Submitted by
Buergday
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2010
Strengths: Comfortable, durable, great frame geometry, fun to ride
Weaknesses: Stock Jett fork, low-end stock components (fair for the price though), stock seat
Bottom Line:
I love my bike. I've had it for over 10 years, ridden it countless miles in rough, rocky terrain -- and only have had to get it professionally tuned 3-4 times. And I'm not a graceful rider -- I pund my bike. Still going strong. Thought about buying a new ride, but decided to upgrade this frame instead. The geometry is just perfect for me. I'm 6'1" 185 and I ride a medium. I prefer a smaller frame and with the long top tube this bike fits like a glove. With the upgrades, this bike is better than ever. It's a strong, light no-frills bike that so much fun to ride. Some of the stock components are crap, but if you can find one, I recommend snapping it up!
Bike Setup: UPGRADES: Rockshox J2 fork, Easton Monkeylite riser bar, Thompson Elite stem, Snycros seat post, new cushy seat, shimano M545 clipless pedals, Kenda tires, bar ends
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Submitted by
psi2rd
a Weekend Warrior
from milwaukee
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2009
Strengths: Great Frame
Weaknesses: Pedals, Seat, Factory Tires Are Not Fun On Any Paved Area For More Then A Few Miles
Bottom Line:
I have beat and beat and beat this bike. I don't care what I do to it, I try to break it it just takes it. Had to straighten the rims a few times now they don't get perfect anymore. Previous owner did not take care of so I had to work on it for a bit but it has been great since that was done.
Strengths: Excellent shape for hill climbing, Rims are okay, takes turns very well.
Weaknesses: Man, that front derailleur sucks! It sticks and makes noises, and I had to replace the seat and fork, to avoid dying of discomfort. And it could stand to be a little lighter, though all bikes really could, couldn't they?
Bottom Line:
Obviously, nothing like a good Cannonade, but c'mon, you're paying like 500 bucks, here! (And mine was FREE!) Rides tight, has been abused and un-maintained for a long time without consequences. I take pleasure in outdoing anything you can find at a department store or schwinn dealership. Some components are not the greatest on this bike, but like I said, it's proved itself a very worthy bike for the semi-serious street and offroad biker. Just a really nice all around bike, comparable to something in the $800 range. NOT FOR A SERIOUS OFF ROAD RACER!!!
Similar Products Used: TREK stuff, SCHWINN, CANNONADE
Bike Setup: All Stock, except for seat and front fork. (Repalced with a Manitou Answer adjustable shock that works really great for me.)
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Submitted by
Patrick McLaren
a Weekend Warrior
from Neenah,WI
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003
Strengths: Great Bike for your value. The best $500 dollar bike out there. It's extremley durable and performs like an expensive bike. I love the frame with a long top tube for a more aggressive position. Came with a nice set of tires and decent components.
Weaknesses: The stock seat was terrible. The fork is a little on the cheap side, it doesn't have much travel.I replaced the pedals too.
Bottom Line:
Overall it is the best bike I've ever owned for value and durablity. It is a very comfotable ride and is great for anyone who isn't too serious about biking but likes to hit the trails on the weekends. I wouldn't buy this bike if you do a lot of competitive racing unless you plan on putting more money into it.
Similar Products Used: Trek 6000/4900/4500 Schwinn Mesa
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Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Mount Airy
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002
Weaknesses: The only thing I can complain about is the looks. A little to plain for my taste.
Bottom Line:
Excellent all-round bike. I use it all the time and constantly out-race and out-do my friends Treks and Schwinns. It has great brakes and is easy to ride fast turns. Lightweight for big air. It is an excellent over-all weekend warrior bike.
Strengths: I have hardly maintained this bike at all and it still works perfectly. I changed the forks to Marzocchi Z3 airs and it handles very well. Very good buy for the money.
Weaknesses: Get different pedals.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely brilliant for low maintenance and is very light and well specced for it's price. Very good for gradual upgrading if you want to.
Purchased At: Some shop in Cape Town, South Africa
Similar Products Used: First proper MTB.
Bike Setup: Same as stock but with Z3 airs and DMR V8's
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Submitted by
Jimmy Max
a Weekend Warrior
from Binghamton NY
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002
Strengths: price,frame,most other components
Weaknesses: chain broke during first week, since then ive had troubles with drivetrain. replaced rear derailleur once. seat is hard, but functional. shocks are great for starters, but the longer you ride, the more you want to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike to do what it was meant to do. its a great bike if you think you want to do some serious riding, but also need something to ride to class or around town. i do more trail riding now. after 3 years, i finally want to upgrade the shocks to something like marzocchi z2 atoms. would love a new seat. the biggest problems ive had with this bike have to do with the drive train. i dont know what the hell im doing, but the drive keeps skipping under torque. replacing the rear derailleur and the dropout worked for a little while, but its back. ive had it in the shop several times, but i would like to work on it myself, so if you have any pointers, drop me an email. five chilis all around cuz this bike gives me the urge to ride.
