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Submitted by
JC
a Cross Country Rider
from Franklin, MA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | private | | Strengths: | Great front and rear suspension, haven't had any problems. The bike is really strong and I haven't noticed any flex. Altough I'm only a teenager so I don't exactly weigh the bike down. The weight, 32 lbs isn't bad and doesn't feel really heavy. | | Weaknesses: | The trails I ride are really, really wet, muddy, and sandy so I'm not surprised the brake pads and tires wore out really fast. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock except new chain, brake pads, and rock gaurd. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a begginer with such a low price and awesome components. The fox vanilla rear shock provides plenty of suspension. If you're thinking about getting into the sport this is a great bike that can go from the road to the woods with no problems. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland,OH
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | vulture's knob | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Pretty decent derailleurs, bar and stem, and the fox vanilla. The rear suspension geometry works well. Fork is Ok and overall ride and control good for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Chainstays crack which I think is direct result of light duty spring on rear suspension leading to bottoming out and heavy stresses. Mine was cracked at purchase as it was used. Also, formula wheelset is marginal and saddle uncomfortable. STOCK TIRES TERRIBLE, IF YOU BUY ONE OF THESE NEW WHICH YOU STILL CAN, TRADE THESE DUDS IN AT PURCHASE FOR CREDIT ON ANYTHING APPROPRIATE FOR WHERE YOU RIDE! | | Similar Products Used: | Older single pivot, y-frame bike which was by far inferior in ride quality, control, etc.. | | Bike Setup: | LX 9 spd driveline, shimano wheelset, upgraded rear spring and chainstay, aftermarket stem, post, saddle etc. | | Bottom Line: | Fun, modestly priced trail bicycle, but you must respring it for your weight as appropriate. This is often the case with other manufacturers also so don't be too down on Jamis. If you need one, Jamis has chainstays still available as of 12/03, and they seem to be beefier than the original was and come in black only. I expect no problems with heavier spring and updated swingarm now installed on this bike. 3 chilis for value for hassles with tires and setup, 3 for overall performance of modest fork and components. Once again, these stock tires are awful. Compound has no grip and make bike very squirrely and undermine otherwise decent performance for the dough. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dale
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Rosa CA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in Annadel State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | great price, good value, strong frame, decent components, good basic platform for upgrades. | | Weaknesses: | brakes, stock tires | | Similar Products Used: | giant nrs, trek fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | bontrager race wheelset, avid sd-7 brakes, levers and cables, answer protaper carbon riser bar, ouray grips, wtb velociraptors, wtb speed V saddle, odyssey platform pedals | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike on the strength of a mtb mag review and haven't been disappointed. The extra weight compared to my old (99 raleigh) hardtail took a little getting used to. Had some "clunking" sounds from somewhere but that disappeared after a trip to the LBS and some minor adjustments and tightening. No chain suck problems, ever. Wanted to get the weight down some so I replaced wheelset and handlebars. Stock tires are ok in the dry but are useless in the wet. Major slip'n slide time. WTB's are much better. Stock brakes should be replaced immediately!! Took a hard fall in the wet last spring because of major brake fade. While recuperating, upgraded to Avid SD-7 levers and brakes. Much better. I'm a senior (55+) rider on a large frame so the suspension is a little stiffer. No major complaints except the rear spring could be a little stronger. Overall, great bike for a great price. Good entry level if you are just getting into MTB or if you're on a limited budget. Even with upgrades, the cost is less than going to the next level. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is great for starting out.
It can be upgraded very easily!
The frame is the best for your money. | | Weaknesses: | The tires
Get rid of the rims and V brakes as well
Front suspension depending on your weight | | Bike Setup: | Hayes disc brakes
Sun rhyno lite XL rims with Shimano Deore XT hubs.
Panaracer Fire pro XC 2.1 tires | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. If you plan on riding it very hard, you will have to do some upgrading. But in the end it is still cheaper and better quality than most other bikes you can buy. I ride the heck out of this bike, even the front suspension has held up fine. No chain suck yet I just put tape where it would get sucked in and has done the trick so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlottesville, Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Panorama Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Value, upgradablity, overall Jamis quality. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Mosquito tires | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock, XT crankset | | Bottom Line: | This is my first bike ever and it has served me well. It is probably the best full-suspension bike out on the market for beginners. I love how upgrade-able it is. I plan to get a Jamis as my next bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bret
a Weekend Warrior
from long beach CA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | santiago to old camp, down luge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$633.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | pretty rugged so far, | | Weaknesses: | lots of chain suck, kept jamming between chain rings and bottom bracket, got really frustrated one time and yanked it out, bent a couple links...
