Submitted by
Kazamer
a Downhiller
from Calgary Canada Date Reviewed: October 28, 2009
Favorite Trail:
fish creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Purchased At:
Pure Cycle
Strengths:
decent weight(26lbs), easy ss conversion, looks great, fox fork, good price
Weaknesses:
wide stays( not a big problem), hayes brakes, 80mm travel
Similar Products Used:
salsa ss29er, Spot ss29er
Bike Setup:
SS, bonty duster wheels, kenda tires 2.2 nevegal F 1.9 Kara r, truvativ hussafelt world cup bar(28inch wide, 1 inch rise), avid ultimate brakes, WTB silverado seat, hollow tech2 crank, f29 fork
Bottom Line:
having rode two other very similar bikes I can say with out any doubt, that at a fraction of the cost the fisher Ferrous is a winner. the frame is a comfortable fit, I am 5 10 and its a 17.5( I can fit on the new rig in a 19, but I like this better) the ride of the steal frame is cush, yet quick and responsive at the same time. the addition of a wider handle bar has made all the difference in powering up climbs. The traction has always been there. descending , the Ferrous is confidence inspiring, coming from a mostly DH back ground that makes a big difference to me in how much I will like a bike. I have ridden other Genesis bike and haven't found them to be nearly as much fun as the ferrous. I really like the set up of the chain tension, quick and easy. TWo thumbs up for the fisher Ferrous. this is a great bike for any one who wants to try a 29er or a SS. I used the parts off of the ferrous to build up a second bike...what a great deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ilan123
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: July 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Love them all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Steel, geometry, components, comfort, fox fork, colour(black).
Weaknesses:
Cant honestly say that I found anything major but if pressed I don't think the hayes brakes are at the same level as the rest of the components,It is not as light as I hoped it would be but it does not feel heavy and climbs like a mountain goat so who cares. Had the fork travel extended to 100mm after 2 weeks of riding and that basically solved my only gripe, its smooth as silk now.
Price is scandelous in this country but that is not the bikes fault.
Similar Products Used:
My first 29" and my first hardtail!!previous ride was
a Rocky mountain ETSX and I don't regret the move.
Bike Setup:
Stock 2009 Ferrous 29 except XT crank and locking grips
Bottom Line:
The bike has been exceeding my expectations from day one and seems to be getting better every day.
I'm short(5'4) and this is the only 29er I felt comfortable on, it looks amazing, handles great and the steel frame seems to absorb almost anything, and in combination with the big wheels has made the transfer from full suspension to hard tail no problem at all.
I cant say I like the hayes brakes that much, they look good and do the job but are noisy and feel rough, in retrospect I would have upgraded to XT's or something along those lines but it's not that big of an issue.
Overall highly recomended
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reign Lau
a Weekend Warrior
from Macau SAR, China Date Reviewed: July 8, 2009
The weight (29lbs)
The Hayes brakes are still terrible.
The frame looks weak.
Bontrager tires are 29X2.1 but I measured it is more wider than Specialized Enduro 26X2.3!
Similar Products Used:
2007 Giant XTC Team with Mavic Speedcity wheelsets and Maxxis Wormdrive 700X42C tires
Bike Setup:
Stock except the SLX Crankset and XT Cassette.
Bottom Line:
This is my first 29er and it is the first 29er in Macau. I'm just 170cm tall but it is still suitable for me (17.5" frame). The bigger wheels give me more stablity on mountains and it is too easy riding to higher speed. Tires and tubes I have to purcahse a lot form other countries.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Campbell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Ca. Date Reviewed: July 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Joe's Ridge/Zippety Do Da
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Low Cost Steel Frame
Weaknesses:
The rear end of this frame is all screwed up! The seat stays are so wide it's hard not to hit them with every spin.But the chain stays are so narrow that a Jones XR 2.2 all most touches.But the crack arms just clear the frame ???
