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Submitted by
Studbike
a Cross Country Rider
from Maplewood, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything bumpy | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | jays cycle center | | Strengths: | Solid, fast, fun, good component spec for the most part, frames got soul, genesis geometry, looks good, something to be proud to own, fisher heritage, stable at high speeds, lightweight, durable | | Weaknesses: | rear hub is awful (more of a bontrager issue, not fishers fault totally), stock brakes suck, not stable at low speeds, the rear shifting houseing that connects to the derariluer gets gunked up real easy, but i guess every bike does this | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000, 6500, and a fuel 80, just about every mtb from cannondale (i work at a shop that pushes cannondale sales), a steel gt hardtail, specialized hardtail and rigid | | Bike Setup: | stock except avid SD 5 levers and calipers | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. But, if i could give it 4.9 chilis, i would. It has minor issues. The rear hub needs an overhaul every 100 miles and tightening after just about every ride. Also, the brake lever/caliper combo that came with the bike was a mushy mess, its worth trading up. The genesis geometry is meant for speed, and this bike is the most secure bike ive ever ridden when going fast (except for a downhill bike i rode, but thats irrelevant). high speed handling is confidence inspiring and solid. Accelerates like a bat out of hell, and climbs like nothing else. If your a trials rider, though, dont buy this. its definately not very good for anything slow and technical, popping a wheelie is a chore. If you ride fast and hard, get this bike. If you ride trials type things, this bike is a handful. Also, while its quite lightweight and durable as it is, theres a lot of room for upgrade (especially the bontrager components) and THE FRAME IS TOP OF THE LINE. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Junglerider
a
from Madison
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$790.00 | | Strengths: | the perfect geometry for hardtail, really really light with the right components, cheap if bought 2nd hand or during sales... | | Weaknesses: | not sure because the first owner modified all the parts that caused problems often raised here in mtbr. | | Bike Setup: | full XT (except brakes- stock avid), titanium BB, easton monkeylite handlebar, thomson stem, mustang asym rear and superstock front, python gold | | Bottom Line: | i was having trouble at first when i got the bike because it wasnt properly setup to my body specs. althought i tried out most of the adjustments, but i had been really frustrated and wanted to sell the bike before the value dropped, but hung on to it to give it a last chance.
after two months of fine tuning the handlebar length, seat height, seat angle (read somewhere that we should drop the tip of the seat 1 to 2 degrees to prevent injuries (you know where) and put a tiny bit more of the body weight on your feet to achieve better balance and control), seat forward-backward (mm by mm each ride), and fork spring rate and damping, i finally found the perfect adjustment.
now the bike climbs, hops, manuevers and descents like....perfect is the word to describe it. before all the adjustments, the bike seemed to be shielding me from getting along with it, but now its like wanting me to do more climbs and descents with it every time i ride.
the paragon sings when its properly setup, so dont just test it out in a shop and decide on something else because it doesnt 'feel' good.....take it home and spend lots of time to get the perfect fit, once you're there, you'll know what i mean.......for the price these days, u'll never go wrong with the paragon... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Racer
from Kennesaw, Ga. USA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Stanley Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Free Flite | | Strengths: | Geometry, light frame. | | Weaknesses: | Frame broke near front derailer after 3 months but Fisher did replace it. Problem is, they only give $35.00 towards the labor of swaping it out. Seat post broke within one month of buying it. The Manitou shock has to be rebuilt after 5 months of riding. The brakes are low end. Front derailer has never been right. VelossaRaptors, who are we kidding here, they suck. | | Similar Products Used: | Bike is light years better that the GT I used to ride but it is not nearly as durrable. | | Bike Setup: | Rode it stock to begin with but have had to replace seat post, front shock (went with rock shox Duke, much better), tires (upgraded to Hutchinson Pythons, big difference)and rear cassett(upgraded to XT). | | Bottom Line: | If you are thinking about a Paragon you are better off going with the Mt Tam or the Supercaliber. You will spend that much extra just replacing parts within the first six months if you ride with any intensity. I only weigh 190lbs and am 6-4 tall but was told by Bike Store employees it was my large size that was the problem. I will call BS on that one, the bikes got a great frame and geomerty but thats where the good stops. Shouldnt have sold out Gary. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Los Altos, CA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Montebello, Freemont Older combo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | Great X-Country bike. I doubt you will find another cross country bike of this caliber in this price range. Light, efficient X-country Racer. | | Weaknesses: | Deore front deraileur, I have had some shifting problems even after tuning. I have had some ghost shifting in the back, but i suspect this is because it needs tuning. Brakes suck ass. They constantly need to adjusted, and its nearly impossible to center them. LX levers creak. Manitou SX-R, is sorta ok, not really. No major problems though | | Bike Setup: | stock, I dont have the cash to upgrade, and when u buy a bike for 750$, and to upgrade just the fork costs 200+ dollars it seems like kinda a rip off | | Bottom Line: | Dont get scared away by my list of negatives, this is a great bike at an awesome price tag. For 750 dollars this bike is practically race ready, and thats an incredible deal. This is gary fishers top of the line aluminum, so you can always switch out the weak parts, but their no that bad, and I haven't had any major qualms with them performance wise. I'll give it 4 chilis on overall, just because i think that gary fisher could have done better on a few of the components (single digit 3 v-brakes are practically bottom of the line!) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Northup
a Cross Country Rider
from San Dieogo, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail, CA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$725.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Geometry of the bike, weight, overall feel on the trail, Manitou fork | | Weaknesses: | Deore front derailleur, though shifts fine. Really nothing else for the price, | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche 1.0, Specialized RockHopper, and the 2002 GF Paragon | | Bike Setup: | Stock from the factory | | Bottom Line: | When looking for a new bike, I always purchase one in Mid-March when usual bike sales are down, bike stores are clearing out the previouse year's models and will usually make a better deal with you.
Research I did through MTBR's Web site led me to this bike. I tried the GT Avalanche 1.0, Specialized RockHopper, and the 2002 GF Paragon. The end result, I just liked the feel of the 2001 GF Paragon better.
So far, this bike has lived up to it's reputation and what I have read from the other reviews on MTBR's Web site. It is absolutely the most beautiful ride I have owned, even more so that some of my $1,500 + bikes, but I only paid $725. :)
If you are in the market for a hard tail, get this bike if there are any left. Resist the urge to get the 2002 models, opt for the 2001 and upgrade your components through performancebikes, pricepoint or universalcycles.com. You'll feel better in the end saving that money and using it towards swag. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Varun
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gatineau Park-Hull | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1104.00 | | Purchased At: | Tommy and Lefevre | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry, Platinum Series light frame, XT-rear, pedals, bontrager components, | | Weaknesses: | Front LX-Shifter, and the Manitou SX-R fork isn't bad, but could be a little better | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 900 series, Cannondale f600, Specialized Stumpy | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first professional mntn. bike, I've had it for about a year. It's also my first REAL time mntn. biking, and taking biking seriously. This is an amazing bike, it's very light, handles beautifully, and the rear derailleur is flawless. The front derailleur could be a little nicer, but the bike is all about FrAmE. Paint job is pretty nice (so I'm trying to get extra decals and touch up paint). I'm also considering upgrading the tires, at least the rear one to a 2.1 inch. Given the fact that our dollar is dead, for deal I got this bike is da BoMb. Anyone who is serious about biking, or just wants to show off MUST have this bike!!! :p If you're not willing to cough up the dough, or if you're not a serious rider, then forget this bike, try a lower-end one. This bike is the prime for X-Country racing and climbing. I sure can't wait to hit the trails again, with this thing I can cream people who are way stronger than me!!! <--Light as a feather | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Carmel, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Town Run Trail Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Line | | Strengths: | Genesis Geometry, Double-Butted Frame, Climbing Ability | | Weaknesses: | Deore Front Derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | Moab 1, Fisher Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | Stock from Factory | | Bottom Line: | There simply is not a better bike for the money. Fisher does a great job of putting the money in the places that count: the frame. Don't be fooled by other bikes with XTR derailleurs, etc. - check out the frame, wheels, crank, etc. By the way, the XT derailleur is shifts flawlessly! The climbing ability is unbelievable. The Genesis Geometry is everything that it is cracked up to be! After a recent surgery (not riding related) I was terribly out of shape and the bike still managed to make me look great. Who should by this bike: everyone unless you have the $$$ to move up the Fisher line or if you feel you need full suspension. It is worth going up to the Paragon for the frame if you can afford it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Sirott
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast and dirty | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Johnny Sprockets in Chicago | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry is great, especially for tall riders.
