Strengths: Everything. Light weight, good geometry, wisely chosen parts, good wheels, light and stiff frame,
Weaknesses: Disliked the stock Sungio crank with 24, 34, 46 chainrings (or was it 26, 36, 48?). A 24x30 as the lowest gear was too high for me at the time (I was only 12-13 years old when I bought the bike). Changed to a 22, 32, 44 LX crank and everything was OK. No lockout on the SID (no-one had lockout at the time, so I guess it doesn't count as a weakness)
Bottom Line:
I used the Supercaliber for three seasons (1998-2000), and if it hadn't been too small for me now, I think I could still have used it in races (with a lockable fork). I didn't true the wheels for three seasons.
Similar Products Used: 2001 Kona Explosif Scandium 2002 Scott Team Issue Scandium 2003 Scott Team Issue Scandium 2004 Scott Team Issue Scandium 2005 Scott Scale Carbon????
Bike Setup: 1998: Gary Fisher Supercaliber (small) Rock Shox SID LX crank, XT BB, XTR/XT derailleurs 8-speed, XT STI, XTR brakes, XT cassette Mavic CrossMax (ceramic, non-UST) Bontrager, Thomson, WTB, Time Atac....
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Submitted by
max
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2004
Strengths: Weight, durability, handling, and especially climbing ability!
Weaknesses: None that i can see as of now.
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass. thats pretty much the bottom line. Im 14 years old and got the frame, some nice shocks and the handle bar for 400 bucks. people... dont just buy the first bike that you see and like... look around on ebay.com and craigslist.com for the same bike. anyway, awesome handling (I ride some nasty singletrack on this thing), great cog (center of grav) buy it YOU WONT BE SORRY.
Bike Setup: Pretty much all jumbled... bontrager wheels, shimano brakes... everything is by another company.
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Submitted by
John DeVivo
a Cross Country Rider
from Andover, ME USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003
Strengths: The frame (6061 Alum) is indestructible. I've ridden & raced it since 1997, and it just keeps on going strong!
Weaknesses: There are no weaknesses. The spec was great (full XT) when I bought it, and I've continually upgraded or replaced as needed.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the finest hardtail frames ever made. It just keeps on churning out the miles and taking on the upgrades. There's not one single original component left on it, and I've ridden and raced it for almost seven years. The '97 (aluminum, not that weak Paola Pezzo carbon) Supercaliber frame is the absolute bomb.
Similar Products Used: 1996 Supercaliber. Sold after one season to buy the '97.
Bike Setup: 2003 Duke XC, XTR/Mavic 517 wheelset, 2000 - 2003 XTR/XT/LX component mix, Cane Creek C-5 headset & Thudbuster post, recent upgrade to 9 speed setup.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Casper, Wyoming
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Strengths: Weight, stiffness, manuverability, and vibration control.
Bottom Line:
I hope this frame lasts another 9 years! I love it and will be hard pressed to find something new that will fit me as well. If you are looking for a frame that is ultra light and stiff enough for a 200 lb rider to abuse OCLV is the way to go. I regret that Fisher no longer offers the OCLV in their geomitry.
Strengths: Light, Reasonably Stiff, Absorbs shock, Great climber and descender.
Weaknesses: top tube a little long for tight singletrack but that is why I can outclimb anyone.
Bottom Line:
This was an early OCLV frame. I loved this bike. After 7.5 years, 4 drivetrains, and over 10,000 miles the bottom bracket shell separated from the carbon fiber. I am sad.
Gary Fisher is going to give me a 2002 Sugar 1 frame as a replacement. I am happy. Too bad the replacement is taking so long.
Submitted by
steven trottier
a Racer
from WINSTON-SALEM N.c USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001
Strengths: VERY LIGHT AND QUICK AROUND TURNS. GOOD HILL CLIMBER UP ALL THOSE HARD HILLS. GREAT ALL AROUND CROSS COUNTRY RACE BIKE
Weaknesses: NOT ALOT OF MUD CLEARANCE IN THE REAR AND IT CLOGS UP SO U HAVE TO STOP AND WIPE IT OFF THE SEAT POST BAR THING. A LITTLE $ FOR A 14 YEAR OLD. LONG REACH TO THE HANDLEBARS
Bottom Line:
I REALLY LOVE MY GARY FISHER. I LIKE THE LIGHTNESS AND QUICKNESS DURING RACES AND JUST MESSING AROUND. EVEN THOUGH IT IS GETTIN OLD AND THE ORIGINAL PRODUCS ALL WORE OUT THE FRAME IS STILL STRONG AND IN TACT. I LOVE IT! SOOOOOOO LIGHT~!;) U SHOULD BUY THIS BIKE IF YU ARE A SERIOUS RACER WHO WANTS TO IMPROVE YOUR RIDING IT SURE HELPED MINE.
Bike Setup: FULL XTR, SID,CROSSMAX'S, THOMPSON, BONTRAGOR STEM, 21 POUNDS!
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Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Strengths: Light weight, geometry, components
Weaknesses: I have no complaints
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. The person I bought it from did some racing and did fairly well with it I'm told. But I ride just for fun, and I ride everything from the street (I use to commute to work on it) to some nasty single track. I really like how light this bike is, and how it handles. This bikes a few years old now, but I really haven't had to replace anything except tires because this thing is so durable. I traded bikes with a friend once during the middle of a ride and almost didn't get it back.
