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Submitted by
Mike Barton
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa T/ S Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | This is a jewel of a ride. I am a few years behind, money wise, but have the ambition of a millionaire.
| | Weaknesses: | Not set up for sealed bearings, but who cares. | | Similar Products Used: | Dirt Works Piranha(still enjoy) Cannondale rodie, set up to triple kick butt, Specialized hardtail(go figure), and a Pro-Flex Beast (hanger, just retired) and a host of other 2 wheeled vehicles not to exclude pumped Go-Peds. | | Bike Setup: | Was mostly XT, but have evolved to finer things available. | | Bottom Line: | I jam down Rockie Ridge at a good clip and do not move over for the "big rock" anymore. Hardtail is right in what it represents, "hard bump". So please do not contact me about my opinions. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greenlava
a Weekend Warrior
from N. Chelmsford, Ma
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porpcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Solid as a rock, inexpensive. Takes drops like a madman. | | Weaknesses: | have to crank down rear quick-lock to get wheel to stay in place. | | Similar Products Used: | VT2, GF Kaitai Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | XT Drivetrain, XTR From Der, Avid Mechanicals, Crossroc rims, Judy Race FF, Fox Float R Frame Shock | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides like a dream... great price for the money. Far lighter than the VT2, no pedal bob, takes big drops in the woods and urban riding. It's my first full suspension, but I rented a VT2 (heavy) in Moab. Frame is a lot lighter, climbs and decscends with the best of 'em | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fonseca
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Authorized Jamis dealer online | | Strengths: | Jamis bikes are the absolute best value around.
When there's no problems this bike rides great, and a dedicated HT rider that tries it out may soon be shopping for a Dakar. | | Weaknesses: | Angled dropouts, defective chainstay/driveside horst link, bushing wear. | | Similar Products Used: | I also own a 2002 Titus Switchblade and a few hardtails.
Demoed many many FS bikes | | Bike Setup: | Pics of current setup (sans RF Deus stem):
http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/newjamis2crop.JPG
http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/newjamis-100k.JPG | | Bottom Line: | Well, I originally purchased this frame because I wanted a Titus Racer-X but didn't think that the price tag of the Racer-X was justified. Since I also own a Titus Switchblade now, you can sumrise that my opinion has changed.
When I posted my initial review below, the only problem I had was a common one: the wheel slipping out of the driveside dropout under power. I went on to break two QR skewers (pic: http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/2brokenskewers.jpg ) as a result of the axle slippage, which resulted in very long hikes back to my car both times.
Solution to that was what others have done: drill a slight recess into the hanger with a forstner bit, and use a bolt-on skewer. This prevented the axle slippage---but then the hanger, weakened by 1mm less material and thin to begin with, bent. It took months to get a new one. It was about this time that I noticed a crack at the weld on the chainstay at the driveside horst link (pic: http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/jamis2.5mmgapandcrack.jpg ).
This has been a problem for quite a few people on different years of Dakars...including the current XLT frames. I thought my chainstay was simply defective, and it did measure 137mm in width instead of 135, but as this problem seems to affect Dakars through the years, I have to wonder if it's simply axle slippage that then stresses and cracks the inside weld. In any case Jamis warrantied my chainstay, and I haven't had that problem since. I'm now using steel Salsa skewers, and replaced the aluminum nut with a steel one from some cheap skewer. I also replaced the al axle nut on the wheel with a steel one, which bites into the dropout better as the teeth stay sharp.
Other problems: My bushings were getting rough and sticky. Cleaning them and retorqueing to the proper level did nothing. A frame with bad bushings does not work well. Fortunately, the Jamis dealer I bought from online went out of his way to take care of me, giving me the bushings at cost and making Jamis hurry. I didn't have to wait months for my local jamis dealer to get around to ordering them like I did with my derailleur hanger. Jamis now uses bearings in their frames.
Finally, my Fox Vanilla R leaked nitrogen into the oil. Not Jamis' fault, but I had to send that in for service. That meant another two weeks without my bike. I sent it to them 11 months before I had owned it a year, but something got screwed up, and I received it back a few weeks later, marked return to sender. Fox never received it. That meant I had to send it in one week out of warranty. Suck? Suck. But fox was great to deal with! They didn't have to take care of me, but they did. No Charge! I was quoted anywhere from $40-100 just to service it, not counting anything they had to replace. I resigned myself to being even poorer than I was, and sent it in. Not only did they repair it for free, but they tossed in a Fox Float seal rebuild kit for my other shock and a big sticker, both gratis. I can't say how cool that makes Fox in my book for going way beyond what was required to take care of a customer. And by doing so they have definitely gained a customer for life.
