“One of the best overall bikes on the market” wrote Mountain Bike in their review of last year’s Dakar Comp (05/02). Words sure to be written again when they see that the ’03 XC Comp features the same new lightweight frame as the twice as expensive XC Pro.
Submitted by
Michael t
a Weekend Warrior
from dallas tx usa
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2008
Strengths: I got the frame for $125. It has a fox float shock (very durable if you are not heavy and do not jump off of cliffs or ramps), low top tube, strong front triangle, and powder coating. Detachable derailleur hanger has saved frame twice.
Weaknesses: Made by communist chinese. Shock requires shock pump, which is pain in the ass to carry for adventure rides, the shock bottoms out sometimes. The bottom bracket pivot point creaks no matter what I lube it with. The pivot point bushings must be secured with loctite or you will walk back!
Bottom Line:
This is made for light energetic people who like hardtails but want better traction for singletrack cornering at high speed. I wouldn't buy a new bike for the prices they charge, but its a great ebay or nashbar deal. 4 flamin' turds.
Similar Products Used: Specialized, Diamondback, gary fisher hardtails.
Bike Setup: 1990's dakar comp with fox float, mix of sram and xt shimano, custom built wheels from catalogue closeout parts. I want a moon saddle!
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Submitted by
jay moller
a Cross Country Rider
from ringwood NJ USA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2008
Strengths: nice light, fast bike, super smooth, awesome traction, sharp looking when it shines! great brakes, adjustable front shock is key for quick tunes on the go.
Weaknesses: stock tires aren't the best, but i've seen worse.
Bottom Line:
i love the bike but i must sell it, i have a kid on the way and it's going for cheap, still in mint condition.
Similar Products Used: tried the xc pro and expert
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
B
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2005
Strengths: Light, fast bike, great on light/moderate XC trails. Can take small jumps, 3-4ft. With new brake pads, stops on a dime!
Weaknesses: Shocks are a little weak on jumps and downhill XC. Wheels become untrue too quickly. Saddle sucks, hurts after 30-45min.
Bottom Line:
Great value for a XC bike! This bike is great as a starter MTB or a light XC bike until you increase your skills and start doing heavier riding. Good frame, worth to upgrade parts.
Strengths: Crazy good for climbing. I took it up for a ride up at the local mountain bike trail to see what it could do. I was amazed at the agility. It doesn't boblike other full-suspention bikes that I have ridden. It climbs like a hardtail. For the first time, I was able to sit down on the climbs thus giving me good traction.
Weaknesses: Creaks only because stem bolts are aftermarket and are: 2 aluminum/2 Titanium. The Aluminum ones creak
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Sadly, it is quicker than my road bike. I was on a paved bike trail and I passed my friend who was going 29 like he was standing still; and that was with knobbies. Very quick and no bobbage, but still soaks up the bumps and allows for great control in bumpy conditions.
Similar Products Used: Junk Walmart bike, Specialized Demo Nine (neither are similer....but....had to put something here.)
Bike Setup: Far from Stock, prototype Rock Shox SID Race(very few made), LX crank with alloy chainrings that are drilled out to save weight, Alivio Rear Derailleur, Deore front, Deore shifters, Avid Single Digit 5 Brakeset, WTB Front wheel, Deore XT rear.
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Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Niceville, Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004
Strengths: Bike uses great componets to put together one fine Bike
Weaknesses: Tires. Hutchinson Phythons dont do well in loose slippery conditions
Bottom Line:
Great handling fast bike. Soaks up the bumps without sacraficing power. Buy the bike change the tires and ride until you cant ride anymore. Purches it from your local shop because the shop owner here swaped the tires for me when I told him my problems with the stock tires and he also swapped the stock pedals for me so I had the same pedals on both my road and mountain bikes.
Bike Setup: Stock except WTB velociraptor tires and Ritchie peddles
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Mission Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004
Strengths: Are you kidding, for the money and the components included, try finding a better deal. jamis changed their frame this year to make it even stronger. Try comparing other manufactures within the same price range. I doubt you'll find anything this nice. I love the new shifters from shimano, they take time getting used to but they are nice
Weaknesses: Could have used hydraulic disk brakes Fork kinda mushy Wish back shock was lockable Kinda old style rear suspension
Bottom Line:
try finding this bike before they sell out! I really love mine, take it several orange county trails and kill it. Very little bobbing feel on uphills
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Griswold, CT
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2003
Strengths: Excellent Frame, great components, price.
