Submitted by
beasl3y
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2010
Strengths: G2 frame, hydraulic disc brakes, front suspension
Weaknesses: stock pedals
Bottom Line:
Great sub $1,000 bike available in the Tassajara. I have the 2009 model with mods and it sure is pretty to look at, especially after a bath, after it's been splashed with mud a few times. New wheels and tires and maybe components are next for this bike.
Submitted by
bradwat5
a Weekend Warrior
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2010
Strengths: Rock Solid, Great components for the money, Comfortable riding position
Weaknesses: Stock pedals
Bottom Line:
Great bike, climbs effortlessly and is comfortable on long rides. I bought an '09 at the end of the model year and got a pretty good deal, also get tons of compliments on the paint job (light blue metallic/white graphics). I see a lot of complaints about the saddle, but it's fine in my book and I'm a large mammal (6ft 3in, 225lbs). Great on technical trails and covers ground quickly on the flat stuff. Swap the pedals out on this bad boy and you'll be off to the races. I ride this thing hard and it never talks back. Would definitely buy another Tassajara and Fisher.
Submitted by
arcticd00d
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2010
Strengths: G2 Geometry (handling and climbing are wonderful), quality components come stock
Weaknesses: stock seat sucks, doesn't come with clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
I have a long(ish) upper torso and the geometry of this bike is perfect for me. Compared to my old bike, my lower back doesn't take as much punishment and the bike feels more balanced. What makes the Genesis Geometry special is that it sits you a little further back over the wheel for better climbing. The G2 is another step forward from that. If you look at the pictures of the fork, you can see it's angled slightly forward at the top. The result is an increase in handling (response) without losing straight-line stability.
I'd have to say that this bike was the perfect fit for me. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
Similar Products Used: Trek's equivalent (demo'ed)
Bike Setup: stock 2009 + Shimano M540 clipless pedals
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Submitted by
Nor Cal Gabe
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008
Strengths: Way better components than previous years, new G2 frame better than original Genesis... forks offset a little bit more forward, provide better downhill control
Weaknesses: Pricey, had to upgrade pedals
Bottom Line:
I like to climb and I like singletrack. My older Tassjara got jacked and i went almost 2 years without a bike. I just bought one of the new 09 models, and Fisher really didn't spare any expense making sure this was a competitive bike. Relative to the rest of the market, the Tassajara is a way better bike than it was when I originally bought one (I probably should have bought the a lower end model!) Until 29ers become more prolific and come down in price, I don't think I'll ever need a better bike. I have owned 3 Fishers, and they have all been awesome... this one really raised the bar, IMO.
Similar Products Used: Hoo Koo E Koo, older Tassajara
Bike Setup: Stock, but upgraded to clipless pedals
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Submitted by
TheHammerDog
a Cross Country Rider
from sparta nj
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2008
Strengths: Bike is a pure goat...well balanced..I wish it was lighter but man o man I luv it
Weaknesses: weight, brakes, wide bars
Bottom Line:
I rode this bike for the first time today. I sold my old school FSR full suspension it never reallyfit me...On thios thing I was able to clear sections of the trail I would always dismount. It feels quick stable handles like a race car. may upgrade cranks one day just to reduce weight but for the money I am happy
Bike Setup: stock off the rack...I got an 07 left over Hydrolic brakes, slice fork? never heard of it before Manitou ?
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Submitted by
jbarber
a Weekend Warrior
from New Castle, In - USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008
Strengths: components are good for the money, love the agility and it climbs like a goat. geometry is great and the final fit and attention to detail is good as well - killer flat black paint too.
Weaknesses: brick like seat - and pedals suck.
Bottom Line:
I have only had this bike for a month but it has worked great without any problems so far - i understand it is early so i will post an update at a later time. - Glad i went with GF so far...
Bike Setup: stock - except for replacing the Rock Shox Tora with Rock Shox Reba Team forks..
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Submitted by
Revivalll
a Weekend Warrior
from Shelley, Idaho USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2008
Strengths: I just started biking again from a 13 yr break so i cant give a real technical review. All I can say is for the past 3 months ive been ridaing every chance I get and this bike has been awesome!! I dont remember my old GT Avelanche performing even close to this. This bike climbs like a horse. I believe that I wll be a lifetime GF rider. In fact I cant see me needing to upgrade anytime soon, the bike can do more than I can. Great bike for a beginner and in my opinion for an intermediate rider as well.
