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Submitted by
Lowell Walker
a Cross Country Rider
from Brunswick, Maine
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bradbury Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Great light efficient bike. JAMIS CUSTOMER SERVICE ROCKS. | | Weaknesses: | Seat stay broke. | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS, Trek Fuel, various hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Nothing stock. XT/LX drivetrain, Manitou Skareb 100mm fork, v brakes, crossmax/crossride wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike if you can find a frame on ebay for cheap and build it up. It broke, but only cause I crashed it off a 4 foot drop (it's not designed for that). Jamis warranteed it despite that it's 10 years old! A replacement seat stay is in the mail! They have been fast on replacement bushings too as soon as I talked to them directly and more than helpful on the seat stay. JAMIS WARRANTEE SERVICE IS EXCELLENT. Just make sure your LBS isn't bullshi##ing you and being lazy. I'm having trouble with recurring leaks with the cane creek AD10 shock, but i'll take that up with Cane Creek. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RONNIE
a Cross Country Rider
from GRAPEVINE TEXAS
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | KNOB HILLS, ROWLETT CREEK | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | ONLINE | | Strengths: | This bike is a great bike. Some people that have this bike don't realize that its a cross country bike not a free ride or downhill. The frame is a thin aluminum frame, not a strong frame, but a light frame but built to be light. SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A GREAT CROSS COUNTRY BIKE YOU. YOU COULDN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS BIKE. If you are looking for a bike that will take a pounding get another one. | | Weaknesses: | I'm sure there are some, but i haven't found any. | | Bike Setup: | Raceface NEXT LP crankset, xt, xtr, monkeylit.....all the good stuff. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for CROSS COUNTRY!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Lincoln, NE
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, great component specs. | | Weaknesses: | Poor engineering and design. Lack of quality control and customer service. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with avid discs | | Bottom Line: | Rear fox shock lost pressure (very common on these shocks) and the suspension dented the seatube. Jamis did warranty the first frame. I suggested that there is a design issue being a mechanical engineer with emphasis on kinematics, but they did not want to listen. The second one did the same thing, but I figured it was not worth the hassle (it's under warranty after all). Shortly after the lower swing arm failed in the casting. They wanted to give me another bike, but I had given up on them by that time. I demanded my money back, and they gave up a good fight. The bike shop really went to bat for me and was able to get credit for the bike. Kudos to the IBD! This will be the last Jamis I buy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | My 1997 Jamis Dakar with Easton Elite Aluminum tubing is light, has good action in the pivots, and is a great XC full suspension frame. | | Weaknesses: | Jamis customer support has been bad. See below. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great frame, and Jamis is known for building excellent frames, but their customer support is disorganized and unhelpful. I have been looking for a derailleur hanger for this bike. First, I contacted my bike shop and their Jamis rep. said Jamis has absolutely no 97 dakar derailleur hangers. I am now stuck without a spare derailleur hanger, and have had no luck finding one anywhere in the mountain biking world. I visited a machine shop, and they would charge me a fortune to duplicate it.
Keep in mind that if you buy a Jamis product, they may forget about you just a few years down the road, leaving you without any customer support or spare parts.
My bike shop did manage to get a full bushing set for my frame from the Jamis rep., which surprised me, although it did take Jamis 3 months to send it out. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a
from f-dizzle nj
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | hartshorne | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | really cheap with good geometry. climbs like a spider monkey | | Weaknesses: | frame is fragil and cracks pretty easily. slight pedal induced bob. Jamis bikes has possibly the worst customer support ever | | Similar Products Used: | craftworks rail | | Bike Setup: | craftworks rail, z1 forks, fsa x-drive steel cranks w/evil srs chainguide, planet-x stem and handle bars, xt hubs w/mag30 and rhyno lite rims | | Bottom Line: | At first I really loved this frame. The first one I had treated me good for probably a year just on small tiny drops but then it decided to crack just above the bottom bracket. Fortunatly enough Jamis honored my warranty and sent me a new bike immediatly. The major drawback though was that they did not include a deralliure hanger. Whats a mountain bike good for with no deralliure hanger you may ask? only a summer of hassle trying to get the part that for some reason is out of stock. Ok well 3 months later and about 10 phone calls to the Jamis warranty department I was finially back on the trails on my shinny new Dakar Expert. She supplied me with a nice smooth ride for probably another 4 months untill a pivot bushing on the chainstay blew out causing the chainstay to also crack halfway through. OK so now again I find myself without a frame but Jamis will send me a new one for free right because this one is less then a year old? Nope, apparantly they dont keep shipping records and they say because I cant prove how old it is they will not replace it. Now its in the depths of winter, snowboarding has sucked all the money out of me but I need to ride. Unfortunatly all I could afford is a $115 Jamis Eureka hardtail. A very fun frame I might ad until you break the deralliure hanger and have to deal with Jamis warranty guys. It took them about 4 months and 9 different shipments to finially send me the right deralliure hanger for that bike. THanks Jamis! You guys are great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Aurora, CO
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kokopelli, Horsethief Bench, White Ranch, Dakota Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Lightweight, Climbs like a Mule, Marzochi Bombers with Vanilla R=Perfect match, geometry allows to track easily along the edge of a dime | | Weaknesses: | Spec'd 113 bottom bracket causes severe chain jams, front end slightly too light in hard climbs | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 1, Giant ?, Novara Ponderosa FSL | | Bike Setup: | Spynergy Xyclone wheelset, MTB Velociraptors, FSA Vdrive crankset, SRAM 99 chain, LX/XT, Avid mech disc brakes, MTB Laser V seat (Way Comfy on the long hauls!!!), Time ATAC carbons | | Bottom Line: | I've been screaming for the last 6 months since I got this beauty due to about every 75th downshift, the chain would flip inside and jam severely between the small chainring and the swingarm. Only way to trailside repair was to beat the crankarm off, and there t'weren't nuthin' pretty about that!!! After reading about everyone else having the same problem, I finally went to my LBS Jamis guru and begged him to perform a miracle, which he did! The specs call for a 113 BB. He tried several different sizes and found that a Shimano UN52 107 BB fits perfectly (The chainline is now straight, so why the 113 spec??). Instead of the old 7 mm gap between said chainring and swingarm (the perfect size to permanently and fatally snag said flipped chain), there's now about 1.8mm clearance (let's just see that nasty old chain try and sneak into that!!!). Bottom line,,, no more jammed (or flipped) chains yet.