just this past weekend, i noticed the drive train side chain stay had cracked!!!! what the heck!?!?!? it cracked in the little "indented" area about 2-3 inches back from the bottom bracket. | | Similar Products Used: | none really, test rode specialized fsr, was bit pricey... | | Bike Setup: | havent changed too much, got rid of the weak 2.1 mosquitos for some beefy 2.4 WTB moto raptors, got rid of the grips for some more comfy ones, changed out the seat for a WTB one, am considering getting some avid mechanicals as soon as my wallet approves, until then, i need to get some aztec or kool stop brake pads. i also sliced off the fork boots with an exacto knife, looks alot better and hasnt hindered the forks performance (yet). | | Bottom Line: | This has been a killer bike, and after reading these other updates about the chainstay cracking, I am kinda worried about it happening again. Other than that and the chain suck issues, which have been solved by removing a few links, I love this bike. I plan on riding it till I run it into the ground.
Bike is in the shop, Jamis said they would send new part out tomorrow, (assuming rear sway portion). So, until then, its back to my Haro v2 hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Downhiller
from whitefish, mt
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | old dirty b stash | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | jensen usa | | Strengths: | climbes well, light weight, | | Weaknesses: | cro moly rear triangle, disc mount only. weak rear linkage bolts | | Similar Products Used: | stinky, pipeline, dakar expert | | Bottom Line: | climbs well, however i broke the right rear chainstay on a three foot urban drop. jamis was good on warranty, sowas my shop, glacier cyclery in whitefish mt. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Peaks View | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I am a Clydesdale at 6'4" and 255 lbs. I have been giving this bike hell and it keeps on asking for more. Very little chica-chica-bink-bink-bink from the frame/pivot points and no chainsuck to speak of. When I read the review from the guy that has wicked chainsuck I think maybe I got lucky or something, cause I have given it plenty of opportunity to suck chain and it has turned me down everytime. Not the lightest frame by far, but not overweighted either. Overall a great bike for my $$$$. | | Weaknesses: | I had a problem with the rear Hutchinson Mosquito-it was warped. The BSG said they have had a lot of problems lately with the Hutchy's (I'm about to give them a very bad review!). The F & R deraillures needed adjusting after only a few rides to make the bike smooth again, but after that they held pretty good-not a very reasonable weakness. Oh, and the rear shock was screaming for mercy everytime I rode over anything larger than a piece of rice, but I put an 800 # spring on it and it does great now! I think when they (Jamis) sell a L or XL frame they should assume the rider will weigh more and equip the rear Fox with a heavier spring. Also, the rim brakes suck! My very first upgrade for this ride was a pair of Avid mechanicals and some XT disc hubs/rims right before replacing the cheesey saddle. Again, overall its a strong ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized A1 FS, Trek Fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | Avid mech disc, XT f&r hubs w/mavic disc rims, motoraptors, Salsa grips. | | Bottom Line: | Good buy for the $. I put a couple hundred more in it and have what $1000 wouldn't buy. I like it, I like it a lot... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. Adams
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Durham Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Demo at bike shop in TO | | Strengths: | Full suspension, shifters | | Weaknesses: | See below | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar+ series, Specialized FSRs, Cannondale (old delta V series). | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Saw this in MBACTION and thought I would give it a demo ride to see if I wanted the frame or not. I was very open, this being my second FS bike. I have to saw, this is the worst FS bike I have tried yet and can't believe the good review it got in MBA. It had slow steering and bad geometry, cheaply built (almost to the point of a Walmart special), the rear shock was useless (I am 6-4/190Lbs and it just about bottomed). When I asked if there was a stiffer spring available, all I got was dumb looks and was told to tighten the shock, even though it was almost to its max setting. The last problem with shifting. It was likely misadjusted but worsened when the weak suspension was bobbing. Ok, this is a cheap bike, but I would gladly spend an extra few hundred for ANYTHING better than this. Even a used frame would perform better. Sorry Jamis, but I just cant see what the whoopla is about. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robgaloshes
a Weekend Warrior
from ri
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | killington mountain, vt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$670.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | price, frame, upgradeability | | Weaknesses: | chainsuck, saddle comfort, manitou fork | | Similar Products Used: | k2 zed hardtail | | Bike Setup: | stock 17" (i'm 6'0/150) | | Bottom Line: | i bought this bike after reading the mtb action shootout, and checking the reviews on this site. i'm a new rider and have been going strong on this bike for 4 months now. i've taken it on some pretty sick downhill trails (mount snow nh, and killington vt), and the bike has been able to handle all of it in stride. most of the riding i do is xc.