Similar Products Used:
Kona Unit
Bike Setup:
S/S Reba Race Stans ZTR Arch rims with King hubs Salsa bars Moots stem and post Magura Marta SL White cranks and B/B
Bottom Line:
I will not be riding this frame much longer and don't recomend any one buy one.Hitting the seat stay with the inside of my heel got old very fast and none of the good things about this frame over comes this.It never dawned on me that this could ever be a problom it never has been on any bike I have owned.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
azpoolguy
a Cross Country Rider
from Glendale,AZ,USA Date Reviewed: June 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
To many to list.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Purchased frame from
Strengths:
Steel Frame,Color,Handling.
Weaknesses:
Rear tire clearence.
Similar Products Used:
'06 Fisher Rig
Bike Setup:
'07 Frame And Reba Race Fork, Ryhtm Elite Wheels,Rampage Front, XDX Rear, Wadesters Homebrew Tire Sealant, Juicy 5 Brakes,X-9 Gears and Trigger Shifter Running 1x9, Bontrager ACC Post, Sunline V-1 OS Bars, RaceFace Atlas Cranks.
Bottom Line:
This frames ride quaility is Amazing! I figured it would ride better than my Rig but not this much better. I wanted a Niner but couldnt bring my self to spend that much money for a frame. The handling and ride are light years better than their Aluminum frames. I always felt like the Rig was pushing the front end in the corners and never had the confidence to rail corners. The Ferrous inspires confidence to puch the pace faster amd faster every where I ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ppfeifer
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia Date Reviewed: May 13, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Quantico
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
THE BIKE LANE
Strengths:
Sweet Fox F29 fork, Great X.9 Transmission, Hayes Stroker Trail SL's and most importantly Steel!!!
Weaknesses:
Maybe the Bontrager Rhythm Wheels. The jury is still out on these. Also, the stock XDX tires are not a good all around tire for Virginia. See if you can work a deal with your LBS to trade these out. The clear coat isn't very tough either.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Superfly, Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe 29er, Trek 69er, Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
Maxxis Ardent 2.25 (with Stan's) up front, Maxxis Crossmark out back, XT crank, Crank Brother Candy SL's, Easton XC low rise carbon bar, ODI rogue lock-on grips.
Bottom Line:
This is absolutely the best steel 29er value out there. You would have to be an Ebay magician to put a better bike together for less.
This bike doesn't need G2 geometry. It turns on a dime and is stable going down hill. If you are on the fence about this bike.....jump. This is a great ride. If I only had one bike it would be my Ferrous. Did I mention that I love the black paint job?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
beardedstealth
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: May 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
29 inch wheels, Hayes brakes, SRAM X-9, Fox fork
Weaknesses:
Poor welds
Bike Setup:
Stock setup with the additions of Syncros pedals.
Bottom Line:
I have only had the bike for 3 months, so not ready to expound on the details of handling, geometry, etc. However, I did feel compelled to let people know that the water bottle cage braze-on weld broke tonight with almost no force. The bolt is now stuck in a braze-on that is spinning inside the frame. Now, you might say this doesn't seem like a big deal, but a $2k steel frame bike in which they can't even properly weld a braze-on?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Hewes
a Racer
from Baltimore Date Reviewed: January 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Through trek
Strengths:
Steel frame is very quick, light and responsive. Great simple graphics (unlike most fisher models). Perfect geometry. Gives the illusion of a softail. Comes with both derailleuer hangers for conversions. Full X9 drivetrain-if you are going to use them. Race heels are not the lightest, but will last forever.
Weaknesses:
Seatstays are waaaay too wide. Very cheesy select saddle and seatpost. Dry X tires are exactly for the intended use. Not a smart choice as a stock tire. Unless you live in the soutwest. When it is dry, they are very fast. Your shop (Kenda Karma) should allow (Kenda Karma) for swap for (Kenda Karma) something else(Kenda Karma). You should get the Karma's.
