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Gary Fisher
Hoo Koo E Koo
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Submitted by
drew
a Weekend Warrior
from aberdeen scotland
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | alpine bikes aberdee | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | nothing | | Bike Setup: | new comfy saddle for my boney ass. and peddles for normal peeps who wear trainers. | | Bottom Line: | perfect | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Alexander
a Weekend Warrior
from Clovis Ca.
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | off trail booney crashing!!!!!!!! and suburban assaults!!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | LOCAL BIKE SHOP | | Strengths: | This is a realy good bike. It was given to me by my Dad who's a tripple crown cyclist and rider with well over 30 years of cycling and bike club experience. This was his baby and it had over 8 thousand miles on it when i got it. ive had it a year and put one thousand miles on it just by riding to work and back everyday. Its a tough and reliable hardtail mtb. | | Weaknesses: | The stock rims are now showing signs of fatigue, stress cracks around the spoke holes and the seat has just killed my ass | | Similar Products Used: | GIANT RINCON SE, GIANT BOULDER, SPECIALIZED AMBUSH, DIAMONDBACK AND UNIVEGA MTB'S | | Bike Setup: | STOCK WITH A CYCLO COMPUTER | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel meana
a Weekend Warrior
from west des moines iowa
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | from a crack head | | Strengths: | This bike is an original 1993 hoo koo e koo with lime green paint. Never seen one like that before. Rock Shox Judy's hold up well, XT/XTR system is a plus. | | Weaknesses: | Had to dump the original pedals... So what! | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is this: I have rode this bike for quite some time. I have had riders come up to me and comment about how they like this bike (they have to have knowledge of this bike-their bikes were like $3000!). This is an original Gary Fisher (meaning his company actually hand-made these in 1993)! Now he outsources this to I think Trek. Trek now puts out a crappy product. I have had offers as high as $1500 for this bike and its 15 years old! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zack harless
a
from bristol
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | steel creek of bristol | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | highlands of abingdon | | Strengths: | confurtable seat, rock shox tora, shimano decore wheels bontrager select seatpost and crankset, awsome powerful hays nine hydrolic brakes, | | Weaknesses: | not so light rock shox tora
| | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | none | | Bottom Line: | I actually have a hoo koo e koo 2005, but i could not find it on this site.overall very nice bike!
i am putting a lighter handlebar and xt wheels on it.
maybe a new manatou fork.
when this happens it will be an awsome bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry, Marzocchi Bomber Fork, Climbs and Descends well, Has held up to a lot of trail riding for the past 5 years | | Weaknesses: | Stock brake levers, Stock Deore front Der., Stock wheels and hubs, Unlike most of the other reviewers I actually LIKE THE SEAT!, Seat clamp did have slippage problems but I fixed it with a new rubber washer for the quick release | | Similar Products Used: | '89 Diamondback Apex, Test rode everthing available in late '01 in the $500 - $800 hardtail price range | | Bike Setup: | Stock for first few years, then upgraded brake levers and wheels with hand-me-down parts from a friend's ~$1200 Specialized hardtail, Replaced crappy Deore front Der with a new XT, Replaced chain rings and rear cassette as needed, Bike rides great with Panaracer Fireroad XC tires | | Bottom Line: | I have thoroughly enjoyed this bike! I test rode everthing I could and when I rode the '02 Hoo Koo it just felt right. I was getting back into mountain biking and this bike worked great. Fisher did it right with this one. I got a good frame and fork with corners cut on some of the components. I rode it weekly on San Francisco bay area trails and then have been riding it up to 3 times a week in Colorado. It has really held up well. I finally decided to upgrade to a full suspension mtb ('06 Stumpy Comp) since these Colorado trails beat you up on a hardtail. Still have the Hoo Koo and plan on keeping it as a back up. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln, Nebraska
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Lincoln Bicycle Company | | Strengths: | Light weight and very comfortable ride (except stock seat). | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat: fell apart and uncomfortable from the start but was replaced with higher quality for free :) | | Similar Products Used: | Older Trek 820 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Probably more bike than I needed to start with. But it takes everything I have thrown at without any mechanical problems. If you are serious about wanting to ride moderate to advanced trails (haven't tried extreme) this bike seems to be well worth the money. If you are a every once in a while trial rider you might consider a more economical product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bosie Morris
