Submitted by
Florian
a Paddler
from Date Reviewed: August 12, 2009
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
Jamisbikes Switzerla
Similar Products Used:
Bergamont evolve 7.5, merida mattas tfs 900-v
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike, the best I ever had, just a small problem with it is the front suspension the manitou relic. It almost exploded and also is not stable, also this might be a result of my usage with the bike but still I suggest you buying a fox float 36 or 34, and also buy front bb7 185' and back 160'and with this the bike is perfect. I personally love the frame as it is impossible to break, and a fair price for it as well.
Anybody who loves to ride a solid, strong bike for AM or even DH is recommended to buy this bike. And because of this i will rate it 4 because of the minor problems with forks and brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dvmobley
a Weekend Warrior
from Chattanooga, TN Date Reviewed: July 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Small Intestine, Raccoon MTN
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Bought this frame (2003 XLT 2.0) new in early 2004 and did a self build. Still have yet to do anything major to it. I put lizard skins on both shocks and chain stay; highly recommend this as the shocks are still in near perfect condition. The chain stay protector has saved me from chain suck many times and keeps it looking pretty. The frame weighs like 4 lbs with the shock, yet when built it feels superbly balanced top to bottom. Of course great care was taken picking out the right parts...
Weaknesses:
...I got one...the paint wears off where the cables rub, but still hasn't rusted.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Truth, 2005 XLT, 1999 Dakar XC, Fazzari XC, various other AM/XC rides over the last 10 years
Bike Setup:
XLT 2.0 frame (w/ Horst link rear), Manitou fork, Avid mech. disc, WTB titanium saddle, Mavic Crossride w/ Panaracer Fire XC, Crank Brothers Smarty to Truvativ to SRAM chain and cassette, Shimano rapid shift (low-normal), lizard skins, Cateye and Yeti grips...
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike...if you were lucky enough to get this model you likely still have it. If you want a well designed bike that climbs, descends and jumps easily...this is one of the best. My favorite is not realizing you have rear suspension until locking it out and hitting a bump.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bruteman
a Weekend Warrior
from Seoul, South Korea Date Reviewed: June 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Hidden Trail, Bundang
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Jensen
Strengths:
Solid frame, great climber, no perceptible pedal bob.
Weaknesses:
Severe chain slap (get a chain stay protector right away), chain alignment is tricky, and it could use a bigger diameter seatpost for us men of girth. I have torqued a couple already. Bigt guys, don't waste your money on anything else--get a Thompson seatpost!
Similar Products Used:
Scott Reflex 30 hardtail
Bike Setup:
Fox Float RLC, XT drivetrain, Mavic 321 rims, DT spokes laced to Hadley All MTN hubs.
Bottom Line:
Climbs like a goat, I have had to replace the pivot bearings but that may be from lots of technical downhills and my less than svelte 235lbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bigpedaler
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Wayne, IN, USA Date Reviewed: April 28, 2009
Favorite Trail:
the next one
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Sturdy frame, parts pick (mine!)near-bulletproof, a sweet ride!
Weaknesses:
OEM spec -- Swinger 3 sucks!
Similar Products Used:
Weyless SP, generics
Bike Setup:
X.9, BB7 7f/6r, RaceFace, Nixon/Metel R, 819's
Bottom Line:
26 months, some new parts -- XTR brake cables **sweeeet!**, Manitou Metel coil rear, new spring kit in the Nixon, Super Fortress derailleur cables, ceramic pads in the brakes, Tektro carbon levers -- and this bike rides like it's new all over again! Maybe just a TOUCH firm in the initial bumpsorption, but it acts pretty much like a stable platform! I get NO bob, yet the suspension works. I don't know WHAT I'm gonna do when this frame finally DOES give it up, it's THAT good!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ecubyrd
a Weekend Warrior
from Seoul, S Korea Date Reviewed: April 20, 2009
I enjoy riding again. I have the confidence that I used to have 10 years. I love it so far. The value rating is reflective of prices in Korea. It is a closeout model basically.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryanconroy
a Racer
from Boston Date Reviewed: October 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Great Geometry, great climber, lightweight 5 inch bike
Weaknesses:
Stays are prone to break, maybe the horribleness of the manitou minute
Similar Products Used:
Iron horse warrior, specialized stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
stock 2005 dakar 2.0 xlt with xtr rear derailleur, xt cassette, and kenda nevegals <--horrible tire
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that i abuse this thing, taken it on 6ft + drops and it continues to ride, the geometry is great im really able to swing the bike around to where it needs to be, as well as being able to climb like a goat. That being said, the bike is not engineered to ridden the way that i do ride it, i assume it is for more of a laid back XC emphasis. So far to date i have replaced both the seat stay and the chain stay, the chain stay snapping in half. On the lighter side, both Jenson USA and Jamis have been more than accommodating when dealing with warranties, pretty much no questions asked, just send them a picture of what happened, and they'll send you the new part, pretty awesome if you ask me. For this i give the bike 5 chili's simply because it may ride like other bikes on the market, other bike companies IE ironhorse, mongoose, even trek occasionally, will give customers very difficult times when dealing with warranties. So just make you buy this bike new, or at least with a receipt, to get that customer service which is the deal maker.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark B.
