Info on Jamis DXT Elite
04-23-18 | 11:47 AM
#1
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Joined: Apr 2018
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Info on Jamis DXT Elite
Hello everyone. I’m really enjoying this site. There are some cool and very knowledgeable people here. 
I’m in the market for a new, mid range hybrid bike. I ride for fun and fitness. I have been researching for a while now and have narrowed my choice to two, Trek DS 3 (although I will test ride the FX as well) and Jamis DXT Elite. There is so much information out there on the Trek and I have owned Trek bikes but not in the past 10 years. I feel I’ve learned all I can about them. They seem like a solid choice. I am having trouble finding any consumer info on the Jamis. I don’t know anything about the company, their customer service or buyers experiences with their bikes, especially the DXT Elite. Does anyone here have any experience with this bike or with Jamis as a whole?
I was supposed to go test ride these today but, as often happens, life has thrown me a curve so instead I’m sitting at the car dealership getting my car serviced. Ugh 😑. Thanks for any info.
I’m in the market for a new, mid range hybrid bike. I ride for fun and fitness. I have been researching for a while now and have narrowed my choice to two, Trek DS 3 (although I will test ride the FX as well) and Jamis DXT Elite. There is so much information out there on the Trek and I have owned Trek bikes but not in the past 10 years. I feel I’ve learned all I can about them. They seem like a solid choice. I am having trouble finding any consumer info on the Jamis. I don’t know anything about the company, their customer service or buyers experiences with their bikes, especially the DXT Elite. Does anyone here have any experience with this bike or with Jamis as a whole?
I was supposed to go test ride these today but, as often happens, life has thrown me a curve so instead I’m sitting at the car dealership getting my car serviced. Ugh 😑. Thanks for any info.
04-23-18 | 02:45 PM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,244
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From: Northern Shenandoah Valley
Bikes: More bikes than riders
Welcome!
This segment of the market (the "dual sport" segment) is a popular one, and nearly every company has an entry in the market here. Trek and Jamis are both good companies. The local bike shop where I just bought my Giant Roam also sells Jamis, and they have a good relationship with all of their brands. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any bike that met my needs and desires.
The DXT Elite has a mix of entry-level and mid-level components, just like nearly every bike in this segment. The 3x10 Shimano Deore drivetrain is very nice stuff, and will work great (and is an upgrade over the 3x9 Acera/Alivio drivetrain on the DS 3). The fork is a 75mm Suntour NVX fork, and is also an upgrade from the 63mm NEX fork on the DS 3). The Tektro HD-285 hydraulic brakes are Tektro's lowest level of brakeset, and the DS 3's Shimano M315 hydraulic brakes would be considered an upgrade (though I doubt you'd see a big difference in performance). Jamis claim a 28 pound weight. Trek claim a 30 pound weight on the DS 3.
Jamis DXT Elite costs $879 at retail, and Trek DS 3 retails at $769. I think I'd probably pay the extra $110 to get the 10 speed drivetrain and the nicer fork on the Jamis. On top of that, though, you really ought to test ride both of them, to see which fits you the best. Different brands often have different "fit feel".
Other excellent choices include the Specialized Crosstrail, Cannondale Quick CX, and Giant Roam. Each of these has various color options and trim lines and value points in the market segment. Have fun shopping!
This segment of the market (the "dual sport" segment) is a popular one, and nearly every company has an entry in the market here. Trek and Jamis are both good companies. The local bike shop where I just bought my Giant Roam also sells Jamis, and they have a good relationship with all of their brands. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any bike that met my needs and desires.
The DXT Elite has a mix of entry-level and mid-level components, just like nearly every bike in this segment. The 3x10 Shimano Deore drivetrain is very nice stuff, and will work great (and is an upgrade over the 3x9 Acera/Alivio drivetrain on the DS 3). The fork is a 75mm Suntour NVX fork, and is also an upgrade from the 63mm NEX fork on the DS 3). The Tektro HD-285 hydraulic brakes are Tektro's lowest level of brakeset, and the DS 3's Shimano M315 hydraulic brakes would be considered an upgrade (though I doubt you'd see a big difference in performance). Jamis claim a 28 pound weight. Trek claim a 30 pound weight on the DS 3.