Similar Products Used:
Rig, Top Fuel 69er, On One, Supercaliber, hi-fi, too many others to count
Bike Setup:
Full SS rigid-Bontrager Race X Lite switchblade carbon fork, carbon seatpost, carbon bar, stem and carbon cranks. Juicy Ultimate brakes. Selle Italia Aspide saddle. Race X Lite Wheels. Eggbeater C pedals. Kenda Karma tires 2.1. Complete bike weighs 22lbs 2 oz. Not bad for 19.5 with "usable" components-I say this because you see forums where people have 18.5 lb 29ers. They use 1.7 tires, with road wheels and v brakes.
Bottom Line:
Converted mine to SS right away-If you are looking for the ultimate 29er SS, this is it. The geometry is perfect-Does not have the G2 geometry, but handles better without it. I had a fuel 100 team issue and elite 9.8-both gone. This bike handles better and climbs with the best of them. Mine is the '08-the '09 has juicy 5's and a low end Shimano crank, but the same frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bluespot
a Cross Country Rider
from nyc Date Reviewed: October 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
cunningham cause its real close =)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
direct from my man m
Strengths:
price ... geometry ... ride
Weaknesses:
seems to crack if you freeride it ...
Similar Products Used:
superfly, paragon, niners, sycip and other 29ers
Bike Setup:
top shelf ... xo ... martas gold ect ... thompson layback
Bottom Line:
i absolutly love this bike ... even the gay happy color. Small blocks seem to be the best tire for me so far unless its muddy then im phucked. been trying mountain king 2.4s by conti ... which is more like a 2.2 in the front ... the reba absolutly changed my mind about rockshox ... i know you people hate manitou ... but i use to and still love their chit. well it climbs well ... the ebb is machined and alot lighter than the one in my 1fg. i roll over almost everything ... the wheels ived toasted and on a second set with only couple of hundred miles ... make sure your freehub is tight from the getgo. yeah this is your pretty much do all all mountain hardtail. nothing is stiffer than riding a 26inch singlspeed though ... so it's not perfect but pretty damn close. yeah it's dah chit. now all it needs is a faster rider. =)
and umm everyone stop hatin' fisher for sellin out ... he always was a sellout ... so what if he didn't you wouldn't be ridin one or be able to afford one.
oh and gary ... thats a compliment.
ps. thanx for making the superfly ... makes me feel like chit for riding one =)
--drew mofos.
pps. lets all just shutup and ride ... and not stoping for chit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ssalmons
a Weekend Warrior
from St Louis, MO Date Reviewed: September 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Castlewood
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Craigslist
Strengths:
Handling, momentum, overcoming obstacles.
Weaknesses:
Weight? not an issue for non-racers
Similar Products Used:
26" Fisher hardtails, Paragon 29er (demo)
Bike Setup:
1x9 SRAM x.9 drive, XT cranks, Bontrager carbon seatpost, Race X Lite Pro titanium saddle, X-lite stem, XT hydraulic Brakes, WTB tires (2.5 front, 2.2 rear)
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks the trails in the midwest! It climbs hills quickly and efficiently, Reba fork is among the best, lockout is adjustable (floodgate) and works flawlessly. My brakes (XT) are amazing, maybe consider going 8" rotors up front. The frame is beautifully crafted, the paint looks great and the lack of decals looks home-made. I was told by a local shop owner this frame was designed by the man- Keith Bontrager. That may explain why it is so good? The EBB gives you options, you can go SS or you can fine tune your riding position.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
downhillbomber
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
I live in Colorado, too many to list
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
University Bikes
Weaknesses:
The 3rd installment of the saga of the Ferrous 29er. Let's start from the beginning. After one month of riding the Reba shock broke a seal between the negative and positive chambers. Warrantied, sent to SRAM, rebuilt and back on the bike. One ride later, seal broke again. Warrantied, sent back to SRAM, rebuilt, refused to put back on the bike. 3 months after purchase crack found at the seat tube/ top tube/ seatstay junction of the frame. Warrantied, sent back to Trek, new frame, woohoo! Put my RS Reba SL from my Rig on the frame. Working well for 6 months. Then low and behold a CRACK found on the NEW frame in the EXACT same spot as the previous frame. Taken back to bike shop and guess what? They are working on another warranty for a GF Ferrous with CRACK in the exact spot as my other two frames! What a shame. Steel Is real? Tubing made in USA!!?!!? This is a major manufacturers defect! University bikes is now working on a new bike for me, the Hi-Fi 29er FS but guess what? Due to the G2 geometry I need to purchase a new fork for any one of their new frames unless it's a Ferrous, the only frame they didn't convert to G2 geometry! What a F@!*king mess.
