2007 Met with a nasty end as far as icy snow was concerned. Combine that with the motherload of leaves coating the trail, and it just about ruled out any chance for freeride, let alone mountain biking at all, in most places. Such is life when I got a chance to try the new Bike Park/4-cross/All Mountain Bike, The Jamis Parker II. (thanks for the loaner, broken spoke bikes).
Furget it. I said, (or something like that), and headed out on the ice into my backyard ride park. But small as the features are, the crusty stuff proved too slick to get much glare between myself and the Jamis Parker's WTB wheelset. But I managed to test it's guts, and get it to save me a couple of times. If it's that balanced and predictable, its doing its job.
Anyway, as with any review, exact specs of weight, Rock Shox Domain 302 travel and Syncros bling, have stopped mattering to me so much.
With any mountain bike worth its salt, what matters is the bike's overall balance, fit and ridability. Components, it should be assumed are all top-end, or at least adequate until future cash flow permits a little bling. If the shocks and suspension don't get in your way, and you can get good speed at will, who cares what it says on the hub? Adjusters or not, if you are always using the adjustments in big movements cause the fork just doesn't feel right, something is bigger wrong that cannot be fixed by a knob twist. You can always look up specs when you're ready to buy. It's better to ride and feel what the numbers mean. Or at least find out what the people who ride on your level think. I mean, I'm just here as a 20-year All Mountain rider who buys a new (full suspension) mountain bike every year or two, on average. So you'll get my impression from the saddle not the spec sheet. And with a butt-load of experience on different rides.... literally, I think by now, I can feel the spirit of a well designed freeride/trail all mountain or enduro rig.
So off I went. I managed to eek out some feel for the Porker's supple suspension, and lower bmx-ish center of gravity... despite the ice. I got reckless and even ventered a 2-footer, but almost went over the bars on landing as I crashed through the hardpack. It stops ya dead! when you break through to the leaves. But Oh it pedals. Pedalers, and 4x-type sprinters, this is your bike. I'd love it more with a triple, but I understand that ring is not cool anymore. One of my bikes sports a bash, which I love on the 42 lb'er, and the other bike is light and still has a 42 as the bash guard. Yeah it doesn't last as long, but when its time to be in the big ring, you can hit over 40 mph on a mountain bike with ease. (At least that's what the bike computer would say, before I lost it).
I took it on the downhill Nut Plains, then onto Bearhouse Hill to an area alternately described as future greenway, and 100 house development. Only time will tell...
Anyway a closed dirt road with snow and ice is a good test of the Hayes Stroker ryde brakes. If you lock 'em on ie you're done. Else, if they're any good, you can measure the resistance. I am a Hayes fan. I happened to have a 2 to 1 ratio in my life of brakes with 4 sets of Juicy 7s, but that says a lot. Hayes are heavier, but damn, they're tough. In this case they were quite responsive too, cause I didn't go down, but had some minor tail end slippage.
Yeah this ain't about a Westwoods ride, but the days before and after werre spent in WW and the trail system was true to her winter beauty in that the closer you got to the salt water of the wetlands and sound, the less crud you had to deal with. But this trail and test was in Guilford, and part of the immense GLT, (Guilford Land Trust), holdings.
Back to the Parker, (I call it the Porker -Not that its fat... But the name choice makes me laugh). Rock Shox is back, but they'll have to do better to win me away from Marzocchi and Maverick. The Domain fork was supple and had plenty of travel 160mm? only when needed. But it felt somewhat heavy on this super light frame. I'd prefer a 55. But that's just me. The rear shock, a Fox Float, did its jobfor 150mm travel, and didn't buck or bottom a bit. But what else would you expect from Fox Racing? The Fox RL? is a solid performer and the right choice for this bike. Fer sure. The Jamis Parker II seems like a cross between my ultra light and snappy Giant NRS but with the travel of my XLT III. I'd recommend this bike to someone who loves to ride everything from 4-cross to Epic Enduro. But that's what they say about all the bikes lately.
It is light, nimble, and snappy. It appears to be built tough as well. I wouldn't "send it" for 100 bucks, but I'd ride it on any trail, Millers, Westwoods, Trumbull inline jumps, wheelie drops and other features included. Nice attempt at do-it-all for a good price from Jamis.
The 2008 Jamis Parker- A new approach to "Do-It All. New
The low center of gravity makes me feel like bike rag's pukemaster when riding skinny.