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Submitted by
Rob Watson
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham UK
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Clent Hills, West Midlands | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | On Your Bike Birmingham | | Strengths: | Purchased in April 1998, and enjoying it's 10th Aniversary without ever having broken. Light strong and good looking. | | Weaknesses: | None - However WTB no longer make the cream tyres (Primal Raptors), which offset the design so well. (if anyone can locate any please do tell). | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Pallisades Trail, Marin Muirwoods, Specialized Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | As per the factory. However, crud catchers, trip comp and lights the only addition. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has now been used for 10 years from city communting to tough offraod/downhill. It's serviced once a year in the Spring and has never let me down. It's cycled in Switzerland and the South of France, as well as all over the UK. My trusty bike is also taking part in a charity ride from London to Paris in July 2008. Happy 10th Birthday my tough little Gary Fisher!..Truely outstanding quality. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Mansfield
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Nipmuck | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Scott's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Takes a lot of abuse. Great hardtail setup. Bright colors. good geometry, nice, very light durable frame! | | Weaknesses: | Long head toob too relaxed for xc racing.
Nothing much | | Similar Products Used: | Hoo koo e koo | | Bike Setup: | aquila rock shox jett diadora geko's crank bro's egg beater | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike for very good value. Always sticking with gary fisher. Good cross country. It's very affordable. I haven't had any problems what so ever. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield, OH
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Deerfield Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Montgomery Cyclery | | Strengths: | low cost, good components, great fit and durability, groovy blue and black coloring | | Weaknesses: | mine came with an Alivio front derailleur which has proved to be a little lame, the grips punched out early, and im not a fan of the velociraptor meats, WTB seat (youch!) | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 marlin, demoed rockhopper and GT | | Bike Setup: | geax and Mythos XC tires, shimano MP-636 pedals, bontrager flat bar, kore chain reactor | | Bottom Line: | Bottom Line: SA-WEET!!!
I love it. There's plenty of room (and reason)to upgrade with the Aquila...AND you have a great place to start. I'd love to ramble on about all the upgrades im planning but youre reading this see if its worth your money....and it is so go buy it. When the weather's good i abuse this frame 3-4 times a week and it dosnt show any signs of giving up. WAY TO GO GARY!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Discovery Cycles | | Strengths: | Good components for the price, Mega 9 drivetrain, Damping fork, bontrager rims. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is a rock, grips, front deraileur | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 fisher tassajar, 2000 fisher kaitai | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Shimano PD-M535 Clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is my first real mountain bike and I love it. I was torn between this and the 2001 Tassajara. I got the Aquila on closeout becaue it was last years model and a small (finally its good to be 5'5"). It was normally $680 or so and I got it for $540. What a deal, find a closeout at your bike store immediately! The tass had genesis geometry, which is noticable even during demo. The aquila had the mega 9 drivetrain, deore shifters and a fork with damping, none of which were on the tassajara. The front deraileur is average at best. The LX rear works great. The brakes are no namers, but also work great. The grips and saddle could be repalced, though. The bontrager rims and WTB velociraptors are excellent.
This is a great bike for the price. It could definitely be upgraded, but for the midrange rider, it rocks.
5 flamin' chilis for value because I got it cheap, 4 overall because of the front deraileur, saddle and no Judy XC fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Elmont, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Frenchies Cycle World, Huntington station NY | | Strengths: | The Tires, | | Weaknesses: | The front derailer. the saddle was a little painfull, The front toe net had to go, i got clipless and a suspension seat post | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, it nearley killed me the pedal shaft broke in half | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Overall this was a great deal the components arent the best but they are Good. The chain and derailer in the front have given me some problems but they just needed to be adjusted. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilmington, DE
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line | | Strengths: | Price point was incredible. A huge step from it's little brother the Marlin for just a little more. | | Weaknesses: | Well, I stripped out the crank when upgrading my pedals but I wanted to replace that anyway. | | Bike Setup: | Only upgrades so far are a LX crank and Wellgo pedals. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price. It has held up to my abuse for over a year now with little wear. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug T
a Weekend Warrior
from Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | lyons park Paris, Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | The bike shop, Brantford, Ontario | | Strengths: | Frame geometry suits me, decent components, durable enough to take stump jumpin' with my 225 Lbs, my pals bug me about the nasty orange color so when their bikes break down I can tell them sure your bike is junk but its really a nice color. | | Weaknesses: | Shocks could stand to push back a little more than they do, the stock toe clips cost me some stretched ligaments when I couldn't get my foot free during a spill, those goofey mini valve stems on the bontragger wheels (whats the deal with those they make the package lighter by a quarter ounce waahoo,)downshifting gives me a bad case of chain suck(might just need tweaking) | | Similar Products Used: | Rode a concorde that I bought in Calgary that was XT all around lasted 9 years but it is heavy. demo'ed in this price range Trek, Rocky, Brodie, Giant. GF Tequila, as they call it in Canada, was best bang for the buck by far. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but I have to upgrade the drivetrain. I will go to clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I am thrilled with the bike. I have bounced off a few rocks and fallen trees and its held up perfectly. I would recomend it for any mid range trail rider. I ride 18 miles to go back and forth to work 3-5 times a week on a smooth rail trail, but weekends I try to get out with my buds for stump jumpin' the trails. Last year four of us entered an eight hour relay for MS where we took turns doing 4.5 mile laps of river crossin', stump jumpin', hill climbin', dirt eatin' fun. I was still on my concorde it it buckled twice during the race sending me flying (it was the only non suspension bike there). I can't wait to try the race on a real bike this year, maybe those matching spandex wearin, elite teams won't look down their noses at me from their 2-3 thousand dollar rides.
I still have a problem with down shifting and since the guy's at the Brantford bike shop say bikes aren,t designed to downshift going uphill, and the problems I say I am experiencing seem unlikly to happen I am obviously in no need of their services (they never tuned the bike up propper in the first place, and after I cursed them out for providing crappy service I don't want them near the bike).
So with a wobble in my middle ring caused by the problem I will now set out to become my own bike mechanic.
I only gave a 3 Flamin chili's for overall but that will go up to 4 if I find out my shift problem is due to set up not product quality. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Buster
a Weekend Warrior
from Queens, New York
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain Reservation | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$579.00 | | Strengths: | Frame Geometry, Overall Component Spec, Down to Earth Price, Fisher Quality | | Weaknesses: | None, considering the price | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock + upgraded to clipless pedals, Shimano IG-92 chain, IRC Mythos XC tires, and Marzocchi Z.2 BAM fork | | Bottom Line: | For racing and/or extreme riding, look elsewhere.
For the perfect cross-country steed for the rest of us mortals, it would be tough to beat the value of the 2000 Fisher Aquila. In the Fisher line for this model year, the Tassajara is not worth the downgrade, and the Kaitai is (was, you can probably find good deals on it now) in a completely different price range. The Aquila fits the niche well - a durable, affordable beginner/intermediate bike that can take some abuse and is definitely worthy of upgrades.
Since owning my Aquila, I've ridden lots of cross-country, but also a bit of downhill mixed in there. The stock Jett SL fork does a nice job of soaking up the big hits (not sure if it really does anything on the small bumps!), and for those wishing for a Judy, well...I'm not sure there's a big difrerence between the Jett SL and Judy XC. They feel the same to me, except the Judy is about 0.7 pounds heavier. My upgrade to the Bomber Z.2 BAM was a nice upgrade from the Jett SL, but by no means was the Jett inadequate.
The component mix for the Aquila is tough to beat in this price point. LX rear deraillur, Deore front, Deore shifters. No name brakes that work pretty well. Pretty good Bontrager Corvair rims with grippy WTB Velociraptors. Stem, seatpost, and handlebar are no names, but they have functioned well and feel solid. Would've been nice to have clipless spec'd, but pedals are such a personal choice that perhaps it's better just to get your own.
