I want to like the Jamis, and I am sure it's a good bike, but the GT is $800 less expensive! And from what I have read online, people who have it love it.
631 steel frame vs. aluminum is the biggest difference. Good steel frames are always priced at a premium. Alloy just isn't going to ride like steel. If 631 steel is important then you should compare the Jamis to other steel framed bikes. If 631 steel doesn't matter then check out the 520 steel Jamis Renegade Expat which is $1,200 or the alloy Jamis Renegade Explore which is $1,000. Those models are more in line with that GT Grade you are considering.
GOTA wrote:631 steel frame vs. aluminum is the biggest difference. Good steel frames are always priced at a premium. Alloy just isn't going to ride like steel. If 631 steel is important then you should compare the Jamis to other steel framed bikes. If 631 steel doesn't matter then check out the 520 steel Jamis Renegade Expat which is $1,200 or the alloy Jamis Renegade Explore which is $1,000. Those models are more in line with that GT Grade you are considering.
Good point on the steel quality. But I don't necessarily agree with your other suggested comparison bikes.
I didn't compare all the specs, but for starters, the Expat is Tiagra and Explore is Sora. The GT is 105 and and has hydro brakes.
Unless you are racing, and if you were I don't think you be considering these bikes, 105 isn't really that important. The Tiagra series that came out in 2016 is really good. The shifting especially is very impressive.
Check out the components forum on this board. It's very possible what you end up upgrading to isn't Shimano at all but Genevalle. Riding gravel isn't the same as riding asphalt. A lot of what those of us who ride road think of as what is needed is very different when it comes to gravel. Mud and dirt can do a real number on a drive train that works great on paved roads. Once you read through the components, wheels and tires forums you may want to keep the components down but spend that same money on a more gravel friendly wheelset. There are a ton of great resources here to go through
I pulled the trigger on a 2018 GT Grade Alloy. Aluminum frame, 105 group set, hydro brakes... At under $1400, it was 600-800 less than the other bikes I was considering. Plus, everything I've read from owners online suggest that the bike is well-loved.
GOTA wrote:Unless you are racing, and if you were I don't think you be considering these bikes, 105 isn't really that important. The Tiagra series that came out in 2016 is really good. The shifting especially is very impressive.
Check out the components forum on this board. It's very possible what you end up upgrading to isn't Shimano at all but Genevalle. Riding gravel isn't the same as riding asphalt. A lot of what those of us who ride road think of as what is needed is very different when it comes to gravel. Mud and dirt can do a real number on a drive train that works great on paved roads. Once you read through the components, wheels and tires forums you may want to keep the components down but spend that same money on a more gravel friendly wheelset. There are a ton of great resources here to go through
Totally agree with your comments - I purchased a Jamis Expat 4 months ago and I've been most impressed with the Tiagra shifting - I've had both Shimano 105 and Campy Record groupsets on my road bikes and Tiagra is their equal for shifting - they never miss a beat.
![[thumb]](https://cdn.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif "Thumb - :thumb:")