Submitted by
J. Zachariassen
a All Mountain Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2012
Strengths: So, Bought my Fisher Hoo Koo EKoo in the late 1980's (say 1988-89) - and I still have it and still riding it year round...
And will not be selling it any time soon -- have to admit though not many original parts ...although frame, cables, handle-bars and seat
stand are original. Have had to get a couple of new cog sets and chains -- but then I ride 1 to 2 thousand miles a year...
Yeah, this is a great bike, and has lasted for 20+ years ...paint is very well chipped but that keeps any thieves away ...
bike looks old but is not . I tell friends and pro's that I ride an antique - an original Fisher , well an early model anyway....
Weaknesses: None -- but must admit that I've alway's ridden town on this bike, but still almost 25 years is pretty darned good ...
Note: paid $800.00 in 1988/89 -- what would that be in 2012 ??
Bottom Line:
Great bike !! and it has lasted --- if Fisher and/or Trek want to send me a new model - great !!
But will still ride my old 1988/89 Hoo Koo E Koo
Submitted by
PisgahWorks
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2011
Strengths: Have a 1987 like very new. A few nicks from moving and storing. Bike is all original and has hardly ever been ridden. Get in touch should you be interested. A collector should have it.
Similar Products Used: Marin somethingwoods. Just as old. Cro-Mo. Cool bike.
Bike Setup: C'mon man
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Submitted by
pyoung
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver BC Canada
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2011
Strengths: Strong frame, components also work as they should and have lasted well.
Bottom Line:
The 1997 Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo still had a chromoly steel frame, and the metallic red paint on mine still gleams. Love the handling of this bike both on trails and the urban jungle. At just under 27 pounds the way I've got it set up, it's nice and light. I much prefer the ride of my steel hardtail to an aluminum hardtail. And strong... I've taken a few downhill tumbles and the bike has survived with no issues. (My son's 1997 Fisher Big Sur aluminum hardtail broke the frame after just a couple of years).
I've been tempted to buy a new bike but when I clean, polish and tune this one I realize there's no reason to go new. Thanks Gary Fisher and TREK for making a great bike.
Bike Setup: Stock components, except for tires, brake pads, pedals. The Gripshift 400 SRT has worked flawlessly for 23 years, Maverick rims are still true. I installed Bontrager Revolt ST tires which are light and work great on pavement but still have good grip on trails.
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Submitted by
txfm740
a Cross Country Rider
from TX
Weaknesses: frame dented after multiple wrecks; the bottom bracket finally needs attention, and the cassette needs to be replaced. The chain could use some R & R as well.
Bottom Line:
This bike is 12 years old, and it has had little to no maintenance, but it keeps on going. I seriously need to put it in the shop so that it can get the attention it deserves. Its unlikely that I would drop a grand on this year's model though.
Similar Products Used: Fisher Wahoo, Trek Antelope, Trek 800
Bike Setup: Shimano STX out back; factory setup
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Submitted by
xman
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2009
Strengths: Solid, quiet, built like a russian submarine and strong like bull.
Weaknesses: Seating position
Bottom Line:
My 1st MTB bike, had it for over 12 yrs and it still cranks like a precision machine. I love the quality. Never got used to the seating position and was considering trading it in for something new. But after reading all these reviews I think Ima gonna keep her and just get a different riser. Thanks all!
Submitted by
Roger
a Weekend Warrior
from Simbury, CT USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2009
Strengths: The entire Bike it is awesome
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome no matter what I throw at it it handles with ease. It is a hard core rider and everyone should use this bike. Awesome!!! lOve it and hate all others
Submitted by
E$
a Weekend Warrior
from UPPER MARLBORO, MD
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2008
Strengths: TOUGH BIKE ALTOGETHER, STRONG COMPONENTS FOR MY LEVEL OF RIDING, EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE RIDE
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 1997 AND IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY SPENT. BIKE IS 11 YEARS OLD AND STILL LOOKS NEW BECAUSE IT'S WELL MAINTAINED. HAS ALL ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDING TIRES. I'M A BIT OLDER BUT STILL LONGING TO PUT IT ON THE TRAILS. THANKS GARY FISHER.
Weaknesses: None that I've found, but I did end up changing most of the components eventually. Come on, I bought the thing 11 years ago. I will admit the INDY XC rockshock it came with was horrible.
Bottom Line:
I'm really reviewing the frame, but the bike in its original set-up was great too. The bottom line is that this bike has hung with me through it all. I've bought new bikes and use them for various reasons, but in the end I love the feel and strength of this bike so much that I just can't stop riding it. The geomotry is perfect and the frame has just the right flex. With all the bikes I've had, its still probably my favorite.
Similar Products Used: Specialized stumpjumper M2comp, Home-built Nuke Proof Hard tail, Custom Kona Dawg Primo FR/XC set-up
Bike Setup: I've riden this bike from a fully geared front supension hardtail to a rigid single speed. Current set-up: surly 1x1 fork, the original bontrager rims with Holy Rollers, a soulcraft convert, FSA fat pig headset, pro-taper bars, Race Face Evolve XC Stem,and orignal sugino cranks.
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Submitted by
Christopher Zuck
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington, Delaware
Weaknesses: None that I've found, but I did end up changing most of the components eventually. Come on, I bought the thing 11 years ago. I will admit the INDY XC rockshock it came with was horrible.