Jamis has a lifetime guarantee, but this means something only if you can get your frame repaired. Buy from a dealer who will take care of you if you have any problems. IMHO Jamis needs to go to vertical dropouts instead of the angled ones they use. Screw easy wheel removal if you can't keep the axle seated when you pedal. Use a good skewer and strongly consider having a professional machine a 1mm recess into the derailleur hanger. I now always carry a spare skewer and hanger in my Camelbak, for both bikes.
I guess that about covers it. I now believe that the high price of "botique" frames is justified. Jamis bikes are a great deal, and I still recommend them to people looking for a first FS bike. This frame now performs problem-free, but it was a bumpy journey getting there. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zuke
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Osos, CA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Montana de Oro - Ridge Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1299.00 | | Purchased At: | Copeland's Sports | | Strengths: | High quality components & features for the price. Hayes hydraulic discs are incredible stoppers with no noticeable fade. Takes a ton of abuse. | | Weaknesses: | Tad heavier compared to some other full-susp bikes. Syntace stem/bars are comfortable, but seemingly overkill. Plastic rebound adjust on fork bottom sheared off. LX front derailleur & cranks are the weak points in an otherwise quality configuration. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSRxc, Gary Fisher Sugar3. | | Bike Setup: | XT shifters, XTR-rear LX-front derailleurs, Hayes hydraulic discs, Thompson Elite seatpost, SDG BelAir saddle, Manitou X-Vert front shock, Fox Vanilla-R coil-over, Mavic 223 rims, XT hubs.
| | Bottom Line: | This bike, as with most Jamis models, is hard to beat for the pricepoint. I was looking at between $400-$600 more for a similarly equipped full-suspension bike from other manufacturers. Quality XT/XTR components where it counts and the Hayes discs are amazing stoppers in the dry/mud/rain. Other bikes at this pricepoint seem to come with only Deore or LX parts. Prior to this, I had a Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail with XT parts. Full-suspension is another world - I'm constantly amazed as to the crazy stuff you can slam into/over with ease and taking the bigger drops with aplomb. I mostly ride XC and rockgarden type downhills, but I took it to Mammoth Mtn last summer and it did great on all the downhill routes except the "Xtreme" expert courses; it just doesn't have enough susp travel for those monster drops. I'm very happy with the Jamis and will definitely consider looking at their models again when I'm ready to replace this bike in a few years!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Strand
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The ant hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Rides great (better than my old fsr), climbs like a goat. Nothing has worn out, broken or twisted on this bike since the day I purchased it. Brakes are unbelievable if you just moved up from the v-brakes. Bar & stem combo is very stiff, you can really twist on 'em if you're a little short on legs. | | Weaknesses: | The Manitou X-vert air fork is a little soft for my taste. X-wing seat clamp is a little hard to get adjusted (you gotta crank it down). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized fsr | | Bike Setup: | XTR rear , Lx front, XT shifters, XT hubs, Mavic 223 disk, Hays hydrolic 6", Manitou X-vert air, Fox vanilla, XT skewers. | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the cash. Under two grand (Can.$) for the complete set up. No problems on or after a ride ever (150km road & 30km single track per week over six months) When you go to buy you're bike make sure it has the XT skewers and the updated parts list then the poor reviews you read about won't happen.
4 chilis is not about the frame but for the shortfall in suspension tuning. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from W. Newbury, MA USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Nice ride and handling. Great Brakes. Sharp looking bike, after you get used to it. | | Weaknesses: | Sheared frame near lower pivot on the drive side seat stay after 1 month of riding, less than 10 rides. | | Similar Products Used: | none: First full suspension, hve been riding a solid frame bike. | | Bike Setup: | Manito X-Vert Air 01 front fork, LX disk build kit, DIA COMP STS headset, Shimano XT brake levers,
Shimano LX cassette, Shimano LX rear derailler, Shimano LX shifter set, Shimano XT front derailler AVID Mech disk brakes | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike. I really enjoyed riding a full suspension bike and bought this frame based on customer reviews. What a difference when riding over the roots and rocks we have in our area. The ride was totally in control whether riding the rough stuff or steeps. I haven't had the bike long enough to play with the shock adjustments on the frame and fork, but I can see where a ride that's too soft may hinder endurance. As mentioned above the frame broke (no accident involved). I can understand a random frame fault or defect, therefore here is where I would like to talk about the value of a bike.
