I am looking at a Jamis Xenith T2 as a tri bike with an IM Focus. My LBS has one in my size, with Ultegra Di2 and American Classic carbon wheels. It’s an attractive looking bike and would be my first genuine tri bike for a few years. I am a classic long legs, short torso, so I am a bit concerned about going steep, but I would appreciate thoughts and comments on a brand I don’t know much about. Anyone got one? Anything to watch out for? How hard is it to adjust the front and rear brakes when changing from training to race wheels?
I have one (2009 or 10, IIRC). I had the prior year T1 and loved it (still have it) so when I found a T2 on sale I bought it as well. Nice upgrades from the T1. I don’t need to adjust the breaks for my different wheels, but my mechanic tells me replacing the cables and the 1’st time set up is a bit more difficult than other bikes, but adjusting is easy. My one son has a Jamis road bike and mountain bike and my other one has a mountain bike. None have had any problems, so my household sample would recommend the brand and specifically the T2.
Of course, I’d drop the stock wheels and get a disk.
I’ve got a 2011 Zenith T1. Never any issues. I raced 4 sprint triathlon last year and plan on it this year as well. Best results was 10th overall out 500 people.
It’s the engine not the bike!
Good luck and enjoy
I have not tried the Xenith T2 but have ridden a number of the Xenith road bikes and found them all to be nice bikes.
I’m surprised Jamis does not get more play on here and elsewhere to be honest.
I have an '09 T1.
I believe the brake peformance issues have been resolved since '09, so I won’t go into how squeezing the brake levers on mine is sort of sending a casual suggestion to the bike that it might consider slowing a bit, if it wants to, but maybe not.
The only minor complaints are that it’s a bit of work to clean the brakes, especially the front. This is true for most proprietary brake enclosures, though. They’re also, as you point out, difficult to tune. If you run out of room from the adjuster barrel, it’s an ordeal to reset the cable to “center” the adjustment again.
I’m 6’3" with long-legs, short torso. The Jamis fits me well, and with an aggressive fit (size XL). The stock T2+ Cobra cockpit has plenty of adjustment. I do have the seat post jacked up all the way to the safety line (and, er, a smidgin beyond), so that is one thing you’d want to check before you buy.
I’m starting to think my setup isn’t the most aero, based on my wattage necessary to break 60:00 over 40K vs. others here. (I have to go 320W in good conditions, while others here can do it <300W) Dave Luscan confounds me. But aero is many things other than the bike, and it could be lots of issues. But my T1 has the older non-NACA tube shapes, and the new ones are probably considerably more areo.
The bike has been reliable and comfortable.
I’d say get a ballpark fit on it, and if it works, go for it.
I just got a 2012 Xenith T2, Dura Ace Di-2. This is a dream machine if you ask me. Way more bang for your buck. A lot of the designs are just well thought out, the windshield fork, rear brake placement. Plus, not having to spend $10k on a more “well known” brand of bike is aweomse, I paid no where near that much for it, as it was a 2012 clearance special. The Cobb saddle is also very nice, wasn’t sure how I would like it at first, but spent 50 + miles in it Saturday and no complaints… Great bike that I’m glad I can tell apart from all the other “well known’s” at the races…
I have a Medium(54) '09 T2 that I’ve had for 3 seasons and have no complaints, I have about 13-15 races and maybe 10,000 training miles (mostly on the trainer).
I have a 34"+ inseam on a 5’9" frame (so another long leg, short torso guy) I use a 80mm stem and most seats I have used had to be moved forward to get the right position for me.
I agree with just about everything that’s been said: brake adjustment is a bit of a pain. I never really noticed the brake stopping issues on mine. It has the Swiss Stop pads.
I’ve got the 2013 T. Amazing bike. Will be swapping out the components from SRAM stuff soon. So it will be equivalent to the T1, but I didn’t want to pay for a bike that I didn’t like the color scheme.
But overall it’s an awesome bike! Great customer service, and they are extremely helpful. Going with the T2 should be great for you if it fits you properly.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feed back. I’ll proceed to the next step, fit up and test ride.
Anyone have any thoughts on the stiffness of this bike. The only review I can find states that the frame is a bit squishy making acceleration and climbing a lot of effort. I love my Xenith SL though so I’m really tempted by it. I’m thinking more along the lines of Intermediates and Sprint series racing. I can put out about 25mph for 40k on my road bike currently when I throw on some aero bars. So I really need something that moves. Jamis also gets my vote because I get ridiculous deals on their bikes! I’m looking at the T1 by the way. Same frame though.
Mine gets me up hills (including the AZ DU) just fine.
Anyone have any thoughts on the stiffness of this bike
I think the frame itself is just fine. But moving from the stock Profile Design bars to HED Corsair was a huge leap in “feel.” The Corsairs are just waaaay stiffer, and have a good, rock-solid feel to them. I had little respect for the $800+ aero bar until I picked up the used Corsairs. The T2 is less stiff than a Xenith SL (which I’ve also had), but in a good way - vertical compliance that makes 100 miles in the aero position more manageable. You won’t have any issue with the 260-360W it takes to go 25-28MPH.
Brilliant bike, absolutely live mine. Never felt that it flexes too much, but it does just enough to be smooth when in aero.
Plus it’s fast, the previous version tested better than the old P3 so you’re not leaving much on the table.