Submitted by
waller1969
a Weekend Warrior
from Front Royal,VA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2010
Strengths: Price, Comfort, durability, and handeling
Weaknesses: have yet to find one, other than its just a bit heavy . . . but what do you expect.
Bottom Line:
I am a LEO and recently took the IPMBA mountain bike course in MIddletown,VA and fell in love with mountain biking. The instructor was great and taught me how to manuever the bike like I would have never guessed I could have done. Our Dept. uses Gary Fisher Marlins, and I since I did not own a bike of my own, I was in the maket. However on a Cop's salary I was unable to afford a quality new mountain bike. I looked on craigslist and got lucky after 2 weeks and spotted a Gary Fisher Mamba for 99 dollars. I told the gentleman to hold the bike and I was able to buy it for 80 dollars. I took it to Blur Ridge Bycles and got a tune-up(gears adjusted, brakes adjusted, chain cleaned and tires trued) and a Shimano Rapid-Fire thumb shifter purchaced and put on for 90 dollars. I have a new quality bike for 170 dollars. Craigslist (got to love it!!!)
Bike Setup: Rock Shock Forks, Shimano rapid fire thumb shifters, Contenintal Tires, Shimano Rims, Shimano SRAM gears
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Submitted by
QBEtobicoke
a Weekend Warrior
from Etobicoke, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2010
Strengths: Sturdy Frame, geometry, crankset
Weaknesses: a little heavy, rear derailleur, grips
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike! I bought it used in the summer of 2008 after my bike was stolen. Great from the start. Just starting to have some issues with the derailleur, it has trouble with the spring, and loosens quite often. But it's a cheap fix. Recently got new tires and grips (old ones are crap). Been in a couple of crashes with no harm done to the bike. Destroyed one pair of forks, but without any frame damage at all. Really great bike. And despite it's weight, it rides incredibly smoothly. Best all around bike I've ridden. Much better than other Norcos I have been on. Crank on my old Norco snapped on a fairly easy trail, my 250 pound father took my bike up a much tougher hil with incredible ease. Very strong components, great for someone who's tough on their bike.
this bike is the best. i have never had a better bike. i have had this bike off road, on pavement, on gravel, on tar and chip, and in a mud pit and so far it is doing great. if you want a high quality bike for about 300 dollars, this bike is for you.
I have had this bike since 2000, bought it cheap because it was a 1999 model, and I have been very happy with it. Lately I have been getting more and more serious, but this bike has yet to fail me. Only replacements so far were tires. My front bracket got loose, but it was noticed before it was bad, and we saved it.
The bike is a little heavy, someday I look forward to a lighter one, but you get used to it, and it's really not as bad as people here say it is. Not for a hobbyist at least. I will definitely be riding this bike a few more years.
Many good expeiences, this bike will be loved and enjoyed by anyone looking for a solid, cheap ride.
Bike Setup: Stock except new handlebar grips (which are very nessacery, the stock ones crumble).
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Submitted by
E
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge, MA - USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2007
Strengths: Strong frame, I love the steel ride. Great upright geometry. All stock parts work well if kept relatively clean and tuned. Best bang for the buck.
Weaknesses: Stock shock, rims, hubs, crank are not designed for serious abuse - strong enough for XC and monster potholes, but you shouldn't huck off ledges with this baby.
Bottom Line:
One of the most fun bikes i've ridden. The frame is strong and supple, and the extra weight is worth the ride (i'm 6'2" 200#). I use mostly as an around town bike, but its rides so nice that I've been neglecting my full suspension Kona on the trails. I wish Gary Fisher was still making these as smooth riding do-everything bikes.
Similar Products Used: Kona, Treks, GT, Soma, Specialized, a Merlin.
Bike Setup: 21" bike, mostly stock. Put on slick city tires, swapped an old Kona riser bar.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Delaware
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2005
Strengths: Strong frame-takes a beating, durable.
Weaknesses: Weak components, heavy, fork - but what do you expect in this price range. Only a 7 speed.
Bottom Line:
Not a bad bike for a newbie. I bought it because I hadn't ridden in years and wasn't sure of my commitment. Glad I bought the bike because I've fallen back in love with the sport of cycling in general, but in retrospect I would have bought a higher quality bike. But since I didn't I still do love this bike, it's held up pretty well. I ride it pretty often and have wrecked more than a few times pushing it a little to hard and the bike has been great. With the exception of needing a new rdr, the components are still in one piece. Can't say everything is running silky smooth but I figure when I can afford to upgrade to a new better bike I'll appreciate it even more. It is HEAVY, but again to look on the bright side when I'm on my road bike I feel stronger/faster and I figure it'll make my next MTB feel even lighter. New tires and clipless pedals made a huge difference in the feel of the bike, have debated on whether to upgrade the fork, but will probably put the money towards a new bike...then one day down the road change it for the helluvit.
Similar Products Used: Nothing in this low price range
Bike Setup: Upgraded shimano deraileurs, Panaracer tires, clipless pedals, new saddle
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Submitted by
Joe Adams
a Weekend Warrior
from New Oxford, PA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2005
Strengths: Frame, Headset
Weaknesses: Heavy, saddle to wide.
Bottom Line:
Good bike. I bought this a while back when I was just getting into sport. I ride probably twice a week, and have been since purchase. Is a little heavy at times, but can still climb nice. Have a had a few breaks in components, but overall a good deal. I will not be selling this any time soon.
Bike Setup: Stock exept tossed the risers for a flat bar, added clipless, and new saddle.
