Submitted by
bluemirage188
a Weekend Warrior
from southbury, ct Date Reviewed: September 8, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Bicycle Works middle
Strengths:
Awesome geometry, frame is stout and stiff with very little lateral flex. Much stiffer than a 4bar. Paint is a bit weak, but other than that the bike rocks.
Weaknesses:
Paint, but really who cares. Oh yeah and maybe the stock 50/50s.
Bike is super agile, climbs exceptionally well for a 6in bike. Can do anything.
The real bottom line is that it has made me a better rider. Riding a 4bar was ok but this is worlds better, my riding shows. Have yet to jump anything big, but it rips any corner it enters, and would suit anyone who rode it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
colddiver98
a Weekend Warrior
from NW, USA Date Reviewed: July 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The trail I'm riding
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Bananas
Strengths:
Great components for the price with the exception of the wheels. Excellent cockpit layout and frame design.
Weaknesses:
Mavic 317 Wheels and Deore hubs. Not in keeping with the solid all mountain nature of this bike. Brakes will be te next upgrade to Juicy 7. Feel and adjustment is only OK on the Hayes El Camino. Jamis has weak customer service and warranty support.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Pitch, Specialized Enduro
Bike Setup:
Easton AM Havoc Wheelset, SRAM 990 cassette, Tima ATAC Carbon XS pedals or Crank Bros 5050XX platforms depending on ride, Alligator Serration Rotors.
Bottom Line:
Excellent value and a stout bike. I had an issue with the fork and Jamis would not stand behind it or lend a hand. Bicycle Bananas on the other hand did an excellent job of following up and working with Fox on a solution. I will definitely NOT by from Jamis again, but would gladly deal with the retail and component providers. If you want an excellent value, but do not need the support of Jamis this is a great value and the component package alone is worth the price.
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Submitted by
Erich
a Weekend Warrior
from Levittown, PA. USA Date Reviewed: March 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Green belt single track
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Component Spec. XTR/XT functions flawlessly. Frame.
El Camino brakes are excellent. Easton better stuff, havoc and vice.
Weaknesses:
Cable routing and rear derailure hanger.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel EX-8, Schwinn KOM S9
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Ergon grips w/ ends and crank brothers 5050XX red platform pedals
Bottom Line:
Overkill for my riding, but could fill any style or level of riding. Top end Shimano seals the deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ctrider13
a Weekend Warrior
from Newtown Date Reviewed: February 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Vietnam
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Local shop
Strengths:
Don't waste your time buying the bike. You will be sad after not being able to use your bike for most of the summer!
Weaknesses:
Unfortunately, don't be fooled by other possitive reviews. The pic for MTBR.com shows a 2007. I bought a 2008 and broke my frame 4 TIMES. I weigh only 165lbs and all I can say is that Jamis cares very little about their riders and has some pretty low class customer support. Each time, they assured me it wouldn't happen again as they had developed a new design. After the 4th time speaking to a warranty rep, I found out they were all lies. The chainstay had never been redesigned. Very dissapointed. I sold the bike and purchased a Santa Cruz Nomad. (Very solid, NO BREKING CHAINSTAYS!!!!!) Fyi, Jamis knows about this issue on the XAM and Parker's. Verry dissapointed after having riden the XLT 2.0 for many years.
Bottom Line:
This would be a great design if it worked. Jamis has very poor customer support and apparently doesn't care if you ever get injured when you chainstay blows apart when your flying down a hill. I purchased this model because I had such good luck with my 2005 xlt. Oh well! Do buy this bike. (or frame) Bottom line!
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Submitted by
Sports Wagon (Recover)
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland Date Reviewed: January 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Avalon/Patapsco
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
The Fox DHX 5.0, the geometry and comfort I feel while riding the bike. The seat is amazing. Also I got a really good deal from Jenson (almost 50% off), so the value was unbeatable.
Weaknesses:
I found the handle bars that came with the bike too narrow. The Hayes El Caminos that came on mine. Heard a lot of bad things about the El Caminos, but I thought Id try them before I make a judgement, however they were already inoperable prior to finishing assembly of the bike out of the box.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Bike Setup:
Fox DHX5.0, Fox Talas 32, Deity high rise bar, 5050x pedas, juicy 5's...
Bottom Line:
Well this is a great bike, and the new ones look even better for '09. Im really impressed with the paint job it doesnt scratch easy. I've ridden the bike a lot since getting it. The bikes ridden perfect since after about the first three rides. The rear shock has a lot of adjustments that need to be tuned in, but its amazing once you do so (If you just use common sense and look at the fox website it is not difficult). I also had to ride the narrow bars for the first three rides as I awaited my wider ones. This is a perfect bike for the people who want to do it all. It looks heavier than it is, weight is not an issue. The bike climbs great and descends even better.
