Bighec
04-07-09, 09:01 PM
James Dakota Elite, or Santa Cruz Chameleon? Leaning towards getting the Jamis just because I feel like its a better buy, but I am looking for a second opinion.
Mountain Biking - I need a little help.
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bikinfool
04-08-09, 12:15 AM
Santa Cruz. I like Santa Cruz. There, you've got an opinion :rolleyes:
Seriously, you're going to have to do better than that on your own, why do you even think the bikes are comparable. Why do you think one or the other might be better for you or your riding skills/style/area? Do you dress yourself?
Seriously, you're going to have to do better than that on your own, why do you even think the bikes are comparable. Why do you think one or the other might be better for you or your riding skills/style/area? Do you dress yourself?
Bighec
04-08-09, 06:23 AM
Yes I dress myself. I like the Santa Cruz also, but I was looking at best bang for buck, and from my point of view the Jamis is a better buy. Now what I was thinking of doing was just getting the Santa Cruz frame and switching all of my current stuff over. Not that I can't buy stuff on my own, I just wanted a second opinion.
ed
04-08-09, 06:35 AM
Jamis will almost always be better "bang for your buck"...depending on the type of bang you're seeking. Something they seem to frequently skimp on is hubs. If you can get a similarly built Chameleon for the same price...I'd go SC.
What is the build of the Santa Cruz?
What year is the Jamis?
The Dakota Elite is a light/fast cross country bike:
Specifications
Frame
Kinesis Superlight 7005 triple-butted aluminum main tubes, BB30 over-sized BB shell, carbon fiber monostay, over-sized seat tube, gusseted down tube, replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork
Fox 32FRL, air spring with lockout & external rebound damping adjustor, 32mm stanchions, 100mm travel
Headset
Zero-Stack internal cup threadless, 1 1/8”
Wheels
WTB Laser Disc XC eyeletted rims, 32H, Shimano Deore M525 disc hubs, WTB 14g stainless steel spokes
Tires
Maxxis Ignitor, 26 x 2.1”
Derailleurs
Shimano Deore XT Shadow rear,
Deore XT 34.9mm top pull front
Shiftlevers
Shimano Deore XT, Rapidfire Plus-SL, 27-speed
Chain
Shimano HG73
Cassette
SRAM Powerglide 950, 9-speed, 11-32
Crankset
FSA Afterburner BB30, 44/32/22,
170mm (15.5”), 175mm (17-21”)
BB Set
FSA BB30
Pedals
Crank Brothers Smarty clipless
Brakeset
Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes with Avid Juicy levers
Handlebar
Ritchey Mountain Comp OS flat bar,
31.8 O˚ x 5˚ sweep x 580mm
Stem
Ritchey Comp OS, 31.8 bar bore x 6˚ x 100mm (15”),
110mm (17 ”) & 120mm (19-21”)
Grips
WTB Trail, dual compound
Seat Post
Ritchey Comp OS, 350mm x 31.6 mm with 2 bolt design
Saddle
WTB Pure V Race with SL cover, chromoly rails
Sizes
15.5”, 17”, 19”, 21”
Color
Team Red/Pearl White
Weight
25.80 lbs
What is the build of the Santa Cruz?
What year is the Jamis?
The Dakota Elite is a light/fast cross country bike:
Specifications
Frame
Kinesis Superlight 7005 triple-butted aluminum main tubes, BB30 over-sized BB shell, carbon fiber monostay, over-sized seat tube, gusseted down tube, replaceable derailleur hanger
Fork
Fox 32FRL, air spring with lockout & external rebound damping adjustor, 32mm stanchions, 100mm travel
Headset
Zero-Stack internal cup threadless, 1 1/8”
Wheels
WTB Laser Disc XC eyeletted rims, 32H, Shimano Deore M525 disc hubs, WTB 14g stainless steel spokes
Tires
Maxxis Ignitor, 26 x 2.1”
Derailleurs
Shimano Deore XT Shadow rear,
Deore XT 34.9mm top pull front
Shiftlevers
Shimano Deore XT, Rapidfire Plus-SL, 27-speed
Chain
Shimano HG73
Cassette
SRAM Powerglide 950, 9-speed, 11-32
Crankset
FSA Afterburner BB30, 44/32/22,
170mm (15.5”), 175mm (17-21”)
BB Set
FSA BB30
Pedals
Crank Brothers Smarty clipless
Brakeset
Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes with Avid Juicy levers
Handlebar
Ritchey Mountain Comp OS flat bar,
31.8 O˚ x 5˚ sweep x 580mm
Stem
Ritchey Comp OS, 31.8 bar bore x 6˚ x 100mm (15”),
110mm (17 ”) & 120mm (19-21”)
Grips
WTB Trail, dual compound
Seat Post
Ritchey Comp OS, 350mm x 31.6 mm with 2 bolt design
Saddle
WTB Pure V Race with SL cover, chromoly rails
Sizes
15.5”, 17”, 19”, 21”
Color
Team Red/Pearl White
Weight
25.80 lbs
Bighec
04-08-09, 06:51 AM
I was looking at a new Santa Cruz with the XT setup, and a 32 Float, and I was also looking at the newer model Jamis.
bikinfool
04-08-09, 09:30 AM
Yes I dress myself. I like the Santa Cruz also, but I was looking at best bang for buck, and from my point of view the Jamis is a better buy. Now what I was thinking of doing was just getting the Santa Cruz frame and switching all of my current stuff over. Not that I can't buy stuff on my own, I just wanted a second opinion.
Just needling ya, sometimes I just read one too many "what should I buy" thread (having never asked anyone else what to get). The two bikes are totally different, though and would boil down to how you want to use the bike...like Chelboed points out the Dakota is a light xc bike, the Chameleon is more an "AM" kinda bike (but more versatile than the Dakota in a few ways). You sure you want to do the BB30 thing with the Dakota?
Just needling ya, sometimes I just read one too many "what should I buy" thread (having never asked anyone else what to get). The two bikes are totally different, though and would boil down to how you want to use the bike...like Chelboed points out the Dakota is a light xc bike, the Chameleon is more an "AM" kinda bike (but more versatile than the Dakota in a few ways). You sure you want to do the BB30 thing with the Dakota?
Bighec
04-08-09, 11:59 AM
I ended up getting the Santa Cruz frame. Just bought it, should be here in about two weeks. Gonna swap everything from my current bike over.