Submitted by
Mr Lahey
a Cross Country Rider
from Akron, Ohio Date Reviewed: November 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Vulture's Knob and the Mo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Eddy's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Price, cosmetics, Fisher name, fork lockout
Weaknesses:
A mix of the components and the brain dead people who assembled the bike at Eddy's
Similar Products Used:
No other xc bikes but numerous bmx and dh bikes.
Bike Setup:
Broken fork lockout with custom ghost shifting available from Eddy's.
Bottom Line:
Bike would be fantastic if it was assembled correctly, the first, second and third times. Bike was sold with a dry headset, dry chain, and the front brake cable zip tied to the stanchion. There response to any of the above problems was you shouldn't ride your bike offroad.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
preston
a Cross Country Rider
from pa Date Reviewed: November 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anything thats fast and technical
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
paceline bikes
Strengths:
i fr ride with it and xc race with it and it takes all the abuse i can give it and it keeps going. frame strong. ive crashed a few times in a xc race and nothing broke
Weaknesses:
tires sucked. and brakes were good. seat not that confie
bottom line great bike they tires not the best but upgrade to a tire for your area. the stock breaks were fine till i really got in to racing so and i got disc. bottom line great bike for the money not many hardtails in this price can keep up and the 24 gears stock nice and work great(but when given 9 speed shifters for free upgrade)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FallujahBlaster
a Weekend Warrior
from Jacksonville, NC, USA Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009
This is a great bike! The Gary Fisher G2 frame design is outstanding. I can climb hills much easier. It will also take a beating. I have crashed several times, sending my bike flying. Haven't broken anything yet. The only issues I have are the tires and pedals (this is why I gave it 4 chilis for overall rating). The tires do not grip that well and tend to get gummed up with dirt and sand. I find myself climbing a steep hill and end up not making it because the back tire slips causing me to stop. As for the pedals, they do not grip that well causing your feet to slip off. Both of these problems are cheap, easy fixes. You will not be disappointed with this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dpastore22
a Cross Country Rider
from Alpharetta,GA,US Date Reviewed: August 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Big Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Alpha Bikes
Strengths:
Overall quality, design, geometry, warranty, & starter components. I cant recommend a better bike to enter the MTBing world with.
Weaknesses:
Tires, I ride alot of rugged XC trails and wish the tires had better treds.
Bike Setup:
Stock excecpt for a nice pair of OGI grips.
Bottom Line:
This bike is fun, duarable, and affordable. I get tons of compliments on the looks and I couldnt be happier to own this bike. If you plan on using this bike for awhile, add the disc brakes. The v-brakes work good but I would prefer the disc on more technical trails. Test ride this bike at your LBS, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joehoek
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN Date Reviewed: May 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Haw Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$580.00
Purchased At:
Cedar Bluff Cycles
Strengths:
Love the frame and geometry. Climbs and descends well, puts up with the beating I give it. Stock drivetrain are pretty good for the price. I upgraded to an xt rear derailleur though.
The lifetime warranty on the frame is always nice, too.
Weaknesses:
Tires are terrible. Replaced those immediately. If you are doing any type of riding not on hard-packed dirt, you will need to do the same.
V-brakes weren't spectacular, but weren't terrible either.
For this price, it's hard to find a bike without a few complaints though.
Similar Products Used:
97 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Bike Setup:
Stock except for some Hayes HFX 9 disc brakes, xt rapid rise rear derailleur, wtb velociraptor tires, wtb speed v saddle, and some time atac pedals.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. If you are wanting to get started into mtn biking or upgrade to a pretty decent bike, this is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jayhawk
a Weekend Warrior
from Elkhart, Indiana, USA Date Reviewed: May 13, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Rum Village/TK Lawless
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Elkhart Bicycle and
Strengths:
I'm a big guy and i can't bust it. even riding super hard. componants are essentially bullerproof. the color is pretty sharp, not super sexy, but its flashy. gotta love the warrenty.
Weaknesses:
handle bars creak a little bit. tires are mud collectors. V-brakes need a little teaking. but after that they are money.
The perfect "weekend" warrior bike. love the shifters.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jtrain
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, UT Date Reviewed: March 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lost Prospector Loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
White Pine Touring
Strengths:
Solid frame, good stock components, this bike is a wonderful base from which to grow into mountain biking. I love the Genesis geometry!
Weaknesses:
The saddle! It was the first thing I replaced on this bike. The Dart 2 fork is good for the price point that this bike is in, but I'd say overall it's a sub par fork. That being said, you won't find anything better in this price point.
I've really enjoyed this bike, and I think it's given me a great base from which to get into mountain biking with. I really dig the Genesis geometry, and I think overall this bike is an amazing value in this price range.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Colorado Yooper
a Cross Country Rider
from pat.mattson@wispertel.net Date Reviewed: March 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail (Pine)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Tucson, Az
Strengths:
Price, Geometry, Sturdy
Weaknesses:
Seat, Tires
Similar Products Used:
K2 Zed, Rockhopper Comp
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike at a shop in Tucson, when I was on vaction so I could ride Mt Lemmon and leave it at my folks place so I didn't have to drag my bike along. However, I was so impressed with the bike that I took it home. Being 6'2" 225 the geometry is great for me, very sturdy, climbs great and smooth shifting. The fork is a Dart 2 which I am going to replace when it goes, but no real problems with it. I also believe that this bike is not for downhillers or if you launch your self off anything that you can find. I ride 4 days a week in the mountains around my house which is in Pine Co. Alot of Single Track and Cross country rides and I have been really happy with this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kallidor
a Cross Country Rider
from GA Date Reviewed: January 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Chicopee
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$650.00
Strengths:
Decent components for price.
Handles high speed downhill stretches well.
Weaknesses:
-Paint - I have black marks from where I mount it to my bike rack. This was noticed after having the bike for a month. Considering it is only on the car to get to the trails this is kinda sad.
- Climbing - Compared to other bikes I have ridden, this bike pops up on climbs. Could be the fork, but I have to put my weight well forward to keep is settled.
-- Components - but for 650 what do you expect.
* Stem had a sticker on it saying that this bike is not intended for off road usage. *
Bottom Line:
Overall it is not a bad bike, but I am not a fan of the Genesis geometry. The super long top tube is just not for me. It is coming to a point, where Fisher is putting all their energy into 29ers and Full Suspension rides. Not sure what other brand I would recommend, but would say that you would do better by saving up a few hundred more dollars and buying a bike with better components.
It comes down to preference. I am just not a fan of the Geometry, however, I know others that love it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C-Dub989
a Weekend Warrior
from Dayton, Ohio, USA Date Reviewed: November 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Strengths:
NOTE: For Gary Fisher Marlin G2 2009
1.Great Frame, strong, rigid
2.Frame geometry makes for good climbing and descending
3.Shimano Deore has worked well so far as well as other components
4.Good appearance
5.Very stable on the trail
6.Wide tires provides great amount of grip on hard packed dirt. Avoid mud, as the Jones XR tires are easily mucked up
Weaknesses:
1.Horrible V-Brake pads; they seem to be dry rotted
2.V-Brakes in general; will replace with Avids
3.Dart 2 is not bad; although a better fork might be needed for more serious riding; doesn't like cold weather
4.Tektro Brake levers tend to get stuck when pulled back; require lubrication or replacement. On the upside there is no slop
5.Awful, awful stock pedals, but this is too be expected. Just replace with some of your own
Similar Products Used:
A garage sale Mongoose and a 40 pound Huffy. Similarities to GF: they're bikes....
Bike Setup:
Nothing changed. Just minor adjustments and replaced the stock pedals with SPD off my old Mongoose.
Bottom Line:
The G2 Frame geometry is incredible. This bike excels in both climbing and descending and handles the rough bits with easy. Very stable at low or high speeds. I recommend you to replace the pedals (obviously), brakes/brake pads, and possibly the Dart 2 fork. Other upgrades may be necessary but at that point you might as well buy a higher end bike. Once used to the seat, I found it rather comfortable. Deore shifts smooth and sturdy and the shifters and grips are fine. A good buy in the 600 to 700 range. Overall a fantastic bike and money well spent on the Marlin.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cjdugaw
a Weekend Warrior
from Eureka, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Henderson Center Bik
Strengths:
Good frame/upgradeable
Weaknesses:
V-brakes,deore rear derailer constantly coming out of adjustment.
Similar Products Used:
90s ridgid-fork Giant Rincon
Bike Setup:
Upgrade to Avid BB7's other that stock
Bottom Line:
This is a great beginner bike. My wife and I both have one. They came with disc-ready wheels, so the upgrade to discs was inexpensive and well worth it. I like the Genesis geometry, it climbs well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
06flst
a Weekend Warrior
from kansas city missouri Date Reviewed: October 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Blue river parkway
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
climbs really good, Dart2 forks work great. they are not as bad as some describe them... If you are a heavy rider you need to adjust the preload up... so you don't bottom them out... adjustments on forks seem to work good, lock out is nice.
Weaknesses:
The handlebars are to narrow for me.. will switch them out soon. The first ten miles of riddin.. I managed to snap the chain and also noticed that i slightly bent the back rim. these types of things do happen. My local bike shop put a new chain on, also trued the back rim.. no charge... The grips i dont really care for and also the tires... jones xr work good on dry, hardpack, but in soft, muddy conditions, the seem to jockey around a bit.