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, S.C., Usa
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | sesqui | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Palmetto Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great ride strong frame (genesis) great offroad goodon road ***lightweight*** enjoyable (2002 model) | | Weaknesses: | hard seat | | Similar Products Used: | iron horse 2.0 aluminum (i hated it) | | Bike Setup: | after market manitou magnum r shocks promax brakes and wtb velocirapter tires | | Bottom Line: | I love my bike i bought it used and traded mt iron horse inso i got a deal on it. It is greatshape and the shocks are awesome (manitou magnum r) the brakes are just as good as v-brakes with the same pads
Anyone would like this bike if they put a new seat on it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Hebron CT United States
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop in Manchester CT | | Strengths: | The bike is very light weight and has many good components | | Weaknesses: | The seat is very uncomfortable and it is starting to fall apart, the paint doesn't stick to the frame very well and it is starting to chip off everywhere that it is touched by anything | | Similar Products Used: | Raliegh M-50, Diamondback Topanga, and a Giant Rincon SE | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an excellent value and it is a good bike for anybody who is at least somewhat experienced. The good thing is that the frame has a lifetime warranty (free replacement) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Chaska, MN
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | Bokoo Bikes | | Strengths: | Handling,weight,components, subtile sexiness | | Weaknesses: | Brick(seat), flimsy pedals, tires suck, | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Joshua F3 1999 | | Bike Setup: | Stock besides new shimano pedals, Serfas seat, WTB 1.5 cross terrain tires | | Bottom Line: | It's an awesome ride. Front air adjustable Rock Shox Pilot performs flawlessly for its quality.c It comes with XT rear and LX front Deraileurs(Alot of bang for the buck here) The frame is fairly light and rigid. The seating position is pretty good with the Genesis geometry. (they all have that now) GF, fire the guy who thought up the brick-like seat design, does his desk face a brick wall? It doesn't belong on a bike of this quality. Thank god my bike dealer let me swap out the seat with a $49 Serfas gel at no charge. The left pedal broke on my test ride while negotiating a curb. The dealer up graded them to Shimano 545's for $25. The stock tires look like they came off a Hot Wheels bike. They don't even look like mountain bike tires. In fact I saw them at Wal-Mart. The dealer replaced them with WTB tires at no charge. This bike should last you awhile unless you jump it off cliffs like another poster wrote. Oh and I'd recommend this bike to any novice; seasoned trail riders this bike would make a good addition to your ever growing arsenal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Dirty Harry's | | Strengths: | All over great, awsome for everyday rides and even hard trail rides. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe seat and breaks. | | Bike Setup: | Normal Except:
LX break levers
Avid 3 Breaks
Diffrent seat
LX cassete
Shamino PC 59 chain
| | Bottom Line: | AWOSME! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Forest
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | not sure. the rims don't bend too easy? | | Weaknesses: | seat came apart after one week. replaced with the same, came apart again. front derailer bends from regular use after one month. dealer bent back for me, now it's bent again rubbing on my two hardest gears. (something is definately wrong with their front derailer, because I've heard a lot of complaining about shifting problems, which I've had too). tons of chain suck, causing deep scratches on poorly painted frame. quick release seat post clamp broke easy. | | Bike Setup: | stock. | | Bottom Line: | I had an old Diamondback racing bike for 10 years that gave me less problems than this bike did the first year. Can't say that I'd give Gary Fisher bikes the time of day next time around. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EJ
a
from Cape Cod, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Climbs great. Very very light. Mine has Frog System pedals that I love and I use them with my Specialized Cleats. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes are kinda squeaky, and the gears are hard to shift. | | Bottom Line: | An absolutely great bike. If this one ever wears out, I'll just go and get another. I am a Gary Fisher fan now... Overall a durable, powerful, dependable bike, and it's well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Rowlett, TX USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | RCP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Good components for the price (Deore LX), Frame, Genesis Geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals (Plastic platforms broke off on the first ride) | | Similar Products Used: | Crappy Mongoose | | Bike Setup: | Stock from the Bike Shop | | Bottom Line: | I have only ridden it for a couple of weeks but this bike is very smooth and consistent. I need to adjust the front suspension since I am a heavy rider (6'3" - 250 lbs). I bottomed out on a dip and flatted the front tire. Trying to get used to the clipless pedals. Bike shifts smoothly on the back end but I have had some chain suck on the front chainrings. But overall I am very satisfied with my first real MTB. This is a great entry level to intermediate bike. I will most likely upgrade the brakes when the stock ones wear out. Oh yeah, I'm definately gonna get a suspension seat post. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Manning
