Gallery: Matt’s Jamis Commuter 3
[Matt sent us these photos of his Jamis Commuter 3. —ed.]
My name is Matt DeBlass; I’m a musician, journalist and all-around jobler from South Bound Brook, NJ. The bike is my 2009 Jamis Commuter 3. Although it’s a 2009, I got it this year from Garden State Bicycle in Whitehouse Station, NJ, where I occasionally work as mechanic. Jamis happened to have one in my size on closeout (it’s rare, but sometimes being the big guy works in my favor).
About the Bike
- Year/Make/Model: 2009 Jamis Commuter 3.0
- Size: 22″
- Color: Bone/Black
- Stock Component Highlights: Shimano Nexus 8-Speed hub, Tektro long-reach caliper brakes, Weinmann double-wall rims, Vittoria Adventure Touring 700x32c Tires
- Par Swaps: I replaced the spongy cruiser saddle and suspension seatpost with a straight Kalloy post and my beloved Terry Liberator saddle. The spongy stock grips were replaced by Specialized lock-on grips.
- Add-Ons: Trek rear rack, Wald basket up front, Blackburn head and taillights and a Carradice College saddlebag. Electra brass bell. Saddleback Leather messenger bag. Elite Cuissi bottle cage.
- Mods/Fabrications/MacGuyverisms: Homemade quick-release bag bracket, Homemade headlight mount.
- In my saddlebag: Spare tube, Topeak minipump, Crank Brothers Multitool. “Bone” style wrench, Park tire level, extra bungee cords and toeclip straps for tie-downs, a high-vis vest for getting caught in rain/fog/dark, Kryptonite U-lock, Kryptonite cable lock, gloves and a windbreaker.
This bike came set up for short hops around town, but once I got it dialed in and swapped the squishy saddle for something a little more suited to actual riding, it’s been perfect for the 20-40 miles of running around I do on the average weekday.
Because I have to leave it locked up out of sight while I’m at one of my jobs, I built a quick-release bracket for the Carradice bag using some aluminum flat stock, long bolts and an old MTB QR skewer. It’s not a super-strong bracket, but since the bag actually rests mostly on the rear rack, it seems to be working OK. I made a light mount out of some more bits of metal and a PVC pipe fitting, because when the basket is full it tends to obstruct the headlight. The Saddleback bag I use as my briefcase is pretty heavy for a basket bag, so for short hops it’s usually on my shoulder, but it’s nice to have the option on hot days. As some of the pictures show, I sometimes use it to haul my mandolin to practices and gigs (although for non-photo purposes it travels in a padded gig bag) although I haven’t figured out a good way to transport all of my instruments on the bike (the drum set is giving me particular trouble).
I’m not living totally car-free yet, but I got this bike about a month ago, and a week after that the transmission in my truck started to act up, so I may have the decision to give up driving made for me very soon.
—Matt
South Bound Brook, NJ
mattdeblass.blogspot.com
7 Responses to “Gallery: Matt’s Jamis Commuter 3”
Matt: What is that bike stand you’re using, and how is the bike secured to it?
For those drums, sounds like you need a trailer like the Surly Bill (http://surlybikes.com/frames/surly_trailer/). Cheaper than a transmission, and would turn your bike into a pickup truck.
That’s a saddleback Satchel isn’t it? I love their bags.
I love hearing about real world commuter bikes. Matt, your bike and post inspires me – thanks! :)
Heck yes! at the Saddleback bag!
I’ve got a dedicated Civia market rack just for my SBL briefcase!
I nearly pulled the trigger on a Terry Liberator a month ago (big call for me as I’m in Australia and even with a cracking exchange rate the freight adds up). Went for their padded saddle cover for a quarter of the price, which is working very well (swaddles a tough as teak stock that came with the flat bar road bike I’ve since turned into a station wagon, with north road bars at saddle height).
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Liberator. Might be the trick for the Surly Big Dummy I’m targetting.
Jimbo, at the shop where I work, I ride the Liberator, the boss rides the Liberator, the boss’s wife rides the women’s Liberator… we’ve found it to be one of the most comfortable saddles for the non-racer type (Brooks are lovely too, but they cost more and are more sensitive to weather). The shape seems to fit a pretty broad range of posteriors, and they’ve got just enough padding to give a bit of cushion without causing problems. Obviously everyone’s a bit different in their saddle choice, but I think they’re fantastic.
Yup, the Saddleback messenger bag is awesome. As I said, it’s heavy, but the style and durability are hard to beat.