The discount price you pay for on-line purchasing is not worth the aggravation and loss of a season unless you by from a company who is willing to supply decent service. If you live in an area with a relatively short season and you do not have the aptitude or willingness to repair your own bike, buy from a local reputable dealer. You invest in a bike (they're expensive) to enjoy the ride.
After Jenson had the frame for over a month (and a lot of promises) it was returned with a non original equipment seat stay frame assembly (mustard yellow to boot). After one ride, the assembly of this piece to the chain stay, both sides, was found to be defective. The the seat stay lower pivot and chain stay distal pivot have bushing hole inside diameters that are different, 10 mm versus 12 mm. This could be felt when pedalling like a wobbling wheel. Upon disassembly we found mashed spacer washers and galled seat stay lower pivoit point bushing holes. Jenson has yet to recognize the fault.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott H
a Weekend Warrior
from Homeland, CA USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | sycamore canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson | | Strengths: | Fully active design, nice gusseting. Handles very well, no flex. Fox shock seems reliable. | | Weaknesses: | Well, in my earlier review I rave about the bike. Only prob at the time was QR would slip in rear dropout. Now, after 550 miles I notice the right (drive) side chainstay is cracked. After speaking with a rep at Jamis, I was assured I would have a new rear triangle by weeks' end. So now I'm a little nervous, but hopefully the welding probs have been corrected by now. Many people have had similar problems and Jamis is well aware of that. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown Factory Susp. Amp B3 laguna classic. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Black Elite 100/120. Truvativ cranks. Avid Mech disk. Hayes superlight hubs, Mavic 517. Pro taper bars, gripshift brake levers and shifters.Panaracer Fire kev.XT drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I was very disappointed in cracking the frame. I'm hoping the new chainstay is trouble free, and I can regain full confidence in Jamis. The warranty dept. seems to do a great job and stand behind the products. I would still recommend this bike, especially for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philber
a
from London, Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the next one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | durable, nice rear travel action, well made, nice welds, looks good | | Weaknesses: | rear dropout slips, lots of pivots (hey, it's a 4-bar) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Duke SL 100, Avid mechs, XT drivetrain, RaceFace bars and stem, Thomson post, XT/317 disc wheels, Blackspire bashguard | | Bottom Line: | I got an absolutely smokin' deal on this frame at Jenson - $300, when I bought a bunch of other stuff with it. And I got the Duke SL 100 for $189 - another smoking deal. So for value, this thing gets the highest rating for sure - there isn't a frame and fork that touch this combo for under $500. Heck, there's lots of frames that cost more than $500 that IMO don't touch this frame. I've been riding an ultralight hardtail for years, and I was looking for something a bit more light freeride and something a bit more forgiving and easy on my back. The Jamis fits that bill nicely. There is some pedal bob, but it isn't noticeable to me. The bike seems well balanced with 3.75" travel rear and 4" front. It's much more comfortable on the downhills than my hardtail - I can go considerably faster with much more confidence. It tracks so nicely on the downs - just point and shoot. I was concerned about the uphills, because it's 5 lbs. heavier than my hardtail. Bottom line on that is I'm getting up hills I never got up on my hardtail. So overall, it's made me a faster rider, and it's more comfortable than my HT. Sure it isn't as responsive, and watching the suspension bob up and down while I'm riding on the road to the trailhead is kinda weird, but on the trail I love this bike. I've never ridden as comfortably or confidently, and I loved my hardtail, so this represents a real improvement for me. I'm keeping my HT, but I don't know how much I'll be riding it now.
The Fox Vanilla R does a nice job and the stock spring seems perfectly matched to my 5'10" 170# body.
