Jamis Hardline C4 Review | A Fun Bike for all Riders

Since we received our Jamis Hardline C4 trail bike 11 months ago, it has been shredded through all conditions in the PNW on a wide range of mountain bike trails from freeride and park lines through to natural enduro terrain. Not satisfied on a single opinion, we recruited long-time friend Ty Morton to add his input to the review as a shredder who would be more appropriately sized for our medium test rig. With this review we took a different approach than we usually do here at The Loam Wolf to give you some real-world feedback from a solid rider that is not in the industry. Check out the site for a Q&A to get the low down on Ty’s time on this capable and well-rounded all-trail machine. THE LAB The 160mm travel Jamis Hardline C4 is a mountain bike that provides an option for those looking for something different to the longer, lower, slacker trend. Our test model featured the standard 27.5” wheels, but the Hardline can also handle 27.5+ and 26+ wheels if that’s your thing. The Hardline is built around Jamis’ unique 3VO suspension system, which we covered in detail in our Dissected episode on their Portal 29er. The basics behind the short link, four-bar 3VO system are an axle path that is constantly aligned with the chainline to produce consistently high anti-squat and anti-rise figures, as well as a leverage ratio that is tuned for distinct jobs at certain points on the travel. The outcome is a unique feeling system that offers great pedaling performance, even with the...