Submitted by
azulrider
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, Texas, USA Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
the worm from hell
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
The Bycicle Company,
Strengths:
I read everyone else's reviews 1st and I agree with all of them! This bike is so confidence inspiring I took a few more chances than I should have even with my very limited experience and went OTB on the first ride! This equipment is like riding a couch (thanks Justin) down treacherous trails with lots of sharp rocks protruding from the ground. The suspension is awesome, shifting is effortless and the Juicy 3 brakes are way better than what I expected. Though the bike is light and nimble it is tough and seems to take a beating with me on it showing no problems at all! Thankfully this bike rolls over just about anything. My next purchase will be another HiFi.
Weaknesses:
needs rub patches before the first ride- thats it.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Piranha
Bike Setup:
As is from the shop- thanks to my buds at The Bicycle Company!
Bottom Line:
I read everyone else's reviews 1st and I agree with all of them except for the weaknesses! As a novice rider I started out on a G.F. Piranha and still love that hardtail. Though I do take a chance or two beyond my experience I find the HiFi and its set up has saved my butt from a few possible disasters. My youngest offspring asked to come along for rides which led me to the Hifi Plus (thanks again Justin). I truly believe because of this particular bike I am fast becoming more and more addicted to this sport- always looking for that next high. I would refer this bike to anyone that asks.
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Submitted by
snailsongs
a Cross Country Rider
from Wausau, WI, USA Date Reviewed: August 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Nine Mile County Forest, WI
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
local
Strengths:
Nice suspension, nice geometry (for me), lightweight, and so on
Weaknesses:
weak stock tires, otherwise none
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Piranha, Kona Muni Mula
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
- I bought this bike from a guy selling on craigslist who had this for a month and decided he wanted the frame-size down. What's more, he had tricked out the first and so when he bought his second one he swapped the new stock parts (I mean every compnonent, the tires, etc) onto this one....essentially a new bike for less than half the MSRP.
- I've been riding around on my Fisher Piranha, a great mid-range hardtail, all summer long, but when I got on this there was an instantaneous "oh god!" moment where I realized what I was missing on the trail. Don't get me wrong, I will always love a good stiff hardtail, but this bike inspires confidence on the trail. It climbs well whether the suspension is locked out or not, handles beautifully in the tight twisty singletrack of my local trail, and makes me feel like a long set of stairs and that rockgarden that used to put me in traction with the Piranha, is no big deal. This bike is perfect for me. I am not yet a competitive racer, though I am working towards that, and yet I can really push myself with this bike on the trail. IT does great with technical maneuvering, and yet goes the distance too. Perfect. The only thing is, I find myself wondering about the Hifi carbon pro, the 29er's, other excellent rides I don't know about for styles I haven't yet experienced.....yes, people, I have been bit by the MTB bug hard! Thank god for this great trail bike to get me through!
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Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Leesburg VA Date Reviewed: July 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
C&O Canal Towpath
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Outfitters
Strengths:
My first full susopension and it does exactly what I want it to. It allows me to ride much farther in comfort and add 10- miles to my rides without feeling beat up when I;m done.
Weaknesses:
None that I've found so far
Bike Setup:
X-0 derailleur’s with XT cranks and BB7 disk brakes. Easton Havoc wheels and Python tires.
Bottom Line:
I weigh a lot (240)and my old hardtail was tough on me.
This bike allows me to ride 25-30 miles and come home take a shower and be ready for something else.
It's made riding much more fun.
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Submitted by
Dial Tone
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern California, USA Date Reviewed: July 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Fullerton Loop
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1199.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Made in USA frame, quality components, G2 geometry, fills the gap between XC and AM (the perfect trail bike?)
Weaknesses:
a tad heavy for XC use but too light for All Mountain use. No QR for the seat--really?
