Submitted by
michal greene
a Cross Country Rider
from louisville, ky! yall. Date Reviewed: February 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
otter creek
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
steel- it rides like a cadillac!
Weaknesses:
no weaknesses as far as the frame goes. i like the goemetry.
Bike Setup:
xt, z3 bomber, ritchey bars and clipless, etc.
Bottom Line:
the frame is a very comfortable ride. it absorbs shock very well (at high speeds) and likes to hug the trail. i upgraded the bike almost completely. i like it b/c a hardtail is really ideal for ky terrain, but it's steel, so i can float off high drops and not even worry about it (until i blow my knees out). but like i said, it'c ideal: tough, but an excellent climber and a f$$$in cadillac. if i was into racing in tights i guess i would complain about the weight, but w/ clipless pedals, i can get the thing up over anything! steel will kill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Fox
a Cross Country Rider
from Port st. Lucie FL Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Razorback It's in Ocala!!!!
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Bikes and Bargains
Strengths:
nice sturdy frame keeps on going! Its tough!
Weaknesses:
the stock rims bend and bend after every ride i come back and check my tires and there rubbing on the brakes once again swap the hutchison rims out for some mavics
Similar Products Used:
schwin mesa
Bike Setup:
pretty much stock except added a rockshock suspenstion seat and some new yeti grips
Bottom Line:
This BIKE is awesome for a beginner rider. I am moving on now and buying a JAMIS DAKAR COMP 2002, i would recommend this bike to all beginner intermediate riders that want a great deal and a Tough bike i beat the hell out of it and its sill goin
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bubba
a
from slc Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my last review. I replaced the crankset and BB with XT. The BB flex that I thought was in the frame was not. It was all the crankset that I had. The ride is now lively and even a bit stiff in that area. Just wanted to give Jamis some credit for designing a good ride and offering it for a good price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bubba
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC UT Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Steel
Weaknesses:
Tall frame. A bit flexy in the bottom bracket.
Bike Setup:
SXR fork. XT rear derailer and cassette. LX Front derailer and shifters. Coda Brakes, hubs, seat. Avid 7.0 levers. mavic 221 rims and an Azonic bar.
Bottom Line:
This is an entry level bike. The frame is not designed to be a "racer". The geometry makes for a very neutral handling bike. Its not real twitchy and not super stable. Its also steel. This means the frame will flex for a more comfortable and lively ride. It will also weigh a bit more. If you are that concerned with weight take a good dump before you ride and save your money. My bike is a 21" and it weighs just under 25 pounds. Thats pretty good considering the size of the bike. If you want a good bike for a good price than this will work. But you get what you pay for. If you want a "racer" than save up a little dough and buy a "racer". But you will remember steel when that aluminium hardtail is deflecting your back tire all over the place and treating you but with the delicacy of a jackhammer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron
a Weekend Warrior
from higganum,CT Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
cutting edge/ CT
Strengths:
good frame geometry, decent hardware for the money.
Weaknesses:
I feel a little flex in the stock cranks and i will upgrade them when i get the money.
Similar Products Used:
my friends GT timberline
Bike Setup:
stock, platform petals, i had the store get rid of the grip shift too.
Bottom Line:
I have ridden BMX for many years now and i have finally crossed over into big bike territory and I must say I am very pleased with this bike. It's relatively light, has good geometry and it takes a beating. Granted it doesnt have the best hardware but you get what you pay for, this bike could easily cost 750 with better stuff on it. Everyone complains about weight but, this is not a heavy bike. You could buy expensive tires and a seat, and drop the weight by 2 lbs. big deal, to a person buying this bike in this price range, in the end the difference between a 30 lb bike and a 26 lb bike doesnt really matter. If you ride 2-3 times a week and want a decent bike but don't want to break the bank, then its for you. If you got the money then by all means there is better stuff out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren McCall
a Cross Country Rider
from Pembroke Pines, Florida Date Reviewed: October 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Markham Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Square Wheels Bike Shop
Strengths:
Steel frame, nice welds, forgiving ride quality that only Steel can give.
Weaknesses:
Seat, Seat post, Riser Bar, Front shock, Pedals, headset...
Similar Products Used:
GT, Trek, Gary Fisher
Bike Setup:
Full STX-RC groupset, Time Alum pedals, Titec Seatpost, Thompson Flat bar, Manatou SX-R front fork, Selle Italia Flite saddle, Panaracer Fire tires.