I'm 5'5", and this is one of the few bikes I have truly felt comfortable on. With the small frame, the layout is just right for me...top tube length us spot-on. For the price, this bike's component level cannot be beaten, even if the Jett fork leaves much to be desired. The attention to detail that Fisher is known for really shines through on this bike.
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001
Strengths: Solid frame geometry, great all-around bike, great componentry, Tires and rims are excellent
Weaknesses: Everyone complains about the seat but I dont use it a whole lot.
Bottom Line:
I found this bike to be an xcellent trail cruiser and it also rides decent on the road, except for the knobby velociraptor tires. I ride many local trails in the metro and it can easily handle everything I can possibly throw at it. It rides smooth and responsive through Murphy-Hanrehan in Savage, a very fast rollercoaster-like ride. It climbs well, the tires have more grip than I can ever use. This bike is the perfect bike for a beginning to moderate rider.
Similar Products Used: I had an old Schwinn Frontier and a Fisher BMX bike that I traded in to get the Tassajara
Bike Setup: Stock from factory
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Submitted by
Stuart Elvins
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001
Strengths: Great value, comfortable and pretty much bullet-proff reliability
Weaknesses: Original Velocaraptor tyres are rubbish where I ride. Anything remotely sharp within a mile radius and they hole. Changed to Panaracers and no problems
Seems vrey prone to chain suck and throwing the chain when shifting down to teh granny ring
Bottom Line:
All round godd bike. I've ridden all year, in the dry, in ankle deep mud and aprt from teh puncture problem it's never let me down.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Panaracer XC Pro rubber
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Submitted by
Jake
a Cross Country Rider
from Atascadero, California, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001
Bottom Line:
This bike a good bike for beginning XC riders who don't know if they want to ride alot. If a rider does decide to ride alot you can easily upgrade this bike. If you are some hardcore XC guy you don't need me to tell you this bike isn't for you. If you are some kid who doesn't know what you want to do you should try it out. It is a fun bike for trails around Atascadero.
Purchased At: A bike salesman I know cut me a deal.
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Submitted by
Zed
a Cross Country Rider
from Trollhättan Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001
Strengths: Good frame Pretty nice shocks good tires
Weaknesses: Lack of Genesis
Bottom Line:
Very good bike, have already had 2 of them (my first got stolen) and i only have positive things to say, very good feeling in the equipment and also very good equipment for the $$$..... The bike is meant for the more advanced users. Shocks are a bit hard and so is the seat but overall this is the best buy in the class!! GO FISHER
Similar Products Used: GF Marlin Crescent Oden Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Garrett Amadon
a Weekend Warrior
from New Braunfels, Texas
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001
Strengths: Strong frame, very comfortable geometry, looks great.
Weaknesses: Drive train & front fork needs upgrading. Bike also has very hard seat.
Bottom Line:
All around, a super bike. I've been riding more and more, and enjoy the Tassajara. Great value. Very responsive bike. If you want an excuse for an upgrade, ride in the mud. I snapped the rear deraileur clean of my bike, warped my rear skewer, ruined my chain when I bent the inner ring on my crank. With stock tires, bike picks up to much mud. With the upgrade I love it.
Bike Setup: Stock except for: XT rear, sram chain, seat & post, clips Time ATAC pedels (the only clips to buy). Want Rock Shox SID front suspention fork w/ xt 8" disc brake.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Lexington
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2001
Strengths: Tough frame, LX rear derailleur
Weaknesses: low end components, and jett front fork
Bottom Line:
Bike is perfect for beginner. Low end components are the only down fall. I road this bike stock for a while, had no major problems. Had to true wheels several times. The brakes are probably the best of the low end components that you get. I bought this as a begginer rider, lately I've turned it in to a stock trials bike and I'm still using the same brakes. Will diffently have to up-grade brakes as I become a better trials rider. Bottom line; Perfect for biginners, frame is extremely strong.
Bike Setup: Stock except: crowbars, LX brake levers, saddle, kooka seat post, added Salsa brake booster in rear, Kona stem, Kona project 2 rigid fork, Mavic 221 rims, Agato trials specific tires, and customized front chain rings to use top ring as a bash ring.
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Submitted by
Russ
a Cross Country Rider
from Redmond, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001
Strengths: Great paint, tough frame
Weaknesses: Hard Seat, unresponsive front derailleur, tires
Bottom Line:
I have run this bike over 400 miles on tough Central Oregon trails and it hasn't let me down. The fork is in need of upgrade as well as the front derailleur and maybe a suspension seatpost. This is my second mountain bike and I would recommend it to any beginner rider. It had been a value for the money. Some simple upgrades makes this bike truly enjoyable without breaking the bank.