Basically, this bike is light enough, strong enough, and well balanced enough to have made me look really good in a lot of places my old hardtail would've flat bucked me off. And the really cool thing is, she climbs even easier than my old hardtail with little to no bob, but plenty of good rear traction. All in all the best bike for the buck I could've gotten. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy
a
from Roy, Ut USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | wheeler creek/maples/green pond | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Lightweight, good geometry, descent shock | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Sport frame, XT derailleurs & bottom bracket, LX shifters/brake levers, Avid mechanical disc brakes, Sun DS-2 / Deore wheelset, Icon crankset & stem, Titec Hellbent 1.5" riser bars, Panaracer Fire xc pro 2.1 tires, RockShox Judy Race 80mm fork. | | Bottom Line: | I've only been using this particular bike for about three weeks, but this thing kicks butt!! Steping from a hardtail to a 4 inch travel full suspention is like night and day and this bike is quite exceptional for only paying 200 dollars for the frame. I took all the parts off of my Trek other than the disc brakes and wheelset and the front derailleur&bottom bracket are new so I figure I got a pretty good deal. I'm a pretty big guy at 6'2" 240lb and the rear shock is kicking ass for me. I love this bike. Without question, an excellent bike for any full suspention rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | Price. Good XC performance. Did I mention price... Light wieght | | Weaknesses: | Flex in the bottom half of the front triangle. Chain Suck. Rear Quick Release Slips. Rear Suspension bobs on climbs and tends to run through its travell to easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin, K2, Diamondback, Scott | | Bottom Line: | The frame has a few weaknesses:
1. Flex, You want light weight you get flex (BTW I am 210 and tend to hammer on the pedals)
2. Chain Suck, On long rides when you can't clean your chain it will get sucked up between the rings and the chainstay.
3. Rear QR slips, I tried ruffing up the surface on the dropouts but the only thing that seems to really work is tightening the QR as hard as you can.
4. Rear suspension, Basically it seems you either have to run more pressure in the shock and get a hard tail feel or less pressure and it will bottom out often.
5. Front derailiur, the Front D, when set to the right height would make contact with the main pivot. Using a dremel I took some material off the Front Derailiur's cage and the problem was solved.
Having said all this you might think that I don't like this frame. If so you would be wrong. All things considered it is a really good frame and a lot of fun to ride. It is light and responsive, climbs like a goat and has held up to some abuse (No big drops but an few jumps here and there). Corners well and feels good when it is leaned over in a turn. I do have to grease the bushings every 2 months or so to keep play out of the suspension but that is to be expected.
Bottom line good frame at a good price.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobo D. Clown
a Cross Country Rider
from Bartertown
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bobo is often spotted on most local trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | Price, Performance, Strength and Weight. Oh yeah, Looks, this bad boy gets more attention than a hooker in church! | | Weaknesses: | Breeds contempt and jealousy from riders who paid twice as much for a full suspension frame. | | Similar Products Used: | tested titus racer x, psycle werks wild hare, looked at the tomac full suspension (they wouldnt let me ride it! Needless to say I don't buy there anymore, Bobo don't play that!) All of these are excellent bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Bobo's Custom Dakar: 2002 Dakar w/ AD-12, Marzocchi MXC-ECC, Azonic bars, Aheadset (Steel/Cartridge), Race Face cranks, XT components | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a F/S frame when I came across the Dakar 2002. Shhhaaawwwiiinnng! It was exactly the design I was looking for and the changes for the 2002 make the Dakar a true high end f/s frame. These include an aluminum swing arm that has boxed seat and chainstays, cartridge bearing pivot and the frame uses 7005 triple gauge aluminum. The look of the bike is so sweet it sells itself. I tested other high end bikes with the similar design style and couldn't find any difference in ride quality. No chainsuck, no lateral flex, absolutely minimal bobbing. Honestly, other than an average paint job (which looks good at least) there is no difference, hence the weakness referred to above. In addition to the frame, I was able to use the seat, seatpost and clamp, the tires/tubes, the avid V brakes, and the grips.
So Bobo happily dished out 650 beans for said Dakar and was able to adorn it w/ very cool componentry (see bike set up) from the 600 additional beans he saved by opting not buy a wildhare. The ride is incredible! A full 3.5 inches of rear travel, which w/ the AD-12 feels more like 4. It was a sweet match for the 100mm air zokies. Oh yeah, the 2002 15 inch Dakar has one the best geometries i've ever ridden, It just feels right brother! I could have gone w/ the 17inch but I'm so glad I didn't. The clearance and sloping top tube just add to the performance. Contrary to a few reviews, this is a xc race frame. It can be set up light for racing or for freeride and moderate DH also. 4 to 5 foot high speed drops are no match for Bobo and his custom dakar, anything much beyond that and i'm wetting my shorts. If cost is a facor buy this bike, heck even if cost isn't a factor buy this bike. 5 havelinos for yet another awarding winning Jamis Dakar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Websdale
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Royal National Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This is follow up to earlier review. | | Bike Setup: | No Change to previous. | | Bottom Line: | After a further 3 -4 months on this bike I am still absolutely happy with it. It has taken my riding to a new level by giving me the confidence to do things I would not have done previously.
Only problems I have had are minor. Nearly fixed the chain suck problem with tape on the chain stay and a diligent chain cleaning routine. Also recently experienced some slipping of my rear axle after changing skewers. Seemed to pull out of the drop out slightly on the drive side and made the trye rub in the letf hand chain stay. I had to do the new skewer up really tight and this stopped it dead. Have read some one else may have experienced this with a Jamis Dakar (maybe 2002 model) so just something to be aware of.
I have just returned from a long weekned of riding sweet pine forest single track with mates on high priced and high tech bikes I was able to blow them all away on the Jamis. Climb strongly and its descending and cornering abilities are up to and beyond the limits I have required.
Also must put in a plug for the Deore Hyro's I am running, a number of time they have saved me from major face plants with great modulation and huge stopping ability.
For an all around trail bike I think this is a standout at an awesome price point. If you set it up right, maintain it right and take a few pro-active steps to eliminate any chain suck problems it will reward you out on the trail and leave you with a grin from mud splatter ear to mud splattered ear.
