Submitted by
lexium
a Racer
from lancaster, pa, USA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2009
Bottom Line:
I am actually looking to buy a 99'ish Gary Fisher Procal size small to replace the one stolen from my girlfriend in Tempe, AZ a few years ago. If anyone anywhere has one without any frame damage, I'd be interested. Thanks.
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007
Strengths: I bought this bike used as I knew I would only ride weekends and could not justify buying a new bike with these features. My bike was currently outfitted with XT and not XTR. Either way, the bike is a speed machine. I can climb hills faster on this bike then most people I ride with or past and the descents can be screaming. Acceleration is what this bike delivers so be prepared. Even with anaconda tires this thing is as fast as a road bike on a paved surface.
Weaknesses: I agree with others that the brakes could be a bit stronger. Too aggressive for some folks in terms of seating position - my wife in particular.
Bottom Line:
If you can get one in excellent condition for a low price on the secondary market, do it. For what I paid, you'd have to pay several times that to come close and you'd still probably get dusted by the person riding the older one of these bikes.
Similar Products Used: None of this caliber when it comes to Mtn bikes.
Bike Setup: Full XT, Manitou fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brys Francis
a Racer
from Edmonton, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001
Strengths: accelerates like a cheetah, corners on rails
Weaknesses: top tube length does make steering on super steep climbs interesting
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for the REAL DEAL, this rig is the ultimate racing hardtail. Strictly a thoroughbred, the post does make seated climbs over rough stuff bearable. Don't even think about this setup if you're looking to do epics. Racing in the clydesdale division requires a stiff and durable setup, and this is where it's at. See you on the trails.
Bike Setup: 2000 Marzochi X-fly fork, race face (bb, stem, bar, turbine lp cranks and rings), rock shox seat post witha selle italia flight seat Full XTR derailleurs, hubs, brakes, shifters Mavic 517 rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan Gresley
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Strengths: Can you say everything?
Weaknesses: Flex in the seat stays, gonna buy a brake booster that should help with that. I keep wanting McDonalds all the time.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike with different componentry. Otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing. Except adding that brake booster. What can you say, XTR v-brakes are strong as phuk. Disks are smooth, but heavy. If you want the best stock XC, this is basically the bike for you. Everyone else, spend more and build a custom, or get something cheaper. I've bombed out my wheelset already, but then again, I am a concrete-playground junky. And like I said, they aren't the nice Bontrager Race lites that it's supposed to come with.
Similar Products Used: None. At least none this good. Worth the investment.
Bike Setup: Unfortunately not original. Downgraded derailleurs to XT, crank to Bontrager racelite, wheels. Currently restoring to full XTR, lookin for some Crossmax or maybe spox. It's a 9 1/2 right now, will be a 10 when I'm done
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
troy green
a Weekend Warrior
from peoria, IL, usa
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000
Strengths: bike looks sweet as hell
Weaknesses: without a rear brake arch the brake is way to flexy
Bottom Line:
for my kind of riding this is not the bike, the rear end will not handle any tire over 2.2 and the disc brake mount on the frame is retarded, for xc this bike is fast but for the urban assault or hardtail freeride not a good choice. unlike the frames such as kona chute, rocky mountain reaper, or the cove stiffee, since the bike is meant for racing i give it 4 chillies
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Princeton, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Strengths: Amazing handling!
Weaknesses: Why is my buddies Giant ATX 870 with an old Judy SL still lighter?
Bottom Line:
I can't believe the ride of this bike! I didn't really expect anything out of the GENESIS geometry, but the first time I rode it was in an Ontario Cup race and the thing just hauled! I was pulling moves I had never even attempted before and you rarely see anyone pull off (including the pro's!). Like riding a rocket with laser precision. My only concern was that, while the bike is light, my buddies bike isn't worth half as much, isn't nearly as tricked out, and yet mine is still just a touch heavier. I think I've just been pampered by 21 pound carbon fiber bikes for too long. What else? The 9.0SL rear derailler wore kind of fast. Who should buy it? Someone who's been racing expert for a long time and wants a bike that will help them qualify for the pro category. Worked for me! Sweet, sweet ride....
Submitted by
Matt Carlson
a Racer
from Mendota Hts., Mn
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: nuthin'
Bottom Line:
what a kick ass bike it has been for me!!! I want to sell it so i can get a new one next year. i work at a bike shop and have constantly been overhauling this thing to keep it smooth. mine is custom made: here are the specs: frame- procal fork- sx carbon bottom bracket- race face ti cranks- xt 8-speed pedals- time atac chain- ig-90 cassette- xt or real(real is lighter) wheels- botrager race lights tires- your choice, kenda kosmik lite or bontrager rovolt super x ( kendas make the bike a pound lighter with greenlight tubes) seat post- thompson elite saddle- bontrager race brakes- xtr with gore-tek cables der. ft & rear- xt, ft. is 99. rear got a new spring and jocky wheels and shifts great!! shifters- xt stem- titec big al 90mm handlebar- titec 118 gram bar, ti grips- oury, black bar ends- icon stealth cables- gore ride-on brake and derailluer headset- chris king thats all of it weight- 21.5 lbs 20.5 lbs with kenda kosmik lite tires retail price$3897.78 asking price$1700.00 bike has only been used in two races and ridden only about 10 times because of injury. please call or e-mail me phone- 651-683-0141 e-mail- mjc0083@hotmail .com
Just thought I'd post something to offset the dumbass who posted like 10 1-chile reviews. What an idiot...I don't care what problems you had with GF, when you post multiple reviews you f**k this site up for everyone. This is not the place.