a Cross Country Rider
from Jericho, VT USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Coyote Turnpike | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | The Skirack | | Strengths: | Pretty solid components, geometry is good. Like the feel of the fork | | Weaknesses: | Some of the lower end Bontrager stuff and the promax brakes are crap | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ LX intigrated shifters/levers, avid mech. discs, Mavic X3.1 tubeless rims | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike all around. I havent found anything horrible about it. You'll probably want to get rid of the brakes at some time but overall a very solid ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise ID
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in the Boise Foothills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | World Cycles | | Strengths: | Geometry, Frame, Price, Bike Shop, Componentry, seat ( yes i said it, seat) | | Weaknesses: | Geometry makes front end a bit bouncy on technical climbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Lower end Diamond Back | | Bike Setup: | stock w/ personal extras | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been such a sweet addition to my life. I ride a couple times a week and love every one. I ride rain, sun, and snow and other than small, inevitable, problems, this bike has been awesome.
Everyone seems to whine about the seat and I admit that for the first few months its no lazyboy but if life was about comfort we would ride motorcycles right? I bet the people complaining are spending too much money on a bike they can ride the gravel path around their gated neighborhood on. Stick this seat out for a few months and your ass will sing to it.
Buy your bike from a dealer that will care about your mount as much as you do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from keene,NH,usa
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Surry MT. trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$719.00 | | Purchased At: | summer's back country sports | | Strengths: | its a fisher, cool name, Frame, decent component package. | | Weaknesses: | The weight, shifters, tires, Saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | 1993 Kona cinder cone. | | Bike Setup: | Factory set up...for now. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not a racer so I dig this bike. I'm going to make MANY upgrades in the near future.... I have gone over the handle bars three times in three months...the first header I took was nasty and I broke the left shifter indicator off totally(like the other reviewer above) I'm going Gripshift soon anyway. This bike seems really solid on the toughest,rockiest downhills. On open road it seems a bit sluggish...(maybe due to the weight.) I have been very happy with the Shocks...I adjusted them once (I ride them a little stiff) and hav'nt had to do any adjusting since. After some component upgrades...this bike should be really sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Poterjoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest City, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ELK Mt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Hub | | Strengths: | Good frame,Shimano components are not bad
get good traction with the IRC tires | | Weaknesses: | Most components BONTRAGER SUX
seat post would not hold sadle in one possition no matter how much you tighten it
Sent the rims to hell on second ride
sadle was the most uncomfortable thing imaginal
WAY over priced | | Similar Products Used: | first quality mt bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ thompson seat post, Easton EC70 flat bar, specialized saddle | | Bottom Line: | I'm buying a new Giant NRS3 soon... The HooKooEKoo is a good begginer bike (with the exceptions of what i already said) i enjoyed it. I would ditch the components and get better ones but i would like to convert to a Full Suspension XC bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wingnut
a
from sf,ca
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Frame, Geometry, Decent component mix | | Weaknesses: | The genesis geometry though stable,versatile and comfortable has also turned out to be a little sluggish in tight twisty track. Poor stock chainrings tacoed for no apparent reason. IRC stock tires leave traction to be desired. The shock, though plush is starting to seem a bit heavy and I've wished more than a couple times that it was adjustable on the fly. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for RaceFace chainrings, bonti superstock wheelset, conti rear tire. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my review a year ago. I've been commuting on this bike every day (hence the second wheelset w/ slicks) and hitting the trails 1-3 times a week on this bike over the past year and it's held up great.
Upgrading chainrings dramatically improved front shifting.
Replacing the worn out IRC with the conti dramatically improved traction.
