Submitted by
Richard T
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinati Date Reviewed: November 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
jensonusa /frame only
Strengths:
This bike has no induced bobbing probably because I took the coil shock off and put a cane creek ad12 on "great shock" The frame is also very rugged, I beat the piss out of it for a year and the only thing that happened was that I bent the rear hanger when I stick got caught in the wheel and pulled the derailer into it. This bike climbs like a friggin monkey and decends almost as well as my sugar. I managed to get the weight of this bike down to an impressive 23lbs, but at a cost. This is a great frame for the money. It handles very well, even with the coil shock. This bike also looks really good, especially with the Z1 X- Fly to compliment it.
Weaknesses:
Jamis customer support really sucks! I bent a rear hanger, I searched for a hanger at bike shops in 8 states. They all called Jamis and Jamis gave them a line of crap. It was nearly two months before I got a hanger. I think that jamis makes these as needed. Also, as someone else has mentioned, the bushing bolts do loosen. I put lock-tite on mine. This is a very nice bike, but the geomentry is not quite right for me. When I built this bike, I was hoping that it was going to be THE BIKE. It needs a lower center of gravity. There are also potential problems with chain suck. However, chainsuck normally is caused because the bike is not tuned or the rear shock is not properly tuned to your weight. A properly tuned bike and shock vertually eliminates chain suck. Just so I don't get critisized, chain suck can occur on big drops when the rear shock bottoms out.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Sugar
Bike Setup:
All XT, Sun Sub IV Rims, Shimano 868 pedals, Tompson Ti seat post, Tompson Ti handlebar, Titec Ti Stem, Stella Italia TI seat, Z1-X-Fly front fork, Cane creek AD12 rear shock. Panaracer Trailblaster tires. LP composite bar ends.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is a great frame that could use a couple of minor improvements. Then again what doesn't. Like a new pair of pants, you've got to try it on before you really know that it fits. I let my friend ride this bike and it fits him much better than it does me. He loves this bike. I get a lot of compliments on this bike. It climbs as well as my suger, but does not decend as well. I would reccomend this frame for anyone that wants to put together a good bike that is capable of keeping up with the best. Once again, it climbs as well as my sugar2 and that in itself should say something about this bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Los Gatos C.A Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
good trail bike
Weaknesses:
SERVICE and bushings
Similar Products Used:
alot
Bike Setup:
free-ride
Bottom Line:
THis bike is ok but not enough travel THE SERVICE sucks jamis is a horrible company i would never buy from them again a bushing fell out and they couldnt order one and no one replied to my messages
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area, CA Date Reviewed: September 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Devil's Elbow, Mount Diablo
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Beefy, Overbuilt, Strong Frame Good Handling
Weaknesses:
Pivots--do not stand the test of time
Similar Products Used:
Trek Y-frame, Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup:
Bought stock, with STX-RC gruppo.
Bottom Line:
I have beaten on this bike like King Kong. I am a Clydesdale and when I ride light, where I ride, I pound equipment. (NEVER, EVER loan me your bike.) I am surprised by how the frame has held up. This bike has taken a serious beating over rocky, steep, nasty terrain several days a week. I have been merciless. The whole drive train has been replaced--twice. I am on my third wheelset. Not one complaint about the frame except this--the chainstay pivots above the dropouts have a tendency to loosen over time. Watch them like a hawk. I blew out one, the other keeps loosening up. LBS has been a big help keeping that together, then again, they ought to considering all the parts I'm buying. Buy if you are looking for a great low end value that will outlast all it's parts. Don't buy if you are looking for a top end racer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Xtreme Ryder
a Cross Country Rider
from New York Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anyting with dirt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Fairly Light,good design and geometry,bombproof,responsive
Weaknesses:
Screws loosen up on frame
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale m400
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z4 flylight, Mavic 517, XT/LX components, Cane creek aheadset, michelin wildgripper hot s
Bottom Line:
I have been beatin' this frame up for about two months now and have not been let down..I do some freeriding, Climbing, and Downhilling...this bike has taken it all with no problems! Very responsive to the rider..definately a good bike!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from East Lyme Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good suspension feel, fast. Also not too bad downhill.
Weaknesses:
lousy dropouts
Similar Products Used:
GT XCR
Bike Setup:
Full xtr except cranks and hubs, bomber z3 bam 80
Bottom Line:
Good bike. Definetly worth the money, but the first ride on it i bent the derallieur hanger..must have got a dud. After a fresh one, works well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Chesterfield, MO Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$799.00
Purchased At:
Adreneline Cycles
Strengths:
Cheap, rides nice, climbs very well and decends swiftly.
