!
Mmmmm...purdy :)
Very nice, Pete.
Cheers
Most certainly good for you!! and right at the start of spring when the long miles will come. i'm going to have some major catching up to do to have any chance.
Great looking bike. I'll be curious to hear what you think about the handling after you get a chance to put some miles on.
Looked at your other picts. Did you heed the warning sticker and read your manual before riding the bike?
We don't need no steenking owner's manual...
Sweet.
Um, this is me being dumb and/or lazy but is that some sort of dishless rear wheel?
I just bought the 2006 and man! this is a machine! okay it's a little heavy and sometimes sluggish. but so am I
Hey, can you let us know the price range you payed for this Jamis Satelite?
I paid just over $500
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