I love riding this bike. It is an excellent budget upgrade from my hard tail.
Update: After putting almost 400 miles on the bike the chain stay broke. Took the bike to the local Jamis dealer and had the part shipped under warranty. Of course no manufacturer pays labor for the part replacement and the dealer wanted to charge me $60 to place the bearings in the frame to swap over and do a tune up on the bike. I bought $90 in spare parts and replaced the bearings myself. The new chain stay is a lot beefier than the one I broke. Hopefully they have fixed the problem.
Pros Comfortable bike. Decent quality of components. Excellent frame quality.
Good transition from hard tail to xc FS bike. It can climb like like a demon, and it is fun, but don't plan on taking it to the bike park.
Pros Super light, responsive bike.
Cons Flexy, and the geo feels tenuous on descents, like it wants to throw you off. If you are brave it can be a real blast on big jumps as long as the trails are fairly smooth.
A solid bike, but there was definitely room for improvement on the 2012 model. I'd love to spend some time on the newer renditions to see how they ride in comparison.
Pros Solid component spec and geometry
Cons The suspension on 2012 model I tested just wasn't up to snuff, and I broke a frame... which I hope is a fluke.
If you want a 1500 dollar bike but only have 300, this is a great bike.ProsLight, responsive, solid construction. A good Craigslist platform for a budget rebuild.
I really like it. I am glad that I was able to get the price and upgrade I did. I really like the 2011 models. nice colors and revamped rear suspension.
Pros I like the 650b1 wheel size I am not sure I would have liked a 29". The bike seems flickable and really rolling over more stuff.
Cons It seems at times tall. It is heavy 30 lbs but it is solid.
I highly recommend this bike. Its fast on the single tracks and holds its own going downhill considering it only has 4" of travel in the rear. This is a truly beautiful machine.ProsI love the feel of this bike. Its comfortable and very quick. Does very well up and down hill. ConsThe only complaint I have is that 2.3" tires is about the biggest you can go on the rear, but most xc bikes are like that anyway.
I had an XLT 1.0 as my main rig for about 3 years, and I rode the snot out of this thing! Great performance, great value (fox fork and fox shock, plus a decent drivetrain? Awesome!).
But at 32ish lbs, this is no feather weight. But if you're looking for an aggressive trail/light AM machine on a budget, check the Dakar XLT out!
Pros Great value, solid performance, solid components
Cons I'd like it to be lighter, but for the price? It's super solid!
The Dakar XCR Comp has turned out to be an excellent first FS bike for me, and I anticipate it'll be more bike than I'll need for years to come.
Pros This is my first full suspension bike, and coming from a rigid frame whose geometry wasn't at all conducive to XC riding, the experience has been great. The Dakar is a joy to ride straight from the shop: great riding position, comfortable geometry, an excellent component package and good looks to boot. Switching from V-brakes to the hydraulic discs was an enjoyable adjustment, and I quickly found my ideal settings for the suspension components.
Cons My *only* complaint so far is that the stock seatpost bracket requires a hex wrench to adjust. I like to drop the seat a bit for steep descents, so I'll probably swap in a quick-release bracket in order to do so on the fly.
Fully recommend for someone looking for a bike that is going to give full response to your inputs. It is a true cross-country ride with new rear suspension geometry that propels you forward. Not a good bike for city/comfort riding. This is a high end performance machine
Pros Great package out of the box, full XT and Juicy 5 brakes all at a resonable price. The fox shocks are fully adjustable, the bike measures 100mm travel(4").
Cons Stock tires slow you down, but the maxxis works great as a front tire. The cables hit around, so you have to tape/ziptie them down.
I love riding this bike. It is an excellent budget upgrade from my hard tail.
Update: After putting almost 400 miles on the bike the chain stay broke. Took the bike to the local Jamis dealer and had the part shipped under warranty. Of course no manufacturer pays labor for the part replacement and the dealer wanted to charge me $60 to place the bearings in the frame to swap over and do a tune up on the bike. I bought $90 in spare parts and replaced the bearings myself. The new chain stay is a lot beefier than the one I broke. Hopefully they have fixed the problem.
