Tested – Jamis Trail Expert
A Very Affordable Hardtail
Here at the MBA office, we have the opportunity to play with some of the coolest bikes on the planet, many of which are top-dollar machines tricked out in carbon goodies and high-tech suspension. Do we really need to mention we love our jobs? Probably not. But, at the end of the day, our test riders know in the back of their minds that these bikes are out of reach for many riders. For that reason, we decided to add a recreational-level bike to our test fleet this month. Just to be clear, when we say “recreational-level bike,” we’re not talking about a stroll down the beach. Our plan involved real mountain bike testing with a bike under $800. Here’s how our budget-minded rig performed on our local trails.
WHO IS IT MADE FOR?
The Jamis Trail X Expert is a $730 bike designed for riders looking to get some exercise exploring dirt paths and mellow singletrack. The Trail X could be a good option for a new high school racer who has been saving money all summer mowing lawns, or an outdoorsman who wants to save money for his other hobbies, such as rock climbing, fishing or camping. Riders looking for a highly capable off-road rig should avoid the Trail X, but if your ideal is cruising smooth singletrack, the Trail X might be right for you.
WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?
The Trail X is a hardtail mountain bike made from 6061 aluminum and has 27.5-inch wheels. This bike features a suspension fork with 100 millimeters of travel; a 3×9, 27-speed drivetrain; quick-release axles and external cable routing. The Trail X is built with a 70-degree head tube angle and has 17.1-inch chainstays. The cockpit features 680-millimeter handlebars and a 90-
millimeter stem. On the handlebars are a pair of hydraulic Tektro brake levers and Shimano shifters.
WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?
The two components that stand out on the Jamis Trail X are its RST fork and Shimano drivetrain. The RST Omega is a coil-sprung fork, as opposed to air, and features a hydraulic lockout. This fork uses an old-school, 9-millimeter, quick-release axle and has a preload adjustment. For the drivetrain, Jamis went with a Shimano 3×9. This drivetrain features a 22-, a 30-, and a 40-tooth front chainring. Out back is an 11-34 tooth, nine-speed cassette. Most riders will find this range of gearing to be more than suitable for this bike’s intended purpose.
HOW DOES IT PERFORM?
Moving Out: We adjusted our fork’s preload setting so it wouldn’t dive when braking or while pedaling out of the saddle. This required us to almost max out the dial. We found our correct saddle height and found our brakes could be used more comfortably when moved in slightly. Some of our test riders felt the need to use two fingers on the rear brake to get all of its power. More casual riders will find one finger on the brake is all they need.
Climbing: This bike is on the heavy side for a hardtail, but thanks to its granny gear, most riders will find it easy to tackle steep dirt roads and paths. The Trail X feels efficient while climbing; however, it’s not likely to win you any races. The front end felt planted while climbing due to our weight being shifted forward by the long stem, and the CST tires maintained traction well.
Cornering: The Trail X has a steep 70-degree head tube angle and short 17.1-inch chainstays, which give its rider quick and reactive steering. The long stem, however, mellowed the steering, making it fun to ride on easy trails. We were by no means roosting berms, but we found the Trail X could comfortably maneuver around beginner-friendly trails.
Descending: Riders aboard the Trail X Expert will want to take a calm approach to descending. Its coil-sprung fork takes the edge off some chatter but has a very harsh feel when hitting mid-sized bumps. The bike also has narrow bars coupled with a long stem, which doesn’t lend much confidence to a rider who wants to go fast. To be fair, the Trail X performed well on smooth trails and fire roads, and, after all, that’s really what it is designed for.
Braking: The days of V-brakes are long gone. Now, even entry-level bikes come with hydraulic disc brakes. The Trail X has a pair of Tektro brakes with 160-millimeter rotors. These entry-level brakes are not as powerful as the ones we normally ride with, but they safely brought us to a stop every time. Some riders will want to use two fingers on these brakes, while others will find they can get away with just using one.
TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?
There are quite a few upgrades you could make to this bike, but at the end of the day we recommend leaving it alone. If you are looking to buy a budget-friendly bike and upgrade it down the line, this is not the bike for you. A rider could quickly spend a lot more money on this bike than it’s truly worth. That said, however, small and inexpensive upgrades like new grips or pedals would be a great way to enhance the performance of the Trail X.
BUYING ADVICE
The Jamis Trail X Expert opens up the world of mountain biking to people who don’t want to take out a second mortgage on their homes. While this bike is not nearly as capable as a bike that costs four or more times its price, it’s still a fun bike for mellow riders who want to discover what off-road riding is all about. If you’ve been in the market for an inexpensive mountain bike for light-duty off-roading, the Trail X is one you should consider.
