Submitted by
John Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2005
Strengths: Good value, will either love or hate frame geometry, weight, reliable. Traction and especially when climbing.
Weaknesses: Will either love or hate frame geometry, a little more travel would have been nice, not the most comfortable seat
Bottom Line:
Ride what it is made for, fast single track, and you should have no problem. I Don't maintain it properly and have had no serious problems. Forks do their job, traction and climbing is the real strength of this bike, because of geometry. However, don't buy this bike if you like real downhilling, the geometry of the frame keeps your weight far back, but high on the bike. I love this bike as it fits my riding style. As a general peice of advice: find your particular riding style and find a bike that favours this style.
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamo, CA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002
Strengths: Strong frame, light enough at price. Genesis geometry works for me. At the price I paid (w/o wheelset, suspension fork and headset, but with full XT and Avid Arch Rival brakes + some other nice upgrades), I've got about $500 into the bike and couldn't be happier. The Big Sur, as others have said, climbs very well. Downhill stability is good. Steering is nice compromise. I really like the standard fit Velociraptors tires. All around, about the nicest bike available at the $1000 price point (MSRP).
Weaknesses: Paint (acid green) not only chips, but is butt ugly, IMHO, kind of '70s. The bike is hard to build light, kind of a catch-22 as the bike warrants upgrades because it is so sweet, but going overboard makes no sense because you still end up with a 25lbs+ hardtail bike...
Bottom Line:
If you can live with a 26-27 lbs. hardtail, you can't do any better at this price level!
Strengths: Extremely strong frame, but light also. Good Judy XC forks Overall bike works really well and is very well built with quality components.
Weaknesses: Bent the seat rails on a jump the first ride (I am 85kg) Bent the seatpost badly - now replaced with stronger one Front derailler could be better Front hub needs replacing - can't buy new cones for Bontrager hubs so whole hub must be junked
Bottom Line:
This is a great XC bike and I have been riding it hard since I bought it with great reliability. I am even doing some freeride type stuff on it now and although the geometry is not perfect for it, it still handles the jumps/drops with ease (if a little bit stiffly in the rear end). It is great for climbing. The long wheelbase means it doesn't handle tight corners as well as some shorter bikes. Definitely worth the money.
Similar Products Used: All the similar spec/price bikes at the time ... Giant, Kona, Jamis, Specialised, etc, etc.
Bike Setup: As well as replacing the few bits which bent/broke, I have fitted a Titec riser bar, Tioga Factory DH 2.3's (just fit - and are really good), and DH platform pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chase S
a Cross Country Rider
from Spooner
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002
Strengths: Strong on the Climbs, Great all around bike
Weaknesses: paint chips, Seat is a rock, Too many Stickers; it almost looks better where the paint is Chipping
Strengths: - Geometry - Value (more bang for your buck) - Wheels - Black paint
Weaknesses: - Paint cheaps easily - Too much GARY FISHER all over the frame - Heavy
Bottom Line:
overall the bike kicks ass with its genesis geometry. climbing just feels so much easier and descending is a lot more stable than with other bikes. cornoring in single track is pretty good too. unfortuneatly the paint job sucks. after a crash, there where several spots that chipped, and it just kept on getting worse. that really sucked!! after a few crashes and several trips, the frame appeared to be much older than it really was.
Similar Products Used: OPB, mongoose, Trek, cannondale, etc..etc..etc.
Bike Setup: gt hubs laced to mavic 517, xt brakes, lx grouppo
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Thunder Bay
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2001
Strengths: Killer bike, had TONS of great rides with it, a few bad crashes..
Weaknesses: Weaknesses.. I had a few problems with some wierd squeaking when it shifted.. was unable to get rid of that..
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is, the gary was stolen at the end of august and I cried girlishly for two weeks. I ended up buying a new Devinci Chili Pepper shortly thereafter (after the crying had stopped). Don't let strangers test your bike out.. unless you have a loaded gun handy (or something dangerous). But rest assured fellow rider, I'll find that mofo, and I'll bike him good.. oohhh I'll bike him good, with my new DeVinci.. his ass is grass. oh yeah, GREAT bike go buy one!
Submitted by
Curtis burns
a Weekend Warrior
from canada ont. toronto
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001
Strengths: A nice speedy bike, comfortable seat, gives a smooth ride, this bike is totally upgradable but there is no need for too many upgrades. Takes jumps great, good thing if u like jumps ( who doesn't? )
Weaknesses: no rear shocks
Bottom Line:
Garry Fisher did a great job making this bike, I hope anyone out there looking for a inexpensive mountain bike with a great ride ( and is in the ages of 13-40) should seriosly consider this bike.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher "Wahoo", Kona "cinder cone"
Bike Setup: judy xc rox shox, Bontrager handle bars, possible 3 water bottle mounts, front and rear Shimano Deore derailleurs, Shimano brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Toole
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2001
Strengths: I am writing this view on how I feel about the Geometry of the bike mostly because my Big Sur is older then a 1999. The Bike is the same as mine with upgrade componets. Love the Geometry, Great for winding in and out of trees on Florida trails. For the price I paid for a bike worth around $900, I am pretty happy with my Big Sur. I have been riding this bike for six years now and have not had too many problems. I have not had any paint come off other then where I accidentally scratched the frame with something, but who really cares, its a mountain bike not a car.... you expect this sort of thing to happen when you are riding in the woods.