Another 5 flaming chillis from me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Norcross GA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow River so far | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Minimal bob, handles small and big bumps well, climbing and descending is very good. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy but not an issue with ride quality. The paint job SUCKS! Paint chips off this thing like the crust off fried chicken. If you look at it it'll scratch. Do like your grandma does her couches and cover it with plastic! | | Similar Products Used: | GF Sugar, K2 Launch 4.0 | | Bike Setup: | Blue & red Expert frame w/Fox Vanilla R, 8spd XT drive train, blk Rynolyte XL's 14g spk & Sram 9.0 Hubs, blk Z3 Bam, Avid spd dial 7 set, red Mich Hot gripper S tires, Kore stem & post, Sun Inferno bars, Cane Creek S2, & a $26 Nashbar Legend seat which out performs some $100 seats I've tried! | | Bottom Line: | Like one of the last guys, I was looking for a FS frame to build up that wasn't too expensive. I just happened to catch them on sale at Jenson and went for it after doing some research. I was skeptical about it's ability to climb, the rear tracking, and the weight of the bike after building(28lbs) But after riding, the weight wasn't an issue and the bike actually climbed better than my old HT. I was able to get through sections on the first try that I couldn't get through at all on my HT.
The handling was excellent as well. When in the turns you stay seated and lean on the outside pedal and let the suspension work for you. It cornered well and was quick handling in twisty stuff! It also felt very stable while descending sucking up bumps that would have given me a slipped disk on my HT.
Overall this is a great bike. I would have bought the whole bike if I were in the market for one with it's great spec. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to convert from HT to FS except for a light weight racer. I'm 230lbs and this bike works great for me. May be a little heavy for a 150lb lightweight guy But reguardless of how you ride - this bike is really FUN! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from new jersey
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | hartshorne | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | great bike for the cost. not much pogo-ing. rides good cross country and takes big hits with ease | | Weaknesses: | heavy. no disc brake mounts on my model. frame cracked in less then a year by the bottom bracket. customer service sucks | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | 98' jamis dakar sport frame; fsa extreme headset; xt rr deralure; ; xt shifters; lx wheels; marzocchi z.1's; odessy southgate platforms; specialized seat cranks and hadlebars | | Bottom Line: | Dakar frame is great if you just want to ride little xc jumps like the frame is made for. Im 200pounds and been ridding this frame for almost a year, I had absolutly no problems with it untill I started doing bigger(8ft +) drop-offs with it and the frame started to crack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Websdale
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ROYAL NATIONAL PARK | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Price, feels like more than 4", minimal pedal bob, relatively unique. | | Weaknesses: | Experienced some chainsuck as per other reviews. | | Similar Products Used: | First FS owned but tested and riden a number of FS bikes including Specialised, Trek Fuel, Sugars, C'Dales, Heckler and Giant AC and NRS. | | Bike Setup: | Z1 X- Fly (100 mm), XTR rear der, LX front der., LX crankcset, Deore Hydro brakes, Easton riser bars with 110 mm stem, time pedals & cheap wheel set. | | Bottom Line: | I was looking around for a FS frame only for some time as I had various part from an old hardtail and some new bits and peices needing a home. Most other frames available were significantly more expensive and as I was intending to set the bike up primarily for trails riding I did not want to drop to much $$ on a bike that would get used only on available weekends.
Settled on the Jamis and built it up as per above specs. Could not be happier except for aforementioned chainsuck whick is a bit of a pain halfway up a hill changing from middle ring to small ring. I will try the electrical tape fix mentioned below and see if that works.
Otherwise the bike feels very solid when cornering (one of my real concerns going to FS as I am 6' and 230 lbs) and t soakes up the bumps and smoothes everything out, actually feels like more than 4" of travel.
I can notice the extra weight when climbing longer hills but this is more than compensated for by the fun factor on the way back down. I do not know exact weight of the bike but I am sure a better and lighter wheels set would be about the only change I could make to affect weight.
With riser this bike feels a bit schetchy on steep climbs and I need to move way forward on the saddle to stop front wheel from lifting but again as I do not intend to race I can live with this.
Bottom line my trail riding is so much more fun than on my old hardtail and for a fraction of the cost I am able to keep up with all my mates on much more expensive FS rides and yet, in Australia at least Jamis is not a common brand so I get more questions than them. I win all round.
This bike either as a frame or complete must be looked at for anyone seriously considering a FS all round ride. Do not discount it because it is cheaper than comparable bikes, it rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Killer
a Cross Country Rider
from NY. Usa
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain westchester NY | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Bottom Line: | ..looks like everybody has a same problem w/chainstucking..
I got this, if I switched to small ring.
Here is a tip to fix it!
Get electric tape, and put some to the chainstay to reduce gap beetwen rings and c.stay .Its helps for me .
But my question is if somebody knows where can I get dust O-ring for chainstay , please let me know.
AOL IM me at f1tommmy
or E-mail me at f1tommmy@aol.com Thanks..my friends | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iain Rathie
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lost World - Bunyaville State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenakine Bikes | | Strengths: | price, climbing ability, strength, pinpoint steering | | Weaknesses: | nothing of any significance | | Similar Products Used: | FSR, Heckler, Catamount, Ironhorse | | Bike Setup: | SID SL, mostly XT, Velocity Mountain Goat rims (the best - their Aussie!) | | Bottom Line: | price was a big consideration in purchasing a dakar (as opposed to a Heckler, Isis etc). very happy with the way she performs. uphills are a lot easier than a hardtail (more grip and contact with terra firma). i haven't spent enough time on other FS bikes to properly compare. i will try and learn to ride this bike to its full capacity before finding a new love.
Jean-Paul above faced the same drama as me with the head tube being out of round. $11 (thats about $5US) at the local frame builder sorted that. Have the same issue with the chain coming off and getting stuck. had to take the chain apart and remove the middle ring - in the field at night 20 miles from home! not pleasant (especially with 6 sweaty mates standing around waiting) this is a regular occurence - anyone had success fixing this?
Bottom line is - great value for money and probably 90% of the performance of the big boys at half the cost | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean-Paul Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakton, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainhead park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$359.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Proven frame. Solid. Rigid. Inexpensive. Reasonably light. | | Weaknesses: | Chain can get stuck between middle chainring and chainstay. Once had to remove chainring in the wild. | | Similar Products Used: | 1990 Specialized Rock Hopper. | | Bike Setup: | 17" frame. Manitou SR-X front shock. Fox Air rear. XT and Suntour XC Pro components. 28lbs. | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great frame so far. It came with a Fox Air shock which is very light and easy to tune. Very little bobbing to complain about. Overall, you can't beat the performance/price ratio of this frame. I have a few negative comments though:
- I ordered the 19" frame but got a 21" instead. I was told by a Supergo representative that the 19" was out of stock indefinitely. The 21" was ridiculously big and I exchanged it for a 17", which in the end was a better size for me than the 19" I think.
