Submitted by
Allan
a Weekend Warrior
from North Carolina Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hick Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
Light, quality components.
Weaknesses:
Twitchy steering, bad cable routing
Similar Products Used:
First "real" quality mountain bike. Still have Trek 800 Sport rigid.
Bike Setup:
All stock. Good stuff. Shimono Deore derailer and XT crankset, Titec stem, handle bars and seatpost, Tioga tires, WTB rims, parallax hubs
Bottom Line:
My old Trek 800 rigid frame wasn't cutting it anymore. Big difference between Dakar Comp and Trek. I love it! Still getting used to touchy steering,(cheap Manitou shock causing this?), and had to zip tie a badly routed cable or two. Made it up a hill I'd never come close to making on my first try with Jamis. Quality makes a huge difference. Flying over roots and rough stuff is routine now without worrying about stacking. Look forward to learning to get the most out of this bike before I go even better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie Crosby
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Guisborough Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Niel Walton Cycles
Strengths:
Great all round bike. Climbs and descends really comfortably.
Weaknesses:
No real weaknesses to speak of, apart from the poor factory fitted Manitou SX-LT forks.
Similar Products Used:
Specialised FSR Elite; DDG Godfather
Bike Setup:
Mainly stock. XT rear mech and shifter and SID 100 fork upgrades
Bottom Line:
Great value for money. The bike has a better and much plusher feel than much more expensive bikes i have tried. Some componentry does leave a little to be desired, however with a few tweaks it rides great. Would have been better with a better rear shock. Although the Fox Float does its just quite adequately a lock out would be an advantage.
People looking for a comfortable all-day ride crossed with a bike that can be easily played with (moderate freeride), this is the one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boogs
a Cross Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Quarry
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Fox Float is pretty good, i like the longer stem, fork is okay, but needs dampening and needs to somehow get rid of the 1 inch sag (The Manitou SX-LT), umm components are decent
Weaknesses:
Seatpost sucks, replace it right away, it bent very easily. drivetrain could have been better
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Super V, Kona Bear
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great Bike for the money, the setup of the rear shock hardly steals any of your pedal power because of its location setup. All in all, its a great bike that I like to call a Cross country bike Gone Freeride (sort of, except with a little less suspension travel)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary Alberta Canada Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1795.00
Purchased At:
single track cycle
Strengths:
basicly everything, its a rare bike i have yet to see another one around. climbs great for the weight. my 19 incher works well for anything, racing, XC, mild downhill. great bike
Weaknesses:
the fork is crap i wish i could have traded it in when i bought the bike. i hate the fork it leaks oil, it bottoms out super easy and it flexes badly. the seat and seat post are also bad, they bent horribly after 1 crash.
Bike Setup:
stock except for a sun rhyno rear rim and specialized Mt. Baldy pro rear tyre.
Bottom Line:
it would get a 5 except for the manitou SX LT fork. also i've had problems with the titec seat post and the sdg bel-air seat. other then that its a great bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Vestal, NY Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Brickyard
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Strengths:
Strong frame, decent fork, Fox Float
Weaknesses:
Titec seatpost
Similar Products Used:
Dakar Sport, Cannondale F2000sl
Bike Setup:
Stock except for XT shifters, tires, grips, barends, thompson seatpost
Bottom Line:
As a trail bike, or even a beginner XC racer (which i am). I have ridden this bike very hard and have not had any problems, except for the Titec seatpost, which i bent terribly in 2 months. This bike is really worth the money and i would have probobly bought it for $1500 if i had to.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Nevada Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
The Bicycle Studio
Strengths:
Tough as nails, great components considering the price, climbs like a billy goat, super smooth ride.
Weaknesses:
Heavier than advertised, small frame combined with rear shock location doesn't allow room for a water bottle. Tires are too skinny.
Similar Products Used:
First full-suspension; Trek hardtails
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Thompson seatpost, Flite seat, and wider front tire.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I can't believe the hills I can climb with this--the rear end really hooks up. It's also tough--I've taken some hell-acious spills on this thing and while I haven't always fared well, the bike has. Front and rear shocks are great; no leaks of oil or air.
My bike has a small frame and weighed 30lbs stock--heavier than advertised but all the other attributes make up for it. Get in shape and you won't notice it. Also, with the small frame there is not enough room to put a water bottle in a rack. You can mount the rack OK, but you'd need a pretty short bottle to get one in there.
My gripes are few and minor. While the 15" frame feels right for me (I'm 5'8"), the seatpost was a shade too short. The stock tires are skinny. The rear tire works OK, but I replaced the front with a wider tire and it handles much better now, especially in soft stuff.
Overall, this bike kicks ass. If you like to ride XC, this is the ticket. More money will only get you less weight ($200-$300 per pound), so save your money, get off your ass, and ride. Five flamin' turds!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
troy
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
noble canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
value, value, value. Great deal at $1100. Obviously this bike is not top of the line but as the reviewed below said, "you get a good quality feeling."
