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Submitted by
Mike B
a Racer
from Bend, ORDate Reviewed: November 8, 2001
Strengths: Value. Mars 1 fork is nice, LX splined crank, XTR rear der, Avid Arch Rival brakes. Steel frame is sweet. It rides fast and handles as good as it gets.Weaknesses: Tawain frame welded by robots. Jamis should be ashamed. If they spent a couple extra bucks they could employ hundreds of young men who take pride in making them in the USA. Hutchinson Alligator tires stink too.Bottom Line: I would but this bike again but wish it were made in Europe or the states. It rides as good as any but needs upgrades to race.
Favorite Trail: Phil's
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: East coast bike shop
Similar Products Used: All of them.
Bike Setup: Added on a rock shox seatpost, highly recommended. Mythos tires.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Auburn CA 95603 USADate Reviewed: September 18, 2000
Strengths: Reynolds 631 Chromo Frame, Answer Mars forks, great components.Weaknesses: None...Really...except maybe the decals on the Mars fork that come off really easy...the bike looks better without them.Bottom Line: I posted A review when I first purchased the bike. I said I would review again in 6 months...It has only been 2 now but the bike has been put through the paces. It still rocks!! The combo of steel frame, great forks and Ti bars makes for a smoooooth ride. At 25 pounds total this bike is light enough for my 145 pound frame. It's a climber! It also likes to go downhill very fast. Ride this bike and you will know why Aluminum sucks and full suspension is a waste of time unless you only go downhill.
Favorite Trail: Big Boulder, 2nd divide, 3rd divide
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At: Back Country Bike Shop, Tahoe City
Similar Products Used: Bianchi chromo mtn bike circa 1994.
Bike Setup: Stock 15"....XTR/XT derails,Rapid fire shift, Avid 4.0 V Brakes, Hallowtech cranks
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn CA, USADate Reviewed: August 15, 2000
Strengths: It's Steel Baby! Great Components, Loves to climb, loves to go downhill....Will go where ever you point it! This is a real Mtn Bike for real Mtn Bikers! Looks cool too!Weaknesses: Hutchinson Aligator tires are a little week..I replaced the front with velociraptor...will change the back tonight before I ride.Bottom Line: It's simple. If you like steel hardtails...look no further. I am 5'6" 145...this bike (I have 15" frame) is like an extension of my body. The geometry is perfect for those who like to attack the trail. Like I said....This is a REAL Mountain Bike! Best Bike for the Money...hands down!
I'll report back in six months.
Favorite Trail: Big Boulder
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Bianchi Chromo frame Mtn Bike.
Bike Setup: Velociraptor up front, stock everything else
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Han
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, CanadaDate Reviewed: August 13, 2000
Strengths: Resilient ride. Good Price. Hollowtech cranks are stiff and light. Manitou fork is well damped and responsive. Great Avid Arch-Rival brakes. Hutchinson tires. Low hype, high performance.Weaknesses: Deore shifter, hub and cassette; I don't think they are bad but they are not a good spec on a bike with LX, XT, and XTR parts.Bottom Line: This is the first Jamis I have ever seen in Calgary (first year of dist'n). I have always like steel bikes and this bike is the best hardtail I have ever owned so far.
The geometry is quick but not twitchy. The Manitou fork is very plush and tracks straight. The bike's handling leaves little to be desired. On my first 2+ hour ride I thought I need to get used to the Dakota because it weighs almost two pounds more than my GT Zaskar; I end it up clearing sections where I crashed on the GT, I also climbed better than ever (thanks to the tires and the steel feel).
To simply put, the Dakota does what I want it to do and never the other way around. Yes, it is heavier than some aluminium bike at the same price, but I'd rather be the Dakota than a stiff AL rig after 2 hours of riding.
Favorite Trail: West Fish Creek
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Kona, GT, Trek
Bike Setup: 2000 Dakota with Manitou SX-R fork, LX, XT and XTR parts, Time pedals.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from KYDate Reviewed: July 18, 2000
Strengths: components
colorWeaknesses: weightBottom Line: Great beginning bike. Steel has great feel and the blue color rocks. Had same problems as guy before with no fork boots and SX manual. Found out the Mars 1 doesn't come with boots, and I just called up Answer to get the correct manual. The fork also has some problems in that you can shear a cap off in a crash because the there isn't enough drop on the fork crown. Haven't done it yet but I have scratched the paint a little. Bike has great components for the money, XTR rear derailleur, LX hollowtech cranks/bb, and more. I too have had problems getting into the 9th gear when not in the big crank, but it's still a great value for the money,
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Similar Products Used: trek 6500
Bike Setup: stock w/low riser bar
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Reston VADate Reviewed: May 10, 2000
Strengths: Great components, Light (for steel),nice feel,geometry.Weaknesses: SDG saddle a little rough on the ass.Initial 1 hour ride left me hurtin' down thar.Bottom Line: Great Bike. Handles nicely but not to stiff (Why don't more companies make mid/high end steel bikes anymore?) Looks great,too.
Replaced Saddle with much more comfy (and lighter!)TFI Liberator Ti-Comfort. May be a bit mushy for racing, but I don't race,so....Plus I can always switch if I do.
I,too, fell on my ass trying to get out of these Time Atec pedals on the first ride. A little pratice and a little filing (just a little) of the cleats helped with this problem.
Components are great,Although I haven't gotten the rear derailer 100% happy yet...can't get that ninth gear unless I'm using the Big sprocket up front. When I initially picked the bike up from the LBS, both the front and rear derailers were quite clunky and noisey...but they took care of that before I left. Just needs a little bit more fine tuning.....
Just have one question...What is this Mars1 fork that came with this bike? I have been to Manitou's site and don't see this in their Mars line (Race Blue and no boots).Bike came with instruction manual for Manitou's SX line of forks (?!). Gonna have to talk to my LBS or Jamis to see if they have any info on this.
Have gotten this bike to 100% perfection yet, but it is so close I'm still going to give it 5 flaming turds overall. I'll repost after a few months with an update
Favorite Trail: Patapsco State Park (MD)
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Hammer Race, Gary Fisher and Specialized stuff.
Bike Setup: Stock, 17 inch frame, Replaced Sadle with TFI Liberator-Ti.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Karbel
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston,MADate Reviewed: May 8, 2000
Strengths: Great Components. Light and responsive.
Has some of the best components on the market at a reasonable price.Weaknesses: None. So far!
Besides falling due to lack of experience using clips!!!!Bottom Line: This is a great buy for the $$. This bike has got some great reviews. For the average mtn biker who wants to pay for brand name components instead of a brand name bike.
Check out their website for details, pics and reviews.
www.jamiscycles.com
Send for a catolog, it will be there in a few days.
Favorite Trail: Noanet Woods
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: An old school Trek from 6 years ago
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