None given the price bracket. Could be lighter with twinking.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Trailhead 2008, Haro Escape
Bike Setup:
Out of Box
Bottom Line:
Amazing amazing bike. I took it out yesterday on the Don River trail system, some tight wet single track with hidden steeps in thick foliage. Also some sand, and dry rutted single track.
This bike blew me away. First, the handling for tight blind corners with mixed gravel, mud and slick was nothing for this bike. Second, the downhill handling is stunning, it just goes where you point it. Third, the lockout on the front and rear works great for climbing or street. Fourth, the brakes are dependable, no matter how steep the slope.
I opened it up on the fire road and hit some nasty 2 foot rutts, it danced through them like butter. Then i ascended some very tight wet mixed roots and rock and it climbed effortlessly.
This is my first duel suspension bike. So I realize that my reactions are partly to the technology. But I test road alot of other duellies in this category and this one had the best fit, components and handling in the category. The G2 system rocks! I couldnt be happier. I am serious, I almost had a mystical experience on this bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eagleboy
a Weekend Warrior
from St-Antonin, Quebec Date Reviewed: May 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anything long and technical
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
purchased already us
Strengths:
Climbs great, descends great, looks great, pedals nicely. Seems tough enough although I've only been riding it for about a month.
Weaknesses:
It is somewhat heavy, but that is to be expected since it is the cheapest hifi model.
Similar Products Used:
this is my first full-suspension bike. I used to ride a specialized hardrock.
Bike Setup:
stock except for shimano clip-in pedals
Bottom Line:
I absolutely love this bike. The suspension lets you ride longer without breaking your back. My HiFi climbs better than my lighter hardtail bike because you can sit and lay the power down without taking a beating from every bump and rock in the trail. With the propedal on she accelerates like a hardtail and with the propedal off she gobbles up bumps with no pedal-bob. Descending is super fun because the smooth front and rear suspension doesn't buck you around and you can pick up speed really quickly.
Many people have ragged on the stock tires, but I personally have not had any trouble with them climbing or descending, even through water and mud.
My only qualm with this ride (and perhaps this is unavoidable) is that the chain skips when the cranks get wet or muddy. After a few rotations this problem goes away.
I am really happy with my Hifi. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't want to break the bank yet who expects a high quality, sweet riding machine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SMD
a Weekend Warrior
from gooding, id, usa Date Reviewed: February 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
fisher creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Sun Summit Ski and C
Strengths:
Handles amazing, Tracks great. Shocks work well when dialed in correctly. Great price for what you get. Decent components as well.
Weaknesses:
only problem I have had is the paint chipping easily.
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Was a year old demo when I bought it. Has been a great bike for me. Have put lots of miles on it and have not had any problems. Have been pleased with this bike so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lilkev
a Cross Country Rider
from Wyckoff, NJ USA Date Reviewed: December 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Too many to list
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Strengths:
I use to think it was a great bike. I like the ride, compnents were a good deal for the price...
My local bike shop is the only strength in this bike! The guys rock!
Weaknesses:
..... then I broke the rear drop out. He new one was redesigned. THe wheels are junk! I had a new set of wheels made and that's when my local shop found that I cracked the front triangle @ a weld and the rear triangle has a huge crack in right behind the right side crank.
Bike Setup:
XL frame
Bottom Line:
Don't buy this bike! It's way too soft.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
frankfitz
a Cross Country Rider
from Foxboro Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Borderland
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
warranty
Weaknesses:
'glass' frame
Bottom Line:
IT happened again (see July 5, 07)- the triangle (frame) cracked on my HiFi again. Twice in one year. Trek/Gary replaces it but I have to wait at least a month, sometimes 2. (And it's no fun walking out of the woods with a cracked frame) B4 the hifi, I had a Sugar and it cracked twice too- they replaced it the 2nd time with the hifi, otherwise, I would have switched to someone who makes a beefier frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russell Tanner
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: March 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Walnut Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1380.00
Purchased At:
Discovery Cycle
Strengths:
Fisher and their warranty. I cracked the frame and had a new one and bike rebuilt in less than two weeks. While my bike was out of commission I rented the new Trek Fuel ($3500) and as much as I enjoyed it I will keep my HIFI. I really love riding my bike. I feel like I can tackle anything with it.
Weaknesses:
I will probably upgrade the rear derail. Otherwise happy with components. Never gave the stock tires a chance. Had them swapped out for something more knobby.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel.
Bike Setup:
HIFI
Bottom Line:
Great bike. My buddy bought one a few weeks after me and he feels the same way. There are alot of other good, "cool" bikes out there that you could really decide over a coin flip but remember the Gary Fisher name.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Reynolds
a Weekend Warrior
from Oviedo, FL Date Reviewed: October 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Santos, Snowhill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1399.00
Purchased At:
David's World Cycle
Strengths:
This is my first "shop" bike. Strong frame and good suspension, Manitou in the fork and Fox in the rear (love the pro-pedal). Price!
Weaknesses:
Chain slaps the derailer, sounds like a freight train going down the trail. Added a chain stay pad and had a linked removed. Next move, replace derailer?
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Really enjoy the bike. Excellent cross country bike!!!
