Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Manassas,VA,USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2003
Strengths: stiff frame, grippy tires, gearing good for hills, grips, shocks ,wide pedals.
Weaknesses: a little heavy, plastic pedals, front derailer make a little noise, 8th gear skips on hard pedaling, needs disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
This is a good mountain bike for offraod and street use. the frame is solid as a rock but the drive train is a little low-end. just dont push it to hard offroad like jumping big rocks and stuff, the frame may take it but the rear derailer wont. no complants though i dont ride extreme nor do i intend to. Its a superb bike just take care of it.
Similar Products Used: Gt Agressor. all stock except pedal, cassete and front derailer mods. GT zr 4.0 road bike, all stock except tire mods
Bike Setup: all stock except wellgo mg-1 plateform pedal, slime tire liners, seatpost bag.
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Submitted by
ted
a Cross Country Rider
from akron, oh
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2003
Strengths: chromoly frame is smooth, durable. forks work well
Weaknesses: little heavy, crank wears out, shifting gets sketchy with abuse
Bottom Line:
i love chromoly bikes, and this was the last good one made. worth the money, cheap enough to put better parts on it. just take care of the little things and this bike can do it all.
Similar Products Used: all sorts of mountain bikes, and road bikes
Bike Setup: stock except crank, sprokets, chain, handelbar, grips, tire rubber, and brakes.
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Submitted by
AJ
a Weekend Warrior
from St.George, Utah
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003
Strengths: Frame is beefy, very strong. No complaints about the derailleur assembly. Rims take a beating (from curbs and such).
Weaknesses: Plastic pedals suck, but not enough to replace (yet). I wish the frame had been available in aluminum in 2001. Handlebars too narrow, but manageble with bolt-on extensions. Tires won't hold air more than a couple of months without use (but I understand this is typical--having your own air compressor is very helpful in this regard). Seat not particularly comfortable.
Bottom Line:
Strong as an ox!! I started riding, after a 30-year hiatus, severely out of shape, at 255 lbs (6'3"). Now down to 214 lbs. I have only used it to commute, so far, ~ 2 miles one way, 1-2 trips daily. It carries me, a ~40 lb backpack, a 20 lb newspaper carrier rack, and frequently 30-40 lbs of groceries, still easy to pedal. Haven't ever used the entire gear range. Well balanced. The shifting is a dream (compared to the el-cheapo 10-speed I had in college in 1980). Low, e.g. no, maintenance, other than pumping up the tires ocasionally. Purchased on recommendation of nephew, 130 lbs soaking wet, (who also works at the shop I purchased it from) who is SERIOUSLY into mountain biking--owns 3 Cannondales, including one with a single side stem front "fork"! I highly recommend Bicycles Unlimited as a shop that will give you unbiased information based on your unique requirements, rather than what they would like to sell to you.
Bike Setup: stock, except with shock-absorbing seat post. Bell add-on front/rear lights, and wire-frame geeky-looking rear-mounted newspaper carrier type double basket (at $24, cheaper than $90 rigid (but better looking) saddlebags, and handlebar extensions, and water bottle carrier.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Wheaton
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003
Strengths: Great price for an aluminum frame. Frame has been extremely durable so far. Great for commuting and getting around town. Weird gearing for a mountain bike which favors speed on the flat. 32 spoke wheels manage to hold my big butt and 20 pounds of luggage for 300 miles with no problems.
Weaknesses: Bike has Shimano's low end drive train, which means you get many more gears than the rear derailleur can handle well. A total pain because trimming is obviously not easy with these shifters. Stem is a little weird, but maybe it's just me. Gearing is a little odd for a mountain bike, and you can't swap out individual chainrings. Good starter bike, good for beating the crap out of on the daily commute. But I wouldn't take this on real mountains much. And yes, the pedals do suck. For is pretty rigid, so you get a lot of shock in your hands (wear gloves).
Similar Products Used: Cheapo Mongoose cro-mo from Sports Authority.
Bike Setup: Stock, xcept cheap performance clipless/cage pedals. Semi-slick tires. Asorted commuting junk attached to the frame. Bar ends (b/c stem and handlebars were way uncomfortable).
