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Submitted by
Mormon_Paladin
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail with lots of hills and sharp turns really! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | got it from a friend | | Strengths: | light and durable! | | Weaknesses: | I never found one. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardrock Sport & Comp, Avalanche 3.0, 2006 Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | I upgraded the seat post, wheels, and crank set other than that it was stock | | Bottom Line: | Bottle line was I loved this bike more than any other I had before or sense and I wish I'd kept it when I moved away from Seattle. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon heintz
a Racer
from ill.
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | urban/ freeride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | sole brakes | | Weaknesses: | cranks forks wheels seat stem bars chain ect. | | Similar Products Used: | diamondback,mountain cycle | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | overpriced entry level build your own or dont buy trek junk | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b muzza
a Weekend Warrior
from backobeyond, oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | upward | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | peak sports, corvallis | | Strengths: | Needle threader handling (Genesis geometry is for real), up & downshifts flawlessly under load on the uphills, hinder stays the appropriate color even with the infamous stock seat - this bike a precision upgradable piece, for not much money. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips a bit on the '05 red & black, but Walmart has some near-perfect touchups:Dupli-Color HA 00955 "milano red", & HA00982 "nighthawk plack pearl" Dupli-Color product seems tougher than the Fisher original. Both are Honda colors, by the way. | | Similar Products Used: | An ancient Iquana Giant rigid, which is still a quality piece. | | Bike Setup: | Quickly went from rim brakes to Hayes Nine XC, which cost $300 installed, almost as much as the entire bike, which was purchased at a rental fleet sale. New Hayes hydros are two steps above the standard Hayes Sole offered on the factory Tas Disc.
Anyone still stressed over hydraulic disc brakes ought to get over it. Performance difference is huge and worth it, if you can swing the cost. Precision braking makes for precision set ups on a snakey, slippery single track. The complaints I read about disc brakes add up to two things: old style discs, and/or improper installations. | | Bottom Line: | Bought the Tas to aid in recovery after a bad motorcycle accident. Would have stayed with the rigid Iguana artifact, but the Axel Manitou fork on the Tas(and some fat gel gloves) GREATLY helped to manage my set of injuries.
Tassajara is serious piece if you want to go play with big boys for a value price. It won't embarass you, and you can always upgrade, when you get to know what you want.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b muzza
a Weekend Warrior
from backobeyond, oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | upward | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | peak sports, corvallis | | Strengths: | Needle threader handling (Genesis geometry is for real), up & downshifts flawlessly under load on the uphills, hinder stays the appropriate color even with the infamous stock seat - this bike a precision upgradable piece, for not much money. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips a bit on the '05 red & black, but Walmart has some near-perfect touchups:Dupli-Color HA 00955 "milano red", & HA00982 "nighthawk plack pearl" Dupli-Color product seems tougher than the Fisher original. Both are Honda colors, by the way. | | Similar Products Used: | An ancient Iquana Giant rigid, which is still a quality piece. | | Bike Setup: | Quickly went from rim brakes to Hayes Nine XC, which cost $300 installed, almost as much as the entire bike, which was purchased at a rental fleet sale. New Hayes hydros are two steps above the standard Hayes Sole offered on the factory Tas Disc.
Anyone still stressed over hydraulic disc brakes ought to get over it. Performance difference is huge and worth it, if you can swing the cost. Precision braking makes for precision set ups on a snakey, slippery single track. The complaints I read about disc brakes add up to two things: old style discs, and/or improper installations. | | Bottom Line: | Bought the Tas to aid in recovery after a bad motorcycle accident. Would have stayed with the rigid Iguana artifact, but the Axel Manitou fork on the Tas(and some fat gel gloves) GREATLY helped to manage my set of injuries.
Tassajara is serious piece if you want to go play with big boys for a value price. It won't embarass you, and you can always upgrade, when you get to know what you want.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from pa
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho Chi Minh | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | bought off friend hardly used | | Strengths: | Great climbing ability. decent componets. | | Weaknesses: | crappy tires, friend swapped them out when he bought the bike with panaracer fire xc pros. cheap and heavy stem. bike handles a little whacky on descents. Cheap chain rings and crank. CHAINSUCK!!! | | Similar Products Used: | old mongoose sycamore, pre pacific. | | Bike Setup: | marz. z.1 atoim race 80mm, panaracer fire xc pro 2.1 tires, everything else pretty much standard | | Bottom Line: | Its a decent bike for a beginner but the chainrings suck and cause chain suck. I have no idea why GF bikes always have this issue. Get rid of the bontrager crank and you will be set. I swapped the chainrings out and put on some race face prodigy rings I had laying around. Not a bad buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henry Sanchez
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Tam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 500 | | Strengths: | Solid feel and smooth gears. My legs are rock hard and this bike hasn't let up or let me down. Good stock parts. Unless you know of every component out there, this bike will feel like the best bike you've rode. | | Weaknesses: | Low neck. | | Similar Products Used: | Top of the line Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Neck extension, Serfa dual density gel seat, slicks, and everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not the serious biker and never would have thought a couple hundred dollars would make a difference in quality, but it does. My father gave me this bike as a birthday gift and i love it. I've tested bikes in the price range of 200-300 and thought they were good, now I realize how they fail in comparison to this bike. In the past, I would have passed on this bike thinking it'd better have dual shocks or something for me to buy into it for that price, now I realize the feel is everything. I highly recommend a neck extender, a Serfa dual density gel seat, and slicks(for streets) and this bike is a gem. I've ridden alot of my friends bikes who spent alot more, but this bike with those upgrades are tailored for comfort and long smooth rides. The best bike I've had or ever ridden, I love you dad and I'll cherish this bike till the wheels fall off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Cross Country Rider
from plymouth, nh
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | papa wheelies portsmouth nh | | Strengths: | cheap, good looking, genesis geometry if you dig it | | Weaknesses: | deore components tend to cause a lot of shifting problems, fork is a little soft but adjusting the air pressure has helped a lot, seat is uncomfortable and is already bent, frame is a bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | test rode trek 4900, giant iguana, specialized | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | When I bought this bike I was just getting into mtb and it seemed great, but after riding all summer the cheapness of the component set really starts to stand out. In particular I have heard that with a 9 speed cassette you really need at least LX derailleurs, and i will definately upgrade those before next year. I was unsure about the Pilot XC fork at first but it seems to have stood up well and it's starting to grow on me. I bought this bike partially because most of my friends had treks and I wanted something different and I thought the genesis geometry felt cool. But now I realize why everyone has treks; because they are extremely durable and thats the most important aspect in buying a bike. So sometimes I do wonder if I should've bought the Trek (4900).
Having said that I do love my bike but it needs a lot of upgrades. I am however still not convinced that it will stand the test of time. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rasheed gonzales
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto, ont., canada.
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | don't have one yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$740.00 | | Purchased At: | ideal bike (www.idealbike.com) | | Strengths: | fisher quality, genesis geometry... enough said. | | Weaknesses: | haven’t found any real ones yet with the bike... only with my riding skills. | | Similar Products Used: | none. it’s my first real bike. | | Bike Setup: | disc version (red/black), stock (specs differ a bit from the stock specs found on epinions) – except for fisher fishstick bar ends. manitou six elite fork, magura julie hydro discs, shimano crank set, shimano deore derailleurs, hubs & rapidfire shifters, bontanger crowbar, wtb sst.x saddle, bontanger sport seat post, alex ta19 rims, irc mythos xc tires, serfas grips, some no-name platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | bought it new as a closeout bike... ok price considering the ’03 disc cost about $300-400 more and had lesser quality disc brakes on it.
so far the bike’s been great. it climbs and handles well, and as my skills and strength/conditioning improve, i expect that the bike’ll handle the harder sections that i can’t really ride yet without falling or having to walk through without much problem.
rear disc’s kinda noisy on downhills, but that’s probably cause they’re still breaking in – i don’t use the rear brake too often. the saddle took a bit of getting used to, but so far it’s been ok and i haven’t had any real problems with it – staples are still intact, leather hasn’t torn or anything like that. other than that, the stock components are decent... better than what i’ve seen on some more expensive bikes. eventually, i’m probably going to upgrade to some higher-end components, but that probably won’t be until something breaks.
