Submitted by
Nighthawkdc5
a Weekend Warrior
from Irvine CA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2012
Strengths: I love this bike it is very well built and speced with some nice high end components. The last dude who posted here had issues with his frame cracking.... I own (2) Gary Fisher HiFi Carbons and they have yet to see any issues with the frame it's rock solid. The frame is made from OCLV carbon which adds to the strength and durability of the frame it doesn't scratch like other carbon brands. I've been on every single type of trail on this rig and it's taken me places I never thought I could have explored with any another ride. From the very first ride on this Fisher I fell in love with it. It's truly a dream bike I've owned more mountan bikes then people have in a lifetime and the Gary Fisher HiFi Carbon is my all time favorite. It's a very agile bike that can handle all day cross country rides and technical downhill descents with confidence . The 5" of travel is all you really need for a mountain bike and the full fox shocks consistently perform day in and day out the XT drivetrain makes the rig go and Avid Elixir R brakes make it stop. If you ever get the chance to own one of these babies don't pass it up it's one badass rig my all time favorite ride.
Weaknesses: Nothing whatsoever it's an exceptionally well built rig with nice components worth every penny.
Bottom Line:
One of the last real Gary Fisher bikes out there worth every penny. It's my all-time favorite mountain bike.
Bike Setup: Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Brakes: Avid Elixir R
Wheelset: Mavic Crosstrails Tubeless
Fr Shock: Fox F-Series 32 120mm RL
Rear Shock: Fox R23 Extra Valve
Handlebars: Bontrager Carbon
Seatpost: KSi9000
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Young
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis MN
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2010
Strengths: I loved this bike before the frame broke in less than a month and agree with many of the positives previously mentioned, However you need to seriously consider the following before you buy....If you can afford to replace the $2000 frame yourself and have Gary Fisher/Trek and Penn Cycle in Minneapolis basically stiff you on the warranty after riding it 5 times at a slow pace and on intermediate trail then the bike itself as alot of Strengths. Otherwise this is a terrible bike. I'm a 50 year old guy that in no way could abuse the bike. Yet when the frame broke in less then a month Gary Fisher will not cover under the warranty. No one should pay this much for a bike and take this risk on with a company that doesn't stand by its product.
Weaknesses: Gary Fisher/Trek and Penn Cycle does not stand by their warranty.
Submitted by
lukejav
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2009
Strengths: I have the 2008 model 19 inch frame. This is an amazing bike. It climbs and descends extremely well, it is super light, and it is a real bargain for the price. Looking at other bikes in the same price range, this bike is loaded with high quality components and weighs in around 25lbs. Gary Fisher's G2 geometry really does work - it is always one of the first comments I get about the bike when I let my friends ride it. I have definitively noticed an improvement in cornering around tight switch backs as well as slow riding. I was initially concerned about carbon, but it has held up in some horrendous crashes - plus original purchasers get the 5 year warranty.
Weaknesses: I wouldn't consider these real weaknesses. It is true what others say - the bike's front lifts up on really steep climbs. But this is easily compensated with leaning slightly forward during really steep climbs. Second, the trade off for the G2's added stability is a less angled rake for the front fork. What this means is that while you gain a lot of stability, the front fork doesn't always plow through large rocks. It isn't that noticeable, but it has sent me over my handle bars once. By just being aware of this, it is corrected in your riding style and aggression and I can fly through technical areas without a problem now that I am aware.
Bottom Line:
It is one of those bikes that will change your opinion about mountain biking from loving it to your new obsession.
Bargain - I don't think you can get a better bike for the price.
Similar Products Used: I have owned an 05 Rocky Mountain Slayer 50 and have tested Trek EX's and an 08 Yeti 575.
Bike Setup: Stock with Time Atac pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mogligirl
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2008
Strengths: Wow--this thing is it!! It climbs like an XC racer, but descends like an all-mountain machine. 25 lbs--fisher spent the $$ in the right places--excellent rear shock, fork, and wheels. Good 7" rotor up front on the Juicy 7s.
Weaknesses: What others say is true about the front end being light. Its a positive thing for bunny hopping but it is a bit light on the climbs. What others aren't saying is that the G2 low-speed steering really compensates and keeps you in the saddle and on whatever line you want on those climbs. Also, an experienced rider will simply dominate those sections on the hifi by scooting up to the nose of the saddle.