all around good looks
Old fashion hardtail doesn't get the attention that FSRs do. | | Weaknesses: | crankset and front der | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 930 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for an extra set of wheels and tires. Time composite pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike. I got this bike after test driving Kleins, at GT Avalanch (weird geometry) and a few Specialized bikes. I finally got the Paragon because I liked the way it felt. When I first took the bike off road, wow, was it different than my old Trek. Weight is centered more over the rear tire and the front end feels way lighter. The change took some getting used to but once I put a few miles on the trails I would never go back to any other bike. This bike feels better climbing AND decending thanks to the weight distribution. Getting the front tire over obsticles is cake. BUY THIS BIKE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from nashville, tn
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hamilton creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$849.00 | | Purchased At: | sun and ski sports | | Strengths: | Frame is really light and is the same one they use in the much more expensive super-caliber. Climbs like a billygoat. I tested several bikes including the Cannondale f600, stumpjumper f-4, and the Schwinn Moab in the same price range. | | Weaknesses: | Crank is absolutely deploreable and if you are tall...i'm 6-5, change the stem to 120 or 135...the stock stem on a x-large frame is 105...come on gary! Superstock wheels could be lighter and require truing often. they are bombproof though, I haven't come close to a taco yet and i hunk 5 foot drops at 220lbs. Deore front der...needs to go when worn out | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale f-600, Schwinn moab, stumpjumber f-4 | | Bike Setup: | Everything stock except longer stem...135 instead of the 105 it comes packed with changed out crank for Truvativ Stylo Team Isis...by the way, that thing is Sick...it's the best part I've ever payed 100 bucks for | | Bottom Line: | I did research on every bike in every category for three months before getting a bike.. I bought this one because I compete in several adventure races and this one had a race-ready frame out of the box...it's the lightest one fisher makes. While some of the components do wear out quick, they are cheap to replace if you go to pricepoint or universalcycles.com. I planned on wearing the parts out and then replacing them as needed. This bike will be within half a pound of any race bike out there after you customize it out. Even fully customized you will pay under 2 grand. That's still a grand less than some of the top of the line models. If you love the feel of hardtails and aren't into those teaching aides called duel-suspension bikes, get this one...you won't regret it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from Castaic, CA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Towsley Canyon, Mt. Pinos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Strengths: | Frame Geometry!!!! Climbs amazingly well. Good components (not great but good for the price) | | Weaknesses: | I've got the one with Hayes Discs and they require a little more maintanance then I was prepared for... and are probably more brake than a XC bike like this needs The saddle sucks and will be replaced. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8500, Moab 1, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Dean TI flat bar, Panaracer XC Fire tires | | Bottom Line: | This is the absolute best bike I've ever ridden. Geometry is perfect for me. I'm tall (6'2") and I just love the way the bike fits. Amazing climber (with good tires). Liked the velociraptor tires but they don't last long. Put on the Panaracers. Prefer flat bars so I put on the Dean. I will replace the saddle. It sucks. The brakes are really my biggest complaint. They stop amazingly well but require a ton of set-up time after every ride if I don't want them to squeel, drag, vibrate, you-name-it. I would probably have just gotten the v-brakes if I could do it again. Bike looks outrageous with the red Panaracer tires. Best looking bike on any trail. Over all... I love it. Get yourself one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Winder
a Racer
from Virginia Beach
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Top of the Hill Bikes | | Strengths: | Quality - Genesis geometry - Stiff | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Fat City Cycles Yo Eddy, Fisher Pro-Caliber, HKII | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossmax wheels, XTR shifters/brakes/drivetrain, Raceface Cranks, stock bars/stem/headset/seatpost/seat, SID SL | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides every bit as good as my Fat Chance. It handles great, is comfortable on long rides and is light and stiff for climbing and accelerating. The welds look great and the paint/decals have held up, the bike still looks like new. If your looking for a great all around bike look at the Gary Fisher and if you like long top tubes, the Genesis geometry is a perfect fit :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug P
