XTR has always been about XC mountain bike racing at the highest level. So it was only natural that we paired Shimano’s newest great stuff with our lightened-for-‘03 Dakar Pro frameset. Dakar XC Pro is clearly ready to race straight from the crate
Great frame so far. Only bobbing is from the SID. Suspension not plush, but never seems to limit my riding at the intermediate XC level. I have to do a sanity check when the cactus start going by looking like a picket fence. Haven't needed to use the Fox RL lockout - maybe for some long uphill smooth competition?? Climbs gnarly steeps better than my hardtail (similar components). BTW, to my surprise, the frame came with a Cane Creek ZS-2 headset (not installed).
Large frame is close to 6.0 lbs with frame shock (scale pretty good but not exact). Built up as described, with 300 g. pedals, it's right at 25 lbs. I weigh almost 200 lbs, knuckledragger, and the frame fit with a 130mm stem and XY post is good for all around XC; and don't notice much frame flex (XC with no drops over 2 feet, lot of rough singletrack, some fast snaking hardpack).
If you can find a 2003, and ride XC, I don't think you can go wrong with this frame at $500 new incl. Fox RL. Quick, agile, climbs like a homesick angel, lightweight-not a freeride/all mountain rig.
A few things to note: 1. I had to file out just a little metal on the leading edge of the right rear dropout slot/derailleur hanger to get the QR flange nut to clear the derailleur. Problem occurs with the Bontrager QR as well as XTR and XT QRs. Might just have been my frame's day's/week's production run? I just had to take a red hair off the leading edge, lower portion below where the QR tightens down - an engineer might freak out but I can't see where it weakens anything worth worrying about. 2. I was checking out the Jamis website to see what I was missing by not buying a 2004 instead of this 2003. It looks like the Horst style link is not used. They advertise a new, 2004 fully active 4 bar rear suspension, as I remember, but it's now pivoted up in the seatstay??? Will be interesting to see some reviews to the 2004 Dakar XCs with this setup and comments about bobbing. 3. The Zero Stack headset includes instructions about having the headtube reamed/sized prior to pressing in the cups; but the ZS takes unique, somewhat expensive set of tools and shops may not have them. The LBS around here don't have them. Don't know how available ZS headsets will be as the traditional 1 1/8" and the newer IS may dominate. I am getting an intermittent "squeek" probably from the stem or headset area and haven't taken the time to figure it out. If it turns out to be a significant problem, I'll repost.
If you're looking for a deal on a true 4 bar FS XC frame, I highly recommend the 2003 Dakar XC Pro.
Similar Products Used: several but no chainstay FS link
Bike Setup: Bought frame only; built up with Bont. racelite wheelset, Maxxis High Roller XC tires/lightw. tubes, Stylo Team Crankset (7075 w/integ spider), SID XC, XTR brake/shift pods/derailleurs/brakes/cassette/cables, Sram hollowpin 99, Yeti/Easton bar, RFace XY post/XC BB, Bont. Ti saddle
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Submitted by
JT
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2004
Strengths: Stiff Linkage, No Bobs, Lightweight very adjustible Full Susp. w/Lockout, Precise Steering, Plush Ride, looks sharp, very serviceable linkage. Should last forever.
Weaknesses: Frame doesn't fit easy on some bike racks as the rear shock assembly takes up much of the top tube underside. Rear derailleur hanger is a bit flimsey.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. Built up at 24lbs, the weight is barely noticable compared to 21lb x/c hardtail. Bombs downhill with precision and is flickable w/low center of gravity. Suspension is so plush you can concentrate on more important things. Climbs exceptional without bobs except when standing. The traction while standing more than makes up for any slight bobs. Virtually no suspension induced pedal feedback. Perfect choice for 24 hr. races or epic (all day) rides.
Bike Setup: XT, Truvative Stylo Team Cranks, Rock Shock Duxe XC-U'Turn 68-108mm fork, Avid Braking, Sun ODeg XC/Real Design wheels, Thompson Seat/Stem, fikik Plateau
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Submitted by
Max
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003
Strengths: FRAME: No bob No creaks Rear shock(My upgrade) Paint job Weight
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. I purchased the frame from a local bike shop for $200(too good to be true, but it is) got a build kit from JensonUSA.com and ride every day.
This bike does not bob one bit. I changed the rear shock to a Fox vanillaRC and mostly kept the bike to a trail bike setup. I rode up a 3 mile climb, while everyone else in my group gave up (some on hardtails some on FSR's), I panted on. This bike climbs like a hardtail but with no bumbs. I custom made the bike so for great position on climbs, and not bad on downhill either. I usually don't ride flat (only uphill and downhill). This bike is awsome. I've done some drops on it and it has held itself to a true. I find my setup unlike anything anyone has ever seen, but it is an excellent setup (XC frame, freeride/XC components). Although I don't ride freeride on this bike, I do ride every else on it.
