Jamis is a known brand but not main stream. Yes we do see them out there but not in the masses. I have come from riding all kinds of bikes. To name a few: Bianchi Reparto Course, Orbea, Specialized Tarmac Sworks, Cervelo S3, Felt F1 SL, Felt AR4, and Ridley Excalibur. I wanted to work on something new and ride something that’s fun, and enjoyable to ride. I was reluctant to try the Jamis. I mean it isn’t like when you buy a bike and not like it you can return it. When it came in I was stocked. We took the time to weigh the frame before building it. It wasn’t as light as they say it is but I have yet to see a bike frame weight actually be accurate. The 58cm frame weighed in at 1050 grams. Still light enough for me.
The frame doesn’t have any super crazy sexy curves and lines but it delivers a very attractive bike once it is all built up. Pictures really don’t do it justice. By the size or the tubing one would think the frame to be very stiff and not as plush as some frames that have the small seat stays and crazy frame tubing. Well when it comes to just the ride quality it excels is so many areas. Built in the same factory as Pinarello and built with M30 carbon it rides smooth and very compliant. The tapered head tube gives you a very controlling feel and stiff front end.
During a race a couple of years ago on one of the bikes named above I was heading down a good size hill. I have ridden this hill many times through the years and was extremely comfortable doing so at high speeds. While I was going my top tube began to shack. Now I was only going 43 miles an hour when this began and within a few seconds go so bad I though I was going to head into the concrete barrier on the side. It was one of the scariest times I have had on a bike. Well I slowed down by sitting up and not touching the brakes. This allowed for it all to calm down. Since then I have not felt comfortable taking my bike much above 40. Now those who ride know 40 is not that fast. Last Saturday I took the Jamis and during a down hill decent decided to open it up a little and see how it preformed. Well when I hit 50 the bike was still completely solid and I felt in complete control.
The bb30 is a nice addition to this bike. Giving it extreme bottom bracket stiffness and perfect acceleration. If you are lacking in speed it isn’t from the bike. I know we all try it say it is.
The asymmetrical chain stays I think are a huge factor to the ride quality if this frame. Giving the frame a great balance so no matter what you are doing on it the bike is willing to follow. So if you are looking for a bike that allows you to enjoy your weekly crit series, local or traveling road races, your fun century rides, the week long bike tour, or a bike just to ride the Jamis Xenith Team is a good basis to start with. You can build it sub 15 lbs if you like or keep it less expensive and build it to 16 lbs.