Weaknesses: None yet!
Bottom Line:
After a year of trying to decide which bike to buy to replace my aging Giant ATX 890 I narrowed my choices down to the Jamis Dakar XC, Giant NRS, Gary Fisher Sugar, C-Dale and FSR. I ruled out the Giant and FSR after a couple of rides. I found a shop who had my remaining choice all in stock so got to test ride them on the same terrain. The first bike I tried was the Jamis. I liked how it accelerated, climbed and absorbed the bumps. The second bike, the Sugar, wasn't has smooth as the Jamis and I didn't favor the Genesis geometry. The third I rode was the Cannondale Jekyll which was extremely smooth but was not a agile climber like the Jamis. Being an ex-cross country racer the Jamis gave me the ride quality I was looking for. It was smoother then the Giant over small and large bumps, climbed well and geometry fit me well.
Now with several rides under my belt I have to say this the Jamis Dakar XC has revived my interests in riding. The fun factor has definitely improved. The bike climbs as well as my hardtail yet gives me that extra comfort over the rocks and roots of New England. There are several obstacles I could not clear (or was nervious about attempting) on my hardtail. I can now clear these obstacles easily (one time I tried to unclip from my new Time Atacs but didn't disengage until after I had cleared the rock wall).
Similar Products Used: Giant NRS-1, Cannondale Jekyll, Specialized FSR, Gary Fisher Sugar
Bike Setup: Completely stock
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Submitted by
mark diehl
a Cross Country Rider
from Vista, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003
Strengths: Reasonable price for decent components. No bob, can run low air pressure in the rear float shock.
Weaknesses: Not big on Python tires for trail riding, need some knobies and air volume. Rear suspension damper is very stiff.
Bottom Line:
A solid bike for cross country to aggressive trail riding, a little to heavy for a race bike. No major problems so far, some stiction on the black elite fork if you dont grease it every other ride. Nothing sexy or pricey like a truth or spyder. The no bob supesion is great for uphill pedaling and the downhill feels a tad stiff but not like a hardtail.
Similar Products Used: Specialized stumpjumper fsr
Bike Setup: Answer carbon bars, odi grips, avid mech disk, specialized enduro pro tires, spinergy fall freeride wheels, shimano 959 pedals, the rest is stock.
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Submitted by
Ollapod
a Cross Country Rider
from goatneck, tx
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003
Strengths: Excellent frame design. Very responsive, soaks up the bumps but still climbs very well.
Weaknesses: None so far....
Bottom Line:
Much more responsive than my GT. Handles well in the technical stuff at my local trail, but then the only limitation in the climbing is my own.
The parts selection is great. I may eventually upgrade the wheels (go lighter), but they are working fine now, and haven't had any problems with coming out of true.
Took it out to Dinosaur Valley this morning to really see how much damage I could do to it and myself. I'm a little scraped up, but it handled it just fine.
It's a bargain at this price. Get it if you have a chance, you won't be disappointed.
Favorite Trail: Cleburne State Park, Dinosaur Valley, Tyler
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At: SW Golf and Sport
Similar Products Used: GT I-Drive Team
Bike Setup: Stock except for pedals
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Submitted by
Rod Larmour
a Cross Country Rider
from Brentwood,cal,USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003
Strengths: Love the frame and rear suspension. Great none active climber. jamis where have you been all my life!!!
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Best bike I have ever owned. Its all about the frame.even though I have added several non stock items from a old bike. For the money and performance value you can not pass this bike up.
Similar Products Used: Past Cannondale jekel rider
Bike Setup: Race face next cranks, XTR drive train, Easton carb bars and seat post. Mavic UST rims, Hayes disc
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Submitted by
Tiffanie
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AK
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2003
Strengths: Fun to ride and race! Totally comfortable, solid and FAST! I feel no bob on uphills, but enjoy the very smooth ride on downhills. The black shock on front is great for bumps and roots. Shifting is SO smooth. Very lightweight for the price!
