Jamis 2000 Eclipse

Favorite Ride:
Tomalas Bay loop

Bike Setup:
Had the dealer swapped the setback seat post for a straight one, added Ultegra SPD pedals, and changed the -7 degree stem to a 0 degree stem. I also changed the tires to Performance kevlar belted ones for more durability. I give these tires thumbs up as well.

Summary:
Like what Bicycling magazine said about this bike, look at the parts and you do the math. It has to be the best value around $2000. This wouldn't mean anything if it didn't ride like a champ. I recently completed my first century on this bike and at the end I felt I could have easily rode another 50 miles. This century had three major climbs and thing climbed them like it was nothing (can't be me, has to be the bike). Granted my Jake the Snake climbs just as well but is so stiff, I'd be pretty battered after 100 miles. This bike has everything, light weight, stiff on the climbs and sprints, and super comfortable on the long rides (looks soooo cool). I orginally was going to go all out and treat myself to a Serrota Alanta with the same parts but almost got a heart attack when I saw the quote. The cost of this bike was the cost of the parts alone on the quote for the Serrota.

Strengths:
Reynolds 853 steel frame, Time carbon fork, full Ultegra components, Mavic Helium wheelset, light weight, stiff, climbs like a mountain goat.

Weaknesses:
Lose the Thomson setback seat post for a straight one. A bit twitchy on downhill decents which might be due to the narrow handle bar that came with my size (49 cm). Change the seat immediately.

Similar Products Used:
Kona Jake The Snake (my other bike)and Lemond Zurich (tested).

Favorite Ride:
park road 1 in Bastrop

Bike Setup:
Box stock

Summary:
great value in a production road bike

Strengths:
The Jamis Eclipse is a fine example of a vanishing breed-
a high-strength, thin-gauge steel frame production road bike.
With the flood of low-cost aluminum from China and Taiwan,
most popular bike brands are making their 105 and Ultegra equipped bikes out of whatever cheap 7005 tubing they can get.The Eclipse features a Reynolds 626 frame that is just as light as any aluminum frame yet rides much smoother due the superior dampening of the fine English tubes. Oversize tubes means overly harse ride, no matter what the ads say.Throw in a complete Ultegra gruppo, Mavic Helium wheels,and add no cheese and you have the recipe for one fine-riding bike in the Jamis Eclipse.

Weaknesses:
If you weigh more than 200 pounds or so and mash on the pedals in high gear all the time instead of spinning smoothly, you may prefer a stiffer (and harsher-riding) frame.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Zurich