Jamis Eclipse

Price Paid:  $1350.00 at JensonUSA

Favorite Ride:
50 mile loop on the Key Peninsula

Bike Setup:
61 Jamis Eclipse with Campy Centaur group

Summary:
I'm 6'3", 180 pounds, and I have long arms, so when I look for a bike I look for a 61 frame. Those are hard to find in most bike shops so you end up doing a special order just to see if you like the bike. Some shops will do that other not so willing. I used to ride Cannondales, but the old ones beat the crap out of me to the point that I had to stop riding for almost a year to save the wrists and elbows. A friend suggested steel so I went shopping, found a Jamis Dakota that I love, then a Jamis Coda, which I love even more. But this time around I was looking for a quick road machine. I started asking around and most people said Specialized Roubaix. I had to order on and I road my Coda to the shop when it came in. They took the measurements off my Coda and matched them up with the Roubaix. Five minutes later I was flying down the road. I hated it! It was loud (Ithink the road buzz echoes in the frame), didn't track that well, and to my surprise didn't climb that much better than my Coda. Took it back to the shop, said no thank you, and went online and ordered the Eclipse. Two days later I had the bike. Here's what I know; Jamis makes great bike at a fair price, I love steel, the Eclipse puts my Coda to shame when it comes to road speed. The bike just flys, tracks great, climbs great (even out of the saddle), and the descents are a rush, so smooth and quiet. The 61 frame fits me perfect, but if you don't have to special order shirts you may want to go down one size. Get one while you can because Jamis doesn't make them anymore. My bike came with Campy drive train, which I've never had before. It's works perfectly. I like the fact I can trim the front derailer and I like the buttons on the hoods. Some reviews complained about the paint and I have chips where frame meets seat post but that's it. Not a big deal to me.

Strengths:
silky smooth and quiet ride
higher end components than you will find on bikes at this price
classic looks, yup it's sexy
stiff enough to get out of the saddle and hammer some hills

Weaknesses:
I had to have the rear wheel trued when I first got it (I'm really scraping here)

Similar Products Used:
My Coda is the closest as far as smooth ride, but they are different animals

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at durango cyclery

Favorite Ride:
old shalona to needels & back

Bike Setup:
reynolds 853 frame, ultegra compoments, mavic krysium wheeles. just a lot of "BANG' for the buck!

Summary:
i'm now 62 years old.i put in about 3000 miles a year riding in the mountians of colorado. the steele ride of a reynolds 853 frame, coupeled with carbon fiber fork, chain stay, & seat stay is beautiful for an old guy like me. i'm a p. t. & stay in shape. there is NO WAY i'd trade in this bike for another unless i won the lottery!ultegra, mavic. top of the line, great bike with more bang for the buck big time! ds

Strengths:
frame, ride, 3 ringe, ultegre

Weaknesses:
after 1500 miles, NONE. new seat, hanger, cables, regular tuneups. that's it!

Similar Products Used:
cannondale 5500

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at outhwest bike and go

Favorite Ride:
Goatneck 100

Bike Setup:
Stock as is availble on Jamis website

Summary:
Had been riding a Cannondale R-400 2002 and older schwinn Voyager ~ 1983( steel ).
The combination steel and carbon fiber was very appealing . When looking at 2008 Jamis , it appears the eclipse carbon steel was no longer to be available , so jumped at getting my hands on the great looking 2007. Preceeding comments of comfort have been right on . Did have some chipping paint at nut that tightens seat post which had been commented on prior reviews. Ultregra shifters and " compact " duel chain ring have been flawless. Have not missed the triple chain ring that is on the r-400.
Carbon fiber crank arms are very cool .
Have been very pleased .

Strengths:
Comfort of ride
Good value
Beautiful bike

Weaknesses:
Issue paint chipping as above
46 yo 175 lb owner/"cyclist"

Similar Products Used:
as above

Price Paid:  $800.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Local backroads

Bike Setup:
Added carbon fiber seatpost, the rest is stock.

Summary:
Great bike. Smooth ride. Reliable, fast. Need I say more.

Strengths:
Great components, wheelset, and fork.

Weaknesses:
A touch on the heavy side, but it's worth it for the ride.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at i hate to market for

Favorite Ride:
around hoboken, nj

Bike Setup:
Frame: Jamis Eclipse 2007 (853 steel and carbon top tube, seat tube and seat stays.

Size: 49

Setup: Campy Centaur components, very broken-in Velo Aveon saddle on titanium on shaved carbon seat post, easton EC70 carbon fork, Mavic 550 wheels, Hutchinson tires with 110 - 120 psi.

Summary:
Legnth of riding: 55 miles. Had the bike for about 2 weeks now. Ridden 27 miles via 4.5 loop around Hoboken. Also ridden around central park twice (6 mile loop). Ridden during Nautica NYC Triathlon (26 miles).

Aesthetics: If you like steel and carbon, there is no other combination worth looking at other than the Serotta Fierte that is steel with carbon in the same areas as the Eclipse look as good as the Eclipse and that's because the way the carbon is layered. The Eclipse is gorgeous, aside from one bike I have seen on the road, there is no comparison. Some bikes are more hi-tech looking but there is not a sexier bike on the planet.

Summary of Ride: I've pretty much learned just the basics of cycling through gears on this bike, pre-hand I've ridden a mountain bike with a fork (atom bomb v2.0) that soaked up nearly everything and a litespeed tuscany 2005.

This bike rides harsh, but I believe it's only due to the pressure in the tires. Aside from the tires, there is a slight buttery undertone to it, the initial impact of hitting the worst roads known to man, way beyond cobblestone seems cushioned initially as if the frame is storing and spreading the energy throughout the frame as much as possible...the hits where i live are too much for the frame to soak up alone and what ends up happening is tremendous jolts of shock traveling upwards and throughout my body...keep loose like riding a bmx bike and its smooth...i do feel comfortable going in excess of 40 mph down hills and it has the braking power to stop me just in time to raise up out of the aero bar position to float over holes in the roads..i can feel the frame load up and spring forward as opposed to instant transfer like the litespeed...the bike seems to transfer power and momentum carried by the frame through ascents with effort occurring initially...extremely long gradual hills seem to be its greatest weakness (although this could easily be me and not the bike) it's on the descents that this bike really performs well, it allows me to hit speeds over 40 mph and keeps the power well throughout rolling hills...i love this bike, it truly makes me a better rider...very comfortable over distances thus far...this is a very initial review

Strengths:
- 8 out of 10 on power transfer but 10 out of 10 on momentum transfer
- gorgeous aesthetics
- comfortable

Weaknesses:
- power transfer on ascents not instant

Similar Products Used:
-litespeed tuscany