Weaknesses: After the first week I replaced the saddle. I dont know if its a crappy saddle or a personal thing but it definitely didnt work for me!!
Bottom Line:
Great deal on a great bike. Would recommend to any one getting to know mountain biking.
Submitted by
HTownBiker
a Cross Country Rider
from Houton Tx
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
Strengths: Fantastic Bike for the price.
Weaknesses: Tires.
Bottom Line:
08 Model Most of the time I like to wait before posting about a product but I have really been taken by this bike. Yeah the tires are not the best but hey that is a easy fix right. Many people do not like the seat but again that is a personal thing. I really do not have a issue with the seat. I went on a few test rides and when I gave this bike a spin it was very nice to say the least. The line was straight and had less vibrations. This was to be my Xmas gift from my wife but she could not wait to give it to me so we took it Home. I let her take it for a spin now she wants a G F as well. I took this bike out on the trails and was very happy with the handling but then it was time to climb and this bike was pure enjoyment at that time I almost started laughing at the performance. The shifting system is great so far I still have to work on the shock still but that is a tweak. Gary Fischer Great Job This Bike is DA Bomb for under a Grand. Of course this bike still new as can be but like i said it just has really taken me. For any one that is looking for a nice hard tail or entry level race bike I think you may want to check this ride out. I am going to ride and race the day lights out of mine, and it is black.
Bike Setup: All stock besides my 03 egg beater SS pedals.
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Submitted by
Jerry Altares
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia Beach, Va.
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2007
Strengths: The geometry of the frame is awesome the durability of the bike...it has withstood many of my crashes, and I weigh about 250lbs. The look of the bike is awesome with its black frame paint job on the 08. The ride of this bike and responsiveness is great.
Weaknesses: What I found that really needs to be reevaluted is the seat, I went through 2 seats and the grips started to twist on me after about a month and if they got a little wet your hands just slip off. I actually upgraded the grips to locking grips. Also I felt that their should of been a little bit more of an upgrade in parts versus the pirahna.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great for any level rider. With just a few minor upgrades this bike is a dream to ride or race. They really did a great job with this bike. I have been made a fisher bike fan.
Similar Products Used: None this is my first bike in 15 years... last bike was a diamondback full rigid
Bike Setup: Candy sl, 08 shimano shadow derailer, shimano hone dual control shifters, odi grips and nocal shifter cables
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Submitted by
brendan
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2007
Strengths: Super versatile, durable, great geometry for larger riders - climbs and descends steep colorado terrain very well, decent component mix, good looking black and white paint job, plush, smoother feel than you'd expect from a hardtail in this price range
Weaknesses: stock bontrager seat is poor, paint knicks and rubs off very easily, mixed feelings on the manitou axel fork
Bottom Line:
I commute on this all week and do a couple weekday trail rides either morning or evening, and usually 2 weekend rides. Having made the 3 main upgrades (brakes, seat & pedals) and running tubeless on the rear wheel I rarely have any problems. I've ridden it pretty hard for 2 years (2005 model) and it still feels smooth and quiet and fun to ride. I'm 6'3" 210 lbs and found it very accommodating on a recent 40 mile ride over the divide.
Its also nice to not feel like it will be last year's technology right away - its a simple bike with a classic look to it and I have no desire to upgrade.
Similar Products Used: specialized hardrock, giant rainier & xtc, cannondale
Bike Setup: a few minor upgrades made it a great bike: WTB seat, crank bros candy pedals, avid bb7 brakes, had to replace rear wheel with mavic crossland and started using tubeless
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Submitted by
Diana
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2007
Strengths: This is a really great beginner to intermediate XC/AM bike. I tried the Trek and the Fisher back to back and the difference in the geometry was phenomenal. The frame is great and I love the componentry. It's definitely adequate for your average rider. Disc breaks are great for the price range
Weaknesses: I'd like a more responsive fork and a better seat. I've also continually had issues with the breaks squeaking, especially when wet, and am probably going to be upgrading next season, but it's not a huge issue.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money - good components, disk breaks, great frame. Room for upgrades and a great bike to grow on.
