Submitted by
Mtbr4life
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland Oregon
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Lightweight(28lbs), Fox fork, Manitou rear shock, quality frame built in the US, and so much stuff it would take forever
Weaknesses: The haynes nine disc brakes tend to make some screeching sound in wet weather.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for almost anything you throw at it. Can take some decent sized drop offs. Climbs up hills amazing! Stock components are nice. Worth the money
Bike Setup: Fox fork, Carbon bars, Mavic tubeless wheels, Shimano clipless pedals, Carbon seatstay
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Submitted by
jsweed
a Weekend Warrior
from Indiana Pa
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009
Strengths: climbs well the bike feels like it'll handle whatever i through at it pretty good part spec decent weight for a four year old fs
Weaknesses: does have some issues with chain popping.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike from my lbs they got it in on trade from an older gentalman that must have taken care of the bike. I got it and it still had the original tires on it with the little nipples on the side walls still so for the four hundred and fifty dollars i paid for it i'm excited. i came off of a trek 6000 wich i loved.
Bike Setup: 27" easton high rise bar, kenda nevegal 2.35, shimano XTR crank, shimano XT cassette, sram chain, fox talus fork, fox rp23 shock, forte shovel pedals, thick foam grips from a mototcycle, gel seat
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Submitted by
darrinw2001
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, Florida
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2009
Strengths: Components, shock set-up, weight
Weaknesses: placement of top bar..
Bottom Line:
I just sold a 2004 Cake 2 standard that was too big for me. XL frame for a 5'11" rider was the only draw back with that bike. I got a great deal on this bike while selling my old one for more money. very light and fast bike..
Bike Setup: lx, xt, hayes disc , specialized s-works tubeless tires
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Submitted by
BigJoe
a Weekend Warrior
from Yukon, OK, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2009
Strengths: The design and component group work well together. Very little bob even for a large rider (6'5"-250lbs). Frame is stiff enough for light jumping with enough flex to promote a smooth ride.
Weaknesses: While roomy for riders with long upper body, the stand over height seems very high. I would say the frame is perfect for single track/XC but too light for jumps/drops of much height.
Bottom Line:
This is a fantastic XC bike. Use it for what is designed to do and you will be very pleased. Ride before you buy and the sizing seems to run a little larger than standard. Tires are a little weak for loose dirt and the shifter pods are not my favorite, but overall this is a tough bike. AT 250 lbs. I am a true clydsdale and have yet to break anything.
Similar Products Used: Giant XTC, Giant Warp 1, Motobecane 600DS
Bike Setup: All stock exept upgraded front DR to XT.
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Submitted by
Psycho Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007
Strengths: XC geometry means it flies along singletrack, great all day trail bike. Only one pivot to service. Genesis geometry gives bigger guys a bit more room. Swinger is a great match for the bike.
Weaknesses: Stock tires suck. Cable/hose routings need to be tweaked. Can get some bob.
Bottom Line:
For a bigger guy, this is an excellent XC / trail bike. If you are smooth it can handle some jumps, but it is not a hucker frame. Gobbles up singletrack and can be very quick and nimble...and fast for getting around town, if need be.
I've never had an issue with chainsuck as had been reported for past versions.
Biggest gripes are: the stock tires which don't grip well and pack up with the slightest bit of moisture in my local soil conditions. Cable rub can be an issue...I've tweaked mine and it does a lot better. Finally, the stock skewers and seatpost clamp work, but are not the greatest.
Considering what was offered at the same price point, the Cake 2 DLX represented an outstanding value. Use it as intended and it is a good frame (not quite as nice as a multi-pivot design, butnowhere near as expensive either).
Similar Products Used: Jamis Dakar XLT, Giant Trance
Bike Setup: Mostly stock, went all XT for ders and shifters, WTB saddle, 8" rotor on the front (I'm a bigger guy), Hope QR and skewers, Continental Edge and Slash tires.
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Submitted by
orion
a Weekend Warrior
from nevada city
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007
Strengths: This is a decent trail/xc bike. I put sram on it because I don't like shimano. It is affordable, climbs well seated. Tite geometry for single track
Weaknesses: I ride aggressively, but this is my xc bike. I do little 2'-3' drops. I get a few feet in the air now and then. it's a 5" bike. I broke the rear swing arm after 1.5 years. They warrantied it. It will break again, they won't replace it next time. Single pivot is a limited technology. the stable platform keeps you bob free, but the trade off is small bump compliance. I'll go with multi-linkage next time. The rec shock pressure is absurd. needs about 2/3 or less of what is suggested on manitou
Bottom Line:
Decent bike for the money especially used if you can find it for under $1000 and don't let the rubber leave the dirt ever. A little flexy a little tall. I'd go with specialized if I were in the non-$2000 just for the frame market. But I like it and it's fast. I'd get one before I went withanything sporting a lefty shock.
Bike Setup: stock, with gravity dropper and wide monkey lites
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Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2006
Strengths: Many....Fox Float R front shock and Manitou Swinger 3 Way SPV rear shock make a great combination. Feels solid on the road/hardpan but takes the big hits great. Hayes Nine hydraulic disk brakes are bomb.
Weaknesses: Tires. Bontrager tires are not quite up to the climbs around Rocky Peak.
Bottom Line:
Tried 3 different bikes before I decided on this one. I'm a big guy (6'3", 235lbs) and the Fisher just felt better to me. Climbs great, not much bob as long as you set the shocks up right. The genesis geometry is great, especially when you are coming down the hill. Feels like the front tire and bars are out in front of you rather than beneath you. So far no problems. Overall a great bike especially for the money.
Similar Products Used: Tried the Trek Fuel EX 7, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp, and Giant Trance 2. Liked the Genesis geometry on the Fisher the best.
Bike Setup: Stock....... Upgraded the pedals to Shimano PD-M424 and tires to Panaracer Fire XC Pro 26 x 2.1 with the blue sidewall. Not only LOOKS good but WAY better tire for the trails I ride.
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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2006
Strengths: Great handling at high speeds downhill or on flats. Great climber.
Weaknesses: Not overly thrilled with rear shock, I tend to run it a little harder than a regular trailbike. Stock tires were not made for the sonoran desert, but then again, not many are. Put a 3 inch gash in the side wall first ride out. Had some trouble with cranks. Retaining nut worked loose and aluminum mounting bolt shredded itself inside. Probably just as much my fault as the bike's though.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for all around riding. Handles the rugged terrain around Phoenix with very little complaints. I have been intentionally brutal to this bike and it's ready to go every weekend. Can't wait to take it up to Moab...
Bike Setup: Stock but with WTB 2.4 Mutano Raptors running tubeless. Specialized Durango saddle.
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Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Stafford Virginia
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2006
Strengths: Climbs like crazy, Fox Fork, nearly no pedal bob, pretty good weight for a full XC,
Weaknesses: Hight center of gravity, thin paint, tires suck
Bottom Line:
the bike looks great and feels very nimble around the tight single track. the high CG does make it a bit hard to get back on if you aren't on flat ground. I've heard a lot of people having problems with chain suck, clean your damn chain and gears and it will never be a problem. The bike gives me loads of confidence climbing and flying down hill. I haven't had to too long, so i will give a better review later on.
