Submitted by
jim_pup
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC, USA Date Reviewed: September 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Charlotte Whitewater Center
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Good deal on a "steel is real" hardtail bike. Great grip, good component set - although trying my hardest to get things broken so I can get on the upgrade train. Shimano components (transmission) have been faultless, despite being midrange.
Weaknesses:
Chrome and Black paint job makes it look a bit like a supermarket bike. Beware buying bikes from the internet. Even though this came with 'professional setup', it arrived with neither disc brake working (leaks, kinks in hoses), a small ding in the frame, front tire instaled wrong way round, rear deraileur needing adjustment. Jenson did provide a credit and my LBS made good on adjustments, but I couldn't ride the thing out of the crate. Feels very heavy, but somehow it just loves going up hills. Rear wheel needed some truing after first few rides (which I discovered after reviewing the wheelset on MTBR.com)
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000 with XT components, which felt tons lighter, but suffered a bent frame in a harsh tumble.
Bike Setup:
I changed the stock flat handlebar for a wider raised Bontranger Crowbar as well as the grips for fatter Race Face grips, both off the old bike. Transformed the handling and my confidence in the bike.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike to mix up mountain biking with the road biking and fixed wheel commuting I do on a more regular basis. I am comfortable tinkering with them to keep them on the road so didn't mind the initial hastles and subsequent truing. This bike suits someone who likes steel and doesn't care for the additional complexity of dual suspension rigs. I would think hard about getting the upgraded Dragon Pro, as it has the bits I'm already thinking about getting for my comp. At the end of the day, you really can't beat $850 for a rig that will do serious mountain bike courses.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CajunAg08
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lake Bryan, Anthills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Climbs well, nice shock, comfortable saddle, deore lx/xt, grippy tires. Steel frame is stiff yet dampens the rough stuff.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy (it is steel), headset squeaked during first ride, but a few allen wrench turns took care of that
Similar Products Used:
'04 Trek 820 Singletrack
Bike Setup:
Stock, added a chainstay guard
Bottom Line:
For the 2008 Jamis Dragon Comp:
Let me say first that this is my first bike since my 2004 Trek 820 hardtail I bought new. The difference between the 820 and the Dragon is utterly ridiculous.
This is an awesome middle range bike. It offers an exceptional value for the price. The Tora 318 is a nice upgrade from the Suntour shock, the seat is much better than any I have ever ridden, and the tires actually grip to things! All of the other components, the shifters, brakes, crankset, everything has performed better than I hoped for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Montana Date Reviewed: February 9, 2008
wtb speed disc wheelset, hayes hydraulic brakes, heavy original weight of ~28lb
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale f600 at ~23 lb full xt components
Bike Setup:
Stock currently http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/07_bikes/07_spec/07_dragoncomp_spec.html
Bottom Line:
This bike is a decent bike with original components. It is heavy, but with modifications (wheel set, fork, cranks, swap out lx components, brakes) this can be sub 25lb.
Bike is very responsive, and stiff. Steel frame cushions a lot. Overall good quality bike.
Get rid of the brakes immediately. Worse component on bike. Not good for any type of riding except commuting. No stopping power at all.
Fork is alright. 100mm travel. Is very stiff when needs to be. Lock out is great. Weight of fork is ~4.2 lb. It is heavy, but it gets the job done. Damping is nice addition. Will change out fork eventually for R7, or fox fl-100.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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