A few months ago we built a custom Ti Plus LWB Spaceframe bike for John. He drove for 17 hours all the way from Arizona to pick up his new bike from us in Southern Oregon. What follows is an email from John with some kind words and a picture of his happy new Jones Bike now living in Arizona.
Jeff and Sheila,
I’ve been thinking of emailing you but wanted to work the bugs out of the bike first. There are No Bugs in This Bike!
I’ve got about 200 miles on it so far and the only issue was a rock bounced up and bent the derailleur a bit causing tire/chain rub but it was an easy fix. I may put a 3.0 on the back just for a bit a clearance since we’ve been getting rain and some mud. I did change peddles as Jeff suggested so clipped in now. Did a 40 mile ride with a friend with 4,100 ft of climbing (up to 10,000 ft elevation). After 4.5 hours in the saddle my hands, wrists and shoulders felt like I hadn’t even been riding.
Your design and engineering make it such a stable platform (friends who have ridden it say the same) that the comfort and confidence are unbelievable.
My wife Carol got me the handlebar bag for my birthday, another well designed extra.
If people ask what I like/love most about it I really can’t say, depends on the trail or segment or if it’s just leaning against a tree. In no particular order:
Looks- A real piece of functional art, looks substantial, big and heavy but lite and nimble. Unique, certainly not many on the trails out here. I’ll let you know if/when I see another one.
Ride- Extremely comfortable, not for a rigid, not for a hardtail, for a bike of any kind. I expected it to ride like a comfortable rigid but I’d put its ride up against anything out there. Having had multiple surgeries (back, neck, wrists, knees, shoulders) the only thing I feel after a hard ride is my legs and lungs. I had no idea that mountain biking didn’t have to hurt. I haven’t taken any ibuprofen, or ridden any of my other bikes, since I brought it home.
Confidence/Safety- I’m cleaning sections of trail I’ve never made, or have made with extreme pucker factor, faster and safer. I’m getting PRs on Strava with disbelief and seemingly less effort as well as a smile rather than white knuckles and the gritted teeth. Carol is very pleased about that too.
Handling- This big looking bike is lite and nimble, grips and tracks amazingly well. After only a couple of rides it seemed to pick its own lines and execute them, like a good horse that knows just where to go. I just peddle and point with loose hands on the grips rather than wrestling and holding on for dear life. It climbs like a goat, goes downhill like its on rails and after taking to the air, lands like a duck on a pond.
I’ve been riding for about 4.5 years, strictly mountain biking, and this is the 10th bike I’ve owned. It took me a while but I’ve found IT! I guess it takes what it takes but this IS the bike for me.
Thanks for your passion for your craft and all the effort you both have put into making the Ti Plus LWB Spaceframe available. It was more than worth a 17 hour drive (each way) to spend a few hours with you and see where the magic happens. My high expectations were far exceeded.
If you’re ever in Arizona I’d love to show you some of our trails.
Thanks again,
John
A much more than satisfied customer
PS: Riding a Jones, I no longer have to say “rubber side down”, it just happens.
