Bike Setup: Chris King headset, Thompson X2 stem
Thompson Masterpiece post, SLR saddle
Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork and carbon bar
Dura Ace shifters, deraillers, chain, cassette and brakes
Stronglight Pulsion crank
Mavic Cosmic Premium wheels
(The Zero Gravity's are on the way)
Summary: I've wanted one of these since their introduction. I had high expectations and was pleased to find that the Eclipse provided just the ride I was looking for.
A smooooooth riding, elegant looking, head turning machine one of my friends described as "quite possibly the finest bicycle in Alberta".
The Steel/Carbon mix provides a delicious ride that feels just right, whether fighting for position in a crit, riding for dear life in a break-away or sitting in with the group.
Not the stiffest or the lightest but if you want a bike that makes you love riding, this is it.
Strengths: Price
Quality steel
Unique
Weaknesses: More than "a little flexy"
Hard to find (Here in Canada)
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Six 13, Jamis Zenith, Jamis Comet
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: FSA Pro Compact cranks (Excel Sports $177), DT handbuilt wheelset from Excel Sports (32 spoke wheelset at 1400g), Ritchy WCS Stem and Carbon wing bars, Fizik Tape, Renyolds Uzo pro Fork (have a Real Design on Melin and it is best of all I tested, rigid laterally but flexes on bumps), Selle Italia SLR Gel Flow saddle (best I have tried), Speedplay X2 pedals.
Summary: I love my all steel Stowe bike built by Ron Stowe, wiing man bike builder of Serrota. It is heavy in comparison to today's bikes and looking for something lighter with the steel feel. Found the Eclipse on-line for great previous year sale. Surprisingly stiff bottom bracket with no tubing securing the chainstays behind the bottom bracket. Impressive. I love the added smooth ride the carbon tubes add to this bike. And the components are perfect for the price. Don;t dhy from this bike. I know the Boiwheels shop racers are using this bike for their racing. After hammering on this on the streets of denver, with no signs of problems, I am VERY happy with this purchase!
Strengths: Steel bike ride with added absorption of sharp blows from the ragged roads. Geometry allows you to carve through the corners (I am a 14 year snowboarding vet with 7 years in hard boots, I know what carving is!) Great component setup for the price.
Weaknesses: Waiting..........
Similar Products Used: Bianchi Stelvio, Stowe, Scott Speedster1,Merlin C110
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Stock with Brooks Swift saddle, EC90 Bars, Speedplay X2 pedals, FSA Carbon compact crank with 11-28 IRD cassette. As mentioned above, I'm planning on building a tubular wheelset with Record hubs and Mavic rims to add even more comfort to an already super smooth ride
Summary: Great bike for the money. Stable and neutural handling, with a great blend of comfort, stiffness, and weight. I love the handling of high performance race bikes, but was looking for something with a nod toward more comfort. I've definitely found that. And the looks really appeal to me as well. As a shop owner I typically get new bikes on a regular basis, but this is one I plan on holding on to for a long time. If you need the lightest/stiffest bike, look elsewhere, but if your looking for the performance and handling of a top end race bike, with an extra dose of comfort, at a really competitive price, take a serious look at the Eclipse.
Strengths: Campy Centaur groupo, Ksyrium Elite wheels are hard to beat in this price range, EC90 post is a nice suprise.
Weaknesses: Not a fan of the Hutchinson tires, but that's an easy replacement, and in fact I plan to build up some new wheels with Record hubs 32 x 3 cross for even more comfort.
Similar Products Used: most recent bikes have been '02 LeMond Zurich 853 and '04 OCLV/True Temper mix, '05 Cannondale Six13 (awesome bike but not as comfortable)
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Frame: TIG-welded Reynolds 853 steel w/ carbon-fiber top and seat tubes and seatstays. Fork: Easton E70, carbon. Highlight: 20-spd Campy Centaur; Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset; Truvativ Rouleur carbon crankset & Giga Pipe bottom bracket; Easton EC90 seatpost; EA70 Easton stem; Look Keo TI pedals
Summary: Awesome out of the box ride! The component matching is excellent. I added an EC90 carbon handlebar to round out the carbon appointments. The combo 853 Reynolds frame and carbon design is light, responsive and forgiving to both the body and pocketbook. Excellent value and superior bike. Jamis can be proud of this re-tooled Eclipse design.
Strengths: The more you hammer the more the bike asked to be hammered. Very responsive when climbing and fast on the descents. The frame design is reminiscent of my vintage 1982 PX Peugeot. Steel (with a touch of carbon) is real!!
Weaknesses: None so far. But then the new bike shine is still on it. We'll have to see if my physical engine can give what this bike requires.
Similar Products Used: First time venturing into the plus $2k bike waters. So far the trip as been worth it. Have to go back to my 1982 Peugeot to get a similar geometry and feel.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Bike Setup: Stock with 12-27 cassette, Flite saddle and Ritchey Pro bars and stems.
Summary: This is a review on the 2003, since they don't have a catagory for it. First the ride and components are top notch for the price. The Ultegra components and Mavic wheels need no reviewing as they work great. A couple of things I wish Jamis did different: First, spec a handlebar that fits the bike, mine came with a 40cm (c to c) which for a 55cm is to small for most riders, a 42 cm would have been better. Second, a 11-23 cassette with a double? Try putting on a 12-25 or 12 27, I think that it would be more consummer friendly. Third, and I know alot of companies do this, is cutting down the steerer on the fork, it would be nice if they put spacers on the top of the stem and let the consumer cut the steerer to fit themselves. Besides these minor gripps, the bike works and ride great. Would I pay full retail? No, but at 1600 it is a great buy. In fact, the Performance by my house still has a 53cm in stock at 1599, with there discounts you can get them down even lower. BTW, I have seen the 2004 and the frame is different, the carbon rear stays have a different shape, if that means anything to anyone. Beside that and the differnce in spec's, I don't see much difference between 2003 and 04.
Strengths: Price and quality.
Weaknesses: The way some compontents were spec'ed, see above.
Similar Products Used: Many different bikes over 25 years.
Would you like to Comment? Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
5 of 5
4 of 5