Love my Aquila, and I'll say it again. Love the Aquila! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elaine Seasly
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fantasy Island in Tucson, AZ | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle | | Strengths: | Price
Wicked orange color!!!
Frame geometry (fit me best)
Handling | | Weaknesses: | A wee bit hard seat.
Stock pedals had to go! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 990 | | Bike Setup: | SPD clipless pedals, Profile barends, otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | Ok, so I'm new to this whole mountain bike thing. I'm used to 250cc's worth of engine under me, which requires no pedaling. But I borrowed the dad-in-law's Trek 990 for a weekend and went riding with my husband. Got hooked on riding (especially in the off-dirtbike season with major engine work) so had to go buy my own.
For the price, this bike rocked and had better geometry than the Trek and a Schwinn that I tried. I also rode the Kaitai, but with those radial wheels I decided that since I was a beginner I didn't want to look like a total poser (also the reason for not going to full suspension). For a beginner like me, this bike is great...no major complaints. I figure I'll have this bike quite a while. It's not too agressive but has good quailty components on it for the price. When it went on sale once the 2001 models came out I had to have it. So go out and get one now before they're all gone.
Also if you're a beginner like me, put the clipless pedals on it ASAP...it makes all the difference, trust me! My husband is having a hard time getting used to the clipless after riding several years with the others. Yet I adapted quick 'cause I never got used to the dark side.
Flamin' chilis across the board for the orange beast! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Thurrott
a Weekend Warrior
from Malden, MA USA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Middlesex Fells MTB Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Loft, Burlington, MA | | Strengths: | The fit, the frame, the drivetrain | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub blew at 2200 miles
seat was gone after 3 months(but comfy 'till then)
Brakes were effective but had lousy feel
Color choices bad (repainting this winter) | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'ed Trek 6000,4500 Haro Escape A7.2,A7.1 | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Superstock flat bar
GF barends
Avid 2.O levers and SD 25 brakes
Time Carbon Pedals
WTB SST.K seat
Continental Explorer tires | | Bottom Line: | Short version: Love the bike, if you can steal a 2000 closeout do it, b/c this model goes away in 2001 (leaving a $200 gap in the Fisher line - you can buy a $700 HKEK or a $500 Tassajara)
I'm back again after 2500 miles on the bike. It performed admirably on the Boston->NY AIDS Ride and was a worthy road companion. The only dark spot was the rear freehub body blew at 2200 miles, and the house brand hubs are not repairable. The LBS (love Cycle Loft!) upgraded me to a Maverick rear wheel and LX hub for cheap money.
Been around the MTB loop a few times, the bike inspires confidence. It definitely climbs better with the flat bar instead of the stock riser bar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbury,NY USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Stillwell Triangle | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price, great for beginners,Components,and that Awesome Orange Color!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Shock(wheres judy??),Tires, Front Brake, and the seat was like a rock. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new servas seat | | Bottom Line: | Love the orange!!! My first MTbike, and for the price i am very satisfied. Could use a better shock, but for first timers great bike to start on. Although i want to upgrade, i think keep it stock save your money and buy full suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandt Oliver
a Cross Country Rider
from Little ole town of Lindale TEXAS
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The components for the price, the durability for my 250lbs nice slender a$$.....lol, and the color ( you can see the hooker from a mile away).... | | Weaknesses: | The Jett SL is a little shaky, could use a Judy; the breaks aren't the best either, The front velociraptor had to go it's just didn't dig like i wanted it too (unexpected eating dirt may occur). | | Similar Products Used: | GT Rebound (has a Judy and is cheaper), Trek 6000, old ass DiamondBack that i retired after a crash in December | | Bike Setup: | Stock except WTB SST kevlar seat with cro-mo rails and tioga kevlar tires | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike to death. The only prob is that my lil' bro got a GT Rebound and it came with a Judy shock and my more expensive Fisher came with a Jett. What's up with that!!!!!!
