Submitted by
vwgt07
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, KY
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2010
Strengths: Light great handleing bike. Easy to whip the rear end around because of the short chain stays. Good handling bike overall.
Weaknesses: Because it is an early model GF 29er it can't handle new forks without a spacer because the fork will hit the down tube. Easily fix with a Chris King headset and +5mm baseplate / race. But because of the elevated baseplate it rakes the fork more forward then the frame handling is designed for. By running a shorter stem it helps reduce the push through turns by the rake.
Bottom Line:
This is my first 29er and I am absolutely hooked. I have since bought 2 more 29ers to replace this bike. At first I ran this bike as a single speed with a chain tensioner then later converted to gears. I miss how light the bike was handling when it was a single speed but still is light with gears.
This is a great all around bike that can be used for just XC trail riding or XC racing. It has taken the abuse that I have given it and overall is a great bike. Still I wouldn't use it for anything other then XC or racing. Not built for drops and AM style riding.
I gave it 4 chilis overall because of the compensation of the elevated baseplate for the fork clearance. After changing to a shorter stem to compensate the handling was much better with less push through the turns.
Strengths: Here's a follow up to my previous reviews. I've since used this bike for an adventure race, and it really shined. I think the 29er design makes it especially well suited for adventure races because it's faster than a standard mountain bike on road sections, yet handles extremely well off road. I was the only person riding a 29er on my team of four and I found that the Supercaliber 29 rolled faster on the downhills than any of my team members' bikes (I was even running with much less tire pressure due to Stan's No Tubes system). I led a good chunk of the off road section, and we must have passed around 6 other teams.
Weaknesses: Wheelbase is a bit longer than some other bikes and this may impact performance on switchbacks.
Bottom Line:
Probably one of the best adventure race bikes and an excellent cross country bike.
Favorite Trail: Dakota Ridge, Red Rocks, & Mission Ridge
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Chris Kennel
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004
Strengths: Light weight, good components, 29" tires
Bottom Line:
I reviewed this bike when I lived in Indianapolis last year. Since then I've moved to Colorado, found a saddle that I really like, and have hit some mountain trails. Before I used this bike mainly as a commuter; now I use it on mountain singletrack. It's super fun to ride, climbs well (partially due to its light weight), and is rock stable going fast downhill. Its also light enough to carry up or down sections that are too difficult to bike. Before I found a saddle that fit me really well, I had considered a full suspension bike, but I don't anymore. Fisher only made this bike for 1 or 2 years, but I consider it a gem. I think their newer 29ers don't come with as high a level of stock components as the Supercaliber 29 had.
Although I mainly ride this bike in the mountains, it still performs well on paved surfaces, especially if you lock out the front suspension. It's so fun to ride that I've upgraded the value rating from my previous review.
Bike Setup: Stock except Terry Fly Titanium saddle & IRC Mythos XC II tires
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Submitted by
Steven Myers
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Strengths: 29 inch wheels are incredible. This bike is fast, climbs like nothing I have ever ridden prior. Contray to those that say 26 inch wheels are more nimble, this bike is great in tight turns. Decent component mix on the bike. Feels like full-suspension.
Weaknesses: could use a slightly higher bottom bracket. shock selection has improved since the Marzocchi was specd
Bottom Line:
Never going back to a 26 inch again! This bike rocks everywhere I take it. It is a blast to constantly hang back for buddies while we ride. Doubles as a decent road bike with a tire swaup
Strengths: Faster rolling 29" wheels = catch your 26" wheeled friends and opponents fast and drop them fast. It seems to roll over everything better and goes downhill better than most 26" bikes. Frame geometry is the best for XC riding. The bike comes well equipped and ready for some fast action.
Weaknesses: Faster rolling 29" wheels = catch your 26" wheeled friends and opponents fast and drop them fast. Your friend and opponents begin to really dislike you for this (remedy = relax on their wheel for a while then dust them towards the end that way they have the excuse of being tired or having pulled you all the way). The paint scratches a bit easy.