overall, a great bike, ok price.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelmsford
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | ten speed spokes | | Strengths: | light, decent components, genesis geometrey, excellent climbing | | Weaknesses: | fork could be better | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher big sur | | Bike Setup: | stock, manitou magnum fork, upgrade to clipless | | Bottom Line: | excellent bike for the avid cross country rider. this bike takes to the hills very good. you will definately need to upgrade the fork because it stinks. I am buying disc brakes for it. if you decide to upgrade to discs, make sure you buy new wheelset, because i made that mistake. there are a pair of shimano deore rynolite ds-1's a jensonusa.com if you are interested. im only giving the bike a 4 because of the fork and lack of disc compatible wheels. also comes with pretty nice tires for gripping in the slippery stuff | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis, CA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry, similar quality shared between the stock components and the Disc Brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy rear hub, seat and the shifter for the front derailleur is backwards compared to the rear derailleur. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana, Giant Rainer, GF Hookooekoo | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Nasbar clipless/platform Rodeo combo pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great quality and reliability for a low cost. Disc Brakes area great despite the extra noise and the IRC tires are great. It did take me a bit to get used to the Genesis Geometry though. I have been use to riding a older Giant and the GF tends to respond differently going through downhill turns. I would recommend this bike as a minimum level for XC riders who are just getting into the sport as I am. A lesser bike would result in mechanical failures on the trail...like my friend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A Bike Guy
a Weekend Warrior
from Wheeling, West Virginia
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelcraft | | Strengths: | Geometry - Price for the set up offered | | Weaknesses: | Pedals. The seat is just total garbage. Grips got torn up pretty quick. Had the dreaded chain suck. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for seat & clipless pedals. Had to replace grips too. | | Bottom Line: | Within the first two days of riding the totally uncomfortable seat's staples which hold the cover in place were popping off. This had to be the cheapest seat that Trek could buy to put on a Fisher bike. Had chainsuck which tore up the chainstay and bent a tooth on front sproket. Got fixed with some adjustment. Overall, however this is a quality bike with a great feel that is a steal for the money paid. Easy climbing and stable down the hills and over the rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A.J. Calhoun
a
from Rowlett, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rowlett Creek Perserve | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | Don Johle's Bike World | | Strengths: | every thing about it is great | | Weaknesses: | heavy bike | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Marlin | | Bike Setup: | egg beater clipless, hell bent low rise bars, Kar Rim rims, Ahead headset, cat eye computer, wilderness Trail Bikes saddle and tires | | Bottom Line: | I real y like the bike and got it at a great deal from Don Johle's Bike World in Garland Texas. Definatly worth the money for the step up from the marlin if you are buying new. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana Farnsworth
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, Florida
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Alafia | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Dud Thames | | Strengths: | That Genesis Geometry feel, decent derailluers and fork, tough as a brick construction. | | Weaknesses: | Like everyone else, I must say the seat is uncomfortable to say the least. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, GIant Iguanna | | Bike Setup: | Stock with exception of seat replacement | | Bottom Line: | Although I have a full suspension bike that I ride more, I can't or better yet won't get rid of this bike. I keep returning to "feel" to describe this bike. It has a certain feel to it that is just right. Road/trail vibration is minimal and all of the components work smoothly. I've not experienced any chainsuck problems. There's hardly a bike for less that gives you more, although I feel this bike is just a tad on the "expensive for what you get" side of the bar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MTS
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh PA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Armstrong | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Genisis design, Deore drivetrain | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | IBEX 450, Raleigh M60 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for seat | | Bottom Line: | This is one comfortable bike. I like to ride distances on Rail Trails and other easy to moderate trails. The 210 Knobbys are great for the old RR balast or the ocassional mud or snow I encounter, even though they slow you down a little. The stock seat had no flex I quickly replaced it with an ergo. The pedals are also weak, feet sometimes slip off. Will be replacing soon. I also wish their was more adjustment with the bars,but this seems common to most Mt bike bars. All other components work great for my riding. I plan on taking it from my house to DC this summer on the Allegheny Passage Trail. From the performance so far this bike should have no problem with the 300 mile trip. I would highly recommend this bike. If you ride in rain or especially snow go for the Disc brake model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jam
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | West and East Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$479.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycles | | Strengths: | Genisis geometry, full Deore drive train, bontrager components | | Weaknesses: | A little bit of chainsuck its not that bad though, no name parts like front hub and others | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900 Giant Iguana the giant is a descent bike however the trek is not worth the money | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for its price, great bike in general, a competition level bike anyone with a limited amount of money who loves biking and needs a good bike should purchase this | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Staten Island, New York
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood State Park, NJ | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Bike is light for its price. Great frame, pretty good components. | | Weaknesses: | Chain stuck was a problem in the beginning, but has been fixed after several adjustments. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Raleigh m60, Giant, Diamondback | | Bike Setup: | All stock + disk brakes | | Bottom Line: | The bike is great its able to withsdand any punishment that i put it through. The seat is not bad, you just have to get used to it. I also have the disc breaks pretty good option. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bito
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Daley Ranch.....Yehaaaw | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Everything! | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck!!! I had tons of problems with this until it bent my middle chain ring, at this point my LBS replaced the cranks with Deore and all is good. Other than the chainsuck and seat, nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | None.. this is my first mtb. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to Deore cranks, other than that pretty much stock. | | Bottom Line: | After shopping around, I felt this is the best bike for my money. If I were buying another bike on the same budget I would definitely consider the 2003 Tassajara, especially since they seem to have fixed the problems they were having with chainsuck. Bottom line... this is an awesome bike for a beginner or someone on a limited budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bach
a Weekend Warrior
from Montana
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Hanger | | Similar Products Used: | Also looked into the Diamondback Topanga, Giant Iguana, Specialized Hard Rock Pro & Rockhopper, and the GT Avalanche. | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike. Very happy with so far. Perfect bike for the trails of Montana...light and durable. Only two complaints. First, the stock fork setup was too soft for me. I weigh 210 and had to get the stiff spring installed into the fork. It didn't make as big of a difference as I would have liked, but it did help a lot. Also, the seat is pretty uncomfortable, but I got used to it. By far the best bike I tested. After purchasing it, I was especially happy with the Fisher when I took my first xc ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chip
a
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rattlesnake Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Golden Bear | | Strengths: | It just feels right, call it good geometry or whatever, I like it. | | Weaknesses: | I'm 6'3" about 195lbs, and I keep getting pinch flats running with about 50 lbs/sqin. However this could be due to riding style at opposed to a bike weakness. Also chainsuck with a stock crank and a weak BB. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Trek 4900, 2002 Specialized HardrockA1CompFS | | Bike Setup: | Stock XL 2002, Shimano M515 pedals, Deore Crank FC-M510-L | | Bottom Line: | This is my first real bike, and has been a great entry level platform. I also had the same chainsuck problems that many others have described here. My LBS was helpful in working with me to sort this out. First they got a replacement middle chainring, but that didn't do it. It appeared that the middle chainring mount was slightly warping the chainring so they finally got me a new crank. I was upgraded to a Deore hollowtech and a new BB since the stock BB had a bit of play on the non drive side. I am very grateful to my LBS and the local Trek/GF rep that took care of this problem. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking to get into the sport. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan Connors
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, CA, USA (needs more hills)
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockville Hills in Fairfield, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$455.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay - 5 months old | | Strengths: | Geometry - after test riding a Fisher with Genesis Geometry, there was no other brand to consider
Durability - I've had two fairly serious crashes on the bike (my fault, not the bike's), and there has been NO DAMAGE. Wheels are true, derailleur hanger is still straight, frame only scratched.
Fork - This is my first bike with suspension, so I can't say this with any kind of experience, but I'm really happy with the Manitou Six Elite it came with.
Wheels - still true, and the Bontrager Corvair rims have an excellent braking surface. | | Weaknesses: | Components - Fisher seems to like using big name components where you can see them, and generic brands where it's less obvious. So my front hub, bottom bracket, and headset are no-namers. the BB had to be replaced after i had it for a month (it was six months old).
Drivetrain - my chainsuck problems were similar to other people's. It seems that the short chainstays produce a sharper chain line in smallest or biggest cogs. If you buy a Fisher, wrap an inner tube around the chainstay and secure it with a zip-tie as soon as you get it. Also, if you have a 9-speed cassette, you should have nothing less than an XT rear derailleur and LX shifters.
Saddle - get something flatter that will allow you to shift your weight more easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4700, GT Palomar, Specialized Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | replaced BB, chain, shifter cables & housing, saddle, shifters with LX, front der. with LX, rear der. with XT, crankset with used Icon, pedals with shimano SPD. | | Bottom Line: | I started mountain biking just six months ago using a friend's GT, pre-v-brakes. from that, my Tassajara is a huge step up. there seems to be nothing I can't throw at it that it can't handle, and it begs me to try the more challenging obstacles. The aluminum frame is fairly light and bulletproof, and I love the riding position dictated by the Genesis Geometry. I've had problems with crappy components, but those can be replaced. I'll be upgrading this bike for a long time to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Novato, CA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | summit bicycles | | Similar Products Used: | various trek hardails, giant hardtails | | Bottom Line: | this is really an awesome bike, especially for the value. when I was looking for a mountain bike, I went around to various stores trying out different bikes. I tried some high end treks, and some giants, but I like my tassajara the best out of all of them. plus the colors are great, and the components are nice.
