Jamis Commuter 4 First Impressions by Richard Masoner
- TIG Welded 6061 aluminum frame and fork
- Shimano BR-M415 disc brakes with Tektro levers
- Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub with pulley tensioner
- Shimano R440 front dérailleur
- Jamis “Comfort” saddle
- 27.2 mm suspension seatpost
- 700 x 32 Kenda Kwest tires
- Sizes: 14.5″, 16.5″, 18.5″, 20.5″, 22″
- 30.5 lbs.
- MSRP: $835.00
All-weather commuters appreciate the utility of fenders and disc brakes on their bikes. While many road cyclists dig Levi Leipheimer’s custom 18 lb carbon rain bike with fenders, SRAM Red components, SRM and disc brakes, the low cost utility of the commuter features on the Jamis Commuter 4.0 bicycle is somewhat more accessible at only $835 retail.
Jamis started out selling basic beach cruiser and comfort bikes in 1979. They continue today designing bikes that are known for their value with a credo of no frills, quality parts and performance that continues today in their various road, mountain, and city bikes. All models of Jamis bikes are a frequent sight on my Silicon Valley bike commute, and the Commuter 4.0 is Jamis’s top of the line entry in the growing city bike category.
I’ll start with the bad news first: the only true downside of this bike is the bulbous comfort saddle. I think most people understand that saddle choice is highly personal, and I’m normally very flexible about the saddle that comes on the bike. The huge, amorphously oblong blob of a saddle on the Commuter 4.0, though, is truly awful. Changing that seat out for a basic WTB saddle I had laying around transformed the bike from something I dreaded into a truly pleasant bike to ride.
