Kona Dawg Matic vs Jamis Dakar XLT
 

After much thought, I have decided to buy a new bike. I've narrowed it down to the Dawg Matic and the Dakar XLT. They are the exact same price and I like them both. Here are the spec's for both.

Jamis Dakar XLT:
rear shock-Fox Float R
fork-Fox Vanilla
crankset-Truvativ Hussfelt
f. derailleur-SRAM X-7
r. derailleur-SRAM X-7
shifter-SRAM X-7
brakes-Hayes HFX-9 XC
hubs-Shimano M475
tires-Hutchinson Scorpions 2.3"
rims-WTB Speed Disc

Kona Dawg Matic:
rear shock-Fox Float
fork-Marzocchi EXR Pro
crankset-Truvativ Blaze
f. derailleur-Deore
r. derailleur-Deore LX
shifter-Deore
brakes-Hayes HFX-9 XC
hubs-Shimano Disc/KK Disc
tires-Nokian NBT 2.1
rims-Sun DS2-XC


1) I am 5'6", 250lbs, looking for a fs so I can ride longer periods so I can lose some weight. My hardtail is killing my back and butt.
2) The kona dealer is 200 miles away & the Jamis dealer is 6 miles away. I am hesitant to buy something so far away.
3)Neither dealer has one of these for me to test ride. It's a buy it to try it kind of thing. I did test a plain Dakar and was impressed.
4)Which one is spec'd better? I think the Jamis is, but I'm not very familiar with SRAM X-7 vs Shimano Deore?

Any input would be VERY helpful.

I have a Dakar, but it's not a useful comparison because I have one of the older Horst link bikes, and they've since cheaped-out on the rear suspension. I have no idea how the new ones ride, but it probably won't be much different than the Kona, since that bike has a similar suspension design.

I've heard the SRAM drivetrain stuff is very nice. IIRC, X-7 is on par with LX.

Flip a coin?

Tough call. Kona has a well-earned reputation for toughness, but since you're a smaller guy, that shouldn't be a problem. Fox Vanilla has a higher MSRP than the EXR Pro. I think the geometries of the two frames are slightly different, and if there were any way you could get a chance to test ride both of them, that would be your best option for making a decision. They're both good bikes though, and as you've noted, very similar.