- The 17" had two major defects but since I had already wasted a couple of weeks in the exchange, I didn't return it. I suspect that it was one of the last frames they had in stock anyway. The head tube and the bottom bracket enclosure were not round!!! At first I tought the bottom bracket tube was double-threaded but after measuring the diameter with a caliper I realized it was not round at all. Same with the head tube. Eventually after hours of careful hammering, I was able to fit both the headset and the bottom bracket.
- I had to re-learn how to shift between the small and middle chainring. If I apply any pressure on the pedal while shifting, the chain will get jammed between the chainring and the chainstay. Because the chainstay has a square section and there is barely enough space for the chain to get in, it's almost impossible to get the chain out of it without removing the chainring. I had to do it in the middle of a ride once. I'm also gouging the aluminium chainstay in a bad way every time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, Ok
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mtn Hi Chi | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Handling, not much bob, not very flexy, light | | Weaknesses: | rear shock, needs more rear tire clearance | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Endure (tried), DBR V8 (tried), Scalpel (tried) | | Bike Setup: | Just fine | | Bottom Line: | I have the 97 version with Easton Ultralight tubing. This is a follow up review because I blew the rear shock yesterday. The AD-8 started clicking and sticking on me the last 2-4 rides. I hit a 4-5 inch log yesterday at speed and it just gave out on me. I was a low rider the rest of the way home. Trying to get it warrenteed by Supergo. Ill let ya know how that turns out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benjamin Walker
a Cross Country Rider
from Kunsan Air Base, ROK
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kunsan City Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson/pricepoint/nashbar | | Strengths: | Sucks up bumps like a hoover, Tracks like she's on rails, Ascends and descends like she has wings, Brass BALLS. | | Weaknesses: | I'm happy as a pig in slop to finally own a FS rig. After ridin a DiamondBack Ascent hard tail for the last seven years, I really can't find anything wrong with this ride, although I am sure more experience reviewers could. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | LX/XT/XTR - MAVIC/LX - RS Judy SL - Fox Float R - KORE bar/stem/seatpost - IRC Mythos - | | Bottom Line: | The bike speaks for itself, the company record speaks for itself, I read in a MT Bike Mag " Jamis makes big time Mt bike companies GREEN with envy" they wer talkin about how a small company has taken Bike of he year awards in one category or another 3 out of the last 4 years.
I am stationed at Kunsan Air base in South Korea, the trails here are awesome, very technicla singletrack and downhills. THe Dakar is supple enough to take some big hits, and light enough to tackle some hellish climbs.
A thoroughbred trail bike.
check out Kunsan MtBikers on Yahoo Clubs
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from charlotte, nc,usa
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | cheap, light | | Weaknesses: | bushings squeak, cheap paint job | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XT 9 speed, bontrainger wheels, x vert, | | Bottom Line: | The jamis web site calls for a 113 spindle, i had a large angle in the chainline when in the middle front chain ring and the 2 largest rear cogs. i replaced the bb with a 110, and every thing lines up great. i am using a square taper bb, so i dont know if a splined bb is different. also the front derailer cage, when in the small chain ring is only millimeters away from the swing arm, is that too close? the bike rides great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Lovell
a Cross Country Rider
from Hudson NY
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah NC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Relatively lightweight
Laterally Rigid
Plush,active,and no bob. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of! | | Similar Products Used: | 99 AMP B3
StumpJumper | | Bike Setup: | Judy Race set at 4"
LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | This frame is an absolute steal! I bought the 2001 model a month ago from Jenson USA as a year end blowout marked down from $800!!! After I assembled it I took it to my favorite loop and I was thoroughly impressed. The frame is very sturdy and It tracks and handles very well with a 4" fork. I have since taken it to the local ski lift downhill(Plattekill NY)took some spills, launched some pretty hairy drops, and the bike didnt even have a scratch. (I had more than a scratch) Definatly not a downhill bike but none the less, its real strong. My bike weighed in at an even 27 pounds. Not bad for a really heavy wheelset. I hope to drop a pound or more when I replace them. The frame only weighs 5.5 pounds. If you are looking for a tough all around trail/fun bike call Jenson USA now and prey they still have your size. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew hernandez
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix ,AZ
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Park Trail, Chico, CA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Rage Cycles | | Strengths: | lite, responsive
when I wreck the bike remains unscathed,
Smart machine, pretty
| | Weaknesses: | Paint chips easily.
Jamis has not responded to requests for info | | Similar Products Used: | uh | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z4 on front
Cane Creek AD12 rear | | Bottom Line: | I love it,
Each time I go out I am impressed at how plush and responsive the ride is. I truly believe that the bike will get me up a hill when I cannot. It has actually gotten me down hills that a mere mortal would not even consider.
I have, on occasion, cried like a girlscout while the bike will remain strong and steady to get me down safely.
Half of what I am able to do on trails is due to my ability the other half belongs to the expertise of the bike and it's makers.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jones McGilligudy
a Cross Country Rider
from St.George, Utah
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry & Green Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light weight
Active rear suspesnion
Well suited for 4" fork
Descends very comfortably | | Weaknesses: | FLEX and BOB
Polished finishes scratches VERY EASILY. Clear coat does not do very well either.
The '97 DAKAR Team has a seatstay link as opposed to the chainstay (Horst-link). In my experience, the travel feels a little more active but does not track as well. The 7005 EASTON mainframe tubes and the small diameter stays made for a flexy ride.
The others in this review are correct when they say if you spin circles the bike won't bob. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpy M2, Stumpy FSR, Sugars 2 and 3, Titus Loco Moto, Titus Racer X, Yeti ASR, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | XT Gruppo, Valiant rims, Hugi hubs, Manitou SX Ti Fork, Cane Creek AD8 | | Bottom Line: | It's a good bike for the price. Probably the best FSXC bike for the buck. The newer models incorporate bearings, Horst-links, and gussets. Despite the weight penaly, I would image the "flex" and "bob" weaknesses of the past have been somewhat offset in the newer designs.
