Submitted by
mtg7aa
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: August 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Strengths:
Inexpensive way to get on an all mountain bike; the geometry works well, feels efficient for an AM bike climbing and still gets the downhills well; the bike isn't heavy; the maintenance is simple with a single pivot; Fisher's warranty is always a good reassurance
2008 Nixon Elite TPC+ travel adjust, Sun Charger wheels, X9 shifters & rear derailleur, Sunline stem & bar, Race Face seat post, 31 - 32 lbs depending on tires
Bottom Line:
I think the lack of frame stiffness is ultimately why they stopped making this bike. Other than that, it compares well to a lot of other AM bikes. The seat tube angle seems a little steeper than a lot of the competition, which I think helps in the efficiency department, while the 13.8" bottom bracket, 68 degree head tube angle and ~16.8" chainstays are downhill friendly.
Overall, the Roscoe looks pretty similar in the geometry department, but is lighter, a little less travel and supposed to be way stiffer- and the Roscoe is getting rave reviews.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
duggus
a Weekend Warrior
from New Ulm, MN, USA Date Reviewed: January 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lebanon Hills - Eagan, MN
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Scheels - Mankato, M
Strengths:
Great entry level components, frame is a soldier, Gary Fisher quality is always top-notch.
Weaknesses:
Decals chipped pretty easily... that's prob. normal though. Not the hugest fan of the Manitou rear suspension, although it has held up to most everything.
This bike has just been the most all around comfortable full suspension i have owned. Has been able to handle and do anything i have needed, from big drops to long climbs... it has been great the whole way. If you have a good bike shop and get it maintained, there will be no problems with this beast.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wheelbender
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Idaho Date Reviewed: December 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
National Trail - Phoenix
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Georges Cycles
Strengths:
The rear triangle is massive. BB clearance is good. Zero issues with pivots-no noise, single pivot design.
Weaknesses:
The rear triangle flexs a bit when I rail hard and preload the rear for transitions in turns.
I've been ungrading components since I have broken or worn out just about everything on the bike. I'm another one of the 200 lb. guys with extinsive xc racing in my background. Got bored with the race scene, put on 25 lbs. and begain to ride for fun. The bike will handle smaller drops 2-3' to flat, a little bigger but with smoooooooooooooth transitions, hard charging downhills on moderate rocky terrain are acceptable. The extra travel and forgiving head angle is welcome on very technical terrain. I did manage to crack the 2 shock mounts and a weld on the rear triangle. Fisher was kind enough to send me a free replacement (2nd time they have done that for me). Note to Fisher Bikes - I promise to behave on my new frame. Overall - good bike for us big guys. I would like to see them redesign this bike for some bigger on trail features. Something that would allow me to do some 5-6' foot drops (Fisher - I never did try anything over 4' with it)and not feel like I'm going to break it but still climbs as well as the current model. Good bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
retrobeast
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego, ca, usa Date Reviewed: November 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
the one with dirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
Solid, climbs well, can take a 2-3 foot drop with dignity, look awesome.
Weaknesses:
Was too expensive for me when new so I had to wait for a used one.
Similar Products Used:
GF Cake 3 DLX, KHS Alite 3000, Ibex Section 29er
Bike Setup:
Stock LX parts put on a XT frame with a softer seat.
Bottom Line:
I have been waiting to get a Possum for 2 years. When I was able to get a like new LX in a frame size too small I knew all I needed was to swap the parts to a bigger one.
This bike is said to be a little heavy but that is what you want if you are going downhill.
Do yourself a favor and find this bike on craigslist or ebay and buy it !!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roc
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lots in Sth Aus
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Standish Bike Shops
Strengths:
6 inches of travel, well balanced,good all rounder
Weaknesses:
weight,cable contact with frame, minior stuff.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
standard
Bottom Line:
great for wat you get, climbs really well for weight and goes down quick and is forgiving when things get out of hand at times.. Have to watch out for that false sence of security,,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
boofer22806
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Forks, ND Date Reviewed: October 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any under my wheels
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Scheel's
Strengths:
I am 6'5" and 250 lbs. It takes a beating from me. I am big, strong and it just shows it on how it behaves.
Weaknesses:
After a year and over 750 miles, the suspension is finally breaking in. have it set to 150 psi, sometimes more. Tried racing a couple of buddies on BMX tracks, suspension eats it up so i could hardly make my wheels leave the track. Big earl tires! Hit the curbs at 15-20 mph and they tend to crack and deflate.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 850 antelope, some walmart cheapo till i paid this one off
Bike Setup:
pretty much stock. got rid of those cheap clip pedals. size 14 shoe i kept smackin my ankles and heels on the derailure and the hubs in the back. so i have bear trap BMX style platform pedals, stabilizers on the handlebars for when i lay it down, big gel seat but same post, lizard skin for the chain guard. trek 9i computer, which barely works with the big forks, and had to have the topeak mud flaps, all this country is up here, mud, water and snow!
