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Submitted by
joby
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, usa
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Country lanes around Austin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | Discover Cycle (RIP) | | Strengths: | A real Gary Fisher, triple-butted steel frame--smooth, rigid, durable, and able to take any bump or hole without damage to bike or rider. Sexy purple frame with gray wheels. Everything held up well past its prime. | | Weaknesses: | None for what I use it for. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing else in the last twelve years, though I've sat astride a few other frames here and there. | | Bike Setup: | 1996, 22" top bar, stock except replaced large chain ring for better road speed. | | Bottom Line: | I will be buried on this bike! I love the way the steel frame handles--stiff but smooth. It's taken me on long weekend road rides, on bike trails around town, and over some rougher terrain, though I'm not a fierce MBer. I've pulled two kids in a Burley trailer, and on a Burley Trailercycle, for many, many rides. Still pull my youngest on the TC, even though she's too big for it. The frame never complains--speed bumps, washed out gullies on gravel trails, roots, even rocks--I've ridden it everywhere, and I've pulled the trailercycle over some rough places. That's why I've never gone to a 700--I like being able to dive into the woods or creeks straight from the road, sometimes pulling a kid.
Bottom line--if you run across one of these frames, you won't be disappointed. The components are mostly original on mine, even, though a couple things could bear replacing. Brakes, especially. Original wheels are still good, though I don't do drops or jumps, so YMMV. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mickeydawrenchwench
a Cross Country Rider
from Corvallis, OR
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Dan's Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclotopia | | Strengths: | You couldn't ask for a tougher frame, I hammered this thing for over a decade and its still great, woman/small frame friendly geometry, handles single track like a gecko on speed, smooth riding and did I mention its got a darn near bulletproof frame? Great on pavement and singletrack, outlasted my marriage and by far a better investment. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Original psycho tires picked up flats like alley cats pick up mange. Original cranks were sucky and sheared off on a random rock. The brakes are archaic (who needs brakes anyways, that's what wrecking is for) | | Similar Products Used: | Treks of various numbers, Mongooses, GT's, Giants, left them all broke or bent. | | Bike Setup: | Marz. Z3 Light forks, Shimano STX derailers & rapidfire shifters, can't remember what I replaced the cranks with, STX hubs on Mavic rims, Panaracer FireXCPro tires, WTB seat, can't remember what the rest of the upgrades were but the only stock part is the frame. | | Bottom Line: | It's an original Gary Fisher, from the glory days before Trek bought the label. I bought this bike in 1996 and I've abused it ever since. This thing has seen every kind of terrain from salt flats to hair raising deer trails that were never meant to be found let alone rode, and its performed like a champ. Rode the original rigid forks until I bent them backwards in a crash that left the frame unscathed and the rider a bit broken. Threw on the Marz. Z3 Lights and loved it ever since. Broke every single original component EXCEPT the frame, and if there's some chips in the purple paint job, that's only to be expected with the way I hammered on this. The original components were a little cheap, but they worked for a while, and really, its a Fisher, its meant to be upgraded. Gary Fisher made owning a solid piece of earth pummeling equipment affordable to the average wrench wench by producing buildable bikes, and build on it is exactly what I did. I STILL love this bike, and won't let go of it, although I wouldn't mind finding something a bit lighter for the creaky joint days. (can't wreck that many times and not come out of it a little arthritic 12+ years later).