5 for value
4 for performance
Not bad.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ROD
a Cross Country Rider
from CORTLAND NY
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY USED | | Strengths: | 2000 COMP FRAME 17". STRONG ,LATTERALLY RIGID. NO PEDAL BOB. HANDLES LIKE A DREAM. INEXPENSIVE. JAMIS SUPPORT TEAM. | | Weaknesses: | PAINT CHIPS EASY, A LITTLE HEAVY 6.55 LBS. ON REGISTERED SCALES | | Bike Setup: | 00' COMP/FLOAT AIR. SXR FORK BUILT TO 25.2 LBS. WITHOUT PEDALS. | | Bottom Line: | THE WEIGHT PENALTY IS A TRADE OFF FOR THE STRENGTH AND RIGIDITY OF THE FRAME. THE RIDE IS AWESOME IN EVERY WAY.DEFINATELY A SLEEPER IN THE XC WORLD.IM VERY HAPPY WITH MY DECISION TO GO WITH THE DAKAR. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Don Valley / Durham Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$385.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Price, Design, geometry works well with new long travel forks | | Weaknesses: | Make sure you face the headtube and chase the bottom bracket shell before installing headset and bottom bracket, new long travel forks work best with good quality headset, No seals at pivot points - I used teflon plumers tape - works great. | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi super Ibex F/S, Klien Mantra, Trek Y33 | | Bike Setup: | 21" frame (differs from picture - front pivots on brace instead of top tube) - I am 6'2 and 215Ibs, RS Physlo set to 110mm, Raceface H/S, SRAM 7 R/D and shifters, Avid 1.9 B/L's and Avid 2.5 V's, Control tech 0 degree 150mm stem, Bontrager 140Gm flat bar, Syncros post, Suntour pro crank with 20T inner, Ritchey Mega bite tires, 14g ti spokes with Mavic 221 rims. Bike weighs in at 28.5Ibs - not bad for 21" frame. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks, climbs like a goat, I have my Physlo's set to 4 inches - awesome control through the bumps, rear shock set at 200Ibs, no bob if you pedal circles. Mail order is amazingly cheap if you know what you are doing, great service from SuperGO - they swapped out the rear shock (Fox Vanilla float) when I complained of known seal problems, replaced with a Fox Vanilla Float R. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua Cote
a
from Boca Raton, Florida
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any one I can find | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Light weight
Nice finish
Price | | Weaknesses: | No disc mounts
Flexes somewhat
Stock AD-8 stinks | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | SID XC, Easton carbon riser bars, and seat post, Avid sd.7 brakes, Selle Italia genuine gel saddle, Crossrides, Sram 9.0sl shifters, and woody rear deraileur, XTR front deraileur, TruVativ stylo team cranks and ISIS bottom bracket, etc, etc | | Bottom Line: | Besides not having rear disc mounts I love this frame. It is a super good deal. I believe mine is a '95 model. I like it better than the newer ones. The stock Cane Creek AD-8 stinks though. I had to return it twice. Finally I sent it to Cane Creek directly and the sent me a brand new AD-10. The AD-10 is sweet. Kudos to Cane Creek. Their customer service is top notch. This frame is quite light. My set up weighs in just under 23 lbs. Pretty good for a full suspension. I'll give it 5 chilis for value because of the $350 price tag, but only 4 chilis for overall because of the lack of disc brake mounts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jones McJones
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry / Green Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great XC Duallie for around 500.00
5.5 lbs on a digital scale
Active rear suspension; pretty plush for 3.5" | | Weaknesses: | A little flexy (I weigh 185)
Bushings were quiet but noisier than sealed bearings
Polished frame scratches VERY easily
A little too much "bob" under power. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR XC Stumpjumper
Cannondale SuperV 2000
Intense Tracer
Titus Racer X | | Bike Setup: | Polished '97 Dakar Team; XT Gruppo; SID 100; | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. I owned and rode this bike pretty hard for about a year. It's a great entry-level duallie. Honestly, I preferred the FSRXC Stumpy, the M2 hardtail, and my Titus over this bike. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a GREAT bike for the price and it would be hard to argue with someone who bought a new model too.....they are loaded with great componentry for the price. The rear did flex a little, and the bike "bobbed" under unbalanced power so I ended up selling it.
I definitely had some good experiences with the Dakar though.
Thumbs up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Affordable when compared to similar design frames from specialty frame builders. Full suspension that works great. | | Weaknesses: | Some minor finish details but over all nothing major | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first FS but I have test ridden a few different brands, enough to know a good and a bad design. | | Bike Setup: | XT, XTR, SID | | Bottom Line: | Most reviews here are for the 97 model with the Easton tubing and the Cane Creek Shock. My review is of the 98/99 Model with the Fox Float R shock.
When I bought the frame, Universal had just sold out of the 97 model but then sold me the newer one for the same amount even though it was listed at a higher price.
Although they used a heavier tube set (not easton) the bike is conciderably stiffer and more durable than the 97 model. It has square chain stays and the down tube is squared. From what I hear I also have none of the chain clearance and rear shock problems from the 97 model. Of course it is a little heavier too but all dressed up my bike is still in 26 lb range without using any super lightweight stuff, which is good enough for me.
This bike rides great, very solid on downhills and technical stuff. The rear triangle is VERY stiff and does not seem to flex at all. Up-hill is a little different, don't expect to be able to stand up and hammer this bike like a hard tail. A seated position is always better for climing with this bike. Of course I set up my shock pretty soft. However when you stay seated bobbing is hardly noticed at all, even when hammering in the saddle. One thing I love is that you can stay seated through just about anything. This bike SOAKS up big hits but still retains a very controlable and solid feel.
All in all I love this bike, it has taken me to a new level in my riding. And this coming from a die hard hard-tailer.
I must give this 5 flames because I have no complaints at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Aardvark | | Strengths: | Light
Nice geometry
Nice construction
Nice looking in the polished | | Weaknesses: | Some flex
| | Bike Setup: | King, SID 100, XTR, and other high-end stuff | | Bottom Line: | A great frame that I really enjoy. It is very light, has nice construction, and was very cheap. It has a simple swing link that works very well. Some have discussed bobbing with this frame, but it doesn't bother me at all. I would prefer a horst link, but the seatstay link is fine. I would not find it an appealing buy at the retail of 1k but for $499, you cannot pass it up. A great deal! Oh, if I were to spend a grand, I would spend a few bucks more and get a Psykle Werks. A great deal! I ride it and I could afford a high-end frame but why? I will ride it until it pukes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Bike Setup: | see my last post on this thread | | Bottom Line: | This is a 6 month update after some hard riding on my 97 Jamis Dakar Frame. It started out as a love affair, however the problem described by others on this page about the small chainring damaged, and ruined my frame, my chain tore through the aluminum when it jammed while I was climbing, the chain wedged in, and I pedaled through, destroying the bushing. Not too fun. So I went to Jamis and they told me that that bike called for a 110 MM spindle on the BB instead of the 113 that I have, which is standard for Shimano Spline and Isis. This sounded kindof weird to me because that would make the chainring even close, but they built the frame, they should know. So they sent me a rear chainstay to replace the damaged one, and I met the spec of the 110 mm spindle, and put it back together. Low and behold, I was right, it moved the chainring closer and now it rubs on the frame. So I called Jamis back, after about 5 minutes of explaining, they decide to send me a brand new Jamis Dakar Pro Frame. WOW!!! Talk about customer service.
