Quote: crazychick
I've been out to some bikeshops out there and I think there's a bike in each shop that I like!!! The one that stands out is the Jamis (yes another one) and I'm taking a closer look at it today. Its also a bargain....Its a Jamis Dakota Comp. and I can't tell you all the specs, but its carbon firbe hardtail and very light!! Its got the rock shocs fork and hydrolic brakes and basically its all I'm ineterrested in cause my old bike has got none of these!!! The size is a "15,5" and I think will suit me well. After talking to the pro's at the bike shops, its clear that I've been riding a bike too big. I'm pretty small and have average length legs. (I think)
Its sounds like you are a serious rider!!!! Are you going to the Dirt fest? I'm a social rider and have not done any events yet, but this year I'm gonna give it a go!!! The Noosa Enduro was going to be my first one, but I've read on the forum that it's been post-poned to 2011! I was thinking of going to the Dirt fest instead, but are just a little concerned about my fitness levels!!! Its just been so wet and muddy out there!!!
I understand completely about there being a bike you like in each shop. I think there is a bike I like in every shop that exists! I just like bikes!
Here is a link to the specs for the Jamis Dakota Comp:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/pdfs/2009_pdfs/09_dakotacomp.pdf
To my way of thinking it looks like a better level of equipment all around than the Alias. It is a mostly 7005 aluminium frame with some carbon in the rear triangle (seat stays) by the looks. While that amount of carbon is not going to make it light in itself (because it is only a little bit of carbon) the bike as a whole will probably be lighter than what you are used to because these days they optimise and get every last bit out of the frame design and alloy bikes are now achieving pretty light weights too. So you are probably looking at a better and lighter frame than you have already. Almost certainly it will be lighter than the Alias (although they don't report a weight on their website).
In terms of spec, the Jamis has better rear derailleur (XT rather than SLX) better shock (air rather than coil - you'll need a shock pump I think?) and has eyeleted rims (Alias doesn't say and you do want this if you are going disc brakes). It also comes with my favourite allrounder tyres (although that is easily changed to whatever you like).
So assuming that they were similarly priced and the Jamis fit well, I would certainly be leaning that way. It's just a fair bit more bike.
As far as size goes, I took a look at the geometry for the 15.5" and it has an effective top tube length of 546mm. This meshes pretty well with the 550mm for my 16" Kona. I guess it depends what stem length you need (it comes with 90mm which isn't huge) but a decent shop would be willing to fit you up and swap it out for another the right length at purchase if needed.
As for whether I sound like a serious rider... Well, I'm a serious nerd! I like numbers and specs! And I'm serious about liking bikes! And lots of them! And I'm seriously social as a rider too!
But I don't think you'd say I'm a serious rider. I mean, I've ridden bikes pretty much all my life to some extent, done lots of triathlons, a bit of touring, a lot of road riding and only got into MTB about three years ago. I have done a few MTB races (24hour and Dusk to Dawn sort of things) and we've got some good results, but more due to me organising rather than my riding contribution, which is usually not especially fast but just reliable in keeping on going!
But I would have to say I am seriously out of practice with MTB recently, as I got knocked off my roadbike back in October, and have barely ridden my MTB since while waiting impatiently for my shoulder to be "right" again. And since it was quite wet before then, most of my outings prior to that on both my MTBs had resulted in at least one tumble, slip or OTB. So I think it safe to say that I am serious about falling off bikes too!
I was planning to be in a team at the Tre-X long course championships (which is run at the DirtFest) but we decided not to race as our cyclist had just rebuilt his bike after the mud of the last race in the series! Then they postponed and it is now on the same date as the Bribie Multisport adventure race which are putting a team together for. And my specialist leg in both these events is actually the swim!
Hopefully the weather will dry out, I will spend a bit more time on the MTB and will recover my coordination (such as it ever was) and confidence, and will do a few more races. So I might see you around.
