Strengths: Ok XC bike. Handles very well in tight places. Very good value!
Weaknesses: The frame is very weak! Bushings need I say more! BB noise
Bottom Line:
Ok XC bike is not made for alot of jumping. Very hard to make a sub 25 pound complete bike. Bushings suck ass!!!need sealed bearings. BB has a creaking noise that has just gotten worse over time.I love to jump my bikes and out of all I've owned this one is not for jumping but is an all around good trail bike.
Submitted by
Alastair White
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001
Strengths: Bought the 97 Team issue frame - loved the ride, kept blowing the shock, and eventually destroyed the rear triangle. Jamis replaced with 98 Pro, which has been a bomber, free-trail-ride bike since.
Weaknesses: Bushings. Bushings. Bushings. Even with careful maintenance, the pivots have less than 1yr of freq riding before total uselessness.. However am replacing and await the return of Dakar!
Bottom Line:
My bike is fat.. XC/Trail/Freeride (if you gots da skills with 4") Jamis is pretty dope.. Can't wat to add a SC Bullitt to my 'stable'
P.S. - Iron horse hardtails are harsh! 20" 97 ARS with WB Judy SL 80mm, XTR 98 cranks & BB, Kore Elite 25deg/120mm Stem - u want it, email! Good shape, but Judys are noodle forks (spec 95!)
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Element, Specialised FSR-Enduro
Bike Setup: Black Elite 80/100 fork, XTR 95 Cranks & BB W/ FSA 36T bash ring, 98 XTR Derailleurs, Brakes, Shift/Brake levers. 517/14g/Ringle SDB F, Rhyno Lyte/14g/Ringle SD8 R, Azonic flats, Answer Hyperlite bars, Azonic 75mm Shorty stem, Cane Creek headset, SDG 7000 Seat, generic chromoly post (keep destroying alum), FSA Brake booster (R), Panaracer Fire DH Pro 2.3 tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Vondy
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001
Bottom Line:
Well, all I have to say about Jamis is "WOW" ! I am absolutely amazed at the service department. After some issues with my BB size and chain suck, Jamis decided to replace my 97 dakar with a new frame. No inspection necessary, they just asked my address and sent it. That is right a new Frame after I hammered, chipped, and dented up my 97' for a year. I get a new Fox rear shock, disk compatibility, updated geometry all because of a five minute conversation with the warranty dept. about a chain suck problem.
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001
Strengths: Light (Easton Elite tubing), excellent handling, nicely engineered suspension system, quality product at an unbeatable price.
Weaknesses: None. The previous reviewer had a problem with his cranks. I'm running a splined Isis bottom bracket, 113mm with Truvativ Stylo cranks with NO PROBLEMS!! Wish my 1997 was ball-burnished silver like my 1996 instead of red, but no big deal
Bottom Line:
I loved my 1996 Dakar (with a Noleeens coil-over shock) so much that I jumped at the chance to buy a 1997 when Supergo put them on special. What a deal on a great frame! I wasn't sure if I'd like the Cane Creek shock compared to the Noleens, but I've been very pleased so far. The '97 has more travel than the '96 & set up with an 80mm travel Manitou SX-R, the ride is awesome for cross-country use. The handling is sharp without being twitchy and my bike weighs in at 25 lbs even. I'm thrilled every time I ride this bike. It's great!!
What a shame that Jamis got swayed to the "Dark Side" in '98 & changed this bike to a freerider. It was one of the best xc frames going. Now its too heavy, with too much travel. They didn't even re-do the frame angles for the longer travel, so now it is too-relaxed. Goodbye sharp handling!
While Jamis screwed up, K2 has copied this bike in their attack series. It is very similar to the Jamis of old. Check it out, you'll see what I mean.
This frame is probably sold out now, but if you get a chance at buying one, don't hesitate. You'll love it!!
Bike Setup: I have 2 Dakars: 1. 1997 Dakar w/Manitou SX-R 2. 1996 Dakar w/Judy SL
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Vondy
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001
Strengths: Price, strength, geometry
Weaknesses: THE 97' MODEL IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ANY SPLINED BOTTOM BRACKET SYSTEM, ISIS OR SHIMANO. The bike requires a 110 MM spindle which is not available in eithor of these systems. The smallest is a 113. The result of using one of these is a very nasty case of chain suck. It damaged my rear triangle right on a bushing near my smallest front chain ring. Jamis did replace RT for free though, but I had to replace my crankset with an older 110 MM square BB to prevent doing it again.
Bottom Line:
STILL A NICE BIKE, BUT I WAS PISSED AT SUPERGO FOR SELLING ME THE FRAME AND COMPONENTS WITHOUT SHARING THAT LITTLE NUGGET OF INFORMATION. ALSO, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT AT SUPERGO HAS APPARENTLY FORGOTTEN ME. HERE IS THE LAST EMAIL I GOT FROM THEM
"Just wanted to let you know that your request for replacement part assistance for your frame. After speaking with you, purchasing was contacted and they called our representative Jamis to request info on replacement parts and pricing for this older frame. As of this morning we have not heard back from them with pricing, but they have informed us that finding the part is a real possibility. Additionally, our service department manager believes that if Jamis can not provide the part, he may be able to locate the needed part.