So My plan now is to go back to the 113 spindle, ride the 97 till it won't ride, then put the new one together. I'm not sure what to think about that episode, I didn't get the warm feeling that they all knew what was going on at Jamis, but their desire to take care of me superseeded all of that. Jamis is a good company that cares about their customers with little beurocracy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mtn Area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I Found another small but relavent problem with the 97 Dakar. See my other review below. The bikes rear pivots are very close to the chain, especially in your smallest cog. You cant add any type of protection because of the clearance problem (were talking millimeters here). In other words decending on rocks in your smallest 2-3 cogs is noisy as hell.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mtn Area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I Found another small but relavent problem with the 97 Dakar. See my other review below. The bikes rear pivots are very close to the chain, especially in your smallest cog. You cant add any type of protection because of the clearance problem (were talking millimeters here). In other words decending on rocks in your smallest 2-3 cogs is noisy as hell.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mtn Area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light, Easton Tubing, Price, Well Designed.
Climbs very well but still not as good as a hardtail. No Biopaceing, Decends well. Handles VERY well. Takes away small to med sized bumps when seated, smooths medium to large hits when standing. | | Weaknesses: | Could have a little more BB ground clearance.
Has some lateral flex in the rear half of the bike.
PAIN IN THE A$$ ALERT: If your chain ever comes off of your little ring it will get wedged between the chainring bolts and tht lower swingarm pivots. It takes removing your little chainring to get your chain back on. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried: Sugar (bout the same, little more stiff), Specialized Enduro (heavy & cushy), Trek Fuel (more stiff, feels like more travel, too expensive w/ good components) | | Bike Setup: | Parts that matter for this review are: Jamis Dakar 97 Frame, Cane Creek AD-8 Rear Shock, Judy XC Fork, Flat XC bar & stem, Continental Explorer Front Tire (knobby all terrain), Geax Sedona Rear Tire ("paddle type" knobby). | | Bottom Line: | The Price of this bike made it impossible to resist.
It rides very much like a hardtail, with no bob at all even sprinting out of the saddle.
I dont feel as connected climbing (Im a newly converted hardtail junkie), but decending or speeding through rock gardens are totally different stories. I tend to stand less now too :)
I think getting the air pressure just right in the AD-8 is very crucial, too soft and you sag all the time, Too much and you might as well be on a hardtail. I find that about 20-30 lbs under my body weight (160) is just about right for the trails here.
I will post again if I have any frame or rear shock failures of course. But unless that happens, Im a happy camper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Calvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Latrally Rigid
Plush
Not much bob
Easton Elite Tubing
linksge
looks
handling
high bb
kinda like Genesis Geometry
climbs fast
FEATHER-LIGHT | | Weaknesses: | weak paint | | Similar Products Used: | crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap | | Bike Setup: | Dakar Frame, Mars C, LX/XT/XTR, Mustang wheels | | Bottom Line: | AWESOME FRAME!!!
CLIMBS LIKE A MOUNTAIN GOAT WITH ITS ASS ON FIRE!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Soquel, CA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Very light frame; Minumum pedal motion | | Weaknesses: | Some side loading on the rearr suspension; Nylon bearings. | | Bike Setup: | Mainly XT stuff mega 9 with a Marzocchi Atom 80 | | Bottom Line: | I bought this frame, 97 Dakar from Supergo and built it with XT mega 9 components with some Bontrager and Titec thrown in. It probably weighs in at about 26 lbs. If you want a light cross country dual suspension rig, than this is it. Jamis was way ahead with this design, and went about a pound heavier with the 98-2001 frames. The four bar linkage with a seat stay link (not the chain stay Horst link), does a good job of isolating pedal bob, but there is still a bit of weight induced bob, which is to be expected. The suspension is prone to some side loading which is normal with all lightweight dualies. It's still a great climbing rig and I've have nothing but praise for the Cane Creek AD-8.
After I bought the frame I contacted Cane Creek who sent me a manuel and stated they would guarantee the shock for a year (they rock). Jamis also sent me full specs and torques on the bike. The Jamis WEB site is still not complete, but you can contact Carl Weiss at gjccarl@juno.com.
If you are ready to try a dualie after riding a hardtail this is the bike for you. Buy a frame and chose all the parts you want. This bike rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkhart
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking, it's a long process | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle One in Gahanna Ohio! | | Strengths: | Light, Durable, Saved my behind at least twice that I know of. | | Weaknesses: | Hmm, I'll get back to you on that | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Ground Control, Diamonback V-Link 1.0, Mongoose Amp Clone | | Bike Setup: | Dakar Team Frame (15" Polished)
Amp F-4 Carbon Fork
Avid TA-3 Brakes
Nuke Proof Carbon Wheels with Ti spokes and Bonti Rims
OR Nuke Proof Superflys with Rev's Front and 14/15's Rear on Bonti Rims
IRC Mythos Tires, 1.95
Race Face Cromoly BB
Race Face Turbine Cranks
Kalloy Uno Seat Post
Vetta SL Seat
XT Front Mech
XTR Rear Mech
XT Cassette
XT Pods
Race Face Air Alloy Bar
Avid SD 2.0 Brake Levers
Bontrager Stem
| | Bottom Line: | Follow up review.
Been on this bike for two years, and not looking for a new frame. That has to be a record for me. It's held up to my 200+ lbs for XC riding. I'm still VERY happy with this bike. Light and durable, even under my behind.
I spec'ed it pricy, but got above what I expected. Any stock bike for the same weight, and parts would have run me hundreds more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Thomas
a Racer
from Omaha
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Uhh, I couldn't tell you, yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: |
Light as hell, some say 5.5 lbs. others say 5.3 lbs., ???.
For a FS bike very light.
Handles Beautifully.
Adjustable shock, and so far, dependable.
Nice red.
The BEST bike I have ever ridden!
| | Weaknesses: |
One plastic cap was not in place on the frame when I recived it, oh well.
Other than my slight misfourtune, nothing.
| | Similar Products Used: |
None.
| | Bike Setup: |
Jamis Dakar, Manitou Mars C, Sun Ringle R.P.M. Lite, XTR Derailleurs & shifters, Avid Mag levers & brakes, TruVativ Stylo Team crank, & TruVativ Sealex SL Bottom Bracket (ISIS Spline Rules!!!), XT Cassette, Thompson Elite Stem & Seatpost, Selle Italia Flite Gel TI seat, TIME ATAC pedels, & lots of other fun stuff.
| | Bottom Line: | This frame out performed my expectations in every way. A little pricy but worth every penny. It handles great, and I think has actually made me faster. My bike weighs in at 25.4 lbs, not bad for a FULL SUSPENSION bike!