Jamis DXT Elite costs $879 at retail, and Trek DS 3 retails at $769. I think I'd probably pay the extra $110 to get the 10 speed drivetrain and the nicer fork on the Jamis. On top of that, though, you really ought to test ride both of them, to see which fits you the best. Different brands often have different "fit feel".
Other excellent choices include the Specialized Crosstrail, Cannondale Quick CX, and Giant Roam. Each of these has various color options and trim lines and value points in the market segment. Have fun shopping!
04-28-18 | 06:53 AM
#6
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I thought I would update here and not leave the thread hanging. I’ve been test riding a lot of bikes. As for the Jamis, the shop I went to only had a very small one to ride. I must have looked comical 
. I didn’t much like the shop either. All of their bikes were filthy and the guy didn’t listen to what I was telling him. I think the Jamis was a nice bike (under the grime) but there was no way for me to tell how it rode at that ridiculously small size. The shop guy was more interested in pushing me toward something else instead of getting a suitable size Jamis DXT brought in. I left.
The Trek dealer was a different story. They were helpful, fun to talk with and had some bikes for me to try close to my size. The FX S4 I rode was great. They didn’t have a DS that fit me but they are having one brought in for me to try next week. Meanwhile, I rode a Neko 2 to get a feel for the DS. I really liked it. I can’t wait to try the DS 4 next week.
. I didn’t much like the shop either. All of their bikes were filthy and the guy didn’t listen to what I was telling him. I think the Jamis was a nice bike (under the grime) but there was no way for me to tell how it rode at that ridiculously small size. The shop guy was more interested in pushing me toward something else instead of getting a suitable size Jamis DXT brought in. I left. The Trek dealer was a different story. They were helpful, fun to talk with and had some bikes for me to try close to my size. The FX S4 I rode was great. They didn’t have a DS that fit me but they are having one brought in for me to try next week. Meanwhile, I rode a Neko 2 to get a feel for the DS. I really liked it. I can’t wait to try the DS 4 next week.
04-30-18 | 10:27 AM
#7
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Joined: May 2014
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Bikes: 2013 Trek 4.7 Flatbar Madone, 2018 Giant Roam 2
I thought I would update here and not leave the thread hanging. I’ve been test riding a lot of bikes. As for the Jamis, the shop I went to only had a very small one to ride. I must have looked comical . I didn’t much like the shop either. All of their bikes were filthy and the guy didn’t listen to what I was telling him. I think the Jamis was a nice bike (under the grime) but there was no way for me to tell how it rode at that ridiculously small size. The shop guy was more interested in pushing me toward something else instead of getting a suitable size Jamis DXT brought in. I left.
The Trek dealer was a different story. They were helpful, fun to talk with and had some bikes for me to try close to my size. The FX S4 I rode was great. They didn’t have a DS that fit me but they are having one brought in for me to try next week. Meanwhile, I rode a Neko 2 to get a feel for the DS. I really liked it. I can’t wait to try the DS 4 next week.
. I didn’t much like the shop either. All of their bikes were filthy and the guy didn’t listen to what I was telling him. I think the Jamis was a nice bike (under the grime) but there was no way for me to tell how it rode at that ridiculously small size. The shop guy was more interested in pushing me toward something else instead of getting a suitable size Jamis DXT brought in. I left.The Trek dealer was a different story. They were helpful, fun to talk with and had some bikes for me to try close to my size. The FX S4 I rode was great. They didn’t have a DS that fit me but they are having one brought in for me to try next week. Meanwhile, I rode a Neko 2 to get a feel for the DS. I really liked it. I can’t wait to try the DS 4 next week.