Bottom Line:
I have really enjoyed this bike. This is an update from the earlier post. I have changed to Time ATAC alum pedals, solved my problem with "rolling" out of the pedals when I didnt want to. I changed the front fork out to a Manatou SX-R which makes the bike ride wonderfully. With my weight, I needed some rebound damping and this did the trick. I got rid of the stock no name gripshifters, and went to the STX-RC thumb shifters. Everyone may think that the STX-RC stuff is not that great, but, it seems to perform very well. I only adjust the drive train about once a week, and keep it very clean. I will be upgrading to a full XT groupset soon. The frame is very tough, yet forgiving. I recommend this bike if you can find one. Great frame to grow with..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren McCall
a Cross Country Rider
from Pembroke Pines, FL, USA Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Markham Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Square Wheels Bike Shop
Strengths:
Price, I got it because the shop was going out of business. The frame is great, awesome welds, satin finish looks wonderful.
Weaknesses:
No name grip shifters, riser bar, a little flexy at the bottom bracket, but hey, I weigh 225 and I am 6'2. The STX-RC cranks are flexy, but for 450 bucks, I can up grade.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8500, GT Zaskar, GT Timberline FS, Trek Y-22
Bike Setup:
Stock, with exception to the easton C-2 bar and LX rapid fire shifters, Selle Italia Flight saddle.
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a very affordable hardtail to get me back into cycling. I have tested most out there in the 850 to 1100 buck range. I found this bike by sheer accident. It is a Reynolds tube frame, very attractive, with decent components. The bike fit me well, (19" frame) with the only negative thing being the top tube is a little short. This, combined with the long stem makes the handling a little fast. This is nothing that an experienced rider cant handle. The front fork (manatou spyder) is ok for my weight, I changed to the heavier MCU's and it does the job. The lack of rebound damping is noticable for the type of riding I do.
I am no racer, but I do ride some very technical terrain. This bike is very fun to ride, not to heavy, and the frame is very upgradable. I am very glad to have gotten this bike. Now to upgrade it piece by piece, then get an Airborne Lucky Strike frame to replace it.
Bottom line, this bike is great for the money I spent on it. If you can find one used, get it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dr. Unk
a Cross Country Rider
from albany NY Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
that one
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great reynolds frame, steel is real, a great value!
Weaknesses:
As a beginer's bike it has few
Similar Products Used:
Serrotta (it sucked) mountain cycle (broke in half)
Bike Setup:
LX deraileurs, Deore, a seat and handle bar with grips and brake levers.
Bottom Line:
As a beginers bike this bike rocks. A quality steel frame, An agressive geomerty that real shines in single track. Brian you don't know what your talking about this bike is well worth the money. Only a fool wouldn't recommend it to a friend as a good starting bike. Did you read that?... "Only a fool wouldn't recomend it."
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Morgan Hill, CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere in the Saratoga Gap
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike, Campbell
Strengths:
Stiff frame, light bike decent components good price
Weaknesses:
Dunno...there's probably better bikes out there...
Similar Products Used:
Bought it too long ago--can't remember
Bike Setup:
Basically Stock...Deore LX shifters, clipless pedals, Specialized Body Geometry Mountain saddle, bar-ends, switched the rear tire from a Hutchison Chameleon to Hutchinson On The Rocks II
Bottom Line:
I'm a clydesdale-class rider (well over 200 lbs) and this bike has worked very well for me: there's no flex to it, the geometry is good on the whole mountain, and it's really sturdy--I've beaten it up with my weight, and thrashed it in a few gnarly crashes, and it keeps going. It'll probably work good for anyone who enjoys riding for the sake of riding, and it probably wouldn't do too bad as an entry-level race bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris S
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any off road trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Solid Frame, Takes a Beating and likes it!
Weaknesses:
Rims and derailurs
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great Bike for the Price! This bike loves to be trashed and It can take a beating! I fliped my Jamis many times and rode away smiling :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from NYC Date Reviewed: October 4, 1999
Favorite Trail:
MTA
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong Frame, Solid Bike
Weaknesses:
Rims, and Derailuers.
Similar Products Used:
all
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This Jamis is a Tough Bike. It holds up to all the thrashing I have given it and still comes back for more. I've upgraded my Derailuers and Rims due to a couple of tacos and snaps offs. JAMIS KICKS ASS!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris C
a Downhiller
from NYC, NY Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
MTA (Buffer Zone)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Solid Bike, Can take a beating,
Weaknesses:
Sun rims get bent too quick.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I love My exile. I'm new to the sport and this bike suits me just fine. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get their feet wet in this sport!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric L
a Cross-Country Rider
from Berkeley ,ca Date Reviewed: June 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Nev. city clasic course
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This bike kicks a$$ for the price. Manitous were perfect for X-country racing.