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Submitted by
easthill
a Cross Country Rider
from buffalo,NY Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
spragebrook
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Erics Cycle Works
Strengths:
component spec,value
Weaknesses:
hubs,cable routing
Bike Setup:
07 xam 2.0 w/king hubs and formula brakes
kore grips
Bottom Line:
I love this bike-heres some tuning tips-
on the rear shock I have my weight in the main chamber and about 150 psi in the boost chamber.I like running alittle more boost pressure as it helps with the bottoming while still soaking up small bumps.I dial in rebound to keep the rear tire planted and really like this set up.
This is an amazing machine and as with any bike getting your shock settings corect can make a night and day difference.theres lots of tuning to play with so take your time and dont be afraid to run the dials from one side to the other to get a good feel for the changes-ENJOY!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: May 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any dirt path
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
ABSOLUTE RELIABILITY, STUNNING GOOD LOOKS, INTELIGENT COMPONENT BUILD, GORGEOUS SUSPENSION, RESPONDS TO THE TRAIL AS IF ALIVE
Weaknesses:
ZIP
Bottom Line:
After one year of riding 6 hours a week, the bike is perfect. I have had zero issues. The bike actually requires minimal maintenance, cleaning drive train every ride, serviced suspension and replaced chain at 6 months intervals, thats it. A lot of thought went into the design of this bike and it shows. Ride it, Love it and it will serve you well. Lots of great bikes out there and this one should definately be on your short list.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terry Parker
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO USA Date Reviewed: October 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Everything out my back door
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
Find Edge Ski & Bike
Strengths:
Great components and performance for the price.
Weaknesses:
For a weekend warrior who switched from hard tail to full suspension set up help - wished there was better documentation for suspension set up other than the component supplier manuals.
Similar Products Used:
Upgraded from Marin hard tail and final decision between Titus Motolite and Dakar.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as 52nd birthday present to myself and had a liberal budget. The bike rides fantastic on single track and slick rock and to quote the previous reviewer - it takes rocks and drops like a tank. People think I am a better rider than I am when they see the components on the bike. Then the bike itself prevents me from embarrassing myself when I take off. I still have a large skill learning curve to achieve, but the bike helps a lot. This bike is great and would be great value for both intermediate to very experienced riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
Canyon Sports
Strengths:
High end components. A well though out frame design. Attentain to details in regards to the 185 front rotor and 160 rear.
Weaknesses:
Not a huge fan of the Hayes El Camino brakes. Some people prefer the "buttery soft" braking of the El Camino's, however I'm a Juicy 7 kind of guy. Easy swap.
Mostly stock with the exception of swapping out the Hayes El Camino's to the Avid Juicy 7's (185 front/160 rear), Oury grips, XTR cables, Thompson setback seat post, Fizik seat.....simple swaps.
Bottom Line:
Definitely recommend the bike to any all mountain riders. Generally the people that I ride with are all about travel, which the XAM 2.0 has the perfect median. The XAM handles the ups and downs with ease and the geometry fits my riding style perfectly. With being tall, 6'4", it's been tough to find a bike that doesn't require you to raise the seat to the max level to get the most proficient pedal, which isn't a problem with this bike. Jamis even thought out the less obvious details like the 185 front rotor/160 rear. I must also comment on the flat black finish....sweet. Jamis wasn't out to make a hard visual impact like some of the other manufacturers out there: bright orange, yellow, red, etc. Their primary focus was on components and gometry. Most of the riding I search out is more of an all mountain style, in which the bike handles without a single issue. With the 5"+ front and rear travel, cross country riding, all mountain riding, and a bit of downhill doesn't come with any negative consequences. Love the bike. At just over 30 pounds with high end components, the bike's a no brainer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from charlotte nc Date Reviewed: August 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
mojo wheels denver co
Strengths:
this bike climbs great, downhills even better, sucks up 4-5 ft drops like riding off a curb!!!
Weaknesses:
I have been riding (beating) this bike for six months, have not had one issue with this bike.
Bike Setup:
everything stock set up except for pedals which are woodman spikeys.
Bottom Line:
I would rate this bike a 10 out of 10. I have rode a lot of different bikes and although i may have been happy with some of them, i have never enjoyed riding one like i enjoy this bike. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a serious XAM bike, you will not be disapointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada eh! Date Reviewed: July 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Maple & Mt Zoo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Perfectly Balanced, Carefully Spec'd, All Mountain Design that is almost telepathic, responding as you react to the trail.
Weaknesses:
Nothing, Jamis has wisely put their money in expensive hard to replace components, to keep the price point they put lower grade, yet brand name components in the easy replacement areas. Most Companies default to house brands.