Weaknesses:
none so far. Obviously there are better components to be had if you want to spend more money but it's not necessary
Similar Products Used:
none - was riding a hardtail prior. test rode a lot of FS but test rides don't do a bike justice.
Bike Setup:
stock. no need to upgrade unless you have money to spend.
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike. I got this in July and have written a ton. It's fast, nimble and tough. I am hard on everything I own and so far, so good with this bike. I would buy it again. both the manager of the lbs and the chief mechanic ride the same bike, that was enough for me. Plus, you won't see anyone else with one, if that matters to you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
-Very good componentry for this price! -Tough-as-nails -SWEEEET Fox rear shock -Doesn't feel mushy -No complex linkages(Specialized,take note!) -Very nice Manitou SX-LT fork -Good handler -No need to spend more!Great value!
Weaknesses:
-A little porky,but adding lighter stuff would just make it less durable -Not a freeride machine(fine by me) -TOO FEW COMPLAINTS FOR THIS COLUMN!
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS(my friend owns this Dakar-he modified it with BMX pedals)
Bottom Line:
If I ever converted to full suspension,this baby would be my ride!This machine is SOOO good that I really can't justify spending more for a dual-suspension machine.
I got a chance to pilot a friend's Comp over some rough terrain last weekend,and I came back from the ride grinning like a loon!!My buddy really tear-asses on this bike,and the only thing he needed to replace so far was his saddle(bent rails after jumping).If you are looking for a dualie that will last with little maintenance,GET THIS BIKE!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Lauderdale Date Reviewed: September 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Miami
Strengths:
I weigh 170 lbs, and have found my 19 inch bike to be extremely durable and reliable. Component selection is an excellent mix of weight, strength and price. The manitou SX LT front fork is not noticeable which is what all good forks should be. It's long travel has yet to bottom out on me. Smooth and sweet ride on all types of terrain, bike feels and is fast. Frame is solid and can take big hits, but remember this is a cross country bike not a freerider.
Weaknesses:
Only thing I can think of is maybe losing 2 lbs to bring it down to 26.5 lbs. Can easily lose the weight by changing few components and going to lighter weight but price tag just jumped to $1500. I'd rather keep the bike stock, no need to change a thing.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
avid brakes, SX-lt forks, lx -xt rear, titec lil al stem and riser bars, titec seat post, wellgo cipless pedals, mavic 221 rims, hutchinson chameleon tires, shimano deore hubs, fox float rear shock, SDG seat
Bottom Line:
Great ride, lots of fun and fast, will take a beating but you gotta ride accordingly. For the price there is nothing better out there. Next year's Dakar Comp will have a $1400 price tag.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey City, NJ Date Reviewed: July 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Brand name components:Titecs,Lx/Xt Color:Yellow- tribute to Lance for winning The Tour in 2000 Weight: lighter than last year's model @ 27.25 Med.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
GT I-drive w/ syncros components
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I like this bike. You get that "Quality Product" feeling from inspecting the whole bike (welds,parts,weight) to taking it for a spin. But I will wait till end of season to compare it with next year's model specs(hoping for a front disc). I also like the fact that Jamis is a small co. Owning one of these means you're not like everybody else. This is a good choice for a mid level full suspension. With $1100, I'll either get this or a Gibson Les Paul SG. They both rock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Garff
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anything in Millcreek Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The price is good. Value components which perform but don't break the bank.
Weaknesses:
Manitou SX LT started leaking oil the first day. I'm sending the shock back, but it is still a pain. I'm 185 and should have purchased the heavy rider kit for the shock. Jamis says its 27.25 lbs. My 21" weighed 30 lbs out of the box. They didn't say it weighs 27.25.......at 17,000 feet.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Standard Factory Settings
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike if you want a fun full suspension ride and you're not a weight ho. Stay away if you frown on anyone who uses anything less than XT componentry. The combination of the SX LT on the front and the Fox Vanilla on the rear make me call my bike "Gin and Juice", because going downhill is about as hard as rollin' down the street smokin' endo. I lost about 10% on the uphill to my old hardtail but downhilling is now FUN. Also, the bike rides a little higher because of the long travel shock, so if you're inbetween sizes you should DEFINITELY go with a smaller bike. I'm going to sell it at the end of the year and buy the Jamis 2001 model that comes with disc brakes. A solid four blazing thingies.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary,Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Super trailriding bike, fun fun fun, great components(LX XT) the Avid brakes worked great in all conditions.
Weaknesses:
Manitou SX-LT felt dead and unresponsive. The fork has a very very slow rebound. This fork also has a great amount of flex and you can feel it while riding.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mtn. element
Bottom Line:
Great fun bike if fork was upgraded to a Judy XC or Race. handling is great. This bike is very good at climbing and dose not have much pedal "bob". It felt great on the downhils. FUN FUN FUN!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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