Submitted by
Hunter Moore
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ, Maricopa
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007
Strengths: The 29er wheels are a heaven inspired innovation Great climbing geometery Good weight and the frame is stiff The Juicy 7 disc breaks are much nicer than other styles I've used before
Weaknesses: The shifters on the Juicy 7 set up are terrible. Switch to rapid fire if you can. The thumb shifter gets in the way when you are really pushing hard up and down hills
Bottom Line:
I am a big rider (6'4" / 210 lbs) and the 29er frame and tires are a big man's dream. You don't give up anything on single track and the added circumference on the rough terrain gives you an easier ride over the technical stuff. I'm much better technically now and I feel like I got a great bike that will last a long time. I am the envy of all the guys I ride with.
Bike Setup: All XT front and rear deraliers Avid Juicy breaks and shifters Bontreger Race Seatpost and Crowbar handlebars Rock Shox Reba Race Fork
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Submitted by
T Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO 80123
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004
Strengths: Climbs like a goat! The rear geomitry genesis desging is great. The BB and Shimano default components are excellent.
Weaknesses: I bought the bike used and the bars and head set felt like a lady had bought the original bike. I traded out for a icon riser bar, and it's a little better. Before, it was a little squirly. The Judy Race front fork lost its response after a year.
Bottom Line:
Excellent hard tail. A bit squirley. You need to setup bars and headset.
Similar Products Used: Trek SL8000. I was riding Trek 1999 SL8000 before this bike, and the Gary Fisher is a better climber. The Trek SL8000 was a little bit better down hiller.
Bike Setup: XT rear, LX everywhere else
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Submitted by
Jon Erickson
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC, Usa
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003
Strengths: Quick handling. best fit I've had in my 14 years of riding. VERY durable. Won't beat you like an M4. Amazing bike for the price
Weaknesses: Rough on the single track, I was faster through the tight stuff on an F1000.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, especially if you can find one used (seen them for as low as 400.00. I have one of those odd ball body types (short legs, long torso) so I thought I needed a custom frame. NOPE when I saw this bike for less than the Litespeed frame I was going in to be measured for, I jumped on it and I've been beating on it ever since. Sell the bike? NEVER you'll have to unwrap it from around that last tree that claims it. After riding this bike, spending 3000.00 on a hardtail is, well, nuts. If you're a single track type and don't plan on riding anything else, look at a Cannondale or an M4 with a suspension seat post. Otherwise stretch out and enjoy the ride!!!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale F1000, Raleigh Mountain Bike (steel and yeah it was a slug) Specialized Stump Jumper, Specialized M4, Trek 6000
Bike Setup: Stock, I've replaced a few xt derailers claimed by the trail but other than that nothing has broken except cables and tires. Thinking about a new shock though
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Submitted by
guilt
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville,KY
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003
Strengths: It still rides great, even tho I neglect the heck out of it.
Weaknesses: its owner :-) lousy tires, lousy (but functional) pedals
Bottom Line:
I ride every day, whether it be to the grocer, to class, the lab, or some weekend trail riding. This bike, with a minimum of maintenance, has been riding strong for three years.
Not only has it held up great, but it rides like a dream. The geometry works wonderfully for me, giving me all the control I want and comfort to match.
I have no idea what the newer Fishers ride like, but with as much as I love mine, I hope I never have to get a different frame. Component upgrades, here I come!!
Similar Products Used: Fisher Aquila, Fisher Katai
Bike Setup: replaced the front derailleur after it broke (after two year), some Panaracer Fire XL's, stock otherwise
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Submitted by
michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Russia
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003
Strengths: lite, genesis geometry, colour
Weaknesses: no disc brake tabs
Bottom Line:
i bought frame only & build custom bike. The bike is feather light and very fast. Grait claimber. True XC racer. i think this bike is perfect for races but w/o any real extrim like 2m drops its an XC mashine. I recomend it to anywon.
