My 1998 Jamis Dragon project

[georges1]

Good Morning

Last year for my 44th birthday, I wanted a high end steel MTB frame. But nothing from Tange or Columbus, I didn't mind True Temper but I still prefered Reynolds. After having looked during many months the ideal MTB frame, I have seen a Kona explosif but which was in poor shape and a very rare 1996 GT Psyclone in Reynolds 853 but which was too small for me and nearly 2000$ the frame alone. I then remarked this very rare and uncommon 1998 Jamis Dragon made of Reynolds 853 tubing which was fairly priced, the seller gave an additional discount which was a very good deal. Pics from the seller. I have already a program how this MTB will be equipped. But first pics of the frame (pics from the seller)

 

[georges1]

When I received the frame, I changed the original stem by another one , also painted the small dings with nail polish which is a good protector, also treated the seat tube and the bottom bracket with a specific antirust treatment black and finally added the xt shark fin. The crossmax wheels arrived as well.

Waiting for the crankset and v brakes delivery. Next step will be end of January, purchase of two XT 780T rear derailleurs, a XT Cassette, two XT CN HG95 chains, a vintage XT seat post, XT 780 T pedals, conti tyres and a selle italia saddle. Then my bike shop will assemble the bike.
Some updates, the non finicky XT 780V Brakes were purchased (40% more powerful than the XT 750 and XTR M952with deformable parallelograms, my three MTBs are fitted with those) and so were two RD-XT-780-T rear derailleurs much better quality than their shadow mountain counterparts

Next updates will be in end of September when I will try to get the bike assembled since I purchased the cassette, the frond derailler, the shifters, the tyres, the ritchey riser bar and grips. I will keep you posted.

 

[georges1]

The project has been completed

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Very responsive and fast cornering mountain bike

 

[highlandsflyer]

Great stuff! I just found a similar frame in storage, which I plan rebuilding as a 1x10 general purpose workhorse. Why did you go for a smaller frame?

 

[georges1]

Great stuff! I just found a similar frame in storage, which I plan rebuilding as a 1x10 general purpose workhorse. Why did you go for a smaller frame?

It was accidental since most of the other frames in big size or medium size I saw were either in bad shape (rusty and dented) or broken , I could never ride a 14,15,16 inch MTB frame so the 17 inch frame was chosen as an acceptable standard minimal standard. I also figured out how to adapt it to me and it rides, and shifts extremely well, the braking on it is phenomenal.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Yours is a 2002 or 2003; they carried the colourways over successive years, perhaps due to low sales. Geometry is a personal taste, I like to ride small generally. The 17", medium, can certainly be made to work for lankier riders, but I wouldn't wear a huge backpack if I was hammering it, and make sure your seat pin is down, down, deeper and down.

 

[georges1]

Yours is a 2002 or 2003; they carried the colourways over successive years, perhaps due to low sales. Geometry is a personal taste, I like to ride small generally. The 17", medium, can certainly be made to work for lankier riders, but I wouldn't wear a huge backpack if I was hammering it, and make sure your seat pin is down, down, deeper and down.

I have it assembled by local bike tech that has been assembling and repairing my bikes for many years, so no worries.I generally ride 20-21 frames, I rarely ride with a backpack. I am 1m80 and 86 kilos the bike is a pleasure to ride. I would be more afraid to ride a columbus genius framed MTB, 853 like Dedacciai DR Zero and True Temper OXP are build to last. One of my best friends had a Kona Explosif in 853 and also a Jamis Dragon from 2005 in 853, he preferred the Kona due to its much more agressive geometry. I have a 1998 Kilaeua with 631 but which rides more agressively than this one and which has a carbon rigid fork. Then again as you stated geometry is a personal preference.