Submitted by
drifty
a Cross Country Rider
from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand Date Reviewed: January 30, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Cranked Cycles, Napi
Strengths:
2009 Dragon Pro.
Anyone who buys a bike like this already knows it's strengths. One of the only mainstream steel bike left. Not super light but such a smooth ride that you need to experience to appreciate. Like the new design and paint, different from the usual black/white/grey/silver combinations out there, looks way better in real life than in the catalogue.
Weaknesses:
Standard Juicy 3's are very average, squeal like pigs and look cheap. Best to swap them if you have the chance. Wheels are ok and do the job. Get a lighter set for events.
Bike Setup:
Standard 09 spec. Swapped brakes to Formula Oro K24. ODI grips.
Bottom Line:
Go and get one, you know you want to. Don't listen to your friends, they are only jealous. Best hardtail you will buy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamisVermont
a Racer
from Vermont Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Price Paid:
$1470.00
Purchased At:
Alpine Shop Middlebu
Strengths:
Climbs effortlessly, 853 steel is lively, responsive and forgiving, smooth ride, handles very well, acceleration is impressive. Reliability and durability, in 2000 miles, mostly offroad, I have never need repairs.
Weaknesses:
Everyone on the trails looks at my sexy bike and wants to know about it! Other than that, nothing bad to say about the bike.
Similar Products Used:
None that come close.
Bike Setup:
2006 Jamis Dragon Pro
Fox Float RL 80
Adivd Juicy 5's
XT shifters
Crossmax SLR wheelset
Controltech Scandium flatbar
esi Racer's Edge grips
Syntace F99 stem
CrankBros Cobalt C headset w/carbon spacers
Titec Pluto Carbon seatpost
Selle Italia Flite w/titanium rails
XT derailleurs front and rear
KCNC pulleys
Truvativ crankset
FSA MegaExo bottom bracket
Crankbros Eggbeaters
XTR cassette
YBN 901-ti chain (gold)
Panaracer Razer tires
Panaracer Greenlite tubes
Titanium bolts for the stem, and brakes
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike on sale, right before the 2007 came out. Originally $2200 down to $1470. It was spec'ed well from Jamis, but being a weight weenie, I have replaced a lot of parts as I found deals. I did race the bike stock when I first got it and it performed very well, but upgrading parts and the bike gets even faster.
Jamis builds great bikes. I have put this bike through a lot. I sold my full suspension rig last year so this bike has been on some rough trails lately. I only weigh 140lbs so I don't feel too bad taking it off small drops, nothing over 5 feet though since I still need it for races.
I have never needed to repair anything on this bike. It has been involved in 3 serious crashes, and a few minor ones, with no damage aside from minor scratches.
If you are in the market for an XC hardtail, the Dragon Pro is worth looking at. It rides great stock and if you want to build it into a race machine, you won't be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
htmusick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK Date Reviewed: August 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Turkey Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2150.00
Purchased At:
Springfield Bicycles
Strengths:
Can't beat the off-the-shelf value or the sweet feel of steel! The bike is nimble and supple, but doesn't compromise stroke efficiency (kinda like Ti without the price). Very, very responsive - be careful if you're coming off an old beater like I did - it will buck ya. Components are high-end enough that you really don't need to upgrade unless you just want to (or you really think cutting a half a pound is going to make you any faster - just a hint, it won't!).
Weaknesses:
The paint does seem to chip rather easily, so I would maybe suggest that Jamis start powder coating this frame. Also the Juicy Three's have faded quickly on mine - maybe it was just the pads, but I swapped 'em out anyway.
Similar Products Used:
None, I came from an old aluminum hardtail, but considered the Voodoo Bizango, Gunnar Rockhound, and Salsa Ala Carte.
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock - dropped in a new SRAM PG-990 11-32 cassette, a matching SRAM PC-991 chain, two King Cage Ti bottle cages, some new Avid Juicy Seven's (sweet!) and got the dealer to install some Crank Bros. Eggbeater SL's instead of the stock Candy C's.