Pros
| ThankComfortable bike. Decent quality of components. Excellent frame quality.
Good transition from hard tail to xc FS bike. It can climb like like a demon, and it is fun, but don't plan on taking it to the bike park.
Pros
Super light, responsive bike.
Cons
| ThankFlexy, and the geo feels tenuous on descents, like it wants to throw you off. If you are brave it can be a real blast on big jumps as long as the trails are fairly smooth.
A solid bike, but there was definitely room for improvement on the 2012 model. I'd love to spend some time on the newer renditions to see how they ride in comparison.
Pros
Solid component spec and geometry
Cons
| ThankThe suspension on 2012 model I tested just wasn't up to snuff, and I broke a frame... which I hope is a fluke.
If you want a 1500 dollar bike but only have 300, this is a great bike.ProsLight, responsive, solid construction. A good Craigslist platform for a budget rebuild.
| ThankPros
Cornering, weight of the build. Drivetrain set up well
Cons
| ThankLighter wheels
I really like it. I am glad that I was able to get the price and upgrade I did. I really like the 2011 models. nice colors and revamped rear suspension.
Pros
I like the 650b1 wheel size I am not sure I would have liked a 29". The bike seems flickable and really rolling over more stuff.
Cons
| ThankIt seems at times tall. It is heavy 30 lbs but it is solid.
I highly recommend this bike. Its fast on the single tracks and holds its own going downhill considering it only has 4" of travel in the rear. This is a truly beautiful machine.ProsI love the feel of this bike. Its comfortable and very quick. Does very well up and down hill. ConsThe only complaint I have is that 2.3" tires is about the biggest you can go on the rear, but most xc bikes are like that anyway.
| ThankI had an XLT 1.0 as my main rig for about 3 years, and I rode the snot out of this thing! Great performance, great value (fox fork and fox shock, plus a decent drivetrain? Awesome!).
But at 32ish lbs, this is no feather weight. But if you're looking for an aggressive trail/light AM machine on a budget, check the Dakar XLT out!
Pros
Great value, solid performance, solid components
Cons
| ThankI'd like it to be lighter, but for the price? It's super solid!
Pros
Got it for a great Price from Jenson $1,999. Can't beat these components. Great bike for all your needs.Ahhh, Fox Talas!!!
Cons
| ThankNothing yet, will let you know!
I am 5'8" 165lbs and it fits me just great.
Smooth ride into and out of tight corners. Super bike to climb hills. Great suspension set-up.
Pros
Very smooth ride, love the color combination.
I priced out all the parts and could not have built this same bike for under $5,500.
Cons
| ThankThe paint looks great but flecks off when rocks hit it and leaves a white speck.
Good thing I have touch-up paint.
Good bang for your buck, but if you ride hard, hit jumps or drops this is not the bike for you unless you don't mind upgrading parts as they break.
Pros
Reasonable price
Cons
| Thankcheap components
The Dakar XCR Comp has turned out to be an excellent first FS bike for me, and I anticipate it'll be more bike than I'll need for years to come.
Pros
This is my first full suspension bike, and coming from a rigid frame whose geometry wasn't at all conducive to XC riding, the experience has been great. The Dakar is a joy to ride straight from the shop: great riding position, comfortable geometry, an excellent component package and good looks to boot. Switching from V-brakes to the hydraulic discs was an enjoyable adjustment, and I quickly found my ideal settings for the suspension components.
Cons
| ThankMy *only* complaint so far is that the stock seatpost bracket requires a hex wrench to adjust. I like to drop the seat a bit for steep descents, so I'll probably swap in a quick-release bracket in order to do so on the fly.
Fully recommend for someone looking for a bike that is going to give full response to your inputs. It is a true cross-country ride with new rear suspension geometry that propels you forward. Not a good bike for city/comfort riding. This is a high end performance machine
Pros
Great package out of the box, full XT and Juicy 5 brakes all at a resonable price. The fox shocks are fully adjustable, the bike measures 100mm travel(4").
Cons
| ThankStock tires slow you down, but the maxxis works great as a front tire. The cables hit around, so you have to tape/ziptie them down.