I would recommend this model as opposed to the deluxe or higher because it a good balance between price and performance. I don't think the others are particularly worth the increase in price.
Pros The geometry of this bike is awesome. A lot of people think 29ers are clunky and harder to hendle than 26ers but this bike is more maneuverable than any bike I've ridden. Fairly light too.
Cons The design of the frame makes it hard to mount on some bike racks and only small water bottles fit in the space for the cage but these are very minor issues.
This was my first mountain bike and I wanted something I could grow into and not grow out of - boy was I in for a surprise!
I have been absolutely blown away by the bike's performance over the past year and she has helped me grow into a much more confident rider. The value is amazing. Highly Recommended!
Pros Excellent bike for both hardcore technical single track and wide open fast and flowy XC. This is a Gary Fisher 29er. Need I say more?
Cons Tires and brakes needed to be upgraded. The Bontrager Jones tires just couldn't handle hard climbs up the singletrack. The brakes were also surprisingly short-lived and needed replacement three times this season (although it has been brought to my attention that I tend to ride the brakes too often!)
It took me a year to dial this bike in because its my first full suspension bike. The travel is perfect for XC and now that its tuned proper I love the riding experience. It makes me more confident in the saddle. I like this level of bike because its ripe for upgrade and that allows me to persoanlize the ride. If you're not into that the Pro version comes well equiped.
Pros I like the geometry of this bike. It is very comfortable on epic rides. The balance of the bike allows for good handling. not front heavy at all and the Fox fork and shock compliment the set up. The Duster is a great wheel. Nice wide rims and tubeless ready.
Cons I replaced the derailleurs and the brakes within the first year. Juicy 3's are not good brakes for intense off road use. The Sram X.7 rear derailleur was fine but I prefer low normal shifting so I replaced both with XT. Carbon seat stays are fine if you never crash. I taped them up with bash guard to protect them.
Mine is the 2008 model with Fox RL 120 Fork instead of the Manitou. The Fox suspension is very plus, performs and holds up well.
This bike will out handle most others. The G2 Geometry lives up to the promises of low speed handling improvement without hindering hi-speed handling and ability to descend. This is one of the best trail bikes for the $$.
Wheels come tubeless ready and the tubeess conversion is well worth it.
The Flat Black paint seems to scratch easily but its not hard to protect it, plus I like the stealth look.
Its easy to discover a smile on your face when you ride this bike.
I replaced the 90mm stem with an 80mm stem, this complimentsmy riding style better. I also replaced the stock grips with Lizard skin lock ons. I plan on putting a Thomson seatpost on it also and possibly floating brake discs.
I always recommend having a couple of riding years under your belt before investing in carbon.
Pros Climbs like a goat. Very light and responsive. Handles switchbacks with ease. Love the lockout option for the rear shock. Got a screaming deal from George's Cycle on the 2008. model.
I got this bike at the end of the '08 season for @ $1200 and it has served me well since then. Great stump/root climber (pedal clearance a little low) and a nimble turner in tight singletrack (esp. @ higher speeds). Have not done a flush on the brakes yet, but they still work well enough after 300+ miles of trail riding.
The first thing I did was order a better crank for this thing, the Shimano LX is crap. The rest of the components are pretty good for the price point. You can't really expect much more. How does it ride? Like a wet dream. This bike was only two pounds heavier than the Carbon Fisher, so I went with this instead, to save that $1600. The Fox ProPedal tech works pretty well, although it's not perfect, but the bike is so like that it climbs anything regardless. The downhill is insane on this thing... super tight through the single track, the shocks hold up well, feel solid, and again, it's so like you can jump it at will. Highly recommended. Fisher rocks.
Pros The lightness of the thing... good god. The frame is solid, and the componentry is pretty good for the money.
This is my first "real" mountain bike and i totally love it. I ride a lot of east coast singletrack (rocks, roots, mud) and it eats it up. It seems to be very fast on the downhills and handles very well. I got a phenomenal deal on an end of season 2007 (paid an amazing $1400), and i can't rave enough about it.
BUY THIS BIKE!!! it is awesome. I have a 26" fisher tass custom and this bike is better at climbing, descending, handling and it floats of bumps like they are nothing.
Pros I have the 29er version and the frame and suspension are the bomb diggity.
Can't wait to upgrade to tubeless. A Can't miss. The most value for your $$. But then I'm partial to this bike because I own it!!
Pros Variable suspension is the shiznit! flip of switch and it climbs like a billy goat. but then it climbs well anyway! Very agile and responsive. The bike is the same frame as the $5,000 pro.
i've only been riding this bike for a few weeks (mine is the 2008 model GF HiFi Dlx). after spending the last 9 years on a hardtail with rim brakes the most noticeable difference is the ability to stop on a dime. i'm a big guy (6'2" 250 lbs.) so stopping is an issue. next up is the suspension, this bike gives me the confidence to do anything i want to and it climbs like a goat. my only grip about the stock set up is the tires, the Bontrager Jones that came on it are junk for my home area. other than that the only problem is the front end is light, i keep pulling it up on steep climbs, but i've mostly stopped that from just a small change in riding style. it's an all around great bike for the money.