I would reccomend this bike for anyone from begginer to high intermediate, and you can always upgrade if you need to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ahmed
a Weekend Warrior
from Northridge, CA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycleworld | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry, Price, Front Shock | | Weaknesses: | Platform Pedals and Titec Seat | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2003, except Shimano M515 Pedals | | Bottom Line: | I have had this bike for two months now and so far have not had any problem. The only this I have done is changed the pedal because I wanted clipless. This bike is perfect for any intemediate rider. The best thing about this bike is the new red and blue paint job. The designing is flawless and very attractive. A similar model is also available for Disc brake fans. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Suzanne Ramsey
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynchburg, Virginia
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Peaksview Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Factory | | Strengths: | Pretty light frame (along with lifetime warranty), Bontrager handlebars, Genesis geometry, pretty decent components for price. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck problems, flimsy chain rings (hand to replace middle ring - bent), horrible seat. | | Similar Products Used: | 1991 GT Talera (this is a much better bike....) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for replaced seat (Terry Liberator); upgraded rear derailer to XT; upgraded middle, front chain ring with LX after it bent; upgraded right shifter to LX after broken in wreck. | | Bottom Line: | It took me about a week to get used to the bike, due to the wide riser bar and totally different geometry, but now I love it. Will continue to upgrade parts when they wear out or are damaged. Great bike for the money. Except for the chain suck problem, which might have been solved by changing the bent chain ring, and keeping the chain cleaned and lubed (which I wasn't doing), I'm very happy with it. Would definitely recommend to other beginner MTB riders and racers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | SO FAR...Dakota Ridge/MWinters | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$505.00 | | Purchased At: | Mojo Wheels | | Strengths: | Thought it came with great componentry for the price. Excellent value compared to other bikes in it's class. Frame shape fit me perfectly (5'9, on a medium frame) | | Weaknesses: | Seat isn't too streamlined/racey, stem was a little too short for me. Weak-azz Inner tubes! (Both mine busted the first two times i was off road) | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche, Specialized Rockhopper, Kona Nunu | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with SPD-505 pedals, Slime tubes, Titec shorty bar ends, Titec Big Al stem. | | Bottom Line: | I am a green-rookie to the sport, but have improved leaps and bounds since starting with this great bike... This is my first real MTB, and after 6 months, i have no ambitions to sell my Tassa and get a new ride, i'd rather upgrade the hell out of it, and keep the same frame for at least a few years. It has a great starting component package for the price, and it is pretty bomb-proof (I bail a lot, and have not had any real damage) Definately recommended for someone who is an aspiring novice, value-minded, but still wants a ride you can really beat on off-road, full time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Johnny Sprockets | | Strengths: | Comfortable ride-feels like I'm able to strech out while riding it. After occasional 50+ mile rides only thing sore is butt (but i dont own any cycle shorts so go figure) Yippie for Genesis!!
Solid bike-I've been putting quite a few miles on this hog since i bought it in July and its still riding like new. no creeks or abnormal noises. | | Weaknesses: | Peddles-those little pegs make neat designs after they have dragged through your shin. at least put clips on them
Chainsuck-I just thought that this was my problem. Glad to see that others have had it as well. It gouged through the paint within the first week i had the bike.
Grips-they get really slippery when they are wet. I don't like gloves, so ill probably change them some day
Seat-the actual saddle took a little getting used to but i dont mind it now... the pivot bracket broke on me twice in a month until the shop put a different post on for free. | | Similar Products Used: | my GF replaced a 1991 Giant Rincon-may it rest in peace
Tested-Specialized Rockhopper A1?, Trek 9300?, Kona Cinder Cone | | Bike Setup: | Stock except new seat post and soccerball bell. I also threw some slicks on for the pavement jungle in Chi-town. | | Bottom Line: | It has taken me a little bit to be able to trust my bike again after taking one in the genitals after the seat broke twice, but slowly its coming back. I took the bike up to Kettle Moraine park in WI (with my knobbies back on) and that place dominated me but my bike was totally fine. If I could get out of the city more, I'm sure I would love this bike even more. But for city riding with the slicks this thing flys... Light enough to easily hop over curbs or potholes and it loves to get up and go.
Buy this bike if you want a great bike that's a break from the norm(Trek, Specialized). This is a no nonsense bike that wouldn't make you look like a poser even if you are one.
Can't give 5 chilis because its not the greatest bike ever ridden. From what I rode in my test rides, though, this bike is freaking awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Henderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Long Trail(WinterPark) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle pedl'r | | Strengths: | This baby is packed,I have the new 2003 with rock shox piolet xc and man is it awsome. It can really take a beating and can do at least 6 footers. It handles well and brakes like a dream. | | Weaknesses: | It's only weakness, is on the 2003 model it has piolet xc which need a shock pump to adjust. It is way worth 20 bucks though | | Bike Setup: | stock shimano shifters, deore XL derailers, Sweet promax brakes(can Stop on a dime) mythosxc tires, fisher frame(DUH) | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a awsome hardtail at a good price go with the 2003 tassajara. I just started mountain biking and I love it! You can't go wrong with this bike, go buy it NOW! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Avery
a Weekend Warrior
from Plymouth, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Planet Cycle, Canton MI | | Strengths: | Geometry: Great setup, love being closer to the rear wheel, great control. | | Weaknesses: | I busted my rear intertube twice is short succession, I sometimes wonder if the bike is made for 200+ lbs. But it hasn't been a problem since I put a better tube in and have been more councious of keeping a tight fill. | | Bottom Line: | Aside from the rear tire problem this bike has kicked ass for me. I got way more than I thought I could have for the price... especially since I paid significantly less than most (old bosses friend owns the bike shop :)). I expect to use this next season also and then upgrade to a soft tail. Highly recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln NE
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Geometry feels right, good drivetrain at a good price | | Weaknesses: | stock seat hurt like hell, promax brakes are questionable. | | Similar Products Used: | various treks, specialized, diamondback, gt | | Bike Setup: | stock except for vetta 88 odometer, and some concrete friendly tires for commuter use. | | Bottom Line: | I tried damn near every type of bike in this town, and nothing came close to feeling as good as the GF. Great group of components at a great price. Will be upgrading to XT-R brakes and LX levers, oh and a new COMFY seat. Overall, a great bike for a great price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Rhodes
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Galbreth Mt. Washington State | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Mission Cylcery | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry rocks. Takes what I give it with relish. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck sucks. Saddle very uncomfortable. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Perfect bike for a newbie. This bike has held my hand through every thing I throw at it. Its performed above and beyond many higher end models of riders I ride with. No discomfort at all from positional fatigue or poor ergonomics, with the exception of the saddle. Not for every rider, but if you don't have "normal" anatomical measurements, its probably for you. This isn't for the hardcore downhiller or the racer, it is a little heavy at 28 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice bike to start with or train with for racing. The geometry is nice and the price is a good price. | | Weaknesses: | The seat sucks. The titec seat broke after the first couple of rides. I am 6'2 177 pounds so I am not big guy and i don't do any 5 foot drops or crazy things. I basically try to attack the course as fast I can. Replace the seat right away. I was disappointed with the 70 dollar seat. I heard the pedals suck but never used them. I had the lbs put on the eggbeaters. I love these pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale f something or other and trek 67000 and trek 9.8 Beware in philly everyone wants to put you on a cannondale. Don't let them its a trick... | | Bike Setup: | I use this bike train with and to try different components out to decide what goes on the bike I am going to race with. Tires panaracer xc pro with red wall. Attention graber on the trail and make the world of difference climbing. Pedals eggbeaters best on the market. Seat Bontrager fs2000. XT front derailuer, rear derailuer, crankset, and cassete. Handlebars monkeylite easton handlebars. The shock is a duke c 100mm travel. The shock dropped about half pound and the bikes rides a lot better. Brakes and shifters are LX. The only thing left on the bike is the seatpost, wheelset, frame and stem. Everything else has been removed. The bike shop calls it the Gary Fisher Tassajara Guchi edition. I am just sucker for a smooth fast ride. | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike. I fly on the Wissahickon and on Brandywine. The frame is solid and colors for 2003 are decent. With this bike a very good rider can fly by the average rider with a 2500 bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shelly
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, KY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Peaks View Park Lynchburg, VA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | Piedmont Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Ahh, the Gary Fisher geometry! It corners and climbs well, feels solid and reliable under you. Love the geometry. | | Weaknesses: | I can't think of any real weaknesses I have experienced with the Tassajara. The seat is very comfortable compared to others I have ridden on, and does just fine for me! | | Similar Products Used: | I've tried out a Trek Fuel, Cannondale of similar price, and a Giant women-specific design, but none came close to the light and lively feel of the tassajara or the geometry. | | Bike Setup: | As it came from the shop-nothing modified, but I am soon to put clipless pedals on it. | | Bottom Line: | For a recreational cross-country rider, there is no other bike that can beat the value of the Tassajara. This bike is an awesome deal for the price. Even if it were the same price as other similar hardtails ($700) I still would have went with it. It lives up to the Gary Fisher reputation.
If you don't believe me, read the last issue of one of the mountain biking magazines-they tested six or seven bikes under $700 and rated the Tassajara second, but it was a close second.
I considered getting the GS, but decided against it because I am not particularly small framed, and am glad I did. The Tassajara fits me very well, and I plan to have it for a while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Marana
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Strengths: | This bike has lasted through man recks and spin outs. Man I love this bike. It wants to go up hill with or with out you. And down hill, one smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | At first the seat... but I figured I have not riden a bike in a while that it would get better... and it sure has. So all you saying you the seet suxs, you are wrong, you are just not used to riding a bike. | | Bottom Line: | One hell of a bike for the everyday trail rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vadim Bondar
a Cross Country Rider
from Odessa, Ukraine
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike' World, Kiev Ukraine | | Strengths: | Great Genesis frame' construction, setup is quite enough for semi-professional ride. That's a best compromise "brand-equipment-price" I've found here. | | Weaknesses: | Of course, saddle. I see, all bikers are complaining regarding this unit... Just find an another, but factory' setup is good for the rest. | | Similar Products Used: | TREK 4900, Wheeler 5600, but GF - is best choise at this price sector (for the time being)! | | Bike Setup: | Manitou' fork, Deore' equipment, great gold colour (really like Rolls-R.)...IRC tires 've been amended for Michelin Wild Gripper, they are much more comfortable and less noisy...I'm going to change V-brakes for hydrolic, presently searching for a good one... | | Bottom Line: | Summing up: Nice model from great name! I'm really proud and overjoyed, because I've seen a different bikes here: TREK, Scott, Bianchi, Giant, Peugeot, Kona etc...
