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Submitted by
clakes
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Harbin Park (Fairfield, OH) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek of Cincinnati | | Strengths: | Looks (Gary Fisher makes sharp bikes), Frame geometry, nice components for the price | | Weaknesses: | Peddals (pedal reflectors fell off first time out) | | Similar Products Used: | KHS ALite 500, Specialized Hardrock Sport, Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike (Wahoo 09 Disc). Looks good...silver with white seat, very solid construction minus the pedals, handles great on trails, nice and smooth on the road. For the price the is the very best in value under $600 imo. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a Weekend Warrior
from san clemente
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle werks | | Strengths: | good fit for me, durable, comes with better components then other bikes in its price range | | Weaknesses: | pedals, grips | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought it new out of the box for 500. Rode it around to get used to it for a bit then I took it out for about 15 miles of cross country. any time I had the gears set at 2 front 3 rear and put some force on it, it would pop. I will see if adjustments will help that. It held up real well through everything. It took a little bit before I figured out how to whip the bike into turns. I figure it has something to do with the geometry. Moving fast I encountered some unavoidable ditches, dips, and washouts and the front suspension got me through it but barely a few times. It needs a a fork with more give than what is on there. I am happy with it beginners with a budget should get it and if you have a bike already and ride alot it wouldn't hurt to have this one on standby (without the clipless pedals) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-Dad
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Strong, durable frame; G2 Geometry; lifetime warranty; best value in price point.
| | Weaknesses: | Heavy fork, poor pedals, weak brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | I ride the '09 Wahoo Disc | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I rise the new disc version of the wahoo but borrowed a friends old wahoo the past weekend and it was almost exact same ride. There is no better bike for under $500, seriously. If you ride hard, this is a starter or a back-up, you can't hurt the frame so t might make sense to upgrade unless you want to go 29er.
Some idiot called this bike a Huffy below, don't listen to that crap. I'm no professional but a stock wahoo can handle a lot more than my old carcass can dish out and you get the same exact frame as the $1000 G2 hardtail--you do the math. Huffy? Must work for Specialized. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dark Helmet
a Racer
from Louisville, KY
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown County | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$377.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, yet light frame. Fisher geometry fits me the best! Integrated headset. Beautiful finish. | | Weaknesses: | A nearly 6 lbs fork! Heavy square BB. Rim brakes. Heavy wheelset. Flat pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Tassajara, Fisher Caliber. | | Bike Setup: | Took everything off the frame! Manitou R7 80 mm fork. Mavic 717 wheelset. Truvativ Team Stylo crankset with GXP BB. Thomson stem and seatpost. Easton Monkeylite handlebar. ODI lockon grips. Avid BB7 disc brakes. etc.. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike for the frame. The long top tube fits my body type. Rode it a little bit stock. As is, it's pretty heavy for a hardtail. The stem and handlebar a give a harsh ride. Had to use the stock fork for a race. The fork weighs a ton! It makes climbing miserable. I put my own average componetry and knocked the weight down to 24 lbs from 29 lbs. I'm trying a shorter fork to make up for losing the G2 geometry fork. It's a bit snappier, haven't tried it on a trail yet. Once it gets going, the bike is fast! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon002
a Weekend Warrior
from West Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Good geometry, stiff frame, average weight. Very easy bike to ride and great to learn on. | | Weaknesses: | Stock grips slip off, stock pedals are weak, tires aren't very grippy on roots or logs, forks are spongy over rough terrain and offer only limited adjustment. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock Sport, Trek 4300. | | Bike Setup: | replaced grips with lock-ons, replaced pedals with SPD's | | Bottom Line: | Great beginner bike, components are average and bike was very easy to ride on single track. Can't beat it for the price. I do plan on upgrading the tires, forks and swapping out the stem for a shorter model. Other then that I couldn't be happier for the money I spent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
koij1984
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo, USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | OZ Cycles | | Strengths: | Steering/Control, lightweight aluminum frame w/ lifetime warranty, lockout suspension, 24 gears for smooth hill-climb, Shimano disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | Available in only one color, hard seat which is expected for a stock seat, rubber hand grips | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is my first quality bike. Multiple bicycle enthusiasts discussed with me the pros and cons between the Fisher Wahoo and both the Trek 4300 and 4500. I tested the Wahoo and 4300 back to back and truly felt a better ride-ability atop the Wahoo. So far I've taken it down flights of stairs, over curbs, up-hills and through partially wooded areas and it still feels/rides as good as the first day I took it home. Great beginner/amateur level bike, parts are fully upgradeable so when I decide to advance my equipment I'll just keep this frame and upgrade gradually. Thanks G.F. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LifeRiver36
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville, KY, USA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherokee park trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport | | Strengths: | Handling, weight, comfort | | Weaknesses: | Grips were kind of weak, got some lock on ourys to replace them. | | Similar Products Used: | Non really except a cheap aluminum fake Schwinn, which is like a geo tracker compared to a ferarri | | Bike Setup: | 2009 Fisher Wahoo stock except Lock On Oury Grips and water bottle holder. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike I've put about 10-12 hours on it in about a week and couldn't be happier the only thing I would have done different is maybe have gotten the Disc model but I didn't have the funds.
I'm a newbie to mountain biking but rode motocross semi-professionally for 10 years and rode bmx for fun throughout my racing career.