Weaknesses: None significant, The Seat post needs to be tight.
Bottom Line:
I would pay full price for this bike knowing what I know about it.
Favorite Trail: Little Big Econ Forest (Snow Hill)
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At: Used from a good friend
Similar Products Used: Trek,
Bike Setup: Mostly stock, Replaced the pedals (broke them, plastic) with some clipless pedals. Replaced the skinny, hard road bike seat with something more fit for a mountain bike.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Toole
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2001
Strengths: I am writing this view on how I feel about the Geometry of the bike mostly because my Big Sur is older then a 1999. The Bike is the same as mine with upgrade componets. Love the Geometry, Great for winding in and out of trees on Florida trails. For the price I paid for a bike worth around $900, I am pretty happy with my Big Sur. I have been riding this bike for six years now and have not had too many problems. I have not had any paint come off other then where I accidentally scratched the frame with something, but who really cares, its a mountain bike not a car.... you expect this sort of thing to happen when you are riding in the woods.
Weaknesses: None significant, The Seat post needs to be tight.
Bottom Line:
I would pay full price for this bike knowing what I know about it.
Favorite Trail: Little Big Econ Forest (Snow Hill)
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At: Used from a good friend
Similar Products Used: Trek,
Bike Setup: Mostly stock, Replaced the pedals (broke them, plastic) with some clipless pedals. Replaced the skinny, hard road bike seat with something more fit for a mountain bike.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Vin Rom
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001
Strengths: 1. GEOMETRY 2. Wheelset 3. VERY Strong setup 4. Fun bike
Weaknesses: 1. Pedals are crap 2. Seat is terrible 3. Grips slip around bar. 4. Seat post will NOT stay in the same place.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best I've ridden so far. The only mechanical problems I've had have been normal drivetrain bullsh*t and a blown oil cartridge in the shock. Realize that this is after about 3000 miles of riding and the oil cartridge busted after several hard core mountain trails. I really dig this bike and have no thoughts of replacing it anytime soon. RIDE ONE.
Similar Products Used: Marin ? NorthStar Estrella GT Avalanche
Bike Setup: Time ATAC pedals are the only thing I've changed, but the seat is finally going to die over the next few months.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001
Strengths: The name and the frame for sure.
Weaknesses: None cause i still have the bike.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't of bought a better bike. I have been thinking of getting a f/s frame but i just can't part with the Big Sur. Fisher still hasn't been able to come out with a better color then the Acid Green with the Trible graphics....hint hint Gary if you happen to read this. Well there are alot of words to describe this bike and the only one i can think of right now is BADASS!!
Similar Products Used: Why use the rest when your riding the best!
Bike Setup: Judy XC, Full XT with XT Hollowtech Cranks, XTR on Red Mavic 517's, Shimano 545 pedals, and Serfas seat. Shifters, stem, seatpost, and seat collar are stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001
Strengths: The name and the frame for sure.
Weaknesses: None cause i still have the bike.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't of bought a better bike. I have been thinking of getting a f/s frame but i just can't part with the Big Sur. Fisher still hasn't been able to come out with a better color then the Acid Green with the Trible graphics....hint hint Gary if you happen to read this. Well there are alot of words to describe this bike and the only one i can think of right now is BADASS!!
Similar Products Used: Why use the rest when your riding the best!
Bike Setup: Judy XC, Full XT with XT Hollowtech Cranks, XTR on Red Mavic 517's, Shimano 545 pedals, and Serfas seat. Shifters, stem, seatpost, and seat collar are stock.
Strengths: The Gary Fisher name and decent components for the price is what attracted me. Geometry is fantastic. It is very quick and nimble on single tracks, an awesome climber and it is simply killer on the downhill sections.
Weaknesses: Junk Seat, Heavy WTB Velociraptors, Icon Pedals don't have any float.
Bottom Line:
I started riding on other peoples bikes but they got tired of me crashing them. This is my first real mountain bike and I have crashed it hard several times. Once I even broke my helment. (Bell - Good Stuff) This bike takes a beating and keeps on flying through thick and thin. Durable and reliable with reasonable upkeep. This is a great bike for the money. I even had two friends (beginners) buy the 2001 Big Sur's because for the money it is the best mix of components out there. Bang for you Buck rating is 5 chili's.
Similar Products Used: OPB - Other Peoples Bikes - This is my first serious MTB purchase and I am quite happy.
Bike Setup: (Red)Panaracer Fire XC Pro's, Shimano 747 Pedals, Tamer Shock post. I Want to upgrade to XT components, CrossMax Wheels, and RockShox SID Race or SL shock.
I found a 1999 Big Sur that is a puff. Still has the reflectors and the little plastic thing behind the rear gears. What do you guys think it would be worth? I have a 2002 sugar an Read More »