Pros brakes, shocks (front and rear). love the shifting.
Cons heavy rear. stock tires have no traction. grips
I recently upgraded to the HiFi Plus from a CDale Super-V 700. This is my first Fisher bike, and I love it.
Pros Great geometry. Quality components. Easy handling. Awesom front and rear suspension.
Cons I'm not crazy about the Bontrager saddle that came with it, but that's easy to swap out. The Avid Juicy 3 Hydrolic brakes are difficult to maintain yourself, so if you have a problem, it's off the the bike shop you go (and bring money.)
I have been out of real cycling for YEARS and been contemplating buying a bike for recreational use. So I searched used sites, retail stores, and internet stores. Everything I saw were cheap well dressed imitations of this thing. I went to my local shop and was only going to spend a few hundred to buy a hardtail but after I test rode this thing I made the sacrifice and bought it Sat night. Sunday Morning I hit the most challenging trails and I do not regret my purchase at all. I used to ride a rigid Hoo Koo E Koo with an elevated chain stay. That thing could climb but would throw me around like a rag doll, I wont even talk about how much it weighed I will just say STEEL. It now feels like I am floating on air and when I lock up the rear I am climbing hills like the old days. Ok I will stop raving about this bike after only short of 24 hours of ownership.
Cons Just bought this, but cannot find anything yet.
Pros
Very light. Incredible climbing ability. Handles very well on corners.
Cons
| ThankThat I don't have another one just like it.
I would recommend this model as opposed to the deluxe or higher because it a good balance between price and performance. I don't think the others are particularly worth the increase in price.
Pros
The geometry of this bike is awesome. A lot of people think 29ers are clunky and harder to hendle than 26ers but this bike is more maneuverable than any bike I've ridden. Fairly light too.
Cons
| ThankThe design of the frame makes it hard to mount on some bike racks and only small water bottles fit in the space for the cage but these are very minor issues.
great feel, put power were it belongs while riding..
Pros
felt sturdy for my big self, good handling while riding a lrg frame
Cons
| Thankdidn't feel it had any for me
This is a light,fast trail bike that is has super snappy handling and climbs like a goat! I wished I owned one of these!
Pros
Light weight, snappy handling
Cons
| ThankThe rear triangle on the model I rode couldn't accept a 2.35" tire, so I was stuck riding narrow tires.
This was my first mountain bike and I wanted something I could grow into and not grow out of - boy was I in for a surprise!
I have been absolutely blown away by the bike's performance over the past year and she has helped me grow into a much more confident rider. The value is amazing. Highly Recommended!
Pros
Excellent bike for both hardcore technical single track and wide open fast and flowy XC. This is a Gary Fisher 29er. Need I say more?
Cons
| ThankTires and brakes needed to be upgraded. The Bontrager Jones tires just couldn't handle hard climbs up the singletrack. The brakes were also surprisingly short-lived and needed replacement three times this season (although it has been brought to my attention that I tend to ride the brakes too often!)
It took me a year to dial this bike in because its my first full suspension bike. The travel is perfect for XC and now that its tuned proper I love the riding experience. It makes me more confident in the saddle. I like this level of bike because its ripe for upgrade and that allows me to persoanlize the ride. If you're not into that the Pro version comes well equiped.
Pros
I like the geometry of this bike. It is very comfortable on epic rides. The balance of the bike allows for good handling. not front heavy at all and the Fox fork and shock compliment the set up. The Duster is a great wheel. Nice wide rims and tubeless ready.
Cons
| ThankI replaced the derailleurs and the brakes within the first year. Juicy 3's are not good brakes for intense off road use. The Sram X.7 rear derailleur was fine but I prefer low normal shifting so I replaced both with XT. Carbon seat stays are fine if you never crash. I taped them up with bash guard to protect them.
Mine is the 2008 model with Fox RL 120 Fork instead of the Manitou. The Fox suspension is very plus, performs and holds up well.
This bike will out handle most others. The G2 Geometry lives up to the promises of low speed handling improvement without hindering hi-speed handling and ability to descend. This is one of the best trail bikes for the $$.
Wheels come tubeless ready and the tubeess conversion is well worth it.
The Flat Black paint seems to scratch easily but its not hard to protect it, plus I like the stealth look.
Its easy to discover a smile on your face when you ride this bike.
I replaced the 90mm stem with an 80mm stem, this complimentsmy riding style better. I also replaced the stock grips with Lizard skin lock ons. I plan on putting a Thomson seatpost on it also and possibly floating brake discs.
This bike totally rocks even stock!
Pros
Ride quality, handling climbing, componentry
Cons
| ThankPaint scratches easily
Don't buy this if you are planning on doing much more than straight XC riding.
Pros
Climbs like crazy, and the build i rode was crazy light at only 24 pounds! This is a fast XC bike!
