Mountain Bike Racing - 29ers

I'm checking out new bikes, and I'm having a tough time deciding between a 29er GF Paragon, and a Trek 8000. I know I'm basically perfect for a 29er, tall, long legs, and flat to moderately rolling courses around here - but I'm still hesitant. I've test ridden both of the bikes, but really only in the parking lot for sizing, and basic feel purposes. Neither one felt amazing compared to the other. I don't know which one to go for, and I'm only looking at these two bikes (or any trek or gf models, if you get my drift).

I do like the paint job on the 8000 better fwiw...

I've only ridden the Paragon which I really liked. Paragon has a good reputation, it's been around for a while. A lot of the guys where I race use them and like them a lot. Not ridden the Trek.

i think you know i have a cobia haha. if you weight long enough so that the weather turns nicer and some of the trails dry out, id be happy to let you try mine out.

From what i understand the cobia is the same as the paragon just with a cheaper fork and componets?

My 29er was my first real good bike you could say. The only bike i have raced with so i wouldnt know how to compair it to a 26er. But i have a feeling there is a difference. It decends like a mother ship from mars but on a climb it feels like a tank. Little roots and bumps you dont realy feel. It has that same tank feel going through the single track.

Overall I love mine! Hope it doesnt confuse or discurages you. Paragons a sharp bike :)

I bought a Redline D460 29er last October and I really like the feel of the bike. I only got to ride it in a parking lot once and offroad once so I am not totally used to it yet. I will get used to it I guess at the Iola WORS race in May. I was up in the air about a rigid bike but that can be changed if I want.

I guess I'm now leaning toward the paragon. Hopefully I should have it in a few weeks, but with road season coming up the gas $ and entry fees might slow down the process.
Thanks for the help.