Hi all, I'm looking at getting a bike for commuting to class and to work. I'll mostly be riding through the downtown areas and through a busy campus (about a 30 minute walk to my farthest class, which I am walking to multiple times a day)
I don't have a big budget so I've been looking at Facebook marketplace. My commute is relatively flat with a couple decent hills every now and then. I am 5'3, so I'm trying to avoid bikes with an aggressive posture. I've also never rode anything else other than a fixed speed bike when I was younger.
So far I've found these two bikes- what do you think? Is one any better than the other?
by RelativeAnxious4604
4 Comments
They have some different strengths.
Jamis:
+ more gear options and wider range of gears = easier to ride hills
+ maybe better quality components /parts
Schwinn;
+ rear rack + fender is nice to have
+ chain cover may save you from getting your pant leg greasy.
+ step-through frame may be easier to get on/off given your short.
My opinion:
The Jamis is a better bike. However, the schwinn has some nice ‘bells and whistles’ that make it a good option.
Either way, never buy the bike until you have had a chance to test ride it!
You can add fenders and a rack fairly easily to any bike, and you’ll need them to commute.
I would try them both first, but your biggest issue is going to be sizing, at 5’3 the schwinn is one size, recommended for 5’4 to 5’9, while the jamis, it comes in various size, if the person selling it a dude or a taller woman, its going to be one of the bigger size and too tall, especially if you want to ride upright. You may get away with being shorter on the schwinn, you just won’t be able to touch the ground fully while remaining seated
Shwinn is a steel frame while the jamis is aluminum, steel frame are a bit heavier but it will last longer, and are less likely to have hidden damage while buying used.
Maybe look a bit more, you can also look at youth/teen bikes, the ones for older teens are often built for 5′ to 5’6, they often have 24 to 26 inches wheels,
I would tell you to look a little more
I sense that you are in the USA
If so, I would tell you to look for a Trek 750 (any of the 700 series, which are the hybrids… the higher the number, the better built and the better components) for women, from the early 90s, size S or 15”
It is very comfortable, easy to customize, it is made of very good quality steel and is light. Normally they came full shimano (acera or altus)
You could get it cheaply and it will last for many years.
You put a comfortable saddle on it… a basket… a luggage rack and enjoy.
That being said, of these two I would choose the Jamis