jamis vs. bianchi [Archive]

steve333

09-27-2002, 11:30 AM

Im trying to decide between a jamis dakota xc and a bianchi denali. I can get the bianchi with an upgraded drivetrain for about 750, and its brand new. i can get the jamis used with raceface next LP cranks for about 900. the bianchi has a marzocchi mxr fork and the jamis has a mars elite. would the mars be able to take 3 to 4 foot drops? i only weigh 140. could the marzocchi? I'll mostly be doing xc riding and maybe some racing but i also do some of that more aggresive stuff occasionally. i would appreciate any advice

DREWALPINE

10-12-2002, 09:59 PM

GO WITH THE JAMIS.THE ARE EAST COAST AND CAN HELP BETTER IN A WARRANTY ISSUE.OVERALL A BETTER BIKE.

steel13

10-12-2002, 11:21 PM

i'd go with the jamis as well. bianchi nice, but jamis is awesome. the dakota xc is one of the best bikes for the money. you get a great reynolds frame, and high zoot components. not to say the bianchi is bad, but jamis is better

Andy in Wi

10-20-2002, 07:11 PM

I guess I would have to say I'm partial to Jamis, as my Dakar has served me well. The only thing is that the Mars Super is kind of junk. It is a light air fork, so it isn't made for beef as much for weight. After less than 3 months, mine has bushing knock. Bianchi is a bit bitchy on the warrenty stuff, so best would probably be go for the Dakota and use the Mars. if it fscks up, warrenty it, sell it, then go with something else. But since you are a flyweight, you probably won't wear through some of the stuff as fast.

The Gordo

10-29-2002, 02:41 AM

My first mountain bike was an '89 jamis Explorer XR with the old Suntour XC Pro equipment. I loved that bike and never had any trouble... So I know this guy, he's a roadie by nature (and a damn fast one!) and buys his first Mt Bike, a nice LX equipped Jamis Hardtail with the thin wall tubing. It's lively and light and a wonderful bike, but he wrecks it and bends the frame after about three weeks. I was there for the wreck, it was an easy one... shouldn't have hurt the bike so bad. He had a lot of trouble with the warrenty Department and came out on the loosing end.

"I was Just riding along and ........"