I bought this bike yesterday, I hope it's a good one....
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Submitted by
petarbreskovic
a Cross Country Rider
from Split, CROATIA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2011
Strengths: Excellent triple butted frame and responsive geometry even for ss city ride, well constructed wheels
Weaknesses: cheap components even for that time standards
Bottom Line:
Might look crazy putting above items on 16 yrs old frameset, but beleive me, worthwhile. Already tried and makes incredible, mind free city single speed. Price paid that looks enormous is normal in Croatia, but it paid itself many times.Will rate it average, cause the frameset is 5 and components 2.
Similar Products Used: Obscure Swiss handmade frame - very good and many other similar mb - Aquila responded better than any, due to the frameset, probably
Bike Setup: Actually waiting cool Paul comp (hubs, brakes, crankset), Mavic XC717 rims, one of Brooks B17 seats, T-serv Panaracer 26x1.5 and so on.
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Submitted by
philadopolis
a Weekend Warrior
from Bozeman, MT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2010
Strengths: Solid. Light. Affordable. When it was new, the pearl paint with the gray wheels and gray seat really made it stand out.
Weaknesses: I liked the GripShift when I bought the bike 15 years ago. Now, not so much. Other than not having any suspension, my only issue with the bike has been that it "wheelies" when I'm climbing a really steep hill. That may be due to an improper setup or not being sized right for me. I'm not an experienced enough rider to know.
Bottom Line:
I really love my Aquila, but I am finally looking to move on. Its hardtail frame and rim pad brakes were fine for "mountain" biking in Iowa, but but now that I live in Montana, I feel the need for disc brakes and a full-suspension setup. When and if I do replace my Aquila, I don't think I'll get rid of it. I may just give it an overhaul and hand it down to my son.
Favorite Trail: One of the trails around Missoula, MT
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At: Iowa City Spoke
Similar Products Used: This was the first mountain bike I ever bought and I have yet to replace it.
Bike Setup: Stock. I finally replaced the tires a couple of years ago and the seat a little over a year ago. I just replaced the strap-in pedals with Candy Cs about a week ago.
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Submitted by
Todd C
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilmington,NC USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Tough bike. You simply CANNOT destroy it.
Weaknesses: Components. They were great at time of purchase, not so much now.
Bottom Line:
I have owned this bike since 1994, yes you read that right, and can still outpump most folks at the local trails. This bike is my soul mate!
Submitted by
Spring Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Spring, Texas
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2010
Strengths: My brother wanted to put this 98-ish Green Aquila to the trash because it hit that maintenance cycle and needed some work. With new tires, a spare wheelset, new crank, brake pads, and hand grips, I couldn't have asked for a better riding bike. I can keep up with the weekend road-bikers, switch wheels, and hit the trails a few minutes from the house. This bike forgives more abuse than it should for its age, and so far it has held to the trails better than I can take it.
Weaknesses: I replaced the crankset (bike has over 20k miles on it) and I really don't like the lower bracket. Lets in dirt too easily. Time for an upgrade when I get the wife's permission.....
Bottom Line:
This bike is already between 11-13 years old, has probably 30k miles or more on it, only a few rust spots (minor, time for naval gelly), but it has to be the most forgiving bike for what my brother and I have put it through. With my road setup it probably tops out around 16-17 mph with a strong tight ride. Offroad? This bike is unreal. Unless my brother wants to throw out another bike, I think I'll keep this one as long as I can pedal a bike!
Bike Setup: Rock Shox front fork (still original, still tight), two Bontrager Maverick wheelsets; Bontrager Jones ACX offroad tires on one, Specialized Nimbus street slicks on the other; Dia Compe DP7 brakes; bg Milano gel saddle, and OURY grips.
Strengths: Lightweight for Steel. dosen't come with suspension fork. strong rides great
Weaknesses: Gripshifters
Bottom Line:
I have put over 600 miles on this bike this year. I is a great bike except mine has some chips in the paint and some rust but i plan to put a clearcoat over those. Also going to get rapid fire shifters. I would recomend that you should buy this bike. I recently bought a Aquila frame and am going to build a bike with it. Rides just as well as 1999 Aquila even without Gennesis geometry.
Bike Setup: Rockshox Dart 3 fork, all other components are stock
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Submitted by
End Over End
a Weekend Warrior
from Evanston, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2009
Strengths: Strength of frame, strength of fork, price, and overall quality
Weaknesses: a bit heavy, and could have used a bigger front crankset, but that's nit picking
Bottom Line:
I went into buying this bike 12 years ago with an attitude that no bike would ever replace my Rockhopper I rode in Ireland for three months, but when it got ripped off, I had to find something...I bought the Aquila in the middle of the winter at a tourist place in the middle of nowhere for a ridiculusly low price. I spent four years living in the rockies making this bike my punching bag; hitting rocks, stumps, and whatever else I could find only to bounce right off. I absolutely love this thing. Due to broken collar bones now I just tool around town, to and from work, and at charity rides, but I still love the smooth ride and indestructableness of the thing. I love cruising by people riding their $1500 bikes knowing they look at my ride and think to themselves, "that guy needs a new bike". The thing is, they just don't know. If you're a daily rider and part time mountain biker pick one up if you can find one. I'll never get rid of mine, I'll be 90 years old, and it'll be hanging on my wall at the old folks home.
Favorite Trail: Foothills Trail North, Fort Collins
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$389.00
Purchased At: Kettle Moraine Touri
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhoppper, (stolen), Bridgestone MB3, (not mine), Fuji whatever, (piece of explative)....all from mid 90's
Bike Setup: Everything is original except for new Mavic rims, Serfas saddle, and Ritchey Speedmax tires...all due to a little fender bender I had
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Submitted by
joby
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, usa
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2008
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.
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.
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)
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!
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.
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.
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.
Bike Setup: Bought it used for 130. dumped another 100 for pedals,chain new Alivo shifters/brake combo and tune up.
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Submitted by
R Ford
a Cross Country Rider
from Aldie
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007
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!
Bike Setup: Aquila frame, LX components, SRAM SRT 800 XRAY shifters, stx-rc hubs with mavic rims.
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Submitted by
Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2006
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.
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.
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.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2006
Strengths: Top frame, Comfortable riding position, super responsive, cool purple colour, rocks!!!
Weaknesses: Centre pull brakes, seat clamp
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!!!
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)
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Submitted by
DrewDawg
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005
Strengths: Steel is Real, Low Price, Very Solid
Weaknesses: Heavy, Not as absorbant as Reynolds 883
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.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Durango, Jamis Dragon
Bike Setup: Sun Rims with LX hubs, Selle Seat, Manitou Fork,
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Submitted by
John Connors
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2005
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.
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.