I still love it and feel that it's grown with me as my skills and condition have improved. I look forward to many more trouble free years w/ my hkek.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID, USA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lower Hulls Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$690.00 | | Purchased At: | George's Cycles and Fitness | | Strengths: | I feel the HKEK has great balance- it makes you feel like you are totally in control of your turns on the way down. Climbing is great on it, nice components make for great shifting, and the small rise in the handle bars keep you from being too hunched over. It is fairly light-weight, and the Marzocchi EXR fork is wonderful to ride. Overall great bike! | | Weaknesses: | The shifting is very good, but at first it was a bit of a challenge to get it adjusted correctly. Also, sand can get into the rear derailleur very easily, and can take a bit of work to get it out. | | Similar Products Used: | I tried the Fisher Tassajara, it felt similar to the Hoo Koo E Koo, but with not as nice components and 1 series lower frame (silver vs. gold series). | | Bike Setup: | Factory standard, with added self sealing tubes. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for someone who rides 1 to 3 times a week on singletrack or crosscountry. It is my second serious bike (my old one was a '96 Specialized Hardrock), and so far it has performed beatifully. The Shimano SPD-515 pedals are a nice standard feature, as are the Shimano Deore componets, with the LX rear derailleur providing great shifting. The Bontrager crank, seatpost, and handlebars are all excellent. A very serious biker (rides 4+ times a week) would probably be better off to get the Paragon or similar, as it has even better components and a Platinum Series frame. A biker who only goes once a week or less would find the Tassajara or Marlin a better fit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Woodie
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, Ne. USA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | singletracks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$675.00 | | Purchased At: | High Gear | | Strengths: | Geometry, Value, Steering response, Good looks, Marzocchi fork ( even though it's the bottom of the line Marzocchi ) | | Weaknesses: | The saddle, or should I say brick. Someone at Fisher is cruel for selecting that piece of junk as a stock seat. The paint at the rear drop outs is already coming off. The seat post clamp, Why put a quick release on a quality bike like this? FIRE THE BONE HEAD AT FISHER WHO SELECTS SADDLES FOR THE NEW BIKES!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | 12 year old Aero tech cheapie mtb, Trek Alpha ZX, Demo'd Giant, Raliegh, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Stock setup, other than saddle and seat post clamp. I plan to change to Ti skewers, and possibly an XTR front and rear derailleur. | | Bottom Line: | Over all I love this bike. This should last me a long time, and as things get destroyed from the thrashings I give it, I will upgrade to better/lighter components. Dont get me wrong, the componentry on the bike is great for the price range. I looked all over town at bikes, and found the Hoo Koo to be the best bike in the price range. All the weaknesses I listed are very minor in the big picture. The geometry takes a little getting used to, on the other bikes I've used I had to stay in the saddle to keep traction on the steep up hills. The Hoo Koo keeps your weight over the rear tire, and as I'm climbing the front starts lifting up off the ground. Now I have to get up out of saddle to climb,I'm not complaining, It just takes a little getting used to after using cheap bikes for years. If you looking for a great bike in this price range, BUY THE HOO KOO E KOO. I'm now a loyal Gary Fisher fan! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones without horse sh!t | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$633.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike store | | Strengths: | I like the rapid fire shifters, the frames riding position, the brakes get the job done for me, and the bombers feel ok, plus the paint looks real nice | | Weaknesses: | QR seat clamp sucks and the seat moves easily, the seat is uncomfortable, stock pedals, grips | | Similar Products Used: | none besides bmx, this is my first MTB | | Bike Setup: | had the shop keep the pedals and threw on a set of odyssey black widows. Plan to change the seat real soon! Then it's an upgrade as it breaks type deal. | | Bottom Line: | For the price this seemed to be my best bet. The trek 6700 was basically the same bike with slightly different frame/fork but 120$ more. I'm 19 and used to dirtjump bmx, but couldn't afford a freeride bike like i want so i've settled for this and so far i'm very happy with the bike and am gaining new skills every day. I can tell the wheels and fork aren't gonna cut it if i keep riding very aggresive so i wouldn't recommend it to someone who wants to start freeriding unless your a beginner on a budget other than that it handles well and is good for anyone who wants to trail/XC ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$820.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Peddler | | Strengths: | Great Genesis geometry, Marzocchi fork can't be beat in this price range. almost everything on the bike is quality name brand | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is hard. Brakes squeak a little, but get the job done for the most part. Wheels seem to be heavy and get out of true quickly. Grips aren't my favorite, but that's personal opinion. | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi, GT | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the shiznick. I know I listed many more weeknesses than strengths, but I'm critiquing here... I love the geometry. I'm 6'2" and this is the only bike that felt like it fit me right. I was skeptical of the riser bar at first, but because of the long top tube, the bar is perfect.