Bottom Line:
Unless you're going custom, this bike is the real deal. During the week I lock out the forks and slap on some semi-slicks and tear up the pavement. On the weekends I put on the knobbies and head for the trails. This bike can do both without flinching!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
No Name
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI, USA Date Reviewed: June 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anything non-pavement
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1890.00
Purchased At:
Cory the Bike Fixer
Strengths:
For a steel HT "as is," moderate weight, reasonable components at an acceptable price-point and fast.
Weaknesses:
Hate the color (I hate 'paint' on any MTB, going OD Green powder coat at end-of-season). Juicy Three's although I must admit, they have exceeded my expectations to-date.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6000 Alum HT, Stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
Stock 17" except: Replaced Exiwolf's with Kenda Small Block Eights, Candy C's with flats, cut the Easton EA50
MonkeyBar's down to 24" & added Titec risers, Stem replaced with a 100mm Thomson Elite X4 and replaced grips w/ Oury lock-ons. Lastly, the obligatory Minoura bottle cage.
Bottom Line:
After hitting ~500 miles on this Dragon, and almost all miles off-road, it is exactly what I wanted and expected. An old-school steel HT that screams. I have her setup like I want for now and the only other thing I will do in the near future is obtain a 2nd set of [high-end custom] wheels that are built exclusively to handle serious northwoods roots, bumps and moderate drops "at a high-rate-of-speed." Future tire choice[s] will vary as well and will be selected based on my personal tests and performance observations. The bottom-line for my style and needs is; "good call!"
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nate G
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest Lake, MN Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anything rideable
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
NOW Biks and Fitness
Strengths:
The geometry allows the bike to be responsive without being overly twitchy. This bike tackles both climbs and descents well. The steel frame does a nice job of dampening the noise/chatter/vibrations felt through the frame, especially when compared to an aluminum hardtail. The Fox F100 RL does a good job at taking out the big bumps and hits. The Easton stem and seat post perform without issue and the 31.8 mm OS handlebar is plenty stiff. Jamis includes Crank Bros Candy C pedals when at this price point most manufactures do not include pedals.
Weaknesses:
The Avid Juicy 3 brakes work sufficiently, however, on a bike with Shimano XT deraillures, shifters, and crank I would expect Juicy 5’s. The wheels are also a bit on the heavy side for a bike billed as a “no-holds-barred” machine. Both of these issues can be easily remedied.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000, Jamis Dakar Expert
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
If you are looking to buy a good quality hardtail, give the Jamis Dragon Pro a look.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guy
a Weekend Warrior
from Mililani, HI, USA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008
2006 Jamis Dragon Pro, Mavic SLR Wheels, White Brothers Rock Solid Fork, Shimano XT Components, Thomson Stem and Post, Shimano 540 Pedals, Titec Hellbent Carbon Riser Bars
Bottom Line:
So I set out to find a high quality rigid steel bike. After looking for a while on the internet, I found the reviews on this site on the Jamis Dragon - Pro and Team. After reading the glowing reviews that this bike had received, I decided to purchase one.
Out of the box, the Jamis Dragon Pro is a high quality product with excellent ride quality. The steel frame reduces the amount of vibrations felt by the rider. I was pleasently surprised when I received my bike and noticed how light-weight it actually was.
Since purchasing this bike, I have made a few component changes including Mavic SLR wheels, White Brothers Rock Solid Fork, Thomson Stem and Post, Titec Riser Bars, and a more comfortable seat (not because it needed it). I use this bike primarily for excercise, so I swapped out the Fox Fork for a White Brothers Rock Solid carbon rigid fork, which has reduced the weight of this already light bike quite a bit and still provides a vibration-free ride.
I can't say enough of about this bike. Buy this bike, you will not be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh, Pa, USA Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bavington and Frick
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
light. strong. Lockout fork
Weaknesses:
jive hubs. Flat bars.
Similar Products Used:
Kona, Spooky, GT, Surly, Specialized, etc.