I've ridden it about 50/50 road and trails.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tombikeler
a Weekend Warrior
from wi
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | bairds creek,green bay | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | joe bikelers bike sh | | Strengths: | light,good traction,quick steering lots of fork travel.looks hot too | | Weaknesses: | grips should be lock on,because i couldnt get stock grips to stay put.. | | Similar Products Used: | gt tequesta,scott comp pro,cannondale killer v | | Bottom Line: | inexpensive,but handles like a much more expensive bike, and lower level parts are holding up just fine for a weekend warrior. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LAKERMN
a Weekend Warrior
from Fullerton
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Irvine/Tustin Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$215.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Price, value, solid build, looks. | | Weaknesses: | Hard tail. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized comp. | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock... can't see putting money in it when I know I'm going to upgraded soon. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is solid. It shifts correctly, and the V-Brakes stop on a dime. I couldn't imagine needing disk brakes until I came down a 20%+ grade. The bike is too big for me for trails (19", I'm 5'6"), but for $2 bills, I couldn't pass it up. Not an issue on the streets at all; comes into play on the mountain. I was able to keep up with a more-experienced biker going up, but he killed me going down the hills in his $2K Stumpjumper; some user error there (I'm a newbie), but his bike seemed to handle much better (at 4X the price). I also can't imagine a better value than this bike, even at retail, but I have my eye on some full suspensions. It's the 2007 version and it looks nice with the black/gray paint. Awesome beginner bike, but if you are between a hardtail and a full suspension, pony up the cash for the soft-tail. You'll want it eventually. I know I do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek w
a Downhiller
from CC, IA, US
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere w/ jumps | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$410.00 | | Purchased At: | Waynes Ski and Cycle | | Strengths: | Awesome components and frame | | Weaknesses: | Saddle, Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 3200 | | Bike Setup: | Serfas Tire, Ripper Pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is an all around good bike for starters and in town riding. Personally i dont think you can get a better bike fot this price. I've had very few problems with all the torture I've put it through. I would recomend this bike to anyone who wants to big without burning a whole in your wallet. GO GARY FISHER! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Hamilton Creek, Tnasi, Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Purchased At: | Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bicycle | | Strengths: | Durability, handling, Genesis Geometry, great value for a $400 bike. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 860 Mountain Track | | Bike Setup: | Swapped 25 deg. stem for a 10 deg (free), upgraded pedals to Shimano PD-M540 ($50 at JensonUSA), upgraded wheelset to Mavic Crosstrail Disk ($415 at REI w/20% coupon), upgraded brakes to Avid BB7 ($100 at PricePoint), upgraded saddle to Koobi Xenon ($60 at LBS). Everything else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | Since all of the hardtails in this lineup use the same Genesis frame, there was a greater cost-benefit for me in buying the Wahoo and upgrading only components that produce a significant performance increase. At the end of the day, I have a $1,000 bike with custom-chosen components. I could pay that much for a different bike and still would want to upgrade parts. If I choose to go full-suspension some day, all I have to do is buy the frame. The drive train is decent and works like it should. The RS Dart 1 fork works well to and is another easy upgrade in the future. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from California, Maryland, St. Marys
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | St. Mary's Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$405.00 | | Purchased At: | bike doctor waldorf | | Strengths: | Great rockshox. Great feel. Nice matching components...derailer..etc. | | Weaknesses: | hard seat. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized rockhopper
schwinn | | Bike Setup: | changed seat to gel type. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Rides great. weighs 30.5pounds. speeds, and endurance have improved with this bike. If you are looking for a great bang for your buck and you don't want to spend a fortune, then this is the bike for you. Gary Fisher/Trek make great products and this is no exeption. The paint is great, and the graphics are nice and subtle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Fl USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Revolutions | | Strengths: | Very durable and strong. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle, derailers, tires, pedals, | | Similar Products Used: | 1995 GF wahoo | | Bottom Line: | Great bike to start xc biking. I wish i had spent more money initially. The pedal broke quickly, however i bought clipless. The stock saddle is very hard , I upgraded to a speed V. It is very light, yet extremely durable as it handles my 5'11 225 pound a$$. The brakes are good, but i am curious about upgrading to disc. I have had the bike for about 10 months and the tires are pretty worn. The der. and chain need to be kept clean otherwise you will have accidental gear switch. I love the bike and it is very easy to upgrade the parts...for the right amount of $$$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Avi Kurlantzick
a Cross Country Rider
from Potomac, Maryland
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail Outfitters | | Strengths: | Solid frame.
Pretty decent seat.
Good starter/upgradeable bike.
Like the energizer bunny. No matter what you do to it, the blasted thing just keeps going and going and going... | | Weaknesses: | crappy components, although they have held up pretty well considering what i put them through. | | Similar Products Used: | Various bikes i borrowed from my friends...
Jeep dual suspension downhill tank
Fuji dual suspension xc (i don't know what model)
Raleigh something or other.
Old trek commuter bike | | Bike Setup: | New seat (Bontrager)
New grips (Serfas)
New pedals (welgo platforms)
New tires (random ones from the shop)
New tubes (Slime Pro)
New cassette (same as stock) | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike to replace one I trashed in a wreck. I got it on sale, the normal price being $350. I rode the hell out of this bike and it still works. It's done basic trails here in MD, Heavy trails up in new york, and my commute to school and back (during which i hammer it up and down hills and over jumps and curbs.) The only time the bike was actually taken out of commission was when I was hit by a car. Other than that, it holds up incredibly well. The frame is good and stiff, and the geometry is great. The breaks work pretty well even though I've bent the stock wheels pretty badly. The stock pedals were crap but new platforms cost like 15 bucks so no biggie. Considering that I can beat my best friend's brother on his treck road bike down racetrack hill near my house, I think it's safe to say that it's a pretty good bike for the money. My only complaint is that the acera/alivio components are really crappy. Even so, they do their job just fine. The nice thing is that it's worked long enough for me to save enough to upgrade the components. The fork is crap too so that is getting replaced. If you need a good starter bike, or want a bike that you can upgrade to be a really good one, this is the one