IcySmooth52

I'm a roadie honestly, but I started on the XC trail and am making plans to get back on it. (I'll still be on the pavement too). I've done much comparison and research, and I've narrowed my selection down to the Jamis Dakota D29 Comp or the Fuji Tahoe 29 1.5. Both have the more aggressive geometry I want, RockShox Recon fork, RDs with the new shadow system, nice overall components, and am the same price point for me. So now it's just; "which one?"

Does anyone have any experience riding them or heard anything about them? The Tahoe is a re-design from last year.

Jamis Dakota D29 Comp
https://www.myjamis.com/SSP%20Applica...at_grp=mtb29_2

Fuji Tahoe 29 1.5
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail..._d#bk_desc_tab

Daspydyr 

Bikes are almost identical to look at. Names are solid choices. I haven't ridden them, but have you? Does one feel better, look better? At that price point I would go for what you are drawn too. Many riders will have opinions and may have experience with those bikes. You know from the roadie world that body types, arm length and bike attraction help with fit. Just my two cents.

Congrats on "expanding your horizons." I have been Capt. Fredly of late. There is room in the garage for more than one bike.

jimc101

Purely from the specs, the Jamis has better (Shimano) brakes, both have pressfit bottom brackets so expect to replace every few weeks-months depending on riding condition/style of riding, otherwise both have the basically the same spec for the rest of the bike, with minor differences such as the F/R derailleurs.

Neither is listed as having the current clutch (shadow+) derailleur, both have listed as the non + version, so not sure where you are seeing that.

A quick search does show that the Jamis costs almost $200 more than the Fuji, would look at dealer support, if you can get a discount from them, and aftersales support if buying instore as factors in your choice.

IcySmooth52

I know they're not the new Shadow +, but I like the low profile of them. That was a feature I was looking for. Also, I work at a shop and different brands offer different discounts. So the bikes are just $50 apart for me

Sounds like it's really just which one looks cooler.

Wooden Tiger

I was looking in that same price range prior to buying and did a lot of research on MTBs. For around $1,700, you should most definitely look at a Scott Scale. I'd never been real familiar with Scott so I was a bit apprehensive about them but lemme tell ya, those are some SERIOUSLY comfortable and excellent performing MTBs! Check into the Scott Scale 960s and 950s for that price range.

While doing the research, I'll just point out that I personally didn't read real favorable comments about the Jamis MTBs but to each his/her own. I looked at everything from Cannondale Trail SL1s, Trek Cobias, Specialized Stumpjumpers, Giant XTCs, Rocky Mountain, Breezer, you name it.

At the end of the day I wound up with a left over '12 Cannondale Flash 2 Alloy (29er) and it's great. I believe the Flash was replaced with the F29s. They're also real nice bikes and worth a look, but IMO, you can NOT go wrong with a Scott Scale. Even though I went with my Cannondale over the Scott (I got a really good deal from the LBS and I liked it nearly as much as the Scott...), I worship the dirt the Scott rolls over.

IMO, there are bikes in the same price range out there with better components groups than what you are going to find on either the Fuji or Jamis.

IcySmooth52

Read above with previous posts. I work at a shop and have it narrowed down to these two out of the brands I have to choose within my shop. A Scott or Cannondale isn't a reasonable option because I won't be representing my shop well or get any discount.

Wooden Tiger

You said NOTHING about representing a shop in your few previous posts.

ZManT

The Jamis has a tapered head tube. A newer feature causing some buzz.

IcySmooth52

Try reading here:

Wooden Tiger

Yes, what you said was, "I work at a shop and different brands offer different discounts." At no point did you ever mention your choices were based on those two bikes because you work at the shop. Had you said, "The shop I work at sells ___ and ___ so I can get a discount on them...," I wouldn't have wasted my time or yours posting suggestions.

BTW, check out the Scott Scale.

social suicide

I have a Trek/GF 29'er hardtail. I put a Thudbuster seatpost https://www.thudbuster.com/products.html on it and it doubled the time I can ride it. Best $150 upgrade you can put into any hardtail. The other thing I noticed (different than my 26" MTB) was how often I hit the front wheel with my toe. Try out both bikes and see if one geometry is better than the other for this.

VegasVic

IMHO, I'd get a Goblin over those two bikes any day of the week. Better fork for a very slight downgrade in groupset. Quite a bit cheaper too.

https://www.airbornebicycles.com/prod...13-goblin.aspx