Weaknesses:
The bushing fell out of the suspension, had to replace with screw and 2 washers, works fine now.
Similar Products Used:
Joshua f4, Pro-Flex 747
Bike Setup:
Spinergy M1 front wheel, mavic 517 rear with xt hub,XTR f/r derailer, xt shifters,
Bottom Line:
Overall I have been suprised with the bargain I have gotten out of my Jamis. The bike looks cool, rides nice, and has been a durable adition to my collection of toys. At $800 this bike was a steal. For more speed downhill my next move is a bomber
If you are looking for a fun, cross country bike to ride in control, the Jamis Dakar is the bike for you. I have rode in extremely rocky terrain, and in very fast sandy terrain, and have been pleased with the bike's performance. I can tell you, after working in a bike store all summer, this Dakar offers a lot of bang for the buck, not only in durable parts but also in the design. It is a rigid climber while remaining adequate for those big downhill drop-offs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry Dean
a Racer
from Birmingham, AL Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Strengths:
light and nice looking, cheap. Obviously you get what you pay for.
Weaknesses:
Jamis!! No Customer Support!! ZERO ZILCH. Had to Race my old Trek because they don't care enough to SELL you parts. Bushings are junk, and so is their service.
Similar Products Used:
Intense Tracer, now there's a bike!
Bike Setup:
Sram 9.0sl, SX-TI.
Bottom Line:
These guys are a joke. You would think someone would sell you parts to keep your bike working. It has been 2 solid months and I still don't have any bushings.
I tried calling Jamis initially and after being on hold forever they would not sell me the parts, I had to go thru a LBS or the regional rep (bobby lee). I called all my LBS's and noone carried them anymore (imagine that). I called their rep and he said a LBS could special order the parts ( at a premium price, oh yea).
Well 2 months later I still don't have any bushings. The LBS was given the runaround for a month and a half, Jamis not answering the phone, not wanting to sell the parts because they were not "authorized" etc, etc. Then Jamis lost the order. Bottom line I still don't have any bushings. I do however own a beautiful Intense Tracer!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FRANCISCO
a Cross Country Rider
from UNION, NJ, U.S.A Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
ANY TRAIL IN RINGWOOD
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
LIGHT, GREAT FRAME DESIGN,
Weaknesses:
STOCK COMPONENTS NOT THE BEST
Similar Products Used:
NONE THIS GOOD
Bike Setup:
STOCK EXCEPT FOR FOX VANILLA FLOAT RC REAR SHOCK
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE ROCKS!!! IT'S VERY, VERY , STABLE AT SPEED ON THE DOWNHILLS WHICH INSPIRES MUCH MORE CONFIDENCE. THE FRAME DESIGN IS GREAT THIS BIKE SOAKS UP ANYTHING YOU THROW AT IT. WHILE IT ISN'T A DOWNHILL BOMBER IT STILL HAS ENOUGH TRAVEL TO GET THE JOB DONE AND DONE WELL!!I FOUND THAT UPHILLS ARE MUCH EASIER WITH THIS BIKE, I CONTRIBUTE THIS TO FRAM DESIGN AND THE OVERALL LIGHTNESS OF THE BIKE. ALTHOUGH MY BIKE COMES IN AT ABOUT 27 LBS. IT RIDES SO MUCH LIGHTER THEN THAT. THE ONLY WEAKNESS TO THIS BIKE IS THE SUCKY STX COMPONENTS, MY ADVISE WOULD BE TO RIDE UNTIL THE DAMN COMPONENTS DIE AND THEN UPGRADE.I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMEND THIS BIKE TO ANYONE OUT THERE THAT WANTS A BIKE THAT CAN GROW WITH THEM. GREAT PRODUCT CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT IT.. GOOD JOB JAMIS!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale
a Weekend Warrior
from Bakersfield, California Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
toads/sand canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
The suspension is pretty well balanced for a 900 dollar bike. It has a decent wieght of 28 lbs, but its still heavy
Weaknesses:
click in rear susp. may be seat collar.
Similar Products Used:
all kinds from cannondale,schwinn,kona,trek,specialized
Bike Setup:
all stock w/exception of xt rear deralure. Soon I will upgrade to a manitou xvert super, and all xt components.