Similar Products Used:
GT backwoods, DB response sport
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I'm very happy with the purchase of this bike... I had been looking around for a bit.. this Fisher rides very good, shifts nice. I would recommend this bike ( 2009 Gary Fisher Marlin Disc) to anyone looking to get into mountain bikin or even someone that is already a skilled rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pedals Fastly
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Green Belt
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Strengths:
Great geometry for climbing and descending.
Weaknesses:
Cracked frame at seat tube weld!
Bottom Line:
I posted a review of this bike after I bought it. I raved about it. I don't take back my comments. The Fisher hardtails with G2 geometry are great. I really like the way it distributes weight to the back. BUT I cracked the seat tube frame at the weld. I didn't get hurt, but it scared me. Apparently there is a history of Fisher bikes cracking at welds. I took it into the Bicycle Sports Shop and they were great at submitting my warranty claim. I missed two weekends of riding. They upgraded me to a very nice frame that I like much more than my Marlin. So, the good news is that they are good on warranty claims, but I felt compelled to report this incident to other buyers. Also, when I took my new bike frame out the first day the Bontrager seat post that came stock on my Marlin (which had been placed onto my new frame) cracked! That could have injured me had I been descending on a fast downhill. So, my overall rating reflects these incidences.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Xenios
a Weekend Warrior
from Voorburg, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands Date Reviewed: August 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Zeddam
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
12Go Trading.com
Strengths:
Geometry, value for money.
Weaknesses:
Could you really complain about the components at this price? I don't think so. Sure there not great, but they never held me back as being a beginner.
-The paint job/coating however is weak. It's too easily damaged.
-The frame broke just after one year.
Similar Products Used:
rental crap
Bike Setup:
XT front derailleur, Pro barends, Lizard Skins grips, Racing Ralph tires, XT Spd pedals.
Bottom Line:
I could just copy/paste the review of Steve below.
My frame broke at the same point as he described. And my frame too will be replaced by a Big Sur(2008)!
It indeed seems to be a designer error when more people experience this failure.
Because of the the great warranty service at Trek it doesn't bother me that much. Besides, i liked the bike and it really made me addicted to the sport.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Seven Mile
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Customer support at Trek
Weaknesses:
Everything else.
Bottom Line:
This is to update my earlier review.
This spring while riding to work, the frame broke! Right where the top tube and seat tube meet. I think the frame was poorly designed with too much seat tube extending above the top tube, and the supplied Bontrager seatpost minimum insertion point did not leave enough post in the frame.
However, the Trek/Fisher warranty replacement frame was actually an upgraded Big Sur frame.
If you're a bigger rider, I would highly recommend a longer seatpost to ensure that it is inserted past the top tube.
So a broken frame mixed with all the other issues I had with components leaves me looking for the ZERO Flamin' Chili's option...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rob2101
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Bike lane
Strengths:
this thing is sturdy, light, and the genesis geometry really does make a diff. the fork (dart 2) i dig alot cuz of the lock out key. after shopping around i found this to be the sweetest deal, my only regret is that i should of stepped up an bought marlin disc for an extra $100
Weaknesses:
the biggest weakness was the seat! that got changed after about fifteen min of riding. the stock pedals, tires are not the best but thats whatever. changing out the stock tires for smaller 26x 1.95 made the bike feel way lighter.
i do have a slight complaint with the rear derailer (shimano Deore) ghost shifting on me from time to time.
Similar Products Used:
very old 80's nishiki mtb
Bike Setup:
pretty much standard
Bottom Line:
Totally happy with this bike, on trails i've had no problems and that genesis geometry really does make a difference, at least for me anyway. i ride 22 miles to and from work and about the same to school
though i do more city riding than trails it handles both very well. I had one bad spill on this thing and month later i got hit by a F'n truck! and minus a couple of scratches the bike is just fine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Crocker
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT, USA Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008
Changed to Avid BB7 disk brakes and upgraded wheelset.
Bottom Line:
Dollar for dollar probably the best bike you will find under $600. I have ridden this bike in Moab, and all over the Northwest on some really rough trails. I ride 4+ times a week and on really rocky singletrack always. This is the little hardtail that could! Never fails! I will upgrade to better high dollar components as things break, but nothing ever breaks! I have upgraded the wheels and changed to Avid BB7 disk brakes. What a great bike! I will upgrade soon to a 29er, but I will never sell my Marlin. It is too loyal to part with! If you are a new mountain biker and you want a good bike to grow with in your first two seasons, this is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Billerica, MA, USA Date Reviewed: March 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Everywhere
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Loft
Strengths:
frame, upgradeable, fun, no major problems in a year
Weaknesses:
Breaks, Tires, wheels but all three can be replaced. and i recommend going xt but thats just me.
Similar Products Used:
a few treks, and Gary Fisher hoo koo e koo
Bike Setup:
Almost stock. waiting for parts to break first
Bottom Line:
This bike has served me well. I never had a "true" mountain bike before this one and was well worth the 500. This bike gives a lot of confidence to the rider. The first time I took it off road my first drop was 4 ft and I never had a bike w/ suspension on it but the bike handled fine. 5'9" and 170 bike fits me great.
I would say better tires are needed for serious off road though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA Date Reviewed: March 21, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Inexpensive, entry level, mountain bike. The '07 frame in silver/black is gorgeous.
Weaknesses:
Weak components.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
I have changed everything EXCEPT the forks, stem, handle bars and grips. Now XT head to tail, Avid BB7's, Mavic Crossride wheels.
Bottom Line:
I have been a road biker since the early eighties, so this was an experiment to see if I would even like the dirt. I shopped around and found the Marlin to be a good value, tested it, liked it, and bought it. For a while it was good, as I used it for my daily 14 mile commute to and from work, and trail riding every once in a while. I was happy. Then one morning the front derailleur grabbed the chain, and my problems started.
I knew from the beginning that this was going to be way different than my Ultegra equipped road bike, but the Marlin was never a "smooth" shifter. After the third time the chain got caught, the front derailleur actually spun a little on the down tube. Stop. Swear. Adjust. Swear. Go again.
My LBS informed me that my large chainring was bent. Okay, I'm 220 lbs, but my biggest drop is a CURB on my way to work! It was only a slight wobble and the front derailleur was also bent, but actually worked better, so I pedaled on until I could afford better parts.
The chain went next, probably because the drive train was tweaked.
Then after about 1500 miles I took it in to get the rear wheel trued, found 2 broken spokes, and a small flat spot in the rim. I was informed that these wheels and spokes were not designed to last this many miles.
So, the bottom line for me is this; I expected a mountain bike to be more durable, even at the entry level. I am disappointed in Fisher’s choice of component set-up. If you are lighter than me and are only a weekend warrior, this bike might work for you.
However, if you are a bargain minded shopper like me (you might read “cheap” here), you can get an XT equipped hardtail for about $750 less than the shops have them for by getting a Marlin and upgrading parts as they break off
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a
from Exeter UK Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Price, frame geometry, ok spec for money I suppose.
Weaknesses:
Supplied rims are weak and bend easily. Stock tyres dont really grip on anything but bone-dry trail. Pedals may as well be blocks of smooth polished ice. Forks are heavy and kinda floppy but they come at a price...
In the price bracket you will struggle to find a better specked XC bike. Is (just about) useable out of the box and with minor changes like pedals and tyres will make a great value bike. Needs various stronger bits if you ride it hard (Wheels etc) but it was never billed as a freeride bike. Some may find the geometry a little strange on the ascents when seated (Seems to lift weight off front wheel and results in some 'interesting' handling tendencies).'Genesis' geometry is confidence-inspiring on the way down though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe levack
a Weekend Warrior
from Akron, Ohio Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Mohican State Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
275
Strengths:
Geometry, Light weight, PRICE and durable
Weaknesses:
Tires are complete crap, upgrading to disk brakes is expensive and requires a new wheel-set or new hubs, The lockout on the fork broke and the fork needs to be rebuilt
Similar Products Used:
Crap from wall-mart
Bike Setup:
Mavic crossride wheelset, avid juicy 7, Specialized Fast trak Pro
Bottom Line:
Great beginner bike, $200-$300 in upgrades makes for a pretty kick ass XC bike. I have over 200 miles on the bike and it has served me well Genesis Geometry is great!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Leiter
a
from Columbus, Ohio, USA Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
500.00
Strengths:
Good strog frame and components for a beginer bike.
Weaknesses:
Saddle, grips, and tires are all terrible. Also too expensive to upgrade with disc brakes, might as well sell it and buy a better bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock mostly. New Specialized saddle, new tires, and Shimano SPD clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
My first mountain bike and I love it. I have recomended it to many other riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, MO Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Rockbridge, Rhett's Run
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Walt's Bicycle Fitness and Wilderness Co.
Strengths:
Downhills and cornering are handled very well. Components are about the best you can get in the $500-600 price range. Frame seems strong enough for me, which was a concern being over 200 lbs.
Weaknesses:
Surprisingly, I think the Genesis geometry is a weakness of this bike. It happens to be while climbing (the area that is most often seen as a positive attribute of Genesis) because the front wheel is lightly loaded when going up climbs. This becomes a problem when going up climbs with roots and rocks because you have to consciously tell yourself to put weight forward or you'll bounce off and have the front wheel redirected. It does allow you to roll over obstacles better on a climb, but more often than not, the results are a lot of direction changes which leads to me having to dismount. It is annoying, but I'm hoping to figure out a better way to overcome the problem.
