Submitted by
Zyendra
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2010
Strengths: Great frame, love the cromo, good components, superb ride
Weaknesses: maybe a tad bit heavy, you can't get into a bike of this quality with a steel frame for this price anymore
Bottom Line:
I love this bike and really have missed riding it. I have been riding a lot of full-suspension bikes lately and some SS hardtails while my old trusty Hoo Koo E Koo has been sitting in my dads garage. On a camping trip I broke my Turner Sultan so I hopped on my old Fisher that my dad had brought up and now I don't want to give it back. They really don't build em' like that anymore unless you want to spend a pretty penny on a small shops custom frame (which is what I do anyway) great bang for the buck.
Similar Products Used: Black Sheep, Schwinn Moab 1, Gary Fisher Mamba
Bike Setup: Stock XT/LX, Sram Gripshift
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Submitted by
shredbetty
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2009
Strengths: Reliable, strong, smooth riding, bomb proof. Chromoly frame, excellent geometry, pretty good OEM parts, but easily upgradable. Never gets jealous of my road bike.
Weaknesses: Well... it's a '98, so not all the newer features, like disk brake mounts... but who needs 'em, anyway?
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this bike nearly everyday since I bought it as a close-out '98. This bike has been through daily commuting, mountain and cross country terrain, snow riding, mud trekking, and stump jumping from CO, NV, MT, ID, WI, to CA. It has never failed me. It climbs like a billy goat and descends like a dream! It was my first mountain bike and has been my reliable partner as I went from beginner to novice to extreme! Wouldn't trade it. Get one if you can.
Bike Setup: Upgraded from OEM, all XT components; Sun Rhino rims; THE saddle.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Rapids, MI.
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2009
Strengths: The bike is bomb proof. My buddy beat this bike up, i got it from him and i only had to tune it up. Bike is balanced well and easy to ride. Not too heavy not too light.
Weaknesses: it is not made any more. Disk breaks would be great.
Bottom Line:
You cannot kill this bike. I fully intend on owning this bike for a very long time as long as I can get components for it. I love the medium weight frame and how well balanced it is. This is a great bike for a beginner, just getting into the sport and does not have a lot of money to get going. I would put money on a used one of these instead of buying another bike brand new. You may have to put a few dollars into it like I did but you will be money ahead in the long run.
Strengths: Warranty - lifetime Its chromoly - steel feels and rides so much better than aluminium Paint finish - nice finish and art work design
Weaknesses: Fisher no longer make the HKEK in chromoly No disc mounts Might want to upgrade to better parts down the track ie Forks and tyres
Bottom Line:
Too bad Fisher Bikes don't make the HKEK in chromoly any more. I've gone totally rigid and rides just as sweet. If it only had disc mounts then this would have scored 5 chillis. Components like the stock forks were a let down. If you get a chance to get your hands on one, get it.
Similar Products Used: This is my first mountain bike, other bikes in the shed are Banshee Chaparral and Surly 1x1Â
Bike Setup: xs frame size. I wont list them all, but a Salsa CroMoto fork, 60mm Kore stem, Azonic DH bars, Kenda Nevegal tyres = all mountain trail bike set up
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Submitted by
Bobber
a Cross Country Rider
from Maplewood, NJ, USA
Weaknesses: chain suck, a bit heavy (it's steel!), rock shox judy
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, I bought it in April of 2000 and got a great deal, putting riser bars on made a huge difference, no more over the handlebars and it still climbs like a goat and screams downhill. In the two years I've had it I've gone from Novice to advanced, in that time i've dropped it, crashed it, tossed it, flown it and hopped it and it still goes, so i'll just replace components as needed and keep riding!!! I would recommend buying it to anyone if you can find it used because the new ones are Aluminum and way more$
Bike Setup: Panaracer xc pros, specialized comp riser bar, nashbar clipless, soon to have Answer Manitou Black Front suspension and XT crankset.
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Submitted by
TOm
a Cross Country Rider
from Merrimack, NH
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002
Strengths: ummm... Steel! you'll never break it! For the price the XTs are good and the wheelset is way better than some cheap shimano set... Most of the finer details are given good attention, light for a steel frame
Weaknesses: umm stock brakes are kinda weak? That's it.