Bottom Line:
this is a very good bike as far as price and value are. I havent had it on the trail yet so I havent been able to review its off road characteristics. I would recomend this bike for someone who wants to only have fun, and not race. This fits my bill perfectly. I'm 17 and will put all my money into a bike before a car, because I want to have fun while I can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale
a Weekend Warrior
from bakersfiled Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Toads
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
good frame,well balanced suspension, for 900 dollar bike
Weaknesses:
stx-rc
Similar Products Used:
al kinds
Bike Setup:
all xt, maitou x-vert super
Bottom Line:
this is a good bike if your doing. Set it up with no less than xt parts and then try to break it in half. it has a 5 year warranty.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Racer
from Grand Island, NY Date Reviewed: June 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Spragbrook, Alleganey
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Frame is strong, little give in bumps, tracks good, BB and front derailer on rigged part of frame, rear wheel travel is up and down not inward,
Weaknesses:
flex of rear swingarm. bushings loosening up.
Similar Products Used:
Giant ds2, GT xcr2000,
Bike Setup:
we built bike from frame up. mavac wheel set, xtr rear, Lx front derailers, Lx bb, Lx bakes and levers, Judy XC fork (80mm), kore stem, cycle-rite bars, cycle-rite computer, thompson seat post, Flite saddle, welgo clipless pedles, Hutchinson alligator tires, salsa brake booster
Bottom Line:
the bike does everything you ask it to do. need to dial the shock just right to stop sway. other than that, for the money best fame on the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shant Bezdjian
a Downhiller
from Burlingame, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere in Bay Area
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Awesome Handles, Good suspension for just 3.5"
Weaknesses:
Lousy Rear Dropouts, horrible service from Jamis on replacement parts.
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Judy 100 fork, XTR comp.
Bottom Line:
All and all a good bike for it's value. It's a great bike for a beginner wanting to try to take it to the next level. I did push the Jamis to it's limits on some trails that I know the bike wasn't built for and it handled well. I am a little partial to it because it was the bike I payed my dues on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Allain
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey City, NJ Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Ringwood , NJ
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Stiff frame Great tracking and handling Well balanced suspension
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
'99 Specialized FSR Sport Bianchi Super Ibex Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
!7 frame, stock Except: Tires: Panaracer Fire XC Pro Wheels: Mavic 222 front/Crosslink Rear crankset: Shimano LX four-arm
Bottom Line:
Great bike! It's very responsive to rider input without being twitchy; maneuverable but stable on fast descents. The rear suspension is great on large and small hits, but not too plush- it doesn't seem to eat up your pedal stroke. The frame is stiff, compact, and is easy to move under you. On the down side- The bike is heavy at 29 lbs, but the mid-range parts can be upgraded... and for the price, you could get heavier full suspension bikes. Thanks to John's review, I know I can get this bike to a decent weight. Also, my right rear pivot dropped out on me after three months...pain in the ass. The part is not under warranty, but it was inexpensive and Jamis promptly sent a replacement to my LBS. No probs with it ever sice, so I'm chalking it up to a flaw in the production line and not in the design.All in all, a terrific ride, with well balanced suspension. It could use upgrades to lighten the total weight, but the frame is worth the cash and effort.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lakewood, CO Date Reviewed: September 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Buffallo Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
bomber construction good handling stiff tail
Weaknesses:
Bushings
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn 4banger K2 4000
Bike Setup:
nothing stock Z3 long travel canecreek headset white bros. ti bar full XT w/xray shifters Kore elite stem XTR v-brakes Mavic 517 rims w/ XT hubs RaceFace crank Titec hellbent seatpost ESP 9.0 brake levers
Bottom Line:
A great bike!! I got mine just under 25 lbs. Tracks good. Got rid of the factory xc tires and went with irc mythos xc tires. Good tires for cross country, but suck in the fast downhill(to skinny). The bushings have me a little concerned because of their vulnerability to dirt, but I guess it is easy enough to change them. The 4 inch travel Z3 fork throws the geometry off a little so I had to go with a different stem. The stock components suck on this bike. The bike shop I bought it from gave me credit for some of the parts, but not for all. I pretty much have built up all my bikes from scatch so I get them just the way I like them. My upgrades to this bike added about $1500 to the original price. Overall with the way I set this bike up it is a sweet ride and can handle just about anything you can throw at it. Five stars!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Meredith
a Cross-Country Rider
from Spokane WA Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Becon Hill
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Really plush, good components, great price.
Weaknesses:
Gets kinda squeeky. Easy fix though
Similar Products Used:
Dakar Expert, Cannondale, Barracuda, Trek
Bike Setup:
Stock, except for Manitou X-vert T fork, XT rear derailure
Bottom Line:
Incredible bike. Get one now
Overall Rating:
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