Epic adventures in Paris' time

Paris' new Jamis Xenith 2014 Team bike, up spec’ed to Dura Ace Di2 and SRAM Quarq

All cyclists are familiar with the big brands ala Specialized, Giant, Scott and Merida here is a brand that can rival all and is producing some of the best ride quality bikes out there, ENTER the new 2014 Jamis Xenith road bikes.

To start ask most USA domestic team riders after a few drinks what is their favourite bike they have ridden and sure as shit it will be the Xenith. Jamis pro road team: Jamis-Hagens Berman had stellar results with stage wins at the Amgen Tour of California and USA Pro Cycling Challenge, as well as several other domestic events. 2014 Xenith line is a refinement of the teams development and one kick ass bike, a complete redesign of the Jamis’s tried-and-true carbon rig.

Ok well my bike isn’t exactly stock however is as dreamie as you can make it! A true mongrel of the best parts I believe is in the market to date:

Frame wise is the top end models Xenith SL and the Team are the same in different colour swatches- one red one white. Mine is the Team same carbon count and lay up as the SL. The Team comes with full 11 speed Sram Red, which I use on my Jamis Supernova Team CX bike, and works like a dream. However as I am brand manager for Magellan GPS we have been working with Shimano on integrating Di2 gearing into the Cyclo500 head unit, so you can view your current gearing and battery status on your device and analyse the gear data after your ride. This is something where the future of auto pilot or automatic gearing will go along with some great post processing software that can tell me what power I am most effectively producing in what gear ratio’s, etc.

Check out DC rainmakers site for full details : http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/03/mio-di2-wireless-control.html

So for development purposes this I have splashed out on Dura Ace 9070 Di2 11 speed, front and rear derailleurs, DA shifters and internal wiring which the frame is setup for although there is no Di2 bike in the stocked range this year. Then to cap off my pre baby spending spree I added the most stable and attainable power meter cranks to the Jamis the SRAM Quarq Red 53/39-172.5mm crankset. I cannot stress enough to never buys a SRM due my own personal experiences with SRM New Zealand service centre (however that is a whole another story which am happy tell anyone).

Now Shimano will tell you that you will reduce the seamlessness of the shifting if you use an Quarq with DA Di2 due to the chainrings, however I have not had any issues and super happy with the Quarq and Di2 living in symbiosis. As for wheels I will race the bike with my HED’s and train on the Cole C24 lite http://www.colewheels.com/pages/product.php?type=road&id=1&ids=Road%20Clincher and they look and ride sweetly seem like built proof wheels and good for 10000km’s As for contact points this puppy is riddled with Ritchey WCS carbon bars (44cm) wrapped with Fizik super sticky bar tape, 100m WCS carbon stem, WCS carbon post with an internal Di2 battery inserted in post, real easy to fit and don’t need to go down the route of buying a Shimano Pro specific post (all that is needed is to wrap some bartape around the battery and twist her in tightly) and a 125gram SLR seat (hard to come by nowday’s).

As for the ride I will update you on this as have only ridden a few km’s on her and all I could tell is the excelaration is ridiculous out the blocks. So can only imagine that will have no excuses but too make sure I do the bike justice by going hard on her over the next year!
Here are a few detailed pics for the review: