Submitted by
lexium
a Racer
from lancaster, pa, USA Date Reviewed: January 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
horseshoe trail durango
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
never
Bottom Line:
I am actually looking to buy a 99'ish Gary Fisher Procal size small to replace the one stolen from my girlfriend in Tempe, AZ a few years ago. If anyone anywhere has one without any frame damage, I'd be interested. Thanks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, AL, USA Date Reviewed: March 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
I bought this bike used as I knew I would only ride weekends and could not justify buying a new bike with these features. My bike was currently outfitted with XT and not XTR. Either way, the bike is a speed machine. I can climb hills faster on this bike then most people I ride with or past and the descents can be screaming. Acceleration is what this bike delivers so be prepared. Even with anaconda tires this thing is as fast as a road bike on a paved surface.
Weaknesses:
I agree with others that the brakes could be a bit stronger. Too aggressive for some folks in terms of seating position - my wife in particular.
Similar Products Used:
None of this caliber when it comes to Mtn bikes.
Bike Setup:
Full XT, Manitou fork.
Bottom Line:
If you can get one in excellent condition for a low price on the secondary market, do it. For what I paid, you'd have to pay several times that to come close and you'd still probably get dusted by the person riding the older one of these bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brys Francis
a Racer
from Edmonton, AB, Canada Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
jumpingpound ridge, bragg creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Strengths:
accelerates like a cheetah, corners on rails
Weaknesses:
top tube length does make steering on super steep climbs interesting
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper pro, Kona AA
Bike Setup:
2000 Marzochi X-fly fork, race face (bb, stem, bar, turbine lp cranks and rings), rock shox seat post witha selle italia flight seat Full XTR derailleurs, hubs, brakes, shifters Mavic 517 rims
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for the REAL DEAL, this rig is the ultimate racing hardtail. Strictly a thoroughbred, the post does make seated climbs over rough stuff bearable. Don't even think about this setup if you're looking to do epics. Racing in the clydesdale division requires a stiff and durable setup, and this is where it's at. See you on the trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan Gresley
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
I like em all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
Can you say everything?
Weaknesses:
Flex in the seat stays, gonna buy a brake booster that should help with that. I keep wanting McDonalds all the time.
Similar Products Used:
None. At least none this good. Worth the investment.
Bike Setup:
Unfortunately not original. Downgraded derailleurs to XT, crank to Bontrager racelite, wheels. Currently restoring to full XTR, lookin for some Crossmax or maybe spox. It's a 9 1/2 right now, will be a 10 when I'm done
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike with different componentry. Otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing. Except adding that brake booster. What can you say, XTR v-brakes are strong as phuk. Disks are smooth, but heavy. If you want the best stock XC, this is basically the bike for you. Everyone else, spend more and build a custom, or get something cheaper. I've bombed out my wheelset already, but then again, I am a concrete-playground junky. And like I said, they aren't the nice Bontrager Race lites that it's supposed to come with.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
troy green
a Weekend Warrior
from peoria, IL, usa Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
broken juevos (pekin IL)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
bike looks sweet as hell
Weaknesses:
without a rear brake arch the brake is way to flexy
Bike Setup:
full xtr sxti, sun mammouth, dh tires
Bottom Line:
for my kind of riding this is not the bike, the rear end will not handle any tire over 2.2 and the disc brake mount on the frame is retarded, for xc this bike is fast but for the urban assault or hardtail freeride not a good choice. unlike the frames such as kona chute, rocky mountain reaper, or the cove stiffee, since the bike is meant for racing i give it 4 chillies
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Princeton, ON, Canada Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Amazing handling!
Weaknesses:
Why is my buddies Giant ATX 870 with an old Judy SL still lighter?
I can't believe the ride of this bike! I didn't really expect anything out of the GENESIS geometry, but the first time I rode it was in an Ontario Cup race and the thing just hauled! I was pulling moves I had never even attempted before and you rarely see anyone pull off (including the pro's!). Like riding a rocket with laser precision. My only concern was that, while the bike is light, my buddies bike isn't worth half as much, isn't nearly as tricked out, and yet mine is still just a touch heavier. I think I've just been pampered by 21 pound carbon fiber bikes for too long. What else? The 9.0SL rear derailler wore kind of fast. Who should buy it? Someone who's been racing expert for a long time and wants a bike that will help them qualify for the pro category. Worked for me! Sweet, sweet ride....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Carlson
a Racer
from Mendota Hts., Mn Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
camba
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
nuthin'
Similar Products Used:
trek oclv9900
Bike Setup:
sx-carbon fisher procal
Bottom Line:
what a kick ass bike it has been for me!!! I want to sell it so i can get a new one next year. i work at a bike shop and have constantly been overhauling this thing to keep it smooth. mine is custom made: here are the specs: frame- procal fork- sx carbon bottom bracket- race face ti cranks- xt 8-speed pedals- time atac chain- ig-90 cassette- xt or real(real is lighter) wheels- botrager race lights tires- your choice, kenda kosmik lite or bontrager rovolt super x ( kendas make the bike a pound lighter with greenlight tubes) seat post- thompson elite saddle- bontrager race brakes- xtr with gore-tek cables der. ft & rear- xt, ft. is 99. rear got a new spring and jocky wheels and shifts great!! shifters- xt stem- titec big al 90mm handlebar- titec 118 gram bar, ti grips- oury, black bar ends- icon stealth cables- gore ride-on brake and derailluer headset- chris king thats all of it weight- 21.5 lbs 20.5 lbs with kenda kosmik lite tires retail price$3897.78 asking price$1700.00 bike has only been used in two races and ridden only about 10 times because of injury. please call or e-mail me phone- 651-683-0141 e-mail- mjc0083@hotmail .com
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guillaume
a Racer
from Qc, Can Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
illegal
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
geometry name colors
Weaknesses:
too stiff
Similar Products Used:
tons of bikes
Bike Setup:
full XT, Manitou SXti
Bottom Line:
The bike is good, handles great and the genesis geometry is fine but the bike is so STIFF, too stiff. Steel is real!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hmm
a Racer
from x Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Half Dome
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
Just thought I'd post something to offset the dumbass who posted like 10 1-chile reviews. What an idiot...I don't care what problems you had with GF, when you post multiple reviews you f**k this site up for everyone. This is not the place.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dio
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Responsive, light, handles like a dream, climbs like a mountain goat, and chicks dig it.
Weaknesses:
Weakness? Weakness, it don't have no stinkin' weakness.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Specialized, Trek...just to name a few
Bike Setup:
Amarillo Yellow and Fisher Team Red COLORS Genesis geometry double butted Easton ProGram 6061 T6 aluminum MAINFRAME Easton 6061 T6 aluminum REAR TRIANGLE Rock Shox SID SLTi 63mm travel FORK WTB OS Greaseguard Aheadset HEADSET Shimano XTR BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano XTR hard anodized chainrings 24/34/46 CRANK Time ATAC Carbon PEDALS Shimano XTR FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano XTR SGS standard pull REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano XTR STI Rapidfire SL 9-speed SHIFTER Shimano XTR 9-speed 12-34 CASSETTE Shimano HG72 CHAIN Bontrager Race Lite Wheelsystem 24 hole FRONT HUB Bontrager Race Lite Wheelsystem 28 hole REAR HUB Bontrager Race Lite Wheelsystem alloy nipples SPOKES Bontrager Race Lite Wheelsystem 24 hole FRONT RIM Bontrager Race Lite Wheelsystem 28 hole REAR RIM WTB Racing Raptor 26 x 47/46 60tpi Kevlar
Bottom Line:
Yow! What a kick-ass bike! After searching for months and months, I finally pulled the trigger. I could not be happier with my decision. The bike fits like a glove, which was my number one priority. Next on the list of must have, was the handling. It feels like I can now leap tall buildings in a single bound. This bad boy gets my highest rating!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pezzo33