a Cross Country Rider
from Salisbury, NC
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Catawba | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun and Ski Sports | | Strengths: | Nice bike and parts. Cheap for what you get. SX-Rr, XT rear derailer, and LX rapidfires that are 4grams lighter than XTR. USA made Frame | | Weaknesses: | Cheap slipping seatpost thats heavy. Riser Bars? HUGH? | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Marlin, Specialized, GT | | Bike Setup: | Racelite Bar, Thompson Seatpost, Fire XC Pro tires, Specialized Body Geo Saddle. Everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for the cash. Can be lightened by 2 pounds very quickly. Go get one on sale and ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Id
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | World Cycle | | Strengths: | Geometry of the bike, weight, overall feel on the trail, Manitou fork | | Weaknesses: | Component set (upgraded everything to XT at purchase time) | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Specialized, Gary Fischer Mt. Tam | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to Time pedals, XT Front der, XT shifters and levers, otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | This was the best bike of the several I took out to ride. The geometry fit my body the best of any bike, and it makes riding a lot easier by already seating your butt back over the rear wheel. The components could have been better, so I upgraded, and after the first tune, it's been riding like a champ! I decided to get this bike over the Mt. Tam because of price and I liked the fork better. After the upgrade, there is almost no difference between the 2. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clevor
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka, Japan
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry; conservative (compared to earlier) color scheme of red/white/black; great paint job (super high gloss); light frame of Platinum series aluminum (bike probably weighs 27 lbs. stock); XT rear derailleur and LX RapidFire brake/shifters (surprised how well they shift on the Bontrager Comp crank, and brake feel is stout even on lowest leverage setting); flawless assembly of components (shifters perform flawlessly and didn't need readjustment after break-in). | | Weaknesses: | Deore front derailleur, though shifts fine. Really nothing else for the price I got the bike! | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Alta and Rockadile, Cannondale F2000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock from the factory | | Bottom Line: | I was shopping for a cheap bike to ride when I'm on vacation in my home state. I have a Cannondale CAAD3 spec-ed out to $1500 which I ride in Japan. My budget was $500-700. But when I tested the brake levers and turned the crank backwards on this bike, I just liked the precision sound and feel compared to other bikes in the shop. Plus I could see it was spec-ed out with really nice components. Since the bike was selling for 20% off the $999 floor price, it was too good a deal to pass up.
I did research on the bike later and yep, it is a genuine 2001 model with black SX-R fork, which is just below the Mars line of Manitou forks. It has adjustable rebound, damping, and compression. The Fisher label on the bike says 'Crossroads' or something, and the bike even came with front and rear reflectors! Yet all the specs and tube measurements are exactly the same as the 2001 men's Paragon (so it's not a GS).
At first I didn't like the color scheme, but it is wonderfully understated. I like how all the components are basically Bontrager, WTB, and Shimano, and of black trim, unlike the chop suey components of bikes you put together yourself. Plus, this is the only frame that will look good with white or black forks, normally colors I shy away from. Since the major part of the frame is red, it will also look good with yellow or orange forks.
And hey, I can't complain about the Velociraptor kevlar tires (seen worse), Bontrager assymetric SuperStock rims (a bit heavy but beats dull, silver generic stuff), and matching black Bontrager seatpost, Crowbar Race handlebar, and Bontrager logo skewers. The Bontrager Comp crank seems pretty stiff to me (no flexing of arms when I stand on the pedals like the Sugino Impel 800s on my Cannondale). Note that Gary Fisher responds to gripes, since they got rid of the Nanorapter tires and replaced the Bontrager pedals with Shimano M515s, and the Bontrager seat with a WTB Speed V, which at least is very comfortable. Hopefully, the paint job will hold up on the 2001s.