If you can find one, buy it. Good luck prying mine away!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Dacula Ga
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Ft Yargo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Frame is very light for cro-molly steel. Also for older derailers it shifts very smooth. | | Weaknesses: | So far i cant really find any, im sure the rims and bars may not be the highest end. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher Wahoo Disc | | Bike Setup: | Bought it used for 130. dumped another 100 for pedals,chain new Alivo shifters/brake combo and tune up. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for my wife as a upgrade for her from a Trek 800 that has no suspension. The bike I have is a size small, as stated bought it for the wife. But I have been playing with this thing for the past few days and I really love this thing. It rides great, haven't had it off road yet, but from my experience it should handle awesome. If I can find another used one to fit me as a second bike, I will buy it in a second. The good old feel of steel is great, rides smooth, shifts great. If you find this frame, and its in good shape, even if you need to replace the rest of the components, BUY IT!! You will not regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R Ford
a Cross Country Rider
from Aldie
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | My loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | I have ridden my Gary Fisher Aquila since I purchased it in 96. It has held up better than any bike I have ever seen. This bike has seen Snowshoe, WV, all the Northern Virginia off road trails, SC swamp fox, SC beaches, Charleston, SC college life, and pulled a heavy child filled Burley all over the place without a hiccup. My Aquila still has a rigid fork although I have upgraded the drive train and added a riser bar, suspension seat post, and spd pedals. Awesome in the woods! The frame is nimble and climbs great. My next mountain bike will be a Fisher if I can stand not riding my triple butted steel Aquila! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing Kicks Butt | | Similar Products Used: | all | | Bike Setup: | Aquila frame, LX components, SRAM SRT 800 XRAY shifters, stx-rc hubs with mavic rims. | | Bottom Line: | never fails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt, pavement, up and down | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 1000 | | Strengths: | Nice geometry, good components (for the time), STEEL frame! Aside from paint chips, no rust, dents or cracks in the frame. | | Weaknesses: | BB was replaced after a few months, all other components survived until a couple of years ago. | | Similar Products Used: | None. My first real bike since i became re-acquainted with cycling 12 years ago | | Bike Setup: | Replaced all a year ago. XT RD, SRAM and Deore mix. Still orginal for fork/headset/stem setup though. Misinformation told me I needed a 1" steerer, now it's been straightened out. I need a 1-1/8" So new fork next spring, stem and headset. | | Bottom Line: | If you can find this bike on Ebay or anywhere, buy t! You won't be disappointed. If for anything else, buy it for the frame and build from there. Mine still gives me miles of pleasure, and will for a few more years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Top frame, Comfortable riding position, super responsive, cool purple colour, rocks!!! | | Weaknesses: | Centre pull brakes, seat clamp | | Similar Products Used: | Norco, Mongoose, Specialized, Giant, Titanium XC | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from a new seat, slick tyres, and replaced centre pull brakes with V brakes (STX Shimano) | | Bottom Line: | This is one hell of a super responsive bike. I forgot how plush a ride these Chro mo bikes are. I usually ride about 15 Kms each way to work and back. My first ride aboard the aquila was one of pure delight. Super smooth is how best to describe the ride. My suggestion is buy, buy, buy!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DrewDawg
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Tom Nell in Pontiac (no longer) | | Strengths: | Steel is Real, Low Price, Very Solid | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, Not as absorbant as Reynolds 883 | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Durango, Jamis Dragon | | Bike Setup: | Sun Rims with LX hubs, Selle Seat, Manitou Fork, | | Bottom Line: | It is a great value for the price. It is a perfect entry level mtn bike that can be taken to the limit. I finally rode it into the ground, Literally, with a near collision with an automobile.
I have always been a fan of steel, and this frame did not let me down, I rode it for 7 years without incident, until that one day last fall where I saw my life flash before my eyes. The stock components were very well matched with the bike, The only necessary update was a replacment Bottom Bracket after 6.5 years of use.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Connors
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in the Canadian Rockies | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Georges on Whyte | | Strengths: | The frame is incredibly strong. I've pounded that bike through some intense situations and I just end up breaking the components. I am 6'1" and weigh 230 lbs. | | Weaknesses: | None for the price I paid. I lucked out years ago when I purchased this bike for only $550.00 You could NOT find something that strong for that price anymore in a shop. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi MX comp ETA Bomber Fork, Chris King head set(rasta), XT derailers, toe clips and shoes(specialized) | | Bottom Line: | When I bought this bike 7 years ago I thought I would ride it until I broke the frame. I never ended up breaking it and the bike still runs and looks like mint condition.