Let me rave about the fork for a bit. I love it. I know it's the bottom of the Marzocchi line, and I think it's their only fork make in Tiwan, but it is built from a proven Marzocchi design. My fork is coil and performs flawlesly. My only complaint is adjustability. The allen wrench screws don't do jack, so the only way to effectivly adjust is to put different springs in it. That's ok I don't do that crazy ninja stuff that requires constant adjustability.
I've also dropped the bike in off of some 3 footers to concrete, and it it holds up great. My wheels did get out of true after about a month of this type of stuff, which leads me to belive that they may be the weakest link for this type of ridin'
I only had the bike a week before I took a digger over the bars. The dumb ass shimano designers who thought it would be a great idea to put those shift indicators on top of the bars should be fired. I broke one of them off, and the other one is all scratched up. That's my only complaint with the Shimano stuff.
I give this bike two thumbs up. It may have been a touch more expensive that other bikes in it's class, but you get what you pay for. One bad ankle sprain and a scab on my face is a small price to pay for a good time! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Worcester, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | whistling cave,upton,ma | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle alley | | Strengths: | genesis geometry helps with climbs and steep downhills; strong frame; front disc makes for good handling; bontrager handlebars; sharp paint job; decent fork | | Weaknesses: | piss through rear brakes; hard seat (need padded shorts); narrow tires not right for my kind of riding | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6-7000, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | RockShox Judy fork, bontrager, wtb seat shimano deore derailleur, front disc | | Bottom Line: | Pretty sturdy bike...It has held up well against some pretty rough riding. It is a good bike for hills of Mass, never been tested against mountainous downhills, but good for XC riding. Have replaced the chain, casette, and de-railleur. Would like a better fork but the Judy is good for now. I don't know how I lived without disc brakes before. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randall Kalik
a Weekend Warrior
from New York City
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything will do! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$825.00 | | Purchased At: | Metro | | Strengths: | Fantastic looking paint job. Great components for the value. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher 2002 Marlin | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | OK folks...this is my second Mountain Bike in a short period of time, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I am finding this bike gets better with each ride! The Marzocchi Bomber shock felt stiff on the way out the door, but I adjusted it down to more of a plush feel. And, I love the saddle, despite the other comments of other riders. I want to feel the ground, and the WTB saddle delivers. All I can tell you - whereever I go - people comment on my bike. Whether in Central Park or the elevator in my building, people stop and ask me about this fabulous Fisher Bike! Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ric Harber
a Cross Country Rider
from McNatt, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whereever I'm Riding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$820.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles Unlimitted (Springfield, MO) | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry; Components at this price level | | Weaknesses: | The saddle. Comfort wasn't the issue, but the cover started coming off on the second or third ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar II; Cannondale F400; Mongoose discount special | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a back-up bike for me and I love it. The Sugar II is my regular ride, so when I needed to replace my backup, it was a no brainer to look again to the Fisher line. The HKEK was at the desired price point.
The Genesis geometry fits me well and helps climbing.
