This non-ferrous version of our famous Dakota is perfect for the rider looking for a lightweight XC racer for under a grand. The 7005 alloy frame features fast-handling geometry with triple butted tubes. The butting is engineered to trim grams but also helps to soak up rear-end trail chatter.
Submitted by
logan flores
a Downhiller
from tacoma washington
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2008
Strengths: wonderfull bike, put throught the worse for hard core cross to dirt jumping and street all mountain freeride, bombproof fram good bike for starters or racers. incredible
Weaknesses: for cross country nothing
Bottom Line:
this bike took everything i dealt out and its still standing wonderfull bike full of capability, for those saying you need suspention to be hard core, its all in the landing land soft and this bike will treat you well, pushed it past what it was built for and its still here, awsome buy it
Bike Setup: started stalk now everything is changed exept frame and brakes
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Weathers
a Weekend Warrior
from Arbutus, MD USA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2007
Strengths: Reliability and durability. I've been riding this bike exclusively for 10 years now.
Weaknesses: None that I've encountered.
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this bike for 10 years and it is still going strong. I used to race with it occasionally but now I mostly just ride for fun on the weekends. It's taken a beating over the years and has little to show for it except for some chips in the clearcoat finish. I'd recommend a Jamis bike to anyone, unless you like getting a new bike every year because you won't need to replace this one for a long time. I'm also glad to see they've come down in price. I paid almost $1200 for my Dakota AL back in '97.
Strengths: Fast, great value, Truvativ Crank, Skareb fork, Avid disc brakes, light and rugged-looking frame.
Weaknesses: The stock Fizik saddle is a ball-buster.
Bottom Line:
A light, great looking hardtail that is not too mainstream. A truly upgradable-worthy bike offered at a very reasonable price (especially on clearance as I found mine). This bike is for buyers who appreciate fast, low maintenance hardtails who understand that you don't have to spend 4k on a bike to achieve high-end performance.
Bike Setup: 2004 AL, added XT shifters, Oury grips, and XT from derailer.
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Submitted by
dagfink
a Cross Country Rider
from norway
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2004
Bottom Line:
This is my second review. I have now ridden this bike for two years, and I'm still very happy with it. Some comments, though.
It's still a very good bike, good choice of components, high quality frame, good fork etc. It's a good climber w a nice geometry. But I had to play around a lot before I found the right riding position. This is something that takes a while. The stock stem is too long. The frame is pretty compact, so I had to go for an 19", even though I should be between the 17" and 19". Now I have a short stem (90mm) and riser handlebars, plus I've moved some of the spacer rings around the fork. The result is a semi-racey riding position. But it still works on hairy singletrack.
Submitted by
dagfink
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004
Strengths: Geometry, choice of components makes sense. Good brakes. Nice handling. Looks good. Value for money.
Weaknesses: Mosquito tires not all that good. Not sure about the suspension seatpost either.
Bottom Line:
Great entry level mountain bike. Love the handling and the brakes (with the Avids I'm not sure if I really need disc brakes). Superb climber, civilized down hill. If you're looking for a basic and reliable but race worthy bike, this could be it.
Similar Products Used: Mid 90s rigid Cannondale (stolen). Tested a few bikes before I bought the Jamis, such as Gary Fisher and Specialized, but figured this was better value for money.
Bike Setup: Stock, except Continental Vertical 2.3 tires, rigid seatpost and riser handlebars.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Cali
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2004
Strengths: Great value - strong frame for upgrading on - good colors - excellent component spec
Weaknesses: thin paint, which seems to chip easily... Loose the heavy squish-post, and just get out of the saddle...
Bottom Line:
With upgrades, I've gotten this bike down to 22-23 lbs... and could go a bit less with a few more things.... this is my daily rider... I hammer it on the streets around town, jumping down stairs and ledges 2-4 feet high, and don't worry about parts breaking period.... It hauls butt on singletrack, beating you up a bit, as aluminum does, but handles really well... It's fast, wheelies well, and is light enough to race anyday... Buy one at a discount if possible, the shop I worked at was selling these for $749 for quite a while..... that's a hell of a deal, even in stock form.... GO JAMIS!!! Buy this if: You're looking for an upgrade or an entry level bike to race with Don't buy this if: You enjoy being like everyone else, and riding a big name bike
Similar Products Used: GT Rebound - for over 4 years and about 700 miles of trail use
Bike Setup: Nothing stock, but the frame - Sid Race TI fork (Blue) Chris King headset and hubs front and rear (Black) - Mavic 517 Rims laced 3x rear and radial front with DT Double Butted spokes (Black) and Brass Nipples - Michelin Wildgripper Lite S Tires (Kevlar Bead) - Avid Arch Rival Brakes - Shimano XT Brake Levers (1998 Style) - XT Skewers - XT Front and Rear Derailleur - XT Shifters - XT Cassette - XT Hollowtech Cranks - Thomson Stem and Seatpost - Easton Monkeylite SL Carbon Riser Bar - Sella Italia Flite TI Saddle.... and a few other things...
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Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from S.L.C. Utah, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003
Strengths: Great Bike for the money, which is what Jamis is known for. Nice and light, BEFORE upgrades, strong, compliant, and very fast. Also, the reliability of REAL components, not house-brand stuff.
Weaknesses: None, for a hardtail
Bottom Line:
Quite simply on of the best hardtails you can buy for the money. Jamis is simpply amazing. They consistently have the best products for the money, period. If only they were bigger to overthrow the likes of the Trek Triangle , Cannondale, and Specialized. Then we all would be able to have REAL parts on our mountain bikes that would last longer, rather than some house brand crap.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Gary Fisher
Bike Setup: Mostly upgraded (i'm a weight freak) Mavic 517 rims, XT hubs, Thompson seatpost, XT cassette, XT front derailleur, Continental tires
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Dave Carney
a Cross Country Rider
from Colchester, Vt, us
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Strengths: This bike is incredible for those who want to get into biking and racing, the seat suspension as even saved me a few times believe it or not. this bike does great in the climbs.
Weaknesses: im thinking about axing the mosquitos and putting something with a little better traction but other than that this bike is great
Bottom Line:
This bike has great components, a great fork, and a great frame that allows you to step into racing and not be a step behind! The good folks at holiday cycles treated me real well too!
Similar Products Used: stumpjumper from '92 i think
Bike Setup: skareb comp, avid speed dial 5's, x139 rims, deore, lx, and xt drive train, 27 speed
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Submitted by
Tomer Nobel
a Weekend Warrior
from Moshav Faran, Israel
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003
Strengths: Very balanced bike,nice specs, good geometery,the Manitou Skareb Comp is sweet, I like the Xtreme suspension seatpost though it was unfamiliar to me.
Jamis doing it again- a great value for the money without cuting corners with any of the components. You get a strong frame that climbs very well and will fit any XC racer.
Hello,
I currently own a '96 Dakota AL and absolutely love it. However, I've been thinking of upgrading to disc brakes, but the frame does not have the mounts for it. It does, Read More »
Hi there, I own a 2003 Dakota AL (The blue/silver one) and its all upgraded. In fact the only original part is the frame, and there is my doubt. Does anyone know how much does this Read More »
Just bought one from Jenson, apparently their last one (19") I'm currently "filling it up" with...
Manitou Minute :03 100mm
Cane Creek S3 Headset
LX drivetrain components...
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Does anyone have any experience/opinions on this frame? I am looking at getting a new bike and was looking at Durango 2.0 but came accross this frame and was offered it for $100 bu Read More »