Bottom Line:
Clean your Ferrous often and assess for cracks near the seat tube/ top tube/ seatstay junction. 3 bikes with cracks in the same area is NOT a coincidence.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
felt
a Cross Country Rider
from Cottage Grove, MN Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lebanon Hills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Penn Cycle
Strengths:
Steel, 29er, versatility
Weaknesses:
Bontrager
Similar Products Used:
Rig, Paragon,
Bike Setup:
Stock with Bontrager XXX light bar and soon to be carbon rigid fork
Bottom Line:
I immediately converted it to single speed. I have a carbon fork on order. This is simply quite amazing. I am a bit of a weight guy. Currently at 25lbs and expect to drop another 2 on the fork. Power transfer of the bike is amazing and flex of the frame absorbs without being squishy and does not rob any power and torque.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Tahoe Rim Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1980.00
Purchased At:
Sierra Cyclesmith
Strengths:
OX platinum steel frame w/ lifetime warranty, no problems with the fork so far
Weaknesses:
Stock bontrager components, tires, weight if used for racing
Bike Setup:
Bontrager RaceX carbon bar and seatpost, Easton E70 100mm stem, fizik seat, ergo grips.
Bottom Line:
Overall solid bike with upgrade to some of the bontrager components. Head tube is a bit on the steep side for decending. No noticeable frame flex. Works best in fat open terrain, tight single track is a challenge. Great value if your're looking for a 29er with a quality steel frame made in USA.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim B
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI Date Reviewed: November 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
John Muir @ Kettles
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Warranty for broken Rig
Strengths:
The frame material and geometry. I keep coming back to steel frames and for good reason, they ride well. Fisher nailed the geometry as well. It rode well at 24hr Nat'ls and at shorter 10 mile time trials. Versatile as a Single Speed (my primary class) and as a multispeed (when I'm too lazy to get the gearing right for the trails).
Weaknesses:
The seat stays and paint. The thin paint chips or scratches easily. Even though it is a MTB, Fisher could have used a more durable paint. Which brings me to the stays. The extra width of the stays results in heel rub. Every Ferrous I've seen has a bare spot from the heels of the rider wearing the paint off down to the bare metal
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Rig
Bike Setup:
Single Speed... King rear, Hugi front, LX hydro brakes, Bontrager carbon fork and post, Mary bars, Eggbeater 2Ti's, Truvative carbon cranks, King HS
Bottom Line:
While most Ferrous' will be run as multispeeds this one sees single speed duty 99% of the time. The steel is compliant but not noodley. I'd buy a second one for multispeed use if it wasn't so easy to switch the one I have. It won't allow the rider to use it as an excuse for not finishing a ride or race.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hall, Ned, CB
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
University Bikes
Strengths:
This is a follow-up on my previous post. See strengths on previous post
Weaknesses:
Frame cracked!!!!! Right at the seat tube, top tube, seat stay junction. Not sure if it went all the way through but surely an indication of a weak spot on the frame. I have read about Gary Fisher Genesis frames breaking at this spot because the seat post was too short but my seat post was positioned well below the top tube. It has been warrantied and sent back to Gary Fisher.
University Bikes has been great with all the issues I have had with the bike. The list of weaknesses grows: Cracked frame after 3 months of riding, blown Reba Race fork between negative and positive pressure chambers within 2 months (also warrantied and sent back by University Bikes), skewers replaced-came loose during every ride, headset replaced- came loose 3 times in 2 months
Bottom Line:
I will still say that this bike has been great when it works but WTF????The two most expensive parts of the bike broken within 3 months? C'mon. I suppose I am a hard rider but in 7 years and 4 bikes I have never had a frame crack on me. I was pretty confident about steel but now am a bit more skeptical. Overall rating going down.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ty
a Cross Country Rider
from PHX,AZ,USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Slip Pig
Strengths:
Geometry - I love the genesis geo. Steel rides AWESOME, this paired with Ti seatpost make an unbelievable ride. No need for suss in almost all situations. The frame is compliant but not flexy in the front triangle. Some steel frames squirm, this one does not.