for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashua, NH USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Mine Falls, Nashua | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Naults | | Strengths: | Great frame, good components for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Rims, saddle (hard as hell, but all in this price range tend to suck anyway). Tires seem to have difficulty retaining air pressure | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon, Specialized Hardrock Sport | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for upgraded saddle to Bontrager XCR-Comfort | | Bottom Line: | Bought a 19" frame, I'm 6'1 but only have a 30" inseam so it's a bit tall, but the Genesis geometry fits my longer torso best. Love the frame and looks of the bike (mine is black and silver 07 model). The stock seat is torture, upgraded and now I can ride until my legs give out. I plan on upgrading the components in the future as needed, the shock is adequate for the light XC I'm currently doing. Plan on upgrading to discs before the year is out, would have been nice if they had provided disc capable hubs, but the rims are a weak point anyway. $440 is the going rate here in New Hampster at various shops, if I had been able to get it for $380 the value would have been off the chart. Loving the bike however! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hurkey Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Budget Bikes Eagle Rock | | Strengths: | Great Value for the money, Love the Geometry | | Weaknesses: | I guess the pedals were junk but I got Clips the first day so no worries. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Anthem 2 FS | | Bike Setup: | Added Shimanno 520 pedels. A spare set of wheels with 1.25" tires, off my brothers crashed Gary Fisher Cake 3, used for road riding. | | Bottom Line: | I am very happy with this bike. This is my first "real" bike. I started riding last year on a Cosco full suspension bike and the frame cracked. Got the GF Wahoo and started riding 4 or 5 days a week. Road on week days and trail weekends. Put 1700 miles on it and nothing broke!! I decided I wanted a full Susp and better components, so got a Giant Anthem 2, and use the Wahoo for road now. Great for XC, the fork is barely good enough but can't find better in the price range. The frame geometry is perfect for me, 19" frame, 5' 11" 195 Lbs. I have not seen a better package for $400 yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland ohio Usa
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | anything that won't break this bike | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | eddies | | Strengths: | There are not strength to this bike. | | Weaknesses: | Save your money and buy a Huffy you will get a much better bike. I have had mine less that 2 years and have had nothing but problems. The pedals broke the first week. The bearing had grit in them. I had to take it bake to the dealer 4 time before it was fixed. The cable housing pops out on bumps wich will lock up the front brake and leave you with a broken nose or worse. I tried contacting the company to no avail. The got their money and that all they care about . I have had terrible chain suck problems even after a chain cleaning and degreasing. As far as I am conserned the stole $550.00 from me. Boy I sure hope I run into Gary fisher some day so I can show him what I think of thives like him. All this after saving 2 years for a bike and I haven't even taken it off road yet | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 880 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I should say Huffy on it | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brook Nullmeyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Buckwallow | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Swap | | Strengths: | The overall bike and everything on it is ok, I under bought, but frame set-up is amazing!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Not much, I should have bought a better cross-country, but the value is great, everything like the forks, tires, rims are okay | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Flow (my current bike, sold the Wahoo) | | Bottom Line: | The Value and Set-up are amzing, but everything is okay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Natko Bajic
a Cross Country Rider
from Split, Croatia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | a friend | | Strengths: | Frame, geometry, look, weight...basic parts are great | | Weaknesses: | RIMS, some very minor crappy plastic parts | | Bike Setup: | Wahoo 2006, added a bit wider rear tyre (as of my 90kg), changed rims(!) | | Bottom Line: | What you paid is what you get for. Nice bike, very light and therefore really fast. Also, pedals I got are great, meaning already changed at the shop maybe for some small extra price. Fork is solid, at least for an ordinary cross-country is more than satisfying. At last this is a hard tail.
I was only unpleasantly surprised when after some total of 500 km in the middle of the temperate city ride my rear rim splitted and destroyed brakes and the tube (lucky for an untuched, brand new $35 tyre on it, lol). Then I realized those rims aren't actualy of good quality and replaced rear with an $50 one, front with a bit cheaper... In my opinion they are the worst thing on the bike, which could potentially be dangerous. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Modesto, ca, USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Solid Frame Warranty (Life Time) and awesome geometry for larger riders. I am 6'2' 240 and the bike fit better than all of the others that I tried. The components are not the top of the line but certainly not the lowest either. Fisher beat all other bikes on price and Value in this category. | | Weaknesses: | I have had the bike a short time but I cannot see any short comings. I was realistic in what i expected the bike to do and it has out performed many more "expensive" bike on the road and trails. | | Similar Products Used: | I tested the TREK, Iron Horse Maverick, Specialized Hard Rock, Giant Yukon, Jamis Ranger 2.0 and a host of others... | | Bike Setup: | Free pedal upgrade plus they knocked off some on price. | | Bottom Line: | The Wahoo and Fisher set up was the bike that fit me the best. It really is about the feel of a bike. i bounced from shop to shop to internet comparing and riding different bikes and models and price was always a consideration. The Fisher was the only bike that had solid components and a great feel for under 400.00. I look forward to a long run of fun with the bike... I am the pickiest consumer and Fisher was dead on with quality and value.
Oh- and the local bike shop upgraded my pedals without even asking... Nice + they gave me free tune ups and adjusting for life in writing. (If you wonder if they will be around to make good... i bought my last bike from he same guys 22 years ago.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from gainesville, florida, usa
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | red rock in ocala national forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Gator Cycle | | Strengths: | lifetime guarantee on frame, light, good components | | Weaknesses: | the stock pedals are CRAP | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4700, diomondback sorento | | Bottom Line: | Good Bike that will last you a lifetime, atleast the frame, and can easily be upgraded | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dory
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Bragg, CA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Lots | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | CAC | | Strengths: | Great frame, most components are pretty deacent, can take a good beating, cant beat this bike for weight (well ya you can but not alot) | | Weaknesses: | Fork, it sucks. Upgrade to something burlier.
Crankset. Get the shamono octolink setup.
breaks arnt so great.
peddals. atleast get some good flats.