Bottom Line:
this is a GREAT deal for the money... Bought it as the new model year in the fall so I paid top dollar for it, but in my opinion it was well worth it. I'm young, so I didn't have enough $$ for a high-end XC machine... This was the perfect thing for beginner-intermediate XC racing on a budget. I held my front wheel against a high end DT Swiss Hugi/ Mavic SUP setup and if anything mine was lighter... The Bontrager setup really seems nice... The straight spokes in front look cool and I haven't knocked either wheel out of true yet, asym back rim is good... They seem to be really high quality and great value.... The GT I think had a cheap Sun rims setup I think or something... The reason I picked this bike over the GT is that the Fisher bike had better all-around quality "other" components... Like the drivetrain was pretty much the same but stuff like wheels/ cockpit on the fisher are nicer. Plus for some reason I got XT cranks on mine when specs said LX. Sweet! This is super-light for a steel frame too, and I'll never break the thing. Umm only reason I gave overall rating a 4 is b/c the brakes could be better, and so I bought XT levers... And the fork- the Judy C is the year before RockShox made Judy the crappy low-end, so it's still good enough, but could be better. But that's it! This thing could kick the pants off of a same-price aluminum bike.
Similar Products Used: I compared it to a GT Zaskar of that same year... And the Trek 7000
Bike Setup: narrower seat, xt levers/ shifters.... everything else is either inconsequential or still stock - all XT drivetrain!
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Submitted by
Steve Gray
a Cross Country Rider
from Guilford
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Strengths: This bike has gone off 4 1/2 drops and landed perfectly. I love steel. It has stood up to everything I throw at it and still looks good. It is lighter than a lot of steel bikes and lighter than the next year Hoo Koo E Koo. I love it and am never selling.
Weaknesses: They could have put on better components on it but I am happy with how long my components lasted. This bike has the worst chain suck I have ever seen. I hope my new drive-train will take care of that!
Bottom Line:
A bike you can beat to hell and still keep riding. I would tell you to buy it but they don't make it anymore. Sorry. If you don't mind having a little heavier bike than the competition , but a lot stronger, than this was the bike for you.
Similar Products Used: 2002 Hoo Koo E Koo. Still good but not steel and not as good looking. Heavier too.
Bike Setup: Currently LX crank,cassette,and front derrailer,XT rear derrailer, Avid v-brakes, rock shox judy C. Bontrager rims and hubs. Soon to be XTR and XT all around With Mavic X517 rims and XTR hubs.
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Submitted by
chris julian
a Weekend Warrior
from mt.jewett,pa.u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002
Strengths: impecible frame stregnth,good hill climbing ability
Weaknesses: no longer availible
Bottom Line:
outstanding bike with a realy good price tag. easily upgradeable.i've wrecked a couple times,managinng to break only my nose.it'll be three years old in june and she's still puttin the miles on.by far the best $750 i ever spent! highly recomended;steel frames are worth the extra weight.for beginers,reckless teens or just plain hardcore riding fun this bike's for you.
Purchased At: ridge rider charelston,west virginia
Similar Products Used: connondale 800,trek analope,specialized
Bike Setup: gary fisher front hub,LX rear hub,shimanoXT rear derailer,avid brakes,shimanoLX rapid-fire shifters
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Submitted by
Mike Wallace
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredrick, Maryland
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Strengths: amazing frame geometry, especially for us tall guys good components steel is great, very responsive and pretty light
Weaknesses: fisher no longer makes the steel frame some components could be better saddle
Bottom Line:
This bike is great, I have taken it all over on trails and beat it up, the frame is solid, especially for the price. It's a great entry-level bike and is easily upgradeable. I won't need to buy a new bike anytime soon. Buy it!
Bike Setup: mavic crossrides, lx rear/front derailleur, race face crank, marzocchi z2, the rest is pretty much stock
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Submitted by
Rich Archambault
a Cross Country Rider
from Schaumburg, IL, US
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Strengths: Great frame, excellent components for the price. Nearly carefree
Weaknesses: The stock saddle.
Bottom Line:
The frame shows no wear and the shocks still respond like new. This is a killer bike. In two years, the only maintenance required was an adjustment to the front derailleur. For me, it's been the Japaneese car of bikes, wash and ride. The frame shows no wear and the shocks still respond like new.
