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Average Rating
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4.91/5
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# of Reviews
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11
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MSRP
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More Products from Gary Fisher
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Description:
- Drive-side stay resists upward pulling from chain
- Non-drive stay resists lateral bending from drive-side forces
- Taller, reinforced hydro-formed headtube for front end stiffness
- Buttressed seattube/downtube junction for strength
- Fox rear shock features custom tuned rebound and damping for smoother linear feel
- Reduced weight co-molded carbon seatstays
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Submitted by
Brett Houser
a Cross Country Rider
from sag harbor, ny & long beach, ca
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2975.00 | | Purchased At: | jax's long beach | | Strengths: | suspension is great, light weight and strong, great componets for the price..excellent downhill and climbing bike! Can't go wrong with 29er. | | Weaknesses: | Avid Juicy 7 brakes alittle loud at times | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Rig '07 | | Bike Setup: | Ea 70 Monkey bar, thomson seat post, XT componets. | | Bottom Line: | This is my second 29er and I love it. It's light weight and fast. I ride out in So. Ca. and in East Hampton, Ny where it works well on all terrain. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
the mayor
a Racer
from Chelsmford,MA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | CycleLoft | | Strengths: | Complete package that is ridable out the door. All good stuff on the bike.Nice price.Tubeless ready wheels. | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy...but in line with the competition and price range. The big wheels can take a little more omph to get rolling, but not bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Niner Rip9, Fisher Superfly, Salsa dos Niner | | Bike Setup: | Put lighter wheels, seatpost, bars, saddle and rotors on it. It is right at 25 lbs now...3 lbs lighter than stock | | Bottom Line: | A great bike. The big wheels roll over stuff that would stop 26ers.Suspension is great once you dial it in (which takes some time). It climbs great. I've had a lot of bikes since 1987...this one is the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmette, Illinois
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Kettle in Wisc. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Strengths: | Great 29er reasonably priced. Good components. Works well in my local tight single track and trails in the midwest. Available locally. | | Weaknesses: | none yet ( I even like the color ) | | Similar Products Used: | GF Rig, many 26ers (Blur LT, Maverick ML8, Stumpjumpers) | | Bike Setup: | Stock (for now) Will upgrade gradually and reduce weight a pound or two. | | Bottom Line: | This bike made it so easy to cruise through rocks, sand and mud that I could not believe it. And it climbs very well. Very confidence producing. Made my regular trail (Blue@ Muir) so fun (and much easier than on my 26 hardtail) that I had to do it twice, fast, and without stopping... a first for me. 29er's?
I'm sold. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darin
a Racer
from La Canada, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | El Prieto | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery | | Strengths: | Fast downhill, fast on smooth uphills | | Weaknesses: | Slow on rocky uphills and horrible at tight switchbacks | | Similar Products Used: | Foes FXR 2:1 and non 2:1, BMC trailfox, Gary Fisher Fat Possum, Trek Remedy 6, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert | | Bike Setup: | Full XT shifters, derailleurs, and cranks, Fox fork+shock, Bontrager rims and tires | | Bottom Line: | I found this bike a little awkward going uphill but overall it performed well, I loved descending on it and it handles little jumps and drops well, although it didn't really like going down rocky descents on it. While I am not any sort of master at tight switchbacks I still felt like it was making me worse at them. Rocky climbs felt like I was just putting more effort into pushing the wheels over the obstacles. It worked well when I got into a groove on smooth climbs. I am 5'9" and 120lbs so I don't think the 29er is truly meant for me, but I was able to climb decently on it and descent well too. The suspension was kind of stiff and not the best for fast rocky sections. On steep short climbs it performed decently, but I think it was mostly my legs that got me over the short bursts and not really the bike. Overall it you are a couple inches taller and maybe a little heavier this bike would be great. All I ask is for a little faster and plusher suspension and maybe some new tires other than the stocks but this bike is a dream descending and is great fun on little drops(1-2'). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Robertson
a Weekend Warrior
from Attleboro, MA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | My backyard | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Union Cycle Attleboro | | Strengths: | Smooth Rolling over terrain, Handles Great, Shifts Excellent | | Weaknesses: | Pedals seem low they hit alot while riding. Should be fine when I put my clip-ons on. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis XLT 2.0, Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a WTB pro gel seat. The bike comes very well setup. | | Bottom Line: | I was a little worried going from a 5" travel bike down to a 4" thinking the ride may be a little more harsh but it felt great! The bigger wheels just rolled over everything. I have a 5-6 mile trail run I do every morning and I rode that same run faster than I ever have on the XLT or the Trek. I can't wait to do some more riding as I only picked it up last night.