grips. just get new ones
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale f200 | | Bike Setup: | Manitu fork, shamono octolink technoligy crankset | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, can take a deceant beating. just some things need to be upgraded. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tomi
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Decent budget level XC-eligible bike. | | Weaknesses: | Definetly the elastomer RockShox Judy TT fork. Plastic pedals. Bottom bracket noise. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cinder Cone. Kona Hahanna. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Wahoo. v-brakes. Changed worthless Judy TT to decent Marzocchi Z5. Alivio shifters. Changed to a shortem stem, better seat, and clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this one to be used mostly on my way to work but still wanted to be able to ride serious 5 hour XC trips and to survive in our bike-hostile city. The first impression on this bike was that it was in a whole different quality level than the other bikes I was comparing in this price range. The frame is very good. The extremely long geometry makes the bike a good climber and it accelerates well. Given this, the driving position is also very stretched. Therefore I changed to a bit shorter stem to make it easier to handle in the city and in technical driving. Also, the slippery and easily breaking plastic pedals, as commented before, must be changed - clipless pedals are the only choice for XC riding anyway ;) The most important component, if I may say, is the fork: in serious XC riding, bouncy elastomer suspension forks like Judy TT are even dangerous. I changed the fork to a 4 years old Marzocchi Z5 and the difference was unbeliveable! With these modifications the bike is fully XC-eligible and it is a real joy to use it on trails and in pavement riding. In fact the fork difference is so impressive even when riding in pavement so I would really recommend changing to a decent fork.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron in SD
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hurkey Creek 24 Hr | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek store | | Strengths: | Great frame for beginner, components about right for me when I was starting out. Basic black frame is sweet | | Weaknesses: | Cheap pedals, bottom bracket noise | | Bike Setup: | 100% stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike when I decided to get into MTB'ing this year based on my friend's good experience with his Tassajara. The guy in the Trek store steered me to the Wahoo and it has been a good introductory bike. Got the 21" frame (I'm 6-3) and it feels great. I've put about 200 miles on it, mostly intermediate stuff (along with a weekend at Mammoth) and it's taken the abuse of my 215 lb a$$ with no perceptable damage to wheels or other major components. The bottom bracket is kind of creaky and the front der is starting to miss shifts. Brakes have held up well as have rims, shifters, etc. The stock tires seem to have worn quickly (consistant with reviews for the tire) so I'll probably replace them with the brake pads. I'm gonna take the plunge and get some clipless pedals and keep an eye out for a nicer front der but that's it. I feel very comfortable on the bike an my confidence grows every ride. Concur with all the other reviewers that this is a great value entry level bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO. USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$412.00 | | Purchased At: | Campus Cycles in Denver | | Strengths: | Competant Genesis frame, quality manufacturer and product, reliable, smooth shifting. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap plastic pedals | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Trek, Diamond Back Response, Schwinn, Mongoose, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Stock 19" frame--upgraded my Shimano front and rear derailers to XT components after 4 months. They were on Ebay (NEW)for around $90 (for both). Upgraded the pedals immediately after reading the negative reviews on how cheap plastic they are. | | Bottom Line: | Here's the deal; I wanted an inexpensive beginner mountain bike that could take a little abuse for around $400. I checked the major sports retailers and bicycle shops talking with a bunch of people trying to find out which bike would suit my riding style best. I ride single track in the mountains--nothing extreme, and ride a few times a week.
I am 6'1", and have a 35" inseam. The bike fits me perfectly when compared to other companies of simlar size and quality. This bike is perfect for someone who is on a budget, desiring a quality mountain bike that is easily upgradable. I didn't need to drop an extra $100 for the disc brakes--but it's more cost effective to buy the bike with them on if you want them. If you add them later, it will cost you several hundred to do so. Middle of the line Shimano components--but will work just fine unless you beat them hard.
You can't beat a Gary Fisher Wahoo for the money! Happy riding! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | lightweight and very fast great brakes good components good front shox | | Weaknesses: | back break pad touches the rim on the back tire but can be easily fixed | | Similar Products Used: | friends Giant bike real big | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | its a great beginners bike for trails and riding through the woods and its great for the price because the frame is garenteed for life and parts can upgraded after they are wornout | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fat Daddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Va.
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any available trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$365.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Factory | | Strengths: | Great frame, good looking, decent components for price paid. | | Weaknesses: | As everyone else has said, cheap plastic pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Department store Mongooses and Schwinns, GF Advance, GT Avalanche, Giant Rincon | | Bike Setup: | stock 19" | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, like the feel of the genesis frame. Handles my 5'11" 200+ lb. very well. Worlds better than a department store bike for not much more money. Support your local bike shop and get fitted properly, it won't cost much more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
russell maley
a
from katy texas united states
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | memorial | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$389.00 | | Purchased At: | bike barn | | Strengths: | Love the bike, nice and stretched out unlike some treks and such. For a small rider like me the shocks are great and the shifting is the best in this price range. | | Weaknesses: | Alright well I have had the bike for two weeks and I broke the pedals, bent the back wheel really bad, and bottomed out my shocks even though I only weigh 130 pounds. I was surprised because I took it on small jumps and dropoffs. If you plan on doing big stuff please upgrage with better wheels and pedals before you kill yourself like me! | | Similar Products Used: | tested a specialized hardrock sport and trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I love the feel of the bike but seriously I paid enough for it to atleast last longer than two weeks. You can get more out of a full suspension moongoose at wallmart for 100 dollars. Love the bike but I wish it would holdup! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | North Riders | | Strengths: | Frame, geometry, looks | | Weaknesses: | seat | | Similar Products Used: | rocky mountian soul
| | Bike Setup: | isis crank, Bontrager seat | | Bottom Line: | great value for the money. derailers work fine, shifters very good, brakes good, tastefull paint color. if you want to stand out and be different with top quality...go Gary Fisher. for a beginner, this bike is unbeatable. compare other makes to this bike and you will see it beats most. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adnan khan
a Weekend Warrior
from derby, UK
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$310.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | Looks, Ride, Handling, not common as muck like specialized hardrock sport... | | Weaknesses: | brakes could be better.. | | Similar Products Used: | hardrock sport '06 | | Bottom Line: | Buy one.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Schaeffer Farms, MD | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | All-American Bicycles, MD | | Strengths: | Love it or hate 'Genesis' Geometry; to me it feels easier to ride very hard than comparably priced bikes. The frame is very strong, and includes a lifetime warranty. Easy to upgrade components; the bike will even take discs if you decide you need them later on. Price is absolutely unbeatable, considering the frame. | | Weaknesses: | Love it or hate 'Genesis' Geometry. Plastic pedals should be replaced, but even aluminum platforms would have to be replaced with clipless for trails. Rear-derailleur is very low end, and often is finicky (refusing to shift when muddy) and it dislikes the high gears when the front is in the lowest setting. Handlebar only comes in 'Riser' style. Tires are cross, but more urban than trail. | | Similar Products Used: | '02 Specialized Rockhopper, '04 Trek 9000, various friends bikes ($200-500 range). | | Bike Setup: | Platform/SPD hybrid pedals, Carbon Fiber flat handlebar, Deore rear derailleur, Avocet Gel seat (wider), knobbier tires. | | Bottom Line: | Wahoo is a fantastic bike to start riding the trail with. With a few upgrades this bike will really shine out there, and these upgrades won't cost you as much as moving up in the Gary Fisher line or moving to another manufacturer's bike. Gave it 5 Flamin' Chilis for overall rating because $400 bikes shouldn't have lasted a tough season like this GF has, but lower components really put it closer to 4.5 (even considering sub $400 price)... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | Northwest Cyclery | | Strengths: | Great frame, good seat, durrable as heck | | Weaknesses: | crank and derailers, but that's apparent when you buy it, I don't see how so many people are surprised. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Bontrager Re-1 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. Even the stock components, which I'll upgrade as I go have performed great. I ride hard atleast 10 miles twice a week on the Ho-chi-min trail and anyone who rides it knows its a rough set of trails. I've done 4 foot drops, slammed into roots, flipped once. I haven't had any problems at 140lbs. and I love this bike. After 240 miles today the rims are less than a millimeter untrue and I can only notice if I'm really trying watching the rim next to my brake pad, not enough to bother taking them in or replacing them. I've just been pleasantly surprised with the tires and rims which I thought wouldn't last as long after so much abuse.