I also broke a crank arm off when I rode singletrack a day after I bought the bike. Walt's fixed it quickly and it turned out fine. I just had to get it checked the next week to make sure it was torqued properly.
Overall, I like the bike and the performance, but it makes it difficult to complete a large rooted, rocky incline when the front wheel keeps coming off of the ground. Once I stop having to get off of my bike during a climb, I'll be very happy.
I do recommend the bike because it does everything else pretty well, and has decent components for the price. I also recommend not crashing into trees.
This bike has gotten me very excited about riding everyday and when I don't get to, it is very disappointing. I can't wait to upgrade to a full suspension bike, but the Marlin will just have to handle my abuse until I can afford a FS.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Racer
from Ripon, WI, USA Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Kiekhafer in Fond du Lac, WI
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
Attitude Sports, Fond du Lac
Strengths:
fairly reliable shifting, even through some mud; wheels are virtually indestructible; no fork problems at all; climbling power is amazing, very torquey; generally durable, reliable, good all around bicycle
Weaknesses:
seat is horribly uncomfortable; after a nineteen mile rain race i had to use my foot to shift in the front; but besides that i don't really have too many shifting problems; fairly heavy
Bottom Line:
Best bang for your buck bike, great climbing, tires are good, durable; replace the seat right away and maybe upgrade to disk, depending on your needs
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MIke
a Cross Country Rider
from Chi Burbs iL Date Reviewed: May 2, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Local id say Palos
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$425.00
Purchased At:
American Bike & Fitness
Strengths:
The best beginner bike hands down. Genisis geometry gives loads of confidence to newer riders. Very light compared to similar priced hardtails. climbs efficiantly and is easy to navigate tight, fast, twisty, or any combo of the three. The parts are great for what you pay and will have no problem lasting till you wish to upgrade.
Weaknesses:
The frame is very flexy at the bottom bracket, hard climbing and sprinting cambers the BB left to right. In all fairness a beginner wont have the strength to exploit this weekness for a while and will probably enjoy the more plush ride that is a result of the lack of rigidity. As far as components the saddle is garbage and the grips are just as bad. I suggest using the tires for ten or so miles on singletrack, limestone, and street just so you can appreciate whatever tires you upgrade to. I swapped grips, tires, and saddle within a couple days of buying the bike.
Similar Products Used:
I had tried a specialized hardrock but felt the fisher was far more nimble and a better climber.
Bike Setup:
EggBeaters, XTR front hub with Mavic 717, XT rear hub with Mavic 717, Ultegra 12-27 Cassette, Avid 7 V-brakes, Avid SD7 Levers, Raceface Next Carbon flatbar, Panaracer Fires for XC, swap back to Panaracer Cinder for singletrack trails, WTB speedV seat, Raceface Next Carbon seatpost, serfas grips.
Bottom Line:
If you want to get into mountain biking buy this bike. It is perfect in every aspect for beginers. If any Specialized dealers tell you that Fisher sucks because trek bought them I suggest you leave because thats all that they ever say to sell bikes. The Genesis geometry is awesome. Ive taken this bike everywhere and after a thousand hard miles its still great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from arizona Date Reviewed: December 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
miller cayon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
m&m cycles
Strengths:
genesis frame is great love the forks front derailer is sweet
Weaknesses:
sprocet cacthes pants easy rackages
Bike Setup:
all stock
Bottom Line:
this bike is great for beginners it is the bike for the price its great for shorter people that can grow into it awsome for kids i stongly recomend this bike for begginersand children alike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Howard Dixon
a Cross Country Rider
from San Rafael, Heredia, Costa Rica Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Barva Volcano
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$428.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike Shop ( Frame only )
Strengths:
Light, stable, can take the pressure of a fast & tough ride
Weaknesses:
nothing that I can think of
Similar Products Used:
Diamond back response, Iron Horse Maverick
Bike Setup:
Mostly XT ( derailleurs, crankset & hubs ) and LX ( V brakes and levers)
Bottom Line:
This one is simply the s**t, overall, I mean, it's something else dawg ! Cheap, light, stable, Genesis geometry rocks man ! I've been giving it at least a 3 to 4 hour ride per day, I've never felt so confident going down hill till I tried this frame! Uphill even better yet ! 100 rated from 1 to 10 GET IT, IT'S A MUST !!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Cook
a Weekend Warrior
from Rolla, MO, USA Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lion's Club Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$475.00
Strengths:
TPC Lockout, Love the Tribal Graphics and overall looks, price
Weaknesses:
TPC Lockout had to be fixed after one week
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4300
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock
Bottom Line:
I love the bike so far. This is my first real bike in years...since I was a kid really. This has rekindled my long dormant passion for biking. For the price...this bike is great. It has opened my eyes to the difference between a Wal-Mart bike and a real bike. Gary Fisher has my business for a while.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christopher
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus,GA,US Date Reviewed: August 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Any single track I can get my hands on
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$590.00
Purchased At:
The Great Bicycle
Strengths:
Awesome Fork! Gears shift almost seamlessly, responsive in sharp turns. a fisher
Weaknesses:
chain has a bad tendancy to Jump off frequently, stem brittle
Similar Products Used:
trek 4300
Bike Setup:
ritchey stem. frog speed play spuds
Bottom Line:
great bike for price. durable, fast, basicly its an all around great bike. perfect for dicking around, but i am ready to start raceing and i see right away that i am in desperate need of an upgrade. you basicly get what you pa for. the v brakes work well on this bike, even when wet/muddy will still lock up(take that as you will good or bad). but overall to somebody who is starting off, on low buget or just not willing to pay 900+ for good bike this is for you. and u think this seat is hard needs to grow a pair.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a
from Cleveland, Ohio Date Reviewed: July 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Eddy's Bike Shop (LBS)
Strengths:
Very smooth riding. FAST! I can ride alot faster than I could before. I handles nicely.
Weaknesses:
Very hard seat. I had to get a new one.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 820
Bike Setup:
Stock except for new seat (Specialized BG2)
Bottom Line:
If your looking for a good deal on a hard tail, this bike is for you. Very good quality. I thought something was wrong with it when I heard a squeaking noise coming from the BB area, but I found out that the cranks had just com loose. They were tightened up and the sound was gone. I've put about 140 miles on it in just the past week and a half. The first half week I had it I didn't ride it much for some reason.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio , TX Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
O.P. Schnable/ McAllister
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$540.00
Purchased At:
Bike World
Strengths:
Great frame(genesis geometry)climbs like a billy goat. Perfect bike for upgrading as you progress. Best bike for the price.
Weaknesses:
The fork(axel 100mm)---not that bad use it 'till it breaks then get a marzocchi mx pro eta, its a great upgrade. The front derailleur--- good weakness because it does not cost an arm and a leg to replace. The seat--- try it and if you don't like it grab another it won't break the bank.
Similar Products Used:
GT timberline.
Bike Setup:
New fork (Marz), derailluer, seat and upgraded the brakes to avid bb7s.
Bottom Line:
Best bang for the buck. Great bike you won't regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester NY Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$475.00
Purchased At:
Towpath Bikes
Strengths:
Upgraded front suspension from my previoud marlin. Better hardwear all around, Genesis.
Weaknesses:
Alivio front derailer, it is having some issues shifting right now, but I'll get that worked out soon enough
Similar Products Used:
GT Aggressor 1.0, 2001 Gary Fisher Marlin
Bike Setup:
Stock cept for a seat, bar ends and a little saddle bag
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike new after mine was stolen 4 days ago. I was crushed because I loved my 01 Marlin. I headed back to Towpath where I bought it in hopes of finding the same bike in the same size and came across an 05 Marlin. Test road it and loved it. Road the same as my 01, but with with but just that much better with upgraded shifters, brakes etc. I am no pro, but this bike does what I want it to, fun in the streets and can handle the trails as well. Now if I didnt have to carry it up 2 stories to get it into my apartment because obviously the garage isnt safe enough anymore!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Wixom, Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: June 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lakeshore Park, Novi
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Two Wheel Tango
Strengths:
For sure the frame geometry. I climbs better than most other bikes I've ridden. The component mix to start with is allright for just getting back into riding, but as your skills grow / come back to you, the frame is well worthy in my opinion of hanging much nicer components on it (which I did)
Weaknesses:
Just a few nags. The Manitou Six fork thats on it stock (the year I purchased) is soft, flexy, and really kind of hurts pedaling effeciency. But what do you expect for the price? Also a 9sp drive train would have been cool...but I upgraded to that anyways...