For whatever size you are and enjoy mountain biking and you want to find a good used frame... try to find a Aquila, or in Canada it is named the Tequila. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Sanderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Off road American River | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Precision Bicycles | | Strengths: | The strength of this bike, and the reason so many people rave about it, is definitely the frameset. I originally bought it (New, 7 years ago) because I couldn't believe I could get a triple butted True Temper Cro-Mo bike for the cost, and I also was looking for a hard fork. It is strong and light. I have literally pounded this bike, and at 6'2" and 220 lbs I'm a big guy, and the bike has held up without complaint. Roads strewn with large river rocks, riding through rocky creeks, jumping, hammering curbs with the front wheel - I've seen any one of these things take a bike apart, even far more expensive bikes, but the Aquila takes it all in stride. The Aquila certainly lives up to it's name, which is why even after all these years I am now writing this review. For the price, I have never seen a better bike. | | Weaknesses: | Someone above mentioned Gary Fisher's philosphy was to start with a frame and wheelset that were good, and the rest would easily upgrade over time, and he really lived up to that philosophy on this bike. Many shortcuts were taken on the components to give you a good frameset and a decent wheelset for the price. I probably have over 3000 miles on it, and have replaced all the drive train parts except the cranks. The wheels are fairly inexpensive but have lasted with minimal maintenance. The Sugino cranks are clunky though adequate, though I should have had 180s instead of 175s on my extra large bike. The seat was always very cheap and uncomfortable, so I thankfully replaced it when it finally got bent on one particularly nasty endo. The geometry was obviously originally for a shock fork, so I have had to add a riser stem and riser bars. The khaki paint is really tough, though I have managed to take out a couple chips with some hard knocks. The toe-strap pedals I found ridiculously hard to ride with so I changed them out immediately. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Moto Ace High Rise stem, Specialised Special Rise bars, Redline DX style BMX pedals, Serfas ddvado seat, Continental Vertical tires, Blackburn frame mount pump, seasonal rear fender. | | Bottom Line: | If you are seriously into riding and want to come home with something you don't have to think about changing, then you will probably want to look into a higher priced performer. If, however, you ride seriously enough to need a bike with a lot of guts, and you don't mind making a few small changes over time to save some bucks, the Aquila simply won't let you down. If you see one used, snap it up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mathew
a
from Saginaw, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | Rigid fork, aggressive aluminum handlebars, violet / purple color, designed in California, made in America, and this bike is quite. | | Weaknesses: | Old technology... Chromoly frame, Shimano STX components has my chain falling off at the front derailleur, hard grips, the Tioga Psycho tires lost big clumps of rubber the first couple of days, and I got a flat on the inner part of the tube where it should have been protect by the rim. The tubes were thin. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820, Giant Yukon | | Bike Setup: | Chromoly frame, Shimano STX components has my chain falling off at the front derailleur, hard grips, hard Bontrager racing seat, the Tioga Psycho tires lost big clumps of rubber the first couple of days, and the thin Presta tubes that come with this bike got a flat on the inner part of the tube where it should have been protect by the rim. The bike continues to ghost shift even after I took it in for servicing. | | Bottom Line: | I should have gotten the Trek 3500, but my local Trek dealer would have had to order this bike. Instead I purchased this Gary Fisher Aquila on impulse, because it was the only bike with a rigid fork I could find in stock. The salesman told me this was a couple years old, and that it why it was on clearance. He said this bike wouldn’t last in the store another week. The bike is nine years old, and when I returned to have it serviced the next week the other same exact bike was marked down an additional hundred dollars. I learned my lesson to only buy from an authorized reseller found on the manufacturer’s website. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Conor
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Ireland
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tollymore forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | wiki-wiki-wheels.co.uk | | Strengths: | Strong, supple frame. Great geometry for all types of riding. Great for £525stg ($700ish) | | Weaknesses: | A bit too heavy. | | Bike Setup: | Deore/xt, Rockshox Judy sl, club roost dh bar/stem, mavic rims, continental survival tyres | | Bottom Line: | My first proper mtb bike, had it for 5 years now and has been great. Ideal for short, hard blasts, especially twisty single track. Most of the original components gave up within a year, but that was due to extreme abuse. Replaced Indy forks with Jud SLs last year, totally transformed the bike- even faster. Suits high front end for best handling (riser bar, stem spacers etc). It has to go now as I finally damaged the frame, slightly twisted the rear triangle. A bit too heavy (mine is 29.5lbs) for long distances/climbing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Kenny
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Start 2 Finish | | Strengths: | Indestructible | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Various Treks | | Bike Setup: | Stock, aside from notes below | | Bottom Line: | Got this one for cheap at a goin-outta-biz sale. The Psyko tires washed all the time, so I dumped them for some Vittorias. Aside from that I've put ~6000 miles on it with no problems, including 500 miles through Ireland carrying around ~100 lbs. of crap. During that trip a 3-ft. piece of barbed wire got caught in the chain and front der'r, but after extracting the wire the thing needed no repairs. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roj
a Cross Country Rider
from UK!
