No, I am not asking anyone to set me up with a nice romantic dinner with my bike....sick *******s.

I recently got a good deal on a used dakar frame. The seller was not really sure what year it was since he was not the original owner (no, not stolen, I checked that out first). I have no pictures of it at the moment but I am sure some Jamis expert could identify the year based on simple key features.

1. The down-tube is not round, its angular shaped.
2. The shock mount on the top-tube is solid, no cut-out in the middle like the newer ones.
3. Polished aluminum frame (though it could have originally been painted it appears to have always been polished clean)
4. Cable-stays along the top of the top-tube
5. International standard disc brake mount

It's not critical that I know what year it is. I have been told there have been very few changes to the basic design of the bike for several years so it should ride as well now as the day it was 'born". All pivot points seem tight (seller said they were replaced about a year ago). I've not gotten to ride it yet since I am still waiting on the cranks to arrive. Any info would be much appreciated.

(I suppose I could also just call Jamis with the serial number to get the year...)

1998-2000 model year. Those angular down tubes signified Jamis' first attempt at a 'Free-ride' Dakar. They really didn't have too much more travel, but they did have a bit stronger (and heavier) frame than the '97's and before. I think you were looking at a 6.5 pound frame instead of a 5.5 pound frame. If it was origionally a polished model you may be looking at a 'Pro' model.

Starting about 2001 they realized that the Dakar could be the lightweight XC machine that it was oh... just four years before... and they went to a lighter tube set. I'd still like one of those 2000 or 2001 frames. And a bit later, don't remember if it was 02 or 03 though... the frame changed to a newer tubeset, with an integrated headset and funky intersecting tubes near the headtube. Didn't care for it sas much.

That's what I can pull from memory, so take the free advice for what it's worth.

JmZ

No, I am not asking anyone to set me up with a nice romantic dinner with my bike....sick *******s.

I recently got a good deal on a used dakar frame. The seller was not really sure what year it was since he was not the original owner (no, not stolen, I checked that out first). I have no pictures of it at the moment but I am sure some Jamis expert could identify the year based on simple key features.

1. The down-tube is not round, its angular shaped.
2. The shock mount on the top-tube is solid, no cut-out in the middle like the newer ones.
3. Polished aluminum frame (though it could have originally been painted it appears to have always been polished clean)
4. Cable-stays along the top of the top-tube
5. International standard disc brake mount

It's not critical that I know what year it is. I have been told there have been very few changes to the basic design of the bike for several years so it should ride as well now as the day it was 'born". All pivot points seem tight (seller said they were replaced about a year ago). I've not gotten to ride it yet since I am still waiting on the cranks to arrive. Any info would be much appreciated.

(I suppose I could also just call Jamis with the serial number to get the year...)

excellent. thanks for the input. They seller was pretty sure it was a 1999, give or take a year. Heavier but stronger frame sounds good to me since I'm about 200 pounds minus gear. Light bikes are nice on climbs but durable is better overall. Ya, I guess I should have mentioned the headset was not integrated. I know that's a key feature that helps determine age.

Still have not gotten to ride the damn thing though....dude I bought the XT cranks from seems to have found the absolute slowest way to ship something UPS. I should have given him some extra cash to over-night them. live and learn. :p

I've got a 2000 Dakar Pro. it sounds like what do are describing. btw, JmZ, i might part with it if the price is right. here's a pic.

your dakar is very similar to mine. the main difference that I see is the rear portion of the shock mount...yours is welded at the top of the tube, mine is on the bottom. other than that they look the same. well, I also have a Fox Float R on the rear. not sure if I will stick with that or not. I used to ride a Y-bike and replaced the air shock with a coil..liked the responsiveness of the coil. will have to give the Float some time and see. Kinda hoping it blows up or something so I can justify (to my wife) getting something a little more up-to-date technology-wise. Bikes are like drugs...start with some simple stuff and progress to the more complicated and expensive.

i think that the pivot location has all to do with the size of the frame. mine is a 17"(med.) some are located on the bottom of the t.t. other on top. larger frames have another tube from the t.t. to the seat tube.(21") i think yours is either a 1999 or a 2000. though most likely a 1999.

ahhh, that makes sense. mine is a 19". I guess they would need to make that mounting variable depending on size in order to keep the angles the same.

I had a 1999 model Jamis Dakar Expert. It had funky Hayes disc brake mounts (obsolete by the time I bought it in the spring of 2001). Jamis switched to International standard disc brake mounts on it's frames in 2000. Otherwise 1999 and 2000 frames were almost identical (other than color and brake mounts). BTW, my frame has held up great. I retired it this spring, but it was still going strong.

I have pretty much settled on the years 1999 or 2000. here is a pic.