I understand that the part needed is the drive side chain stay on rear triangle, please confirm that information for me, and as soon as we are contacted by Jamis, i will be back to you.
jane supergo bikes"
Sounds good except that I still haven't heard from them and after contacting the warranty department at Jamis itself, I not only had them warranty it, but the manager of the warranty dept, sylvester, told me he has not heard from supergo at all. Hmmmmm.
THUMBS DOWN FOR SUPERGO, JAMIS IS INNOCENT THOUGH.
Strengths: Light weight,nimble&great climber.Bike handles well at speed.
Weaknesses: Pivots need to be beefier.Rearend will get sloppy without proper maintenance.Also the rear triangle needs to be a little stiffer.
Bottom Line:
Although it has some minor faults, it's a great bike for the money.The frame only weighs 5lbs. with an air shock for less than $500.! It's hard to beat that.
Bike Setup: '97 DAKAR with White Bros. AT90 fork.Mostly XTR with Mavic wheelset.Weighs 25.1 lbs. complete.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guy Sturgis
a Cross-Country Rider
from Melrose, MA.
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999
Strengths: Components, Smooth, staight and stable ride(for a time)
Weaknesses: Strengths diminish as rear end gets progressively looser. Break away derailer hangers are way too weak.
Bottom Line:
This is a '98 but same as '99: Bike feals fast and handels narly terrain well. Good for long xc rides and big hits too. Climbs fine- all until pivots wear out-which I expected but not every 300 miles. Found a disintegrating weld on the chain stay and am sending it back. Had alot of down time in one year- keep your old bike for back up.
Submitted by
Jim Paroline
a Weekend Warrior
from Feeding Hills, MA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1999
Strengths: Good cross country bike, climbs well, doesn't bob much.
Weaknesses: Bushing pivots wear out about every 5 rides. Wish they used cartridge bearings instead. Factory says rear triangle maybe bent. Seat stay was bent but I straightened it out but I didn't check the chain stay. I suspect that is bent also. They are supposed to send me a replacement & we'll see. I'm not that rough of a rider I don't think and I only weigh 165lb.
Bottom Line:
The guy that is suggesting that someone isn't using the proper torque specs. needs to look at the system agian. There is no torque specs. for the lower bushings near the drop outs. Good bike but bushing suck big time!
Weaknesses: Frame came apart 4 times. Jamis replaced each one but was a pain in the ass rebuilding the bike 4 times.
Bottom Line:
Bike is designed for some weigthless fairy. I was able to trash the frame in one run when i DH'ing in the SPORT class last year. Bushing are too weak and quality of machining is very poor. I weigh about 200 lbs......bottom line is the frame is weak.
This bike is by far the best for the money,if your looking for a quality bike that will go up and down. I put a lighter wheelset on mine for XC racing and the weight is just under 27lbs. The extra weight is more than made up for by the energy you save staying in the saddle and not getting pounded by every bump. You can't fully appreciate the advantages until you've raced it. You could easily drop another pound by going with shorter travel fork like an SX Ti. I think the guy with the bushing problems is installing them wrong. You have to follow the torque specs. or you'll wear them quick. I've pounded mine for about 5mos. and they are rock solid.
Bike Setup: Stock except for a lighter XC wheelset
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dana
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mission Viejo
Date Reviewed: April 24, 1999
Strengths: Stable like an MX bike
Weaknesses: none found (yet)
Bottom Line:
I set my rear shock up with 225# (I weigh 205) and so far this bike is the fastest thing I've ever ridden. Totally stable, I did have to flip the Titec stem from a semi-high rise to a zero rise, this bike screams through stuff I used to go around. Mine's a 21- big- and weighs 30 lbs. stock- so what! 5 fat habañero fun factor!
Bike Setup: Manitou XVert fork, Fox Vanilla Float rear
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M Crider
a racer
from Mission Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
I recently had a chance to borrow a Jamis Dakar Pro for an extended weekend. I found the bike to be very stabile overall, climbing in the saddle was very nice a little bob but nothing a steady pedal cadence and proper SAG set up cant compensate for. Gearing is sufficent enough to overcome the extra pound in weight compared to other similarly priced bikes. Decending was very predictable and nuetral, nice on single track. Manitou X-Vert fork worked well, I am used to Marzocchi but this new Manitou worked better than in years passed. This is a very nice value in a cross country/ all around fun bike. A bit heavy for a NORBA Pro but for the average human it is great. As with ALL full suspension rides, pay attention to pivot service and maintanence and your bike will be happy. If you dont like to deal with this issue than buy a hardtail. Other wise the Dakar is a good choice.
I wore out the MAIN PIVOT 4 (YES FOUR) time in a season. the geometry in nice, corners great, fox piggyback rules! but there isnt even a company maned JAMIS! I have my Syncros revolution cranks by taking them off so many times, and the thing is dead again! I am getting a full inch of side to side movement at the rear wheel! BUY SMART! NOT JAMIS! one chillie is a freeby coz my JAMIS DAKAR PRO didnt earn it!
