Mountain Biking - Jamis Exile

Picked up this bike about two weeks ago only thing i'm dissapointed in is the fork, I think I need the stiffer spring (i weigh about 250 6'2'' tall). New to mountain biking and have only takin on local trails twice, but I have to say it is the most fun I've had in a while. Just thought I would post the pic since I finally got one (sis got dig. camera for christmas)

Anone have any opinions on it: 2003 Jamis Exile All Stock http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/03_exile.html#

Thanks

DeafLamb

http://www.bikeforums.net/images/attach/jpg.gif

Picked up this bike about two weeks ago only thing i'm dissapointed in is the fork, I think I need the stiffer spring (i weigh about 250 6'2'' tall). New to mountain biking and have only takin on local trails twice, but I have to say it is the most fun I've had in a while. Just thought I would post the pic since I finally got one (sis got dig. camera for christmas)

Anone have any opinions on it: 2003 Jamis Exile All Stock http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/03_exile.html#

Thanks

DeafLamb

http://www.bikeforums.net/images/attach/jpg.gif


The infamous manitou axel fork, you will be hearing alot about this in a little while, when people that have them or have had them share their stories with you. As for me, I havent had much experience on them, though I did witness one of the first ever complete failures of one.


And oh yea.....jamis bikes are really nice. They spec their bikes very well and they are very affordable too.

It's strange that I keep hearing people complain about that fork. I haven't seen one come back to the shop for maintenance yet.

Yes at your weight you should get the Firm ride kit from Answer for your fork.

The Jamis Exile is my favorite bike. I enjoy its sweet ride every day. I got it last summer from the Sports Garage in Denver. This elegant machine took care of me when I was trying to simultaneously cope with single track and fight off a touch of West Nile.

The Exile's superb steel frame will easily handle your 250 lbs. I suggest that you might also look into a Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost to help with your suspension problems.

http://www.canecreek.com/site/product/seatpost/01_thud.html

Also I found that the Exile runs a lot better in varied terrains on Continental Vertical tires than on the stock Hutchisons.

So except possibly for your choice of Maine as a place to live ;-), I think that the MTB gods are smiling on you.

:roflmao:

thanks, i think maine will be fine for a while, migh move to south west in a year or two :)

Corrections- sorta ;-)

Maine has its share of blueberry skies and happy Downeast trails- especially Mt. Desert Island.

More serious correction- the Sport Garage is in Boulder and not in Denver.

http://www.sportsgarage.net/index.cfm

:roflmao:

Actually my signature comes from two of my hobbies:

Blue Skies - Skydiving
Happy Trails - Hiking the AT (appalachian trail)

I guess they both sort of fit with biking though.

DeafLamb

My wife and I bought the same bike on sale a few months ago. We tested many bikes, including more expensive ones, but we both agreed that the Exile had the most comfortable geometry and was the best deal. We bought it to attach an Xtracycle to it, although someday we'll switch the attachment to another bike to dedicate the Exile to cross country duty. My wife is going to take the Exile+xtracycle on our tour in Europe this summer, so we swapped the knobby tires for slicks and she loves it. We both can ride it, because it's kind of in between our bike sizes, and I liked riding it around as an urban commuter. It looks pretty sweet with the xtracycle, I'll try to put up an image soon.

You should probably get those stiffer springs soon, or swap the fork. In addition to the Exile, I have one on my Rainier, and while it's ok for me most of the time, I weigh 100 pounds less than you. I don't have any recommendations, though, except that you might ask the bike shop to give you a deal because they carried a bike that was spec'ed with a bad production fork.

Don't you love that steel?

Well I have definitly desided to get the stiffer springs can't wait for Answer to open again on the 5th. I've also realized that riding on a suspension fork takes a little bit of a learning curve. First time riding on one and am still getting used to it. I'm used to rode bikes and freestyle BMX bikes so this is my learning experince, Really starting to love it though.

DeafLamb

Just remember, in cycling, everything is designed for the 165 - 180lb rider.