Didn't like the tires at first, but after adjusting pressure, really enjoyed the many trail differences (mud, sand, rock, limestone, gravel, even roots, etc), you name it and it grips it!
Would like to add pressure in the rear shock, I get a little sloppy at times landing large drops or jumps, causing the guide ring to slip off.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte Date Reviewed: October 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Sherman
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle South
Strengths:
Geometry, lightweight, climbing, smooth riding
Weaknesses:
Rear shock and frame design, paint chips easily
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Well, I promised an update to my original post. I was in love with this bike until a recent incident. The shock bottomed out and caused the frame fold in bringing the rear tire into the seat post. I was not taxing the shock at all either (scary). Check out the forum in regard to this issue. Trek knows this is a problem for XL frames, but has yet to recall the bikes. If you have an XL frame, take the bike in and get the shock linkage replaced immediately. Otherwise you re an accident waiting to happen. This seems to only be a problem with the XL 2007 models. Trek fixed the issue on the 2008 models. Trek is standing by their product too. They are sending me an 2008 frame with an upgraded shock and the bike shop is replacing all the other damaged components. In a few weeks, I should be on a new bike. Value is still there and if you proactively have the linkage fixed, you will have a memorable experience with this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gautam Bose
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: October 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Ann Springs
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Ulitmate Bicycle
Strengths:
1) Incredible handling. I can now ride through most corners without touching my brakes. This makes a huge difference to my ride. 2) Very comfortable -- feels like it was made for me. Can't beleive the improvement over my hardtail (trek 6500), though that was a great bike, too. I can run fast over all kinds of terrain without feeling the bumps hitting my spine. 3) Love the disk brakes (Avid), I feel much more confident, knowing I can stop when I want to. 4) Love the color -- matte red. Much better than the ususal shiny finish.
Weaknesses:
a) Took a while to get it all dialed in. My first 2-3 rides were terrible, as I didn't have it adjusted right. But my LBS (Ultimate Bicycle) was great, and got it all sorted out. I've been flting since then.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Prophet, which belongs to a friend. Test-rode a few others, including GT I-Drive 4.0, etc/
Bike Setup:
Upgraded derailleurs to XT/XTR, shifters to XT. Tires to Bontrager AC - X. Otherwise all stock.
Bottom Line:
A great value -- buy one! Good for All-mountain/trail riders. Not sure if it's right for downhill/free-ride (though there's a fair amount of travel in the shocks/fork)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston, Ont Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
J&J Cycle
Strengths:
Light, nimble, climbs without any bobbing, very stable at high speed and just as good in the slow stuff. High quality frame and for the price it comes with a pretty good spec. Nice quality frame
Weaknesses:
Avid mechanicals, I can get them adjusted perfect then give them a nasty look and they just go to crap. Flexy rear end, lateral flex that is. Low BB means pedals hitting rocks.
Similar Products Used:
nothing recently
Bike Setup:
Stock HiFi
Bottom Line:
This bike is a pleasure to ride, the response of this bike is more than I would have ever expected, high speed, low speed it just turns on a dime, well not literally but you know what I mean. Balance is just really good. The rather simple linkage actuated single pivot surprisingly offers no bob on the climbs, even out of the saddle cranking hard I notice no bob. The parts spec for a bike in this price range is impressive, I looked at all kinds of bikes in this range and the HiFi was better than the rest, except for the Avid mechs. The brakes suck, plain and simple, although they do the job upgrading to some Juicy's next year is on the list. The flexy rear end was a unpleasant surprise I discovered the other day, I had been noticing what felt like a rear tire going down, you know that sliding feeling, well the tire was fine. I got home, removed the rear wheel and was able to easily bend the chainstays in and out with little effort. Being a very lightweight bike for what it is I figure this is something I have to expect. My old SC Bullit was never like that,but it was also 40lbs of beef. Another small negative feature is the low BB, it means hitting your pedals on rocks, but you get used to it quickly. Overall a great buy for someone into XC to agressive trail riding/AM riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Stephens
a
from Byron, Ga. 31008 Date Reviewed: August 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Arrowhead
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Store, Warner Robins, Ga.
Strengths:
Strong enough bike to race single track. Nimble in the corners. Fun to ride in any condition. Great bike for beginers and experinced riders looking for a value.
Weaknesses:
The avid cable disk brakes gave me trouble several times. cables inadvertly unhooked and tightened causing problems during race.
Similar Products Used:
trek fuel 9
Bike Setup:
Stock Frame seat seat post, Cris King headset, Juicy 7 brakes, 07 XTR Derailers, 08 XT Crank and Shifters, Maxxis detonator tires.
Bottom Line:
Great Trail bike for the price and with each bike in the hi fi series sporting the same light frame you came up grade the bike with out overdoing the frame. this bike is fun to ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Harris
a Weekend Warrior
from Leicester, MA USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Greenbriar
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Alley
Strengths:
GREAT Framework...Genesis 2.0 (Or G2) Is Like No Other...Suspension Is Awesome For Any Terrain. The Stock Disc Brakes Are Ok And The Rear Fox RP3 FLoat Suspension Is A Must Have. Wheelies Like A Dream And Can Handle Just About Any Trail That You Throw @ It.