Bottom line, if you're low on money this is the bike you can upgrade and enjoy while you're making it your own. I prefer the stiffer 6061 aluminum over the softer, lighter aluminum (which shaves 1/4 pound off total frame weight.)
The frame alone with the nice neck and bars is worth the price, the rims and tires are actually not the worst, the other components should all be replaced in time or as they give out. (I'm at 240 rough miles and my bike is like new)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Tinton Falls, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Barn | | Strengths: | the Frame;the Price; location of the handle bars | | Weaknesses: | the highest gear clicks occationally, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | As a beginner to the sport, I can't see anything wrong with this bike. I've had it for about 3 months and use it on beginner to intermediate trails. The frame is build to withstand more then a beginner level ride. It's basically a great frame with less then expert components to cut down on the price. The pedals are plastic but you can replace them with better ones when the time comes. As a beginner, I doubt I'll be breaking any pedals for a while. The bottome line: It's the best bang for your buck and has all the essentials needed at the entry level. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pedro
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | yankee springs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Strengths: | Riding Position | | Weaknesses: | Acera Front Derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Boulder, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Decent (not outstanding!) bike for the money. I've seen less expensive bikes with similar components on the market, but found this bike to have the best riding position. Front Acera derailleur could not be properly adjusted by dealer, so they ended up replacing with Deore at no cost. Bike has worked perfect for over a year (115 miles). Im sure the RockShox J1 fork is not the greatest but is more than adequate for trail riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominick Tao
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, Fl.
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Carter Rd. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$369.00 | | Purchased At: | Gator Cycle | | Strengths: | The Wahoo frame can take a beating.
Solid platform.
Great geometry.
I need to compliment the stock Shimano Alivio rear deraileur--it has been hit so many times but still works fine.
The stock seat is downright exciting.
The stock 100mm travel RockShox are pretty good.
| | Weaknesses: | Cheap components, especially the peddals. Plastic? Come on.
Front deraileur need some coaxing sometimes.
Replace the brakes ASAP. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tarpon | | Bike Setup: | New Alexx Rims. | | Bottom Line: | I take my Wahoo out and beat her. She handled a mixed-terrain, four mile commute almost every day.
She handled campus life--down stairs, smashing into curbs, jumping from random promentories...
She tackled trails--many of them designed for much more "capable" bikes. One time last year, Paynes Prarie state park flooded. For almost three hours, I slogged Wahoo through--quite litterally--miles of 6 to 16-inch deep water.
And back to class the next day.
Tire wear has been an issue (and so has the dude who smashed into me at a stop light...), but that's not the bike's fault.
For a first mountain bike that will take a rider to the next level, this is it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$410.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay city cycles | | Strengths: | light for price, easy to mantain, fun to ride | | Weaknesses: | cheap pedals, front rear derailleurs set chain off, seat is very breakable | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | both derailleurs changed to deore | | Bottom Line: | Good sturdy bike something that I can ride any where and can take the abuse given to it. Very little can compete in its price range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Copeland Sports | | Strengths: | Frame is light, the price | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, Fork is okay not great | | Similar Products Used: | GT avalanche 2.0 and 3.0, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Base | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a begginer who does not want to drop alot on their first bike. I am amazed at how light it feels compared to other bikes in its class. Seems to shift well, I have not missed a gear yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scarf
a
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Solid frame, comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic pedals, Judy TT fork, a bit on the heavy side. | | Bottom Line: | For the price, one of the best deals out there.
The components are not the best, but then again, those of us starting out neither (a) need XTR stuff, nor (b) have a thousand bucks to spend. This bike is excellent for a beginner who thinks he will like the sport enough to move to the intermediate stage. After upgrading the fork/drivetrain and adding disc brakes, as well as other little things, there is no major reason that this bike cannot perform as well as, or better than, other sub-1000 hardtails. Used parts can be had for quite cheap, and you can upgrade stuff as it breaks or as you get better. This bike will last a long time with little investment. 5 stars for value, 4 stars for the fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
caleb
a Weekend Warrior
from Hope ,maine Usa
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Maine sport rockport ,Maine | | Strengths: | frame,rimswellgo pedals | | Weaknesses: | Brakes,bottom crank, | | Similar Products Used: | giant rainer | | Bike Setup: | all stock with shimano clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | The bike is a good begginer cross country bike not good xc bike. Frame is strong but brakes are crappy and the shimano front and back derailers are no better. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Middle Island
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Strengths: | Geometry/weight distribution. Very comfortable and easy to control. Front shocks are very adjustable and when adjusted correctly allow the front tires to stay where they are supposed to, on the ground. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Tires are no good for sand and really compacted soil. The bike bogs in sand and traction is lost when attempted a sharp turn on hard soil. Find better tires that work for you and you have a nice bike | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 3400
Trek 3700
Haro V3
Raleigh M60 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I love the bike. Feels very strong and tight. Great bike for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Topeka
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | Capp's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Cheap
Genesis Geometry | | Weaknesses: | Overall weight (over 30 lbs)
Judy TT Fork
Crankset | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Cannondale Super-V 900 comp custom
1998 GT LTS 2
1998 Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS Comp
Diamondback Hybrid
Early '90-ish Trek 820 | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Wellgo clipless pedals (see Fisherbikes.com for details) | | Bottom Line: | Review for 2005 Gary Fisher Wahoo:
I really didn't give this bike a proper review before, so here goes:
When I went to purchase this bike, I was told that the frame was the nicer "Race Frame" like the nicer hardtails in Gary Fisher's lineup, but just suffered in the component area. I was short on $, so I figured that I could get a killer frame that I could ride and upgrade as I broke things. I later found out that the bike I had purchased was built with the 6061 Gold Series aluminum and not the ZR9000 race frame material.