Recommended for those starting out or looking for a first level upgrade. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry
a Weekend Warrior
from Camdenton, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any I can find to ride on. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$820.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles Unlimited Springfield, MO | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry; made in USA, Shimano parts. | | Weaknesses: | Seat feels like you are riding on a concrete block. | | Similar Products Used: | None, first mountain bike purchase. | | Bike Setup: | Factory, but plan on changing seat. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the money. Seat is murderous on tail bone. Rode the bike as soon as I got home and crashed on first ride and laughed as I picked myself up off the ground picking gravel out of knees and elbow, but hey...thats half the fun right?:-) Would recommend this bike to anyone wanting to start in mountain biking that want to spend $700-$900 on a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Gonzalez
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, California, USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$740.00 | | Purchased At: | Budget Bicycles Eagle Rock California | | Strengths: | The Genesis Geometry has helped me climb more effeciently. Noticed the difference while riding the same trail using a GT Backwoods. | | Weaknesses: | The Seat was swapped out after I test road it. I purchased a selleRoyal, works great. Grips were a little loose, but a pair of Gary Fisher gloves fixed that. | | Similar Products Used: | GT BackWoods. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the SelleRoyal | | Bottom Line: | This is my first new bike purchase. I'm very satisfied. I road tested three bikes. A Cannondale, GT, and a Diamondback. The Hoo Koo E Koo topped them all. Can't go wrong with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Chase
a Weekend Warrior
from Sterling Heights, MI
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | N/A | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$680.00 | | Purchased At: | American Cycle & Fitness | | Strengths: | Great all around bike, especially for one's first bike. The components versus price is outstanding. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is a little hard, but still rather comfy (will replace some day). The brakes are ok (be looking to replace them spring 2003). | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Although this is my first bike so I don't have anything to compare it to, I have found this bike to be comfortable to ride, the IRC Mythos tires grip really well, the Marzocchi Bomber EXR doesn't feel too stiff nor to lose, and the shifts are nice and crisp without any harshness. The only thing I look to replace in the near future is the saddle and the brakes, but I'm in no hurry to replace them. For someone who is out for the casual ride, this bike is a great selection. For the avid racer, you may want to find a bike which is a litte lighter and has more XT or XTR components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from Niagara Falls, On
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Liberty bikes | | Strengths: | Amercian made 6061 frame. Genisis geometry. Bike is a very strong climber. Fast and stable downhill, tracts very smoothly. The bike gives you the confidence too do what you haven't attempeted before. No weired handling, nice, predictable and smooth. Very nice for longer rides, I think with the longer top tube your not all squished into the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Seat very unforgiving | | Similar Products Used: | Have older fisher and Kona Explosif. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for seat and rear XT derailler | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bike. It's a great trail bike with excellent climbing ablitiy. I think is a good value for your buck compared to some other brands. Nice roomy front section for longer rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kerry
a Weekend Warrior
from Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bodcau, tom merrill trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$819.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry has the best feel out there. Gary Fisher's just feel better than comparable bikes. it's a light, a tough climber. | | Weaknesses: | Broke the chain ring on second ride, but that is probably my fault...I was taking on a log that was above my skill level...even so, I was a little bummed. Also wondering, what happened to the awesome paint job of the 2001 Hoo Koo E Koo? That one has much more character than the current paint job. | | Similar Products Used: | Older rigid Gary Fisher, similar priced Treks, tried the Big Sur and Trek Fuel 90. | | Bike Setup: | After wrecking the stock chain ring, I upgraded to a lighter one, replaced seat with a Selle gel and changed grips just because i felt bored with black. Next purchase will be a tire upgrade because I was slipping all over the map after a recent rain. | | Bottom Line: | I've been extremely happy with this bike. It is my first foray into new bikes -- no more hand me downs! It's light and tough and actually gives a really smooth ride for having no rear suspension. It's comfortable for long stretches and feels strong on a good tough climb and shifts smoothly even under pressure. It keeps up with the fancier boys on the trail. Plus, Gary Fisher just makes a good fitting bike...stretches you out very nicely and that weight distribution makes a huge difference for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayde Batt
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore MD USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | whichever i can get to at the time | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$739.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail Outfitters, LTD. | | Strengths: | Awesome value for money, Genesis Geometry performs both on the climbs and descents like the true champion it is, Marzocchi EXR Bomber fork, Bontrager wheels & componentry, Quality USA built Fisher frame and workmanship. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is too hard, stock brakes feel cheap (but work great, though noisy when wet). Seat Post quick release gave up in the first week.