Similar Products Used: scott comp racing, marin, author magic
Bike Setup: paragon 00, SID XC 01, CROSS link, avids, LX XTR mix, SLR, continental twister supersonic,carbon bar
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Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from all over Canada
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002
Strengths: Light, accelerates well, climbs well, Genesis geometry is stable on the descents. Mostly quality parts. Resilient frame.
Weaknesses: Bontrager RE-1's are the worst pedals I have ever tried. Stem was too short. even with the 23,9 inch top tube. Bontrager rings shift poorly.
Bottom Line:
Great XC bike. Great value for your money. I have had it for 2 years and I still love it. Genesis geometry requires some getting used to. It can be a handful in tight turns and switch backs, but the short chainstays are great on the ascents and the long top tube provide good stability at speed.
This is a hardtail after all, so the rear end can be unforgiving. (But I do run the tire pressure at 50 psi and an SLR saddle.) That's why my other bike is a Norco VPS.
Bike Setup: Stock, +: Kenda Klimax Lite tires, longer stem, LX cranks, SLR saddle, XT cassette, Yeti grips, 747 pedals.
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Submitted by
William Syx-Spears
a Weekend Warrior
from 13331 lakewood Blvd. #C-10 downey CA 90242 USA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001
Strengths: Light, animble and rugged
Weaknesses: Saddle
Bottom Line:
I'm an old Road Racer, I've got the grey hairs and the Simplex derailleurs to prove it! When my Custom built Italian lady died I needed a new machine, now! Well then! my LBS had this used Paragon is stock. The original owner had put so few miles on it that there was no wear on chain or chainrings. The colour was awesome the fit very good. For the price it was irresistable. with a shorter stem and my old ideale 90 leather saddle it was fit to ride. What a fabulous ride! I'v sampled other MTB's an old steel Specialized, A GT i-Drive, Etc. But the Fisher Paragon rode Like a champ, light nimble and rugged. after a few months I think I'm getting a good feel for what this baby can do. My old Cyclocross skills come in handy off-road, I've yet to crash or loose the bike in a turn. It's not as stiff as my old Columbus steel steads. I'm a big, strong, heavy rider, and have abused a few road/cyclocross/touring bikes. the Fisher does seam to have some side to side flex in the bottom bracket when I stomp on the pedals. I do get a sharp spike of "Road shock" up through the saddle from time to time. I might try switching to a Brooks Conquest saddle. Unlike some reviewers I've had no trouble with the front Shimano LX derailleur. My Paragon came with WTB motoraptor tires, I've not used any WTB products before, man are these things tough. I do have a favorite brand of tires, but can't justify the cost of chanig till I can get these stupid WTB to wear at least a little. The Shimano Deore LX brakes do a fine job of stoppoing but do not give me the fine feel of the high end side pulls I'm more used to. I may soon try Cane Creek Direct Curve Brakes. It also came with Grip shifters which I've never used but do like a lot. All in all I'd say the Gary fisher Paragon is a splendid machine. Well built, nicely finished and impressively light. A very Good buy. Especialy at the price I paid. If you are in the market for a Aluminium hardtail even at full price the Paragon is a very fine value.
This was my first mountain bike and for the cost an excellent way to start into racing for only a little money. The bike is feather light and very nimble on everything from switchbacks to jumps. I think if you are either short on cash or just getting started this is the bike for you. The stock components are quick to be outgrown though, so either look to upgrade them after some hard training or upgrade to a higher caliber bike.
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Strengths: This bike is so light you have to see it to believe it!! Rock Shox Judy race are great!
Weaknesses: The tires are not so good in the mud. But if it's dry you have absolutely no problem.
Bottom Line:
If you are conscious about your money, buy this bike. You will not regret it at any moment of any of your rides. Gary Fisher will always rules mountain bikes!!! The bottom line is: THE BEST BIKE YOU CAN BUY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH FOR YOU MONEY!!
