The 2009 Jamis Sputnik, available at City Bikes for $900.In looking over Urban Velo's list of 2009 single speeds, the Sputnik was left out. That's too bad, because the bike is a standout. The frame is made from Reynolds 631 tubing, and it has braze-ons for bottle-holders, fenders, and racks. Weighing in at 18.9 pounds, the Sputnik appears to be both fast and practical.
2009 Specs
Frame: Reynolds 631 seamless air-hardened chromoly main tubes featuring SST tubing diameters, double tapered heat-treated cromo stays, lost wax rear entry dropouts w/one eyelet
Fork: Full carbon composite road fork with forged alloy dropouts
Headset: Ritchey LB A headset,1 1/8”
Wheels: Alex DA22 rims, 32H, Formula alloy sealed track hubs, flip/flop rear
Tires: Vittoria Zaffiro, 700 x 23c
Chain: KMC Z510H
Cassette: Formula 16T fixed & 16T freewheel
Crankset: FSA Vero forged alloy single 46T, 170mm (50/53), 172.5mm (55/57), 175mm (59/62)
BB Set: FSA Powerdrive, 68 x 108mm
Pedals: N/A
Brakeset: Tektro R530 forged alloy dual pivot brakes with R200 aero levers
Handlebar: Ritchey Comp Road, 26.0mm x 400mm (50), 420mm (53/55), 440mm (57/59/62)
Stem: Ritchey Road Comp, 6˚ x 90mm (50/53), 100mm (55/57), 120mm (59/62)
Grips: Jamis gel tape
Seat Post: Ritchey Road Comp, 250mm x 27.2mm, with alloy clamp
Saddle: Selle San Marco Ponza Lux
Sizes: 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62cm
Color: Ano Black
Weight: 18.90 lbs
Comments?
3 comments:
Fast? Maybe. Practical? For those (like me) who like the fixed/single-speed experience, then "yes", but only if Reynolds tubing and a carbon fork somehow justify the $900 price tag.
I ride fixies; have built my fair share of them as well, but no way, no how can understand the price for this type of bike. FSA and Ritchey bits? That's pretty OEM on a lot of bikes. And really, is a FG/SS rider going to work that bike so hard they're going to need the name brand components to back it up? The Schwinn Madison has a similar spec (even fancy FSA track cranks) for $550; much more in tune with how I've understood this devotion to "bikes for the rest of us".
Sure, the Schwinn and a couple other FG/SS bikes at the price range are made in China, but according to the Jamis website's FAQ, Jamis frames are "made in Asia". Going by the fact that they choose not to mention which specific Asian nation, I'd bet it's a giant-sized bike (and everything else) manufacturing Asian country starts with 'C' and ends with 'A'.
Again, I'm a fixed gear rider (among other two-wheeled vehicles, pedaled or of the motorcycle and scooter variety) and do appreciate FG/SS riding. The price of this Jamis just smacks me with confusion.
Hell, it doesn't even have a hip or trendy paint job/styling motif like some of those FGs Specialized has. For a $900 FG/SS bike with the name of "SPUTNIK" I'd expect at least a little styling nod to Soviet-like styling cues. That's a wasted opportunity, IMO.
"You've gotta cut corners somewhere to sell a bike as nice as the San José in the $600 to $700 price range, and it appears that the wheels are the weak point of the model." - the late great Sheldon Brown.
As always, you get what you pay for. With the Sputnik, you get a high-quality frame... the same one they use to build the popular Quest road bikes.
The Madison is a beautiful bike - the 2008 was a powder blue and the 2009 is bright yellow with matching rims. The 2009 model is $629.
From a BFTROU perspective, the major problem with the Madison is that it can't carry stuff. I was happy that they added braze-ons for bottle holders, but there are still none for racks or fenders. Of course, you could attach the old-style clamp-on racks, but you'd risk chipping that glossy paint job.
Nice bike for the money nonetheless.
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