Bike Test: 2007 Jamis XAM 2

WHAT: 2007 Jamis XAM 2
WHERE: jamisbikes.com
HOW MUCH: $2,775

Jamis reworked their All-Mountain bike line in 2007 and the XAM 2 you see here was the result. The changes were substantial. For starters, the XAM features a radically-tweaked Kinesium aluminum frame that sports more strength and rigidity-enhancing shapes than you can shake a stick at. There are ovals, gussets and forged “bell housing” bottom brackets… Clearly, Jamis spent some serious time at the drawing board. This isn’t your garden variety cross-country frame with an extra inch of travel shoe-horned into the mix.

The basic suspension design has also been given a makeover. For years, Jamis’ dualies have sported a shock mount directly beneath the top tube. Their new MP3 design, however, places the shock mount and swing-link considerably lower. Both are now attached midway along the downtube. The end result? Considerably more wiggle room between you crotch and the top tube—always a good thing when you’re riding a bike with more than five inches of travel. It also centers more of the frame weight lower on the bike—a definite plus as it makes the bike feel less top-heavy than past iterations.

If Jamis has been known for one thing, it’s value. For years, this East Coast company consistently cranked out bikes with, arguably, the best component spec in any price range. Same holds true here. The XAM 2 has the kind of parts you’d actually bolt on the bike if you were building it from the frame up: Hayes El Camino hydaulic discs (with the extra stopping power of a 185 rotor up front…a nice touch), Fox DHX Air 5.0 rear shock, Fox Talas 32 RLC up front, a full Easton cockpit, WTB MotoTec clamp-on grips and Pure V Race FR saddle, Shimano XT shifters, crankset and an XTR rear derailleur. While no one is ever going to say that $2,700 is pocket change, there’s no denying that this is a hell of a lot of bang for the buck.

A close up showing the manipulated Jamis tubing.

As for geometry, our medium test model was drawn up with a slack 68.5-degree headtube and fairly upright 73-degree seat tube. The wheelbase stretched out to 43.82 inches.

I mention the geometry stuff because, honestly, it surprised me. The Jamis is a hoot to ride on tight singletrack. It handles the twisty stuff as well as any of my lightweight, four-inch travel XC bikes. Steering is responsive—considerably quicker, in fact, than any of the bikes I’ve ridden to date that were designed around five inches of rear squish. If I lived on the east coast, this bike would have instantly become my favorite ride.