I ride this bike everyday for exercise around town (mostly trails throughout town) and it does the job for me. On the weekends i take her to Tyler State Park (read the review under texas) and she holds up wonderfully with all the roots and technical junk out there. Hopefully she will hold up in Moab this summer. I had to take her to the shop several times for minor adjustments but she has taken the shizzznit my 250lbs body has thrown at her.
The reason i bought this bike was the price. You can't really argue for a bike like this for only $600. Though if i had the money i would have to have gone with the Katai like everybody else had mentioned. After i put on my Judy and get some new breaks, deraileurs (can never spell that damn word), and a new bar this bike will be solid as can be.
I give this bike the big fiver on the chilis that fart cause if a bike can act like she has a 150 pounder on her but has a 250 pounder instead and can still give me a thrill than she deserves the highest award. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Potomac, MD
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Schaeffer Farm, Seneca Creek, Wakefield | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Good value for the $$. Fisher legitimacy. | | Weaknesses: | Some stock components are probably meant to be upgraded, i.e. pedals, drivetrain, etc., but I'm still learning about this stuff, so don't take my word for it. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Only wanted a Fisher at the price I was willing to spend = Aquila. | | Bike Setup: | Performance brand Topo SPD compatibles, XT derailleurs (hey, they were on sale at the time), LX crankset, Specialized Body Geometry Seat, longer stem, Bontrager bar ends (a critical component add-on!) | | Bottom Line: | I am new to MTB and wasn't ready to dive right in on a higher end bike. However I have come to love my ride in spite of some minor bike envy (specifically the higher end Fisher hardtails and the Sugar 2).
Agree with previous reviewer about buying up to a Kaitai (or higher) if I had it to do all over again just because I have ridden this beast hard and have replaced & upgraded a bunch of components. Might have saved some retail money on upgrades had I bought higher up the Fisher food chain.
On the other hand, don't kid yourself. This is a good bike, bordering on GREAT with some minor upgrades to enhance performance and shave weight. My Aquila rode really well against some mean competition and terrain in the 24 Hours of Snowshoe last weekend.
I thought I would replace the Jett SL fork by now, but in spite of my 220 lb butt, it has held up really well. Therefore I'll go up to something better ONLY when I finally blow out the Jetts. I'm also pondering a suspension seat post (like the Cane Creek Thudbuster) to enhance rideability in the rough stuff (as evidenced at Snowshoe).
If you're going to buy in the 600 range, test ride the Aquila. If you want a kick ass Fisher hardtail, do yourself a favor and ride something like a Fisher Paragon so you can compare what you get for 600 and what you'd get for a grand or so. And then make your decision.
Agree the Blue is a non-controversial color and is imminently more stomachable than some of Fisher's color schemes. The Orange reminds me of the old Mopars, and THAT'S punk rock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Zubtrenda Francis
a Cross Country Rider
from Urkish City, Nevada
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Yer mom (its a real trail!) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | wow! This is a great Bike! Get off the internet and go buy one! or TWO! If you like trail or broken up street riding (BAUM BVD!) then BUY THIS BIKE! | | Weaknesses: | Colors, the blue is okay... but weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy, 2.5 speeds, brakeless model. Schwinn Home Grown. (j/k)
Hey, everyone has a budget! | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | WHAT ARE YOU DOING STILL READING THIS?!! GO OUT NOW!!
no, its a really good bike, I bike a lot, and I like it. Grrrr.
5 flamin' somethingoranothers.
Buy this if you are a good person. You are, aren't you? You dont want to say "I'm weak, I own A HUFFY!" or, "I own a TRICYCLE!" You want to say, "Oh yeah, this is a brand spankin' new Gary Fisher Aquila... Oh yeh, I'm good." | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Birks
a Weekend Warrior
from Romeo, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Value, Strength | | Weaknesses: | Seat was hard on me fat-arse...