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4900, Azonic Steelhead, Haro V4, a few others
Bike Setup:
WTB Speed V seat, Sram X.9 / X.7 9sp. drive train, Bontrager Race X lite carbon post, wellgo wam clipless pedals, lizard skins lock on grips. Fork, handlebars, new v brake in back, and mech disk in front w/ new levers coming later this summer
Bottom Line:
Great base frame. Very upgradable. Comfortable ride (besides stock seat, upgrade that first!) Basically, if you are WAY into mountain biking, but don't have the deep pockets to buy the Ellsworth that you really want, than this is a nice ride. Great way to keep the trails rocking. Perfect for the midwest trails here in michigan.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Burge
a Weekend Warrior
from Escondido, CA Date Reviewed: May 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Daley Ranch, Lake Hodges
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$435.00
Purchased At:
Grand Bicycles
Strengths:
Has a great climbing frame, very responsive; this bike offers a superb ride in its price range; front derailleur is underrated
Weaknesses:
The ridiculous pedals are outdone only by the ludicrous seat; rear derailleur sometimes misses
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4900, Giant Yukon
Bike Setup:
Stock, but swapped out pedals and seat, added bar ends and computer
Bottom Line:
I'm a guy in my mid-50s who's taken up trail-riding during the last two years. I wanted a Tassajara real bad, but the shopowner convinced me that this bike was the better choice for me. I've never regretted that, though I still get bike envy every time I see a Tass. The point is, you can get this bike and extras for less than $600. That's hard to beat. I knew nothing about Genesis geometry, and still don't, but I can tell you if you believe you can climb it, this bike will not hold you back. It also is fast and steady downhill. I've ridden this bike on gutted trails and put road tires on it and ridden it 30 miles, and it has done everything I asked. I'm not a jumper, and I know there are better bikes for extreme riding, but for the sheer exhiliration of trail riding, get a Marlin.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Pagano
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, Flolrida, USA Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Jonathon Dickenson
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Wheels of Wellington
Strengths:
Frame is good for log hopping, climbing, and dirt jumping; Monitou Fork has lockout, compression and rebound
Weaknesses:
rims, brakes, levers, derraileur
Similar Products Used:
'95 Mongoose Maneuver, Pacific dual suspension
Bike Setup:
05 Monitou Axel fork 100mm, Sun Rhyno Lite Rims, Single Speed conversion kit, Race Face Bash Guard
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review about 2 years later and I had to replace several parts on this bike. The derraileur broke so I switched to a single speed drivetrain, the original rims bent so I upgraded to sun rims which are much stronger and almost never go out of alignment, worst of all the original frame cracked but the original dealer and Gary Fisher were very helpful in getting me a new one.
As far as the overall performance of the bike it has been the best bike I have ridden. It is a speed machine that handles XC great and the genises geometry is great for climbing. Although the frame did crack it has been great for handling my urban freeride adventurs, even all of my major wipe outs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shannon Ward
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Date Reviewed: April 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Anything on Cootha
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Uni Bike shop
Strengths:
FRAME, climbs like a champion, i like the crowbar on it too.
Weaknesses:
grips, manitou axel fork, v-brakes
Similar Products Used:
none really
Bike Setup:
stock except for new shimano clipless pedals and Deore XT hydro's. new hubs as well to accomodate the discs (shimano m525 wheelset)
Bottom Line:
as a starter bike, its brilliant, but the v-brakes don't hold up to anything even remotely steep for more than a few minutes unless you like cramps. the bars have a good feel to them and it handles really nicely on tight single track. with the clipless, the control is even better that it was and this beastie climbs like a champion. its also more than respectable at log climbs and stops on a dime on the new brakes. highly recommended setup for beginner to intermediate XC riders who are stuck to the budget of a hardtail (me for exaple)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Redman
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterloo Date Reviewed: April 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hydro Cut
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$640.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Path
Strengths:
This bike is sick. Plain and simple. You want to hit some rocks, fly, climb? This Marlin will take care of that for you. Nice shocks, axel comps TPC lockout, genesis geometry, keeps you climbing when you think your done. Nice headset mount and set up, you feel like YOUR driving this bike, even when out of control.
Weaknesses:
Came with a bogus alivio derailleur that I had changed before I left the store. NO OTHER WEAKNESS, this bike will shift caked in mud or leaves, it really shifts well.
Similar Products Used:
Giant Iguana, Hard rock comp
Bike Setup:
This is a Canadian 2005 edition with hayes disc brakes and 9 speed componentry. I couldn't not buy the bike with this set up.
Bottom Line:
You'll have this bike for a while. If your whiny about weight and whatnot just change the derailleurs, even though deore does the trick. You'll have no problems keeping up to your friends 1500 dollar bikes with this gem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethlehem, PA Date Reviewed: April 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Jim Thorpe, PA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$530.00
Purchased At:
Bikeline
Strengths:
Genesis Geometry, disc brake mounts for upgrade, Lifetime Trek warranty on frame
Weaknesses:
Alivio front derailleur, stock tires can get pinch flats(got my first the other day)
Similar Products Used:
Many bikes through the years
Bike Setup:
Stock, with added barends, clipless pedals, cages, and cyclocomputer
Bottom Line:
Note: This is a review of the 2005 version, which is almost identical to the 2006 model. It is an excellent bike for XC riding. The adjustable Axle Comp shock with lockout is nice, though admittedly a tad on the heavy side. And the Genesis Geometry is what makes this bike so special....very nice for going over rocks and logs. All in all, for the money you will not find a better bike IMO.
Love my Marlin....it takes the abuse and asks for more;-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Kibbutz Be'eri
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$640.00
Purchased At:
Mike Bike
Strengths:
Genesis Geometry, green paint, Hayes Disc Brakes, tires
Weaknesses:
could do better than Deore rear derailer. Front end a bit tough (heavy) to lift. Seat not the most comfortable, could use an upgrade. French tube valves...changed them immediately.
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike for all Cross Country needs, geometry makes climbing (especially technical climbs) much easier. Hayes disc brakes are a joy after using V-Brakes on previous bike. Bontrager Jones Tires really bite into the ground making rides more controllable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wesley Hetrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, Florida, USA Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
San Felasco
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Spin Cycle
Strengths:
Tough frame, easy to pedal, Shimano paddle shift levers, a great platform for beginners that is worthwhile of upgrading along with your abilities.
Weaknesses:
Manitou Six fork, brake pads suck, front deraileur.
Similar Products Used:
Department store junk, and a well used Diamond Back Sorrento Sport chromoly.
Bike Setup:
WTB SpeedDisc wheels with Shimano 475 hubs, Hayes MX-2 Disc Brakes, Manitou Axel Super Fork, Sette Chromoly Skewers, Sigma Sport BC1400 wireless computer
Bottom Line:
This review is for an 04 model Marlin which I purcased in February 04. This was my first real bike purchase and I have not been dissapointed in it at all. You get alot of bike for the price and dealers seem to be very negotiable on the price which I was suprised to find in an entry level bike.
I am 6'1" and 235lbs and have not noticed any strange noises coming from the bottom bracket on my bike.
Because of my weight I think, the stock brakes were no better than any of the junk I had ridden before, I was able to piece together the disk brake setup including the new wheelset for under $200 and I'm glad I did, I have alot more confidence and control which is a good thing for me since I tend to be overly cautious, and like to know I can stop well if need be.
I love the Shimano Paddle shifters, I actually had these same shifters on my old Diamond Back and loved them to death on that bike too, in my opinion this is how all bike shifters should be.
The front fork that came with the bike (Manitou Six) was not very impressive, it worked smoothly but it offered no dampening at all and just bounced you all over the place on rough terrain. It should last a long time and be maintenance free for a beginner bt eventually you will be looking for something better.
Overall I think the Marlin is a great way to get into mountain biking. A bit pricier than what you will find at a department store but it doesnt break the bank either. Plus it won't break on you when you use it for its intended use, off pavement that is! Sure some of the components are pretty bottom of the barrel but the heart is good and you probably will not notice the difference if you are a beginner anyway. It easily accepts the plethora of aftermarket MTB parts that are out there so you can upgrade to your hearts content or as you ablilties progress. Its more like a cheap BMW (318, etc) than a Kia Sephia.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam
a
from winston salem NC USA Date Reviewed: January 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
if you like to just roam around on a bike buy it
Weaknesses:
the 80mm fork is awful is went off a 5 foot jump fell off and almost broke my neck. i had to get a new bike due to how awful this bike was
Similar Products Used:
2004 specialized hardrock comp and a 2006 cannondale jusge
Bottom Line:
dont jump i unless you feel like breaking your neck
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BLT
a Weekend Warrior
from Burbank, California Date Reviewed: December 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$529.00
Purchased At:
Local bike shop
Strengths:
Genesis frame good for tall guys; nice shifting for an "entry-level" bike; comfortable seat; paint job (blue/silver)
Weaknesses:
Bontrager crank arms; plastic pedals; forks are heavy
After renting a Gary Fisher in Hawaii, I decided to buy one. I'm a big guy (6'5", 225) and liked the feel of the Fisher. I mostly ride on the road (so I ditched the knobby tires) but wanted a bike to curb hop with and also take on dirt roads-- a Genesis hardtail fits the description. When it came time time to part with my $$$, reality dictated I'd be getting a Marlin without disk brakes. I've probably put close to 500 miles on the bike by now and can only complain about two things 1)The pedal threads stripped out of the right crank arm and Fisher wouldn't cover it under warranty. I then upgraded to a Shimano LX crank/BB (maybe next time I'll break the bank for something more extravagant but at least it's better than the stock setup); and 2)The rear brakes started making a scraping noise a few weeks ago. The OEM pads (which were still thick) had actually taken a chunk of aluminum out of the rim. A little online research told me to get some Kool-Stops and the braking is now quiet and more efficient.