This is a great all around bike, the person before me raced it, but I like it as a great everyday bike. Its a great bike, if you want a hard tail you should consider this one, get one if you can and you wont regret it.
Bike Setup: pretty much stock (lx/xt Manitou 3) for all the important stuff. The only thing I have replaced is a set of worn out tires.
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Submitted by
Kenneth Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, Tn USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Strengths: Light weight, geometry
Weaknesses: construction and paint quality
Bottom Line:
I noticed this product listed in the hall of fame. In my opinion it shouldn't be. The geometry is nice and the frame is pretty light but the construction and paint quality is lacking. I've had three these things--the first one broke at the head tube, the second at the seat tube, and all three looked like they had been to war after a few hundred miles. Get a better bike.
After a season of hard racing in sport category, I came away with the points series and second in the state champs. The bike definitely helped. Its an awsome climber, combination of geometry, light weight and great traction (in dry hardpack) with the velociraptor rear. Handles well in the decents, tough you need to run quite a high pressure in the SID forks. Great for single track. Overall an excellent bike which I would recommend to anyone. I ride a medium and am 5'11. Its held up well with hard riding, the only slight downer is that the paint job is prone to chipping, but not enough of a problem not to give it 5.
Bike Setup: king headset, the rest is pretty much stock
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Submitted by
patrick couser
a racer
from perth western australia
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1999
Bottom Line:
I bought my 98 supercaliber second hand and have had it for a few months. Ive done one big race on it: Karri Cup http://www.wantree.com.au/~pimms/northcliffe . The bike is great, superlight, manoeuvrable, climbs like nothing else, is awesome in the single track (up or down) and still descends well on all terrain. So far I have nothing to say against it - only praise. I especially love the Genesis geometry, which puts everything in the right place. Im just under 6' and weigh about 67-70kg. I have the medium, I used to have a 17.5 Marin, but the supercaliber fits better. get one, you wont regret it.
SUPERCALIBER ´98 IS SPECIALY DESIGNED FOR XC RACING AND YOU WILL REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE WHILE CLIMBING. WITH A VERY INTELIGENT MIX OF COMPONENTS (COROSMAX AN THE SID ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT), IS A TOP PERFORMER AT A REACHABLE PRICE. I MIGHT SPEND $300 TO MAKE IT LIGHTER YET BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO UPGRADE FIRST (CRANKSET?, B.BRACKET?, CASSETTE?... WILL APPRECIATE ADVICE). THE ONLY SAD THING IS THAT THERE ARE NO FISHER DISTRIBUITORS IN MEXICO AND GT AND CANNONDALE ARE SELLING LOTS OF MEDIOCRE BIKES HERE. SALUDOS.
Submitted by
Ola Linder
a cross-country rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
I am riding a ´98 Supercaliber with the new Genesis Geometry. I only bought the frame and I have spec´d it with Magura HS33, XTR and stuff like that. There isnt very much to say about it, except that it rocks. With the Genesis geometry the bike is unique upwards. When it goes downhill it works as well. Just ONE tip: spec the bike with a short stem. It doesnt have to be extremely short but quite short. If you dont, the bike will fell very long and uncomfortable. I did that mistake but now when I have fixed that the bike is a dream. There is no way to describe what it feels like - go try one for yourself. You WONT be disappointed.
Submitted by
Gren
a cross-country rider
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1998
Bottom Line:
My friend and I both own Garys. I have loved my Mamba since day one (It's what I learned on), but, after riding my friends Supercaliber, I have decided to put my beast to rest. By comparison, it's an awesome handling bike, lightweight, a good climber (I mean, you can STAND on the thing!), and stiff. The only down points I can find are that it's squirrely in the rough stuff (I ride National Trail out here on South Mountain...if you're ever in the neighborhood and want a downhill technical that'll scare the skin off a billy goat, try it!) and the color makes me wretch. Saving grace points are that I could get used to the handling characteristics given time and Gary was kind enough to change the colors this year. Only an awesome bike like this could make me give up Old Faithful. I think, though that I'm going to start from scratch with just the bare frame as I'm a customs freak. Wonder if I can get it down to 20lbs? Hmm.....
Submitted by
patrick stein
a weekend warrior
from Hubbard, OH
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have a 91 G.F. SuperCaliber thats been a great bike I'm on my second Roc-shock and have numerous miles, most of the Suntour has been replaced with shimano but the frame has been great, but I'm on this page researching a FS bike, hoping I can get a Bike with more comfort but don't want to sacrifice the great climbing of this bike. I haven't been on a FS bike nd will gladly read opinions. My friend are the same road and hard tail bikies as my self. Anyone interested in a great hardtail?
Submitted by
Michael
a cross-country rider
from Whitewater, WI
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998
Bottom Line:
I really liked it. Liked being the operative word. I sold it because I'm a Clydesdale at 6'1 230lbs and the regid frame sent all that pounding to my lower back. But after 1500 miles of pounding the bike still worked great. The crank broke in half on me within the first 50 miles but Fisher replaced it. Until I sold it it was fabulous bike.
