the frame definitely, sharp rear and a fairly stretched-out front.

cheap groupset, but at this price its flexible enough to upgrade to the juicier things

good solid reliable(mine has done a major tour accross spain in base form as well as countless rough sessions with mates....(al work and no play eh gary) :-)

Similar Products Used:

cineli, mbk, raleigh, dawes

I just got back into mountain biking and picked this thing up. I didn't want to spend a fortune and this bike meets my needs.

The seat is a little hard. Maybe I just have to get use to it.

A good bike for the money.

Similar Products Used:

Test drove Trek and a specialized bike

Frame is strong and light weight. The RockShox is fine for 185lb or less riders. Great deal! Upgrade potential! Excelent trail bike!

Seat sux but I'm dealing with it cause I hardly ever sit on it. Components are a little heavy but at $450 u can upgrade and still have a great bike @ a great price, or my name's not Andy Fisher.

Great starter bike! I owned a Gary Fisher Aquilla before this bike and still own it, so now I'll always buy Gary Fisher bikes. The Marlin hangs with the $1000 bikes easily.

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Old Cannondale, Gary Fisher Aquilla (still own)

nice frame, OK components, great price preformance ratio.
the genises geomitry is great

the rockshock jetts are substancial to many riders, the seat does suck it was gone the day i bought it. the front mech has gone crapy otherwise fine A great deal

great price preformance ratio, good components, over all agood begginer bike.

Similar Products Used:

other gary's

Don't know yet

Don't know yet

Bottom Line: choice between the Fisher Marlin for $350 and a Trek Alpha 4300 for $320. I'll be using it for weekend trail-riding, nothing professional, etc.

Any advice? Right now I'm leaning toward the Fisher; seems lighter, and seems to have a slightly better review here.
Thanks.

Similar Products Used:

Motiv GroundPounder

Great imtermediate bike. Got a good deal. Relatively inexpensive and reputable parts. Good for the under $600 club

The seat,the seat,the seat, That seat SUCKS. Its like sitting on a cinder block.

great for the price. good for the weekend warrior. Chose this over a Trek.

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Crappy Costco Motiv Groundpounder. HORRIBLE BIKE. return the day after i bought it.

Frame, Price, looks great, solid foundation for upgrading over time, WTB Raptors are a good all-around tire.

Seat, chessy brake pads, lower end components.

Great bike, with a great frame, super stable, feels firm but very controlable, plan to upgrade components this winter to XT, because a frame this good deserves it. Bike takes all you can dish out, and still wants more. Climbs like a billy goat. Bontraiger rims are more than adequate, Boni' bars are super comfortable, and the Rock Shox Jett is quick and one of the reasons a bike this good can be this great of a value.

Similar Products Used:

GT, Trek, Cannondale, and older Fisher's

LOOK BELOW

...

I already posted an entry, but just want to caution everyone on the seat...Not only is it hard, but it may break if you hit something as common as a curb too hard. I rode off of a curb and the seat began to shake, click, and the finally the metal post separated and i almost landed flat on my face. BE CAREFUL. I already purchased a new seat, which is a hell of a lot more comfortable too.

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...

Genesis Geometry--especially for taller riders (I am 6'2"), light and strong frame for the price, Gary Fisher lifetime frame guarantee, solid components for entry-level bike

RockShox fork bottoms out for heavier riders on aggressive trails, horrible seat (replace before leaving the store), questionable tires for wet surfaces

If you are not willing to spend $1000+, you should buy this bike hands down. And even with those expen$ive bikes, you will get 15% better components for 2x the price. Especially if you are just getting into mountain biking, the Marlin is the way to go. The frame is easily upgadable as well. Don't take my word for it--ride one and you'll understand.

Similar Products Used:

Trek 4500

USA MADE
$VALUE, $VALUE,$VALUE
Lifetime frame guarantee
Gary Fisher reputation

The seat. I took my serfas off of my 15year old Panasonic bike and am much happier as is my butt

Tested the TRek 4900 but could not see the rationale for the much higher cost. Since I am not a professional I felt the value of the Marlin coupled with the ability to upgrade makes it a great value.
Fantastic geometry, excellent frame and best of all it is "BORN IN THE USA"