Upgrading Jamis Satellite

kidtaurus said:

I just recently got into road biking and bought myself a Jamis Satellite at the recommendation of the LBS here in Athens, Ga. I was wondering what you guys would recommend that I upgrade next.

Honestly, nothing.

I suggest that you ride the Satellite for a while especially if you are only using it for commuting. When you have the money to upgrade, or feel the need, sell the bike on E-bay and buy a new Quest or Comet or even a completely different brand.

The problem with Sora is that it is 8 speed. If you upgrade anything, it will be 9 or 10 speed and you pretty much have to upgrade the entire drive train to do that.

I speak from experience because my first bike was Sora too. I found that it was financially advantageous to buy a complete bike rather than piecemeal components together for an upgrade. The group discount on a complete bike far outweighs any sales deal you can find. Furthermore, you will have to either pay someone to swap out the parts or you will have to buy the special tools needed to do it yourself. Either way, it costs more.

jitteringjr said:

The problem with Sora is that it is 8 speed. If you upgrade anything, it will be 9 or 10 speed and you pretty much have to upgrade the entire drive train to do that.

That's just BS. There are upgrades that can be made within 8 speed, and to go to 9 requires only shifters,chain and casette.

kidtaurus said:

I just recently got into road biking and bought myself a Jamis Satellite at the recommendation of the LBS here in Athens, Ga. I was wondering what you guys would recommend that I upgrade next. I use primarily to commute to and from school. The specs are as follows. Thanks.

FRAME

Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly main tubes, double tapered cromo stays, forged dropouts with single eyelets.
FORK Carbon fiber unicrown,chromo steerer, forged dropouts.
HEADSET Aheadset, alloy cap, 1 1/8”, 20mm alloy spacers.
WHEELSET Alex R450 alloy double-walled rims, 700c (650c on 47cm), 28H radial front/32H 2X rear,Ritchey Road Comp hubs, 14g stainless steel spokes.
TIRES Hutchinson Flash, 700 x 23C, wire bead (CST-1115 650c on 47cm)
DERAILLEURS Shimano Sora GS rear, Sora 28.6mm band clamp front.
SHIFTERS Shimano Sora, Dual Control STI, 27-speed
CHAIN KMC HG50.
FREEWHEEL Shimano HG50, 8-speed, 12-25.
CRANKSET TruVativ Touro, 52/42/30, 165mm (47),
170mm (50-53), 175mm (55 - 62).
BOTTOM BRACKET TruVativ Sealed Cartridge, 68 x 113mm.
PEDALS Touring platform, alloy cage/alloy body, toe clips.
BRAKESET Tektro dual pivot calipers,Shimano Sora STI levers.
HANDLEBAR Ritchey BioMax II Road, 400mm (47-50),
420mm (53–57), 440mm (59-62).
STEM Ritchey Road (±6°), 90mm (47-53),
100mm (55-57), 120mm (59-62).
GRIPS Bar tape.
SEATPOST Ritchey Comp, 250mm x 27.2mm, cromo clamp.
SADDLE Selle Royale Look-In 2004,ActTex top and cromo rails.
SIZES 47, 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62cm
COLORS Polished
WEIGHT 23.00 lbs

I don't understand buying a bottom end bike and then throwing money at upgrades, especailly if used as a comuter. Ride the [censored] out of it use it up and save for somethng better if you really need it. A better seat or clipless pedals might be good.

jitteringjr said:

The problem with Sora is that it is 8 speed. If you upgrade anything, it will be 9 or 10 speed and you pretty much have to upgrade the entire drive train to do that.

But the specs say "SHIFTERS Shimano Sora, Dual Control STI, 27-speed", which implies a 9-speed. Are the specs wrong or are they getting their 27 speeds in some creative fashion out of an 8 speed cassette?

Typo, I guess. It says the freewheel is 8-speed.