the only real complaint i have is the chainsuck can get pretty bad. i don't know if all bikes are like this, but i think having to take apart your crank to fixed a jammed chain is a bit ridiculous (this actually happened on flat ground).
next season i plan on swapping out the tires, fork, saddle, derailleurs, and the rear shock. i blew one out, and got a replacement under warranty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clayton Colleran
a
from Clemson, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Isaqueena | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Gusto Cycle | | Strengths: | Awsome Value, Versatility, fun-factor, Highly upgradable (I found out that the drawback to this frame compared to the higher end Dakar frames is the Pivot Point set-ups, but the set-ups used on this 2002 frame are the same as the high end bikes of last year, due to the new model deisgns) | | Weaknesses: | Both wheels went out of true on my first ride and the bottom bracket came loose on my second. It was nothing that could'nt be easily fixed with my 1-year warrantee, but still had to take it back to the shop when I could have been riding. Also, the front shock is only rated to a 185lb rider and I'm pushing 200lbs, meaning I'm getting a lot of bottoming out, and not just on the front shock, the back needs beefing up to. However, there are stiffer coils available for both shocks as an upgrade. Havn't experienced chain suck problems. | | Similar Products Used: | 1st fs, previous bike (4 sale if interested) was a Schwinn Mesa GSX. Did downhill a Giant fs at Lake Tahoe two summers ago though. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, minus tires. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike after reading an article in Mountain Biking Magazine... they raved on the value, and I had been wanting a fs since I got back from Tahoe. Far as I can tell thus far, the mag was right and the bike has treated me well. I'm a pretty hard rider, and the only thing I would change is a little more stiffness in the suspension (soon to be remidied). The true test of the bike will come after Christmas when I move to Colorado. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Fresno, CA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sky Harbor | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Copeland Sports | | Strengths: | Great all around bike, can't beat the price. | | Weaknesses: | The drive side chain stay keeps cracking. I'm a 180lbs xc rider. I've never taken this bike off of any big drops or jumps. Just your normal xc trails, a few bumps and what not. This bike needs a new chain stay, it is this bike's Achilles tendon. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has all the potential in the world, Jamis needs to wake up and redesign the chainstay. What good is it if your bike is all ways in the shop waiting for a replacement part? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Value | | Weaknesses: | None for the price. | | Similar Products Used: | old nasty Trek | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the new guy, or the old guy newly returning! I am just getting back into riding, and plan to ride this stock until next year, then I will buy a whole new bike. If all goes well, it may be another Jamis. Maybe a Dakar Pro. This bike is perfect for now and money well spent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ALL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Very cool bike, though this is only my second mountain bike my first being a Specialized Hardrock A1 FS I bought 3 months ago, yes I got bitten by the ATB bug!
I've found nothing wrong with the Jamis Dakar although I did replace the tires with a pair of Specialized Rocksters for more of an all-around riding confident feel on both dirt and asphalt which have very low rolling resistance unlike the Hutchinson Mosquitoes that came on the bike. Other than replacing the tires the bike is as is off the showroom floor and I couldn't be more happier. | | Weaknesses: | Found nothing so far as of yet, but I'll report back at a later date with an update if I have anything to add. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing, this is my first f/s bike | | Bike Setup: | Bought as is as except for replacing the tires. | | Bottom Line: | For anybody interested in buying their first f/s mountain bike, they should look at the beautiful Jamis Dakar with both eyes wide open and live life today, and not wait until tomorrow! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bret
a Weekend Warrior
from long beach, ca
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | almost all of the so. cal trails i've rode | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$633.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | i have only had this bike for 2 weeks now, and have ridden it on two trails....i will update my "review" a few months down the line. the price couldnt be beat, $633.00 out the door including tax! this is my first f/s bike so, i am excited to get this rig out on the trail, particularly "Rock-it" in Aliso Woods. From what I have read this bike is solid, it can upgraded rather easily and it uses the same frame as its big brother bikes... | | Weaknesses: | brakes are a little on the "clunky/clanky" side, there is "play" between the base of the "arms", it almost seems as if they didnt mold those pieces wide enough at the bottom, thus the play and clank noise....i either busted the rear shock, or it was defective, it made a rather annoying "hiss/phwit" noise every time it compressed and rebounded. i took it back to performance and the mechanic swapped it out with another rear shock