Just think how advanced Jamis was when they made this bike which is a good as-or in my case better than top of the line frames made today (i.e. Gary Fisher sugar, Santa Cruse, etc.) and I spent half as much dough, he he.
I am a 15 year old from Nebraska, (no hick jokes) and I love this bike, I ride it every day, even in winter. This bike is for anyone who wants a awsome, dependable, bike. PERIOD.
Some people mentioned noises coming from the rear triangle, I have lubricated them and no problems to speak of, this bike is very sound.
----------------------THE BOTTOM LINE----------------------
Go spend 3300 dollars on that new Klein you've been eye'n at your LBS, if you have that kind of dough. But think of this when you open your wallet. Mine is LIGHTER, BETTER SPEC'D, and COST HALF of your bikes price. So, for the rest of the non-rich world, get this bike, you'll thank me later.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | No nonsense, Solid swingarm design. Nice geometry, Light weight, strong. Extremely good price for 97 model, | | Weaknesses: | Decals come off | | Similar Products Used: | Mantra, Cannondale, Gary Fisher | | Bike Setup: | JudySL, XT/XTR mix, Sun/Ringle RPM Lite, SRAM Attack 9spd(I like twisters), | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, it makes me very happy to sit on it. When I see it I smile and think about the stuff I can do with it.
My first FS, shopped around and tried different designs, none really made as much sense. Mantra, that is a weird bike, like an inchworm. Cannondale, Jeckyll is way too expensive. Gary Fisher, sugar is nice, but not the right price with good components.
The Jamis is a beautiful frame, Easton Elite tubing, Nice welds, what else do you need. I really couldn't tell the difference in ride between it and the sugar, in some situations, I like Jamis better. I have absolutely no slop in the rear and the frame is very quiet so far. I have the bike down to around 25lb and I have only about $1,300 into it with all new good name brand parts.
Performance of this bike is a dream. I was absolutely amazed at the climbing ability of this thing. It sticks the rear wheel down and maintains traction beautifully. I didn't get that sense with a Mantra, which is basically a hardtail if your weight is on the pedals. There is a little bit of BOB on this bike, but that is the nature of the beast with FS. It really just highlighted the problems with my pedalling, now I pedal much more efficiently and get no bob. I almost never have to come out of my saddle now.
I ride with a guy quite regularly, and trailed him a lot with my old hardtail. Now he stays behind me. If you get nothing else out of this review, remember that, IT MADE ME FASTER. No ifs ands or butts. I move faster on this bike.
This may be just FS in general, but it was a real suprise to see such a benefit.
So if you want a good FS bike and have limited$, look for a deal on this frame, $449 at supergo and others while they last. Buy the frame, get some components and build it(or LBS, mind did for $75). But if you are rich, go spend $2500 and get a Santa Cruz or a Gary Fisher that has about the same performance.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross-Country Rider
from Okinawa, Japan
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
light weight
price
great handling!! | | Weaknesses: |
lower pivot bolt loosens | | Bike Setup: |
Manitou SX Ti front
Cane Creek AD-8 rear
Easton carbon bar and post, XT, Mavic 517's, wildgripper rear, Mythos XC front
Rear air pressure is critical as in all air shocks | | Bottom Line: | This is a quality bike that can perform under the harshest conditions. I ride in clay mud a lot and the pivots have not squeaked or caused any problems. The bike goes where you point it as long as you have the balls to ride it out!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross-Country Rider
from Elkhart IN
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
I'm still looking lots still to try,,, | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light weight
GREAT value.
Proven design (just look at similar designs...FSR XC, Sugar...)
Cane Creek Shock? | | Weaknesses: |
Not made anymore. Got the 1997 frame.
Cane Creek Shock? | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized Ground Control Comp
Diamondback V-Link 1.0
Mongoose Amplifier (The mongoose model not the Amp made one) | | Bike Setup: |
Fitted with almost all the toys.
Nuke Proof/Ti/Bontrager wheels.
Amp F-4 Carbon Front Fork
Suntour Thumbies
Race Face BB and Cranks
Clips and Straps
Titec CF Bar Ends
Avid SD levers with TA3 brakes
XTR rear mech | | Bottom Line: | This frame was designed with a clear purpose. It is a XC frame. No triple clamps, no single front chain rings, no 14 inches of travel. Its meant to go up hills as well as down. I fitted my bike with an ecclectic parts mix. I knew what I wanted and put it on the frame. I thought about getting a Specialized FSR XC, or a K2 Razorback, or a Rocky Mountian Element. Then I saw how much it would cost to get those bikes equiped the way I wanted. It was cheaper to build up a frame from scratch.The Jamis is (was) a couple of years ahead of its time. At under 5 1/2 pounds (weighed on the shop scale where I bought it.) its right in the same range as a lot of the current generation of lightweight dualie frames. (FSR XC, Wild Hare, Turner O2, etc)The bike climbs, accelerates, and rides like a dream. Weighs pounds less than the last bike, and didn't (completely) brake the bank. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenneth
a Downhiller
from Lompoc Ca
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mission Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
good handling
LIGHT WEIGHT
great price
nice looks | | Weaknesses: |
Squeks in rear triangle | | Bike Setup: |
Jamis Dakar Sport
3140 doulbe wall tubing
RST team381R front, RST rear shock. Shamino everything. | | Bottom Line: | Bad Ass bike worth every penny. i got mine on saly for 600 dollars marked down from 1100 dollars. only think i dont like is the squeaking in the rear triangle. handles very well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jere Keskiaho
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hollola, Finland
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Salpausselkä, Lahti | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Price
Uphill climbing
Progressive suspension
Looks nice
17 frame weights only 2.4 kg | | Weaknesses: |
Rear fork
Pivots | | Similar Products Used: |
- | | Bike Setup: |
Jamis dakar Pro 17
Vanilla fox RX
Marzocchi Z1 BAM
Magura HS 33
LX/XT | | Bottom Line: | Works great in XC, but big bumps causes problems with rear triangle. Triangle hits to
seat post if rear suspension isn't tight enough. Rear fork cracked from joints, but i got new one for free. Rear fork pivots need chance every 6 months. Triangle problem may disappear in bigger sizes. Very good bike if you have lot of time to maintainance and
don't have that triangle problem. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Inexpensive
Rigid
State of art design
Nice looking
Good handling characteristics | | Weaknesses: |
Pivots can make noise
Jamis customer service is slow | | Similar Products Used: |
Rocky Mountain Element | | Bike Setup: |
Vanilla RX
Z1 | | Bottom Line: | Really a nice ride for the dough. This bike has great handling characteristics...However, the '98 edition is not a CC race frame. It is built stiff with a huge downtube. I have replaced the bottom pivot once after stripping out a bolt (mechanic error). The bushings need to be greased or they will squeeck. A great bike! Not a Wild Hare in quality, but a bike that is only a few notches down for a lot less dough. I give it five stars for doing what it is intended to do without a lot of hassle or let down. Fun bike! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
duke
a Weekend Warrior
from denver, co
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
i,HAD TO TAKE THE SEATPOST OUT AND I FOUND A BUNCH OF MONEY INSIDE THE FRAME, THIS BIKE ROCKS | | Similar Products Used: |
POGO STICK AND HULA HOOP | | Bottom Line: | IS IN BETWEEN THE CHEEKS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Kelly
a Cross-Country Rider
from Fredericksburg, Va.
