droptop

i recently moved to louisiana. Its nice, but my road bike is collecting dust. My SS cross bike is seeing more use, but i really want more. I have ridden some trails with my friends before, and now im itching to get a new bike, and this time im feeling a 29er. I typically prefer a quicker handling bike, but im open to suggestions.

The models I am considering are:

Redline monocog

Kona Unit 2-9

Jamis Dragon one.

Raleigh XXIX.

I would prefer disc brakes, but BB7's aren't that expensive and can be added to the redline and still be in the ballpark of what id pay for the others. Just wondering what the general consensus is on these bikes, if anyone has any comments. Im open to other suggestions, but these are at the top of my short list.

ed 

The steel frame on that Dragon is really nice and if you're planning on riding rough terrain, the Tora will take the sting out of the trail. You can still lock the fork out and give 'er hell.

The other three bikes are rigid.

droptop

so, the answer is none of the above. im going with a origin8 scout. good price, every feature i wanted, and tons of standover clearance- giving the boys some room to breathe, whereas on the CX bike and roadie they have none. I didn't want to like it at first, but then really like it more than the others. will be test riding one tomorrow, and if nothing goes wrong, will have one soon.