Weaknesses:
The baby blue color
Similar Products Used:
SIR9, Paragon,Cobia,El REY, El Cap, Spider 29,
Bike Setup:
Reba, King hubs/HS, Stans, GEAX Saguaros,
Bottom Line:
This thing does it all right. It just feels good. I even like the EBB for fine tuning of the bike fit. Fisher did a good job here. My alum fisher cracked and I didn't want to wait for the replacement to ride so I bought this one and I'll not go back to the alum. I'm sticking to this one. 5 chilis all around baby.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Ned, Hall, CB, Mtn Lion
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Uni Bikes
Strengths:
All the benefits of a 29er. Rolls over everything. Climbs like a champ. Descends like a 4" and 4" boing boing. Steel is Real! Genesis Geometry rocks. Versatility with eccentric BB. Paint job is simple yet sharp.
Weaknesses:
Bontrager components. Have had some issues with components i.e. headset has gotten loose twice, front skewer slips, and Reba Race shock has already sprung a leak between positive and negative chambers. Tires are lacking in grip. Rear triangle cannot accomodate a 2.35 if wheel is slightly out of true (tire rubs on front derailleur if in small chainring)
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Rig, Kona Unit
Bike Setup:
Reba has been sent back to Rock Shox. Salsa skewers, Chris King Headset, Odi Grips, Panaracer Rampage front tire. Terry seat, salsa lip lock. Everything else stock
Bottom Line:
As far as niche bikes go the Ferrous 29er is up there with the best of them. With the eccentric BB it has the versatility of running geared or SS. However it's not exactly a race bike. Stock, it weighed in at a whopping 29.5 lbs. But with Fishers, in general, you're getting a great frame but plan to customize it to your liking as the components go to s$*t. I'm not a weight snob (I still believe it's the rider not the bike) so the 29.5 lbs is not a major concern.
Fisher has been in the 29er business for awhile now and has really fine tuned it. Just like other 29ers you feel like you're on a small horse. It really shines on technical rocky sections, up and down. Turns rock gardens into gravel roads. There is a disadvantage in tight sections, though I have only once said to myself, "I could have cleared that if I was on a 26er." The benefits truly outweigh the costs.
Lastly, one of the coolest things is how incognito it is. The paint job is straight baby blue with only the Gary Fisher insignia, doesn't even have the model name on it. No gaudy paint job with advertising plastered all over it.
This bike rocks. If you want to get back to your roots with a 29er twist I highly recommend getting your hands on one if you can find it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Lincoln , Alabama Date Reviewed: June 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bump trail Oak Mtn.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Cahaba Cycles
Strengths:
Great value for the price. Cant beat a lifetime warranty!
Weaknesses:
could have used hydro brakes. The bontrager cranks are not my favorite! Grips could be better
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hardrock,Trek Fuel 7 This is my first 29er
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
This is my first 29er. It took some adjusting coming from riding a 26. Now I rail the trails with a huge grin. The bike has made riding even more enjoyable than I could have dreamed! Except for the problem with the crankset( the crank arm broke) I would highly recomend this bike to anyone looking for a great steel bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Bulger, PA, USA Date Reviewed: April 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
rocky, twisty singletrack
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Trek of Pittsburgh
Strengths:
Great all-around ride characteristics. Made in the US of A Nice component Spec. versitile frame. sharp handling. 29 inch wheels
I purchased this bike a few weeks ago and have out in many miles on my local and most familiar trails. I am comparing it to other bikes I have ridden for the same purpose. (i.e. not to gravity bikes/freeride bike, but all around XC/trail bikes)
This is a very nice bike. The debate rages on, but 29 inch wheels offer very real advantages to the singletrack rider in this part of the appalachians. Rock gardens are the norm here and the larger diameter wheels do a great job of rolling over fixed obstacles and maintaining momentum. they are a little slower to get rolling, but once rolling are virtually indistiguishable from a 26 inch wheel. That is to say that this bike feels like riding a great handling 26er steel hard tail, but it does make challenging terrain easier. This bike is fast and stable, and the steel frame material does take the edge off of the trail more so than the AL version of the bike. Fisher Genesis Race Day geometry is unconventional, but perfect for my size and style. I am 5'9" and ride a med (17.5"). REBA Forks seem pretty plush too.