GF Tassajara is still an exclusive - in riding, in comfort, in design. Exclusive bike in Econom-Class! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blake
a Weekend Warrior
from Folsom
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Northstar / Squaw | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Hopper FSR | | Bottom Line: | I just the 2003 model, and I really like components-it is very similar to the 2002 model except that the 03 has a much, much, better shock [Rock Shox: Pilot]. Overall it was a good buy. It weighs 30lbs on the dot, not bad for a $550 bike. The stock pedals are weak, so upgrade those. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, WA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Error in previous review--see below! | | Bottom Line: | Sorry folks. The PSI for the Rockshox Pilot XC is about 20PSI for my weight, NOT 100PSI as I wrote before. My error. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, WA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Capitol Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Falcone Schwinn, Olympia | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry, good parts spec, good tires. | | Weaknesses: | Mediocre pedals, very uncomfortable stock seat, fork...? (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | Tested Trek 4900, Giant Iguana, Jamis Eureka (nice ride-not within budget) | | Bike Setup: | As described above, except for 2003 Rockshox Pilot XC fork. Trek Gel seat, profile design bar ends. 2001 didn't have QR seatpost, mine does. | | Bottom Line: | I'm relatively new to mountain biking. My previous ride was/is chromo Giant Rincon that was given to me.
After riding the Tassajara for about an hour, I got a Trek gel seat which feels MUCH better. The stock seat is fine if your butt isn't more than 3" wide.
The Tassajara has a bit more top tube than the other manufacturer's frames of comparable size, which means a longer cockpit/more stretched-out rider position. After experimenting with front-to-back seat adjustment, I've found this to be a more relaxed ride. The trade-off is that the handling is not as quick as on the 4900 and other similar bikes with racing geometry, but for my skill level, this isn't an issue.
Now, for the fork: The '03 Tassajara comes with a Rockshox Pilot XC. The Pilot's not on the Rockshox or Fisher website yet, and at first I was suspicious--"Where's my Manitou?" The Pilot XC fork is mentioned on pg91 of the September 2002 Mountain Bike Action magazine. Anyway, after a couple of rides, the inner seals failed, the fork bottomed and the oil oozed out. I took the bike back to LBS, and they replaced the seals under warranty. I've had the bike on several rugged rides since then, and it's performed great. Hopefully this was an anomaly and won't happen on yours. Just pump the shock to the PSI that corresponds with your weight (I'm 6'2", 230lb/100PSI) and hit the trail. Oh yeah--ya gotta buy a shock pump. Cha-ching!
For my first "real" MTB, I'm very glad that I bought the Fisher. I was out for three hours today, mostly climbing, and it was ME that bonked, not the bike. On the twisty, technical downhill trails the promax V-brakes were solid. I caught a foot or so of air several times, and everything's still tight.
Take your time--decide what type of riding you want to do and ride lots of bikes at stores. Ask lots of questions. I've found this website and Mountain Bike Action magazine to be very helpful. If you're wanting a really plush ride, the Tassajara is not your best choice. If you want a well-made hardtail with good parts, go to your LBS and ride one. If you're in the Olympia area, email me and let's ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntsville, AL
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$435.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | frame, geometry, name, and most components components (esp. the drivetrain) | | Weaknesses: | seat, and to some extent the pedals | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock (2000) gary fisher mamba (2001) and custom built access (2001) | | Bike Setup: | bontrager fs2000 saddle (i love it), kore g.a.s.s. clipless pedals, deore hubs on sun 0 degree lite rims and panaracer fire xc pro tires (i like the bontrager wheels and the irc tires, but i already had these, and they are less than six months old) | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent frame with a good group of parts. The saddle needs to go first thing, and probably the pedals too. The all lx/deore shifters and derailleurs are nice (bontrager cranks work great for me as well as the sram 7.0 cassette). I like that the brakes and shift pods are two pieces, so I can upgrade the brakes without buying new shifters. I have the same Pro Max brakes on my other Gary Fisher (Mamba, lowest in the line of hard tails), and on it I hate them, but the ones on the Tassajara for some reason are FAR better. Just the same, if they turn into the same as the Mamba's brakes it will be nice to have the levers separate so I can get only what I need. I also think the wheels and tires on this bike are really good, and I'm going to have to get another cassette so I can change them easily. I'm using the Suns just because that's what I've been using, but the Bontragers are better than I was expecting, and if I didn't already have these wheels I'd have no desire to change the wheels or tires that are stock. The shock is also pretty nice, though not great. I have a Rock Shox Duke XC that I think will soon go on the Tassajara, since it is lighter and I really like the feel and ease of adjustment on the air shock. Overall, this is an excellent buy, new or used, and one of the best bargains out there for what I consider a middle range hardtail (though some consider this the starting point, but if you are just getting into this, $500-$600 is a lot of money). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T. Rex
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, FL
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Youghigany | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop (Bicycles, etc.) | | Strengths: | This is a terrific frame at a decent price. Tracks well on fast singletrack and climbs like a goat. Well constructed, able all around performer. Nice little X-C bike! | | Weaknesses: | Seat and pedals. The seat is horrible, not for the faint of rear. Bike shop immediately replaced pedals with alloy set, later upgraded to clipless. Shifting was a little sloppy 'till tweaked. Brakes are cheesy with no feel but adequate stopping. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Custom 'Dale | | Bike Setup: | Terry Liberator (ti) saddle, clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Lots of bang for the buck. Perfect "real" mountain bike for those getting back into cycling after a hiatus or those seeking a quality mid level hardtail. A good steed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Tradelius
a Weekend Warrior
from Highlands Ranch, Co., USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Three Sisters, Evergreen | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Treads Bicycle Outfitters, Parker, Co. | | Strengths: | Just about everything | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, seat. Replace them before you leave the shop. | | Bike Setup: | Factory setup except for seat & pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I shopped around, did my research (including this forum) and imo the Tassajara is the best value for quality and components (was consistently advised one needs at least Deore-level components for any sort of off-road action). Got it on sale for $499.99, saved a few bucks. I've only had it a few weeks but I'm very happy with it. I'm coming from an old 21 spd., rigid-frame Rockhopper and the improvement is just amazing. I can climb/descend things I never could before, rides like a Rolls Royce. I'm sure there are better, more-expensive bikes out there, but for this recreational, intermediate, XC, singletrack rider, it's terrific. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Weekend Warrior
from Tinley Park, IL
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | A Wheel Experience | | Strengths: | Everything! The setup is fantastic for someone who is beginning mountain biking or intermediate rider. | | Weaknesses: | The seat. replaced at LBS w/ out any probs | | Bike Setup: | 2002 stock everything except upgrades serfas gel seat and Bontrager RE-1 clipless. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up from a previous posts when I first bought the bike. Since then, I have really been riding alot of fire trails and easy single track. And this bike kicks ass! I climb like a goat and easily handle more technical stuff, especially since I went clipless. And, if you ride alot, you shuld definitely go clipless! I ride faster and more productive. Also, the bike has awesome components. I had some shifting issues the first month. But, that is why you have a tune up done by your LBS. Also, I will be putting a Thudbuster seat posts this week and really look forward smoothing out the small bumps. Bottom line, get this bike.
And, if you live in the Orland Park or Tinely Park area, you should definitely check out A Wheel Experience. They are not the biggest bike shop, but the got all of the goods at very reasonable prices. And, I don't work for them either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter S
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery | | Strengths: | Great geometry, solid, and strong bike. | | Weaknesses: | The seat. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Factory default. | | Bottom Line: | I went out shopping for a 2002 Tassajara ended up with a 2003. Specs seems to be the same as 02. Great bike for staters. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicholas Brantley
a
from Ft. Huachuca, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | M&M Cycling | | Strengths: | The Tassajara rides like a Cadallac. I am completely satisfied with the way it rides. | | Weaknesses: | When I first took my Tassajara out I had problems with the chain slipping in some gears. When I go up a really steep hill my back tire does not keep complete traction but recovers quickly. | | Bottom Line: | Overall I would recommend the Tassajara to anyone who does not have a lot of money to spend but wants a bike that rides like a thousand dollars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big T
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park, FL / Park City, UT | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$529.00 | | Purchased At: | LBC- Lincoln, Nebraska | | Strengths: | Solid frame, nice handling, good looks, good overall components (to start with).... | | Weaknesses: | Garbage pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh | | Bike Setup: | Stock cept' Eggbeater Pedals, cut 2 1/2" off handlebar length, Amoeba bar ends, Lizard Skin grips | | Bottom Line: | OK Folks, This is a review for the 2003 model Tassajara.
As far as what the bike has stock now-
Front forks are now Rock Shock Pilot XC's, cranks are Shimano, Deore Shifters, Titec Ithys-Amore saddle, IRC Mythos XC Tires, Bontrager seat post, stem, Bontrager Crowbar handlebar. Thats all stock now.
Seems they replaced alot of the items that folks were complaining about. Cept, them crappy pedals. They gotta go..Bike is great, very upgradable.
