Submitted by
Dazza
a Cross Country Rider
from Wigan UK
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2011
Strengths: Frame geometry and design utilising Kenisium and Carbon mix combined with the trusted Fox RL 32's, this sets the pace tricked with XT's trusty groupset the choice against the competition was made for me...
Weaknesses: None to complain off really, routine maintenance like gear cables streching and a buckle in the rear rim, both easily serviced out by the mechanic.
Not bike specific but watch the bearings in the headset and hubs if your jet-washing the bike after each ride type,a word of experience do not get to close to the seals or you will contaminate the bearings in no time.
Bottom Line:
I did look very very closely at the well pubilsized names in this sector's XC competition and I can tell you I have never looked back since the purchase of my 19" JDE, in fact we bought another for a mates son since.
The JDE is everything I hoped it would be,light enough to allow you stability,performance and durability. This bike really comes alive the harder you push on those XC rides, hill climbs or tricky decents slow or fast.
A rapid turn of speed is just a breeze..get on the saddle of a JDE and hang on there guys....
Similar Products Used: Similar bikes off similar value
Bike Setup: Unchanged apart from Carbon seat post and cockpit, Bontranger tyres for easier puncture replacement.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
fatroadie
a Racer
from Overland Park, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2010
Strengths: Strong component spec minus the wheelset. Nice ride to the frame, and it appears to be well-constructed. Terrific Fox fork. Beautiful BB30 setup.
Weaknesses: Feels fairly heavy for how it looks and is billed at. Avid's need some love to work best. I'm still figuring those out for optimum setup.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2009 Elite...
In regards to weight, this bike rides a lot lighter than how it feels upon picking it up. I'm replacing the stock wheelset with a Stan's Crest wheelset, and I think that's really going to make this bike come alive.
Overall, I enjoy the ride of the bike, and I think after I replace the wheelset and get it fit, it should keep me happy for quite awhile.
Bike Setup: Full xt transimission,xt crank (is GREAT) xt hubs with mavic 717xc,maxxis larsen tt, carbon prologo saddle,trigon seatpost,race face deus stemp and next sl handlebars, odi lock jaw,new fsa head set gore cables and g2 avid disc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
gointhedistance
a Cross Country Rider
from St Paul, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008
Strengths: Components for price. Frame. Looks. Everything.
Weaknesses: Personal preferences-stock saddle, bar and tires switched out.
Bottom Line:
I have had the bike for a couple of weeks now, and I LOVE it. It is super fast, quick to accelerate, feels really solid when peddling hard and in turns. The components for the price are great. In the future I will upgrade a few things to drop a little weight, but for a pretty stock bike-out of the shoot-it flies. I am very very happy with my choice to go with a dak. el. I had researched for a really long time, and this bike is awesome!
Similar Products Used: Ironhorse Warrior?? none really
Bike Setup: 08 Dakota Elite, fox fork, easton cockpit, xt components, wtb rims, maxxis wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Gavin de Loree
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2007
Strengths: Great handling, light weight and robust frame design, carbon fibre rear stays, Juicy 5 HD, Jamis warranty system.
Weaknesses: WTB speed disc rims, standard shimano hubs HB M 475's, heavy WTB seat, weak standard stainless spokes, WTB headset, Rear brake line routing.
Bottom Line:
A good solid hardtail, carbon seat stays make for a smooth ride. Have owned this bike for around 2 years have taken it to rotorua New Zealand and given some of those hard core dual suspention riders a bit of a fright.The bike although on the heavy side in standard trim has a lot of potential, adding a carbon seat stay is a wise investment. A good solid performer very capable in the right hands
Favorite Trail: Lysterfeild, Commonwealth Games Track
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At: Melbourne
Similar Products Used: Giant XTC 1 & 2,
Bike Setup: Mavic 819's with XT hubs, Maxxis Crossmark tyres, Ritchey headset, Carbon seat post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James Lechtenberg
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2007
Strengths: This frame is stinkin light. I built it up mostly custom as a cross country racing hardtail. The ride of the bike is awesome. The carbon stays help a lot with the vibrations and keep it light. The weight on my set up is 21 lbs. (with disc brakes) very impressive
Weaknesses: Haven't found anything yet, but of course i would report anything if i ever did
Bottom Line:
Jamis makes an awesome, unbeatable bike for the money. Spendning money on anything else is a waste of time. I shopped around and all reviews/common sense pointed to the Jamis. Use your brain and buy a bike that makes sense.
Strengths: Geometry, low bb, rel slack head angle, short wheel base. Excellent XC weapon for the price.
Weaknesses: Stock parts are heavy and not of the highest quality especially if your intention is to race this bike.
Bottom Line:
For a hardtail racer, geometry and weight are the most important features. Though this bike is not the lightest when compared to the scotts, orbea's etc. it is more forgiving, not as much chink-chink along with lower back pain etc. It rides like a Mt. Bike, low center of gravity great for cornering. If you are just getting into racing this is an excellent and affordable choice. If you are an experienced racer and need a sub 23 pound weapon, buy the frame and spec it out yourself.
Similar Products Used: Orbea Alma, Jericho, Bridgestone, Bontrager
Bike Setup: Fox 100 Rlc, Easton post, cockpit, wheels, crank bros pedals and formula brakes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Rotorua, NZ
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006
Strengths: Well speced for price and light weight
Weaknesses: WTB wheelsets, Bulldog tyres
Bottom Line:
Overall sweet package. Bought a 19" with upgrades and decided a bit to big so got a 17" standard and after trying both bikes for a while built up best on 17" frame then flicked off rest on 19' frame. Tyres on stock were dissapointing and folded the wtb laserdisc on 60cm dropoff before replacing with 717's. Also found the RS revelation forks much more solid and responsive than R7's. Slight xtra weight of revelations compensated for by EA70, better wheelset and tyres. Looks like they have replaced R7 in 2007 model so a good move and should make it sweeter still. Componentry and Jucy brakes great for Rotorua single tracks. Climbs very well and overall very good XC hardtail.
Bike Setup: Standard stock except replaced forks with Rockshock revelation, tyres to Maxis rancheros XCept'n, rims to Mavic 717, stem & bar to EA70 Monkeylite
Hi mtbr's , new on here and would like some assistance in my choice of ride for 09 ..
Ive narrowed my search down to two HT bikes and have a cannundrum on choice .
Both are simila Read More »
[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/Jamis-Dakota-Elite-frame-2008-19-alum-carbon-650b-fit_W0QQitemZ290307332025QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item290307332025&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_tr Read More »
Picked this frame up last week at a killer closeout deal. With my build it comes in at 23.4lbs, with saddle bag (two co2, one spare specialized tube, soma steel core lever, CB m5 Read More »
I have a 2009 Dakota Elite that I picked up a few months ago. I've noticed that I have to really ratchet down the QR on the rear wheel to keep it from sliding out. I'm a fairly s Read More »
I have a 2009 Dakota Elite that I picked up a few months ago. I've noticed that I have to really ratchet down the QR on the rear wheel to keep it from sliding out. I'm a fairly str Read More »
