MTB Reviews > Mountain bikes > 29er > Gary Fisher Cobia

Gary Fisher Cobia Reviews

Description: (from fisherbikes.com)
Frame - Platinum Series ZR9000 internally and externally butted aluminum | Disc Specific | Genesis 29" Geometry
Wheels - Shimano M475 disc hubs + Bontrager Ranger 29 Disc rims + 14G Stainless Steel spokes | Bontrager Jones XR 29x2.25x2.2 tires
Suspension - RockShox Tora 318 Solo Air 29 | External rebound, external compression and lock-out | Motion Control | 80mm

Add a review (form opens in right column) reviewed by John_Goodrich   on August 23, 2009   Pros Good price for a good bike. You aren't going to get the best components, but you can always upgrade. Cons Not the best components. Verdict Beginners bikers reviewed by sauleta76   on July 26, 2009   Pros 29" is the way to go! Would never go with another 26er! Rolls over anything. Front suspension locks out for pavement riding. Unlocked, it takes the bumps like no other. Great value for the price. Cons I would change the rear derailleur and the tires. I was slipping and sliding until I put on some WTB tires on front and rear. I want to go hydraulic with the brakes! Doesn't have a rear suspension. Verdict I recommend this bike highly. If you're gonna buy a front suspension only bike, this is the one!!! Beutiful paint a color scheme! I can't wait to ride it again!!! Just waiting for the rain to subside a little!!! reviewed by soezgg   on July 21, 2009   Pros Niner geometry is great. Rolls over everything like a monster truck. This was my first 29er and the value was really great. This fork is a beast, has performed like a champion and needed very little maintenance. Cons Components...well, you get what you pay for most of the time. The wheels are nice, but the Shimano M475 hubs are super cheapo. Verdict I would only recommend 29ers for larger or taller riders because they will benefit more from the giant wheels and different geometry. I'm 6'2" ~200+ lb and it has worked wonders for me. This is a great entry-level bike for someone looking to get into 29ers. reviewed by Floridadan   on April 22, 2009   Pros I have the G2 2009 Silver Cobia. This bike is SOLID. I did a lot of reading about the 29 bit and I am glad I went with this one. The bike swallows obstacles with ease. To be honest, after having ridden 26ers, my confidence with this bike exceeds my skill. I find myself doing things I shouldn't and the size and strength save me. It goes where you tell it. It handles well in tight places. Maybe my friends ride slow, but I have no trouble keeping up. Cons I have to agree with Marsh from December 10 review. The brakes do not cut it. I have the 15 inch with about 100 miles under me. I am ready to replace the brakes cause they don't hold well. I also do not like the tires but I wonder if thats just in my head cause I see cooler ones. The only thing I have upgraded is to Welgo Platform pedals. Verdict I love it so much I bought the girlfriend one. NO reservations. reviewed by marsh   on December 10, 2008   Pros This is the most economical 29er I've seen. Strong wheels & good derailers. Decent fork with lockout. Good handling. The bike is kinda' heavy so it makes you stronger. Cons Brakes suck! I even got the manufactures rep to admit they are under-rated for the application. I ended up replacing the front with a $40 hydraulic unit from ebay. The bike is kinda' heavy so climbing is harder. Verdict This was my first 29er and I was very happy with it. 29" wheels effortlessly roll over 10" rocks and logs. They also tend to float through mud and sand. Frame has no flex whatsoever and I actually broke it (I weighed 260# at the time), but the bike handeled very well. This is a great entry level 29er and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to go more places faster, but definitly replace that front brake with a hydraulic. reviewed by thrasher76   on July 17, 2008   Pros This bike is awesome. It handles all terrain with relative ease. No worrying about what line to take, juts point and go! The components could use some upgrades, but once done the bike is amazing. Get used to being the slowest person on flats and uphills as the big wheels make it tough to get going. But on downhills you find yourself leading the pack or crawling up your buddies backs. Cons Some cheaper components, tough hill climbs. Verdict Buy it with no reservations. reviewed by rockhopper123   on April 16, 2007   Pros This is the bike. When it comes down to getting over a big rock or a urban obstacle the cobia can do it. With its amazing 29 feel it doesnt get better. If you want a bike for the money this is it. Cons I have no objections. i love it. Verdict NO verdict. This is 100 percent positive review.This is the bike. When it comes down to getting over a big rock or a urban obstacle the cobia can do it. With its amazing 29 feel it doesnt get better. If you want a bike for the money this is it. reviewed by 29tarmac   on April 16, 2007   Pros The 29er feel! It takes a while to get used to sitting taller due to the 700c wheels and not even worrying about your line. Tires seem to roll over anything. Cons Front derailleur only has 1/2-3/4 inch of clearence front back tire, constantly gets bogged down with mud. The cable routing is a little odd, frame scratched from contact with cables. I know, a mountain bike will have battle scars, but not right out of the box! Since it's a longer frame/wheel patch, you're in for a treat on tight switch-backs, get used to going very slow. Tire grip is marginal on anything but hard-pack. The Shimano pedals get clogged with debris; don't shed mud, and are a literal pain to get out of on anything but the loosest setting. Verdict I fell in love with this bike in the first 5 feet I rode it. For the price, components seemed a bit on the cheap side. I do some city riding, so fitting the existing rims with 700X37c cross tires worked great.