Submitted by
Ismael Martinez
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2009
Strengths: Very Strong Frame, it's lasted me over 12yrs. I love it. not the lightest bike out there nor the fastest [as newer mountain bikes are these days] but the bike has been relia ble. I've ridden my wahoo on two 100 miler mountain bike races in Oklahoma [Trail of Tears 100].
Weaknesses: the hand grips & pedals need a upgrade
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bicycle for the beginner and\or intermediate rider.
Submitted by
Jess
a Weekend Warrior
from ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Strengths: The frame's definately the best part of this little beast. I've had my '97 Wahoo for just under 5 years and The frame is still mint.
Weaknesses: Not the best components. Being too cheap to upgrade, the only thing I've replaced is a brake lever I toasted. Granted, everything's still fully functional - so I can't complain - but a lot of the parts coulda held up better than they did. I really should fix the thing up tho .. I've haven't done much riding lately so I haven't worried about it 'til now.
Bottom Line:
For the price, it's a bloody good ride. Handles beautifully, and takes a good beating. Slap a suspension fork and better shifters/deraileurs on thing and you've got yourself a prize horse. Superb beginner bike, or for rec. riders.
Submitted by
Josef
a Cross Country Rider
from Milpitas
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002
Strengths: Strong Frame and fork.You mean to tell me the only cromoly is in the seat tube? For a mostly high tensile steel frame and fork,it sure is tough.
Weaknesses: None now.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike so it will be my main commuter/beater bike but damn!...this thing can take the hits!.Also it gets a lot of attention from the old-schoolers and single speeders. Frame is a little heavy but over-built.Zero flex on sprints and climbs,frame soaks up trail bumps making for a comfortable ride.This bike is sweeeet!!!
Similar Products Used: Any 1989 to 1992 era rigid mountain bike,like the Mongoose IBOC Pro,Trek Singletrack,Raleigh Technium or Nishiki Alien.
Bike Setup: Most Altus C components tossed and replaced with vintage Shimano Deore,LX and XT components and a Suntour XCPro 46/34/22 crankset.150mm 0 rise Ti stem and Easton E70 XC bar installed along w/ODI bolt-ons.Altus C brakeset kepted because of great stopping power.Hutchinson 2.0 Mosquito Airlights installed.I kept the original Araya rims because they are wide,strong,light and retro.Added other bit's and pieces to lighten bike.This bike has the classic mountain bike look.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Josef
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2002
Strengths: 1993 Fisher(model unknown)Strong frame.Basic black paint,easy to touch up.Nice little details like the rear brake cable noodle,sealed bearing BB and 'Man's best friend'printed on the chainstay bridge.Strong Araya rims on Shimano Deore hubs.Frame geometry fits perfect.Great Altus cantilever brakeset.
Weaknesses: 26.2 seat post replacement hard to find.Original but heavy Altus C10 components worked great despite years of being in a garage,hanging like a'Seinfeld'bike.Generic stem and handle bar really transmitted trail shock.Notice there's no weakness for Gary's frame!
Bottom Line:
I know this was probably a $250 bike when new,but the frame sure is sweet.The bike is built like a tank,fast and comfortable.It was a lucky find and a real bargain.No kidding,and I've ridden some pro-level rigs.Gary even pays attention to his bargain bikes.He is God! For anyone wanting to build a reliable commuter/beater bike,get this frameset.
Bike Setup: Bike was stripped down to frame and wheels and 26.2 Proponent seatpost retained.Most OEM components replaced with Shimano Deore and Suntour XC Pro components from parts box.OEM tires replaced with Hutchinson Mosquito 2.00 Airlights and Specialized Ultrathin tubes.150mm/5 degree rise Ti stem and Easton E70 XC bar installed.Also installed Suntour XC Pro Cyclocross 46/34/22 crankset and Odysessy Svelte pedals.ODI Ruffian grips,Sram cables,Carmichael Ti pulleys and Sella Flight Ti saddle.Learned during rebuild that Shimano Altus is very much like LX,only with hex bolts instead of allen head fittings.Bolts replaced with alloy and Ti bolts from parts box.Lots of caked,greasy dirt washed off to reveal a sweet frame.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brendan
a Cross Country Rider
from United States
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2000
Strengths: The Frame is STRONG. I have tossed and turned this tough bike and it has taken the beating with ease. I fully upgraded everything, excepth the frame because it held up so well! I put Rock Shox Sid XC on it and a full Shimano Mega 9 speed drive train.
Weaknesses: The rims are not very strong. Some of the original components started to rust.