Bottom Line:
So, I'm a guy who loves the climb but loves the downhill, too; every ride is a race w/ my competitive friends on the ups and downs; I race a couple of times a year but don't want to be stuck on an XC racer all year round. THIS BIKE IS AWESOME!!! Bang for your buck, you can't beat it. Check ou the bikes I've owned. The only one I like better for what I do--ride fast both ways--is the BMC Fourstroke after I added the five-inch travel links. This is a great no-compromise bike. For the price--new or used--you just can't beat it!!
Similar Products Used: I've owned: BMC Fourstroke, Santa Cruz Blur, Stumpjumper, Scott Spark, Scott Genius, Ellsworth Truth, Jamis Dakar XC Pro, Salsa Caballero, Salsa El Santo, Epic, Litespeed Niota, Trek Fuel Carbon, Giant Trance, Titus Racer-X, Brodie Sauce, Rocky Mountain Element and Instinct, KHS 904 XCR, Norco EXC 1.0
Bike Setup: Stock--Juicy 7s w/ full XT. Bontrager Race Lite tubeless wheels, RP23
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2008
Strengths: Light weight, quite responsive, easy to dial in the suspension, fast in single track and accelerates quickly
Weaknesses: The light front end feels like it wants to come up on the extremely steep grades.
Bottom Line:
It is quick, nimble, rides straight and quite responsive. It is a stiffer ride than my aluminum bikes in the past; although, I am still fine tuning the suspension.I took this bike out to Moab for 7 days and it climbed better than any full-suspension and hardtail bike I've owned.
Bike Setup: stock with the exception of Specialized saddle
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2008
Strengths: Good combination of light weight, long travel and handling. Very fun on fast singletrack.
Weaknesses: Hard to keep front wheel on the ground on short, steep technical climbs.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike to replace my 1999 Racer-X, which I loved but was out-of-date and not as plush as I want now (I don't race anymore and my back complains if abused). I wanted a 5-inch travel XC/trail bike that weighed no more than my aluminum Racer-X. And I wanted to buy from my LBS, where I get fantastic after-sale service and support. This eliminated several options I would have liked to check out such as the new Pivot Mach 5. So far, I am happy with the bike. It is light and fast and plush. The handling is fun on tight singletrack. My only concern after three rides is steep technical climbs--short stretches where you have to go to the small chainring but the surface is big roots or loose rock. I can't seem to keep my weight balance right to maintain traction and control my line and keep up momentum. I am hoping this is just part of the Genesis 2 geometry that I need to learn. I will report back when I have figured this out and have more of a long-term perspective.
Strengths: Light weight Responsive handling Solid component set Looks good
Weaknesses: stock seat uncomfortable platform lever on shock awkward to reach Bontrager tires have mediocre traction
Bottom Line:
This bike is just plain fun to ride. It's low speed handling on tight single-track is al that it's purported to be - noticeably better than my former bike (GF Cake 2 DLX). I played with suspension settings, but ended up very close to the settings recommended on the GF website. It feels a little more balanced than my Cake did while climbing, and feels more stable on fast, bumpy descents. I really have no complaints at all , other than the stock seat being harsh (I'm 46 years old and feel the pounding) and the stock tires not having very good grip. Both were easily replaced, leaving the bike about perfect for what I like to ride - moderately technical trails with a good mix of climbing and descents.
Strengths: Light weight, around 24-25 lbs. Handling, climbing.
Weaknesses: Pricey, rear end does move around a tiny bit, but not that bad.
Bottom Line:
Light and responsive. I bought it because the medium size fit perfectly. All in all it rides very similar to my Blur LT, except my large size blur was too large for me... the medium HiFi fits just right. Also, I can feel the difference in weight from 29lbs blur to the sub 25lbs HiFi.
Other notables...
The Blur flexes less in the rear, but only a tiny bit. The Hi Fi feels faster, and the Blur LT is more sluggish (due to weight and it's laid back geometry). Consequently, the blur is much more solid on a steep rock infested downhill run, but the front end of the blur will wash out on sharp turns more easily compared to the HiFi.
I have only been out for one ride so far, and will be updating this once I get more ride in.
When I rode the Trek, it felt nice, but the large was too big and the small to small. I am 5'10 and between sizes. I liked the way the HiFi felt when compared with the Fuel. The HiFi felt snappy, the Fuel felt more neutral.
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