I don't think it would do well for serious trail/mud riding, but I believe it's good value for a first MTB and I'm happy I bought it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randell
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Helena , CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
H&S Bike Shop- Burbank, CA
Strengths:
I like how the Genesis Geometry makes the bike centered. You can feel your center of gravity. The frame can take alot of abuse. I've had my share of spills and it still holds up. I have caliper brakes and they seems to do pretty well. Probably not as good as disc brakes, but they aren't that bad.
Weaknesses:
The seat is uncomfortable for those long rides and the stock tires might need to be changed out after a few rides because they don't have that good a grip.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup:
Mostly all stock, except i changed the pedals and got a pair of Crank Bros. Candy pedals and a Cateye speedometer.
Bottom Line:
The bike is good, it has taken a beating and still contunues to to take the abuse. The Genesis Geometry really works. You can feel the difference when you climb hills. You might want to change out the seat, pedals, and tires whenever you feel like you need to.
Overall, it's a good bike for those who are just getting into riding, and it's a good bike to progress on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Central Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: October 5, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike Shop
Strengths:
Review is for the '05 Canadian Edition. The Canadian Edition added Hayes MX-2 Mechanical discs, Shimano M545 hubs, WTB Speedisc rims, Deore shifters and Tektro levers.
Great entry bike... Great frame that handles a larger rider (I'm 6' 230 lbs) with ease. Climbs and descends great, no probs with bottoming out the '05 Axel Comp fork. The Hayes are an excellent mechanical brake.
I've put just shy of 800km on it since I got it and it has stood up very well.
Great value for the money.
Weaknesses:
Tires aren't great..they're ok to start, but you'll quickly notice what they can and can't do as you ride them more.
The seat is a little on the uncomfortable side, especially for longer rides.
BB squeak when riding hard....the front end isn't to bad to start with, but when your skills come up, you'll notice its limits. A front end more suited to the 9 cog cassette would go a long way to eliminate that limitation.
Hand grips are fairly grippy and knobby and can be hard on the hands...if you wear gloves when riding, this is a non-issue.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Rocky Mountain, Kona, KHS
Bike Setup:
Generally stock, added Shimano 520 clipless pedals, lights, splash guards, computer and bar ends. Will be going to Deore front derailleur, Shimano LX/Kore front end and different tires next year.
Bottom Line:
Really good entry level bike and excellent value, especially with the upgrades for the Canadian Edition. The bike is reasonably priced and has lots of potential to grow/upgrade as your skills progress.
If you're just looking for an occasional use bike, this is overkill. If you're already a hardcore/serious rider, this bike is not going to be able to keep up in stock form. If you're at least semi-serious about getting in (or back in) to riding off road and don't want to drop big money yet, take a Marlin out for a spin. What you'll find is a good, solid bike that has great potential to grow with you (and without breaking the bank).
5 flamers for value, 4 overall as no entry level bile/bike at this price point is perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh PA USA Date Reviewed: October 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Iron Grate
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Pittsburgh Pro Bicycles
Strengths:
Great price. Decent durability. Rides most things. Decent weight. You can keep up with most other bikes on this.
Weaknesses:
Stock tires can easily get pinch flats if you ride pretty technical stuff so it might be a good idea to get new tires. If you get a really good set of tires, your riding will improve drastically.
Bike Setup:
Stock except i installed a bash guard, clippless pedals, new tires, and a squeaky dino horn!
Bottom Line:
If you're thinking about starting up mt biking, and you don't know if its for you, this bike is for you. It can ride most trails, and is at a great price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MIke
a Weekend Warrior
from Darien Illinois Date Reviewed: September 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
most any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Great frame geometry, solid components, nice weight, quality feel all around.
Weaknesses:
Grips are terrible and hurt, seat is just as bad. Replace both asap.
sweeeeeeet bike for price, excellent for a beginner. you get a quality ride that isnt discouraging to the sport. great product in all fields
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
EHargrove
a Weekend Warrior
from Sandersville, Ga USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$501.00
Purchased At:
Oconee Outfitters
Strengths:
Genesis Geometry, value, straight out tough ass bike
Weaknesses:
Bontranger Crankset, the bottom bracket tapered shaft twisted on me, Shiman Alivio front shifter
Bike Setup:
ThudBuster, Brooks B-17 Saddle, Shimano Octalink Crankset and bottom bracket.
Bottom Line:
I Love this Bike. I got mine a few months ago after deciding to get back into shape, and reading all the reviews here and in Consumer Reports. They recommended the Marlin as a good entry level bike. I twisted the shaft on the bottom bracket, decided to replace it with a Shimano Octalink setup for added strength. I have rode this bike thru all kinds of stuff and it hasn't failed me with exception for a few pinch flats. I got the green Marlin and have had numerous compliments on it and a couple of offers for it. I hit a few trails here in Middle Georgia and look forward to tackling bigger and badder trails as my skills and endurance increase.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M Childress
a Weekend Warrior
from Chesapeake, Va, USA Date Reviewed: August 16, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Ipswich
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$480.00
Purchased At:
All About Bikes
Strengths:
Great strenght in the frame, the Genisis geometry is amazing. With better components, this bike could rate as one of the best entry level bikes on the market.
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket creaks during hard pedaling, the folks at ALL ABOUT BIKES upgraded many of the substandard components, however if you are looking for a solid entry level bike the cheap components GF throws on this bike is very leaves you feeling jaded.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4500 Trek 4900
Bike Setup:
Aluminum, Monitou axel fork, Deore rear derailer, Alivio front derailer, Bontrager crank and bar Shimano shifters, WTB rims, Shimano hubs.
Bottom Line:
For the price GF Marlin can't be denied; furthermore, for tall and beefy riders (6'3-225) the Genisis geometry fights back, and will win.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Halliwell
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: August 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Revolution Cycle
Strengths:
Genesis frame is great for bigger riders(I'm 6', 230#). 2005 Manitou much improved over the '04
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket squeak when riding hard. Had a bad batch of spokes in the rear tire (taken care of under warranty from the shop).
Smaller riders might find the genesis geometry a bit on the long side from seat to bars.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hardrock, Kona Hahanna and Fire Mountain, Rocky Mtn Vapour
Bike Setup:
Bar ends, front and real lights, shimano clipless pedals, 2 water bottles, simple computer (for commuting to work)
Bottom Line:
Purchased the Canadian Edition (closer to the Tassajara disc than the basic Marlin...big upgrades made for big bang for the buck.
The spokes were a freak thing and I've had no problems since.
Bike has over 550km on it already and has handled everything from the mundane commute to work to the single track and trails of the local river valley.
Well worth considering.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond VA USA Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
Agee's
Strengths:
Overall great package for the price, very nimble and responsive and fun to ride, great frame with room to upgrade to better components later.
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket creaks during hard pedaling. Has been back for warranty adjustments twice. I am 6' 230# so perhaps this is why? Front derailleur is a bit slower and less positive than I'd hoped for (not a big deal.) Brakes aren't as grabby as I prefer (again not a big deal.)
Similar Products Used:
A 12 year old Giant 760. After much internet research, the Marlin was the first new bike I rode and I fell in love with it.
Bike Setup:
Bar ends, toeclips, water bottle cage, front and rear lights.
Bottom Line:
This bike sees ~8 miles a day of "active" city commuting (hopping curbs, blasting up alleys, etc) and some evening / weekend fun around town as well as on jogging trails by the river. So far it has been a blast to ride. It's well beyond my skills (I haven't ridden with any regularity in 5+ years.) I looked at higher-end Fishers and bought this one instead because it would work fine for now with room to upgrade later as my skills improved and things wore out. For the money I think it's a great bike and I'm looking forward to many years of riding and improving it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, FL, USA Date Reviewed: July 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Jonathon Dickenson
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$480.00
Purchased At:
Wheels of Wellington
Strengths:
This bike is awesome. It is a great climber and descender.
Weaknesses:
The bottom bracket sucked, pedals suck, rims suck, front derailer suck
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose Maneuver, Pacific Full Sespenson
Bike Setup:
I put a new xt bottom bracket on it, it has new bontrager select rims and hubs, new shimano clippless pedals
Bottom Line:
Gary Fisher new what he was doing when he designed the frame but went cheap on the components. But I still love it cause it has more positives then negatives
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT, USA Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Steel Hollow (downhill)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$515.00
Purchased At:
Sunrise
Strengths:
The lockout feature on the Axel fork is great for road riding. Genesis geometry is the most comfortable ride for me; this bike yeilds an amazing downhill ride.
Weaknesses:
Replace the saddle before you leave the store; it made my ass hurt on the short ride home. The front derailleur is a bit fussy and probably should be replaced, but I haven't yet and it's been okay. I don't know if this was just random fluke, but the chain broke during my test ride; watch out.
Similar Products Used:
1990 GT Outpost, fully rigid.
Bike Setup:
Velo Plush saddle; half-toe pedal clips.
Bottom Line:
I'm extremely impressed with this bike thus far. The front fork lockout makes this bike super commute friendly in the city, and with the flick of the switch, you are ready for the trail. Although it takes some getting used to (the front wheel seems to pop off the ground easier during climbs), the Genesis geometry frame design works well. The frame puts you farther back over the rear wheel, which makes for an awesome downhill ride. If you are looking for a bike in this price range good for commuting and trail riding, make sure you test out the Marlin, as its been good to me so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
N. de Mus
a Weekend Warrior
from Ermelo, the Netherlands Date Reviewed: June 24, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
as said before, the genesis geometry is superb! It keeps you even with high speed on every trail. Traction is perfect. The frame is quite stiff, but very strong.
