Dual-Suspension Cross-Country Test
R. Cunningham
February 2007
Trustworthy handling: Jamis managed to squeeze a lot more technical performance from the XCR Expert’s classic cross-country frame than we thought possible.
Jamis bettered its best this season by overhauling its hot-selling Dakar cross-country dual-suspension chassis. The $3400 Dakar XCR Expert, with its fresh-looking, welded-aluminum frame, showcases Jamis’ new MP3 suspension design. The Expert’s new chassis is even more attractive, because it is stuffed with high-quality components that promise pro-level performance for working-class racers and cross-country riders.
The basis of MP3 is that Jamis relocated the swing-link and shock mount from the top tube to the downtube. This change allows the suspension geometry to remain the same throughout the size range of the Dakar, and offers more standover clearance, too. A number of other design upgrades are readily apparent, like lightweight forged dropouts and pivot journals, a formed gusset near the headtube junction, and a slim “tension member” that ties the downtube shock mount and seat-tube pivot location together. The new Jamis gives the impression that a lot of thought went into the entire package. It is simple and elegant from any angle.
OUTFITTING THE NEW JAMIS
The Dakar Expert is targeted at weekend competitors who probably don’t have the luxury of owning an expensive, lightweight bike to race with and a longer-travel machine for training and trailrides. To this end, Jamis chose components that split the difference between the two and kept the total cost of the package within reasonable limits. Its Fox suspension items are one tier below the stuff that the pros use, without sacrificing critical features like the 32F fork’s lockout and the RP2 shock’s on-the-fly-adjustable platform lever. Another great pick was its Shimano XT drivetrain. It has all the important features of the new XTR at half the price, and the weight difference is negligible. Finally, with most bike makers cheaping out and omitting pedals, Jamis steps up to the plate and equips the Expert XCR with Crank Brothers Candy-C clipless models. Thank you very much.
WHAT MAKES THE XCR EXPERT TICK?
Jamis sticks to the cross-country standard when it comes to the numbers, and the low-mounted suspension makes for reasonably good standover clearance. This all translates into a roomy cockpit and an effective climber. Add four inches of suspension travel and you have the makings of a spritely-handling cross-country machine.
If you plan on serious competition, however, you’ll have to trim some weight. At 28.8-pounds, it can still get you around the race course, but you’ll be giving up three pounds to the podium finishers. The good news is that the frame and shock weigh 5.5 pounds, which is light enough to get the Expert into the competitive, 24-pound range with future upgrades.
Swing-link switch: Low-mounted linkage marks a first for the Dakar series. Notice the thin tension strut that spans the frame beneath the Fox RP2 shock.
RIDING A TRUE SPORT/RACER
Without a single upgrade, the Jamis Expert passes muster as a truly enjoyable cross-country trailbike. Its suspension delivers enough cushion to make high-speed runs down relatively technical descents a hoot, and when the time comes to climb, its steep seat angle and spacious cockpit help its pilot keep the pedals turning until the summit arrives. Jamis could have spec’ed much lighter, faster-rolling tires than the Maxxis Ignitors, but their grippy tread adds a great deal to the bike’s performance. The Expert marches up loose climbs and carves corners where narrower, semi-slick racing tires would give even a top bike-handler trouble.
Good in the corners: Subtle forces—perhaps the combination of a steep seat angle, longer-than-average chainstays, and grippy tread—worked together to give the Jamis superior cornering ability. The emerald blue bike ate up slow switchbacks and curvy, fast-paced fire roads as if they were paved. And when we did push the limits, the rear tire would begin to drift just before the front lost its grip. Cornering the Jamis instilled confidence—a rare quality in a cross-country chassis.
Laying down tracks: The Expert is too heavy to be a brisk accelerator, but it feels efficient at the pedals providing that you take it easy and avoid making every effort an out-of-the-saddle sprint. In fact, the Jamis’ ability to ease around corners and find traction where others fail makes it possible to relax and pedal more smoothly just about anywhere on the course. When you must rise out of the saddle to make a point, the Expert will not let you down with mushy suspension. It moves out well, with a stiff-feeling chassis and a very ergonomic feel in the office.
Technical skills: Unless you plan to get wild, the Jamis Expert will take you over, through and down anything that you will face on a cross-country circuit or forest singletrack. Its frame numbers are on the steep side for a trailbike, but the chassis puts the rider in a very balanced position between the wheels, so he is in position to handle moderate jumps and drops without having to anticipate them with weight shifts.
We compliment Jamis for choosing Avid Juicy Five disc brakes for their positive feel at the levers, and also for selecting trigger shifters. When push came to shove in technical sections, both features added an extra margin of confidence to an already good performer.
WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE
For cross-country trail riders who don’t mind pushing a couple of extra pounds, and are looking for the most performance from their paychecks, there isn’t anything on the Dakar Expert that warrants an upgrade. We, however, are paid to pick things apart. Somehow, Easton forgot how to make comfortable handlebars, and we’d trade the EA50 riders for a better bend, like Race Face uses. If you plan on racing, then keep the Fizik Gobi saddle, but upgrade to a seat with a better padded nose if you plan on climbing technical singletrack. The hard-plastic Gobi can inflict suffering when you get up on the nose. Finally, the cable routing near the frame’s seat tube area curved into our legs and required a zip-tie to tame. Jamis needs to find an alternative routing that brings the housings flush with the frame tubes.
MBA’S LAST WORD ON THE XCR EXPERT
If you ride in an area where the trails are fast paced and curvy, you will find the newest iteration of the Jamis Dakar a perfect fit. As a cross-country oriented trailbike, or an enthusiast-level 24-hour racing machine, the XCR Expert is ready to please, right out of the box. The Expert is too hefty to compete with cross-country weight weenies, but if you do decide to get more serious about competition, you could drop almost two pounds by purchasing lightweight wheels and tires. There is a great chassis at the heart of this Jamis; it’s worth upgrading.
Price $3087
Country of origin Taiwan
Weight 28.8 pounds
Hotline (201) 768-9050
Frame tested 17" (medium)
Bottom bracket height 12.2"
Chainstay length 16.9"
Top tube length 22.8"
Head angle 71°
Seat tube angle 74°
Standover height 30"
Wheelbase 42.2"
Suspension travel (front) 3.9"
Suspension travel (rear) 3.9"
Frame material Aluminum
Fork Fox 32F 100 RL
Shock Fox RP2
Rims Mavic 317 Disc
Tires Maxxis Ignitor (2.1")
Hub Shimano M525
Brakes Avid Juicy Five
Brake levers Avid Juicy Five
Crankset Shimano XT
Shifters Shimano XT trigger
Front derailleur Shimano XT
Rear derailleur Shimano XT
Chainrings Shimano XT (44/32/22)
Cassette Shimano 9-speed (11-32)
Pedals Crank Brothers Candy-C
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