Only getting 4 chilis on overall cause all the crap the LBS screwed up on when they gave it to me, saying "Your ready to go" , Yeah, except after taking it to another bike shop because of soft forks, and shifters costantly popping on rear cassette. and headset not fully seated on assembly. The second shop informed me that the place I bought it from never aired up the shocks, I couldve blown the seals riding with it empty, but I was lucky. They also had to adjust the rear derailler to stop the shifting problem, and I had to have the bars, stem removed so the headset could be set properly. I am really starting to loath the place I bought it from for just taking my money and saying goodbye, have fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hobby Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | I reviewed this bike afew months ago, and here I am again, to tell everyone the same thing. this bike rocks. I have had more time to ride it since the last review. but back to the strengths of this bike... how bout almost everything. it has alot of decently light weight parts for the money that it costs. I think this bike is almost perfect cept for afew minor details... | | Weaknesses: | The seat... is the worst seat I have ever seen. I think I could make a better one completely out of wood. the rails bent after afew rides. the tires suck pretty bad. I really dont feel that they get great traction, on anything. my friend has an older tassajara with velociraptors on it, and he gets lots better traction with it, so Im woundering why they changed to a tire that is inferior to everything else except slicks. my last complaint is the pedals. I wish they would put some clipless on this bike, but I understand why they dont. this is a lower level bike, so it gets platforms. | | Similar Products Used: | like many other users, this is my first "real" bike | | Bike Setup: | velociraptor front tire, panaracer fire xc pro kevlar rear tire, shimano m515 pedals, bar ends, bontrager saddle (I cant remember the specific name) and yes its much better than the stock seat for only 20 bucks, and everything else is stock so far. | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks. as far as Im concerned, all the problems I have found are fixable really easily. also, Ive gotten a peek at the 2003 model tassajara at my lbs, and it has a real saddle on it, and I think I remember it had new tires, but I cant remember that part. it still has platforms, but maybe one day fisher will change to clipless for the tassajara. 4 chilies in value only because the tires, saddle, and pedals | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Fisher Dude
a
from Texas
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Strong bike that can do anything the rider puts it through. This is the first mountain bike I have bought, got it back in 99 and have had no problems with it. My riding buddies ride a Stumpjumper Comp and Trek Fuel 90 and I have no problems with keeping up with them. My Tassajara can hang with them. | | Weaknesses: | Seat, chainstuck, not very quick, had problems with shifting but not anymore since I upgraded to XT parts. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XT Front\Rear Derailleurs, Shimano LX Shifter, thinking of getting a Race Face Crank. | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike for the price, and can be upgraded. If you are looking for a nice MTB for under 700 bucks then this is the way to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from College Station, TX
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Bryan | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Valley Cyclery | | Strengths: | Though, can take any beating, and I give it to it and have had no problem except chainstuck. I am going to upgrade soon, but comes out of stock as a tough SOB. | | Weaknesses: | The seat sucks big time, and you get chainstuck alot when you get to the rough stuff. You need to get a new seat, and maybe a few other upgrades if you are going to be on the rough stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | I only have had a Dimondback before I got my Fisher. | | Bike Setup: | stock minus the seat. | | Bottom Line: | You can't go wrong with this bike, it is awesome. For 500-600 bucks I think it is the best bike on the market for that price range. If you are looking for a bike that can take a beating and keep on going then get yourself a Tassajara. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Colado
a Cross Country Rider
from New Port Richey, FL
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Indian, Misery, Gatorbait | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$539.00 | | Purchased At: | Carrowood Bicycle Emporium | | Strengths: | This is a great bike, especially for the money. With a frame like this you can upgrade with confidence knowing that you still have a great bike you can invest in without loosing. It can do what ever you want. | | Weaknesses: | After reading the reviews about the seat, I changed the seat when I purchased the bike to a Velo Crossbow. (Great Seat) I did not like the tires; (IRC MythosXC) they did not have the all around traction I was used to with the Panaracer Fire XC PRO 2.1 so I changed to the Panaracer after one ride.
Changed the stock pedals to TIME composite and the rest is stock. The only other weekness I can see ATT is the Bontrager Sport crank, it hasn't caused any trouble yet but you can see it flexing when pedeling hard.
| | Similar Products Used: | The only MTB I can compare to, and this is not fair, is a Schwin MOS crom-moly frame. Its 8 years old and was almost top of the line back then but cannot compare to the ride I get from the Tassajara. | | Bike Setup: | Velo Crossbow. (Great Seat),Panaracer Fire XC PRO 2.1 tires and TIME composite pedals and the rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | I have not had any trouble with chain suck as mentioned in other reviews. Everything has worked as good or better than expected. All I have had to do besides a good cleaning after each ride since new is a slight adjustment to the Shimano Deore rear derailleur after about 200 miles, which should be expected with any new bike.
I can't be more pleased with this bike with this setup for any money. For the price, I can't see what more money can get except for looks. I can do and go wherever I want to. The only limits are the ones I put on myself. I would recommend any Fisher bike being this is a lower end bike in the Fisher line and it is A GREAT BIKE
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Rocky Point NY
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point/Stillwell | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$660.00 | | Purchased At: | Carl Hart Bicycles | | Strengths: | Frame geometry | | Weaknesses: | Cranks | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Giant Rainier | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Duke SL forks, Shimano XT cranks, Terry Liberator saddle, Shimano clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike and design, but I am not happy with the Bontrager cranks and chain rings. I was having severe problems with chainsuck and the chain falling off. I tried all kinds of adjustments but they didnt work. I finally brought it into another shop and they told me that they too have had problems with Bontrager and they actually remove them on their new bikes that come with them and replace with a better brand before putting the bike out on the floor. So I chose to upgrade to a Shimano XT crankset. What a difference!! No more chainsuck and now I finally have full confidence in my bike when riding. I also changed the suspension to Rock Shox Duke SL. I didnt think that the Manitous were bad, but I wanted something with external rebound control and a better feel. I didnt think that the seat was too bad either, but I did want something with more comfort thats why I chose the Terry Liberator. If you are going to change anything on the bike, get rid of the Bontrager cranks and chainrings! They seem to be the culprit for all the chainsuck!!! Other than that, this bike Rocks!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Robertson
a Weekend Warrior
from Aberdeen, maryland
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeTime | | Weaknesses: | Seat takes a bit of getting used to, thinking about replacing. | | Similar Products Used: | Crap Wal-Mart Bikes | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been awesome. In the first couple rides I beat it up, but it's always ready for more. I would STRONGLY recommend this bike to anyone just starting out. the price combined with components, and durability, you just can't beat it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Raymond
a Weekend Warrior
from Warner Robins, GA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | Break Away | | Strengths: | Smooth shifting. Like the way this bike handles sharp turns on the trials. | | Weaknesses: | The seat for sure. | | Bike Setup: | Basic set up from the retailer. | | Bottom Line: | I absolutely love this bike. I am coming from a cheap bike from Wal-Mart, so I don't have alot to compare too. All my friends have $1500 + bikes and they suggested that this would be the best for the money for me. So far there is nothing that they can do that I can't. I keep up with them with no problem and I have not had any problems with the bike. The other reviews mention chain suck, but for me I have not had any problem there. This is one of the best investments I have ever made. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Escondid, CA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Forks good, soft, but good. good frame, component group. Gotta love it for the price. | | Weaknesses: | had some scratches when i got it, but the shop gave me 10% off it. none other. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stocker!! | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike for the price, I recommend the red and black paint if ya wanna look good while ridin a great bike. I love it!! Recomend this bike to anyone wanting a good hard tail that wont break the bank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Di Gianni
a Cross Country Rider
from Plainview, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$539.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Deore components all around, Rock shox pilot xc. The whole bike is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | If your looking for a great bike at an excellent price, this is the bike for you. The genesis geometry is amazing makes climbing so much better. This whole bike set up is just truly awesome. I got the 2003 tassajara not sure if many people have them yet, but this is just a really nice bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh, pa
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | absolute toughness | | Weaknesses: | the rider | | Similar Products Used: | trek, specialized and other unworthy rivals | | Bike Setup: | some modifications. | | Bottom Line: | Here's the bottom line...4 days i nose dived this bike after trying to get some air ramping over a 2 foot mound of dirt. I crashed landed (somehow I forgot to lift the front wheel) and planted my face in some serious mud. The aftermath: a split helmet, at least two busted ribs, a black eye, sore limbs all over and a obliterated odometer. The bike, however, proved bombproof. I hopped back on, rode another mile or two to my car (testing out the bike on some short downhills and drops) and headed to the hospital. My point is this: I couldn't have tried to destory this bike more than the crash. I'll love this bike forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T Scott Gonzales
a Weekend Warrior
from Sanford, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$670.00 | | Purchased At: | Lake Mary Cycles | | Strengths: | Tassajara Disc
The one I have has disc brakes front and rear, which stop this thing on a dime regardless of weather conditions.One thing I noticed immediatly is I felt very comfortable riding this bike. Minus the seat. Plenty of low gearing, pin point shifting, and very light for price range. | | Weaknesses: | It seems to be well known, but the seat is miserable. I had some severe chain suck, enough to scar outer sprockets and remove paint on the frame. Easy fix though, found a bind in the chain. Also rear derailer would not go to highest or lowest gear, again, easy fix, cable stretch. All covered on routine maintenance. Shock feels a little soft in the front but that is with 230 lbs. riding on it. | | Similar Products Used: | I road the Cannondale Terra, Motobecane 700HT, and the Giant Rainier. | | Bike Setup: | Cat eye computer, Swapped tires to a little less aggressive and more for the concrete trails. | | Bottom Line: | For the price I paid which also includes disc brakes mind you, it is an excellent bike to start. Swap seat out first chance you get. If you like to ride street also, check out a slightly less aggressive tire too. Something with more center patch. Thumbs up to Mr. Fisher. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Hass
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverton
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | Fisher Cyclery SLC | | Strengths: | Great frame, Great shocks, Great Deore components! Nice stability and balance from the fraim. | | Weaknesses: | Just the seat. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a Malin and a Specialized A1 FS comp. | | Bike Setup: | Stock cept for I switched out seat at shop. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first quality mtn bike. my first one was a Mountain Tek, i dont even think they make em anymore, and after one trip to Moab it was kinda trashed. The Tass feels so much nicer im really happy i bought it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Strengths: | Great bike for the money. I have been riding since my first MTB in 1990 -- that was a Bridgestone MB-1. Great Geometry, good components overall, handmade frame in U.S. | | Weaknesses: | The seat is a cheap-o. Switch it out at the store. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | Changes: pedals and seat, and I upgraded to the Manitou Six Deluxe shock -- two levels above the Elite. The Deluxe is more adjustable, and it took an entire pound off of the
bike. Also, you can find the Manitou Six Deluxe cheap on the web (129$ versus original 275$). | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. This bike has renewed my interest in Mountain Biking. At 35, I feel like I am 25 again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bret
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$579.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line | | Strengths: | I may not be the best qualified to write a review because the last bike i owned was a Schwinn Mesa Runner almost 15 years ago but i really like this bike. It was middle of the road in price and highly recommended by the dealer. I've read the other reviews and i can agree with those who've had a slight problem with shifting. Maybe that will go away with time. The seat is okay, i think may get a gel cover and see how that works out. Overall I am pleased with my purchase and hope to enhance my riding skills with this entry level bike. | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Rear Deraileur, Promax Brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Replaced factory tires with Botrager comfort tires (i do more road riding), replced stem with a higher Botrager one, replaced shocks with heavier ones from Manitou (i'm a big boy, and added bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. Already looking at the Hoo Koo E Doo and the Big Sur. Would recommend the Tassajara to any beginner like myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, New York
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Nassau/Suffolk Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | Brands Cycle & Fitness | | Strengths: | The geometry of this bike is phenomenal. It REALLY pays off when climbing tough hills. The bike actually wants to go up hill, climbing is a breeze. I found the tires to have a surprising amount of traction. I feel like I just bought a four wheel drive bike!