a Weekend Warrior
from NE IND. Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The Next one!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA online, fr
Strengths:
solid frame, durable, dependable
Weaknesses:
Swinger-3 shock
Similar Products Used:
Weyless SP, generics
Bike Setup:
X.9/Avid BB7 8f/7r, Race Face crank/BB/grips/bar/stem, Mavic wheels
Bottom Line:
After 18 months of hauling my heavy butt around on any/everything (trails, commutes, you name it), this bike is still solid! The X-type BB lasted a little over a year, and the Manitou shock was a POS w/ no vendor support, but the bike feels as good now as the day I threw a leg over it the first time!
2005 XLT 1.0, best bike I've EVER had!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
white mountain rider
a Weekend Warrior
from n. woodstock, nh Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
evelyn
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1149.00
Purchased At:
ski and bike warehou
Strengths:
perfect geometry, great rear shock, solid!
Weaknesses:
wheels have a little to much flex. bb bearing needs cleaning and lube on a regular basis(I ride all year long through rain and snow). front shock(fox vanilla r)is slowly wearing out, will need a rebuild this winter.
Similar Products Used:
This is my fourth mtn bike and by far the most fun. I also ride bmx.
Bike Setup:
stock, but i have changed to bigger tires but i don't really think that they did that much except to give you more confidence on dh's.
Bottom Line:
This bike really does do it all! I can ride xc or drop the seat, change pedals and ride stunts and jumps with my 21 year old son and his buddies.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mjrose381
a Cross Country Rider
from Liberty Lake, WA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Terrible Edith
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Liberty Lake Cycle S
Strengths:
Great value. Includes a solid component package. Stout and sturdy on the downhill, and an agile climber despite the weight. Awesome black color scheme - stealth!
Weaknesses:
A little on the heavy side due to the low end and/or standard components. With some swapping and upgrading of the main components I was able to drop 3 pounds off the bike without spending much.
Jamis Dakar XLT, Fox TALAS, CrossRide Disc, Race Face Deus..
Bottom Line:
After several trips to Liberty Lake Cycle Sports I was able to make a decision. I chose the Dakar XLT - No, it wasn't the most expensive (end of season sale) and did not have the latest and greatest components. However, its a solid package on a relatively low cost bike. The XLT rides like a bike that would cost three times as much. I have owned and demo'ed more expensive bikes, and the XLT easily compares to those.
If you are looking for a lightweight racer, this isn't the bike. If you are looking for a solid performing, all-mountain adventure machine - this is it! I prefer to upgrade parts as they wear out -
My only critique to date is the Hayes So1e disc system...Way heavy (made of iron!?) and now neeeds to be bled. I'm looking at the Avid BB7 to avoid the hydraulic maintenance.
Also, the crew at Jamis (I met them at the Sea Otter Classic) are a great group that stand behind their product and enjoy the feedback regardless of which of their bikes you ride.
4 chili rating only becasue of the initial excess weight and the disc brake problem after a few months of use.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
structure1628
a Weekend Warrior
from franklin, nc, USA Date Reviewed: July 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
The Jamis XLT is my first Full Suspension MB. Very Sturdy well built and ready to take on anything you throw at it.
Weaknesses:
Bike is somewhat heavy coming in around 30lbs. A lot of chain smack so a guard is a must!