I'm nitpicking, but you asked. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Bridgestone Mtb 64, '01 Trek something, I forget. Ridden on two wheels all my life. Can't beat it. | | Bike Setup: | First thing to go was that inhumane saddle. Went for some Avid Speed Dial 7's, got some nice Salsa rims and upgraded the hubs. Fun. | | Bottom Line: | All this bike needs is a reasonable saddle and it's ready to bring untold amounts of joy to your life. Everything else that came on it continues to stood up nicely to considerable punishment.
I whole-heartedly recommend this bike to all who want stellar performance and reliability at a great price.
I love my Hoo Koo E Koo. Secure and predictable in sweeping turns and corrugated technical climbs, never complaining, always making me want to ride further and faster than last time. Hug your Bike.
Hats off to HTO. Incredible service policy and helpful staff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, Tx.
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | monks trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$760.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry is the best. Climbs and descends like no other. Very strong bike. | | Weaknesses: | The bikes saddle and brakes. First thing I changed in my mtb. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6700 | | Bike Setup: | put my other (giant) bikes stuff to my fisher: Mavic wheels with hutchinson tubeless tires, selle italia trans am max (saddle),xtr front and back derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | Genesis geometry is what made the diference with the rest of the bikes I tried. Giant has great components in their bikes,but they dont handle as good in tough trails. The trek bikes I tried where almost as good. I recommend the bike to anyone that loves challenging trails!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil Cooper
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwich, Norfolk, England
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Thetford, Black Run, England | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Pauls Cycles, Dereham. U.K. | | Strengths: | Brilliant build quality, good ride position, excellent beginner MTB | | Weaknesses: | Brakes, Saddle, can't put a frame mounted rack on bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Univega Rover,Scott Purgatory. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Deore V brakes, San Marco Gel saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent starter MTB, the ride position is good, the position for climbing is great. The build quality is as good as anything else seen when I got the bike. Apart from the brakes and saddle the bike straight from the dealer is great. My bike came with Manitou Magnum R forks instead of the Marzocchi EXR set up, ( is this standard for England?)and after changing the brakes and saddle and putting a stem mounted rack the bike is perfect for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
neil cooper
a Cross Country Rider
from norwich, norfolk, England
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Thetford, Black Run, England | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Pauls Cycles, Dereham, U.K. | | Strengths: | Good all round package, a nice looking bike. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes, seat, unable to put a pannier rack on as the bolt holes on the bottom of the frame are off set to each other. | | Similar Products Used: | Univega Rover 370 | | Bike Setup: | Standard, 2x 5mm (8th inch)spaces to raise handlebars. | | Bottom Line: | A class bike for the money, changed brakes to Shimano Deore V brakes, and a San Marco Gel Seat. Handles well, climes very well.The front suspension are Manitou Magum R forks (are they standard?, anyone else got these on their bike, please let me know)abit stiff but ok. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bullfrog | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry, marzocchi fork, shimano and bontrager everywhere. | | Weaknesses: | only the breaks, but they are better than what was on my 15 year old diamondback | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Giant Rainier, Specialized, other fishers | | Bike Setup: | swaped out for LX front derailleur, LX shifters/break levers, less aggressive stem, 1" bontrager riser bar, and dumped the clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | The Genesis geometry means that you are sitting further back over the back wheel than on any other bike. For the hard core rider, this means more traction and less chance of fliping over the front bar. For me, I found myself to be reaching farther over the front wheel than my last bike (15 year old diamondback). The dealer told me that it was a good thing I picked a fisher because any other high quality bike would have had me reaching even farther. (The specialized and the giant dealers agreed with this).
My less agressive stem and short riser bar make this bike a whole lot more comfortable to ride without making it look or ride like a grandma bike. This slight modification could not be done as easily on another brand. The best thing is if I take 5 minutes to put the old stem on, I have an aggressive hard core bike again, the best of both worlds.
As far as parts go, this bike is killer just the way it is, except for the seat, breaks, and seat clamp. First of all, the stock seat on ANY BRAND mtn bike sucks, so you have to swap it out or get stuck buying a new one at full price very soon. As far as the seat clamp, I have a little secret. Fisher was made aware of this problem and got rid of the quick release clamp for this bike. If the bike you are looking at has a quick release, it means it has been sitting at the shop for 6 months (nothing wrong with that). Because that is not how the bike comes anymore, your dealer should swap it for free. As far as the breaks go, unless you are big into downhill or mud riding, the brakes are fine. I am going to try them for a while and consider upgrading later.