a Racer
from Massachusetts Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Vietnam
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stiff frame Genesis geometry Value (Inexpensive frame set, and for easton tubing)
Weaknesses:
poor paintjob on tight spots of frame (mabey since it was an early production)
Similar Products Used:
Trek OCLV Specialized M4 Schwinn Homegrown Klein Adriot
First of all, why must you guys bad mouth this bike, when you are not even riding it. So you have had bad luck, it happens...ever think they do not refund you frame because it is not their fault it broke-but yours? I have a '99 Procal set up custom, under 21.5 pounds. It rides like a dream. stiff, fast, and the geometry rocks. It handles like no bike I have ever been on. I got the frame since the complete bikes were not ready, and to build it up a little lighter than stock, and I love it. I had to expirement with stem legnths to get the right fit, but with a 90mm/6degree salsa motoace stem on my medium frame, it works great. No complaints here. The reps and customer service have been excellent. They called me when the frame was ready, and sent it with complimentery shipping!! I was amazed at this, but very happy. definately reccomend this bike to all that look at it. nothing compares for ride/value/and looks. and guys, don't badmouth what you have not even tried, and do not load onthe comments over and over...groow up a little.. p.s. if you want to know how I built it up, email me, and I will give youthe specs five lumps of flaming cow dungg for this beauty
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexander D_501
a Racer
from Moscow,Russia Date Reviewed: July 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ANY OFF ROAD
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
EASTON tubes,Geometry,Colour
Weaknesses:
Rear brake mount tubes have a little flex
Similar Products Used:
TREK 8000,GT Karakorum,TREK 9900
Bike Setup:
SRAM 9.0 SL REAR DERAILLER ,SHIFTERS AND BRAKE LEVERS,MARZOCCHI BOMBER Z2 AND Z1,Shimano 98 XT front derailler,brakes and cranks,MAVIC CROSSland wheels.
Bottom Line:
Get this frame 3 month ago,bike wasassmbled by myself and still very happy with it.Try to compare feelings of this bike to another models from 99 TREK (6500,7000) 99 GT (Avalanche LE) and 98 TREK 9900 and some amount of GF lower level models(bigsur etc).Impressions are avesome. There are NO models that can be compared to the PROCALIBER GF GENESIS geometry and stiffenes on the run.Only 9900 Carbon from TREK feels better in cycling response - but not compared for the handling and climbimg efficiency.Exellent racing frame.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary A.
a Racer
from Tacoma, WA Date Reviewed: June 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Preston
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Genesis is right on! Bontrager Wheels, climbs like a dream, stiff and quick
Weaknesses:
None so far, seven months of fun.
Similar Products Used:
98 Big Sur M2 Comp
Bike Setup:
Factory
Bottom Line:
Absolutely fun to ride. this genesis thing works as well on trail as it does on paper. I can climb walls that i never would have attempted b4 on my old bike. And for the customer service thing, Gary Fisher himself stopped on the trail to help me with a bit of chainsuck at the Napa world cup. No complaints here!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bike Freak
a Racer
from Florida Date Reviewed: May 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Awesome parts selection.
Weaknesses:
Geometry hard to get used to and its stiff
Similar Products Used:
Trek Carbon fiber and a Balance aluminum.
Bike Setup:
Full xtr, sid sl, wtb/king wheelset.
Bottom Line:
Well this bike has some of the lightest stuff there is and it is still a little heavy 23 1/4 so I guess its the frame. The bike is stiffer than my trek carbon fiber and it feels like I am slower on the pro. The geometry takes getting used to and Im still not sure I like it. Also the paint seems to chip easily which sucks. I think after awhile im just goin to get a ti frame that will last and has no paint to scratch. 4 flaming dead horses.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Heilbrun
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santiago, Chile Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Fisher warranty. Geometry. All the heads I turn. Solid performance.
Weaknesses:
Paint job´s tad loud for me.