The rear wheel does slip in the dropout unless the XT skewer is tightened down really hard. And of course, being a 4-bar, there are lots of pivots to eventually wear loose. But those are the only negatives I've seen so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Araw Ray
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin TX
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the closed Forest Ridge & Subic Bay, PI | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | frame - jensonusa | | Strengths: | Climbs like a hard tail, no noticeable pedal bob, fast downhill racer, smooths the harsh bumps, rides similar to my steel Gary Fisher mountain bikes. | | Weaknesses: | paint chips easily, 13" frame weights 6.4 lbs, Jamis website is static and no interaction | | Similar Products Used: | none, my first full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Titec Ti handlebar, Titec stem and Titec carbon seatpost (best part of any bike); Manitou SXR; Fox coil rear, SRAM Rocket 9 spd shifters; XTR rear der; SRAM chain; XT front der, XT cassette, (XT hollowtech bb, and crankset - creaks!!)Avid Archrival Brakes and levers; Selle Italia Flight Ti saddle; Nashbar clipless pedal; FSA Orbit headset; Kore skewers; Cane Creek Crono Ti wheelset(Best wheelset - period); Ritchey Z-Max (front) Panaracer XC Pro 1.8 (rear), bike weighs about 25.5 lbs | | Bottom Line: | Been a huge Gary Fisher hard tail fan starting with 97 HKEK and a built up a 99 Aquila frame bought at mtbr.com classifieds. Being a serious GF convert, I contemplated on a Fisher Sugar 2 - but you know pocketbook won't allow. I had my eyes set on a full suspension bike after my riding buddy bought a Santa Cruz Superlight and watch him become an xc racer overnight. I decided to get a Jamis Expert when JensonUSA put these frames on sale. A good choice since all components, except the bb and front der, transferred from the GF Aquila to the Expert. A very excellent allaround bike. The magazine reviews are very accurate when they rate this bike. Get one today. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Mc.
a Weekend Warrior
from Marion, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Fuller's Action Cycles | | Strengths: | Great overall package. Excellent frameset and component selection. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost; Creaks & Squeaks | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for added a Thomson seatpost to avoid problems others had with the Titec. | | Bottom Line: | For my new bike I wanted full suspension, disc brakes and a good handling trail bike. I also wanted it reasonably priced without having to upgrade. My local shop is a strong Jamis dealer and was able to get a 2001 for a closeout price. After reading about problems with the Titec seatpost, replaced with a Thomson.
The bike has performed flawlessly. Switching from a XC racing hardtail to full suspension has taken some getting used to. The bike is plush, yet very responsive on tight trails and climbs. Pleased with the Manitou X-Vert fork, Fox coil-over shock and XT components. The Hayes disc brakes are amazingly strong, wet or dry. Syntace adjustable stem is interesting if you change from XC to downhill, but I haven't changed it since I got it set up for my riding style.
Have noticed a few squeaks and rattles but have been able to adjust them away. More components mean more maintenance than on the hardtail. The bike is a bit heavy but it is also very substantial.
Bottom line: Terrific handling bike that climbs well, is very comfortable and flies downhill. Jamis is the best value for the money I have have found. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
S Hayes
a Weekend Warrior
from Homeland CA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson | | Strengths: | Fully active, great fox coil shock, strong design. | | Weaknesses: | Quick release slips in dropout in not clamped realllyy tight! | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown Factory Susp. Amp B3 Laguna Classic. | | Bike Setup: | 02 RS Judy SL, Answer Pro taper, Kore lite 3, gripshift levers and shifters. Mavic 517sup/nuke proof hubs. Truvativ Cranks XT drive Panaracer fire XC pro 2.1. | | Bottom Line: | I am very impressed with this frame. Mine weighs 27-1/2 lbs. with fairly sturdy components. The shock seems quite responsive and although there is only rebound adjustment available, I had no problem dialing it in for my 170#'s on my local trails that range from 35-40mph fire roads as well as slower technical trails with some 3ft+ drops and jumps. I know there are some lighter fs frames out there but the Jamis' conveys sturdiness, due to the massive downtube w/gusset. The swingarm junction near the bottom bracket is very sturdy. I have over 300 miles in 3 months use! I recommend this frame (especially at 400 bucks!)Lotsa flaming chilies!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt W
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | DuPont Forest's Cedar Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | frame bought online | | Strengths: | Price, Strong, Fun factor. | | Weaknesses: | Rear axle has slipped on harsh downhills a couple times. Fox rear shock squeek is annoying and hard to find to stop. | | Bike Setup: | 01 Marz Z1 (4"), XT drivetrain, Raceface seatpost & handlebar, Avid archrival brakes. | | Bottom Line: | From a cost perspective I looked for a long time and couldn't find frame this well-reviewed and with 3+ rear travel that compared. At the time I didn't think I could afford to go from hard tail to FS - thanks to Jamis I was wrong. Reviews of Jamis are always glowing and I think the price has a lot to do with it.
