Thinking of a new bike... Dragon Pro 27.5

Cyclotourist

Cyclotourist

iMTB Hooligan
Hey there MTB experts! I currently have a Gunnar Rockhound 29er with Reba fork and 2X9 SLX drievetrain on King hubs/Crest rims. Bike serves me perfectly. Really, can't say anything at all negative about it. Buuuuut, I've got in my head I want a 27.5 bike. I'm looking REALLY close at a Jamis Dragon Pro. Reynolds 853, Fox 32 Float CTD Evolution fork, SRAM X9 drivetrain, American Classic thru-axle tubeless.

The Dragon has modern trail geometry, which I think I would like. I highly doubt I would notice any difference in the fork. My riding style is staying on the ground, slow spinner climbing, decent descending. All my trails are quite smooth, with occasional sandy sections. Most rides involve road sections getting to the trailhead.

Question for the group: Am I going to notice anything really different with the wheel size and geometry change? I'd like something that's a better climber, downhill style isn't going to change that much. Am I giving anything up with the Gunnar that I'm going to regret?

Keeping both isn't an option, as I need to sell the Gunnar to subsidize the Dragon. Presuming I can sell my Gunnar for a decent amount, I would be out about a grand for this new bike.
 
To me it sounds like you already have the right bike for the type of trails that you like/normally ride.

The 29er will probably climb a bit better espcially on chunkier/techs climbs.

Smooth flowy trails, again sounds like your Gunnar is a good match.

Spending time on the road....again the bigger wheels win.

Now if you are a shorter rider and have a hard time feeling like you fit on a a 29er, then the 27.5 may not be a bad option.

I mostly here from people who do more XC type riding that they notice going from 26 to 27.5 more than going from 29 to 27.5.

Just my opinion.
 
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All opinions are appreciated!

I tried to cover as many variables as I could in my post, and you addressed them, thanks! Again, nothing wrong w/ my Gunnar, just wondering if I'm missing something based on all the hype out there! :-)

And I'll add I'm 6' on a 19" frame, so sizing isn't a problem.
 
I went from a 110mm travel hardtail 29'er to a 150mm travel full suspension 27.5 in Jan, and noticed the travel/suspension change more than the tire size. The type of riding that I notice the smaller tire size the most is in switchbacks and flowy corners. Based on the type of riding you are doing, I'd stick with the 29er.

I also am 6'0" on a 19".
 
Thanks Craig. So far it's unanimous!

I guess I should add that the Gunnar has traditional XC geometry, which has never been bad for me, but along the lines of maybe I don't know what I'm missing!
 
My 2 cents. Test ride! If your not racing XC you'll probably enjoy the slacker geometry of a trail bike. On the other hand, never mind the wheel size, look at the suspension. Not all suspension is created equally. Some climb exceptionally well, others... not so much.
From what you have described, I would advise just buying a HT frame with a slacker head angle. It might save you some coin and probably suit you better.
 
rojomas said:
My 2 cents. Test ride! If your not racing XC you'll probably enjoy the slacker geometry of a trail bike. On the other hand, never mind the wheel size, look at the suspension. Not all suspension is created equally. Some climb exceptionally well, others... not so much.
From what you have described, I would advise just buying a HT frame with a slacker head angle. It might save you some coin and probably suit you better.
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Thanks, O! Trail geo seems like something I would like for sure. I wouldn't mind just getting a new frame with that geo, but my bike is just old enough that most major components wouldn't swap out. It has a 1-1/8 straight fork, q/r front wheel (maybe could upgrade to thru axle?). Most if not all current bikes require tapered steerers and those have 15mm thru axle. So at that point, I might as well get a a complete bike. That's why the Dragon is so intriguing. And at a really good price as well: http://fergusonbicycleshop.com/prod...iations=7625&gclid=COCNyc_V5ccCFciFfgodicIP9w for last years's model (which I prefer as the current ones have sliding drop outs). And because it's close out mail order, I'm reduced to a site unseen purchase. Hence my posting here!!!
 
I agree with the others about your bike sounding like the right choice for you... But I'm also partial to steel hardtails. :thumbsup:

Rojomas makes a good suggestion, and one I've been kicking around... Wider bars! I really like the look of the 780s that mtnbikej runs for stability, leverage, etc.

