Submitted by
chovey
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2011
Strengths: I rode the Joshua F-3 on every trail and condition possible, and it rode like a champ for its class. It had enough suspension to suck up all the roughness of a trail and took moderate drops cleanly (the highest I did was 5 feet, and it was plush). The bike was versatile enough for XC, but had enough in it to borderline all mountain.
The best part was the geometry - for a tall lanky guy who likes being a little stretched out, the 21" frame was great for pumping over rollers and maximizing pedal pushing. I loved this bike.
Weaknesses: A little heavy (average for its era) and the back suspension lockout was pointless (why get full suspension at that point?). The bottom bracket wore out after 5 seasons of hard riding and jumping around off obstacles (3 days a week on average).
Bottom Line:
As long as you dialed everything in right for your weight and riding style, this bike will last forever. Just watch out for bike thieves who like the bright red color and unique frame shape.
Similar Products Used: GT I-Drive 4.0, Specialized Stumpjumper, Scott Expert, Trek VRX, Klein Pinnacle, Specialized Rockhopper M5 (which I snagged when I went for a hardtail).
Bike Setup: XT crank and front derailleur, XTR rear derailleur, Mavic rims, Deore shifters and v-brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Duyzings
a Cross Country Rider
from Valkenburg, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006
Strengths: High quality welding. Frame has taken quite an abuse and is still going strong
Weaknesses: Heavy. Weak bearings on the pivot point of the rear linkage.
Solution: Press in industrial nail bearings!
Bottom Line:
Seems like an expensive set-up for such an old bike, but Gary Fisher Joshua F-series frames are simply unbeatable!!!!!
Similar Products Used: B1 Torix Giant Cadex1 Klein Pinnacle Klein Adroit Rocky Mountain Vertex Proflex Reptile Proflex Animal Gary Fisher level betty FH2 Gary Fisher Joshua F4 (still owner and user) Gary Fisher Joshua F3 (still owner and user) Gary Fisher Joshua F1 (still owner and user)
Bike Setup: Only frame is standard. Fork; Rock Shox Sid world cup Rear shock; Rock Shox Sid xc Cranks; RaceFace next Frontbrake; Hope mono6Ti, 205mm rotor Rearbrake; Hope mono4, 185mm rotor Headset; Chris King Stem, handlebar and seatpost; Ritchey WCS Wheels; Mavic XM821 Hubs; Chris King iso disc Tyres; Tioga Psycho-K Wires; Nokon Gears; Shimano XT
great for free riding if you change the fork. Rear shock sucks because of the travel and seals. hopefully getting a stratos helix expert. Upgrade and it is a great bike. lock out is awesome. bottoms out in the rear fairly easy.
Bike Setup: psylos xc xt components tioga factory Dh tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jay Peterson
a Downhiller
from Nashua, New Hamshire, USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2001
Strengths: Strong frame
Weaknesses: Not made for DH
Bottom Line:
I love this frame!! I snaped my Level Betty about a month ago, and i got this frame for free due to insurance, which is pretty cool. Iv only goten to put on Jr. T's so far, but they rock too. I have a free ride set up on him: XC drive terrain and other free ride/dh because I ride everything (but Id rather be riding down). If i could have one bike for free riding, I think id keep my Josh.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Level Betty FH2
Bike Setup: F3 frame, 2002 Jr. T Pro fork, xtr set up, Bontrager riser bars, fisher stem, all which im hoping to upgrade this winter for next season.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JMF
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern NJ
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Strengths: Frame, Light for a FS (31Lbs)stock you can easily get it to sub 30lbs, Jett Race solid all-around shock (3.5lbs, good solid feel and control
Weaknesses: Brakes & Levers, Rear Shock, Front derailleur
Bottom Line:
After riding the Joshua F3 a little over a year now over different types of terrain. This is a solid bike. Yes components could be better...But regardless how much a bike costs (highend or lowend) your truly never satified with your components. Every bike needs upgrading depending on your riding style. The F3 doesn't need many upgrades a rear shock, better brakes,front derailleur and perhaps a lighter wheelset (sun Rynolite. All in all this bike handles it all, I even think it climbs well, holds a solid line and descends like any $3K FS bike. I have no regrets purchasing this bike and see myself riding it for quite sometime.
Similar Products Used: Litespeed Ochoa and Marin Bike
Bike Setup: Currently Stock, upgrading brakes and front derailleur
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nolin Easton
a
from Prince George British Columbia Canada
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001
Strengths: light good rear shock strong frame and wheels
Weaknesses: weak rails on the saddle lockout dosn't work very good
Bottom Line:
great all around bike has taken everything I have thrown at it pretty well priced If you buy this bike I advise you to buy clipless pedals and a stronger seat the rails on mine bent and it handles great
Weaknesses: A little heavy but not as bad as I would think from reading other reviews... and I'm a woman in very average shape
Bottom Line:
Great all around bike, great price... and if you get it now it should be an even better price. I was scared of steep, technical downhills before I started riding the Joshua F3 and after feeling how well it holds in corners and on loose trail, I can barrel downhill with the best of 'em.
Strengths: Forks,rear shock,lockout,rear tire(what a grabber!),genesis geometry.
Weaknesses: Front tire,brake levers,saddle.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this bike is an absolute steal!!!It is very flickable in fast corners,not so heavy that you can't climb,hop or step your way over obstacles.Like another review i've read about this bike,nevermind the HEAVY naysayers!I ride with two friends that have a Fuel 98 and 100 and I regularly smoke 'em!!!!!!!!! Anyone wanting an entry level bike that will hold up,look no further,this is your bike!!!!!!!!
