It looks like I'll be getting a 2007 Gary Fisher Paragon as my new bike. 29 inch wheels, disc brakes, hardtail, nice componentry . . . all in all it seems like a very good adventure racing ride. I'll keep my full suspension bike around for the tougher trail riding in the Shenandoahs, but I think the Paragon will become my bike of choice going forward. I'm sure the Paragon could handle the more technical riding, too, but I can't part with my full suspension bike just yet! Here's a stock photo of the Paragon from Fisher . . . I guess I can have any color I want so long as it is red:
I just rode a modified Fisher Paragon that
BikeBeat had and the 29 inch wheels are pretty nice; the larger tires made easy work of the roots and low stumps that crop into the singletrack around here -- and people say the larger tires will help the bike to handle better. I also like the simplicity of not having a rear suspension, and the slight savings in weight for any hike-a-bike fun. If it's less complicated
and lighter in weight, it's a strong selling point for adventure racing nuts. Sure, my butt might miss some of the squish, but I think it's the right choice for the kind of riding I'm into.
So, let the conspiracy theorists begin . . . Gary Fisher sponsors our Tidewater Traverse adventure race . . . Team Gary Fisher eeks out a narrow victory at the race (but on paper it looks like a blow out) . . . one week later I hang a new Gary Fisher Paragon in my garage . . . coincidence?
Have fun with your Da-Vinci-Code-inspired conspiracies around this but the key forces at work are really:
- My bikes are getting older and tougher to maintain
- I've got a few long races later this year and my biggest fear is a bike mechanical problem ruining an enormous amount of planning and training -- I've pushed my luck far enough
Combine the above with a very charismatic mid-Atlantic Gary Fisher rep and some time to converse during the build up and execution of the Tidewater Traverse and . . .
*poof*
. . . next thing you know I'm buying some new wheels.