Similar Products Used:
1997 Big Sur
Bike Setup:
1999 Big Sur with XTR, Mavic 521D rims and Magura brakes over a Noleen ELT shock, LP composites riser bar and seat post.
Bottom Line:
I have a little story to tell for the guy(s?) who wrote the last couple reviews as well as similar in the Supercaliber section. It's one thing to hate a product, I've had mine, but it serves nobody to fill up megabytes with that drivel. I do not own a Supercaliber or Procaliber, but I have a 1999 Big Sur frame with XTR and enough other stuff to make it more expensive than either of those two bikes. I've been here riding in Chile for a year and did a cycloturing trip in the south for a couple weeks. The trip was tough on the gear as the roads were pretty bad and we were hauling a lotta gear (20 kilos a person). After a week and a half, my 1997 Big Sur's chain stay broke unexpectedly. I called my parents to get in touch with the dealer and to my utter amazement an hour later a representative named Tina Fajner called me in Coyaique, Chile. We discussed the problem and quickly set in motion a series of steps to remedy the situation. Within a month and a half (remember, I'm in Chile, not Wisconsin) I had a new 1999 Big Sur frame. It was installed at no charge and I've been riding it ever since. I don't know what the previous guy's problem is, but if you don't qualify your remarks, nobody can do anything or learn anything. My experience with Fisher has been outstanding and I continue to recommend it enthusiastically. Yes, Genesis geometry is different (I clipped a few pedestrians myself before adjusting to it), but I now find it comfortable and solid. Just be patient.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from san diego Date Reviewed: April 12, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
climbing, descending, acceleration and top notch parts. this bike is light and tight
Weaknesses:
price, but what do you expect?
Similar Products Used:
none
Bottom Line:
I'm 6-2 and got the XL frame. it weighs 23lbs. i replaced a '98 M-2 comp and there is just no comparison. The procaliber is light,fast, manuevers and climbs like none other. This bike is very responsive and predictable on steep downhill sections. The wheel system is the lightest and the parts are all XTR so there is not much to talk about there. The geometry differs somewhat from other bikes ive ridden but after two hours i felt like this bike was made for me. This is also the first bike I have owned to where i do not feel the need to upgrade a single part(for once!) **Lastly, thanks to my accountant for getting me the fat tax return to afford this thing.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Lake Elmo Date Reviewed: April 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Memorial park bluff
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Hill climbing decending stability
Weaknesses:
What weaknesses?
Similar Products Used:
Ibis Alibi
Bottom Line:
This bike handles better than any other bike that I have owned. The geometry makes great sence.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kitchener, Ontario Date Reviewed: March 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Hardwood Hills, Ont.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
frame geometry is fantastic - great components
Weaknesses:
Rock Shok SiD needs a lot of work to get is set just right
Bottom Line:
The bike is easily the best I've ever ridden. The bike climbs like crazy and feels incredibly responsive on any kind of trail. If you want to spend the $$$, this bike is worth every single penny!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MATT
a racer
from MINNESOTA Date Reviewed: March 13, 1999
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE RULES!, BUT THE FRAME ROCKS!!!!!!! GARY FISHER FOREVER!!!! I CHANGED THE SID THOUGH BECAUSE AIR SHOCKS REALLY SUCK!! SO I GOT A MANITOU SX-CARBON AND IT IS MUCH STIFFER AND LIGHTER AND THE RIDE IS MUCH MUCH MORE PLUSH!! SEE YA!, MATT
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Paczkowski
a racer
from South Bend, IN Date Reviewed: March 12, 1999
Bottom Line:
I received the Procaliber as a replacement frame and I love it. The Genesis geometry was a little hard to get used to but other than that I love it. I even use it to ride trials, even though it is a little harder because of the geometry.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a cross-country rider
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: March 9, 1999
Bottom Line:
I got the 99 Procaliber frame as a warranty replacement, I broke a 97 Supercaliber. The Procaliber genesis geometry is quite different to the traditional 97 geometry. I had a 17.5 but my dealer suggested to take a 19 frame because of the different geometry..I have ridden the bike a couple of times and are not very happy with it. The frame is ultra stiff but the riders position is a bit strange...it climbs well but downhill is not great. Maybe I should have taken a 17.5 frame (178cm height): I have a 90 mm stem now, maybe it just takes time to get used to it..
Overall Rating:
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