Bike Setup: I added a Specialized Gel Comp saddle,Shimano 858 Clipless peddles.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jorge javelosa
a Weekend Warrior
from guam, usa
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Strengths: STRONG FRAME AND GEOMETRY THAT WORKS FOR ME.
Weaknesses: NONE SO FAR
Bottom Line:
THE BIKE HANDLES PRETTY GOOD WHEN DESCENDING, CLIMBING UP IS NO PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE A LOCK-OUT INSTALLED, OR EVEN JUST A DAMPENER. THE BOTTOM LINE IS GO OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHILE YOU CAN. I AND MY OTHER FRIENDS ARE STARTING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF JUMPING AND SO FAR THE BIKE IS HOLDING PRETTY GOOD.
Bike Setup: XTR, RACEFACE, EASTON, MAVIC WHEELS,FOX FLOAR RC
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Higbee
a Cross Country Rider
from S.L.C. Utah
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001
Strengths: frame strength, good geometry, god componants
Weaknesses: bobs a little bit, saddle
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, I ride about 4 times a week and have yet to find anything big to complain about. I spent a couple of days in Moab and loved it on this bike. Before I bought this bike I was away from the sport for 2 years, and this bike makes me almost feel like a pro.
The first thing I have to change is the seat, which is as hard as a rock, and is taking time to get used to.
HANDLES GREAT AND PLENTY LEG ROOM. FAIRLY LIGHT AND A PRETTY SOLID FRAME. OVERALL IT'S A PRETTY GOOD ALL AROUND BIKE. RIDE IT AND YOU'LL SEE. I HAVE NO REGRETS ON PURCHASING THIS BIKE. "GO OUT THERE AND BUY ONE" ONLY 5 JOSHUA'S ON ISLAND
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2000
Bottom Line:
Ok, 6 month update. The excitement of full suspension is long gone now and my opinion of the Joshua has changed a little. First and foremost the brakes stink. Absolute misery in a wet climate. I have to adjust them before every ride and sometimes during. They don't ever stay adjusted and always rub. I've changed cables, new housings, cleaned, lubed, greased ... they blow. Another letdown is the shock lockout. It's a cool feature but as soon as you get it muddy it doesn't like to work. It will lock but won't unlock. You have to tug on the cable or use pliers. I had the cable switched twice and now I just don't even bother with it anymore. The back shock is pretty difficult to get adjusted as well. It just about bucks me out of the seat on jumps and bumps. If you loosen the spring and try to make it more forgiving you start to bounce on the climbs so you can't really win. As for quality I'm starting to have my doubts. I cracked one of the rear drop tubes last week during a normal trail ride. That was the first major failure (and what prompted me to update this review). Another complaint is that the "genesis geometry" is a pain to climb with. Yes, downhill is easier but uphill for the first few months consisted of wheelies and falling. I've gotten used to it, but compared to other bikes it can be frustrating.
On the positive side, I'll admit that when everything is working and relatively dialed in the bike rides really well. So well in fact you'll forget you paid under a grand. I've been on full day cross country rides and also ski lift accessed downhills with relative ease. The ride is usually seems pretty consistent and it tracks well around corners. The bike also feels really stable at speed. In fact I think it rides better when you are going fast. Despite what I've read about the Jett shock, it's still holding in there ok.
For a potential buyer, remember you do get what you pay for! When it's working it's a great bike, but getting it to work consistenly is damn near impossible. I think the best thing I've gotten from this bike is that now after 6 months of trial and error I know exactly what I'm looking for in my next bike. Don't buy this bike assuming it's going to last forever! If you are going to buy a FS bike and need it to last for a few years you should really spend more money. The Joshua is a good entry level FS bike and if you accept that up front it might be worth your while.
Weaknesses: Sub-standard components, cables rub on your right inner calf, super mushy, entirely too heavy
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike if you just have to own a Fisher. The components are lousy, and it's almost impossible to adjust the suspension to lose the mush when you pedal. If you look at the other reviews on this bike, you'll notice that most of those that rated it highest have ridden this junk for 3 months or less- many for one month or less. Keep that in mind. IMO the 'on the fly lockout' does almost nothing- those people that are so pumped on it are just quoting from the advertisements and probably not from personal experience. I paid $750 for this and would sell it today.
Bike Setup: Stock (won't waste any more money on this chump upgrading it to what it should have been in the first place)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000
Strengths: Great price considering this bike out-performs almost any bike in its class and above - I know because I've ridden 'em all. Good components and the genesis geometry will save you some grief on the trails.
Weaknesses: Fairly heavy bike, but what do you want in this price range, a Heckler?
Bottom Line:
Great bike - don't mind the naysayers, the rider makes half the bike! This bike is a great all around bike and will take almost anything you can give it without having to take it into the shop every week. Buy it as an "entry level" bike or as a second bike when you realize that its pretty hard to beat a Fisher for price, performance, looks and quality.
awesome bike. I think everybody should at least try to ride the bike. Good in cornering,and i have better control going down. awesome technical bike. I beat a lot of hardtails on the road with this dualies. bottom line is go out there and purchase one. you won't regret it trust me.
Bike Setup: sid xc, raceface crank, xtr v-brakes,levers,front & rear deraillers, easton ea70 seatpost ea50 handlebar,ti.bottom bracket, and many more. (awesome vanilla fox float rc)
$200, looks like its in pretty good shape, some minor scratches on the frame. says that shifters dont shift properly, thinks the cables may be stretched. is it worth the price b Read More »