This bike is excellent for technical singletrack. All types of fireroads, some downhill terrain, and every other kind of trail riding there is.
All in all this bike is the best of the best of the best.
Purchased At: Local bikes shop for frame, JensonUSA.com for build kit
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Jekll 600 Gary fisher sugar 3_ Gt i-drive Gary fisher MARin
Bike Setup: LX Drivetrain Titec components Shimano clipless Oury grips Hutchison python tires LX Vee brakes LX Wheel sets Manitou black fork (120mm)
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Submitted by
DOUG RABAUT
a Cross Country Rider
from DETROIT
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
Strengths: VERY STRONG, GOOD PAINT JOB, REALLY FAST AND QUIET, NICE STOCK COMPONENT GROUPO, XTR IS AWESOME. I GOT AN EMPLOYEE PURCHASE SO I GOT IT FOR ONLY $2000
Weaknesses: NONE SO FAR, I SWITCHED OUT THE ANSWER RISER BAR AND THE TIME ATAC CLIPPLES PEDALS RIGHT WHEN I GOT IT. BUT EVERTHING SEEMS TO BE GREAT.
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS EASILY WORTH THE MONEY. THE XTR IS GREAT AND I WOULD SUGGEST THIS FOR ANY CROSS-COUNTRY RIDER. THE LOCKOUT IS ALSO SWEET.
Similar Products Used: GT I-DRIVE, KLEIN MANTRA COMP
Bike Setup: FULL XTR DRIVETRAIN, EASTON EC90 FLATBAR, 959 CLIPLESS PEDALS, CANE CREEK HEADSET, MAVIC X3.1 DISC W/MICHELIN WILDGRIPPER JET S TUBELESS
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Submitted by
Jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, Tn USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Strengths: Great frame geometry, it really soaks up the bumps. Going down really rocky sections is finally fun!
Weaknesses: Bob is noticeable when you get up to pedal but who could expect anything less. screws holding pivots together backed all the way out recently but that was probably my fault for not checking them every once and a while. The replaceable derailleur hanger is in the way of putting the rear wheel on so I have to bang the H@#l out of it to make it go in.
Bottom Line:
This is a beautifully performing bike but i'm not sure how much is the frame and how much is the set up and front shock. The frame weight is a bit much at 6.75 lbs but the plushness of the ride makes it hard to argue. I've replaced most of the components on this bike as I broke them over the past two years but I haven't had any serious problems with the frame or rear shock yet.
Bike Setup: xt derailleurs, shifters and brakes, md 360 cranks, xtr hubs w/ 517 rims, Judy xc all travel fork set to 100mm.
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Submitted by
JP LaMere
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003
Strengths: Great value with all the necessities including front and rear lockout, 03 XTR, etc... Very adjustable bike.
Weaknesses: New XTR disc brakes have no way to loosen. I can't believe this, shame on Shimano to think their self adjusting mechanism is foolproof, especially on a new system. My brakes were rubbing for the first 2 miles, and I know in Shimano's manual they mention a break in period, so perhaps that's all it was. I will say the brakes work fantastically, they do squeak for a while after getting wet, but then when they dry the squeaking goes away. I would still like an on the fly adjustment for loosening the brake to move the calipers out like Avid, Hayes, Magura and everyone else has. Or at least Shimano should include the red spacer and bleed kit with the system which they mention in their manual as necessary for readjustment. Or at the very very least they should make it available for sale to consumers as the work is not hard to do, just a scheme to keep the bike shops happy making you go in for service. The guys at the local bike shop here in Portland, OR mentioned they have had to send some new XTR disc brakes back to Shimano as the pistons which push the calipers do not fully retract. I must say again though, the brakes work fantastically.
Bottom Line:
I probably should not be reviewing after only one big epic ride at Siouxon Creek in WA as it is always strange to get on a new bike, it usually never feels right as you are used to your old one. But I was comfy on the Jamis almost right away. I was not used to having so much travel on the front Skareb Super as compared to my Cannondale Fatty, so I just dialed the rebound up which helped considerably, and then by the end of the ride I found myself adding more rebound as I was craving all that nice cushy travel. The bike has a ton of adjustment, and being able to lock out the front and rear is so nice, I would not ever go back to a bike that does not have this ability. I thought reaching down to the front fork to lock out would be a hassle but its not, as typically you lock out on an uphill when you are already leaning forward anyway. The bike is smooth, fast, and incredibly precise. It is light and nimble, great full suspension ride, fast, excellent XC race bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Cannondale Raven.
Bike Setup: Full XTR, stock as specified on Jamis site here: http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/spec_geo/03_dakar_xc_pro_spec.html with the exception that I use Shimano pedals.
