Gary Fisher Paragon, Ferrous 29, or Jamis Dragon 29?

[Kusbit6600]

I went to my lbs (Dirty Harry's) and they sized me with this fancy laser computer thingy and picked frame size and set the seat to the right height and everything. Anyways, I rode a Gary Fisher Ferrous 29er (Trude Temper OX Platinum tubing) and a GF Paragon (alu). I liked the handling of the Paragon a little more but I didn't like the aluminum frame, it beats up on you. I can get the Ferrous for about $1620 and and the Paragon for I think $1530(but it doesn't come with pedals). On the other hand, I can get a Jamis Dragon 29er for $1650 (Reynolds 853). The Gary Fisher bikes come with X.9 derailleurs and a Bontrager Crank and BB7 brakes on the Ferrous and a Shimano LX crank with Hydraulic Juicy 5 brakes. The Dragon is full XT with Juicy 3's. I think I am going to test ride it tomorrow. What seems like the best deal? It will ultimately come down to the one I like the most but what do you guys think?

[fudgedit]

I ride both a Fisher and a Jamis. I like both bikes. Though I have been riding my Fisher a lot more lately. Neither of my bikes are exactly like yours as I built them up from frames. That said, my brother just purchased a Fisher Marlin after checking out both the Jamis Durango 2 and the Fisher Marlin. The real deciding factor for him was availability and components. I personally like the Fisher's geometry a little better. For full disclosure though, my Fisher is a fully rigid hardtail with a Kona 2 fork. I ride it slower than I do my Jamis which is a hardtail with front suspension. I like both brands as they seem to spec their bikes out very well for their price points. As I told my bro, ride the bikes, what feels best to you is the most important thing. I always thought I was a steel is real type of rider, but I really like the ride of my Fisher which is aluminum. I really like the sturdiness of the ride and the power transfer that I don't feel I get from the Jamis. I am 200lbs and always though aluminum would be too harsh of a ride, but haven't found that to be true. But, it is still a personal thing. What type of trails are you going to be riding? If you have really nice flowy trails then I would go with the 29, but if it really rocky twisty singletrack then I might consider the Fisher. Either bike is a good bike. But, it sounds like you like the Jamis more. Go with the bike you like.

[Kusbit6600]

When I started looking for a new mountain bike I wanted a steel one and I steel do (haha), but I rode the alu Paragon and I liked it ever so slightly more. It handled better and it has that nice stiffness. But that stiffness also beats up on you.
The Jamis is the bike I started out looking out and I like the specs a bit more, but whatever bike feels better is what I will choose. I'll update once I get to ride the Dragon.

[Kusbit6600]

I live in Pittsburgh PA so its lot of single track, moderately rocky and pretty hilly. It also is almost always wet, but not extremely muddy. All three bikes are 29ers. It's a bit hard to find 26 hardtails over $1000.

[jerman]

I think if the Jamis fits you should go for it. Great component package and 853 steel. I love a steel bike.

[MEAT]

Just an idea, but how about spending a few dollars more and buy a FS bike?

[Kusbit6600]

I went and test rode the Jamis Dragon and it was really nice. I couldn't even tell it was a 29er by the way the frame fit me. On the Gary Fisher bikes I was higher up and didn't like it as much. I think I will go ride them once more just to be sure before I decide anything though.

The reason I don't go FS? Well to be honest this bike is a bit of a splurge. The reason I am getting it is because my current bike is too big. I'm not a great rider, but I figure at least 50% of my poor skill can be attributed to not riding a lot and lack of confidence, and I guess also riding a bike too big for me. I feel its worth spending this much though because it's quality components which will last me longer. I don't want full suspension because I don't really need it. I like hard tails. Now if I get serious about riding then maybe down the road, but I don't want to go any more over budget.

[ghostbiker]

Yeah what he said! I wanna try the full sus gf 29er thiugh,,

do you knowif there full sus 29 has lockout shock? both ends???
wooooooooooopeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I like thishsyts.

[John]

Like someone earlier in the thread said, the best bike for you is the bike you like the best. Still, there is a review of the Dragon 29er in Dirt Rag. It's heavier than the Paragon and what's with that rear brake routing? Looks pretty amateurish. The Bontrager wheels on the Paragon are excellent and lighter than the ones on the Dragon, which is a pretty critical point on a 29er. I bought a Paragon this Spring and was a bit concerned about the aluminum frame beating me up too (I was riding a Specialized FSR and a ti hardtail before), but the 29er wheels definitely smooth things out and you run lower pressure on the 29er tires, so I didn't feel like I was getting pounded. I did a lot of comparison shopping before I bought my Paragon and I really couldn't find anything to match the spec for the price. The handling is very snappy, the Fox fork can be kicked up to 100mm, the X9 drivetrain rocks and the Bontrager tires Stan's up really easily. Plus, when my Paragon frame cracked (watch that top tube/seat tube weld) GF upgraded me to the Superfly frame because they didn't have any XL Paragons in stock. Schweeeeet!

[rockhound]

853 steel...

Jamis Dragon.

[Kusbit6600]

Well I bought the Paragon about a week ago. After trying all sorts of different bikes, the Paragon felt the best. I find that if you run the right tire pressure, aluminum doesn't beat you up. It took all of two rides to get used to the steering, and now I love it. The bike fits me great, the parts are good, and it handles tons better than my old bike.

[mscotch]

Well I bought the Paragon about a week ago. After trying all sorts of different bikes, the Paragon felt the best. I find that if you run the right tire pressure, aluminum doesn't beat you up. It took all of two rides to get used to the steering, and now I love it. The bike fits me great, the parts are good, and it handles tons better than my old bike.

great!:D.........