Fork is not made for my fat-arse... | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'ed Trek 6000 and Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS, Used 1995 GT Timberline and a piece-of-crap Diamondback I used at MSU | | Bike Setup: | Clipless pedals, Serfas Rx Seat (with Package-Protector) | | Bottom Line: | I have always liked mtbing since I rode to class everyday at Michigan State, but never had the money until now to buy a good bike. I had the bike for 2 months before really being able to get on it and discover the joys of mtbing. I am now addicted.
I liked the Fisher bikes best because of the better geometry (I'm 6'4" 235 lbs) and I went with this one over the Tassajara because for 60 bucks more, you get better components and a better fork. This is the top Fisher bike on this frame. However, in hind-sight, I wish I had forked out the extra dough and gone the next step up in the Kai Tai
I'm constantly bottoming out the Jett SL which isn't made for my huge-arse and will be the next thing to upgrade.
I've put on 150 miles (mostly in the past month) and have had no problems with the drivetrain (probably thanks to the White Lightning).
This is a very good bike for the money and I would suggest it to people who have a $600 limit. However, if you can afford more, definitely go for the next fisher-bike up (Kai Tai). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Malden, MA USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | Just wanted to update and correct my previous review. I now have 300 trouble-free (for the most part) miles on it. Occasional chainsuck going from smallest to middle chainring.
Really, I meant to give it 5 flamin' chiles before, so I'll do that this time and it will balance out to a 4.5. Really hard to find a better bike for what I do for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher Thurrott
a Cross Country Rider
from Malden
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Middlesex Fells (don't know trail names yet) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Fit, value, and drivetrain performance | | Weaknesses: | Brakes will be the first upgrade after clipless pedals, but bike stops adequately. A little weighty but OK for this price point | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'ed Trek 4500, Trek 6000, Trek 7300, 1999 Haro Escape 7.2 and 7.3 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Nimbus EX tires, noname bar ends, cut down seatpost to save some weight, | | Bottom Line: | I was an avid BMX'er and trail rider in my youth, but switched to a trash-picked road bike during college. Started riding again last year and missed the ability to go off-road. I also decided to do the Boston->New York AIDS Ride in September 2000 (e-mail me to sponsor me! ) and thus needed a new bike.
Thus my dilemma - I needed an efficient enough mountain bike so I could road-ize it for training and the ride itself, but one durable enough for the fire roads and light single track I enjoy riding on. The Aquila fits the bill nearly perfectly - I've put 240 mostly road miles on it in 3 weeks. The mountain riding position keeps me confident in traffic and on the crappy Boston streets, while the Nimbus tires are smooth and tough. The light trail riding I've done (on rocky hardpack) has been drama free, even with the semi-slick tires. Climbing is not a problem once you get yourself positioned properly, but I'll probably put a flat bar on and flip the stem after the Ride. Oh, and probably mount a set of Velociraptors, they were great during the demo rides.
For road work, I'll be swapping the 11-32 cassette out for an Ultegra 11-21 - I find myself between comfortable gears on longer rides.
I went with this bike over the Trek 6000 because of the slightly better riding position, the 27 speed drivetrain, and lighter fork for less than 80 clams. You'll thank yourself if you do the same - the non-replaceable chainring crankset and bottom-bracket mounted front der on the 6000 will cost you more than that when you go to upgrade or replace them. Like the 6000, the Aquila is a great city bike and a solid beginner to intermediate trail bike. I think the Aquila will entertain me for a few years until I feel like spending even more serious bucks on a bike.
A final note: from what I've read other places and in the reviews for the 1999 Aquila, last year's bike had a steel Genesis frame. That is no longer the case - it has the same aluminum frame as the Tassajara (Fisher's version of the 6000). The fit/riding position of the Aquila is different from the 6000 - I feel further back on the bike and less likely to endo - but I'm not sure if the Fishers have longer top tubes than the Trek or not. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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