Bike Setup:
All stock 2007
Bottom Line:
This is the real deal. I am using this bike as my everyday ride. It climbs like a billygoat and rips up singletrack. It is tight and quick. If you are looking for a good hardtail to ride and/or race, you will not find a better bike for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hank stowers
a Cross Country Rider
from durango, colorado, u.s.a Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anything in test trax
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
durango cyclery
Strengths:
great smooth shifting, awesome acceleration, good standup position geometry, great all terrain handling, and good for some street and dirt jump.
Weaknesses:
not one
Similar Products Used:
rocky mountain
Bike Setup:
xt componetry, fox vanilla fork, 15" frame, all that good stuff!
Bottom Line:
I'm a seventh grade bike junkie on Chad Cheeny's race team. I have had this bike for a week, and my old one i had for a year. I feel like i've improved twice as much as my Rocky Mt. rode!!!:-) This bike is good for anyone who is actually brave enough (and cool enough) to ride a hardtail!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Muldoon
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmigton, Delaware, USA Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
White Clay or Killington mountains
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1490.00
Purchased At:
Henry's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great Frame, Good Brakes All XT lock on grips SDG saddle pretty much everything
Weaknesses:
Hubs could be better, but they get the job done
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
All stock except the saddle was swapped for an SDG Bel-Air
Bottom Line:
Excellent Bike.
Strong and the power is transferred directly.
Buy this bike if you want a steel hardtail with good components.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
The bike delivers the performance promised.
Weaknesses:
None to date
Similar Products Used:
Specialized stumpjumper, Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
The only change I made was the peddals, I prefer Shimano 540's to the candy C, but that's just me, I like to hear the clunk of my cleats locking in.
Bottom Line:
I found it very difficult to locate a Dragon Pro to test ride, but eventually did. I almost settled for a Specialized Stumpjumper and am thrilled that I did not. There really is no equal to high quality steel. I read on the review,a few negative reviews about the Avid Juicy 5 and was worried about the breaks. They quickly showed the complaints that I read about, but were easily corrected by adjusting as per the manual, with no problem since. I believe that those who are complaining or troubled by the breaks need to read or obtain in the first place the manual for the break published by Avid, that should have been supplied with the bike at time of purchase. The Dragon Pro has proven itself worth every penny and I would highly recommend it, there are no equals at this price point in my opinion.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Silverstrand
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
1800.00
Strengths:
Quality, components, steel frame ride, Fox front shock and nice blue/grey color frame.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Big Sur, Trek 8000, Giant Trance and Specialized FSA XC.
Bike Setup:
FRAME: Reynolds 853 seamless air-hardened chromoly main tubes, reinforced head tube collars, double butted cromo stays, Jamis lost wax dropouts, international disc brake mount. FORK: Float F80RL, with lock-out, 80mm travel. WHEELSET: Mavic XM317 eyeleted disc rims, 32H, with Shimano Deore front and rear disc hubs, WTB 14g stainless steel spokes. DERAILLEURS: Shimano Deore XT (hi-normal) rear, Deore XT 28.6mm top pull front. SHIFTERS: Shimano Deore XT, Rapidfire-SL, 27-speed.
Bottom Line:
I'm a senior that has ridden mostly steel frames for decades. My riding is rough street roads and some fire roads. I tested both steel and aluminum frames as well as full suspension bikes, because of my arthritis. I decided on keeping it simple and purshased a hardtail.
In testing different bikes over a two month period, I found my thumb would get very sore from constantly shifting with my thumb only. I prefer the Shimano XT Rapid-Fire that divides the shifting between the thumb and index finger. For younger riders doing technical rides they may prefer the thumb only shifting such as Sram.
The bottom line with the Jamis Dragon Pro is a more forgiving ride. I contacted three Jamis dealers in San Diego County and Orange County and no dealers had a Dragon Pro I could demo. Vic at Amazon Bikes in Oceanside contacted Jamis and they sent out a bike I could test ride. I'm very happy with the steel frame ride and the XT shifting is very smooth. If you want a hardtail I would give the Dragon Pro serious consideration.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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