rmagda58

I hope you can help.

Two sweet, marked-down 29ers are available in my area, and I'm wondering which way someone in the know would go.

The first is a 2006 Gary Fisher Paragon. I've read mostly good things on this bike, other than the occassional seat-tube crack. What's your take? Do you think Fisher had this bike dialed in in 2006, or has it undergone key changes in 2007 and 2008?

The other bike is a 2007 Orbea 29er with Reba Race and SRAM X9, just like the Paragon. Both are going for $1,400.

I've ridden both bikes several times and favor the feel of the Fisher. The Orbea weighs in a pound lighter, but has Avid mechanical brakes while the Fisher has Avid Juicy Sevens.

Also, do you think it would be wise to buy a solid 26er with that money now and invest in a 29er down the road, when manufacturers have the geometry and specs more dialied in? Or do they have it figured out already? DId Fisher get it right in 2006?

well biked

From my experience, Fisher got it right as soon as they started producing 29ers, which was maybe 2003. I've got several friends who ride 29" Fishers, including one who has an '04 Fisher X-Caliber, and I've ridden that bike quite a bit, too. It's the real deal, no problems whatsoever and it's a bike that just gobbles up singletrack. I've seen some of the Orbeas you mention, they certainly look good, too. You probably wouldn't go wrong with either bike, but since you say the Fisher "feels" better, I say go for it.

shider

I have an '06 Fisher Paragon and love it. It is a bit flexy (I ride a 19") but it rides like a dream. It's smoother over small ruts and roots than my friend's dual suspension 26'r. I prefer the Avid Juicy brakes over the mechanical which I have on a couple other bikes. Not that there is anything wrong with the Avid mechanicals. Sorry, I have no experience with the Orbea to compare.

ruppster

I have an 06 Paragon. 21". I have had the fork rebuilt twice under warranty. I am about 200 lbs with a camelbak on and ride pretty hard (XC-2' or less drops, but pretty rough terrain). I like the 29" (700c) wheels. I just purchased a 2007 Stumpjumper Pro (XL) and I'm liking it, too. The GF feels rigid and fast, the 80mm fork is either pretty stiff or bottoms, not alot of in-between room. I have to get far off the back on fast, steep descents to keep from going over the bars. It seems easy to endo. I can ride more in the middle of the Stumpy. Log-overs seem easier on the GF.
If the new Fishers have a Fox fork vs. the Rock Shox, I would lean that way because of my poor luck with the Reba.