Submitted by
fire_chicken70
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2012
Strengths: Lightweight. Efficient climber. Great handling.
Weaknesses: The swing arm breaks. The 28 spoke wheels flex. Frame has lateral flex.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an efficient climber that handles very well. The G2 geometry makes this bike feel like a 26er. The swingarm on my bike broke and since it was over 2 years old, Gary Fisher would not warranty it. They did not have swingarms available so I had to buy a new frame, which ended up being an aluminum superfly hardtail. I have seen a few other reviews about the swingarm breaking. I was told they changed the design on the newer models. The 28 spoke bontrager wheels flex a lot. I upgraded these to 32 spoke stans arches which helped a lot. The rear linkage flexes laterally and makes the bike wallow thru turns. I enjoyed the bike before it broke. I now have a Giant Anthem 29er which addresses all the issues I had with the HiFi. Much stiffer laterally and gives a lot more feedback.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Blur. Giant Anthem 29er. Trek Aluminum superfly 29er
Bike Setup: Sram x9. Bontrager rhythm wheels.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JEMZIMBO
a Cross Country Rider
from Zimbabwe
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2011
Strengths: Gary Fisher name
Weaknesses: Bontrager wheelset
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike exactly a year ago. I have covered approximately 6000kms and ridden in three 3 day events, fun rides and training. First to go was the bb bearings, followed by the bontrager rear hub. I changed to mavic crossmax wheel set which made a major difference.
The latest issues have been the coating in the forks stanchion tubes has worn away, & the rear triangle cracked, aluminum, which was covered by warranty.
I believe the 2012 model is vastly improved but I think these bikes are for recreational use rather than hard riding by big guys, I am 112 kg.
Submitted by
LeftyG
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2010
Strengths: G2 geometry - makes steering much better in tight stuff. Nothing rolls like 29-inch wheels! Great looking bike.
Weaknesses: Low BB, thus you'll hit your pedal at the 6 o'clock position. Stock Bont. tire has no bite for cornering. Changed it to Maxxix Ardent - Yeah! Handlebar too wide. I cut it down.
Bottom Line:
Steep climbs would make my rear tire break loose when standing. I was "dancing" too much trying to make it stick. Added bar-ends (remember those). What a difference! Climbing is a breeze now - standing or seated.
Similar Products Used: Demo'ed some 29er hard tails. I like the "couch".
Bike Setup: Stock. New front tire. Added bar-ends for climbing. Swept handle bar for proper fit while seated.
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Submitted by
supercal20077
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester Hills, Mi
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2010
Strengths: G2, weight after upgrades, climbing, cornering and downhill handling.
Weaknesses: Rear brake, stock componets and little heavy (beach crusier feel)
Bottom Line:
I purchased this bike early May of 2010 and have put about 1100 miles on it. I am 100% satisfied with this bike after the upgrades as the stock bike was a little heavy. I am amazed every time I ride this bike, the handling of this rig, total confidence in cornering, downhill, and it climbs like a rocket! I find myself having to slow down in singletrack as it rolls a litle quicker than I can handle. I will never go back to a 26 in bike! test ride one and you will be hooked!
Bike Setup: 2009 Hi-fi-pro 29'er:truvativ carbon world cup flat bar, bontager true carbon seat post, WTB pure V race saddle, XT pedals, Sram 990 cassette, ergon gx1 grips, Bontrager RXL cage, tubeless.
Strengths: Rolls over and up everything, maintains speed on rough terrain allowing me to clean more sections than my skills deserve. Coasting through rough sections, it maintains speed that slows others. Solid handling builds confidence.
Weaknesses: Brake vibration and noise that dealer cannot solve. Brake jack, rear suspension stiffens under braking. I find myself letting go of the brakes to get through rough sections.
Bottom Line:
Love everything about it but the rear brake makes horrible noises and sends evil vibrations through the saddle spoiling the ride. Dealer has tried everything, finally replacing the brake set, frame, improved, but still not nice.
Submitted by
Jeepruby
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, nc
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2010
Strengths: Stiff frame, comfortable ride
Bottom Line:
Finally got my 10 hifi pro after an insane wait. Bike is advertised by fisher as an aluminum superfly 100. The bike is definitely not setup as a race bike. Giant bars, big fat tires, and low end wheels. This is my first 29er. I am digging the comfort over my epic. But, no doubt my epic is ridiculously fast compared to this bike. I've trimmed the bars. Getting new tires and if I can dig up some cash I will get a more high end wheelset. Also plan to switch to 2x10 in 2011. The only problem that I have had is that the mounting hardware for the rear brake caliper was hitting the rear disc making a weird squealing noise. I had tobfile down the hardware to correct it. It could not be adjusted to not contact the disc. For me the jury is still out on this bike. In the meantime I will train on this bike and race the epic. Feel free to contact me with questions.