Bottom Line:
at 6'5" and 250 lbs, basically the size of a linebacker for a college team up here, weight on this bike for me is negligible and not a concern. Some guys have road only bikes and brag how fast they can maintain, oh 25 mph, i tell them 20 regardless of the terrain. They stick to the road, i go where i want. The best jump we have is the river dike, depending where you hit it, so far i have reached the 8 ft off the ground, still going. If you dare to on this bike, it will do it, you just have to have the fortitude!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny
a Weekend Warrior
from Billings, Mt Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Zimmerman
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Solid Frame, very forgiving. I've had no problem with pedal bob, climbing or flat, and I weigh in at almost 200lbs.like the single pivot. Handles great on fast single track, yet sturdy enough to take punishment of free ride.
Weaknesses:
Slightly heavy, but not noticeable on climbing as others have said. This summer may upgrade to hydraulic shifters, the deore stock need frequent adjusting. Had to shim seat post from outset. No room for bottle, but don't mind Camelbak.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
All stock. May upgrade shifters later. I did buy studded tires to keep riding thru winter. Oh, and use platform pedals, not a clip fan.
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike, and I got it at a steal on Ebay to boot. I look forward to punishing it this spring. Was skeptical about the tubeless tires, but haven't caused any probs thus far. I couldn't believe how forgiving the suspension was on side-hilling, especially at a down angle. Shocks are so tuned that I have lost a little magnitude on my airs, but wouldn't give up the handling improvements tho. Gave it a four for value because if I had paid retail, I would not be happy to spend more on top of that for fixing the little bugs. Overall a 5, because I was searching for an all purpose bike for a weekend warrior like me, and I found it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike cullen
a Weekend Warrior
from pa Date Reviewed: July 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1890.00
Purchased At:
Bike Line
Strengths:
even without any platform controls up front or rear the bike pedals really well for its weight. comfortable cockpit for long rides. nice and balanced in the air and pretty stable on bridges.
Weaknesses:
like most I have noticed a bit of movement in the rear swingarm, but considering single pivot not too bad. Split RPA pissing oil after first 2 shuttle runs, had it replaced 2 times under warranty, looking to get something different, maybe dhx air. Broke bottom bracket, in the process of getting XT's put on. Front derail is never gonna be spot on, cancels out crossed up gearing but shouldn't be crossing up anyway. Bent rear hanger multiple times.
Similar Products Used:
specialized stump expert, rocky mountain
Bike Setup:
swaped stem for 60 mil hussvelt and some Wide easton highrise bars, flat wellgo pedals, 8 inch front rotor, layback thompson seat and wtb laser titanium seat of other bike. schwable albert 2.25 or minion 2.5 depending on day.
Bottom Line:
I think I would have been better of purchasing the better models but was tight on cash at the time. A nice bike but no gift from god. Can do it all but need the components to do it. Take it shuttling, up lifts, and ride with my XC friends, 3-4 ft drops are possible but a 5 blew my rear shock and so did an awkward tabletop landing. I am 190lbs and probably ride like I am 220lbs but I would suggest a thru ax fork, capable rear shock and at least a new bottom bracket- when I pulled the original out there is a warning "for XC only" hell if I knew that was in there I would not have taken the bike home, WHY SPEC THAT ON A AM BIKE! Overall besides the problems and upgrades it has been running solid, it takes time to setup and dial in but when you get what you like on it the comfort is amazing. If you are looking for one bike this should be considered, at its price it is a nice bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Galbraith
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbury Heights, NJ Date Reviewed: July 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Craig's List
Strengths:
Good collection of parts. Great geometry. Awesome ride.
Weaknesses:
Nixon Comp is soft. Pain to find replacement springs (Manitou is difficult with support). Front derailer difficult to setup due to clearances.
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Joshua
Bike Setup:
Bone stock. Added a GPS only.
Bottom Line:
I'm a big dude, so the soft fork is kinda a pain for now. Plenty of rear travel for the biggest of hits. Bike is not too heavy - I mean, I'm 240 so what's a few pounds? Bike rides well. Glad I bought it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyson Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: June 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Jones Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1550.00
Purchased At:
Vancouver Cyclery
Strengths:
Frame shocks and 6" travel. This bikes just eats bumps for breakfast and still climbs like an XC. I need to be careful or I am going to hurt myself.
Weaknesses:
A tad heavy but surprisingly you don't really notice it. Wish it hydraulic brakes and maybe a bump up on the components, but I can add that later.