The colors are awesome-the gold and black are real cool looking. | | Weaknesses: | My rear derailler is shifting by itself but I think it's because the bike is new and needs an adjustment. It weighs in at 28 lbs-among the lightest in the price range but anyone looking for a real light bike may want to think about spending a bit more.
| | Similar Products Used: | GT Agressor, Trek 7000 Mongoose (I was choosing between a Trek 4900, Giant Iguana and the GF won) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but I may change the seat, not because it bothers me but because I now have a complex from reading all the other reviews. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price! I can now take trails that I wasn't able to with my rigid bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Saranac Lake
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | Maui North | | Strengths: | Everything except for weaknesses! | | Weaknesses: | Seat a little rough!
Chain suck, easy to fix, just tighten the gear lines. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana
Specialized HR Pro | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike from the shocks to the breaks, great price, and is a wonder with a good seat!! I think the price is just right for this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark powell
a Weekend Warrior
from marina del rey
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | sullivans | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$724.00 | | Purchased At: | bikecology | | Strengths: | great bike for the money. good for people with long bodies and medium length legs - like me! I'm new to the sport and went downhill fast the first time out. super stable and confidence inspiring. I'm hooked! | | Weaknesses: | shocks seem a little soft when set at their stiffest setting. New stiffer springs will be added at the first scheduled maintenance! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | not yet! | | Bottom Line: | An amazing bike for the money with performance and components to match. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amon
a
from Las Vegas, Nevada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Rock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | Copeland Sports | | Strengths: | The setup is great! having more weight in the back allows the bike to climb quite well. Its limits are completely up to the rider. If you ride good- it rides good.. if you suck that at riding the bike sucks. So there are no limits between you and the trail. An important aspect about this bike would be the price...I would consider it a professional bike at a cheap price. Its lightweight only about 28 pounds...a couple of pounds lighter would be a 1200 dollar bike...So you get to keep money in your pocket with full satisfaction. | | Weaknesses: | THE seat is hard but does not botther me so much because i'm constantly standing up when climbing the trail...you might want to consider a gel seat at Wal-mart...But I still have the original seat on mine. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BIKE IS ADJUSTED AT THE SHOP ON THE DAY OF PURCHASE...ALSO MAKE SURE THAT YOU BRING THE BIKE IN WITHIN A MONTH OF HAVING IT SO THE CHAIN DOES NOT SLIP AS MUCH...if the chain slip a little when you first buy it...its ok it must be broken in. | | Similar Products Used: | GIANT, SHWINN, TRECK ---THEY SUCK | | Bike Setup: | Genisis geometry...great setup for climbing | | Bottom Line: | DARN GOOD bike for your money...professional strength...Just like chevy.........ITS LIKE A ROCK. ALSO YOU GET A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE FRAME...VERY FEW ALUMMINUM FRAMS ARE WARRANTIED PAST FIVE YEARS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
garrett
a Downhiller
from bedford nh
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | merrimack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$556.00 | | Purchased At: | Naults Cyclry | | Strengths: | Great gearing and brakes. Light weight. good fork and handlbars. | | Weaknesses: | seat makes it a bumpy ride. Pedels suck. the rims arnt that strong | | Similar Products Used: | trek 500 mnt trak (aka crap | | Bike Setup: | what ever came with it | | Bottom Line: | I just got this bike on saturday and took it out yesterday. It has great grearing and can take hill well. I think i will lose my man hood on the seat though. Overall a great bike for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Apodaca
a Weekend Warrior
from Amarillo, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lighthouse & GSL trials in Palo Duro Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Depot | | Strengths: | Genesis and weight alone make this an awesome middle to upper level rider! Manitou shocks rock! Bontrager and Shimano components. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is a little rough, but who sits on it anyway?!?!?! Have not had it long enough to fully see any weakness. I'll let you know as soon as I find one. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab, and GT(can't remember model: think it was the Backwoods model) | | Bike Setup: | all 2002 stock | | Bottom Line: | My last two bikes were awesome. This one just flat out blows the others away though. I have yet to take it to the mountains of Colorado, but when I do I will let you know all about it.
Bottom line: GO GET ONE!!!!! You will not be disappointed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Racer
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$645.00 | | Purchased At: | Full cycle | | Strengths: | -Light weight,Genesis Geometry,Forks are awsome. Deore components.Bontroger handelbars and seatpost. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires and tubes are bad - got a flat on the first day of trail riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Specilized rockhopper (hardtail) Raleigh m80 | | Bike Setup: | all stock - planing to upgrade to XTR and new v-brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great for anybody who is into mountain biking and wants to go trailriding.
this bike also makes a good racer. i would recommend this bike to anyone who is planing on getting a mountain bike. i'v ridin bikes worth over $1000 and thire geometry cant even compare to the fisher. I would not reccomend this bike if you are a downhill racer. unless you upgrade the braking system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, Missouri
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$489.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Geometry, decent component group | | Weaknesses: | The seat -- read the other reviews, this is no joke. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rainier, Fisher Marlin, Marin at similar pricepoint | | Bike Setup: | Stock (Deore, Bontrager) | | Bottom Line: | Nailed this one on sale, and for the price, you'll have a heck of a time finding a better ride. Two slightly annoying things: the first time I hit the trails, I noticed a click in the bottom bracket, and the Manitou fork started chirping like a bird. Took it back to the shop for tweaking.
The seat is bad, swap it before you leave the shop. There are bikes at Wal-Mart with less punishing saddles. You've been sufficiently warned.
Minor inconveniences aside, the bike is a gem on the trails. The Genesis Geometry isn't just a gimmick, you'll realize this on your first climb. I can handle more aggressive grades on this bike than I could with my old Yukon. Excellent traction. The fork is smooth and absorbs most things you'll encounter on singletrack. If you're routinely doing high drops, you might be better off with something else. Overall, for hitting almost any terrain, the Tassajara offers an excellent component group at a great price on an upgrade-worthy frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Matthews
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Brandywine Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line in Wilmington | | Strengths: | Great Setup, Light Bontrager Rims, Cranks, Crowbar, Decent derailers, and powerful brakes(even in Mud). The 80 mm on the Mantou is plenty. | | Weaknesses: | In the Granny and Climbing Hard,,,the front wheel will pop up. But get stronger and more in shape and forget about it. | | Similar Products Used: | Treck 6500, Specialized Hardrock Comp, | | Bike Setup: | Stock execpt for Shimano 515's. | | Bottom Line: | I have no regrets and would highly recomend this bike to anyone. I have begun racing and riding this bike does not hold you back. It will take whatever you can!!! Try some jumps, climbs.. it shifts well under a load and hardly any chain slap.......Great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Weekend Warrior
from Tinlyey Park, IL
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | A Wheel Experience | | Strengths: | 1. Rides awesome. 2. Comfortable seating position. 3. Light 4. It just rocks! | | Weaknesses: | The seat - I want to have kids someday so I replaced it with a Serfas Rx gel seat | | Similar Products Used: | 1985 Mongoose BMX Bike (back in High School...yes I am in my thirties LOL) | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Model | | Bottom Line: | I have not own a bike since I was in high school. Even in college, I didn't need one. But, I knew I wanted a bike that could take some punishmnet. Well, I have found it! The Tassahara by Gary Fisher is just so well balanced. As you can tell, I am a newbie to mountain biking, but I use to kick arse w/ BMX in high school. Back then Crom Moly was the king. Now, Aluminum (which the Tassah is built on) is definitely the way to go. The guys at my bike shopped really helped and let me test ride it. Out of Marim, Klein, and Gary Fisher, this my bike. I even bunny hopped several curbs with this thing when I tested it.
