Jamis set out with the ambition of creating the Faultline A2 a real all-rounder.
This 120mm-travel path bike, with its 29in wheels, is meant to offer a serving to hand to these trying to get into the game, or for knowledgeable hardtail riders trying to improve to a full-suspension bike.
The Jamis has (practically) all of the element you’d want for in a contemporary mountain bike. The triple-butted 6061 aluminium alloy body tubing balances energy and weight, and it has a formidable paintjob that helps elevate its end past its price ticket.
Jamis Faultline body and suspension particulars
The A2’s rear stays are asymmetrical. The lifted non-driveside chainstay helps save weight and stiffen the rear triangle, whereas enhancing mud clearance. The dropped driveside chainstay makes room for the chainring and Increase chain line.
The rear ends additionally options bolt-thru 12x148mm Increase hub spacing that helps body and wheel stiffness, plus ensures any future wheel upgrades will probably be straightforward to search out.
There’s a tapered head tube, and the threaded backside bracket ought to assist preserve residence mechanics blissful, simplifying the method of becoming replacements.
The gear and dropper publish cables run internally via the down tube after which externally alongside the chainstays, as does the rear brake hose. Whether or not it is a constructive is a matter of opinion.
It comes with an ISCG05 mount for a series information for those who want to set up one. Nevertheless, with the bike’s slender/broad chainring and clutch derailleur that reduces chain slap, it’s unlikely to be wanted.
The one factor the body is actually lacking is safety from chain slap. A chainstay protector can be a very good addition, however one may be fitted simply at residence. The entrance triangle may even maintain a water bottle.
The body makes use of Jamis’ MP2 suspension platform – a linkage-driven single-pivot design that dishes 120mm of journey. This follows an virtually vertical axle path and permits Jamis to manage its leverage ratio and kinematics.
Jamis Faultline A2 geometry particulars
There are 4 sizes accessible, from small to extra-large. The geometry is the place the Jamis exhibits its conservative aspect. The massive body I examined has a 460mm attain, the identical as most different manufacturers’ medium bikes.
It has a tall 480mm seat tube, limiting how low you possibly can run the saddle. The chainstays are a secure 445mm. This doesn’t hinder manoeuvrability badly.
At 67.5 levels, the top tube angle is steep, favouring extra mellow trails than something wildly aggressive. The efficient seat tube angle is a considerably dated 74.5 levels, sitting you rearward over the chainstays.
These angles give the Jamis a roomy efficient high tube at 635mm. Nevertheless, the 35mm backside bracket drop feels proper, including some stability.
Jamis Faultline A2 specs
There are some highs and lows to the Faultline A2’s elements when contemplating its worth and evaluating it to comparable bikes.
It has a RockShox Recon Silver RL fork with 130mm journey. This options RockShox’s Solo Air spring and Movement Management damper with externally adjustable low-speed compression and rebound damping.
Jamis specs a RockShox Deluxe Choose R shock, an air shock with externally adjustable low-speed rebound damping.
There’s a wide-range 1×11 Shimano Deore drivetrain with an 11-51t cassette.
Jamis has fitted Shimano MT200 two-pot brakes with a 180mm entrance and a small 160mm rear rotor.
The body rolls on WTS STX i25 wheels with a slender 25mm inner rim width. A WTB Vigilante 29×2.35in entrance tyre and a WTB Path Boss 29×2.25in rear tyre are fitted to those.
The bike is completed off with a KS dropper publish and WTB Volt saddle. The cockpit consists of 760mm Race Face Trip bars and a 50mm RaceFace Trip stem.
It’s good to see Jamis utilizing manufacturers similar to Race Face, WTB and KS, quite than a generic ending package to finish the bike construct.
Jamis Faultline A2 experience impressions
I examined the Jamis on a mixture of blue and crimson trail-centre loops, off-piste descents across the Forest of Dean, and laps of technical and circulate traces at Bike Park Wales to offer it a radical thrashing via the vary of using it will likely be subjected to.
I arrange the rear suspension with 25 per cent sag, which was 181psi for my 76kg. The rebound damping could be very agency, so I ran it totally open to get a pace I used to be pleased with. This could possibly be a difficulty for lighter riders.