Submitted by
Dio
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
Strengths: Responsive, light, handles like a dream, climbs like a mountain goat, and chicks dig it.
Weaknesses: Weakness? Weakness, it don't have no stinkin' weakness.
Bottom Line:
Yow! What a kick-ass bike! After searching for months and months, I finally pulled the trigger. I could not be happier with my decision. The bike fits like a glove, which was my number one priority. Next on the list of must have, was the handling. It feels like I can now leap tall buildings in a single bound. This bad boy gets my highest rating!
Strengths: Stiff frame Genesis geometry Value (Inexpensive frame set, and for easton tubing)
Weaknesses: poor paintjob on tight spots of frame (mabey since it was an early production)
Bottom Line:
First of all, why must you guys bad mouth this bike, when you are not even riding it. So you have had bad luck, it happens...ever think they do not refund you frame because it is not their fault it broke-but yours? I have a '99 Procal set up custom, under 21.5 pounds. It rides like a dream. stiff, fast, and the geometry rocks. It handles like no bike I have ever been on. I got the frame since the complete bikes were not ready, and to build it up a little lighter than stock, and I love it. I had to expirement with stem legnths to get the right fit, but with a 90mm/6degree salsa motoace stem on my medium frame, it works great. No complaints here. The reps and customer service have been excellent. They called me when the frame was ready, and sent it with complimentery shipping!! I was amazed at this, but very happy. definately reccomend this bike to all that look at it. nothing compares for ride/value/and looks. and guys, don't badmouth what you have not even tried, and do not load onthe comments over and over...groow up a little.. p.s. if you want to know how I built it up, email me, and I will give youthe specs five lumps of flaming cow dungg for this beauty
Weaknesses: Rear brake mount tubes have a little flex
Bottom Line:
Get this frame 3 month ago,bike wasassmbled by myself and still very happy with it.Try to compare feelings of this bike to another models from 99 TREK (6500,7000) 99 GT (Avalanche LE) and 98 TREK 9900 and some amount of GF lower level models(bigsur etc).Impressions are avesome. There are NO models that can be compared to the PROCALIBER GF GENESIS geometry and stiffenes on the run.Only 9900 Carbon from TREK feels better in cycling response - but not compared for the handling and climbimg efficiency.Exellent racing frame.
Similar Products Used: TREK 8000,GT Karakorum,TREK 9900
Bike Setup: SRAM 9.0 SL REAR DERAILLER ,SHIFTERS AND BRAKE LEVERS,MARZOCCHI BOMBER Z2 AND Z1,Shimano 98 XT front derailler,brakes and cranks,MAVIC CROSSland wheels.
Strengths: Genesis is right on! Bontrager Wheels, climbs like a dream, stiff and quick
Weaknesses: None so far, seven months of fun.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely fun to ride. this genesis thing works as well on trail as it does on paper. I can climb walls that i never would have attempted b4 on my old bike. And for the customer service thing, Gary Fisher himself stopped on the trail to help me with a bit of chainsuck at the Napa world cup. No complaints here!
Weaknesses: Geometry hard to get used to and its stiff
Bottom Line:
Well this bike has some of the lightest stuff there is and it is still a little heavy 23 1/4 so I guess its the frame. The bike is stiffer than my trek carbon fiber and it feels like I am slower on the pro. The geometry takes getting used to and Im still not sure I like it. Also the paint seems to chip easily which sucks. I think after awhile im just goin to get a ti frame that will last and has no paint to scratch. 4 flaming dead horses.
Similar Products Used: Trek Carbon fiber and a Balance aluminum.
Bike Setup: Full xtr, sid sl, wtb/king wheelset.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Heilbrun
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999
Strengths: Fisher warranty. Geometry. All the heads I turn. Solid performance.
Weaknesses: Paint job´s tad loud for me.
Bottom Line:
I have a little story to tell for the guy(s?) who wrote the last couple reviews as well as similar in the Supercaliber section. It's one thing to hate a product, I've had mine, but it serves nobody to fill up megabytes with that drivel. I do not own a Supercaliber or Procaliber, but I have a 1999 Big Sur frame with XTR and enough other stuff to make it more expensive than either of those two bikes. I've been here riding in Chile for a year and did a cycloturing trip in the south for a couple weeks. The trip was tough on the gear as the roads were pretty bad and we were hauling a lotta gear (20 kilos a person). After a week and a half, my 1997 Big Sur's chain stay broke unexpectedly. I called my parents to get in touch with the dealer and to my utter amazement an hour later a representative named Tina Fajner called me in Coyaique, Chile. We discussed the problem and quickly set in motion a series of steps to remedy the situation. Within a month and a half (remember, I'm in Chile, not Wisconsin) I had a new 1999 Big Sur frame. It was installed at no charge and I've been riding it ever since. I don't know what the previous guy's problem is, but if you don't qualify your remarks, nobody can do anything or learn anything. My experience with Fisher has been outstanding and I continue to recommend it enthusiastically. Yes, Genesis geometry is different (I clipped a few pedestrians myself before adjusting to it), but I now find it comfortable and solid. Just be patient.
Anyone know anything about these bikes? I have been keeping an eye on CL for a light-sh hardtail on the cheap and thinking I may be able to score this for $300. Has pics and all Read More »
Anyone know anything about these bikes? I have been keeping an eye on CL for a light-sh hardtail on the cheap and thinking I may be able to score this for $300. Has pics and all Read More »
