Submitted by
Tyler
a Racer
from Bangor, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2005
Strengths: Made in the USA, Disc ready, 29 inch wheels
Weaknesses: Slow in singletrack and climbing, but on downhills it smokes and straight singletrack it will keep up with anybike. Heavier then 26 inch wheels. Slower to get up to speed.
Bottom Line:
Good trail bike. Very forgiving of mistakes. Unique ride, not for everyone. Raced it many times and wasn't as tired as if I had rode a 26 inch wheel bike.
Similar Products Used: Gunnar Rockhound, Trek 6500, Seven Verve, Trek Fuel, Gary Fisher Sugar
Bike Setup: Stock except for Avid Mechanicals or Hayes HF-X 9s depends on the day. Stan's NoTubes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004
Strengths: This thing rolls over ANYTHING! Fast on descents and rollers. Small obstacles don't have a chance. The Marzocchi fork is super smooth (80 mm). Saves my life at least once each ride. Very forgiving! On the fly dampening/lockout is key. Lower center of gravity makes this taller rider very happy. 29er! Stiff. Smaller frame, great geometry with the help of the 29" wheels. Fisher is right on with their claims.
Weaknesses: Stock stem was too short by just couple centimeters. Easy fix at the shop.
Bottom Line:
A whole lotta bike for the money! Ideal XC rig. UCI legal! Strange the first time on it, but it is so smooth and fast, it feels great. If you're over 6 feet tall, definitely look into a 29er. One fast and smooth machine. Sweet. A world of difference! Not for a smaller rider. Just wouldn't make sense. Read complaints about the tires, but I've been on rocks and roots exclusively with not a problem.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale, GT, Specialized
Bike Setup: LX/XT, Avid Brakes, IRC Tires, stock stuff for now.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Acworth, Ga
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003
Strengths: Rolls easy, Seems to climb better on smooth surfaces that are not too steep, took the down hill hits better than my 26" Paragon. Very comfortable bike for a person of my height (6'4").
Weaknesses: did not handle well in slow technical climbs, poor acceleration, seemed a little difficult to controll in very tight and fast single track.
Bottom Line:
Rented this bike in Crested Butte, Colorado for a one day 20+ mile ride. I felt that over all, it was a great ride for that type of trail. It rocked on the big forrest rd climbs. Seemed to absorb the downhill hits slightly better than my 26" Parargon. For a 6'4" rider, the geomerty + 29 inch wheels felt great. The only thing that I really did not like about it was trying to remount on a hill and keeping your balance on the slow technical climbs. These things I may have adjusted to in time. I would very much consider owning this bike if I lived in the wide open spaces of the west but I dont think it would fair too well in the tight, rooty and technical single track of the south east. Great idea though!
Similar Products Used: this is the only 29er ive ridden
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jens
a Cross Country Rider
from Stryn, Norway
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2003
Strengths: Speed on straight road. Bigger wheels = smaller obst.
Weaknesses: Heavy wheels = more whight on moving objects = less accleration and more watts is necceseary to maintain speed.
Bottom Line:
It dosnt make sense. 29' is 11% more than 26'. This must mean 11% more weight on the wheels = more weight uphill = not funny or fast. Even though the wheels are more easy-rolling. Konklusion. Keep your 26' MTH and keep your weight down.
Submitted by
Brandon Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003
Strengths: Love the 29 inch wheels, fast, smooth, and rolls over anything in its path. Genesis Geometry, good parts spec for the green. Love the Marzocchi fork, especially the ETA.
Weaknesses: None to speak of, any little nit picks can be addressed by the owner.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a mountain bike that is just a little different, like to go faster and feel more secure while doing it then this is the bike for you. Everything just feels right. Also if you are 6 feet tall or over then you will appreciate this bike even more. Just an awesome bike. Thank you Gary Fisher!
Similar Products Used: Big Sur, Tassajara(previous bike, upgraded heavily), Supercal, X-Cal, lots of other brands.
Bike Setup: Carbon Fiber handlebars, 8" front hayes hydro, 6" rear, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Vetta RT-88 Wireless
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2003
Strengths: Great parts spec for the money, marzocchi fork, disc ready
Weaknesses: brakes, but I dont like rim brakes at all
Bottom Line:
just bought the bike, but already love it. Its smooth, fast, and rolls over anything in its path. It has a great parts spec for the money. Will be upgrading to hayes hydros, and time atac pedals very soon. I will post another review in a little while
GF Paragon vs GF X-Caliber vs Giant XTC 1 29er vs Stumpjumper Comp 29
All great bikes, I seem to like the geometry on the Fishers and the Giant better than the Stumpy. Other op Read More »
Been away from mtn biking for a while concentrating on road biking. Have a 2005 Ventana Salt and thinking about a 29r hard tail for what my wife and I call 'urban assault' riding. Read More »
Narrowed my new 29er hardtail choices. Look for some picky thoughts on which one you prefer out of them or if you think there are others at this price point I should add. Both are Read More »
I am looking into my first 29er. I ride in Michigan so no huge uphills. I haven't bought a new mountain in 20 years. Been riding my Klein Pinnacle for years. With my budget and Read More »
I have ridden both of these bikes, love both of them, aesthetically and characteristically, but I cannot choose between the two. Any suggestions? Read More »