The bike bunny hops and wheelies well, and really digs in on climbs. What can I say? I like it better than my $1500, all XT spec Cannondale.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Bruen
a Cross Country Rider
from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, United States
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Maybury | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1149.00 | | Purchased At: | Through rep. | | Strengths: | Since i got this bike employee purcahse for 575 because i work at a bike shop where we carry fisher, it is a sweet bike. Bontrager comp cranks are nice like the XT rear derailer. Light weight frame, and love the 2001 Manitou SX-R fork. I like the WTB seat, comfy and light. Pedals need brake in time and then work well, to help brake them in, lightly put in some tri-flow and the work perfect. Brake levers and shifters are great along with the standard avid sd 3's. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailer needs to be updated, bontrager crowbar is weak to have on this hardtail, bottom bracket is ok but could be upgraded. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Fisher Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | XT rear, XT front, East. ct2 bar, lx levers, xt shifters, avid single didget 7 brakes, xt BB, fisher bar ends + chris king headset. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, comes with a lot of great features along the Gary Fisher genesis frame which is light as a feather. The 2001 SX-R fork is great and i like the XT rear derailer. Crank works great and the bottom bracket is fine but updating will take atleast a 1/3 of a pound off the weight depending on the kind you buy. Love the bike and would suggest it to anyone who is into mountain biking and likes a lite weight bike that climbs like a dream.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Squish
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light-ish, strong, amazing brakes (Hayes discs), black/white/red, Genesis fit and handling rule, good value. | | Weaknesses: | Not the best parts spec (front der., bb/crank, wheels, steel-bead tires?!), Shimano pedals take awhile to break-in and don't work in the mud, I don't like the XC-type bend of the Bonty bars. Some more clearance for the rear tire would be nice. | | Similar Products Used: | I've ridden and owned a variety of high-end steel rigs. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou XC-R fork is supah for XC, but I wanted something a little more freeride - X-Vert Super. Installed a slightly shorter stem (Profile Stiffy), and a bar with more of a DH bend (Race Face AirAlloy). Steel-bead tires had to go - installed some fat Bonty Jones'. My next purchase will be some mud-happy pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It climbs and descends faster and easier than any bike I've ridden before. The Hayes brakes are amazing - one finger power with no fade when you hit the mud/water (just be careful not to touch the caliper after a long descent - unless you enjoy body-branding!). The Bonty wheels and cranks kind of suck (you can tell Trek Corp. is calling the shots), but mine are working OK so far... I thought about a Sugar, but I want to freeride as well as climb and XC - The Paragon Disc is a sweet, all-terrain, low-maintenance ride for people who can RIDE (and who think fat-ass shuttlers should stay at home playing Nintendo). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Laramie, WY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Strengths: | Just about everything. Great frame, fork, wheelset. | | Weaknesses: | Front Der. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000, a couple others | | Bike Setup: | Stock except replaced pedals with Shimano-545s and outer chainring | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Front der is a little sloppy, but I'll ride it until it breaks. I did chip 8 teeth on the outer chainring, but that was my fault. Hit a couple of rocks. Put a new one on and all is good now. Front fork is very responsive once adjusted correctly and broken in. Wheelset is light and strong. XT Rear der provides the smoothest and reliable shifting I've experienced to date. Bontrager makes a nice stem and the crobar race is not too shabby. I'm not a big bar-end person, prefer the riser. Easy to climb with. Nothing wrong with the stock pedals, I just put those on another bike and put the 545s on this one. Great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Dover, NH
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Exeter Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel Power of Exeter, NH | | Strengths: | The top of the line genesis frame, overall component package at a reasonable price, the fork. | | Weaknesses: | Front Der. but not a big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | '00 Raleigh M60 (first mtn. bike), test-rode '01 Moab I, '01 Stumpjumper M4, '00 Stumpjumper M2, '01 Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, for now. | | Bottom Line: | I really debated between the '01 Stumpjumper and the '01 Paragon and decided that since they were identically equipt and I really felt comfortable on the Fisher, that it wasn't worth spending the extra $ on the Stumpy ($1,350). I am so pleased with my choice. I love riding this bike! I can't believe how easy it climbs, it has compact and responsive steering and is pleasantly lightweight. I get out 3+ times a week for 15 to 20 mile rides in all kinds of conditions. Typical Northeast rides with lots of spring mud, crashing around rocks, etc. Outside of normal maintenance issues (break pads, bent der. hanger, cable stretch) the bike is holding up very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg H