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Submitted by
Kilroy
a Weekend Warrior
from Misty Mountains
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2004
Strengths: handmade lifetime warranty on frame
Weaknesses: Too heavy
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is this is not for someone who weighs under 180 lbs and wants do enjoy bike riding. An oversize steel frame is ridiculous, just too heavy for any fun whatsover. This bike was my girlfriends, it was too heavy for her so I sold it and am buying her a better lighter bike, out of aluminum for starters. When riding it feels like the bike is pulling a trailer filled with bricks, and to carry it is painful, so not good for xc rides where one must portage, or even put on a roof rack, or bring up stairs. The components all worked, but seemed like the cheapest possible, not the usual bontrager mix, total no name mix. but regardless the frame is not a serious off road frame, as it is probably too heavy for itself to even land jumps with. I wouldnt even wanna ride it on roads for that matter, it's still too heavy, weighs same as some duel suspension rigs. However a strong steel frame for cheap with a lifetime warranty may attract some hardtail freeriders, if so, be preparred to spend on replacing every part, starting with fork, and being stuck with old school cross country geometry which is no good for steep down hills. so dont make the mistake of buying this bike as a starter bike, and especially not as an upgrade to anything. Spend the same and get better.
Strengths: Goodsturdy frame, comfortable seat, I like the shifters alot.
Weaknesses: Rims bend fairy easily, shifting isn't real smooth after about 3 or 4 months,relativly small shock.
Bottom Line:
Strong sturdy bike great for "urban mountain biking". Had to get rear rim fixed twice got 2 flat tires. I really beat on the bike and it isn't in to bad of condition.
Weaknesses: Original components are not meant for frequent riders - they will just wear out soon and not accurate. I replaced them with LX immediately. If you plan to ride it frequently and for long distances, either choose a more expensive bike or else buy and upgrade it. Second option is the best if you really want a good steel frame (just like me!!)
Bottom Line:
With all these upgrades, the Mamba is the bike I always wished. For me, it's just PERFECT!!
Similar Products Used: Early 90's Bottecchia Panda (guess it was in 1991) with Acera rear derailleur.
Bike Setup: LX front & rear derailleurs, cassette, crankset, LX brakes, shifters & levers, Bontrager Race 7-degree rise stem, Selle Italia Trimatic saddle, alloy pedals with toe clips w/o straps, Shimano WH-M535 wheels, Kenda tires & Sigma Sport Targa computer.
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Submitted by
Rafael
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Strengths: All around strong byke. I'm a heavy rider (210#) and pound the bike a lot. No speed limits means go like a maniac on the trails, so bike has to take that. Never had a flat with hutchinson's tires (keep at 50psi), no brake or deraillerur issues, just a strong all around bike. Only thing, as always, good maintenance. From stock I swapped the fork for a judy with adjustable rebound, pedals for spiked ones and seat post for a dampened post. Everything else is stock.
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket, had to be replaced twice en 1 year. the original on the bike lasted 3 months and started to squeal.
Bottom Line:
Good bike, it can take a lot of abuse only if you do some regular maintenance, keep it clean and you'll get a lot of years on it.
Similar Products Used: othe stinky brands, I like GF!
Bike Setup: All parts are original, but BB (sealed cartridge), pedals (spiked), seat post (with shock) and front suspension (upgraded to a Judy after a crash)
Strengths: The mamba is a good stirdy bike and can show you what it is made of. In my expierience my mamba was a good reliable bike. I almost never had trouble with derailers except for regular adjustment.
Weaknesses: NEVER HIT JUMPS WITH THIS BIKE!!! It is the most awfukl and slow and agonizing death to a cross country bike ever! I started yto do this with my mamba and within two weeks the cranks were wrecked. But that isn't exactly a weakness, that is something you just plain old shouldn't do. One weakness is that the gear shifter meter is liable to fall off. That's the thingee that shows youn what gear you're on. Also, if you don,t take good care of the brakes then they get screwed.
Bottom Line:
The mamba is a good stirdy bike that will get you from point a, to point b, wether you're on or off the trail. But the real bottom line is NEVER GO OFF JUMPS WITH THIS BIKE, IT IS THE EQUIVALANT OF MURDER!!!! If you want to hit jumps I sugjest you look in to kona's or something else. The recreational weekend cross country rider is the person for this bike. It's also great on rail trails
Submitted by
Tbone Blake
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002
Strengths: Overall a very nice mountain bike for beginners to intermediates. Nice setup for the rider - which makes it easy to ride. I feel very comfortable on steep declines and rugged terrain.
Weaknesses: Put some tuffy's in the wheels. Got a flat my second time out.
Bottom Line:
Gary Fisher has a great reputation and the Mamba is quality. The '02 model is the end of the line for the Mamba. If you can't find an '02 check out the Marlin or the Wahoo for a few bucks more.
Submitted by
Kenneth Womack Jr.
a Cross Country Rider
from New Braunfels, Texas 78130
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002
Strengths: Great brakes...absorbs shock with ease...value...value...value...
Weaknesses: a bit heavy...gears need attention from time to time...
Bottom Line:
Great beginner's bike...wonderful for off road trails and the like...takes a good pounding. I rode this last Fall on a 60 mile treck from Temuco, Chile to Villarica (with Dirt tires!)...she performed with aplomb and dignity...great little hill climber for the beginner.
I recommend the bike. The beginner will learn a great deal about adjustments and basic MTB issues. You'll spend the purchase price on bactine and band-aids before you wear it out. A good bike to pass down in your family from year-to-year if you don't mind upgrading the components. I hope the Innskeeper in Villarica lets me ride it when I go back. (I traded it for the price of my week's stay!)
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