Bottom Line:
First off I was one of the naysayers about the 29-inch ideal and thought Fisher was whacked out of his gord when he brought this 29er thing forward - what an idiot I thought, I now am rather embarrassed about my first impressions since they were never based on experience using the product. Now I think Fisher a genius and I thank him everytime I ride my 29er. I also swore I'd never buy another hardtail again - I've developed a love for full-suspension. But then fate changed my mind in the the first 5 minutes I rode a 29er - I rode friend's Supercal-29er I was ready to buy one right then. I bought one soon thereafter and have since sold my K2 Razorback full-suspension with no regrets. I am much faster on the 29er going downhill across rough surfaces and climbing rough surfaces. I am just as fast climbing on any other surface as I was on a 26" bike and maybe a bit faster. I weigh 146 lbs so bike weight and rotational weight is very important to me. The bike weighs just under 24 lbs and I do not really notice the so called heavier rotational weight. In race starts I can sprint to the front with the best in my class. I have a Stans Notubes kit waiting to be installed - I am anticipating more uphill speed and better acceleration with it. Tight corners (switchbacks) were a bit of a challenge at first, but since I have gotten use to handling the bike I can make any tight turn that I did with a 26" bike. Over sand and mud this thing just flat out goes. The ride is not like being on a hardtail at all - it feels like a softtail or better. Yet you get hardtail performance. I still have my faithful old Proflex full-suspension 26" bike and will probably never get rid of it, but I highly doubt I will ever buy another 26" bike again. So far my races on this big-wheeled machine have been some of my best ever. Thanks Gary Fisher!
Similar Products Used: K2 Razorback Team (nice ride, but flimsy to say to least), Specializes Stumpjumper Pro (harsh ride-ouch!), Proflex 957 (still a good, dependable ride), Trek Singletrack 990 (my commuting mule), Jamis Dakota (stolen - dirty rat bast#@*ard...).
Bike Setup: Stock except traded out saddle for a WTB Lazer-V, and put on SRAM 9.0 shifters, rear derailleur, and cassette as well as Avid SD-7 brake levers.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN USA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003
Strengths: Light, versatile, fast in straight stretches, 29" tires, comfortable
I certainly didn’t set out to buy this bike (I was looking for something less expensive), but it totally sold itself to me. Here’s why:
I live in an urban area and was looking for a bike that would be fun to use for my daily commute to work and would be able to handle trails well. Since I don’t have much storage space where I rent, I was wanted to buy one bike that would work well on and off road. I live in a lower income area where roads are neglected so large potholes, gravel, debris, curb hopping, etc. are par for the course. I taped up the bike in the hope that I would look less likely to get stolen. I enjoy off road riding, but I’m not a racer, so I cannot testify to the merits of this bike in racing situations.
The larger tires work great when it comes to navigating over most obstacles. I especially appreciate this when I’m pinned against the edge of the road by traffic because I don’t have the option to go around such obstacles. I was able to easily climb a set of stairs at cruising speed where I had previously wrecked on my 26” bike. The larger tires are also much faster than 26” tires in straight stretches where I can get up to speed. My previous 26” bike seemed to max out on some city streets whereas the Supercaliber 29’s larger tires leave me with gears to spare. The gyroscopic effect of the larger tires make this bike very stable at high speeds.
It took a little while to get used to breaking hard on this bike because the front end tends to dip and the back is so light that it’ll slide quickly. It takes an aggressive lean back in these situations.
I’m 6’2”, about 175 lbs. and have found this bike to be really comfortable, even after hours of riding. It’s quite light, making it a cinch to hop over curbs and up steps, and the breaks are very responsive (when clean). The suspension works well, but its performance characteristics change with the outdoor temperature. I think the shocks get sluggish on cold days (but so do I).
Within a month of owning this bike I managed to scratch it up pretty well in places, and I think the paint is rather soft. I also found that road salt in the winter is its worst enemy. Don’t let salt sit on the bike for any longer than you have to.
I found the Supercaliber 29 to be a bit more responsive than the Mt. Tam 29 when I compared them, but the Mt Tam 29 isn’t a bad bike.
I suppose that using the Supercaliber 29 primarily as a city bike may be sacrilegious to some, but I recommend it if 1) you’ll need to navigate obstacles and roads are crappy and 2) you don’t have space to store separate mountain and commuter bikes.
Strengths: Frame is stiff! Only problem is the flexxy Sid Race, but it's comparable to my old F1000 Caad2, but is still prefer that Headshok..but oke, it's not a Canno' But i like this bike, damn, i ride the 26" version, though it's still a supercal 29 :o, it is for 26" wheels.
Weaknesses: Mine doesn't have discbrake mounts..
Bottom Line:
Did pay even less than 1600 bucks for it, complete :) (work in a bikestore)
Submitted by
Zeth heinz
a Cross Country Rider
from new York
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2002
Strengths: Fast,fast and fast, 29 the way to go.Iam no putin my but on a 26" anymore.i went to the bike shop looking to by my first dual i try a sugar1 good bike,than i demo turner02 great bike , i went back to the shop and i say thats the one.Then Paul the owner just came to the shop after a ride , hi has 29 mt.tam , there hi goes go and try this baby. i took the bike home , next day MAN forget it.The best ever . My best ride.You have to try it.Iam waiting to try the sugar 29.