a Weekend Warrior
from Collierville,Tn
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Shelby Farms, Frootloop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World- Collierville,Tn | | Strengths: | Frame, Genesis geometry works great. Manitou SXR is perfect, and plush, wheelset takes a beating and comes back for more. Same for crankset. Light!!! Mine may be different in some way but I have weighed it seven different times on different bike shop scales and it 23.1 lbs everytime. Perfect. | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Deore front derailer, tires. The seat is hard as a brick. frt drlr needs to be better, and the velociRaptor tires have awesome traction but are very very slow rolling | | Similar Products Used: | GT,Schwinn,,, | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for WTB Podium seat with ti rails, Bontrager revolt semi slick tires(much faster and still will climb very well) | | Bottom Line: | Kick ass bike. Tough and reliable. I am planning to update to new Manitou Black fork as soon as they are out. If you want a great bike and don't have a gold card this is it.. I may also upgrade the front derailer also. A friend that I ride with just purchased a New GT Zaskar Race and I can whip him everytime, especialy on climbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louie Guimmule
a Racer
from Rockville, Maryland
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Schaeffer Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail Outfitters | | Strengths: | Frame light & strong, super Manitou SX-R Forks-very light, crow-bars perfect fit, wheels take a beating & super fast | | Weaknesses: | Front-derailer-Deore...c'mon Gary Fisher "you can do better than that". VERY low-end front derailer which I had to get adjusted a few times. Chain SUCKS!! Took out a few links and snapped twice. (replaced chain). What up with Red/White color scheme?? A bit lame......C'mon Gary last year's was cooler. This is 2001 not 1969 (are you on drugs)?? How about throwing in a few extra XT or (god forbid) XTR without shooting the price way up. Riders are looking for quality, reliability & a reasonable price. Think of Honda (they got it right). | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock from shop, changed pedals | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE this bike!! It Rocks!! Super light and super fast. KILLER climbing, flying downhills, great bars, killer geometry for long-cross county single track trails. Front forks are very light and very strong-may be a bit too squishy even when I tighten it as far is goes, but no major complaint. I will change the front-derailer sooner or later-Deore has to go and a bit heavy/sloppy. The Bontrager wheelset KICKS ass-fast/strong and take a HUGE beating. LOVE the crow-bar-perfect riser-bars & angle. So far no major problems except the chain-snapping. I can ride this bike for hours without getting tirred and it has a very nice compact feel about it. (it's like a part of you-very natural feel to it). I highly recommend it to anyone. Hudson Trail Outfitters has a life-time free maintenenance tune-up with is incredible (even includes truing wheel-set's). Anything needs adjusting or replacing, HTO takes care of you!! The full-life time warranty sold me & they have adjusted and tuned up everything a few times..no questions asked. Gota love. I could never get the rear-derailer or breaks adjusted properly on my own. Bottom line the bike rocks. I come from a BMX background and this bike can catch air like any BMX bike. Gary Fisher could have stepped up a bit in some quality of parts, but hey guess it's all about the $$$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from East Hampton, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere? Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Clarke Cycles | | Strengths: | Love the geometry. Yes its hyped mercilessly, but it really does fit me well.
Drivetrain, fork also really good for the $$. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals, Shimano-515's. I can't seem to get them adjusted to my liking. Switched them with an old pair of 535's and I'm a happy camper again.
Had to switch out the brake pads a month ago. This has more to do with riding in gritty, sandy mud than anything. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode alot of other hardtails before settling on this one: Schwinn Moab, Spec. Stumpjumper, Cannondale F700, GT Avalanche, all the usual suspects. | | Bike Setup: | I think the above specs are wrong. My stock bike came with: Manitou SX-R, XT rear, Deore Fr, LX shifters and brake levers, Avid V-brakes, Bontrager Superstock wheels, WTB velociraptor tires, Bontrager bar, stem, seatpost. I've switched out the pedals and added a $15 computer. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding rocky, rooty, singletrack here in CT on it for the past three months and the Paragon handles it surprisingly well. Its light, climbs well, and is easy to throw around in the real technical stuff.
The bike is certainly race-ready, its owner just isn't right now.
Who should buy it ? - Cross-country rider/racer on a $1100 budget. Its a good deal for the money...
Who shouldn't ? - Downhillers, drop-happy freeriders (not that there's anything wrong with that....)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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