Crank Bros 50/50, Hope seat QR, Salsa stem, Azonic mid-rise bars the rest is OEM (Bontrager/Shimano)
Bottom Line:
This is for the '07 Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Plus in silver:
The G2 geometry on the bike makes it handle very well, not sloppy on slow rides and excellent at speeds and going downhill. Uphill is a bit twitchy on seated climbs but thats maybe because of my current handlebar/stem set up.
The 07 model has the Fox RP3 in the rear--3 position adjustable for lockout (climbing), open (downhill) and Pro-Pedal modes. It also has adjustable rebound.
The front shock is the Manitou Relic. Good for 120mm of travel and has adjustable compression, lockout and rebound.
Once the rear is dialed in, I dont think there is a need to keep changing it. The only thing I would fiddle with depending on the trail is the rebound of the front shocks and the air in the tires.
The Shimano drive train parts and shifters are fine for now and just will be replaced as necessary, same for the leftover Bontrager parts.
Brakes are hydraulic Avid Juicy 3's with 160mm rotors and stops the bike hard enough that it has already tossed me OTB twice already.
The stock Bonty tires are great for aggressive XC or trail use and is excellent in shedding mud. On a muddy ride it had an impressive rooster tail from the back and was tossing chunks onto the vents of my helmet in the front. The tires now needs to be replaced as it wore out quickly as it has seen more pavement use lately than dirt.
Grips are fine with gloved hands but slippery with sweaty palms.
Overall the Hi-Fi is an excellent bike for the money (bought as a closeout) and is perfect all the way to intermediate skilled rider. So far I have not even reached the bikes limit.
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Submitted by
dinorider76
a Cross Country Rider
from North Venrnon, Indiana Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
B.C.S.C, Muskatatuck, V.S.P
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Suspension and G2 setup, This bike climbs better than my hard tail and decends like it was on pillows.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale,
Bike Setup:
Stock frame and suspension setup, EA 70 seat post, EA 90 stem, Shram Drive Train, FSA crank, Chris King head set, Mutano Raptor Tires, Salsa lock on grips.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line, well this bike just plain ROCKS, great for long XC rides, lite enough to race for fun, and lite free riding.
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Submitted by
Hollis Bankston
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Worth, Texas/Pagosa Springs, Colorado Date Reviewed: May 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Vortex
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Richardson Bike Mart
Strengths:
Everything except the tires. The suspension is remarkable and has "caused" me to take stupid risks and ride outside my ability.
Weaknesses:
the stock tires are so-so. Gets lots of flats.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Homegrown
Bike Setup:
stock plus NTB tubeless tires and shimano SPD pedals
Bottom Line:
I can't think of a better bike in the same price range. This bike is great for the rider who wants to do a fair amount of serious riding, but not quite to the competitive level. The only thing I would do is get better tires. Anything more is me just being greedy.
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Submitted by
Bret Looker
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockbridge,Ga,USA Date Reviewed: May 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Conyers Horse Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1899.00
Purchased At:
Atlanta Cycling,Vinings GA
Strengths:
Avid Juicy 3 brakes-I'm 210 and had no braking issues yet Rock Shock Recon-Very ajustable Fox Float-Same as above.
Weaknesses:
The tires are horrible(Bontrager crap). I have a Cannondale F900 with the irc mythos and it handles like it's on a rail(no traction problems at all). With these tires I feel very slow and uncomfortable in the turns. They wash out in the easiest corner. Really changes the new bike experience. Also after owning the bike for about a week I'm seeing some cable rub around the head set?? Seems like a weak paint job to me. And what ever happened to bar ends on bicycles?? This is one of most important things you can have on a mtn bike imho. This should come standard at this price point.