As for the rest of my changes, I do not like clipless pedals so I picked the cheapest ones the shop had. With the credit from the pedals and $30, I got LX levers/shifters, bontrager bar ends, and a much stronger bar. Not a bad deal! My swaping is nothing against the bike, as it is killer as is however, no bike is made exactly right for anyone. Your best bet is to ride it before you buy it. I downgraded the pedals so I could upgrade things that were more important to me so now I have a costom bike that meets my needs.
This frame and all Fishers that are higher are made by hand in the USA. This is not a piece of crap assembily line thing. After all, the parts of all high end bikes are pretty much the same, it is the frame that is what you are buying.
As far a giant goes, the Rainier gives you the most bike for your money, even more than Fisher. You can get this bike for $700 and it comes with a better rear derailer (XT) and the air version of the same shock that this bike comes with. It also comes with killer disk breaks that you will not find ANYWHERE in this price range. Why didn't I buy it then? Two reasons, it has a built in headset, which means that you can never get that Chris King to fit and good luck getting parts if a giant dealer is not around. The second reason is the bike itself was not attractive to me.
As far as specialized and trek go, they are both great bike companies however, it is an even longer/lower reach for the bar than the fisher. In order to change that, I would have had to make bigger changes that would have effected the look of the bike. Also, you are paying for the name. A $800 trek can be compared to a $650 bike from a lesser known company. Actually, you would have to spend over a thousand to buy a trek that can compare to the giant rainier for $700. If brands are important, and you dont mind overpaying by a few hundred in order to get the right brand frame, Trek is for you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a
from Jericho, Vermont
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$819.00 | | Purchased At: | Earls Cyclery and Fitness | | Strengths: | Great climber. Most of the Bontrager stuff on it is pretty good. | | Weaknesses: | Promax brakes, seat isnt great. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike. You get good componentry and value without spending a fortune. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micheal
a
from Santa Rosa, California
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Tam | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | This bike climbs like crazy, The bontrager crank and Genesis Geometry only add to the great value. I have droped off some loading ramps and the rims hold strong. Dont let the cross cournty appearance fool you, this bike will keep up with any trail. | | Weaknesses: | The chain rings are a bit weak, The seat clamp doesn't work, my advice is to tighten it as much as possible and keep it there. Besides that there is nothing major that is wrong with the bike. Minor adjustments such as the breaks might be needed but will be cheap and worth it. Also the seat rips easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Garry Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | All stock except a race face bash guard. | | Bottom Line: | For the price this bike is a great value, I have put this bike through everything and it still rides smooth as if it were brand new. This bike is great on a cross country trail or a rocky obsticle. It looks great and rides even better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Garrett
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ???, Vail, Colorado | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | True Wheel Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Shock system, many components, feel | | Weaknesses: | brakes, seat | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Trek | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike. I rode twenty-five miles in its first weekend of use, and it responded beautifully. I needed a bike that I could beat on when I got the chance. it is tough, beautiful, and a great ride. I hopped on at the dealer, and just got that "it feels right" feeling. I shouldn't have expected any less from a Fisher. Overall this is one kickass bike that will take a lot of punishment and be ready to ride in no time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wingnut
a Cross Country Rider
from SF,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | treasure | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Roaring Mouse Cycles | | Strengths: | Geometry, Most Componentry, Bomber Shock | | Weaknesses: | shifters, brakes could be better | | Similar Products Used: | Kona,Specialized,Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I really love this bike. I've been riding it almost every day for the past 3 weeks and it climbs like mad, handles great and generally takes everything I dish out. All the Bontrager parts nice. The equivalent cannondale had much worse components and just didn't fit me well. I liked the geometry of the Kona as well but felt the fisher climbed better and had a better component and shock package. I'm just starting to ride on a regular basis and needed a solid bike I could beat on. Gotta plug roaring mouse cycles for being a very helpful, knowledgable, no attitude shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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