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
2006 Jamis XLT with Fox Float Rear and Front shocks. Hayes nine hydraulic brake system and Shimano XT Derailurs.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price! Will be looking for something more light weight next time with just as many features and muscle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ELM
a Cross Country Rider
from Guilford, VT, USA Date Reviewed: June 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
technical single track
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
jenson usa
Strengths:
Cheap price. Tough as nails frame.
Weaknesses:
Cheap bearings.
Rear bridge smacks and crushes my front derailleur cable ferrel.
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Dakar sport
Bike Setup:
Very nice. Trust me ;)
Bottom Line:
My Jamis is a decent bike for the money. I built it up with quality components and ride it All Mountain, XC and sometimes on DH trails. The one problem I've had with both my Jamis bikes is the junky bearings and bushings. They fail sooo quickly. I had to fork out for Enduro ceramic bearings. The other problem with the 19 inch XLT is the rear bridge smacks and crushes my front derailleur cable ferrel. I have to keep my shock over pressurized to compensate and it still collides on moderate launches. I'm done with Jamis for a while. I just purchased an Ibis Mojo Carbon!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nuno machuqueiro
a Weekend Warrior
from setubal Portugal Date Reviewed: September 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
arrabida e antenas of course
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
raposo
Strengths:
perfect geometry for me!!! medium at up hill great great down hill very stable, look ´s like more than its 5". suspensions work very well, confort , very stable descending. very good conponent´s for the price.
Weaknesses:
hayes sole - very very poor at 15 kg. its a bit heavy
Bike Setup:
blackjack white weels;juicy 7; specialized adrenalin rear tire; kenda nevegal 2.35 front. pro sealed bearings headset.
Bottom Line:
if you love to make 20 to 40 km of trail riding wtih lots of donwhill here is the bike for you. cheap realieble and whit such a frame that seems to last forever. "viva jamis xlt"
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Peru Date Reviewed: June 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Local bike shop
Strengths:
The high BB and long travel allows one to ride over everything!!! The wide tires offer good traction and can be ridden at lower air pressure w/o worries of pinching. Hayes Sole One brakes are very nice and consistant
Weaknesses:
The stock derail. cables make for poor shifting and need to be changed out. Play develops where the rear shock is connected to the linkage thus creating a knock or "dead" spot when one is off the bike. No amount of tightening cures this issue. I have all ready blew out a bearing and the only way to remove the bearings is with heat...lots of it!
Similar Products Used:
This is my first FS bike after years of riding every type of hardtail there is - carbon, ti, steel and alum.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Maybe its just me, but this FS bike seems to be high maint. After every ride there seems to be something loose or in need of adjustment. Unlike the hardtail where one can simply wipe down a bike after the ride, lube the chain and put the bike away
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a
from Geneva, IL, USA Date Reviewed: March 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Mill Race Cyclery
Strengths:
Strong welds, Great Color, Great Components such as Shimano XT derailers, Hayes brakes, Maxxis tires, WTB rims, great strenghth, its a bomb proof bike, rides well and climbs even better for having 130mm of travel
Weaknesses:
The Fox Float R is an ok shock, but I want to upgrade to a coil shock especally cuse I am a 6'4" 250 pound rider, other than that no weaknesses so far
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Odysessy BMX platform pedals
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike for an intermediate rider looking for a bike with good components on a budget. The bike rides great and feels good both going downhill and climbing up hill. It handles great. For the bike weighing 30lbs it does not feel like it. It is a great bike and I would recommend it to almost anyone looking for an all-mountain rig.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Rainier, OR Date Reviewed: February 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Stella Ridge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Strengths:
Stout construction, predictable faux bar link suspension, very well spec'd for the price
Weaknesses:
typical faux bar link stiffening under braking
Similar Products Used:
2001 Rocket 88 Disc, 2003 Hollowpoint Team
Bike Setup:
2005 XLT with some upgrades
Bottom Line:
This is for a 2005 Jamis XLT. I am very impressed with the way this bikes rides. It is very stout, no decernable flex (I'm 220lbs)from the frame and swingarm. Bike weights in at 31lbs..not light but not unreasonable for a an all mountain rig. Not sure of long term durability at this point, will review down the road for a full longterm report.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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