Similar Products Used: Trek 6500, Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Carl C
a Weekend Warrior
from Rocky Hill
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001
Strengths: Weight (or lack there-of)
Weaknesses: Tires (Stock Mountain Wilderness Tires - Good for street only, and then dry - Replace asap!!) The only other gripe I have is about the front lx derailer. While mostly quick shifting, the chain gets sucked up in between the frame and the forward gears when shifting. I'm sure it's just the newness factor and nothing a little adjustment can't handle; but, annoying on a steep uphill.
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic bike that is a major step up from my Giant ATX-880 (Which I loved!). I've not had as many trail rides with this bike yet (6 maybe so far, most in the rain) but I do know that the wheels suck as far as mud goes. I like wides tires (2.1s on my fisher) but the tread is horrendious! However, tires aside, you will NOT be disappointed with this ride.
This bike flys! And 10" logs are no longer a problem! I'm actually releived that I bought this bike I could barely afford.
Similar Products Used: Giant ATX-880, and a Gary Fisher Suger 3( demoed on a trail ride through Cycling Concepts in Rocky Hill, CT -- great full suspension ride and a fantastic shop, BTW)
Bike Setup: Shimano XT Rear, LX Front - Shifters and V-brakes. EVERYTHING else, rims included, is Bontrager ('cept for the ahead set)
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Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Gr Michigian
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Strengths: The frame is awesome very light bike climbs great and descends good too the RS fork is great too
Weaknesses: The pedals aren't the best but for the price this bike is fantastic
Bottom Line:
You can't beat a gary fisher these bikes are of the best quality...as for this bike it is light, comes with great componets, and the frame is worthy of upgrades
Favorite Trail: Santos in Ocala Florida and up here Boyne Mountains trails
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: Ada Bike shop
Similar Products Used: schwinn mesa, mesa gsx, moab 2,3..treck 6500-8000, and specialized rockhopper
Bike Setup: so far stock planning to get new treads and pedals
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Submitted by
Randy Peters
a Weekend Warrior
from Montana
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001
Strengths: Everything but the tires. The frame is light, the geometry allows flexibility and maneuverability. Super fast, and solid ride. The bontrager crank has held up well, and the shifters, (LX) do a great job.
Weaknesses: Those damn tires. I think a more aggresive tread is in order. Otherwise, if you have long legs like me, and you plan on doing any trials type riding, you NEED a new riser bar!!!!!!!!
Bike Setup: Stock Except upgraded to XTR front and rear derailer.
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Submitted by
Marc-André
a Cross Country Rider
from Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2001
Strengths: The same frame as the Supercaliber!!! It's so much light, I can't believe it!!! The Rock Shox Judy fork is also very great!
Weaknesses: Sorry, There is no Weaknesses for this bike!!!
Bottom Line:
It's by far the best bike you can get for your money!!! It's almost a professional bike and the price is not that high if you compare to similar bikes! I recommend it to anyone who want what is best for the best price!
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001
Strengths: Light and fast Holds up to my abuse and keeps coming back for more.
Weaknesses: Finish - lots of paint chips Broke one pedal (my LBS swaped it out for me) Seat - broke that in a light crash... Front DR is LX
Bottom Line:
This has been a great bike for me. I've put over 800 miles on it in my first year and I ride really hard and crash a ton. This bike has never let me down. I've knocked the rims out a round once, bent the rear DR hanger once (I've got a spare just in case now), broke the seat on a light crash and a pedal broke when I smacked it into a rock (lbs got me a new set free). I'm only 5'10 1/2" and the Genesis works great for me. I climb and descend like a pro, now if I could just get my stamina up....
LX Front has a been making some noise and is a biatch to shift up...
Bottom Line: I beat on this bike almost every time I ride and it just jumps up, thanks me and asks for another.
This bike has been a joy to own! It climbs like a goat and decends like a banshee. I thought about getting a Surgar II but after riding one I just decided to keep my Paragon and go with a set of Cross Max UST to ease some of the bumps the mountains have to offer.