off another dakar off the sales floor, this one had a beefier coil. (i like) | | Similar Products Used: | none, this is my first f/s rig. | | Bike Setup: | stock, straight off the floor of the shop....wait, actually, i swapped out the rear shock spring for a heavier one....the one that comes on the size "large" bike, seems to make the ride less "mushy", and since i do carry a little extra beer weight, this thicker spring works much better for me than the original one did. | | Bottom Line: | i cant wait to see how awesome this bike really is, i have yet ridden it to its full potential. the price couldnt be beat, and the reviews it received in MBaction were unsurpassed. i am confident i made the right decision in purchasing this bike. i am never gonna do any races or huck off anything ridiculous, so, this is all the bike i need. Thanks Jamis for making such a great bike at such a great price! The overall rating gets a "4" because of the clanky brakes and the bunk rear shock that the shop replaced without hesitation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobo D. Clown
a Cross Country Rider
from Bartertown
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bobo is often spotted on most local trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | Price, Strength, Performance, Sweet geometry on the 15", Looks, this bad boy gets more attention than a hooker at church! | | Weaknesses: | Breeds contempt and jealousy from riders who paid more for their frames then I did for my whole bike. | | Bike Setup: | Bobo's 2002 Custom Dakar (w/ Cane Creek AD-12), Marzocchi MXC-ECC, Aheadset (Steel/Cartridge), Thomson Stem, Azonic bars, Race Face cranks, Terry Liberator Y saddle, Rhyno-Lite Rims, Continental Vertical Pro 2.3 tires and XT components...how do ya like me now!? | | Bottom Line: | Follow up from below after having had a chance to really try the frame for half a year. I made a mistake in writing below that the "bell pivot" was a cartridge bearing. I had ordered a backup set of bushings (not b/c mine are failing but b/c I like the frame so much I wanna have it around for a while) and the replacement set of bushings is a set of 3 and there are 4 pivots on the Dakar. So I thought the bell pivot was a bearing. Don't let this change your opinion about the frame. Lots of high end frames still use bushings and it's low maintenance. My frame pivots are still tight and smooth as can be. But if you must have cartridge bearings get the higher model Dakar.
Anyway on w/ the review, I wound up switching alot of parts b/c I just bought the bike for the frame and attempted to turn it into an affordable trail/free ride bike. Honestly, you can use everything that is Deore level or higher on this bike but the Alivio stuff and the Manitou fork must go. I got rid of it all and after spending what Pete below described as "like a drunken sailor on leave." Bobo D. Drunken Sailor wound up with the above (See Bike Setup). The frame is incredibly strong for a XC frame because of the over size 7005 triple gauge tubing and headtube gusseting (kinda why I wanted to see how "free ride" I could make it.) Nice sloping geometry on the 15" frame and it's made for 100mm forks. Fits a 2.3 tire in the rear w/ room even w/ V brakes. No chainsuck, no lateral flex, minimal bobbing and quiet descending. Jamis has made great MTB's at very fair prices for a while w/ their Dakar (full suspension), Dragon and Dakota frames (both steel hardtails). 5 havelinos for the Dakar frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobo D. Clown
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A.
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price, Performance | | Weaknesses: | Couldn't find any | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Dakar w/ AD-12, Marzocchi MXC, Race Face cranks, Thompson Stem, Azonic bars, XT Components | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for the frame. The 2002 Dakar uses the same tripled butted aluminum as the high level models. The changes from the 2001 are sweet. Boxed off aluminum seat and chainstays and cartridge bearings. The higher models have 2 cartridge bearing and 2 bushings, the lower two models have 1 cartidge bearing and 3 bushings. I upgraded the stock fox coil for a Cane Creek AD-12 to match my 100mm air zokies. The feel of the bike is awesome. The frame design performs incredibly well, minimal pedal induced bobbing and no lateral flex (even w/ my 3 bushing 1 cartidge frame.) Other than an average paint job the higher end frames with this design (titus, psycle works etc...) have little on this bike. 5 of those little guys to Jamis for an affordable full suspension frame that performs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete Thompson
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fern, Big Bear | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | The frame is outstanding. It is definately set up as entry level bike, however, is upgrade-able to whatever level you are. | | Weaknesses: | No real weaknesses, if you are true to level of rider you are (beginner/low intermediate) then components will suit you fine. If you like to spend money like a drunken sailor on leave then, yes, there is room for improvement. | | Similar Products Used: | Convert from a road bike- | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I am extremely happy with the purchase. I swallowed my pride and entered the bike store as a beginner(and told them). If your looking to get into a full suspension bike that will grow with your ablity you have come to the right place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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