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Lightstreet cycles Baltimore | | Strengths: | Top Frame, handles great downhill - especially with nice new wide riser bars. | | Weaknesses: | Original tyres were awful in serious mud, Handle bars too narrow for me. Freewheel bit the dust after 6 months. Wheels needed upgrading b'cos i'm a lardy bloke | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab,Scott,Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Standard Bike plus, X lite riser bars, new seat post & saddle, wheels Mavic 517 & LX hubs, wildgripper country tires (it rains alot here),shimano SPD pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I have hammered this bike for 4 years and it is still going. Mines black so i put electrical tape on the bits i thought would scratch up first. I am 6' 4" 17.5 stone and i stacked this bike head first into the ground - it survived easily even if i didn't. The original drive componentry & shock now need replacing so i have thought about changing bike - but to what??? - i want to stay with steel - maybe an Orange P7 from santa.
Personally this is bike is great for first timer off road and in lumpy bits - not so much fun for roadwork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Norman, OK
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Strengths: | Tuff Cro-mo frame takes it all and decent components makes it fairly light(lighter than some newer and more expensive bikes). Everything about it has held up just fine for the 6 years that I have owned it. It have totally mistreated this bike and it is still an excellent ride. Everything is original and it needs some love but it was worth every penny. | | Weaknesses: | After 6 years the only thing that has broken has been a pedal. Disappointed there is no Aquila around for 2001 I need a new one. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 850, Yamaha YZ and Honda CR dirtbikes. | | Bike Setup: | All factory original. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden the crap out of this bike and it still looks great.It has some minor sctaches and rust but no sign of paint peeling or anything like that. This bike has been my best friend and will be with me for a long time. If I ever get a new one I still don't think I can part with it. To me this bike is still worth $500.00 and love it or not you have to know this bike kicks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Myslin
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | don't know | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | SF bay area | | Strengths: | Very light, acceleration that just about beats any bike around here. After all these miles, all components are still like new. Comfortable even for long pavement runs (I recently did a 47-mile run in under 3 hours). | | Weaknesses: | Old cantilevers brakes are not too good, but brakes are not that important to me--speed is. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Rebound, Gary Fisher Tassajara, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Full STX group except System 2 front hub, Matrix 60601 T6 Singletrack Pro wheels, STX Parallax rear hub, the handlebars, stem and bar ends are all System, and I changed the seat and tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is a 98 Aquila, and my paint job is still pristine, so I don't know what some of the other owners are talking about. Overall, this bike is worth every cent that I paid for it. Although it doesn't have shocks (who needs shocks in Davis CA, where the biggest hill is the highway overpass), it still gets me to where I want to go around town and when I go to the San Francisco bay area, it performs just like any ultra-expensive bike. This bike is ideal for people with less than a $1000 budget. Long live The Man, Gary Fisher! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Indestructible frame.
Frame geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost clamp, headset. Can't adjust handlebar height. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Sierra | | Bike Setup: | Continental slicks, clipon fenders, rear rack | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bike to work (about 20 miles) almost every day for 3 years. That use was mostly on pavement, but in Seattle pavement can be very bumpy stuff (cobblestones, etc.). Jumped sidewalks, rode down stairs, often in really wet weather. Never replaced a bearing, except the headset, 3 months ago (stock headset was not too good, protected by a leaky plastic seal). Components all held up. Even the stock seat was comfortable. Very strong frame. It got ripped off or I'd be on it for the next 10 years. My only complaint was that the seatpost clamp relied on a cheap piece of plastic that was deformed and broken after 3 months, and the plastic headset bearing seal leaked. I highly recommend this bike for city or hybrid users. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Good solid reliable frame - hard to break it!
Handles well | | Weaknesses: |
components wore out qhick, but then it gets better with the upgrades!
rims wore out quick | | Similar Products Used: |
Various.
