Submitted by
Shep
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2005
Strengths: The RapidFire Shifters provide seamless shifting to maintain a more consistent cadence. A perfect fit for this rider and equipped with the features for the type of riding desired. This is an excellent bike for cardio exercise around the neighborhood and on the trails.
Weaknesses: Overall, the bike a little on the heavy side although this also serves to provide some stability for the more "mature" rider. After failing to properly maintain the front fork at the recommended service intervals, the shaft bolt on one leg of the Sync 288 broke. Attempts to find a replacement bolt took several days since the phone numbers and e-mail address in the owner's manual (provided at time of purchase) were no longer in service. Fisher Bikes (www.fisherbikes.com) responded with advice to contact the fork manufacturer. After a daylong investigation to locate the company, now known as Insync (a subsidiary of Spinner), replacement bolts were sent out at no charge.
Bottom Line:
Always select a product that fits the user's dimensions and anticipated usage. It makes for more fun which makes for usage. Spend some quality time with the people at the bike shop and if they are good listeners (the BikeWorld folks were great), you'll ride off with an excellent piece of equipment. And, always follow the recommended service intervals. A little maintenance goes a long way.
Similar Products Used: Test road numerous models from various manufacturers before selecting the Mamba.
Bike Setup: All standard stock with the addition of a wireless Cats Eye computer.
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Submitted by
joe smoe
a Weekend Warrior
from mississauga
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002
Strengths: Everthings great for the price of this bike!!
Weaknesses: The frame is getting kind of bendy... fork has less than an inch of travel for some reason??? left crankarm fell off after a 3 foot drop
Bottom Line:
Great price i paid 420 Can. looked around and this was the greatest deal. i love this bike looking to upgrade to a norco saqswatch. some parts a little weak. great bike for beginers intermediate riders need something a little better. ive had this for 2 years and its mostly lasted.im hoping to break the frame and get one under the warrenty
Purchased At: Sporting Life (the greatest store ever)
Similar Products Used: Specialized hardrock
Bike Setup: stock with Deore v's new crankarm
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Submitted by
stuart fuller
a Cross Country Rider
from stoughton WI US of A
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001
Strengths: The frame took some abuse
Weaknesses: every time i went out the rear hanger bent and i had to get it bent back. i cracked the chain rings and i couldn't replace them because the nes on there are non replaceable the fork was a pain to tune and wasn't near stiff enough. sthe would. shift after 10 min of hard riding and her handling was really sluggish
Bike Setup: GOOD, NICE COLORS, GREAT SELECTION OF SIZING
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Submitted by
FERGUS LEIBLIER
a Weekend Warrior
from Alberta, Can.
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001
Strengths: Bullet proof frame, Awsom colors (yellow/black) good shifters, good stiff oasis seat, world class name..
Weaknesses: entry level SR Suntour shock is ok to start with but will need to be upgraded once technique improves. probably to a manitou
Bottom Line:
Spent about 3 weeks comparing bikes for best bang for the buck and this Mamba won hands down. Awson hardtail frame that can easlily be upgraded to a world class bike. Only $$ stands in the way. Anyone who is considering going to a real bike from a cheapy should really consider this bike. Excellent place to start without cracking the bank.
Bike Setup: F & B 'V' Braked very good, head set and stem one piece, will be upgraded with new shock. Good matrix 550 rims (as long as you're not doing 30' drops), good grippy connection tires (little slower on black top though).
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Submitted by
Craig Thomas
a Downhiller
from Webster,NH,USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001
Strengths: Definatly the price not a bad bike the only thing i put on was bar ends and "yello and red" Profile Desine Grips i love the rapid fire shifters also!
Weaknesses: The suspention Although i just ordered new Rock Shock sid so that should make a nice diference!
Favorite Trail: Any thing with good down hill jumps!!!
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At: Bandigans 50/50
Similar Products Used: none realy
Bike Setup: Large Gary fisher Mamba 21spd rapid fier frnt and rer "V" brake set up (soon to be front disc!)
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Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Sudbury, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2000
Strengths: Fun as hell, not too heavy, gotta love the Gary Fisher Millenium Orange :)
Weaknesses: The stock components are a little weak, chainring was destroyed early
Bottom Line:
Fun, fun fun bike if you don't trash it. If you're going to do some hardcore riding i suggest you at least upgrade shocks and crankset. Derailleurs are easily replaced as well, but not necessary. I trail ride all the time and this baby has never failed me, i just wanted to upgrade as an early christmas present. i love this bike, i highly recommend it to anyone who wants a great bike at a better price.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox '01 Pyslo XC, Yeti Grips, XT everything else but i'm putting hayes disc brakes on it next month *yes i'm turning a 400 dollar bike into a 1500 dollar bike :)*
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Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis,CA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000
Strengths: sub-$300 suspension bike. Sturdy / jumps well. Great beginner bike
Weaknesses: Components aren't great Shock is not adjustable
Bottom Line:
At first I was pleased with this bike and if I didn't start going off road alot I still would be. The componentry simply does not hold up to any off-road use. I have only 3 months on the bike and have already worn out the big chainring and since it doesn't have replaceable chainrings, I'm stuck with buying new crank. I had planned on buying this and upgrading as I learned more, but since I will needing a new fork and crankset soon, I will put the money into a real off-road bike. In short: its great around town and in the country, but you will break it in the hills.