Similar Products Used:
None...this is my first full suspension. My hard tails have included a Cannondale F900, a Raleigh(not sure of the model #) and a Giant Yukon
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I've got a 30 day ride on this bike from my new favorite bike shop in Atlanta. If I decide I'm not completely satisfied with it they'll make it right, with either another bike or 100% of my money back. So far I'm some what satisfied with the bike(TIRES are the problem here). I've ordered some 127 tpi Panaracer Fire's to see if that'll do the trick. If not then it looks like I'll be getting one of the new Cannondale models(rush 5z or maybe a prophet). The jury is still out. I've not really owned the bike long enough to give the bike a 4 or 5 rating so for now I'll give it a 3 until I can put some more miles in the saddle. Then I might change the clili rating.
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Submitted by
Robbie Savage
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: April 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Yarra trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
MYMOUNTAIN!
Strengths:
Great handling, control, efficiency, spec, price. Very confidence inspiring, suits my riding style perfectly. I could race XC on it if I wanted, sure, I wouldn't win but I'd have a hell of alot of fun trying. Just a great all day all-mountain bike.
Weaknesses:
Front D might want to be replaced.
Similar Products Used:
Salsa ala Carte
Bike Setup:
Stock, shimano SPD.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a really good purchase. It's considerably light, well specced, rides fantastically, and looks very elegant. It could take any kind of trail abuse, and come out of it very happily. It's stable, responsive, not-too-twitchy-not-too-dull, the forks and shox (Float RP2, Recon 351) are superb - plush, stiff, and really soak up the bumps. Shifting is smooth, breaks are powerful. This bike, being my first duel suspension, was the perfect choice for my style of riding, and really keeps options open as to what riding I can do - XC, trail, enduro, AM (I don't have the balls for downhill....) Buy this bike if you are a weekend warrior like myself, or even if you are competitive or (like me) wanting to get competitive. Don't buy it if you want to huck off cliffs, get i if you want something smooth, good quality (handbuilt in U.S.A) comfortable and very versatile.
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Submitted by
tyler
a Weekend Warrior
from colorado springs, co Date Reviewed: April 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1330.00
Strengths:
great balance, rock solid, confidence inspiring. the components are of great quality and shifting is a breeze. sticks to just about anything and has no problem dropping 4+ feet. nice weight too at 29 pounds. night and day compared to my starter bike, an 06 rockhopper ;)
Weaknesses:
grips. perhaps the saddle, but that is personal preference. tires are up for question in some terrain.
Bottom Line:
great components, great price, great bike!
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Submitted by
james
a Cross Country Rider
from greensburo Date Reviewed: November 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Strengths:
it sucks
Weaknesses:
it sucks
Bottom Line:
it is a very bad bike
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Submitted by
Jon Dufour
a Weekend Warrior
from Salem, OR USA Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
Scott's Cycle
Strengths:
Perfectly in control whether you're standing still or at ludicrous speed. The suspension is so nice, I can blast over the trails now with far more control and stability than I ever had before with my old bike.
That's what this bike has is stability, control and lots of it. It also happens to be so perfectly my fit that I feel like the bike was made just for me. The geometry this bike has is the magic, I rode several other bikes to make my decision, Trek, Norco, Kona they are all fantastic bikes but every time I got back on this one it was more and more obvious this was the bike for me.
I'm using it for single track, twisty kinds of stuff with slow and fast riding and then just straight recreational with the family. Handles three foot drops and jumps just fine but I don't really see myself going bigger than that, but who knows.
Weaknesses:
Stock grips and pedals, but I imagine it's expected for you to change these anyway.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rockhopper FSR XC - my old bike
Bike Setup:
Easton Monkeylight handlebars and seatpost. Otherwise stock.
Bottom Line:
Very awesome bike for the price, the G2 geometry is like magic. I would give this the 5 chili's but I would say that's reserved for the Hifi Pro.
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Submitted by
Dan Kinsella
a Weekend Warrior
from Fayetteville, NC, USA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Governor's Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1919.00
Purchased At:
The Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
The hifi plus is a great ride all around. It's extremely light and like many of the others said, it holds a line really well, whether going fast or slow. It actually gets more stable the faster you go and almost feels like you're floating when going down a root drop. I mostly ride ST trail but tend to want to dab in the all mountain arena. this is the perfect bike for you if you like both.