Weaknesses:
Alivio Front derailleur, Promax V-brakes, fork, WTB rims.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000, GF Aquila
Bike Setup:
Alivio front derailleur, Deore rear, Manitou Axel 100mm with lock-out,Promax V-brakes.
Bottom Line:
GF really has to work on the components. Why put an Alivio frontderailleur on a bike like this? Every GF-biker first has to upgrade the bike before it really works well. You have to put a lot of bucks in your bike to upgrade it. But overall it's a great bike, especially for a beginner the Marlin is a good bike to start with. I don't have to complain to much, because I got the bike for free. My Aquila-frame broke and I got the Marlin 2005.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Gillies
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada Date Reviewed: May 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
The Don
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Sport Swap
Strengths:
-Geometry, good power deliverd to the ground. -Solid frame, done some hefty sized jums and drops and it take it well(a bit jarring though). -Weight, it's about 25 lbs, but could be lighter. -Tires, provide better than expected traction.
Weaknesses:
-Fork, no adjustments -Alivio front derailleur, does it ever shift when you tell i to? -Stock grips, -Rims, too damn heavy
I have the 2004 version, and compared to the '03 and the '05, this one has the best components. That said, Fisher really doesn't give you the best components for your money. I mean, Manitou Six fork and Alivio front derailleur, c'mon. I wish i had spent more money in the first place and got a Specialized, would've been cheaper in the long run, with better componets to boot. The Marlin is a decnt entry level bike, that's about it. I'm probably not gonna buy Gary Fisher again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G M
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: May 1, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$475.00
Purchased At:
Kim's bike shop
Strengths:
Fast, constant speed(good geometry)
Similar Products Used:
trek 4500 (the Marlin is much better)
Bottom Line:
Fast...Fast...the price for the components...and geometry...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from Arcata, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
loop trail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
Adventures Edge
Strengths:
Good bike, I converted it to singlespeed. Love the Genisis Geometry. First bike ever. Changed off most parts by now. Good deal
Weaknesses:
none really, the fork is a little slow and heavy.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
21 lbs. singlespeed
Bottom Line:
good bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jared
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort collins Colorado, usa Date Reviewed: April 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
lee's cyclery
Strengths:
stem, handle bars, super lite tires. grips are comfy but narrow. handles realy well. brakes spot on
Weaknesses:
The seat is a little racey and hard for just pedaling around. the front derailer likes to make noise somtimes when I'm realy pedaling hard. also before i took it out of the shop, the mech. noticed the fork looked tweaked! upon closer inspection the fork was realy screwed up, he said it was mis casted from the factory. it made the front tire look not in line with the stem. needless to say he's getting me another one to put on it. the mantiou axel comp I think its called a little sticky but it good be from being mishapen
Similar Products Used:
98 gary fisher marlin trek specilized
Bike Setup:
stock, with wal mart bell brand gel seat
Bottom Line:
I love fishers! My first one was dearly beloved until it got lost. No other bike is as fickle and precise as the fisher. it begs you to pedal harder and dive into turns. i love the light front end.. you can give a little tug and the front tire rolls over logs and rocks buy this bike if you want a great all around ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, Florida Date Reviewed: March 31, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Jonathon Dickenson
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$480.00
Purchased At:
Wheels of Wellington
Strengths:
This bike was loaded with good components such as deore and bontrager. I have the 2005 model and it is perfect for XC and also for switching over to the DH/FR trails.
Weaknesses:
The WTB rims go out of alignment to easily
Similar Products Used:
Pacific full suspension
Bike Setup:
aluminum, monitou axel fork, deore rear derailer, alivio front derailer, bontrager crank and bar shimano shifters, WTB rims, shimano hubs
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I can always count on it to take me through the woods and back out again. It is also fast and light weight. I don't think I would want to ride any other frame than the new Genisis Geometry. For any one with a quality bike for less than $500 this one is for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville, KY Date Reviewed: March 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Cherokee
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$469.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Sport
Strengths:
This is the best bang for the buck. You cannot get a better ride and quality for the same price anywhere.
Weaknesses:
Alivio front deraileur. Hard bontrager seat. Not a true lockout fork.
Similar Products Used:
05' Specialized RockHopper 05' Trek 4500
Bike Setup:
Manitou Axel front fork with lockout. Alivio front deraileur. Deore Rear components. Crowbar handlebars and WTB dual duty wheels. Tektro front and rear V-brakes.
Bottom Line:
Much smoother and faster bike due to the Genesis frame geometry. Great for a beginner or intermediate rider with low cash. Spend at least $500 to get a bike and this is the one to get. Much better than the Specialized and Trek. I am 6'3" 215 lbs and don't take it easy on the bike and it keeps asking for more. Never bottomed the shock out and the lock out is a nice feature.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randi Cunningham
a Downhiller
from Belgrade Mt, USA Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Grassy Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Chalet sports
Strengths:
Easy manuvering, sturdy design, good parts
Weaknesses:
derailer problems
Similar Products Used:
treck
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ross Harding
a
from Scotland Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
glentress black slope
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very good geometry, i hardly try going up hills i used to struggle on my old saracen. Mine came with Deore hydolic discs which i feel are better than my brothers Hayes 9's. It also came with a sram pg97 cassette which is amazing, ive upgraded my other bikes to it.
Weaknesses:
The titec saddle, its really bad it was painfull to ride on for long, swapped it for a specialized BG2 comp and never looked back. The manitou six isnt the best fork, for enty level is good but i wanted more so put a manitou minute 1 on it. Also upgrade the drivetrain to xt, this cost me harly anything go the stuff off ebay!!
Bottom Line:
Off the shelf this is a great bike for starters, i bought it seeing the potential in it. It cost me £500 which is like $250 so it was great with the upgrades it came with. After putting my upgrades on it this is a fantastic hardtail and would recommend it to anyone!.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Tenzer
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami Beach, FL, USA Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
oleta state park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$410.00
Purchased At:
City Bikes-Aventura
Strengths:
Price, Name, Geometry, Intestinal Fortitude(if that's possible for a bike)
Weaknesses:
Weight, saddle comfort, brakes
Similar Products Used:
rockhopper, raliegh m80?
Bike Setup:
stock(2005), Shimano clip pedals
Bottom Line:
Mine is a 2005. I'm new to the sport. I did ride some tough trails(apex) outside of Denver so I something to compare to. Florida is obviously flat, and without a lot of experience with other bikes it's hard for me to feel the geometry thing except to say that the demo ride was more comfortable on the Marlin than the rockhopper. Plus I'm a sucker for actual or claimed scientific gimmicks. I have been tryng to beat up the bike and it's hanging in there. I went over the bars last week, landed on a big rock and bent the sh-t out of my seat rail but the rest of the bike was fine. From my research on this and other seats , the Marlin is the best value for entry level hard tail. My friend got a nice deal on a rockhopper with disc brakes. He paid comparable$$$ to a Tassajara without disc and he has the lower end components(same as Marlin) but , if you believe in the geometry thing, only the GF has it. Any suggestions for instructional videos? I have not had problems with the chain or shifting as described by others. I have the thudbuster seat post and love it. Thanks to this site and all on it for helping choose a bike and find trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lowell Callahan
a
from Abilene TX United States Date Reviewed: November 24, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Bottom Line:
bottom line for the price you pay this bike rocks, it suites my needs very well and I would recommend it to anyone
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark R
a Weekend Warrior
from Bucks Cty, PA, USA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Bike Line @Warminster, PA
Strengths:
10 lbs lighter than my 15 yr old GT. Frame design. Suspension.
Weaknesses:
Took 6 weeks, 200+ miles and two trips to the bike shop to work out the gear cable stretch and adjustment to the point where gear shifting is reasonable smooth.
Bike Setup:
BikeLine did a good job.
Bottom Line:
60 Year Old trail biker. I typically ride 4X/week plus a 20-24 mile trail ride on Saturday mornings May thru October. Did alot of research before buying. Came down to the Tassajera and the Marlin. Finally decided on the Tass, but they were out of stock so I went with the Marlin.Turns out, I LOVE THIS BIKE. I don't know of it is the minor change in gear ratios (Marlin 8 gear cassette vs GT 7 gear), the "unique" Gary Fisher frame architecture, or my imagination, but this bike chews up hills much easier than my GT did. Brakes have worked well in both dry and wet conditions. As about half of my weekly 50-60 miles are on the road, I substituted a combo road-trail tire for the typical mbk knobby tires. This makes for a smoother road ride while maintaining good grip on dry and wet trails. I never tried out the "stock" saddle, as I had my ergonomic seat transferred fm the GT to the Marlin. Overall:VERY Pleased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul McApin
a Cross Country Rider
from Somerdale, NJ Date Reviewed: October 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
GCC, sewel NJ
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$470.00
Purchased At:
earlton, cherry hill nj www.EarltonBike.com
Strengths:
Everyone reads the bad news first...
The shorter stem, decreasing leverage, requires more upperbody work (nadlebar torque) to keep control in sand, loose soil, and roots--that's if you're going fast. I did find the short stem channeled a lot of vibrations from the fork right into my arms.