Similar Products Used:
GT Ricochet ('93 Hardtail), Specialized FSR Com, FIsher Hi Fi Plus
Bike Setup:
Stock '07 Model (Nixon/Manitou/Hayes/LX)
Bottom Line:
I sat in the bike shop riding this and a HiFi deluxe for 2 hours. I kept switching back and forth and riding down the street to a gravel lot, found some hills jumps, etc. As much as I cam to the store to by the HiFi, the Fat Possum kept calling my name. It felt solid and it was hard to discern much difference while climbing. So I figured if its good XC bike and has the downhill travel to boot, then Happy Fathers Day to me. On the other side that HiFi is light. Very nice bike. If you don't plan much aggresive downhill that bike is pretty sweet as well. Did I mention the Hifi is light...bike shop weighed the HiFi at 28.5 lbs and the Possum at 32.5lbs. Because of all the stumps and roots up here in the NW I had to go for that Possum!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Dolores, CO Date Reviewed: January 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Kokopelli Bike and Board
Strengths:
Value, Value, Value
Weaknesses:
LX shifters would have been nice, 3-piece Shimano cranks adequate but will be upgraded when rings wear out.
Similar Products Used:
Sugar 293, many test rides, on many bikes (over a dozen at Interbike alone this year)
Bike Setup:
Tweaked stem length, but otherwise stock
Bottom Line:
I live less than two hours from Moab and about an hour from rugged high-country trails in the San Juan mountains and was looking for a bike that I could pedal uphill for hours but enjoy on the most technical XC trails. The Possum LX received some big upgrades from last year. The Fox Float up front and the Swinger X3 in the back are well balanced and pedal extraordinarlily well. I even prefer the Swinger X3 to the Fox RP3. A little heavy for an XC ride, obviously, but with the extra two inches of travel, who cares? I'd been riding rigid 95% of the time for the last two years on a single speed Karate Monkey or a geared Surly Pugsley (the most fun you can have with bike shorts on) and the plush possum is a welcome change. At around $2000, the Possum LX out-performs bikes that cost $1000 more. This has to be one of the best trail bikes for the price out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, NH, USA Date Reviewed: October 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lynn Woods, MA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Naults Cycle Shop in Manchester
Strengths:
The frame design is untouchable (I love the elevated chain stay) and pretty light compared to other bikes of its nature. The single pivot rear suspension lightens the load and yields easy maintenance. Components on the LX model are obviously not "the best" but more than sufficient for the price. The Big Earl tires are great on rock surface, roots, dirt/mud (eats it all up!).
Weaknesses:
The Nixon Fork is a little too plush for my size (6' 3' and 195 lbs) but for a nominal charge you can change out the spring - bike comes stock with a very soft spring. Brakes are noisy. I would recommend changing to an 8-inch rotor up front for anything beyond XC riding.
Similar Products Used:
Fisher hard tail
Bike Setup:
LX stock - other than stiffer spring in the fork & 8-inch front rotor. Note: the Manitou shock comes from Fisher mounted upside down..leave it that way (much better access to adjustments).
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension bike and its PERFECT. It runs pretty fast on the hard pack single track, climbs great for the amount of travel is supplies, and balances great on the technical terrain. Over the past 3 months this bike has given me the confidence to hit some fair sized drops (max 3 feet - but I know it can go bigger) and truly conquer high speed narley down hill terrain. If your looking to break out from the flat cross country routine to the exhilarating "entry level" free ride style with all the benefits of an all mountain bike than the Fat Possum is your ticket.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Graham Bylsma
a Cross Country Rider
from Greeley,CO Date Reviewed: September 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
hall ranch ,antelope trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
bike peddeler ,CO
Strengths:
an amazing bike, you can really pound on trails and get sloppy.The bike just takes it!
Weaknesses:
little bit heavy.
Similar Products Used:
Gary fisher Tass.with new fox RLC shocks
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock right now.I mint add lighter stuff later
Bottom Line:
You cant beet gary fisher and there products. This is truley an all mountain bike. the big earl tubeless tires are very tready and dont slip easy. The platform on the rere shock is very nice it doesnt budge when climbing.The front nixon shock are very heavy duty plush trail forks, very smooth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from winston salem nc Date Reviewed: September 1, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Dark Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Paceline
Strengths:
Great bike, Smooth ride on the roots, rocks, and anything else that gets in the way.Components work well with the bikes setup. Suspension is great, climbs good considering the 6 inches of travel.
Weaknesses:
Seat is very uncomfortable. The nixon fork is a little soft for a heavier rider.
Similar Products Used:
cannondale prophet 400
Bike Setup:
stiffer spring in front fork, new seat, crank brothers pedals
Bottom Line:
looking for a beefy all around bike that can do anything look at the Fat Possum.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Carrollton, OH Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim Trail, Moab, UT
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Sales
Strengths:
awesome front shock (nixon comp) and great rear suspension with the piggy back suspension, disc brakes amazing, shifting is pretty smooth overall.
Weaknesses:
components could be upgraded a little bit. the seat is a little uncomfortable.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Mamba hardtail, GT i-Drive team
Bike Setup:
still stock except my crank brothers egg beater pedals
Bottom Line:
this bike is the best bike i've ever owned. it is a true full suspension going downhill and uphill, although there is no lockout, it is fantastic and barely moves.
I actually can get up hills better on this bike than my hardtail!
It is also great for dropoffs also, the biggest one being about 6 ft. and that maxed out the suspension. This is the best bike i've ever ridden. Get One!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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