If you're still set on trying something else, I really liked the looks of this one... http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-dirt-trail-tokul-4130
 
Faust29 said:
I agree with the others about your bike sounding like the right choice for you... But I'm also partial to steel hardtails. :thumbsup:

Rojomas makes a good suggestion, and one I've been kicking around... Wider bars! I really like the look of the 780s that mtnbikej runs for stability, leverage, etc.

If you're still set on trying something else, I really liked the looks of this one... http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-dirt-trail-tokul-4130
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And thanks again for reinforcing that I have a pretty good bike! As to the cockpit, my stem is relatively short (90mm???) and the bars feel pretty wide already. In fact I don't like how wide they are for low speed climbing. A bit of a chore keeping the front end on track. I was thinking a slacker HT would be one of the things that would help that some. But maybe not enough to justify getting a whole new bike, eh!
 
Screenshot_2015-09-21-23-22-01.png
just saying.... marzocchi front fox factory rear... 2015...
 
Cyclotourist said:
Thanks, O! Trail geo seems like something I would like for sure. I wouldn't mind just getting a new frame with that geo, but my bike is just old enough that most major components wouldn't swap out. It has a 1-1/8 straight fork, q/r front wheel (maybe could upgrade to thru axle?). Most if not all current bikes require tapered steerers and those have 15mm thru axle. So at that point, I might as well get a a complete bike. That's why the Dragon is so intriguing. And at a really good price as well: http://fergusonbicycleshop.com/prod...iations=7625&gclid=COCNyc_V5ccCFciFfgodicIP9w for last years's model (which I prefer as the current ones have sliding drop outs). And because it's close out mail order, I'm reduced to a site unseen purchase. Hence my posting here!!!
Click to expand...

Better make sure they have that in stock, that shop is in Ferguson, Missouri.
 
Danmtchl said:
Well someone already mentioned the new Marin Pine Mountain, but what about the new Kona Explosif? Maybe the new Ritchey Timberwolf. They both are steel 27.5 bikes with modern geometry. I personally want the Ritchey. Just have to talk to the boss about getting one.

http://www.konaworld.com/explosif.cfm

http://ritcheylogic.com/frames/mountain/timberwolf-frame.html
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Both are right up my alley. But at the moment, I'm try to tell myself the bike I have is good enough (and I know it is, just gotta' fight this urge off)!
8521774733_fca775d019_c.jpgUntitled by David, on Flickr
 
Faust29 said:
I really liked the look of that one, but not seeing it in person was a big roadblock for me. I did ride the Explosif that is mentioned above, but the el Mar spoke to me. And, it still does after a year. :thumbsup:
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Yeah, really hard to go wrong with an El Mar. That's what I was originally trying to find when I ran into my Gunnar. Which I need to reiterate, is a great bike.
I've just got that itch...
 
rojomas said:
I've got that bike! From what how the op described his riding style, it seems like it would be the perfect bike for him. BTW, It does have a very long top tube and a long stem so I shortened the stem and bought wider bars for it like I suggested for him to do.
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It looks like a great way to modernize my ride. Plus I do have a bit of a Ti fetish. It it super-stiff or is the frame compliant? I prefer a bit of flex.
 
All I'll say is that I have two bikes from them (I just bought their highest-end full suspension 29er) and I have been very satisfied. I've had my eye on that titanium frame for a while tho...
 
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Cyclotourist said:
It looks like a great way to modernize my ride. Plus I do have a bit of a Ti fetish. It it super-stiff or is the frame compliant? I prefer a bit of flex.
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It rides like Ti, it flexes. It has "S" stays so the rear does give a little more than if it had straight stays. And lighter than steel. My one gripe is that though the wheels roll very smoothly, they aren't very stiff due to the bladed spokes. I replaced the bladed spokes in the rear wheel for DT Swiss double butted and felt a difference right away.
 
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The things I had to change on the bike.
1) the handle bars. They were too narrow.
2) The stem. It was too long.
3) The seat. It had a "V" cut in the back like a roadie seat that would get hung up on my shorts.
4) The front tire. Not enough cornering grip.
 
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