That said, the frame feels nice...Genesis Geometry is wonderful. It puts the rider back over the rear tire a little more for better traction and control.
The stock pedals were just nylon flats, so I didn't even let the bike leave the shop until I had some clipless pedals. Other than that, the bike is stock.
The components on this bike are REALLY cheap, but so was the price tag:
Alivio 8 speed rear derailleur, though cheap and painful to look at, always worked well...seldom missed a shift.
Shimano C 050 front derailleur worked well for the most part. A few missed shifts here and there.
Shimano MC08 22/32/42 Crankset was fairly stiff, but the left arm came loose occasionally. It also suffered from chain suck from time to time. Would benefit from an ISIS design.
Tektro V-brakes were a little weak, but some blame has to be aimed at the braking surface on the cheap wheelset.
Everything else on the bike seemed to perform well except for the fork. I had no idea that the Rock Shox Judy TT was a bottom of the barrel fork. Back when I quit riding, the Judy XC/SL was very nice. This Judy TT suffered from stiction on a regular basis. I lubed it before every ride. (even if it was only 1 mile) It got worse as the weather grew colder or wetter. Small bump compliance was non-existant. Large bump absorbtion was fair.
I know I sound like I'm bashing the bike, but I would highly recommend this bike for a beginner who is looking to start trail riding or anyone who is strapped for cash. I am used to riding very nice $3000 full suspension bikes, so this was a SERIOUS step down. I finally ended up trading this bike for a Fisher HKEK which suited my style much better.
I would still not mind riding the Wahoo in incliment weather or just to hop on and fly over to the store or something, but as a primary XC bike...this was not the one for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from US
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | BJ's Sportshop | | Strengths: | Price, frame seems real stiff, light, awesome blue paint job. | | Weaknesses: | Front derallieur is very cheap (Shimano CO50), replace immediatly.
Pedals and crank may need to be replaced sometime.
The front chainrings are just rivited together, not bolted. | | Similar Products Used: | Many "tried" but none "used". | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new front and rear derallieurs, two water bottle cages, Bontrager Select Dual Density grips, and a Lizard Skin chainstay protector (Use zip-ties to prevent from turning) | | Bottom Line: | I've put more than a hundred miles on mine, and it's time to give my thoughts.
The first thing you'll want to do is spend 20 bucks and get a real derallieur to replace the cheap thing that came with it.
The shifter/brake lever assemblies are plastic-y, but absent a few scratches they work fine so far. (The bike does have alloy levers)
The tires on mine seem to wear pretty fast, but I do lock up my tires and skid to broadside a lot, just to see that cloud of dust fly up...
I find the saddle very comfortable, after a little adjustment.
The brakes are fine, stop quick and are not noisy, but they're nothing to write home about when wet.
I have a LX rear and a Deore front der on mine because I found them very cheap.
Otherwise I would not bother to replace the Alivio rear until it showed signs of failing.
The frame itself is great.
I've done stuff I really shouldn't have, and the frame seems very stiff, and also highly nimble and manuverable, but yet stable and very light.
The fork is rather low-end, but I've had no problems with mine and see no reason to upgrade.
If you're serious about mountain biking but can't spend a lot of money, I would reccomend that you look into the Wahoo. Upgrade anything you don't like, and you'll have a quite competant rig.
'Cheap but good' describes this bike well.
I'm very happy with mine, and only the rivited crank and cheapo front der keeps it from a 5-star rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dwight
a Cross Country Rider
from West Milfordd
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Town cycle | | Strengths: | frame lasts and takes somewhat abuse | | Weaknesses: | fork, brakes, derailler, seat is iffy | | Similar Products Used: | iron horse warrior, trek y26 | | Bike Setup: | standards, cupple oldschool parts from 1st huffy ..haha | | Bottom Line: | its a good bike and all, but not really ment for true XC riding. technicals are a b**** and derailler has given me loads of problems. brakes are like anyother linear, they just arent good anymore...
one thing that i did like it that i have done alot of abuse to my hardtail, and its taking it strond, havent had many problems with it, other than on my longer rides (10-15mile)
overall i like it but dont love it like my friend IH warrior and TREK y26
but i do say, its lasted me 2 years... and soon ill be moving on
PS its a great bike to toy around with, i made alot of adjustments on it... hehe | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The Muff, Lethbridge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Revolution Cycle | | Strengths: | Rims, tires, Shimano Mechanical Discs, Alivio shifters. Frame is awesome, great uphill and all-round. | | Weaknesses: | Judy TT does the job, but could be improved upon. SR Suntour crankset is absolute garbage. Pedals are crap. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountaineer | | Bike Setup: | Came stock with mech. disc brakes, upgraded to deore 6" rotors and pads. | | Bottom Line: | Great cross-country bike, but they definitely cheaped out on the crankset. 4/5 because of the crankset. Not good for any kind of jumping, even 3' drops are harsh and hurt my knees. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Topeka, Ks, USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | Capp's Bike Shop - Topeka Ks. | | Strengths: | Fairly light and smooth feel on and off the trail. Nice frame. | | Weaknesses: | Judy TT fork - Heavy and sticky until dialed in. (still a little sticky)
Cheap drive train. Hasn't failed me yet, though.
Noisy cranks.
Seat is literally a pain in the butt.
Crizzap pedals. I didn't even test ride it with the stock pedals, I had them put on some clipless pedals.
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super-V 900 Comp custom
-XT rear
-XT/517 wheels
-XT cassette
-Scott Vertigo Bars
-Profile Stiffy Stem
-Fox Vanilla
-Avid V-brakes
-Machine Tech QL levers | | Bike Setup: | The Wahoo is stock + wellgo clipless pedals.