Bottom Line:
Tough, 3 years w/ suspension and still running strong. Will power this thing trough the toughest trail and it has a craving for off road speed. I would feel comfortable in any type of situation with this bike. When upgraded, it makes for a sweet bike!
Submitted by
Adam petry
a weekend warrior
from montgomery WV
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1999
Bottom Line:
I got a gary fisher bike for Cristmas the Joshua Z 1 and it rocks !Its fully suspended Shimano gear shifters and it can stop on a dime . Its rim is sweet the shocks ride like a lexus . The bike rules
Submitted by
J Rubianes
a weekend warrior
from Stockton, CA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1998
Bottom Line:
I bought my 97 Wahoo for $250 at Copeland's and I think I got a pretty good deal (even though they lowered the price after I bought it). I looked at everything in the price range (Specialized, Trek, Jamis, GT, Diamondback, Mongoose, etc...) and almost got a Marin Bolinas Ridge, but I went with the Wahoo because of the $50 bucks I saved and the Fisher Mystique that comes with owning one. Is it a good bike? Damn right it is! Look up the ratings in this site, you won't find a higher ranked entry level bike (OK maybe the Bianchi Ocelot). I have been out of biking since my moto-cross days of the early 80's (I miss my Redline) and the Wahoo has been a great transition bike for me. Of course I had to get a Serfas gel seat (who wants to be numb down under) and I am looking to get some rapid fire shifters, otherwise everything is still working and I am one satisfied Fisher owner. This bike may not excite the biking elite, but it's not meant to. For $250 bucks, you can't ask for more.
Submitted by
Tristan davis
a weekend warrior
from louisville,ky
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998
Bottom Line:
this bike is too awesome! i just raced it down a bumpy yet narrow road and got 1st out of 12 than were using huffy bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(peices of crap)!!!! its the awesomeist bike on the planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i suggest u go out and bye one today.if you like riding at awesome speeds,showing off and many other things then get a wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just purchased a gary fisher wahoo bikes on sale at 259.00! i haft to say it is one of the best bikes in looks and in style,quality and in comfort i have ever ridden!!!!!!!!!!! i am going to go on a 45 mile ride! im only 12 but this bike is killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by
Patrick Gaither
a weekend warrior
from Azle,Texas
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1998
Bottom Line:
I love the Gary Fisher bike I purchased about 3 months ago I have had nothing but good times it has held up perfectly in all conditions I would highly recomend and have to anybody and everybody looking for a good everyday knockaround bike. Patrick Gaither student at Midwestern state
Submitted by
Bob
a weekend warrior
from Glen Gardner, NJ
Date Reviewed: June 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
My wife & I bought a pair of leftover Wahoo' and it was a great decision. We paid about $250 each and there is nothing to compare at that price. The handling of this bike is great, it is comfortable to ride and easy to control on any terrain. The components are comparable to most other entry level bikes, but the others cant match the overall package. The owner of the store later told me that I didn't know how good a decision we had made, I now know that he was right.
Submitted by
Ernest Yap
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
This bike fits the needs of those who are just starting the whole mountain biking thing. Although the bike is no Fisher Supercaliber, the bike can take rough riding to a satisfying level. If you are looking for a light bike, a Wahoo is not for you. The price paid for the bike is quite a deal, but I would recommend changing the Weinnman 519 rims, and adding suspensions.
Submitted by
Kathy Stewart
a weekend warrior
from Portland, Or
Date Reviewed: May 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
I purchased my '96 Wahoo in June of 1997, after being away from bike riding since the early '70's. Man! Whotta ride! I think Gary Fisher calls it a Wahoo because of the way it makes you feel when you ride it. :-) Another major point for me was the smaller frame sizes GF has, I am a very short person (5'1) and even so the man's frame didn't allow me enough clearance, but I got the women's step through frame and I'm on the road. I've made some minor upgrades, replaced the GripShift with RapidFire style shifters (nothing wrong with the GS, just personal preference) got better pedals, fenders, lights, computer panniers and got slightly less knobby tires and wala! I can use my bike for nearly everything. Quick trips to the store, commuting, off-road, or just tooling around. I did have some minor problems with the brakes, but the warranty was good for that. It's an excellent starter/intermediate bike.
Submitted by
Mark
a cross-country rider
from KC Missouri
Date Reviewed: May 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
So far, I can only say good things about my Wahoo. I picked it up for a little less than three hundred and have upgraded to Rapid Fire shifters, a new stem and bars and different pedals. When I decided to get a bike I wasn't sure if I wanted to blow a ton of cash to let a bike sit in my apartment to collect dust, but it is rare that I miss a nite of riding and have spent more than a few weekends on the local trails.
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