Weaknesses: Just a little chain stretch so far
Bottom Line:
This bike is totally comfortable and it's very capable, tough and lightweight also. Perfect for me because I'm a puny (but tough) 105 lb. ALASKA BIKE CHICK!! It's so smooth and easy to maneuver over technical terrain. Much easier to bunny hop over roots and big rocks than my old bike because it's lighter weight.
THIS IS A SWEET BIKE FOR ALL TYPES OF RIDERS AND TRAILS!
Purchased At: The Bicycle Dept. at the Motorcycle Shop
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rock Hopper
Bike Setup: Stock plus Bontrager Race Lite wheel set & Butterfly seat
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Monroe, Mi
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Strengths: Tested a ton of bikes but this got my money. This is the sickest xc full suspension bike I have ridden. It takes the hits and flys right over them. Very good ride, while being agile. Virtually no peddle bob at all, even when climbing. When climbing I am not reminded that I am not on a hardtail!
Weaknesses: Minor Gripe: I bought the 21 inch frame and the black shock only came with the wimpy 170lb springs. I weigh 230, so I must put in stiffer springs. Do they think someone buying the 21 inch is only going to weigh 170?
Bottom Line:
Overall a great priced, high value xc full suspension bike that excels in everything a xc suspension should do.
Similar Products Used: Specialized stumpjumper fsr, Kona Kahuna, Giant NRS
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Strengths: Light, sturdy with good combo of parts for the money. I have only test driven this bie so I will follow up, but witht he components for the money. I do not see where a novice to intermdiate can go wrong and as you grow a few upgrades should keep you gong on the track, if you desire. The frame is more than capable of handling a track.
Weaknesses: Not yet found, will follow up.
Bottom Line:
Overall great product for the money. If your looking for a bike and you're anywhere in the intermediate space of riding, this is it. You will find the bike is light and quick to provide you with the fun that started you off riding in the first place. I am giving it 4 for now, not enough use yet to go to 5.
Submitted by
Tim Gagnon
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003
Strengths: Done
Weaknesses: Done
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up post. Jamis sent me a new frame.. a pro frame to my delight (I know its just a paint job). The new frame is in spec and is excelent. I am tackling hill I had to stop time and time again on without hesitation. Bravo Jamis.
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003
Strengths: Climbs like a hardtail but is plush on the downhills. I love the Black in 100mm mode (even for climbing).
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
The bike: All the components feel very solid and smooth--shifting is accurate, brakes are strong, suspension makes the trail very smooth without sacrificing that hardtail feel when pedaling (I've never felt it bob under heavy pedal load). Since I like climbing, it could always lose a couple pounds; maybe a lighter wheelset, but that's really the only upgrade I can see in the very distant future. I'm very happy with the component spec--I even prefer the Avid SD7's over discs--they're lighter and stop just as well.
The ride: I'm an aggressive cross-country rider who actually lives for getting to the top first and I've had a blast on this bike! The bike climbs like a champ. It's also really smooth on the downhill (of course, compared to my old alum hardtail). I've ridden about 100 miles on it so far and every time I go out I have a lot of fun! This bike makes me much more confident on the downhills.
Recommendation: This bike seems ideal for XC riders who want to go faster on the downhill than hardtails allow (and who want a more comfortable ride than a HT) without sacrificing much climbing power.
First off hello from the new guy. Picking up a left over '06 Jamis Dakar XC Comp today and wondering if there is anything I should look for upon initial delivery?
Really excited Read More »
I am running the IRC Mythos XC II 26X2.10 tires on my Dakr XC comp and wanted to know if anyone is running any tires a bit bigger. I have some panaracer xc fires on my old hard ta Read More »
[url]http://sd.craigslist.org/bik/867576503.html[/url]
Have had this on CL for 2 months now and the only response has been from a cashier check scam artist a-hole. Next step is Read More »
I am relatively new to mountain biking and would [B]really appreciate [/B] hearing members thoughts!!
I went to a LBS recently looking for a full suspension bike. I am a little Read More »
I bought a 2010 Dakar XC Comp with M575 hydros on them and from the beginning the frontn brake has been nothing but a problem I have brought it back to the shop where I purchased t Read More »