The wheel base pushed forward has one major draw back: when you're riding uphills the body weight is futher back and you're more likly to pivot backward, going tea kettle over ass--it happened to me once before i got wise. (Don't worry, I'm o'kay)
Weaknesses:
But that's not all folks... All of Gary's talk about better handling and safer down hill riding is true. (I'm not sayin' this to avoid looking like an ass for shelling out a heap of cash for a crap ride). I've never felt so confident tearing through tight twisty single track. Comortable? I've been looking to build some muscle anyway.
The position of the rear wheel ads stabilty all over the place. Uphill has required learning new body positioning--but the bike design does work on the ascents.
Moving the tires forwards puts the weight of the bike forward, essentially making jumping logs and other technical maneuvers easier. (It gots mad hops, yo).
Similar Products Used:
Trek 820 (steel), Haro street BMX (also steel)
Bike Setup:
I changed out the peddles and post (putting them on the old bike because they're sweet) for shimanon clipless and a post modern suspended: otherwise stock.
Bottom Line:
A 2005, I bought the bike about thirty hours ago: first impressions are the best. Because of the geometry it takes some getting use to--After two days of beating the hell out of it, my back, shoulders and upper arms are sore. the more forward fork and shorter stem do what's promised--tighter steering, more stable descents.
The rear wheel placement also answers to the claims (But, come on Gary, you should have said something about rolling bacwards). But after I got use to it, there were no problems--it's a matter of keeping the center of gravity (my rear end) low, just in front of the seat to keep weight on both tires.
Any new bike requires a new set of skills--especially a bike with a revolutionary qeometric shift. After testing about six bikes--and i had a budget of about eight bills--this is the one that I couldn't walk out of the shop without.
what sold me in the test ride, perfect control, and it came off the ground nicely. What else do you need?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Becksted
a Weekend Warrior
from AZ Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Fantasy Isalnd
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$430.00
Purchased At:
FairWheel Bicycles
Strengths:
KickAss bike for the price! Strong, well designed frame with damned pretty graphics (people are always telling me what a nice bike it is). Tenacious tires that can take a beating. Good brakes and quick trigger shifters.
Weaknesses:
Heavy frame & components (Bontrager) Unreliable front derailleur (kept throwing my chain) Generic forks
This bike ROCKS for the price! I highly recommend for entry levels & beyond. After a few upgrades, this bike rips through trails, plows through boulders & sand while flawlessly shifting with surgical precision. I CANNOT break or bend the frame!
Dont buy this bike if you're a weight weenie (Fisher web site wont post weight!). With the upgrades I shaved off a few pounds, but this shouldnt be a problem for you big boys (I'm 155lbs).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$459.00
Purchased At:
Matthews Bikes
Strengths:
Flawless delivery. Great frame geometry. Good climber. This bike has got me into the sport. The bike never mis-shifts and runs silky smooth.
Weaknesses:
The saddle needs to be changed a.s.a.p.
Similar Products Used:
24" Haro BMX trail bike
Bike Setup:
Oury grips, Avid speed digit 7 brakes and levers, cane creek thudbuster seat post, Terry men's liberator seat, Easto EA 50 2" rise handlebar, Profile stem, Cane Creek S2 headset, cyclocomputer, Marzochi MX Comp fork, and Atomic A-Frame platform pedals.
Bottom Line:
This bike is fine as is, but has got me into the sport so much I can't resist building the bike up and making it as comfortable and performance oriented as possible. I can't wait to get on the bike, I wish my back yard was trail worthy. No matter what bike you buy, get a thudbuster seatpost for you hardtail. It was by far the best investment. COMFORT = More Riding Time
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Edwards
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson Date Reviewed: August 29, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$390.00
Purchased At:
Oro Valley Bicycle
Strengths:
I am Impressed with the Frame. It has the Genesis Geometry. Very good welds and paint. This is definatly a frame to keep and upgrade on.
Weaknesses:
Well for the price point you pay can you really complain? I did have a problem with the bottom bracket. I weight alot and no matter what I did ro the bottom bracket it would make a noise. I think the poor bottom bracket could not hold my weight and it was screaming bloody murder.
Bike Setup:
Frame, Crossmax Xl Disk wheels, Xt rear, Monkey lite carbon bar, Deore disk brakes, Race Face Diabolus DH Cranks, Deore Front, XT chain, Lizard skin Grips, Ritchey post and Salsa Seat
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike not wanting to spend alot of Money sice I was just getting back into the sport. I had alot of good parts lying around from my previous spat into the sport. So for me I really just got the bike for the frame and sold the other parts that I did not need on ebay.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gimme A. Naproxen
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
My bike nut buddy
Strengths:
The Marlin model i've been riding is vintage (I think 1999) made in the USA (frame, ahem) goodness. It has the red and black paint job. I come from a strictly road background, so I was drawn immediatly to the lightness of this machine (compared to other hard tails in the price range that I had been looking at.) The best thing, and I mean best about this ride has to be the geometry. When I want to thow down some calories, this bike says "jeebus, i've been bored! Thank you!" In other words, it's VERY responsive, nay nearly twitchy. I haven't yet taken it on a good, bumpy downhill at high speed yet, but my intuition tells me that I had beeter not drink the night before. It's the same thing with a good responsive road package though....a cruel mistress if you slack off. I have climbed on it though. The Genesis frame puts your anchor WAY over the back wheel. I did a climb that I thought for sure I would have to desaddle and grunt my way up it, but the Marlin responded with "sit down buddy boy, everythings gonna be alright" and it was. Excellent climber. I would suggest this bike to any roadie who wants to see what the other half sees and still feel at home. Granted, mine is vintage, but as far as I can tell compared to the latest models the frame geometry is the same.
Weaknesses:
Mine has Altus F. and R. Derails. Accurate as hell as long as there's not alot of stress on the chainline. Otherwise, Pffft. Mine also has Rockshox Jett forks, I think on a scale of 1-10 (just really starting up with off road) i'd give em' a 6. These forks would blow the biggest chunks for heavier riders (i'm 150 lbs and I can't seems to get them stiff enough, maybe it's because i'm used to the rigid ride of a road bike where you feel every last little crack in the pavement) My buddy sold the bike to me with a Selle Italia road seat atop the stock Bontrager post. That will be the first thing to go....That is if I decide my ferility is a valuable thing!
Similar Products Used:
Back in the day--- All Specialized. Stumpjumper, Rockhopper. They simply suck compared with this. They were heavy by comparison, not to mention ugly. Why wouldn't my elitist roadie ego ever let me go this way before? Maybe that's a question for a different forum.
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock from the time it was made. A few nice little additions such as "bullhorn" ends and grips (makes it look REALLY aggressive, and somehow makes me want to ride harder than I am really capable of on terrain where I could end up in trouble) Bontrager rims, stem and post. Big, ugly nobby tires....Deore LX brakes and shifters. Altus cranks...you get the idea. Pretty much ride-till-they-bust then upgrade components.
Bottom Line:
Fantastico! They can only have improved in the last 4 or so years. You get the street cred of riding a Fisher among the dirt folks and it's deserved in my opinion. This would be a great place to start for Road riders who want to mix a little blood with thier adrenaline. I don't think I could suggest this bike to a very tall or heavier rider (say over 180 lbs.) just due to the geometry and components offered at this level. I was reading these reviews and noticed ppl complaining about "F derail rubbing on the big chainring" Well, if your heavy your dealing with bottom bracket flex most likely. This can be a huge problem in light road bikes too.
Anyway... happy trails and keep paying your health insurance!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa, Florida Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Alafia
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Oliver's
Strengths:
Light weight, decent components for the price, great geometry
Weaknesses:
Nothing really.. I wanted a decent bike to learn on and I got it. Had I pieced the bike together, I might have chosen a different fork than the Manitou six. I understand the 05's have a different fork.
Similar Products Used:
GF Advance, Tarpon
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bike to learn on. It climbs great. My typical ride lasts 2 hours and it's comfortable for that time. I started on it with zero experience, so it has really taken some abuse. I may get all busted up, but the bike hasn't failed, yet. I would recommend the Marlin to anyone getting started; For the price it's tough to beat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Forrest
a Weekend Warrior
from Akron OH Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$429.00
Purchased At:
Eddie's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great light frame, genesis geometry, decent componentry for price, its a Fisher
Weaknesses:
Front derailleur, seat does not offer much support and gets uncomfortable
Similar Products Used:
test rode:specialized rockhopper, hardrock comp, wahoo, trek 4300
Bike Setup:
stock except for chrome eggbeaters, WTB sst2k saddle and a cateye astrale 8
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, Genesis Geometry is right for me. I feel very in control of the bike and the riding position seems to work more of the natural running muscles for a great workout. I ride road, towpath trails, and a little bit of technical stuff and the marlin is a great do-everything bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
several
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$325.00
Purchased At:
pro bikes
Strengths:
Great frame quality for the money Innexpensive (got great deal)
Weaknesses:
Components could be better, even at this price
Similar Products Used:
Giant Boulder se Specialized hardrock comp
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
The bike itself is great for a sometime rider. The frame is excellent quality, and is a good mild trail bike. Took the bike on some technical trails and was not impressed, but for the money, and it's purpose you can't expect a lot more. Not crazy about the riding position. Got he XL frame as I am 6'3" 240lbs. Has held up well, with exception to the pedals, and breaks could be better. Can get a comparably price Specialized with disc breaks and better fork, which is nice to have. Overall no complaints. I think the bike is a good performer and value in the price range.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike K.
a Weekend Warrior
from Port Royal, SC Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$475.00
Purchased At:
Lowcountry Bicycles
Strengths:
Value. Genesis Geometry. I'm a pretty big guy (225 lbs) and it's holding up just fine under me.