Now have K2 proflex 4000 | | Bike Setup: |
95 17.5 plus Indy XCs and thudbuster.
Most all components replaced with XT or equiv. | | Bottom Line: | Well good and solid. With the upgrades, I still keep it on as a good bike. I've beaten the bejeezuz out of it and the frames taken it all in its stride - Good product | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Solid, stiff, light, responsive ride. | | Weaknesses: |
A little heavy. | | Similar Products Used: |
Apex. | | Bike Setup: |
96 Aquila. No shocks. | | Bottom Line: | Damn good ride. I've not had any problems with the paint, etc... Maybe it was a bad batch? I'm about to fit a pair of Marzocchi Z.3 Lights. I'm looking forward to faster D/H! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David M.
a Weekend Warrior
from Frederick, MD.
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
blue trail, gambrill state park, MD. | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Good, solid feeling bike. The tires are great, though I turned them around for better climbing. Liked the handlebars and bar ends that came with the bike until I wiped out HARD and bent them up. | | Weaknesses: |
Front derailluer is a little hard to get used to and the front shocks are too soft. I replaced the seat pretty quick also. | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 820. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the bike at the end of '98 and got tired of going over the handlebars pretty quickly. I put heftier springs in the shocks, got a shorter, steeper bar stem, and got used to getting my butt off the seat toward the rear which can be a little tuff with the original, too stiff seat. Overall, I LOVE this bike, and though I fantasize about a full suspension bike, I find it hard to imagine riding anything but my Aquila. If I could find a woman to love the way I love this bike...I'd be set! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis Vito
a Cross-Country Rider
from Plainfield,NJ
Date Reviewed: June 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Great Climber
Excellent Value for $$
Good Handling
Smooth Ride
Comfortable Cockpit | | Weaknesses: |
Components are on low end spectrum...
Weight | | Bike Setup: |
-Got rid of Tree hooks(uh...Bar ends)
-replaced crappy seat
Put on used XT stuff from other bikes..
Medium sized frame | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike in Jan of 1999. It was about 9 months old when I picked it up preowned for $200 bucks.Frame & paint job were in excellent condition & orig owner replaced the silly white tires originally spec'd on the bike. I've since made it my mission to lighten the thing whereever possible...along the way making a couple wrong purchases.I put in a Real Bottom Bracket.I put a Thompson Ti seatpost.Hyperlite handlebar.Control Tech stem.Bontrager Bezerkr seat(could've gone lighter here).XT pods w/brake levers...XT fr & rr Vbrakes. XT crankeset & chainrings(should've gone lighter here!). Next up to add will be a new fork, XTR wheelset & lighter Tyres and my monster will be complete. Right now I'm @ 27lbs and I'm frustrated trying to get it closer to 25lbs. Love this bike though. It climbs like a billygoat, handles well, looks great (Green color scheme)Orig DiaCompe brakes worked well but Shimano's were lighter & easier to adjust. Tree hooks were taken off immediately.Hubs on this bike age quickly. Overall I highly recommend this ride to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance I.
a weekend warrior
from Arkansas
Date Reviewed: February 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Hey guys,To the guys who are posting and saying' My paint is peeling....wah wah..
Are you taking good care of this bike?
Make it a point to wash it everytime you ride. I do, I have a 98 Aquila,
I am not having any paint problems.
Look, take care of it and it will take care of you. Wash it everytime you
ride with a multi setting nozzle and garden hose. Then, immediately lube
it up. I use White Lightening and Pedros Syn Lube. Tri-flow is another
good lubricant. Be sure to dry it off before you apply any lube.Good Luck | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WN
a weekend warrior
from AZ
Date Reviewed: February 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a update review. I posted many moons ago about the Aquila, I still believe that this bike is a solid investment. I purchased my in Nov of 95 and still ride it today. Most of the parts are replaced by now but I have well over 5000 miles on it. Although my newer bike is a Heckler, I still find the desire to ride my Aquila. There is nothing like a good steel hard tail to ride. To all who consider purchasing this bike, it is an entry level bike, however, novices like myself will still find it satisfying to ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Mejia
a cross-country rider
from Berkeley
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
My '95 (bought in 95 for $517, mostly LX) has weathered some awful conditions and is still under me. I've gone through and upgraded several sets of wheels, derailleurs, brakes, tires and etc. The only thing left of the original bike is the frame. Gary Fisher says that you need to find a frame and set of wheels you like in a new bike; the rest will change over time. This did the trick for me and the currrent versions are incredible values. The new designs have shown me how this bike has it's weight up high and leaves me streatched out; a little tough when your trying to get behind the seat on twisty singletrack. The new dual suspension bikes have shown me what a great climber this is.