Weaknesses: Non
Bottom Line:
Iam a better rider,than ever .From 3 days a week ,i went to 4 to 5, machine is always ready.
Strengths: Light, fast and ..................super, extra bike
Weaknesses: There is one and I don't want to say but maybe somebody will help. For these bikes {zirconium frames] with hydraulic brakes are problems with frame resonance. The bike is old about 1 week but about 300 miles already. It's tought to slow down. Specialy in speed about 40-45 MPH, Baby shakin' a lot. {perhaps only brushing period]and the tires sellections could be bigger.
Bottom Line:
There is not much to say. You have to try it You'll love it and you would't change it. I don't see any problems to switch wheels from 26 to 29. This is like a cosmic space shuttle, excellent components lite bike and strong legs.
Similar Products Used: Supercaliber 99, Trek OCLV 9800 but This is the first kind of this bike on market so there is no such bike like this. {yet}
Bike Setup: OK sit down, This is actually custom build bike. Only the frame and fork are original. XTR set, KING hubs, HAYES hyd. discs, thompson seat post, MAVIC RIMSKING headset, easton bar, easton stem, selle italia sadle and titan carbon time atac pedals. ULTRA LIGHT No problem to get use to it. 100% recommended
Strengths: This is another hit from the Father. I loved the Sugar1, I still have it, and the Supercaliber was King until I found this one. It takes bumps, roots, and ruts in stride and keeps the wheels pointed in the right direction. It descends like a posessed mountain goat, and climbs like one too. I have never had such confidence on a bike as I do on this. I can't wait to find the next section of hairy single track, especially the ones that used to make my heart skip a beat as I entered them on my old 26" hardtails.
Weaknesses: I would have to say the fork is it's greatest weakness. I have never been a fan of this Italian brand of suspension. I feel that they are typically to heavy, and too sticky.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that I love this bike. I love racing it, in fact the first time I raced this bike, the words going through my mind as I bombed down a section of rooted single track that I was never able to do more than creep down was, I have found a new best friend. I loved my Supercaliber, and the FS of my Sugar is so sweet, but the fact that I am able to make a pass on a section of trail that I used to white knuckle down, and get off of the brakes and roll out, well, damn, I just love this bike. I feel that I have a bit of an advantage over other racers who are on their conventional mountain bikes, and I have a feeling that my results will really prove that I am faster, more confident, and definately cooler than I ever was. Thanks, GF, you are the King.
Strengths: Big wheels roll over obstacles easier (better approach angle) Descends faster than my Superlight, climbs better over steep and rough terrain
Weaknesses: Slower in technical, twisty descents. Takes longer to get up to speed out starting out and accelerating out of corners. Need someone to make a 2.2 inch tire!
Bottom Line:
OK, here is an honest review. I have been riding one for about 8 months, and I can honestly say I will never own a 26" wheeled bike again. I guess you might want to know some background from me...I have always ridden hardtails (Ibis Mojo's), Gary fisher Sugar 1, and most recently a Santa Cruz superlight.
I race expert/sport class age 19-29, depending on how much training I can do, and I thought by getting a lightweight full suspension bike would help me. I hated the superlight. What you first notice about 29"is it IS harder to get up to speed, but once you do it really holds it's speed well. Little stuff like rocks and small roots are smoothed out. Technical climbs I'm not able to clean on my superlight I was riding right up on the 29".
Here is basically what I have found after riding a bike with bigger 29" wheels than 26". Trails that are littered with baby-head sized rocks seem to be smoothed out more with the 700c wheels...something even my superlight didn't do on this type of terrain. No suspension bike I have ever ridden can compare to the descending capabilities of the 29. It is just plain faster, holds better lines through the choppy stuff, and can carve turns like no other bike I have owned. Also, you can run lower pressure with the larger wheels without having to worry about pinch flatting...I run 35 psi in Colorado - which most people here run upwards of 45lbs+ on 26" to avoid pinching.
Climbing..obviously it is easier to go uphill over technical stuff, and even easier with the 2002 Marzocchi Marathon 29" with ECC so you can decompress the shock. Slow, smooth climbing is slower because of the added rotational weight, but on a gradual fireroad climbs watch outbecause it is definitely faster. I'm about 40 seconds faster on my 29" than my Superlight climbing a local 20 minute climb (middle ring type climb.) Sure, maybe not a gound-breaking time difference, but I could mean several places in a race. There are the numbers for you if you race.
