Back in April while we were down at the 2009 Sea Otter Classic, we spied a new 2010 Jamis Xenith. It would have gone unnoticed to most, even us to be completely honest, due to it’s 2009 Team Colavita paint job. This prototype was there to be tested and riden for feedback. We weren’t able to get all the details on this 2010 Xenith, but we were able to wrangle a few tidbits out of our anonymous informant. Apparently the new frame is going to be one of the cleanest finished carbon frames to come to market. Meaning Jamis has been able to produce a frame with virtually no wrinkles or excess resin in critical areas of this Xenith. It’s a completely new system, using a proprietary bladder system that’s said to be exclusive to Jamis at the moment.

We’ll be able to get the full low down on this and all of Jamis’s 2010 lineup at the upcoming Interbike show in late September. Videos, photos, interviews, and virtual booths are just some of the exciting things we have planned to cover the show. So check back regularly for press releases and announcements from now til show time, September 21-25, 2009.

Are you attending? Would you like to contribute to your favorite review site? We’re currently looking for a couple of bloggers to help us cover the show. If you’re interested, send an email to admin@roadbikereview.com and let us know!

Jamis Sputnik Fixed Gear Road Bike Pro Review - By kwc

• 46×16 drivetrain with flip-flop fixed/single-speed hub, FSA Vero cranks
• Reynolds 631 size-specific tubing
• Ritchey Comp cockpit
• Sizes: 50, 53, 55, 57, 59 (tested), 62cm
• Weight: 18.9 lbs
• MSRP: $900

Intro
Of the various bikes I’ve ridden, none has attracted as many unsolicited, positive comments as the Jamis Sputnik. This may not seem unusual, but I’ve ridden $7000 carbon fiber masterpieces and the Sputnik is a $900 steel frame bike. It doesn’t even have gears. How is it possible that this is the coolest bike I’ve ridden? Retro simplicity. Composite materials like carbon fiber may have spurred new innovations in the field of bicycle design, but the simple, matte-black Sputnik is a modern appeal to the past. I was riding the Sputnik around Sea Otter when a kid came up to me. “Is that a Sputnik? My dad has one. It’s awesome!” That little encounter expressed the appeal of the Sputnik to me: retro enough for dad, cool enough for son.

The Sputnik is one of several bikes that Jamis is targeting at the urban commuter market. It is a “flip-flop” bike that offers a bit of versatility to this market, while still maintaining simplicity and durability. Flip-flopping may be bad in politics but its fun in a bike: the rear wheel has both a fixed-gear side and a single-speed side. Mount it one way and you have a fixed gear. Mount it the other and you have a single-speed. Jamis designed the bike for the road, so if you’re looking for a track bike you may wish to start elsewhere.

Before I get into how it rides, lets take a little detour and talk about why you would even want to ride a fixed gear or a single speed.

Steven Fairchild of Jamis Bikes gives us a very detailed look into the 2009 Jamis Xenith SL. The very same bike that Team Colavita races on, you can pick up at your local LBS.

2009 Jamis Xenith SL

Upgrades from 2008

• Lighter frame with increased stiffness in the BB and HT area
• BB 30 Bottom Bracket system
• New fork design utilizing 1.5” crown race
• Ritchey Logic WCS Carbon Drop-In integrated headset
• 3T Rotundo LTD handlebar, ARX Team stem and Doric LTD seatpost
• Fizik Arione CX saddle with Carbon Braided rails

All the technology in the world, the fancy ads, the awards—they don’t mean squat once the gun goes off. Being first across the line—that’s all that matters. That’s what these Xeniths are all about.

Colavita’s pros love their Xeniths. The thing is, word’s gotten around about how light, stiff and responsive their bikes are, and the rest of the peloton looks at their Xeniths like an unfair advantage. In the pros, there are two types of bikes—the ones sponsors make you ride and the ones you want to ride. Like the Xenith SL or Team.

More information from Jamis here.

Jamis Commuter 4 First Impressions by Richard Masoner

• TIG Welded 6061 aluminum frame and fork
• Shimano BR-M415 disc brakes with Tektro levers
• Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub with pulley tensioner
• Shimano R440 front dérailleur
• Jamis “Comfort” saddle
• 27.2 mm suspension seatpost
• 700 x 32 Kenda Kwest tires
• Sizes: 14.5″, 16.5″, 18.5″, 20.5″, 22″
• 30.5 lbs.
• MSRP: $835.00

All-weather commuters appreciate the utility of fenders and disc brakes on their bikes. While many road cyclists dig Levi Leipheimer’s custom 18 lb carbon rain bike with fenders, SRAM Red components, SRM and disc brakes, the low cost utility of the commuter features on the Jamis Commuter 4.0 bicycle is somewhat more accessible at only $835 retail.

Jamis started out selling basic beach cruiser and comfort bikes in 1979. They continue today designing bikes that are known for their value with a credo of no frills, quality parts and performance that continues today in their various road, mountain, and city bikes. All models of Jamis bikes are a frequent sight on my Silicon Valley bike commute, and the Commuter 4.0 is Jamis’s top of the line entry in the growing city bike category.

I’ll start with the bad news first: the only true downside of this bike is the bulbous comfort saddle. I think most people understand that saddle choice is highly personal, and I’m normally very flexible about the saddle that comes on the bike. The huge, amorphously oblong blob of a saddle on the Commuter 4.0, though, is truly awful. Changing that seat out for a basic WTB saddle I had laying around transformed the bike from something I dreaded into a truly pleasant bike to ride.

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Jamis Xenith Team - By Francis Cebedo

• Tri-Oval differential tubing diameters support larger riders without punishing smaller ones
• Asymmetrical muscle-shaped chainstays with driveside chainstay 10% larger than non-driveside chainstay yields 30% more volume & stiffness.
• 850 gram frame
• Weight -15.5 lbs
• MSRP - $5100

Intro

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Strengths

• sub 900 gram frame
• excellent lateral stiffness translates to a great turning, great handling bike
• very stiff bottom bracket produces a great climbing and great accelerating bike
• frame paint scheme and aesthetics is beautiful
• FSA cranks with ceramic BB is a nice touch

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