Bike Setup: Stock except changing the cassette to a 13-32
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000
Strengths: price-value ratio solid frame Oakland Raider paint scheme Gary Fisher vibe
Weaknesses: entry level componentry
Bottom Line:
My old bike is a 14 year old hybrid, and it does the job on the smooth concrete or asphalt triails, but i wanted to try some slightly more challenging terrain. The Mamba is a perfect entry-level bike for my needs. The bang-for-the-buck ratio is very high. Yes, many of the parts may wear out, but i've read reviews for bikes costing 3 or 4 times than this thing, and parts are replaced on those as well. I'll do the same on the Mamba when needed. A $1000.00 bike would not be 3 times more fun for me. I looked at about a dozen bikes and bought this one. This bike makes me feel like i felt with my blue Schwinn StingRay back in the olden days.
Similar Products Used: Univega 500 Specialized Navigator Fisher Marlin
Bike Setup: Stock, added Niterider Trailrat, gel seat pad for 43 year old crotch
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Submitted by
Greg Hopper
a Weekend Warrior
from Collierville, TN
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000
Strengths: This is a 2001 Mamba not 2000. Great entry level bike, comfortable. Good value for the money. better colors than the 2000. Better value than Schwinn or Specialized or Giant.
Weaknesses: Front forks, they shake and make strange noise. After 4 xc rides I have it in the shop to check the forks because they have become "jittery" or "grabby"
Bottom Line:
It's a great starter bike, the most bang for the buck!! If your just starting out this is the bike for you. Dont make the mistake of going to the "supercenter" and buying a Mongoose dual suspention like I almost did.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn, Specialized, Giant.
Bike Setup: Stock, no changes yet.
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Submitted by
Fred Hernandez
a Cross Country Rider
from Vista, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000
Strengths: Great frame, great tires, decent components, warranty, price, look and feel.
Weaknesses: Plastic pedals and that's it!
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bike for $300. Fisher quality and feel, handles beatifully. As someone else mentioned frame has lifetime warranty, I'll probably just be upgrading components. Plastic pedals were first to go, propably next will go to Shimano XT or XTR. Fork is decent, but you may need to upgrade for serious XC (I'm thinking Manitou SX-R). I did a lot of research before buying and was on a budget, but this was best bike hands down for the price.
Similar Products Used: Other Front Suspension rigs
Bike Setup: Stock plus System 1 Pedals, Bontrager Bar Ends
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Submitted by
Bax
a Cross Country Rider
from Vista CA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000
Strengths: lifetime warranty on frame, tough, light, Rapidfires, Gary Fisher name, riser handlebar, lighter than my wife's GT Saddlback which is a much smaller bike
Weaknesses: cheesy plastic pedals, lowgrade components but what can you expect from a front suspension for $300? needs wider tires also
Bottom Line:
nimble, tough, light, front suspension bike w/ lifetime warranty on frame for around $300. Good starter bike that you can upgrade since the frame is guaranteed forever. Thanks to Mark at Supergo for making my first mountain bike purchase hassle free. I highly recommend Supergo to anyone w/ a store in your area. E-mail me if you have any questions about the bike or my Camelbak Blowfish purchase which I also recommend
My wife has one. I compare her's in comfort and value all the time with my friends bikes, window shopping, etc, and the Mamba remains the most comfortable ride yet. This is a great bike. I spent 3 times the $ for the Katai, and we swap bikes when we get into some tuff terrain, and then I welcome the comfort of hers for a while. I'm glad I have one around. Wives really are for feeling good, eh? BTW, it's fast too, not as fast as the Kaitai, of course, but fast...I mean come on, $300 is cheap. But it's made right.
Weaknesses: the cat's eye pedal reflectors keep on falling out
Bottom Line:
This bike is good for people who won't do serious downhill riding. It is an excellent bike with good components for the price. I do a lot of XC riding and bike all over the place with it. It is a good bike for people just beginning to get into mtn biking. Out of all the bikes that I looked at in the same price range the Mamba had the best quality.