Bike Setup: Stock with upgraded Specialized saddle (for comfort).
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Submitted by
Jerry Chaney
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001
Strengths: Great Components for the Price. Triple Butted True Temper Oxy Gold Steel Frame equal to Reynolds 853. Smooth steel ride. Climbs like a goat!
Weaknesses: None, except that Fisher doesn't make this bike anymore.
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome bike! You cannot buy this bike anymore but if you are in the market for a hardtail, consider a steel frame. Don't follow the crowd, give steel a chance, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Bike Setup: Stock, except for Time ATAC Thermo pedals
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Submitted by
FAT
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001
Strengths: Frame and wheels
Weaknesses: not too many...
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up since 2 years ago. This is a bombproof bike. Beside doing cross country, I gain my skill in jumping, drop off and many other riding skill from this bike. Frame is not giving any sign of failure. The parts are the failure, got to upgrade to XT if you want a strong parts. Anyway, this bike is not a super fast x-country bike, but will hold up on any trail. The best bike ever.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn moab2, 2000 Hkek, klein
Bike Setup: marzocchi fork, race face riser bar, titec stem and many other upgraded parts.
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Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Dacula, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001
Strengths: Good feel, not as harsh as aluminum.
Weaknesses: Rear deraileur not replaceable. Me.
Bottom Line:
Bought originally as a 1997 model, but the frame broke and was replaced with a 1999 (absolutely no hassles from Fisher or the bike shop - many thanks to both!). With new frame, upgraded everything and have enjoyed every minute.
Was a lot lighter without the seatpost and 4" travel forks, however, I raced two races this year and finished fourth in both behind Specialized FSR, Cannondale and ???. Who needs expensive equipment to do well?
Great bike for the money. Ability to upgrade as desired without getting too deep into the pocket book.
Similar Products Used: Only test ridden other bikes.
Bike Setup: XT everything (except cranks - LX-170's), Manitou X-Vert 100, Rock Shox suspension seatpost, Mavic 517, Tioga tires
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Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, MA
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000
Strengths: Reasonable price for getting into the sport
Weaknesses: Components not durable enough for real off-road use. After 3 years, the only original components left on the bike are the GripShift shifters, v-brakes & levers, crank arms, granny chain ring, and stem. Even the frame cracked (replaced under warranty -- cudos to Fisher for standing by their product).
Bottom Line:
When I originally bought it, this was the most expensive bike I had ever owned, but in hindsight I would have saved money by spending a bit more initially for a bike with more durable components, since I ended up spending over $500 on individual component replacements/upgrades within the first 3 years of owning this bike. By the way, I am not a teenage gonzo bike abuser -- I am 36 and do 1-2 short rides per week from spring through late fall, but I do ride aggressively and enjoy rough, technical terrain. With the upgrades, this was a competent bike that was fun to ride and gave me the confidence to improve my riding skills. After 3 years on the HKEK, I was ready to invest in a higher end bike (IF Deluxe). The HKEK is now my commuting bike (hence rigid fork & fenders). Note that the 2000 and 2001 HKEK's have better components than the 1997 model, so my experience may not be as applicable to the new models.
Bike Setup: x517/XT wheels, XT front/rear der, Shimano 535 pedals, WTB SST98 saddle, 1997 steel frame replaced with 2000 aluminum Genesis frame under warranty, rigid fork.
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Submitted by
Ed Brewer
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Strengths: I bought this bike as a frame only, and it was a sweet deal for a Chromomoly/Vanadium frame. Nice steel ride, and while not light, it is not heavy either. Genesis geometry.
Weaknesses: Um...while not really a weakness, the Genesis geometry took a while to get used to. The light front end wanted to wash out until I figured out how to set up the fork and tire pressure (i.e.: light for both!)
Bottom Line:
This is basicly the same material all the big frame builders use (Breeze, Ritchey, Fat Chance, etc.) but you don't pay the big name price. With all the high end components on my Large (19") frame, it weighs in at 24.0 lbs. Not bad for a steel frame. It is a sweet-riding bike, climbs like a mountain goat and desends just as well! The frame is worth upgrading (seems a lot of people complain about low end components) and makes a very nice cross country bike.
If you are looking for a flashy bike that will get a lot of compliments; move on, but if you want a bike that really works then this is it.