Weaknesses:
Paint chips and wears easily, especially where the cables touch it. get frame protector patches, a must. If you're going to take it off of hucks or jumps over 3 ft., set the rear shock psi to 10-15 more than you would usually. I took it off a 4.5 ft drop and the rear tire rubbed the seat tube.
Similar Products Used:
demo'ed a trek top fuel 8
Bike Setup:
stockage, except for shimano M520 pedals
Bottom Line:
Great all around bike...who better to know MTb than gary. G2 Geometry is outstanding.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AK Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Strengths:
Handling, suspension.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR, Gary Fisher Cronus hardtail, Kona's, Raleigh's, Treks, Cannondale's. I also ride road bikes.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Ergon grips, [get some!], Koobi saddle.
Bottom Line:
This thing handles so well I can't believe it. The online catalog said that a bunch of guys from Manitou, Bontrager and Gary Fisher got together and developed a new fork/frame geometry unlike anything made before. I usually believe about half of what the marketers say, but in this instance, their is no doubt that this is a breakthrough. It does everything they say it should do. I would be scared to death to ride my old Specialized FSR now! I never realized how much it understeered. If it didn't act sluggish, it was acting spooky. I had just compensated for the lousy geometry all these years. I figured the fork/shock setups had gotten better over time and I was right. This bike floats over everything in it's path. If you just want a cush ride, any brand will do pretty good nowdays. I almost bought another Specialized before I test rode the Fisher. I looked at the suspension setup on the Specialized and thought, "Wow, that is exactly the same rear suspension as I have on my old one" When I test rode one, it handled just like my old one. They really haven't changed it since it's inception. I figured maybe I should try some of the newer designs by the other manufacturers. Boy am I glad I did! This bike was altogether different from the rest, very stable at warpspeed, but you can thread the eye of a needle with it when going slow. Very nice. Now I look at more scenery while riding instead of focusing on trying to maintain the line I want. Kudos to Gary and his team for thinking out of the box and coming up with a true winner.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Round Lake, IL USA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1599.00
Purchased At:
Zion Cyclery
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
Havent found it yet
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel 8, Fisher Cake
Bike Setup:
Bone Stock
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike earlier today after going to buy the base HIFI. The shop i went to did not have the base in my size and apparently these bikes are selling like crazy because the warehouse was sold out and not expecting more. So the shop cut me a ridiculous deal to upgrade to the HIFI PLUS, I rode it and fell in love with it. I rode the similar trek and a cake and a few other bikes and loved the HIFI. Brought the HIFI home and rode maybe 3 miles, raining out otherwise i would have gone alot more, and i basically am in love. This bike is a big jump from what i used to ride and i cannot understand why i didnt make this upgrade sooner. A better review will soon follow after i put some miles on this thing.
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Submitted by
Aaron Martin
a Racer
from Murfreesboro, TN, USA Date Reviewed: December 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
jail break
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1750.00
Purchased At:
Murfreesboro Outdoor And Bike(MOAB)
Strengths:
great travel, great brakes, minimal trail, strong, light weight, good gearing.
Weaknesses:
the deraileurs need to be upgraded upon purchasing. chain slips some in moderate to rough terrain.
Similar Products Used:
gary fisher Cake 2, Ellsworth Epiphany
Bike Setup:
Stock except for deraileurs(XTR)
Bottom Line:
This is a fast, great handling bike that will keep you looking for bigger drops and faster lines. with almost 5 inches of travel all around the bike outrides every line i point it down. i was probably one of the first in the country to purchase this bike and i'm not sorry. you cant beat the price for what this is. you could easily spend 3 times as much on an ellsworth and not see much difference. fisher has a winning product. it is not a freeride or even an all mountain but it's border line. the bike will make you feel like you could ride whistler, BC. very satisfied with my fisher. cant wait for spring and the race season.
$
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