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
univega alpina 600
Bike Setup:
Basicaly stock exept for shimano M-535 clips.
Bottom Line:
I got second in the 15 class my first race.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neb Beldar
a Weekend Warrior
from Bala Cynwyd PA Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
None. it is way to radical. Gatorade and Zelda and JJ
Weaknesses:
My body-building dad. My camry's Cheap joke of an engine! JJ's Neck and big head!
Similar Products Used:
The stick in my front yard. My extremely high shorts
Bottom Line:
This bike is as basic as they come. I too am as basic as they come. There is not one special feature about me or the bike. Gatorade all the way!!! This bike is to extreme..I would like it better if it was called Mountian Bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ANGRY
a Racer
from You all Suck Date Reviewed: May 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
up your @$$
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
for $650, EVERYTHING
Weaknesses:
Brakes are a little weak.
Similar Products Used:
all....i own a bike store
Bike Setup:
dont own one
Bottom Line:
Why are all you people saying this garbage???? its to heavy to race, its got bad derailuers Shut up... It's not heavy first off, it weighs 26.5 lbs and if thats heavy...i dont know what light is. And for $650, thats really light. And as for the derailuers, I know a guy who baught one and had me build it up with full XTR.....Upgrades on derailuers are NOT expensive. And a bike that comes with Reynolds 525 [lowend, but nice] tubing is not cheap as it is. And why are people saying its not a racer???? Whats so bad about it??? its light, 70mm fork and STX-RC which is not bad...I think you people either don't know what your talking about or your just being jack@$$es.I own a store in MI and i test rode one and let me tell you.....there FAR from sucking.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross-Country Rider
from Denver Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
kiss it
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
its light its cool colors yea STX-RC!!!!!
Weaknesses:
brakes suck
Bike Setup:
stock w/ clipless and full XTR
Bottom Line:
PHAT Bike.....comes w/ Titec for 650>???? SICK MAN>>>SICK
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Albelda
a Cross-Country Rider
from Philadelphia Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Vally Green
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good upgradible frame, sun rims, titec stem
Weaknesses:
seat post, stx rc
Similar Products Used:
atx 860, Fisher s1
Bike Setup:
98 sx, xt front and rear
Bottom Line:
Good bike for money, reliable racer, easy upgrades
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from somewhere in PA Date Reviewed: May 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
???????????
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
uummm.....it's heavy so it must be strong. Cool Mango color
Weaknesses:
all STX-RC HEAVY not a racer
Similar Products Used:
XtC [rocks] treks kleins [rock]
Bike Setup:
stock w/ full XT and bomber
Bottom Line:
i baught this bike thinking it was a racer.....but its not. its great for 650...but save 250 and get an XTC SE1
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Greene
a Cross-Country Rider
from Utah Date Reviewed: April 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
DEpends.....
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Jamises are nice... Frame is strong..but heavy cool fork
Weaknesses:
Frame material Weight STX-RC
Similar Products Used:
Klein Comp Older Jamis Dakota
Bike Setup:
Stock...w/ CLipless
Bottom Line:
cool fork on a 650 bike....but to heavy for a racer. i guess its ok for 650..
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross-Country Rider
from Jacobs Date Reviewed: April 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Marlin Beach
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
its a jamis ok frame material [aluminum is nicer]
Weaknesses:
STX-RC fork weight frame material seat [uncomfortable] but hey...its only 650
Similar Products Used:
trek 7000 giant atx 890 KHS Softail comp
Bike Setup:
stock with shimano clipless and 99 manitou SX-R
Bottom Line:
nice price for this bike!!! but not a true racer...to much flex and too heavy. bad fork and shifters..derailuers are ok. i should have gone with the dakota.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Pritchard
a Cross-Country Rider
from Orange County Date Reviewed: April 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
??????????
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
good frame material good shock NICE BRAKES
Weaknesses:
-too much $$$$ for components. -Color choices suk -all STX-RC????
Similar Products Used:
trek 6500 cannondale f700
Bottom Line:
nice upgradable frame....nice for people just getting into the sport...and jamises rock
Overall Rating:
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