Smooth, tight trails are slower on a 29, especially trails where you mustaccelerate out of turns. Again, this is a due to added rotational weight. For me and my location here, 29" makes sense. The pro's outweigh the cons. Climbing is my strong point and is where I gain major ground on everyone else, so I feel like I haven't lost anything. My descending speeds have definitely improved, but I attribute this mainly due to the lower tire pressure i'm able to run and the custom frame made to my tall, lanky proportions. I'm sure the extra 10+ gear inches help out as well.
I hear the Gary Fisher racing line next fall will be mostly 29" with even a 29" Sugar 1 or something along those lines in a full suspension model. Now that is a rocket racing machine if word on the street is correct.
Basically, you have to demo one for an extended period of time, even ride it on two different days. Chances are you will love what bigger tires, lower air presure, larger tire contact area, and 10 additional gear inches provide. Don't trust what some guy that rode one in the parking lot tells you, as this isn't enough time or a fair review.
Similar Products Used: Just about everything. I've been racing mtb's since 1985
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stretch
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002
Strengths: This bike does everything better than 26" wheeled bikes...much much better. I fly down hills and climb where I used to get off and walk. Rocks that used to freak me out are reduced to pebbles on the 29er. I will get rid of my Specialized '91 M2 S Works, dont' need it more, cause I got this Supercaliber 29er wonderbike. As soon as a top pro racer gets their hands on one of these 29er's, they will leave the rest behind... way off the back. This 29er is a major milestone in the history of the mountain bike. This bike will render 26" bikes obsolete. This bike is not only for big people, (I am 6'8", 208lb), all sizes of people can ride this one. My short friend at the shop demo'd a 29er last nite, now he wants one and his M4 will be history. He said it is similar to his first motocross motorcycle. This 29er bike is better and faster right out of the box. As for the naysayer's, well, do you recall what they did to folks who insisted that the Earth was round? If you see one of these 29er bikes at your race, better to get your entry fee refunded and apply it towards a Gary Fisher 29er.
Weaknesses: Tires, 29"mtb tires selection is limited, I will miss those Hutchinson Pythons, but this is just a matter of time before more tires are made for this rocket bike.
Submitted by
Tom Noble
a Racer
from Southern Maine
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2002
Strengths: I expected a huge difference from a 26" wheel, but nothing like this. EVERYTHING is easier (wheelie drops, trials stuff, chutes, climbing (I can't even describe the traction, it's amazing)fast singletrack, babyheads, and on, and on, and on.
Weaknesses: Low Bottom Bracket
Bottom Line:
If you ride anywhere that is rough and want to go fast, I can't advocate this bike (or one like it) enough. I think this is the best thing to happen to MTBing in years. 29" Sugar, PLEASE !!!!! Climbing is uncanny, descinding and drops are easier and the Marathon is great. Find one and ride it twice. 5 chili's are not enough. I have owned hundreds of bikes and nothing has had me this excited yet.
Similar Products Used: Dirt bike ? Nothing is this smooth and fast.
Bike Setup: Bought the frame and 'zoke Marathon. Hayes discs, flite, thompson, etc. Built it as a 2 speed using Chris King cassette single speed hub and 2 cogs with a small cage 105 der.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dutch
a Cross Country Rider
from nashville, tn, usa
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002
Strengths: this bike is super fast and stable, and the little things i used to feel on a 26 arent there anymore. it also tracks very well through soup, mud, and sand. im not sure that i will go back to a 26. a 29 sugar would be unstoppable. an expert racer would do well with this bike, even though most people are shying away from it.
Weaknesses: you definately have to get used to the bike not being as nimble as a 26, but once you have that in your head, your fine. you have to ride this bike more than once to get the feel.
Bottom Line:
wouldnt trade it for the world! go demo one today! its kinda like when you got your first mountain bike from your bmx bike, it just takes a little getting used to. fast and stable. thats the bottom line.
Hi there all,
This will be my new baby when built. Will post soon some pictures.
I got frame- 2 pieces (main, swingarm) and shock separately.
When putting it together, ther Read More »
Guys,
What's the difference between the Supercaliber 29 and the Hi-Fi 29's as far as riding style? Is one more XC-oriented than the other?
I'm liking the GF 29ers this year.
Tha Read More »
I current ride a fisher fs supecaliber 29, 2007 model, with upgraded parts, 165 pound rider, 27 lb bike......it is a good handing bike, a bit flexy in the rear, and a definite rid Read More »
I was thinking about extending my fork from 80 mm to 100 mm. I've heard it will help eliminate pedal strikes because of the low bottom bracket. Wondering if anyone has done this a Read More »
I am going from a Supercaliber 29er to a hifi 29er. I was looking at sizes and I need your help. This bike will be used as a XC/race bike.
BIKE................................ Read More »