Having taught me well Old Aquila will be turned into a Cyclocross. My problems with riding have never been with the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry Stone
a weekend warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: January 22, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Great mid-price bike. Very light, great components. Easy to ride and very dependable. I ride it very hard and haven't had any troubles yet. I would recommend it to anyone who plans to spend $300-$700 on a bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a cross-country rider
from Va Beach
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my 98 Aquila a couple of months ago, and have put it through it's paces. Overall, i'm pretty happy with it. Would like to see better shocks than the R. S. Indy, and the front derailler needs some work, but over all - no regrets. Great bike for the money. If you are a new biker, or if this fits your price range, go for it . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Montgomery
a cross-country rider
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a '98 Aquila which I regret buying. Brake and Fork performance are a joke and, as I have experienced, dangerous. The actual weight of the '98, with nothing but a cyclometer on it, is a hefty 28.5 pounds. The paint is even bubbly in places. The STX/RC components are too bad but are quick to need tuning. The only thing this bike would be good for is throwing on some slicks and hitting the streets. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordon
a cross-country rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: December 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought mine in '94. Full STX group and bontrager rims. Swapped the saddle and pedals out for a sella san marco and spd's right away. After riding in the middle east for two years bought a Girven Elite and a set of LX/Specialized wheels. Had to install a new headest with the fork and found some TI bar ends to go with it.Four years, two continents, 4000 miles and two Flinthill's Death Rides later I am still very happy with this bike. The frame is still a great responsive ride and it was the best $550 I spent that year. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Byron Ruiz
a racer
from Richmond CA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is pretty good. It's a great handling bike but it comes with some weak shocks(Rock Shox T2) and some weak braking systems that have no brand. Other from that this is a great bike if you upgrade the shoxs and the braking systems. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
abba
a weekend warrior
from Wash. DC
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had a 95 model for a couple of years. The frame felt great (just enough flex) and was very responsive. After that, it all goes downhill (pun indended).
The rims were a joke, I was constantly getting flats. Tried different tires, tubes, rim tape, etc., still regular flats. The grip shift was stiff and not at all precise. The other components needed almost daily adjustments and the brakes were scary weak. At the time I was a moderately hard rider mainly on wet, muddy trails. For fire roads it's OK, but for serious trail use, look elsewhere. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a cross-country rider
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I actually have a 98 Marlin frame and components for my bike. BUT, since the frame is the same and the components basically the same, I can tell you one thing. I would not buy this model, for the price, because you are stuck with the Rock Shox for suspension. SAVE THE MONEY UP FRONT AND BUT THE MARLIN! I bought my Marlin, which has a great frame, and put Marzocchi Z3 Light suspension forks on it. Now, since the forks are realtively inexpensive, you have a bike that handles quite a bit better than the Aquila.If you add it up, buy the bike with rigid forks and upgrade to the suspension forks you really want, not just the stock Rock Shox. Which aren't near as nice as the Marzocchis. 4 Chillies for the FRAME and most of the components. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Mills
a cross-country rider
from Racine, WI. USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a 97 Aquila and have been riding it for about a year and have put it through its paces. I'm impressed with its performance and handling on single track trails. It was the best buy that I could find when looking for an inexpensive second back up bike. I would buy another Fisher in the future. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I found this bike to be a resilient bike, I was hiit by a car, ran into a tree, fell off a 20 foot clliff and all i have replaced is the rear rim. I have rode it through everthing there is and have found it to get me where I want to go in style and comfert. I trust this bike and urge anyone out there to give it a wirl. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a cross-country rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hi there, My wife ownes this bike for one year now, and I am taking care of this bike. One problem was: The brake performance sucks. The brake adjusting was not good because the rear standing fork on the right side was larger than the left side. So the wheel was not fixed well in the frame. My wife is getting a new frame now for FREE! Thnx Gary, but..... it is the new 99 bike TO, with Genesis Geometrie and blue instead of green colour and chromevanadium tubes. Gary, I am getting jealous, I have a 98 KaiTai, and my frame is good! What to do with it ;-)
Some people have already experiences with the new 99 Aquila?
