Jamis Xenith SL Reviews

2 months, 25 days ago.

Jamis’ Xenith line of carbon fiber road bikes has some of the best deals in terms of dollars to dance moves. The price/weight ratio can’t be beat (around $2grand for the base Comp model at 18.5 lbs), but testers are raving about the performance as well. There are several frames in the Xenith line, from basic trainer to full on racer.

Here’s what Cycling News has to say about the top-of-the-line Xenith SL…

Somewhat surprisingly, the Xenith SL really does weigh what Jamis claims it does: actual weight on our 54cm tester (yes, we took it apart) was just 890g and that even included the seat collar, rear derailleur hanger, bottom bracket cable guide, bottle bolts and barrel adjusters. The matching Jamis-designed Xenith monocoque carbon fork was similarly feathery at 290g (with factory-trimmed steerer).

Our top-end tester’s stock build kit takes full advantage of its lightweight foundations. The nearly complete SRAM Red gruppo is punctuated only by FSA’s superb K-Force Light crankset and an X10SL chain from KMC. Cockpit components include an Easton EA90 stem, EC90 Equipe SLX bar and EC90 post topped with a Selle San Marco Aspide saddle. As if there was any remaining doubt as to the Xenith SL’s intended use, Jamis also includes a set of premium Zipp 404 carbon wheels and Vittoria Corsa Evo CX tubulars.

Total weight as equipped (but without pedals) is just 5.98kg (13.16lb). Yikes.

Bike Radar Raves:

The Xenith SL may not quite be the stiffest bike we’ve tested but it isn’t far off either, and the overall experience belies your expectations of how an ultra light machine should perform. There’s no dullness or whippiness to speak of and unlike many other similar-feeling frames, Jamis doesn’t resort to cartoonishly oversized tubing dimensions to get its point across.

Even the included fork delivers an astounding amount of handling precision easily comparable to forks a hundred grams heavier. The stout blades may not offer much in the way of aerodynamic performance but their reassuringly solidity is well worth the trade-off.

As a result, sprint performance is, as you’d expect, plenty fast and handling reflexes are appropriately sharp in combination with the frame’s relatively neutral 73/73 degree parallel angles and 271mm bottom bracket height. Naturally, a bike that is both stiff and light should also be a climber’s dream and the Xenith SL is no exception… that is, until you run out of gears which doesn’t take long given the stock setup’s 52/38T chainrings and 11-23T cassette – particularly if your test patch is the Rocky Mountains. Pure climbers likely won’t have any issues here but something a little more befitting the rest of us would be very welcome here.