I have been riding a SC superlight for the last 6 years, and plan on using this bike to replace the SL. Ridden on the exact same trails as the SC, the Fisher is faster and more responsive, but not as comfordable. I guess I am not as used to a hard tail. I found myself pushing a harder gear than on a dual susp bike, and charging more agressive lines than with the smaller wheels. The 29er has definate applications for the racer in this part of the country, but i am starting to see that this bike rides technical obstacles quite well. I cleaned several rock and log obstacles that I would normally struggle with.
On the downside, the Ferrous is heavy. needs to shed about 3 lbs. I am not that concerned. Hydro discs would be a definate upgrade, as the great BB7s just don't have the guts to handle all the Momentum of the larger wheel.
I chose the Ferrous after considering about every 29er out there. For the price, I was getting a US made, steel frame (Platinum XO Tubing) with the eccentric for free as compared to the boutique brands. a similarly spec'ed Niner brand bike was about $1000 more and I didn't feel that it was markedly better in any real way. I rode a Niner and thought it was nice, but did not handle as sharp as the fisher, and it is made over-seas. Fisher has the best warranty in the business as well.
I don't see this bike competing with dual susp 29ers, and the Asylum is still the leader of that pack, with the RIP not far behind.
In summary, 29er bikes have a place. This could very well be my only bike. I am still going to keep a 6 inch travel bike around for lift access runs, and super techy stuff. There is no question the Ferrous 29 is a good bike and a great Value when it comes to steel 29er complete bikes. If anything changes, I will re-review, but so far, this was a good purchase.
I am giving this 5 chilis as an XC Bike, and 5 for value as it cost about half what its competitors cost.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Pennington
a Cross Country Rider
from Haverford, PA, USA Date Reviewed: March 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Wissahickon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Human Zoom, Ardmore
Strengths:
Comfortable steel frame, combination of Genesis geometry and 29 inch wheels, SRAM drivetrain
Weaknesses:
None that I've noticed. The Reba fork is not as plush as the Fox I was used to but in fairness I haven't played with the air pressure much to dial in the Reba.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro, Schwinn Moab hardtail. This is my first 29er.
Bike Setup:
Stock, 21 inch frame
Bottom Line:
I don't know if it's the Genesis geometry, the 29 inch wheels or the combination of the two, but I've found this bike to be extremely responsive, comfortable, and a great climber. On my previous mountain bikes I always had to scoot forward on the seat and lean over to keep the front end down during steep climbs. With the Ferrous, I keep my normal position and can get great traction while still keeping the front steady.
I was a skeptic, but the pros of 29 inch wheels are true---better traction, stability, and it's easier to roll over obstacles (a rock garden that I used to get through about 50% of the time, I have gotten every time so far on the Ferrous). I know that some 29ers have the reputation as tanks, but I have not found the Ferrous to be sluggish or less responsive, even in tight singletrack. Plus, the steel frame and large wheels easily compensate for the lack of a rear shock.
Value rating based on comparision to other bikes in this price range--it seems like they are all very similarly equipped so I wouldn't say this is a bargain or a rip off. Compared to the semi-custom steel 29ers available, it seems like a great deal.
I'm 6'2", 185 pounds and the 21 inch frame fits me very well. I've been riding the bike on singletrack for over a month and have ridden it enough to be over the "new owner glow".
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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