Trail Stuff
I have ridden several trials but no singlerack yet. I can tell you that bike is comfortable yet you feel "the road" (or trail as it might be). I replaced the rock hard seat with a Serfas Rx gel seat and my bottom thanks me every time I ride.
Should you get this bike? Heck yeah! I have put on about 70 miles since I bought it a month ago and I must say that the bike is just awesome. I am 5'6" and was fitted with the small frame bike. It fits like a glove. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j-man
a Cross Country Rider
from philly, pa, usa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | bike line | | Strengths: | handles great when you get used to it. deore components. reactive brakes. rear derailler | | Weaknesses: | freaking suck-a shock. saddle made from rock. unneeded chain suck. | | Similar Products Used: | giant, trek, specialized, cannondale | | Bike Setup: | stock everything with more hydration, bar-ends, new crappy rigid fork that won't suck. computer | | Bottom Line: | this bike is freakin awesome, specially for the money. just got real pissed when my shock blew for no reason (hopping over a small pothole). had to wait 2 weeks for a "authorized dealer" to take it off, or i lose the warranty on the shock. that aside, the bike is actually very good, light enough for jumping and carrying over deep streams and stuff. i love the gold color too. the 2002 is upgraded with all deore components which handle nicely.
-the turtle < | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | Metro Cycles NYC | | Strengths: | BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! | | Weaknesses: | Primary contact points (pedals, grips, and saddle) are simply awful and must be replaced | | Similar Products Used: | Giant, Specialized, DiamondBack, and Trek, all in same price range | | Bike Setup: | Modified with Azonic DW Riser Bars, Specialized BG saddle, Yeti hardcore grips, Atomiclabs platform pedals | | Bottom Line: | Can't stress the quality and value to be had here... Simply outstanding. Definitely the finest frame I've ridden in this price range (the geometry is SO carefully thought out), and with a few minor tweaks it becomes a fantastic XC and even light-technical rig! Hardtail heaven...
Hats off to Gary Fisher and his design team ONCE AGAIN!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hobby Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | genesis geometry is so awesome. Everything about the bike is great, but I did get this bike after riding a huffy for afew months, so maybe this bike isnt as great as I say it is. it just seems that way to me. | | Weaknesses: | I duno bout how strong other saddles are or whatever, but I bent my saddle to the right pretty bad in the first few days, and it wasnt even a bad crash. | | Similar Products Used: | some crappy walmart bike | | Bike Setup: | uhh its all stock cept clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is so awesome. I think its a great bike for people gettin into mountain biking, cause it isnt as expensive as some bikes, but it rides great with good components and all that stuff. it is so much better than my old bike, but then again, thats not much competition. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Z Sahukhan
a Weekend Warrior
from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$559.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World, San Antonio, TX...an outstanding customer oriented bike shop | | Strengths: | Value...you just can't find a better deal for the money. | | Weaknesses: | None...yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Nishiki R-15, GT I-Drive 4.0, K2 Zed V, Trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | Came stock with Shimano Rear Hub, Bontrager Corvair Rims, IRC Mythos XC Tires, Manitou Six Elite Shocks, Shimano Rear Derailleurs and Shifters, Bontrager Sport Crank, etc...
Large Frame, Computer, Water Bottle | | Bottom Line: | Great product. Handles, climbs, descends, and brakes like a much more expensive bike. Very stable under any condition. Steers and maneuvers extremely well. The best bike I've owned so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gleemon
a Weekend Warrior
from Virginia Beach, VA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$529.00 | | Purchased At: | Top of the Hill Bikes | | Strengths: | Great components, geometry | | Weaknesses: | Fork needs stiffer springs, generic brake levers | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana, Schwin Moab 3, Mesa GSX, Trek, Specialized, pretty much everything else in the price range | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except my favorite pedals from my old bike. I'll be upgrading to clipless shortly | | Bottom Line: | I tried many other bikes in the price range AFTER I tried this bike. None of the others even compared. After riding on several trails it puts my old bike (an OLD Cromoly Giant Iguana) to shame. This is my first bike with a suspension fork and I can't imagine why I didn't do this sooner!
The bike is light and agile and climbs GREAT! I highly recommend this bike for anyone new to the sport or looking to upgrade from an older bike!
Look around for price, I found it for $600, 579, 559, and finally $529. Great value for the componets! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Katayama
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Don't know | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | BicycleProducts.com | | Strengths: | The bike rocks. I have done a lot of research before buying this bike, and for the price you can't find a better deal. The components are great for the price, and the bike is lite and quick. Tires grip good, and genesis geometery rocks. Climbing hills is a cinch with this bike. My Girlfriend bought the same bike and loves it too, and she can actually hang on the trails with me. Plus the sales guys at BicycleProducts.com rock and are the best bunch of guys. This is a great beginners or intermediate bike, and great as a starter bike, and the ladies love them too. | | Weaknesses: | Definetly the seat, it was the first thing that I replaced. Chain suck does happen, but a recommendation for you guys is to have the guys at the shop tighten the shifter cables for the derailers. Ride the bike and shift through all the gears, and if it skips, let them know and have them tighten the cables, it will go away just like that. Well it did for me. Other than that, the bike rocks, and is great. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900, HKS, Giant Iguana. They all suck compared to the Fisher Tassajara. Fisher made in good ole USA, where as Giant, low end Trek, and HKS, are made in China. | | Bike Setup: | Stock bike, with headlight and flashers, and a different seat. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. For the price you can't beat it. And if you live in Northern California, come on down to Sacramento cause the guys at BicycleProducts.com have the best deals. They are helpful and knowledgeable. Peace out gents and ladies, and keep on riding. Long live the Gary Fisher Tassajara. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Bikes, Asheville | | Strengths: | When I started this riding thing, I weighed 245 lbs. When I started shopping for a bike, I was very concerned about finding a bike that could stand up to my weight. This bike has done a great job. Since I started riding, my weight has dropped to 195, and I still like the way the bike feels and handles. | | Weaknesses: | My wife and I bought matching Tassjaras. Mine has never has any problems with chainsuck. Hers has problems for about a month. After the first tune up, she has had no more problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Talked to everyone at all the local bike shops and rode pretty much everything in the same price range. | | Bike Setup: | As bought. | | Bottom Line: | This is the first mountain bike that I have owned, so I am not the most reliable resource, but I do feel like this bike has responded well to having a fat boy trying to learn how to ride on it. It has withstood some pretty serious torture. Whatever you decided to do, I do suggest that you ride a Fisher when you are testing bikes. As soon as we tested ours in the shop, we knew that it was the most comfortable (to us anyway) frame that we rode the entire bike tesing period. I recommend it highly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay P
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View, CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Almaden Valley (so far) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$529.00 | | Purchased At: | Off Ramp, Mountain View | | Strengths: | Shocks and Brakes. Manitou shocks are awesome and I could feel it working on the steep trails giving an enjoyable ride. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck. Unhooks when trying to shift gears at low speed and high torque. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rainier, Giant Iguana, Trek 8000, Specialized Enduro, Rocky Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Bought it assembled at the shop. | | Bottom Line: | The best bang for the buck. In this price range I would say that I am very much satisfied with the rides that I am getting compared to the other ones that I tested on. The only problem that I have seen so far is the chain which unhooks at low speeds. People have complained about the seats. I haven't had any problems with it so far, though some of my friends feel it uncomfortable. A very good bike for some casual rides and some serious trail rides.