This bike has given me the confidence to do bigger and bigger drop-ins and allows me to ride fast in places I used to slow down. I've banged the bike around - and I am no fly-weight at 190lbs - and can't say a single negative thing about its durability.
I will say the squeeky Fox shock frustrated me for a while. But from a performance perspective the only issue I noticed (other than things that were my own dumb fault in setting the thing up) was with the rear axle slips - which seem to have stopped with an XT skewer. Time will tell I suppose if this problem resurfaces. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AS (purchased for girlfriend)
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anyone on dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | Very nice frame. Ball bearings throughout. A true 4-bar with hoarst link gives you a fully active and smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | Color is a bit wacky. | | Similar Products Used: | It's her first "real" mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | - 13" Jamis frame
- RS Psylo XC
- All Shimano XT
- Titec throughout
| | Bottom Line: | WHAT A SWEET DEAL! I purchased the frame and an XT build kit for $1000. The bike is easily worth over $1400.
With the adjustable psylo xc up front and 3.5" in the rear, it's the perfect 'trail bike' for my girl. I got her the 13" frame (she's 5'5") and it fit like a glove. I really like the way the bike rides too. I did some semi-slalom/dirt jumping on it and was very impressed by the lateral rigidity.
Total bike weight is 27.3 lbs - that's with solid components. If you dressed it XC light, you'ld get a reliable, race ready, 24lb machine. If I didn't already own sweet ride, I'd consider buying this bike for myself.
Jamis offers the best bang for your buck.
Buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Complete brand name parts, climbs better than a HT, decends with confidence. Amasing ride | | Weaknesses: | 2000 and some 2001 chainstay problems | | Similar Products Used: | GT Pantera HT 5 years, 2000 Dakar Expert 1 year | | Bike Setup: | Stock except swapped Times for Shimano SPD as much more predictable and Chris King headset | | Bottom Line: | As with all things highend which perform effortless,[Read all the great things riders say about these bikes in these reviews, which are all true] you know everything isn't perfect. I had a 2000, went thru 2 chainstays. After 1 year a crack developed at the headtube/downtube junction, no problem, I had a 2001 frame with a gusset in 2 weeks. I cracked 1 more chainstay and now have one which has lasted 6 months and is still holding up. This bikes manners are nothing short of Brilliant. Climbing has become my kink, it's cool to know if I have the stength the bike will make it. Decending tight single track swish. Downhill runs are very cool at the front of the pack. So there's a little inspection and maintenance, name one product that performs so well that has none. Check the bike after every ride to catch potential problems early and get the order in for warranty ASAP, be patient and appreciate what these people have created for us to enjoy. For the bucks there is not a better handling, more complete or nicer looking ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Easley, SC
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dupont State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelsport | | Strengths: | I looked and looked and could not find another bike with this spec at this price | | Weaknesses: | The Titec X-wing seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock - x-vert air, vanilla r, syntace vro stem, xtr rear, xt shifters, xt hubs, lx crank, lx front, mavic 223 disc wheels, hayes' hydraulic disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | I didn't have two grand to throw around, so I wanted to make sure that if I was going to lay down such a hunk of cash on a bike -- it had better be perfect and in need of no upgrades (at least anytime soon). The Dakar Expert was the culmination of 1 full year of research and I am happy to say that I got exactly what I was looking for.
It has been alluded to as the perfect trailbike and that is exactly what it is. It's kind of heavy (Jamis claims 28.75 lbs -- but my dealer's scales reported 29.5) but you do not notice the weight at all. I climb better now than with my old hardtail -- at the top of the hill I get the pleasure of turning altitude into speed and air. I hardly have to use the brakes because the bike handles so well -- but I occasionally do just to feel the hayes' disc brakes do their thing.
The x-vert air fork is a dream as well. When you combine that with the rest of the spec on the bike...I swear that I hear music when I hop into the saddle!
The only problem with the bike was the Titec x-wing seatpost which never held the seat well (the clamp snapped during a ride recently) -- it seems that the clamp design was simply a engineering flop. Check out the seatpost section of this site and you'll see what I mean. Titec even wrote an apology there. They are sending me a working seatpost at no charge.