I set the forks at 110psi, about 15psi above RockShox’s really helpful stress for my weight. That resulted in round 20 per cent sag, which gave them sufficient assist for my tastes. Compression was set broad open and rebound 5 or 6 clicks from closed.
Jamis Faultline A2 climbing efficiency
It’s attainable to realize a swift tempo on the Faultline when winching up easy path centre climbs, because of its pretty fast-rolling tyres.
Nevertheless, when the paths bought steeper, I discovered myself shuffling ahead to maintain my weight extra central than the slack efficient seat tube angle allowed. I slid the saddle forwards on its rails to assist enhance the seated pedalling place.
The geometry stretched me out greater than I like, and it’s not essentially the most environment friendly seated place. It’s manageable, simply not as refined and cozy as bikes with a extra fashionable and steeper efficient seat tube.
The Jamis’ suspension was good beneath pedalling, the place pedal-bob wasn’t a big concern. Nevertheless, the suspension nonetheless soaked up path chatter.
The supple tyres helped right here, smoothing out the experience and sustaining traction.
Shimano’s Deore 11-speed drivetrain is a confirmed performer and has slick adjustments when shifting beneath load and usually. This gear vary enabled me to grind my method up all trails I encountered, if I needed to or not.
Jamis Faultline A2 descending efficiency
The Jamis isn’t held again by its conservative form and speedier tyres on extra flowing trails and twisting singletrack. It’s a nimble bike that weaves via average terrain fairly fortunately, although I uncovered its limitations faster than different bikes after I pushed it tougher.
When using mellow trails, the average attain offers you area to maneuver the bike in the way in which you might want to hyperlink turns and preserve pace. The bike is in its consolation zone right here, and it delivers an enticing experience.
Due to its tyres and on the best surfaces, the bike has a zest that gives good pace in your effort and makes using it enjoyable.
Nevertheless, it comes unstuck whenever you take it someplace with a gradient. The steeper head tube angle and tall seat tube make tackling technical downhills extra awkward.
I discovered it tough to shift my weight fore/aft, with the saddle interfering with my actions. The top tube angle additionally accentuates steep trails and roll-ins, making the entrance finish really feel nervous.
The body doesn’t ship a assured platform to get aggressive or assist increase dedication to sort out the extra technical options I got here throughout. It’s straightforward to search out the bike’s limits.
It’s a disgrace the geometry holds the Jamis again, as a result of the 120mm rear journey is surprisingly succesful. The suspension kinematics make the bike really feel as if it has extra journey.
It balances small-bump suppleness with descent assist, giving a predictable really feel on the path.
The fork does a good job of delivering management to the entrance finish. Nevertheless, whereas the Shimano MT200 brakes have a agency chew level, their energy is barely underwhelming.
For those who’re not trying to get too wild on the paths, the Faultline A2 is a succesful performer on flowing terrain. Nevertheless, push it on steep trails up or down, and you are taking the bike out of its consolation zone.
How does the Jamis Faultline A2 examine to the Polygon Siskiu T7 29
With its fashionable geometry, the Polygon Siskiu T7 29 outshines the Jamis.
The Polygon has a broader consolation zone that lets you experience extra confidently on a wider vary of trails, providing you with the chance to enhance your using.
The Polygon’s further journey and burlier brakes additionally contribute to a extra confidence-inspiring experience.
Nevertheless, for those who’re solely thinking about mellow to flat rides and wish to minimise the trouble wanted, the Jamis is a wiser selection. Its quick tyres and the participating experience on circulate trails will put a smile in your face.
Jamis Faultline A2 backside line
Preserve the Jamis in its consolation zone of blue and simple crimson trails, and it’s a enjoyable bike with respectable suspension to iron out tough sections of path.
Simply keep in mind, it doesn’t have the bandwidth to sort out more difficult terrain in the way in which different equally priced bikes can.
How we examined
We examined 4 path bikes across the £1,500 mark. We got down to uncover the benefits and downsides of those extra entry-level mountain bikes. We have been impressed by simply how succesful and enjoyable every one was for this worth level.
Positive, there are compromises on bikes at this worth, and the disparity between these and dearer bikes turns into wider because the path issue will increase.
Nevertheless, these bikes will carry out on a variety of tracks, from mellow trail-centre loops to burly bike park traces.