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kennedy's Peak | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Easton Elite tubing and light weight make this frame rigid and light. It climbs like a hardtail yet the suspension works when you need it. | | Weaknesses: |
A squeek has developed, but I am going to address that over the weekend.... | | Similar Products Used: |
Mongoose VRS 3.0
Mongoose NX8.5
Klein Mantra Comp | | Bike Setup: |
My Team Dakar came as a frame and Cane Creek Shook (AD-8). I spec'd it with Shitmano XT: BB,Shifters and deraileurs, Race face cranks, Marzocchi Z2 Bam Fork, Chris King Hubs on Sun 0 degree rims, Magura HS33 brakes, Speedplay Frog Pedals, Thomson Seat post, Performance Ti Seat, Kaloy Uno Riser bar and a Specialized 110mm 0 degree Ti stem. The bike weighs less than 25# and is a true FS racer. I have $3000 in it, but it hammers and stops great. Magi's and the Zoches fork are a great combo with this frame!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | I have never been happier with a bike than I have with this one. The only thing I plan to upgrade in the future is a switch to a front Disc next season. Other than that, the bike is a top shelf performer, with quality tubing in a 5.5# frame set that is light and rigid, yet durable. I wish Jamis still made this frame, and I really wish it had a rear disc brake boss....
Even still..... This Bike ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After 10 years of MTBing, I wish I had started on this Bike........ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Edge
a cross-country rider
from Palm Beach, Florida
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The trick to this great bike is to get the loading appropriate for your weight on the rear suspension (Fox vanilla). With the stiffer spring, the bike rides across rough terrain with nearly as much power as on a flat street; otherwise the energy is wasted on up and down motion (pogoville). With the right equipment, this is one hell of a bike. Big and strong, goes anywhere...!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Shomper
a racer
from Dover, Pa
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a 96 Dakar and love it. All XT with a Judy. Handles great on just about every type of terrian. My bike handling skills have improved dramatically. Had some problems with the bottom bracket losening and creaking at first but I put in a narrower spindle and all is fine. No trouble with the Noleen yet but I've heard some bad things. I have a lizard skin cover it to keep out the dirt. A great East coast trail bike and racer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chua MingHong
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I own the 97 Jamis Dakar
This Is a Bike that is worth the money that u paid
Juz Imagine, The bike doesn't bobs(i retain the Cane Creek AD8)
The full bike cost less than the price of the frame of an INTENSE UZZI SL
The full bike weighs less than 25 pounds( how many f/s bikes can go below 27 pounds?)
I managed to cut the weigh below 25 even though i have got spinergy and Maguras on board the bike
Overall, This is a Bike that rocks
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maple
a weekend warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
it's not a Jamis it's a concorde airide pro comp witch is the exact same frame as the Jamis dakars. I built it up with mostly XT parts along with one lx (for now) and raceface. the bike rides awsome it's great it takes all the hard hits
and comes back for more the fs is a perfect match for the noleen in the rear
( but i would like to switch it for a manitou rear.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DeeBo
a cross-country rider
from Potsdam, NY
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Dakar for almost a year. I'm really impressed with the way this bike handles on the single track. You can really feel the rear suspension help you out in the technical stuff. The component selection was great, esp. ESP 9.0 and the carrumba cranks. Great shifting. Didn't care for the Manitou FS though. Flex and stiction. Had a Basso Ti OEM from Clark Kent before. The Dakar is just as good, if not better. Only weighs a pound more and is FS! Overall, I'm extremely satisfied. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DeeBo
a cross-country rider
from Potsdam, NY
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Dakar for almost a year. I'm really impressed with the way this bike handles on the single track. You can really feel the rear suspension help you out in the technical stuff. The component selection was great, esp. ESP 9.0 and the carrumba cranks. Great shifting. Didn't care for the Manitou FS though. Flex and stiction. Had a Basso Ti OEM from Clark Kent before. The Dakar is just as good, if not better. Only weighs a pound more and is FS! Overall, I'm extremely satisfied. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a weekend warrior
from Buffalo, NY
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently got a 96 Team Dakar frame for $560, what a deal. This is a nice ride, I would recommend it to anyone that want to take the edge out of a HT. Handles excellent, doesn't bob, I still have a normal place to put the H2O bottles and at the price it's worth trying out if you've been considering a FT. If weight is a concern try 26 1/2 lbs with LX/XT, 636's, FS shock with every on it except the tool bag. Not to bad but you can get do alot better. At 230 lbs this bike is doing great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a racer
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Anyone who says full suspension is not for Xcountry racing has ridden a poor design or has not
ridden a full suspension at all. The Jamis Dakar climbs extremely well and sprints with ease. I even
got my second place spot last race in a fifty yard sprint finish. We were neck and neck at the
beginning of the sprint, then I won 2 seconds ahead (and I even broke my chain at the last 15 feet)
any questions? I do suggest using a good coil over shock in the rear, I think they are more
dependable.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a weekend warrior
from Boston MA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
JAMIS DAKAR TEAMRecently got a '97 Team frame for $575 and stripped my Jamis Aurora for parts. The first time out the AD-8 shock blew a seal. Cane Creek replaced this with an AD-10. With no problems now , this bike has greatly improved my climbing and downhilling. It loves to go fast if you have enough balls. The only negative is the decals which rub of too easily. | | Overall Rating: |
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