Kid Rock said it best, "You ain't Cocky if you can back it up". Jamis has crafted this bike with soul, it's part of me. The bike climbs nasty terrain, wet or dry. Absolutely addicted to steep descents. Fox Talas and DHX 5.0 were made for this bike, the Hayes El Caminos take time to break in, then work awesome. I have over 600 miles with the bike, can't wait to ride. Lot of great bikes out there now. If you ride different terrain and can only afford one bike, this All Mountain should be on your short list.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Racer
from Spokane Valley, WA , USA Date Reviewed: July 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
beacon hill/mica peak
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Sports
Strengths:
Bike was well designed,a lot of bang for your buck, this bike will climb anything your legs can handle especially with the 32 Talas travel adjustment and the air 5.0 pro pedal makes this one mean bike.
Weaknesses:
None, No problems with the brakes or brake lines heared about the lines splitting, so unhooked rear line on the top tube next to seatpost and have had no problems even after a couple hundred miles.
Similar Products Used:
Tested ENDURO SL EXPERT FSR
Bike Setup:
MICHELIN MTN'EXTREME RUBBER, MAVERICK SPEEDBALL SEAT DROPPER, 7" ROTOR IN THE REAR, SOON TO BE ADDED MAVICS CROSSMAX SX RIMS
Bottom Line:
This bike can do it all, from 6' foot drops and rock gardens to leg burning technical climbs and can even handle some nasty wrecks, I love this bike. I highly recomend the maverick speedball to those who like to go big on the descent. After owning the XAM I wont ride anything else except rocky mountains slayer90. I dont recomend the XAM 2 for beginners especially if you have never ridden full suspension,start out with a hard tail and learn how to pick your lines and go from there. For all you other hardcore riders go big or go home.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike D'Innocenzio
a Racer
from Kenilworth, NJ 07033 Date Reviewed: May 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Chimney Rock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Pro Tour Cycles
Strengths:
Frame is solid, geometry well balanced, great fit for me, as if it was custom built. It handles great, just lean with the bike. AWESOME at absorbing rock hits and rolls over obstacles like a Hummer!! Great components, can't beat the Fox fork and rear shock. Tinkering heaven!! LOTS of bike for the money.
Weaknesses:
NONE!!I've had no issues thus far with the El-Camino's. Even if I did I wouldn't care, I love this bike!!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR COMP.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Look, I said it all in the product strength. There is not another bike I'd rather have. I have full confidence in this bike and has save me many times when I know I would have crashed on another bike on some of the sickest downhill you could hope to ride on. This bike just laughs at it. It really makes me look like a better rider than I really am. What more can I say.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
At first blush, this bike is gorgeous. The welds are beautifully done. The component selection is almost perfect. Cool gun metal colour. Manufacturers extraordinary value reputation.
Weaknesses:
Where have you been all my life.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Kona Just retired a Jamis Dakar Expert
The Fox RLC Talas and 5.0 Air were made for this bike. I had the same split with the rear hydraulic line, seems many have suffered this fate, bad batch of Hayes line. Not taking any chances, converted to Goodridge, mushy feelin gone, guaranteed for life and looks cool too. The XAM 2.0 tracks Pacific Northwest terrain like a 4x4, keep pedalin and your up and over the nastiest. I was surprised by the handling, was told that AM bikes were lazy on the technical, the XAM has very precise steering. Highly recommend the NoTubes Maxxis High Rollers combination. Carbon bars feel good on this bike, the Sram cassette was really the only upgrade that had to be done. The XT shifters are so smooth. Jamis has done it again with a very capable AM design. FYI every bike breaks, I know, I'm the guy who carries the tools, have fixed many brands on the trail, remember don't ride it and it won't break. Have as much fun on the dirt, before you reach the other side.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jase hewitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle,NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: February 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Glenrock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
cardiff cycle centre
Strengths:
Frame seems to be very strong no flex that I have noticed ,Great spec,Fox DHX air is awesome, 32 TALAS forks are the best forks I've ridden, XT/XTR drive train you cant go wrong the new dual release triggers are great,Climbs very well for the travel it's got.
Weaknesses:
Hayes El Camino's,split a line after about 50km riding.Once that was fixed they stop very well the 7in front rotor is a big bonus.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR, Test ridden Giant Reign 2
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
great bike once the brakes were sorted. I've found that if you leave the forks set at 120mm it handles single track and general trails best, flick the lever up to 140mm for the downhill and down to 100mm for the climbs, it climbs better than my old FSR with 90mm of travel.You can get the suspension dialed pretty good with all the tuning options. If your looking for a bike that will do it all I would recommend taking one of these for a test ride. I've done a 12hr enduro,XC club races on it and it goes well. You could even do a bit of DH on it with the slack geometry if you could afford only one bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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