Similar Products Used: Trek 6500, Jamis Dakota, Specialized Hard Rock
Bike Setup: 2006 stock + Crank Bros Candy SLs
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Submitted by
Diana
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2007
Strengths: This is a really great beginner to intermediate XC/AM bike. I tried the Trek and the Fisher back to back and the difference in the geometry was phenomenal. The frame is great and I love the componentry. It's definitely adequate for your average rider. Disc breaks are great for the price range
Weaknesses: I'd like a more responsive fork and a better seat. I've also continually had issues with the breaks squeaking, especially when wet, and am probably going to be upgrading next season, but it's not a huge issue.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money - good components, disk breaks, great frame. Room for upgrades and a great bike to grow on.
Similar Products Used: Trek 6500, Jamis Dakota, Specialized Hard Rock
Bike Setup: 2006 stock + Crank Bros Candy SLs
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Submitted by
Captahab
a Weekend Warrior
from Barnesville, Pa.
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2007
Strengths: Genesis Geometry is really dead on.Havent had any issues with the Sole brakes yet,back pads rubbed a little but was easy to adjust.Bontrager tires seem to be pretty good on the loose marble stone where I do most of my riding.
Weaknesses: The paint on this bike is really soft,it nicks very easily. Ive been having issues keeping the rear deraileur adjusted.Has a tendency to do some ghost shifting in the middle ring,maybe its the cable or the component,I havent gotten it right yet.The grips are a tad hard for me and the seat was real garbage.
Bottom Line:
Ive spent the last two years on a roadbike and decided to give the dirt a shot again before i got to old.I didnt want to get into big bucks since I really wasnt sure how much gas I had in the tank and how much interest my g/f would have in it.A friend of mine who worked at my bike shop talked me into the "Tass" and Im glad he did.This bike is a joy to ride.It goes where you point it and its the lightest feeling hardtail Ive pedaled.It inspired me so much I just went and bought a Jekyl and will keep this for the lighter stuff.Eventually Ill swap out the grips and maybe add a carbon post and bar to cut back on some weight.The Genesis geometry is really the nuts.This is a solid hardtail and its got me back into it again.If your looking for a reasonably priced hardtail that performs like a expensive one,buy the Tass and swap out some knick knack stuff and your in the hunt.Fisher did a nice job with this one......
Similar Products Used: Trek 6700,Trek 1500,Trek 2100,Cannondale Prophet 600
Bike Setup: All stock at this point cept for the seat.
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Submitted by
mitchell g.
a Racer
from alfred,Maine
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2007
Strengths: i have the 07' model but most of the components are the same.so,most of the components are great nothing has broke or anything.overall this is a great bike to own.
Weaknesses: The first thing i noticed bad was that the hayes sole hydro. disc brakes suck.they stoped horrible,they sqweaked,and the pistons don't stay adjusted to the way u had them the go back to there original position in a few weeks
Bottom Line:
this bike is a great bike very reliable and durable,has good components but the hayes sole disc brakes were awful, but other then that it is a good light xc bike. and if u are into xc hardtail racing this a great bike mid level range bike.
Bike Setup: shimano deore shifting system,bontrager ranger rims,avid juicy 7 disc brakes(awesome),shimano crank and manituo slate fork.
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Submitted by
Mike D.
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2007
Strengths: Good geometry, good weight and component package for the price. Great looking bike graphics. Riding hardtail for 20+ years.
Weaknesses: Brakes are noisy but sufficient. As far as effectiveness great coming from cantalevers. Pedals were a little sticky sometimes difficult to release better with adjustments
Bottom Line:
Great bike new geometry works great with my 5'6" frame. I am 40 yrs old I have been riding for a good 20+ years enjoyed the new technology. I know there are better more expensive bikes to ride, bottom line not what you ride but how you ride. I may make a few changes along the way but I am really enjoying what the Gary Fisher bike has to offer. I ride hard 2-3 times a week local trails with Intermediate to Advanced rating according to IMBA. Bike performs beautifully. Some upgrades to follow but not in any hurry.
Similar Products Used: Trek 850 gutted from original components to stay with the times: Specialized shock,onza pedals,Mavic rims,aluminum trek handle bars and stem, Vetta seat, XT rear derailer,Smoke /Dart tires: Very old school but I use to follow local races and ride out west. Bike held up well for many years than I cracked the frame. Time for a new bike.
Bike Setup: Original stock '06 Tass disc: Axel w/lockout shock, LX rear derailer,Hayes Sole disc brakes,Shimano M505 pedals,switched Bontranger tires for Continental Explorers the only switch so far, conditions are mostly dry with a few slick spots and exposed roots and pitched terrain.