Bottom Line:
I'm really reviewing the frame, but the bike in its original set-up was great too. The bottom line is that this bike has hung with me through it all. I've bought new bikes and use them for various reasons, but in the end I love the feel and strength of this bike so much that I just can't stop riding it. The geomotry is perfect and the frame has just the right flex. With all the bikes I've had, its still probably my favorite.
Similar Products Used: Specialized stumpjumper M2comp, Home-built Nuke Proof Hard tail, Custom Kona Dawg Primo FR/XC set-up
Bike Setup: I've riden this bike from a fully geared front supension hardtail to a rigid single speed. Current set-up: surly 1x1 fork, the original bontrager rims with Holy Rollers, a soulcraft convert, FSA fat pig headset, pro-taper bars, Race Face Evolve XC Stem,and orignal sugino cranks.
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Submitted by
chris cross
a Cross Country Rider
from north berwick, maine
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2008
Strengths: great gearing for commuting and city riding, lightweight, fast, durable
Weaknesses: Wish it had 29" wheels like my next bike will. Only serious complaint is it seems the fork adjusters do absolutely nothing, but at least the it works good.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, pick one up if you find one used. The chromoly frame is both durable and light. The components seem high quality and the ride is pretty good. Haven't ridden it much offroad, but I'm sure it's great.
Submitted by
Philip Rygg
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2007
Strengths: It lasted forever, comfortable handle bars, shifters, durable
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I bought my Hoo KOO E Koo, in two tone purple, in 1993, when I was 13 years old, I was tall then, the bike has fit and served me well for 14 years. With minimal tune ups it traversed thousands of miles, mostly in daily journeys to work or school. I toured through Glacier park in MT, I rode it through Seattle for 5 years, San Francisco for a year an excellent hill bike. I have had it here in New York for 2 months ago until yesterday when a bad man clipped my cable and took my transportation away from me. A great ride it has been though.
Submitted by
Paul Young
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2007
Strengths: Had this bike for 10 years now (it's a red '97) and it's virtually indestructible. I still like the geometry for trail riding, both uphill and down. And for a hardtail it's got a great ride.
Weaknesses: I've replaced a few components and upgraded but no complaints.
Bottom Line:
I'ma way more laid-back rider now than when I got this bike 10 years ago... now I'm using it as more of a cruiser... more comfortable and balanced than other bikes I've riden lately. The light but strong chromoly steel frame has just the right balance of stiffness and comfort. Thanks GF!
Similar Products Used: My son bought a GF Big Sur at the same time I got my HKEK and his had a way stiffer ride... until the aluminum frame split. Glad I got steel!
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Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT USA
Weaknesses: Headset issues when it was new, Rock Shox Quadra's steerer bent out of alignment.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 1996 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo. I purchased this bike after graduating high school in 1996. I rode it very hard in the first 4 years I owned it then upon going to college in 2000 I stored it in my garage. In that time I replaced only a few things on the entire bike:
Cassette Chain Upgraded to Tektro V Brakes Replaced Bent RS Quadra with a Manitou fork
Other than that, after approx 5 thousand miles of trail riding (Some downhill at Platekill) everything was still in great condition. In the summer of 2002 I worked as a bike messenger in Boston and used none other than my Hoo Koo for work. I put some michelin slicks on it and logged 60-70 miles a day of grueling pavement punishment. This bike has literally taken a licking and still to this day keeps on tickin. I think now GF is owned by Trek but the Genesis geometry is awesome. I plan on turning this bike into a rigid single speed commuter in the near future.
3 chilis for value rating because $650 was a lot of dough for me back then and now that kind of money buys you a much better component selection than alivio and STX-rc. 5 Chilis for overall rating!
Strengths: Steel Frame. Bombproof frame and components.
Weaknesses: Fully Rigid.
Bottom Line:
This bike has been a faithful partner for nigh on fifteen years, only had to change two tyres and a wheel and the front brake pads in all that time. STEEL IS REAL is true, The HOO KOO E KOO keeps on rolling regardless of what I do to it, include being transported around Australia, acting as a courier bike, overtaking racers in a triathlon or thrashing my favourite trail Gary Fisher rocks. Having just bought a lower market hardtail I have noticed now how rough the ride is, but that makes it more responsive and me more trail savvy. Great bike for beginners or weekend warriors.
Bike Setup: Shimano RX gear set, Suntour cassette and front cranks.
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Submitted by
andreas
a Racer
from new york city area
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003
Strengths: Last year Gary Fisher was solo - pre trek. Amazing steel construction you only see in custom shops now. Great ride and good fit - nice stretch. Comfortable fast climber, quick reaction in the track, forgiving in the decent.
Weaknesses: Hardtail? If you call that a weakness.
Bottom Line:
I race and commute every day logging an average of 8000 miles a year. I have ridden the Hoo Koo E Koo as a racer, trainer and then commuter for bad weather or when my road bike was out of service. I had the choice of getting another frame or restoring this one. I thought long and hard about what the advantage is to get a new frame, and besides the price, there was no way I could get the same quality without going custom. This frame is costing me 350 to strip and respray with professional results to original colors (midnight blue purple graphics) The ride is truely amazing and I must say that if you can get your hands on a 94 HKEK, hold on to it. I plan on bringing it back to life with nice parts and get back to some basic hardtail riding. Don't get me wrong, the Ted is the closest to Godlyness and the YETI is the fatest bike to race on, but the old Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo is like coming home after a really long trip. It is nice to get back to your roots. Cheers to Gary. too bad he sold.