5 chili´s for warranty, 1 chili for frame and brakes, 5 chili´s for my wife makes....
4 chili´s overall | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I ride every thing from city streets to fire roads
the bike is worth the money
it looks great I ride to work in the rain ( bianchi road bike or peugeot
the rest of the time ) my bike has no rust . i used frame saver when it was
new and i wax it now and then that is it .
I rode all winter in the trails with no real problems | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oscar Rodriguez
a weekend warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've owned an Aquila for two years now. I bought it after trying quite a few different bikes in all price ranges. This bike does everything well, handles well, and the geometry feels just right. Couldn't be beat by bikes costing much more. I've taken it out on hill climbs, desert runs everything. As long as you maintain it it won't let you down.
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Submitted by
kevin
a cross-country rider
from marietta, Ga
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this bike at the beginning of this year and just recently, I noticed the paint starting to come off. And whats worse, the expose part is rusted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me and Mr. Fisher need to sit down and talk about this................... Not even a year
and I have to start investing in a new frame. One chili for this bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amy Stewart
a weekend warrior
from Grand Lake, CO
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this bike a week ago from a rental place. the crank was torn to shreds, shocks blown out, and brakes in pretty shabby shape. i guess i thought i was gettin a better deal than i really was at $400. guess i should have visited this site first. don't get me wrong, i'm sure it seems to be a great bike, almost all gary fisher's are, but tourists who have no idea how to ride a bike trashed it. my advise - hold out for the hoo koo e koo. tourists suck. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C.F
a cross-country rider
from N.Y
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This Bike eats up the trails. I just got it two dayes ago. For yhe price you pay. You get a great bike. If you like cross contry or single track. You'll
love this bike. The only thing that they could of made better is the front
deraillur. If you need anew bike I suggest this one. This bike eats huffy and
pukes murry
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ira
a cross-country rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the 98' Aquila in Febuary and have liked it ever since. Over the summer I did some downhilling as well as cross country with the bike and it handled fine. I did break off one of the bar ends and the breaks are so-so. But for a $500 bike it's a great deal. The front deraillur isn't great either. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom G.
a weekend warrior
from Erie, PA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After I decided I needed a new rig, i narrowed it down to the Aquila, or similar models from Cannondale and Specialized. I found the FIsher to be the best in both value and ride. This bike has bumped up my riding ability quit a bit. I'm finnaly riding through all those parts of the trail i used to walk. The frame is great, and so are the components. (with a few execptions) The Dia-Comp brakes are great, and so are the rapid-fire shifters. The only weakness that ive found so far is the poor front derailler. This bike also has one very sweet color scheme going for it too. One last note, the primal-raptor tire got a flat on my first singletrack ride, but it could have had something to do with that glass on the trail =) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Uyemura
a cross-country rider
from Gresham, OR
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Mine got stolen at my friends house at 4:00 am on The 4th of July. But before it got stolen I was very happy with it. Except for the Shimano A ( Alivio ) front shifter that move the chain, and the cheap piece of crap front Indy S rear shock that has a claimed 50mm of travel that really has about 2mm of travel, but I really didn't understand why I had an XTR crankset. I really whated a Shimano Altus crank. But otherwise I enjoyed the piece of crap for the two whole days I had it..... Adam Uyemura Gresham, OR | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike S
a weekend warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Up to now I've strickry been a road cyclists, but decided to get a mountain bike to add a little spice and variety to my rides, and trail ride with my kids. I looked at a number of different brands, Trek, Raliegh, Giant, Mongoose, FIsher and others, but felt the Aquila had the best combination of components, ride and performance for the price ($470) . After a week of riding, including hauling my youngest up and down the C&O canal on his hitchhiker I haven't been disappointed. The Aquila is smooth and stable, even with my little guy lurching all over the place to test my riding ability I had no problems with bumps, rocks and keeping straight, and when he yelled to get into Hyperdrive and beat m |
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$ 575.00