Weaknesses:
None that I've found yet, but it's only been a month.
Similar Products Used:
Tried some Trek's and a Specialized Hardrock, but this is the first mountain bike I've owned.
Bike Setup:
Stock.
Bottom Line:
I spent a lot of time researching what I wanted/needed for my first mountain bike. The Marlin offered some higher-end quality, without breaking my bank. For the money, I couldn't find a better bike. It's a great ride, the Genesis geometry is a big plus and the Gary Fisher name definitely boosted my confidence in the product. The dealer I bought it from spoke highly of it, even when compared to similar Trek bikes that had a higher price tag. Friends of mine who have ridden for years also talked up Fisher when I was looking for my bike. I've had the Marlin for about a month now and ride it four or five times per week. So far, I'm completely satisfied and I'm looking forward to riding it for years to come. I think it's a great bike for beginning mountain bikers because it combines a reasonable price tag with the ability to withstand a heavy riding schedule if you decide to really get into the sport. Plus, the frame and Genesis geometry make it a great start for future up grades.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Healdsburg CA Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Skyline to the Sea(Big Basin ntl Park)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
375
Strengths:
Valu, Value, Value All components work.... I have ridden this thing alot 3 mos. and it seems to like it. I like the dimensions of my 17.5 in. frame. The frame really is the only GOOD component.
Weaknesses:
Generic Components, Most of these components so generic that no one has bothered to even offer the chance to rate them here at MTBR.com(except Chain Ig9 tires irc mythos) However owning this set of components allows you to really appreciate the upgrades you will soon want to make.
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Specialised, others...
Bike Setup:
Soon to put on my 8sp compatable 9sp Race Face Next LP carbon cranks(167.00 on ebay) with azonic A frame pedals (49.00 cambriabike.com) oh and Manitou Black Elite(229.oo ebay)
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best, For a low end "Quality" frame and working components, You need this bike.
Those bad fork reviews are about the 03 manitou six so dont worry(04 better)
I have taken this bike downhill and jumps, but seriously, UPGRADE every single component at your earliest convenience. And do it yourself! I must award highest 10 chile status for posterior.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Still looking for it...
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Price! For the dollars, this is a great bike. Genesis geometry is awesome on the hills. Good frame and decent components.
Weaknesses:
The stock fork (Manitou Six) is just a spring--no damping. Depending on where you ride, that may not matter to you. I'll probably upgrade over time.
Stock, except I dumped the crappy platform pedals.
Bottom Line:
Dollar for dollar, you won't find a better bike. I thought seriously about that Tassajara, but the difference between the two is one more cog on the drivetrain and a nicer fork (and $150). I'll probably upgrade the fork down the road, but for now, I'm really happy with the Marlin. If you're looking for a solid cross country bike for not a lot of money, this is a great choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich R.
a Weekend Warrior
from E. Syracuse, NY, USA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Green Lakes State Park (to date)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$470.00
Purchased At:
The Bile Loft, North Syracuse NY
Strengths:
Genesis geometry is fantastic, light frame, decent components, "blue fire" paint is nice - It's a Gary Fisher.
Weaknesses:
Front derailleur will grind at times.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized & Giant.
Bike Setup:
Stock with minor add ons.
Bottom Line:
I researched, looked at, tested many bikes in this price range. The Genesis geometery really makes a difference - test it for yourself! The frame & components on this bike are great for the money...if you want to do pretty serious riding and not break the bank or get suck with a crap bike and components then get this bike - you won't be dissapointed. Plus as I said before...It's a Gary Fisher. Gary knows bikes! I hope your LBS is as helpful as mine was!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Whiteson
a Weekend Warrior
from New Hudson Michigan USA Date Reviewed: April 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Island Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Two Wheel Tango
Strengths:
Light, great componets, awesome geometry. This bike is just all around awesome!!
Weaknesses:
Honestly, if I had to pick any, and really there aren't, I would have to say, the 24 speed drivetrain. Maybe having 27 speeds would be nice, but for $450, what do you expect, and anyone who rides in Michigan, knows, that sometimes its a stretch to figure out what to do with even 24.....
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M80, Kona Fire Mountain, Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup:
Stock, minus the reflectors
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome bike. Its one of lighter bikes I tried in this price range. I would recommend this Fisher to anyone! The ride is comfortable, and it seems to get up-and go than any other bike I've ridden, such as Specialized, or Raleigh, or even Kona. Sure the bike only comes with V-brakes, and 24 gears, but for $450, you can't beat it. I have the silver one, which is a great looking bike!! If you are looking for a hardtail, in the $400-$600 range, this, in my opinion, the best you can have! 5 Chilies all the way!
btw...thanks to all the previous reviews on mtbr, which got me to the fisher dealer in the first place (and the specialized, and the raleigh, and the kona, and on, and on...) Great site!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Arn
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose Ca Date Reviewed: April 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$430.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Solid build. Components are very nice with one exception. Genesis geometry is confidence inspiring. It really makes going up/downhill easier. Tires and rims also hold up well, I've done some jumps and tricks on the bike and the wheels are still straight. Tires grab well in tight corners and clear mud away quickly.
Weaknesses:
The front derailleur will grind against the chain when in the biggest chainring. The brake pads are a bit on the mushy side. They stop well, but if you like a bit more bite to kick up some dirt, just replace the back pads. The grips that came on the bike (GF) were not the ones stated in the brochure (Bontrager)..GF customer support wasn't helpful in getting the correct grips. The GF grips lack grip and are too bulky compared to the Bontrager.
Of all the bikes in the price range of $350-500, I found the Marlin to be the best. It's componentry and Genesis Geometry put it over the top. *The Specialized Rockhopper came in a very close second. The others are also good bikes except for the Raleigh. It fell apart during my test ride. Note: The Marlin is made overseas. Only the GF Tassajara on up are made in the USA. The lower models are made overseas. Make sure when you purchase your bike, regardless of what brand, compare the specs to what is stated in the brochure. Something as simple as grips can make or break a 4hr. trail ride. Also, if you plan on being in the mountains more than once a week, I strongly suggest getting a full suspension bike. They're a lot more comfortable and fun during downhill runs. If you plan to do most of your riding around town with an occasional trail ride.. the Marlin is best in its class.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marty
a Weekend Warrior
from B'ham Al Date Reviewed: April 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mtn
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
Cahaba Cycles
Strengths:
Price, Durability, Deore (rear)
Weaknesses:
Front Derailluer grinds
Similar Products Used:
Giant, Trek in this price range
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Shimano pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. If you don't have more cash but still want a real bike, this it what you're looking for. I've ridden it hard with no problems. The front derailluer works fine but does grind going onto the big chain ring. The bike shop adjusted it once & I keep it cleaned & oiled with a dry lube & it works fine. I have a friend with the same bike & he has had the chain to come off but I've only had this problem a couple of times. Maybe because he is heavier??? From what I've experienced so far this is a fun, durable bike. Also, it's made in USA!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Arkansas Date Reviewed: March 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Frame geometry, price, light, paint job
Weaknesses:
If I had to pick a weakness it would be the front derailer, but you can up grade that for a low price anyway. It serves it’s purpose but I had to pick a weakness.
Bike Setup:
Pure stock setup
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is the bike is the best for it’s price range. I did a lot of research and shopping around before I bought this bike. This bike gives you good components for less money than other more expensive bikes with worse components. I got a good deal at my LBS too. I can stay seated going uphill because of the geometry. The bike is great for the cross country rider. I heard some bad reviews about the 2003 version of the shock breaking on jumps. These people were doing 3-5 jumps and said the shock broke. Of course it broke the shock isn’t made for that anyway and there’s a sticker on it from the factory that says not for jumping. I am 200 lb and haven’t had any trouble with it yet on the XC trails with moderate jumps. This bike is great for beginners or moderate riders. Racers will get something else anyway. This is just a great bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shaune Huysamen
a Weekend Warrior
from Alpharetta,GA,USA Date Reviewed: March 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Chicopee
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$469.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Works in Roswell
Strengths:
Genesis Geometry,Fairly Light
Weaknesses:
Seat,Front Derailer
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4700
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock except for Bontrager Bar ends,and Shimano Clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
Cant beat this bike for the price.I do some serious trails and had no problem so far.Had some guys with bikes in the 2 grand brackets bite my dust.I would definitely recommend this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando,FL, USA Date Reviewed: February 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$429.00
Purchased At:
David's World Cycle
Strengths:
Low price for what you get. Also bike is relatively light and very responsive.
Weaknesses:
The fork it came with is a definite throw away
Similar Products Used:
I demoed almost every bike at its price point and for your dollar, its a great bike.
Bottom Line:
As stated previously I demoed every bike at its price point. A lot of bikes at the same price give you disc breaks and shotty componetry. I'll take better componets and a better frame anytime over a disc break setup. If you are a weekend rider who wants a bike to take out and ride rough on the trails without breaking your bank, this is your bike. So far I have put probably 40 hours on my bike on some tough wet terrain and have had zero problems with it. I ride with a group of guys who ride bikes that cost twice as much as mine and could see no reason to spend the money they did for what I do with it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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