Weaknesses:
I Heard The Frame Cracks After A While?!?! Not Too Sure About That But Also I Would Recommend Changing Out The Mechanical Discs To Something Of The Juicy Series. Other Than That Terrific Bike
All Stock For Right Now...Changing The Tires To Michelin XC's And Discs To Juicy Fives Soon.
Bottom Line:
Great Bike For The Price, Can Handle Any Trail You Throw At It And Is A Comfortable Bike For ANd Conditions With The Lockout Suspension. Really Now Way Of Beating A Gary Fisher Or A Specialized...Can't Go Wrong!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marshall
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond Date Reviewed: July 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Agee's
Strengths:
Climbing, Ability to flow, SPEED. Handles tight high speed turns and slow, technical maneuvers alike. Light. All weaknesses [except paint] are fixable.
Weaknesses:
Paint chips fairly easily.Seat's hard as hell. Also, the tires were kinda crap. Aside from that, the cheaper components are a given considering the price, will replace as needed.
Similar Products Used:
Tested a rocky mountain slayer [too bulky and did not feel like a good climber] and trek fuel series, I think it was an ex 6, not sure though. Just didn't feel right.
Bike Setup:
All stock except tires. Currently running maxxis ignitors 26x2.1.
Bottom Line:
She's light on her feet; great response, balance, handling at any speed and climbing ability. I went from riding a fuul susp mongoose I picked up out of the classifieds (that actually held up really well considering what I put it through...respect) to this amazing bike. So, needless to say, I wasn't that hard to please, however, I did a lot of critical research before purchasing it (about 2 months ago) and it seemed like a great choice. I test drove a few other bikes of similar price range and category, "all mountain," and fell in love with it immediately. It's really easy on the eyes as well...bonus. It is also confident in hitting any jumps I've taken thus far, no more than 4 feet. All in all, I am not regretting my little splurge (considering how much I owe on school loans), and I am looking forward to racking up the miles on her. Anyone seeking versatility in a bike, BUY IT. If your more of a 4 inch travel or lower kinda person, keep looking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a
from Foxboro Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Borderland
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
maneuverability at slow speeds climbing
Weaknesses:
when will Gary make a frame that won't crack from use on New England trails? this is the third frame I've cracked in the last 2 yrs (the 1st 2 were Sugars) from regular trail-riding. I don't do jumps- I'm almost 50- and I try to take care of my bike. Yes, GF replaces them but this is getting old. I talked to someone else recently who's cracked half a dozen frames.
Bottom Line:
Gary: start making New England-worthy bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007
weaker end components - but at this price point who cares, I will upgrade as needed.
Similar Products Used:
Tested: Giant Trance 2, Kona Dawg, several GTs and Iron Horses
Bike Setup:
so far stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. If you are considering an all mountian in this class, test ride this bike. Can't beat getting a Gary Fisher! I tested over 20 bikes and the HiFi smoked em all. The steering on this bike speaks to the excelent frame design. The ride is smooth and stable for a majority of intermediate trails. I have taken this bike on a XC as well and while it is not really built for it, I was pleased with the speed and performance. I am a big guy 6'2" 240lbs and this bike is handling everything I throw at it so far. I will post an update in 6 months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Chambersburg, PA, USA Date Reviewed: June 4, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Michueax xc race courses
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
light and nimble feel. sharp precise handleing. cheap price for such a trail worthy rig.
Weaknesses:
slightly heaver compared to higher level hifi's
Similar Products Used:
hifi pro, trek fuel ex9
Bike Setup:
all stock (demo at shop)
Bottom Line:
very nice allmountain bike. not very raceable until a suficiant amount of uprgades are done thought. with a little extra money you get an all purpose bike. (excluding down hill and free riding)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
grady
a Downhiller
from phoenix, az, usa Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
100
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
slippery pig
Strengths:
This baby really has awesome slow speed maneuverability without compromising downhill speed and and maneuverability! Full suspension is a nice smooth ride.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price! Line of sight is where this bike goes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Isaac
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryville,TN,US Date Reviewed: January 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At:
Cycology Bicycles
Strengths:
GREAT frame design. Corrects all of the slow-steering problems of the Sugar series. Fox RP3 with propedal helps a lot, too. Very light (~26lbs).
Weaknesses:
Uncomfortable seat, but better than some. Grips take a little bit of warmth to soften up a little.
Similar Products Used:
(Tested) GT I-Drive 5 4.0, GT I-Drive 4 3.0
Bike Setup:
Description is a little off... Avid BB5's Deore shifters,F and R derailleur Shimano M505 pedals Bontrager Jones XR tires (2.25 F, 2.2 R) Manitou Relic Comp w/ preload, lockout, compression adj.
Full Specs At http://fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=hifi&bike=Hi_Fi
Bottom Line:
Great bike for anyone looking for a good time. Light enough to go fast in twisty singletrack (corrected slow-steering with G2 is actually noticeable when tested side-by-side), but long enough travel (4.7") to tackle medium height drops and jumps. Not really much more I can say about this bike except that it's great!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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