There is a problem though with handling steep curves at high speed. Kinda tends to go out of control due to its light weight. But the light weight is the advantage in cruising downhill. I am completely satisfied with what I have. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe D
a Cross Country Rider
from Rocky Point NY USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$660.00 | | Purchased At: | Carl Hart Bicycles | | Strengths: | I actually have the Tassajar Disc model. I love the Hayes Mech discs. They work great! The Manitou forks are also very responsive. Bike is also a nice weight and easy to handle | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck! What is with this? Although it only happened once I see practically every review has this. It sometimes skips when trying to change gears on the rear. But I have been making small adjustments and it seems to be getting better. I just hope the Chainsuck doesn't happen again. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900, Giant Rainier | | Bike Setup: | Added Shimano DX-M636 clipless pedals. Everything else is stock. Oh yeah, added a Lizard Skin on the chainstay to protect it from Chainsuck! | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike! Handles great around turns, up and down hills, jumps, dirt/mud, road, whatever. The discs are a definate plus. Spend the extra money now and get the Tassajara disc. You won't be disappointed. Besides, if you ever want to upgrade to discs it will cost you much more to add them later. I only had the chainsuck problem once, but that could happen on just about any bike. But seeing this problem in all the other reviews does concern me. But, so far so good! I would highly recommend this bike for XC riders who also like to do the occasional jumping. It is a very solid bike and handles jumps well. It's a pretty good weight too, even with the discs. Overall, great ride for the price range, take one for a test ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a
from Gloucester Point, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Beat | | Strengths: | Good components, good tires, reasonably light frame (mine is an XL), Manitou fork/shock feels great going over the rough stuff. | | Weaknesses: | &#$*#$ chain suck. The stock Bontrager crank set is a POS. I brought my bike in to the shop after every ride and had them try to re-adjust and fix my problem. Finally they contacted the Gary Fisher rep and he replaced the crank set with a Shimano Deore (hollowtech) crank set. So the problem has been fixed and I am very happy with my bike. Although my chain stay looks like someone has been chewing on it. | | Bike Setup: | XL frame, higher rise stem, Rock Shox suspension seat post, Shimano Deore crank set, clipless pedals go on next week. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike. The only questionable parts are the crank set and the seat (ouch!). I have been beating it up pretty good riding in the snow, mud, etc. this bike can do it all. I use it to ride to work in the morning and then take it out on the trails in the afternoon. Plus GF replaced my broken parts under warranty and thats pretty cool. If you are thinking of buying your first MTB this may be your ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Morrison Dam, Exeter | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Freewheel Cycle, Dundas ON | | Strengths: | Deore Drivetrain, Manitou Fork, Fairly Light, Tires Grip Everything, Great Geometry | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested Brodie Fury, GT Avalanche 2.0, Specialized Enduro
Previously riding Diamondback Ascent Ex
| | Bike Setup: | Stock, But going to go clipless soon | | Bottom Line: | I can't stop riding this bike. I've been riding bikes for years but this is my first quality bike. I can't believe the difference. I've pounded this bike on pavement, trails, down stairs, and through snow. It handles it all beautifully. Great XC bike, with a little free-riding. I don't think you can get a better bike for the money. If you're looking for a serious begginer-intermediate bike, give this one a try. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Lazaroff
a Weekend Warrior
from Plano, TX
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All Around Here | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$579.00 | | Strengths: | Great product mix for the money. I heard through the grapevine that Gary Fisher basically listened to all complaints on the older Fisher Tasajaro models and made the necessarry upgrades that you need such as the full Deore component upgrades, etc. Seems to handle really well. I did a ton of research on this bike before buying it and I know for sure I had the first one in the D/FW, TX area because I called all shops around town and really wanted this one because I just knew it would be a solid investment. I haven't felt otherwise since I bought it. VERY nice bike. | | Weaknesses: | Seat does still suck, was quickly replaced though so that problem isn't here anymore. Pedals are cheap that come with it as well (no biggie though, replace them with some good ones of your choice and you are set here), have had a few issues with the chain skipping when you get on it superhard (I'm not little though: 220 lbs; so that may have something to do with this), not sure if this is the "chainsuck" issue that everyone else is referring to though. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900
Specialized Rockhopper Comp | | Bike Setup: | Only upgrades I have done thus far are the new seat, water bottle, bike computer, air pump. Will be upgrading the pedals next and after that probably stepping up to XL shifters, brakes, and deraillers (can only afford so much at a time :0). Fork has been fine for me though: no bottoming out yet even at my 220 lb. weight. | | Bottom Line: | What can I say? I love it. Haven't second guess'ed my decision to buy this thing yet. In a word: awesome! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Alexander
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta,GA,USA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 1996 Olympic Games courses | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Peachtree Bikes | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price the Deore component group is great all components work well together and the bike is able to go fast and handle corners well. The shocks are great and have not bottomed out yet! | | Weaknesses: | The seat blows and the bike is not super light but not a problem to haul a$$ up hills as long as you got muscles.
Chain Suck like crazy bike i used a tire wrapped around chainstay to prevent damage from that | | Similar Products Used: | Dep. store bikes, ellsworth ID (sweet) | | Bike Setup: | Stock but going to add Avid mechanical Discs! | | Bottom Line: | Great bike and with minor upgrades it will be sweet | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jarrad
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Cycle | | Strengths: | Very stable and gives a solid ride! | | Weaknesses: | No weakness that I have found! | | Bike Setup: | XL Frame, Bontrager Components, IRC wheels | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike! I have rode this bike a lot in the past month I have had it. It is a great all around trail bike. It is very light and has many gears to choose from. The bike is a great deal for anyone who wants a dependable and realiable bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh pa
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any i can find | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | scholl's | | Strengths: | Durability. I'm very new at mtb and this is my first mt. bike. In the beginning I crashed frequently. The bike held up fine, even though I still have some scars. But I knew it wasn't the bike. It's been patient with me. Waiting for me to match its potential. I'm getting there. This bike lets me ride anything...technical trails, city streets, steps, drops, rocky downhills. Trust this bike. It won't steer you wrong. This bike knows you can be better. Don't let it down. | | Weaknesses: | Like everyone says, the seat sucks. Chainsuck sucks too (bad enough to scrape to bare metal on the chainstay). And I've bent the middle chain ring twice. I get a lot of rear pinch flats,especially jumping curbs, but I can't blame the bike. Once I get my bunny hops down better the pinch flats will disappear. | | Similar Products Used: | some sort of trek in the same price range. | | Bike Setup: | basic out of the box. got a new seat and clipless pedals. you know, everyone talks about how the bike is upgradeable, and it is, but before you try to put disc brakes on it, you may just want to buy a new bike. The 2002 Tassy features a disc brake model for about $200 more over the list price of the non-disc ride. | | Bottom Line: | How much can I say that I love this bike? I really don't want to ride any other. This baby takes me everywhere. I pound it on trails and on city streets. I glide down steep steps (and can even climb shorter flights of stairs) and fly off drops of more than 2 feet (remember, I've only been mountain biking since August). The Tass lets me ride and keep up with guys who have more experience and more expensive bikes too. All the bike lacks is a rider with more expertise and skill. If you're looking for GREAT first mountain bike without having big bucks, check out the Tassajara (with or without disc brakes). Did I say that I love this bike? You will too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carey
a Weekend Warrior
from tuscaloosa, al (soon to be L.A. area)
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Price, looks (I suggest the Red/Aluminum), | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab, Tested '02 Specialized Stumpjumper M4 | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike grows on you, and fast. I wanted to ride it a while longer before submitting a review but maybe someone trying to decide what bike to buy will read this and choose this one. The bike feels better everytime I ride (2-3 times a week minimum), its as if it knows what I'm thinking and where I'm wanting to go. Climbs great, smooth on downhills, and corners exceptionally well. The rider makes the bike, not vice versa, but having a quality bike like this one doesnt hurt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan Benson
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike USA | | Strengths: | -Lots of good components; mostly Shimano and Bontrager
-Value | | Weaknesses: | -Chainsuck keeps messing me up when shifting for a climb
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900 (I'm not sure, but it cost about $50 less than this) | | Bike Setup: | Clipless pedals (The kind that attach to the stock pedal)
AXO shoes | | Bottom Line: | I'm 13, and just getting into mountain biking. I usually ride a majority on weekends, clocking approxmetely 90 miles onto my odometer a week (Winter). I either ride with my club on road, or solo off road. This bike holds up, and I'm giving it a big thrashing. The other night I flipped over the handlebars (taking a drink, braked too hard w/ front), and my bike held up fine. My local trail, Pontiac Lake, is pretty technical, but this bike can handle all of it. I do the 10 mile trail in about 1 hour and 12 minutes. (Not bad for 13) Overall, I would have to say that this is a great bike for serious beginners.
P.S. Looking for a local mtb team for me! r.t.benson@worldnet.att.net | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam p
a Weekend Warrior
from san antonio
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cougar canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | bike zone | | Strengths: | great price .. great bike.simply put, for the 650 dollars you cannot buy a better bike.the aluminym frame is light. the components are great..the seat has to go though..has full Deore components which is a great value...the manitou susp. is good. once broken in..great for the beginner with minimal dough...or a xc rider looking for a steal...comes stock with great bontrager, shimano components..the ride has a superb feel with the genesis geometry frame design...must ride for a day to understand the benefits | | Weaknesses: | CHAIN SUCK...even with meticulous cleaning and care of the chain and all related components..i have now suffered from this problem..twice...and while i escaped injury,,my bike was sheared down to the raw aluminum frame by the chain...other than the seat i have been testing the bike with all stock components with exception of the seat. | | Bike Setup: | full stock...changed seat..went to clipless instead of the stock platform pedals | | Bottom Line: | bottom line..great gary fisher for great price...gary does it again... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shifty
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | 10K trail by Sandia Ski Area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Cave | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry. Solid handling. good descents. | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck... | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Mesa GSX, Some Giant Bike(I forgot the model)... | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Body Geometry Saddle, Shimano clipless pedals, deore xt front and rear deraillers(Stock is Deore), otherwise all stock - Mix of Shimano(Shifters, deraillers, Chain), Bontrager(Seatpost, Crank Arms, Handlebar), WTB(Saddle and Tires), and SRAM (cogs). | | Bottom Line: | This bike is pretty sweet. I have been riding it like a fiend, even on road through town and it holds up to pretty much any punishment I give it. My only complaints are the plastic pedals that come with the bike and the chainsuck, which I am currently seeking to remedy (Yes, I clean the chain). I have taken it in twice to the shop and they have unsuccessfully worked on it. If I knew specifically what could be done to stop this problem, I would hold this bike in the highest esteem (especially for the $$$). Awesome for first time riders or those with little cash, but a lot of heart!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reubs
a Weekend Warrior
from Roosevelt N.J.
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line | | Strengths: | Relatively light weight about 25 pounds
Good components for the price, mostly shimano and bontrager
very durable
Uses Gary Fishers Genisis geometry
| | Weaknesses: | 2002 Manitou Six Elite bottoms out easily and the only way to solve this is to buy new springs which are $30 | | Similar Products Used: | giant rainer se
| | Bike Setup: | Manitou six elite fork
Shimano Deore derailers
Bontrager Crowbar handlebars, sport cranks, corvair rims, sport stem and sport seatpost
Irc mythos tires
wtb saddle
promax brake | | Bottom Line: | This is by far one of the best bikes for the price. It is a good bike for beginer to intermediate riders who like cross country riding but also like a little freeriding. with a few upgrade parts this bike would easily weigh in the 23 pound range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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