Strengths: you can occasionally use this bike to move large boxes and crates filled with alligators and some with fresh Nebraskan Corn
Weaknesses: When you? Try to move a crate with deadly paintings of toxic snakes you can get WHoOoOoOoOoZy!!!
Bottom Line:
the helium filled alloy sxectonicture really comes in in the clutch!!!!! Plus, alligator skin boots are for cowboys, not for indians, especially after forgetting your coat on tuesday at the San Diego Columbus sailing project booster. Red Night's sweet coat was forgotten at the San Diego Columbus sailing project booster when it was then launched on the Turrilium 5000B and traveled all the way to JOYpitor, the planet of extremely fabulous joy, where the coat then exploded in a shower of joy and coat which blanketed the planet and the Turrilium 5000B. Another coat that was in the Turrilium 5000B then exploded and blanketed the inside of the Terrilium 5000B with hate and coat because the coat hated that it could not return to earth without being exploded and taking several supositories.
Favorite Trail: anywhere where i can get dirty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$345.00
Purchased At: Tyree's Cousin's Cadillac's Trunk
Similar Products Used: Golf carts with 20 inch spinners and electric wheels for speaker stomping
Bike Setup: helium filled alloy sectonicture
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Submitted by
Henry B
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003
Strengths: Right-out-of-the-factory box steel hardtail reliability. Get 'em while Gary Fisher still has 'em.
Weaknesses: Better pedals are in order.
Bottom Line:
Daily RELIABILITY on a 20 mile roundtrip commute to work, part uphill and downhill (mostly street) and then along the Arizona Canal bikeway (partly gravel). I needed a dependable bike for commuting to work, had no experience whatsoever with mountain bicycles, and found a GEM. The 2002 chro-moly WAHOO, after more than 6 months of hard use, reminded me of the stories about the old bombproof SCHWINNs that would last forever. I can't wait for a reasonably-priced version of a bicycle like this in titanium. Especially if Gary Fisher makes it.
Similar Products Used: None. This is the first mountain bike I have purchased. All prior bicycles were road bikes.
Bike Setup: Judy TT, Acera crank & derailleurs, Pro Max brakes. I added a JANDD rear trunk rack and JANDD Mini-Mountain panniers.
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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002
Strengths: Light! Won a Mamba and traded up to the 2003 Wahoo with cash. Aluminum frame is strong and responsive. Big weight improvement over last year's model. Easy to throw around. Great gearing for hills around here.
Weaknesses: Skinny seat but not too bad. Plastic pedals but hey, they gotta save it somewhere to keep the price in line.
Bottom Line:
Good rider and responsive for my needs. I am no serious single tracker (hip replaced) but am on some dirt roads and hills. Smooth shifts, some funny noises at times at rear derailer with a backpedal but doesn't seem to bind. Climbs like a goat. Great bike value for the dollar. Very steady at speed. This is a different bike than in previous years. Haven't pushed it to the limits. A few upgrades and I think it's ready to do some serious work in the dirt for a long time. No regrets.
Strengths: really good to work on...add ons and such
Weaknesses: factory tires too thin, pedals are crappy.
Bottom Line:
well, ive been riding this bike for over 2 years...yeah i know it sounds weird, but i dont really feel like spending two grand for a new bike, so instead of being smart and saving up, ive spent every penny on this bike, and over all ive spent about a grand on this bike, and its turned into a really nasty bike.
Submitted by
Louis
a Weekend Warrior
from Right outside Philly, NJ, Camden
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Strengths: Light and strong aluminum frame limited lifetime warranty on the frame
Weaknesses: pedals are really crappy plastic the seat is more of a thong than a seat
Bottom Line:
this bike is a great buy. make sure you get a 2003 to make it worth your while since it's aluminum and not chromolly. the bike is smooth and the judy tt's do the job nicely for most of my riding. im a heavier guy checking in at 240lbs so when push down on the handlebars to jump the shocks compress to much for my liking. the guy at the shop said that the spring upgrade kit for the shocks is $20 so i'm just going to get that. overall this bike is a really nice rig for the money.