Cons
| Thankreally squirrelly on the downhills. not made for descending.
I always recommend having a couple of riding years under your belt before investing in carbon.
Pros
Climbs like a goat. Very light and responsive. Handles switchbacks with ease. Love the lockout option for the rear shock. Got a screaming deal from George's Cycle on the 2008. model.
Cons
| ThankHmmm! Absolutely nothing.
I got this bike at the end of the '08 season for @ $1200 and it has served me well since then. Great stump/root climber (pedal clearance a little low) and a nimble turner in tight singletrack (esp. @ higher speeds). Have not done a flush on the brakes yet, but they still work well enough after 300+ miles of trail riding.
Pros
Light, sturdy, plush ride.
Cons
| ThankNone, so far.
Any experienced xc racer.
Pros
Everything, the bike is lighter than most other brands out there. It is equiped with a fox rlc for and shock, which works like a dream.
Cons
| ThankIt is a lot of trouble to make the tubless wheels tubeless. Buy some Mavics
The first thing I did was order a better crank for this thing, the Shimano LX is crap. The rest of the components are pretty good for the price point. You can't really expect much more. How does it ride? Like a wet dream. This bike was only two pounds heavier than the Carbon Fisher, so I went with this instead, to save that $1600. The Fox ProPedal tech works pretty well, although it's not perfect, but the bike is so like that it climbs anything regardless. The downhill is insane on this thing... super tight through the single track, the shocks hold up well, feel solid, and again, it's so like you can jump it at will. Highly recommended. Fisher rocks.
Pros
The lightness of the thing... good god. The frame is solid, and the componentry is pretty good for the money.
Cons
| ThankShimano parts.
This is my first "real" mountain bike and i totally love it. I ride a lot of east coast singletrack (rocks, roots, mud) and it eats it up. It seems to be very fast on the downhills and handles very well. I got a phenomenal deal on an end of season 2007 (paid an amazing $1400), and i can't rave enough about it.
Pros
Frame/Geometry, weight, Componentry except brakes
Cons
| ThankThe brakes do require some maintenance it seems, and despite that, don't seem to stop as well as they did when i got the bike.
BUY THIS BIKE!!! it is awesome. I have a 26" fisher tass custom and this bike is better at climbing, descending, handling and it floats of bumps like they are nothing.
Pros
I have the 29er version and the frame and suspension are the bomb diggity.
Cons
| ThankThe tires are not tubeless ready.
Can't wait to upgrade to tubeless. A Can't miss. The most value for your $$. But then I'm partial to this bike because I own it!!
Pros
Variable suspension is the shiznit! flip of switch and it climbs like a billy goat. but then it climbs well anyway! Very agile and responsive. The bike is the same frame as the $5,000 pro.
Cons
| ThankHand grips (swapped), Tires (swapped)
A fantastic allrounder. Great value and components, a must buy for '08.
Pros
Sweet suspension, sweet frame, sweet drivetrain, Sweet G2 handling, light for a 29" dually in it's price range.
Cons
| Thankmediocre brakes
i've only been riding this bike for a few weeks (mine is the 2008 model GF HiFi Dlx). after spending the last 9 years on a hardtail with rim brakes the most noticeable difference is the ability to stop on a dime. i'm a big guy (6'2" 250 lbs.) so stopping is an issue. next up is the suspension, this bike gives me the confidence to do anything i want to and it climbs like a goat. my only grip about the stock set up is the tires, the Bontrager Jones that came on it are junk for my home area. other than that the only problem is the front end is light, i keep pulling it up on steep climbs, but i've mostly stopped that from just a small change in riding style. it's an all around great bike for the money.
Pros
brakes, shocks (front and rear). love the shifting.
Cons
| Thankheavy rear. stock tires have no traction. grips
I recently upgraded to the HiFi Plus from a CDale Super-V 700. This is my first Fisher bike, and I love it.
Pros
Great geometry. Quality components. Easy handling. Awesom front and rear suspension.
Cons
| ThankI'm not crazy about the Bontrager saddle that came with it, but that's easy to swap out. The Avid Juicy 3 Hydrolic brakes are difficult to maintain yourself, so if you have a problem, it's off the the bike shop you go (and bring money.)
I have been out of real cycling for YEARS and been contemplating buying a bike for recreational use. So I searched used sites, retail stores, and internet stores. Everything I saw were cheap well dressed imitations of this thing. I went to my local shop and was only going to spend a few hundred to buy a hardtail but after I test rode this thing I made the sacrifice and bought it Sat night. Sunday Morning I hit the most challenging trails and I do not regret my purchase at all. I used to ride a rigid Hoo Koo E Koo with an elevated chain stay. That thing could climb but would throw me around like a rag doll, I wont even talk about how much it weighed I will just say STEEL. It now feels like I am floating on air and when I lock up the rear I am climbing hills like the old days. Ok I will stop raving about this bike after only short of 24 hours of ownership.
Cons
| ThankJust bought this, but cannot find anything yet.