My Cannondale was customized quite a bit. | | Bottom Line: | I had to sell my Cannondale Super-V custom 900 comp so I could finish school and have babies and stuff. It is now a year and a half later and time to purchase a mountain bike again.
I was very limited in $ so I knew I couldn't buy a dual-boinger sadly enough, so I looked at cheaper hard-tails.
This was the best bang-for-the-buck that I could find. Back when I quit reading tech manuals, the Rock Shox Judy was very nice and the only thing better was the SID or Marzocchi or something. I had no idea that Rock Shox was making a new fork called the Judy TT. This is what sold me on the Wahoo vs. the Trek 4300. The Trek had an even cheaper fork and not as good of a frame. I didn't know that the Judy on the Wahoo was kinda crappy. It's actally the bottom of the Rock Shox barrell. It's heavy, but I'm used to heavy...I love dual suspension. When I first bought the bike, the fork felt smooth and the frame was nice. I figured "Hey everything else can be upgraded as I break it." I had the Judy set with maximum preload. After 4 hours on the trail, the fork wouldn't compress unless you were directly over it standing up. Stiction City!!! I backed off the preload to the lowest setting, lubed the stanchions tubes, and it is much, much better. Still a little sticky. I hate hardtails. I love suspension and jumping off staircases.
Anyway, the cheap alivio drivetrain has not failed me yet. I have had to adjust the rear derailleur for cable stretch, but seems fine. ALIVIO SUCKS though. I will upgrade it with no less than XT when it breaks.
Bottom line on this bike:
-for the money, it's great
-Judy TT is heavy and suffers stiction
-cheap drive train, but yet it works fine
-everything is upgradeable...frame is nice | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Pierro
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Tx
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shore Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun and Ski Sports of Grapevine | | Strengths: | Light (relatively), tough, inexpensive, and its a Fisher.. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals (Cheapo nylon wellgo's, replace them immediately!), Odd seatpost sizing, Promaster brakes are teh suck! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Giant, Specialized, Scott | | Bike Setup: | XT/LX group (including 9 speed conversion and XT V-Brakes), Selle Italia seat, Race Face Deus stem,Rock Shoxx Psylo Race U-Turn Fork, Race Face Deus Crank and Chainrings, Bontrager Crowbar Handlebar, Mavic 512/XT Hubs. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great first purchase for anyone looking to make a first foray into mountain biking. It is in the very bottom of the food chain when it comes to mountain bikes, but that also puts it at the very bottom of the price list as well. It's is a serious entry level bike that will suit the beginning rider well, and with upgrades, will carry you for a few seasons while you crash/learn bike control/build stamina/etc. It also has a >lifetime warranty< on the frame (save your reciept), so if you manage to break it (and I haven't yet - 6' 0" 225lbs and a very very agressive rider) Uncle Gary will give you a new frame for FREE! Ditch the pedals for something better the day you buy the bike, then upgrade as you see fit till your ready to jump to the next level and buy a new bike. I've has this bike for 4 years now, and I have beat the absolute hell out of it, but with regular maintenence it just begs for more. I've upgraded or replaced 99% of the stock componentry/drivetrain/suspension with hand me downs or take offs from other bikes (I have 4 of them now, and it all started with this one). I keep it in the stable as a great loaner bike for friends that want to ride with us, or just to take out and kick around when I feel like going old skool.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Heemskerk
a Weekend Warrior
from Fenwick,ON Canada
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bruce Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Freind | | Strengths: | Frame is stiff as anything I have ridden, Will never snap. | | Weaknesses: | Can't find a good seatpost for it, pedals suck | | Similar Products Used: | azonic steelhead, trek 7000, kona stuff | | Bike Setup: | Rock shox judy sl u turn, shimano deore everything | | Bottom Line: | Great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Petersburg, FL
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Alafia River, FL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | ABC Bycicles | | Strengths: | Wheight, Strength, Price, components for price | | Weaknesses: | For the price, none. The only thing I had to replace were the pedals(cheap plastic ones) | | Similar Products Used: | Various Treks, Specialized Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Bontrager mid level stuff, Shimano Alivio stuff, Rock Shox Judy Fork. These are very good components, not the best but not the most expensive either. Very sturdy and usable over a long period of time with very little maintanence. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is I think it would be a waist of time to buy more expensive hardtail. Out of the hardtails I have riden this was my favorite. Only reason I got rid of it was to upgrade to a full suspension ride. I have gone off some big ledges(paved and unpaved) and this bike handled them all. I have dropped off ledges that blew tubes but never once affected the frame that is how tough it is. The components are great, I weigh 185lbs and the Judy never bottomed out on me once. So unless you weigh over 200lbs or are going off 10ft. cliffs this is a perfect bike. No need to waist your money on something more expensive for the same quality ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J1n
a Cross Country Rider
from Bangkok
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Bike | | Strengths: | Nice fork and frame weight, good price for stock | | Weaknesses: | hate pedals got new shimanos, stem is too high lik them lower, gotta free handle bar from the shop so replaced those to bontrager crow bar, i want new components maybe xt's just dat everythin else works perfectly | | Similar Products Used: | tested trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | new pedals, seat bag, chain stays, san marco saddles, bontrager handle bars, new stem | | Bottom Line: | Best bike for the price. If you are a starter biker this the best quality bike you can get for the price. Gives XC performance at a moderation. Can upgrade few things but apart from dat it is a reasonable priced performance bike.If you are not thinkin of spendin over 500$ this is the best you can pick. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
christopher marines
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | oak springs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$369.00 | | Purchased At: | valley bicycles (newhall) | | Strengths: | light weight for this price range , sturdy bike, feels great when riding , everythings laide out perfectly, my next bike will for sure be another fisher . | | Weaknesses: | the pedals are cheapy looking but they havnt broke yet so why replace them , sometimes rear derailer takes a couple of hard pedals to switch over, probably my falt because i got it hung up on a sprinkler when i first got it. | | Similar Products Used: | i tested a few bikes , i dont remember which ones , when i rode the wahoo i knew that was it , my search was over | | Bike Setup: | bone stock just like i bought it | | Bottom Line: | good bike , i put 15 miles a day on mine and more on the weekends , mine sees alot of trail and street action and it does great on both , im not a serious down hill guy or anything and there is also no way i would ever spend 1000$ on a bicycle , this bike gets me to the grocery store and to school during the week and it takes me way out on back trails on weekends when i go fishing , if your trying to be super montain bike guy save up more money and buy something else , if you want a great do all bike for under 500$ this is it , gary fisher rules! 5 flaming but burners from me!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Alexandria, VA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Revolution Cycles -Arlington, VA | | Strengths: | I really debated between this bike and the Kona Fire Mountain, both '04 models were on sale at local shops. The Wahoo has a less agressive frame design - meaning I ride a little straighter up and don't feel like I'm reaching out or bending as far over as I did on other bikes (Trek, Fisher Marlin, Kona's Fire Mountain.)