Favorite Trail: haven't been to too many...jim thorpe isn't far though :)
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$380.00
Purchased At: Action Wheels in Jersey
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: stock for now
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Submitted by
John Raymond
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany, NY USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Strengths: 2003 model upgraded to aluminum, Excellent! Wicked colors, great Judy's, rides smooooth, feels like you can ride it anywhere.
Weaknesses: The front derailer has weird rubbing clicks upon the downthrust when pedalling standing up, but no big wup.
Bottom Line:
For the $, it is VERY impressive. Colors and design are fab to gaze at, plus the frame structure is neat looking with that crazy incline. Get it, ride it, love it. Major yum yum.
Favorite Trail: Adirondack trails, Pine Bush Preserve
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$470.00
Purchased At: The Downtube
Similar Products Used: Old and first bike was a Giant ATX 750
Bike Setup: Factory, with bottle cages
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Submitted by
Matt D.
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002
Strengths: I love this bike. Handles great, looks great (even when dirty). Great brakes, love the Judys!! So far the rims seem to be able to take a thrashing. Green metallic paint is cool!
Weaknesses: Seat is uncomfortable, bike is a little heavy. Pedals are plastic, probably won't last much longer.
Bottom Line:
I went back and forth on what bike to buy. I knew I wanted a Fisher, but I couldn't make up my mind between Mamba, Wahoo and Marlin. After doing some comparison I bought the Wahoo at Roberts. Best prices and they let me decide what I wanted. They pointed out the pros and cons of each model that I was looking at, but put no pressure on me and answered ALL my questions. I was coming off an older Diamond Back, so this bike for me is a step up. This bike is quick and handles great. It is a bit heavy, but is lighter than my old bike. No regrets with this bike purchase but I will upgrade the seat. As I said earlier, pedals are plastic and seem cheap, but have held up. I will upgrade them as well. Overall, I think this is a great bike for beginners up to intermediate skill levels at not a great cost.
Its a great bike. I tried out my freinds bike which is a gary fisher big sur and I can't tell a difference. He said he would give me his pedals becaus he does not like toe clips. I have ridden it hard and no problems. I love this bike.
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonds, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002
Strengths: judy TT is good, adjusts well. strong frame, good components for the price.
Weaknesses: too heavy in my opinion. I think it mostly has to do with the frame. while strong it's a little on the heavy side. still a good bike though. Oh and the stock pedals aren't very good I switched them out for some wellgo clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
Very good bike for the price. Mine came with the wheels out of true and the brakes badly adjusted but I think that was the store's fault not gary fischer's. Since trueing the wheels after purchase so far they've been just fine. The pedals were cheap plastic and belong on a k mart bike. Other than that it's a great bike. A little heavier than I origionally wanted but for the price it's pretty hard to find a better bike. for value I give it a 5, overall I give it a 4 just because this obviously isn't the best bike out there but for it's price it's awesome.
Bike Setup: shimano acera front and rear, promax brakes, judy TT, wellgo clipless, suntour crank.
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Submitted by
Stan Narten
a Downhiller
from Knoxville, TN/Rochester MN
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002
Strengths: Excellent value for the money, great breaks, very slick Judy Rock Shox TT with 80mm of travel. Seat is comfortable, great fun to ride. Color scheme (gray and green) is just my style.
Weaknesses: Busted both intertubes (IRC) in the first few weeks, replaced them with Specialized tubes and added tireliners and have not had any prpblems since. Also removed some spacers to help with hillclimbs, might get a new stem with a lower angle to keep the bike from popping wheelies up rocky hills. I also just busted the bearing in the front bottom bracket. I still love the bike, I just might ride it ((a little)) hardcore. CrMO frame is not tooo heavy, but for the price, I can't complain.
Bottom Line:
Great bike to start off on if you want good on and off-road performance .... until I can afford that Sugar 4!
Similar Products Used: fisher mamba,fisher marlin, some treks, jamis', and specialized
Bike Setup: stock with bar ends, water bottle cage, and added topeak pump to frame. hope to upgrade to disc brakes and clipless pedals although i can't decide which one right now, new stem w/ different rise possibly suspension seat post
