Jamis XLT, opinions?

[Rik]

Just wondering what you guys think of this bike for all 'round riding:
Jamis XLT (http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/03_2dakar_xlt1.html)
I built one up today, and in the flesh it's a pretty darn nice bike, and I'm edging towards getting one for a do-everything bike. 5" front and rear is more than ample for me, especially considering I ride hardtails right now.
The bikes landing in .au have a Z1 Freeride fork (with ETA) instead of the Vanilla RL, so this is what's swayed me a bit.

Whilst I know you don't see many Jamis' around, have any of you got any real-world experience with them, or know of people riding one? For the money, I'm having trouble finding bikes that can compare parts-wise.

[Cruz]

I know 2 guys who imported theirs from the usa, a cheaper Steel Dakar and a top of the range Dakar about 2 years ago.
Both are ridden constantly and for everything except big drops and d/h. No problems of any kind so far and were excellent value for money.

[LTR]

i know somone that runs one of those with shermans and it runs sweet !!

[Rik]

What sort of use are these guys getting out of their XLT"s? They seem burly enough to hold up to a fair bit of hard riding...

[Gonzo]

I know someone who has a dakar, i don't think it is an XLT, but she says it's really heavy at the back end so probably wouldn't be great or to much xc riding

[grovesy]

I was looking at buying a Dakar,but had issues finding a lbs in W.A. who had heard of Jamis.Then had problems contacting the stockist/importer in the Eastern states.
Nice looking trail bikes though.

[Rik]

:lol:
Yeh, distribution isn't the best, but the shop I work at has a good relationship with them so I'm not too fussed about that.
I might try and find a store that has my size in stock, so I can get a feel for the bike.

[boney]

the most important question is how much do these sell for :)

[Rik]

Even more important, is how much do they cost a shop ;)

They sell for $2949, but to me they come in at a really good price, so to compare them fairly at my level I'd have to compare them with bikes that sell for around $2500, so the Jamis wins by far.

[hugnkiss]

:D i love my Jamis. i was in the same thought as you when i bought mine. but when mine shipped it had no rear shock or forks? i organised a rock shox rear and borrowed my brothers Phsylos, then he won a set of race boxers and he gave them to me. i use it for everything DH,Djin freeriding i love it. i only started DH when i got it but now that i love it (Downhilling) i realise that i really need more rear travel.
get one you'll love it

[Misplaced]

Jamis are fairly popular in the UK and Europe.Good brand,good back up and seriously good price.Havent seen the XL, but they generally dont make easy break bikes

[hugnkiss]

i broke mine

[Rik]

:lol:
How'd you manage to break it? Big drops or other similar abuse?

[Misplaced]

i broke mine

Yeah, how did you break it Amanda?

[hugnkiss]

check your PM's Rik

[Rik]

"You have no new messages"
:?:

[hugnkiss]

i broke mine

Yeah, how did you break it Amanda?

well first you start with a sledge hammer and let loose?
it is really not that hard
it is a girl thing you see
:)

[shan75]

My brother owns an XLT1.0 and rode it all season at whistler thius year. He has been doing most things on it including drops to transitions of about 8 feet. Apart from trueing wheels he has had no worries with it and absolutly loves it. the 04 bike are up specced considerably from last year so they are exceptionsal value for money. This year though, they have Swingers on the rear or a Talus RLC on the new 3.0, and the Minute forks also. Awesome Bikes

[Adski]

Jamis XLT was MBA's bike of the year for 03!

http://www.jamisbikes.com/reviews/reviewsFrames.html