The bike is super light and easy to carry up and down apartment stairs and seems tough so far. I've take a few spills on concrete and ashpalt and haven't seen any damage to the bike.
Its a comfortable ride that makes me feel at home on asphalt, concrete or in the mud. | | Weaknesses: | Technical rider would probably prefer a more agressive frame geometry, but for relatively long weekend trail rides (10 - 20 miles) on asphalt and in/around the DC area parks, this bike gets it done.
I am 6'4" tall and weigh 290 pounds. The frame feels completely solid to me. The front forks kind of suck in that their adjustment is limited to "tightening" the internal spring by turning a knob on the top of the fork - I didn't notice any difference after this adjustment and the forks sag terribly under my weight when I get out of the saddle to climb hills.
| | Similar Products Used: | Giant Iguana, Trek 900(?), Kona Fire Mountain | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | Good, sharp looking bike that is affordable and has proven to be an urban warrior. My experience is on asphalt, wood plank, mut and wet turf and its held up well on all occassions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Preston
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cycles | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price. Good fork for the price, and good tires. | | Weaknesses: | Well there are a couple significant weaknesses. First off I road the bike for six miles when I broke the left crank arm completely off (That was probably the bike shops fault.) Second as mentioned the pedals are pretty crappy. The last thing is the rear derailleur is slow and can get really sticky on the trail. | | Similar Products Used: | I tested the Trek 3500, 3900, 4300 and the 820 and the Micargi Polo. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock, except I replaced the pedals for some nashbar rodeos (don't like them that much though) Next week I plan to put in a disc brakes, I think, and some panaracer 2.2 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Well the bottom lines is, this bike pretty much rocks for the price. I have taken it through some pretty good rock gardens and it has held up. I have taken a few good sized jumps with it. Oh by the way I am not that light of a person 6,3" 280lbs. So this is getting 5 chilis from me. Almost forgot some criteria here. I recommend this bike to all riders, unless you want to go super extreme with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Claudio Salvo
a Weekend Warrior
from Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Montevideo Uruguay | | Strengths: | Nice color and appearence, geometry of the frame.
It´s gary fisher product.
Rock Shox fork.
| | Weaknesses: | Could have a better front derrailleur.
I doný fell any change when regulate de fork dial for more or less sensibility | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cat eye ciclo computer, front and back Lights | | Bottom Line: | I bought that bike in march 04, and really I!m very happy with it.
It´s really have a nice ride, the alivio works ok, and it´s relative light for that kind of the bike, of course not if you compare it with ZR 9000 frame.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx, NY
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | city bike paths | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$369.00 | | Purchased At: | PM Bicycles | | Strengths: | ease of pedaling, ride, adjustable shocks | | Weaknesses: | handlebar grips irritate hands and it is not a road bike, very different. | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | Very nice riding bike. gear ratio is optimal for trail and city riding. Front shock comes in handy when curb jumping and riding on city streets. Able to climb step inclines with gear ratio, very nice bike for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerard
a Weekend Warrior
from New Rochelle, NY, USa
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | Metro Bicycles | | Strengths: | Price, Good frame and fork for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals. These are the first things I would replace. | | Similar Products Used: | tested the Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a decent bike for the price. Almost identical to the Trek 4300 except the Wahoo has a better fork and the 4300 has marginally better pedals. The Wahoo costs about $25 more than the 4300. I have put about 200 miles on this bike so far and have no complaints except for the cheap pedals, but they work well enough that there is no need to replace them right away. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Townsend IV
a Weekend Warrior
from Enfield, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Banagans | | Strengths: | Great value for the bike overall. Highest end of The Gary Fisher "Classic Mountain" series bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes are a touch sponge like. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | For the value, it can't be beat. It lies component wise between the 4300 and 4500 and is a better value for the money. The Judy TT's are preloaded adjustable. Great bike for starting off with or if you don't have a lot of money. After a few weeks of test riding, I have decided on the Wahoo for my price range and overall value. For the bike versus price, It's gettin 5 flamin chilis from me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Samuel
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel and Sprocket Wisconsin State Fair Bike Expo | | Strengths: | Great bike for the money. Came fitted with Alivio disc (non-standard Wahoo model - maybe an import) brakes and hubs/rims. The riser handlebar combined with the headset risers (about 1.5 inches) make this a very comfortable bike to ride. Frame, while not the lightest, still very responsive and stiff. Alivio rear derailler surprisingly smooth. Great bike to start with especially for one looking to upgrade components down the road. (Look on web for 2004 Wahoo Disc model) | | Weaknesses: | Had to replace the bottom bracket, but was covered under warranty. Judy TT's are heavy with very little adjustment. Front derailler not the smoothest. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale 99 f700 is much lighter of a bike, but puts you much more over the front wheel making this Wahoo a better bike for multiuse - trails and casual riding. | | Bike Setup: | Everything standard on the 04 Wahoo but with Alivio mechanical disc setup (shimano hubs and still using v-brake levers), steel pedals, Speed Disc rims. | | Bottom Line: | Most stores around here sell the standard 04 Wahoo for between 380 and 400, I happened to find this at an expo sale for a great price with many upgrades over the standard Wahoo. I found some non-US online retailers selling nearly the same bike with disc preceeding its name but for between $595 and $900. If you can find the disc model for under $500, its a deal, and even if not, the rest of the components still make the standard Wahoo a deal for $350 or less. Not a bike for gram crunchers. An ideal bike for college students or occasional trail rider looking for a mountain bike that is comfortable even during long treks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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