Bottom Line: This is a fantastic bike both in ride and price. I almost feel like I owe Jamis some money. I definately owe them a "thank-you" for bringing this bike to market. You will feel the same way. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fonseca
a Weekend Warrior
from somewhere in the shenandoah valley...
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Awesome price
4 bar linkage
triangulated downtube
fox vanilla R
Beautiful paint job | | Weaknesses: | Bushings instead of cartridge bearings. I have been told there is a cartridge upgrade kit. Jamis has not responded to my email.
Rear axle on drivetrain side has slipped under pressure (salsa skewers fixed that so far) | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a US-made 1996 Nishiki Pinnacle hardtail before this bike, which I still ride occasionally. I tested dozens of bikes before deciding on a 4 bar linkage frame. The Jamis Expert was the best for me. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Psylo SL Tullio, Avid Mechanical disc brakes, Avid Speed Dial Mag levers, Ringle Abbah SOS hubs laced with Wheelsmith spokes to Velocity Synergy rims, Thomson seatpost and stem, Cane Creek S2 headset, Bontrager Crowbar with XC rise, Sram 9.0 and 9.0sl drivetrain, Avid Flak Jackets, WTB seat, and truvativ stylo team isis crankset (soon to be replaced with raceface turbine isis). Phew! I am using odi lockons as well, cut in half for the halfpipes. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I spent a long time deciding on this frame, and I am not disappointed. There are a few weaknesses, which I named above, but they are fairly minor. I really want cartridge bearings, and my local jamis dealer said he would look into it. The rear axle slippage was of great concern initially, and my guess is the dropouts need to be recessed another millimeter or two. But a stronger skewer has corrected that problem.
To be quite honest, this bike handles like a hardtail on tight singletrack. I climb and descend much faster than my old HT. Yes, climb! I can pick lines that I never would think about before, and float right over roots and rocks. Needless to say, it was quite a shock when I rode my HT after a few weeks on the jamis. If you are looking for a 4 bar linkage, which I feel to be the best choice, the jamis is up there in terms of quality, and when you consider price, it is hard to choose anything else. Go test ride one and I think you will agree. I bought this as a frame only and built it up, but if you buy a complete bike, and add up the cost of componentry, you are basically getting the frame for free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Denis Adiletti
a Cross Country Rider
from Roxbury, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All XC trails. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | Cuttin Edge, Berlin CT. | | Strengths: | Great bike for the $$$. XTR rear, Hays disc brakes. Great 4 link suspension design. Sucks up everything. Adjustable stem/bars. | | Weaknesses: | Seat post/seat bolt. This thing came loose every ride. Locktight did not even work. Replaced bolt with grade "8" and problem solved. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000 hardtail. Tested. GT 2.0 I-drive (junk!0, Kona Mokomoko. Many other brands of full susp. that friends own. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks!!! The rear shock came with a spring that was a little too soft. I am 5'11" 200lbs and the 500lbs spring was calling for help. Purchased a 550lbs spring from Fox ($25.00) and it is perfect. Sucks up 3 foot jumps/drop offs with ease. X-Vert air front fork is plush and does not bottom out over the big stuff. Still trying to get it set up perfect but performance up to this point is very good. Fit and finish are up to par to any of the major brands. Handles in the tight stuff better then my old Trek 7000 hardtail. I was very concerned about climbs with this bike but I now make it up hils that I could not with my hardtail. Rear tire hooks up and does not spin out over bumps, rocks and roots like the hardtail while climbing. Hays disc brakes are great. I now have brakes after going through mud/water. well worth the weight gain over v-brakes. This bike has made me a better rider. Another plus is that it gets attention. There are not many around. If you like being diffrent and want a great bike buy a Jamis!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd sanders
a Cross Country Rider
from boise, id
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | fisher-williams in idaho | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1980.00 | | Strengths: | strong, nimble, reliable | | Weaknesses: | limited dealerships in idaho | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr | | Bike Setup: | mars manitou, fox vanella air, shimano xt/xtr, answer, mavik tubless | | Bottom Line: | once the mars manitou defect was corrected bike has been everything i have expected. purchase was made based on 2 years with the dakar expert and i wanted to upgrade while losing weight. the first in my group to have tubless tire set up-had problems with them not holding air for very long and dealer not equiped to resolve the issue so i just added slime to each rim and problem went away.
i am sold on the jamis line, wished that more swag was available for the faithful.
ya-ta-hey! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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