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2010
Strengths: Mostly sensible spec, handles well for a 29er
Weaknesses: Rear brake was a hassle to get fixed.
No compression damping adjustment on the fork
Goofy 3 foot wide handlebars (get out a hacksaw)
Bottom Line:
This is an update to a cranky post below. I've tamed the noisy, vibrating weak rear brake by decentering the caliper. Otherwise it's been great. I do miss compression damping on the front fork - not as plush as I'd like.
Low BB, often have pedal strikes.
Bike Setup: spec but with nicer wheels and narrower bars
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Submitted by
Ozone1
a Weekend Warrior
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2010
Strengths: High quality build and components, Fast and great to ride.
Weaknesses: None so far after 100miles of trails
Bottom Line:
This is my first GF and full suspension bike and decided to upgrade from my 6500. It did take a couple of rides to get a feel for the Bontrager XDX tires. They did not grip very well in soft desert washes but after lowering the tire pressure (~24lbs in front & 30lbs in rear), I am beginning to really like these tires.
The Fox suspension smoothes out the trails and makes for an awesome ride without impacting speed or performance.
The Avid Elixir R breaks work great and I have not had any noise issues with them thus far.
I am extremely happy with the bike and would recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality 29er.
Submitted by
Captain Cobb
a Cross Country Rider
from Norcal
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2010
Strengths: Fast!!! Smooth!! Handles extremely well, nice components, nice shocks, pro pedal works!! Good warentee
Weaknesses: I was not a fan of the stock handle bars, pedals are a little low but this is common with most 29ers!
Bottom Line:
2010 model this bike is fast!! I rode many others but always came back to this one, I came off a hardtail 26er as my main squeeze and the big change had me a little nervous, well that was short lived!! After one ride I felt so comfortable it was as I'd bean riding it for years! It actualy made me faster!! Good job GF.
Strengths: Plush, not much bob, wide tires fit, handles like a hardtail
Weaknesses: Cable routing
Bottom Line:
I was upgraded to a HiFi after 4 Fisher hartails, big props to the LBS and Fisher. Im 6'5 225, so the FS handles my weight great. I don't miss the hardtail at all. I don't have to pick lines, just point and shoot. Lock the shocks out on fire roads and hammer. My only issue is the cable routing around the BB. Too many bends cause any friction in the housing to cause poor shifting. After every muddy ride, it never fails, I have to replace the section of housing.
Bike Setup: XT drivetrain/BB7 brakes/Ignitor tires
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Submitted by
amrecrider
a Cross Country Rider
from central, VA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2010
Strengths: Nimble and light for a 29er. Mostly good spec.
Weaknesses: Elixir rear brake sucks. A lot. Chattery, poor modulation and power. See specific reviews of elixir and elixir CR on this forum - they've fallen off the charts. Hey Avid! fix the problem and give us new brakes!
Bottom Line:
The Avid brakes are a real problem. Avid evidently knows it but doesn't have a real solution. Otherwise, a fun 29er. More practical than the Superfly. 5 chilis if not for the pos rear brake.
Submitted by
hithech
a Cross Country Rider
from Thousand Oaks, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2009
Strengths: Low speed and high speed control
Handles tight switchbacks as good as my Cake 1 dlx
Smooths out the rough patches
Weaknesses: Avid Elixir rear brake is noisy- constant rub/squeal
Bottom Line:
Big change in riding position from my Cake 1 going from a road bike feel to a beach cruiser feel. After the first week just getting it adjusted to my preferences the biggest change was going from 25 inch to 28 inch bars and a mor upright position. After the first week I knew I absolutely made the right choice and I have about 90 miles on it now. My local single track is a combination of rock gardens and soft stuff with lots of tight corners, switchbacks, climbs and downhills and the 2010 Hifi Pro is an improvement over my Cake 1. This bike is just smoother, rolls the trails better, and climbs great when you stay in the saddle. SRAM X9 is smooth and the only bug is the noisy rear Avid Elixir brake. Get one if you can find one. I will probably switch my wife's bike to a new Hifi Pro to give her a better ride.
Similar Products Used: I've been on a 05/06 Gary Fisher Cake 1 dlx (26)for the past 4 years.
Bike Setup: Stock components w/ gravity drop seat, climbing bars and changed out the front tire to a Kenda Nevegal.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Merost
a Cross Country Rider
from Sierra Vista, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2009
Strengths: Climbs great and is very fast on flat singletrack. Does well descending too.
Weaknesses: As mentioned in previous reviews, the saddle and grips suck, but I never had any intention of using them anyway. I run Selle SMP and Ergon. BTW the Bontrager tires blow too.
Bottom Line:
I understand they redesigned the rear link for 2010 and added the ABP pivot, which probably makes it even better.