Rick over at Union cycle was great! No pressure sales and a great guy to buy from. He has been riding forever and is very knowledgeable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkhorn, WI USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Muir | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | backyardbikes.com | | Strengths: | Bang for the buck. THE RIDE!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing yet | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of different 29ers, both hardtail and full susp | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock | | Bottom Line: | No matter what, you can’t go wrong with the 29” wheel concept. I chose a full suspension model because if the opportunity exists, I like to go out for long days in the saddle. With a low back that has gone from bad to worse, I need to protect myself as I age – full susp is just what the Dr ordered!
Furrowed fields? Sit in the saddle and hammer
Long grinds up hill? Sit in the saddle and hammer
Rocks, roots, drops, sand? Sit in the saddle and hammer
Technical descents? Point it straight and go (don’t get me wrong… you have to pick your line, at times).
There isn’t much that these 29” wheel bikes don’t do better than a 26er. I thought I would loose some in the tight switching trail, but no… you can really generate good rhythm in here. Due to the large contact patch, the tires grip so well, that you don’t need to grab a fist full of brakes going around every corner. The confidence level grew as this bike was flying around corners in the tight section.
Gripes: None, really. It would be nice if it was set up with tubeless. It comes with bars that are wide enough to navigate a bus, but a hacksaw and about 10 min cured that problem. I still have to work on softening up the rear suspension a bit. It’s not quite as cushy as the Niner RIP, but I think that might be a “get what you pay for” kind of thing.
That leads me to my summary. You won’t find a better value in such a bike. It is fully outfitted with an XT drivetrain – right down to the cranks. It has great wheels and Juicy 7 hydraulic brakes. The ride is excellent and it’s an easy transition from a 26er. If you want to get out there and compete in the the local race series on the relatively short courses, you might be better off with a hardtail, like the Superfly, but if you just want an excellent all round trail bike that can really go fast all day, then the HiFi 29er is for you!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monk's Dad
a
from Horsetooth Mountain Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | My Backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Lee's Cyclery, Fort Collins | | Strengths: | Lightweight, all day comfortable, handles better than my 26ers, makes me want to ride more, nice wheels, great cockpit feel - just right. They're free! (when you factor in the amount of money you'll make when you realize you won't go back to your 26 inch bike and you sell it...) | | Weaknesses: | Single pivot suspension - it's well executed here but like all single pivot designs, still locks out under braking. The color takes some getting used to... | | Similar Products Used: | I'm 6'2, 210 lbs on a 19 inch frame with 100mm Race Face Deus stem running 130 psi in the rear and <80 psi in fork - lockout force is turned off and slow speed compression is turned to 90% on. | | Bike Setup: | Stock - running Panaracer Rampage 2.3 in front and Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 in rear - just trying different tires - the stock Bontrager ACX are great all-around tires. The tubeless set up is great - mounting tires is a little tough. The Bontrager rims might be 29.25.... every tire I ahve tried is a tight fit. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review. I have received a couple of e-mails from potential buyers who wondered if my complaint about the single pivot should deter them from purchasing this bike. In retrospect, I may have worded my critique a little harshly. I was not complaining about this bike in particular. On the contrary, this is a well executed version of a design that, while durable, has one serious drawback - it stiffens up under hard braking. My rant was more about paying the extra $30 to use another design and passing the licensing cost on to the consumer.
Now, for the disclaimer. My previous bike was a Nomad, arguably one of the plushest, most efficient pedalers on the planet. Going from the VPP Nomad to a single pivot anything is going to be a noticeable change. However, with that said, I am considering selling the Nomad as I MUCH prefer riding the Gary Fisher Hi Fi Pro 29. I don't think I'll ever go back to a 26 inch bike now. After spending so much time on my 29, the 26 feels... wierdly small and uncomfortable.
THere is one advantage to the single pivot design. With pro-pedal on it almost feels like you're riding a hardtail when climbing under power.
As for the ride, there is only one move that I have not yet been able to perfect on my 29 and that is the super steep, super short climb - that seems to be the only advantage the 26 maintains over the 29 - including steep descents, boulder fields, switchbacks, fire road climbs, etc., I've been enjoying going out and relearning old moves and challenging the old trails in a new way.
Great bike - one of my favorites of all time. It's a future classic - redefining the sport. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Landau | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3700.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Bike Store, KC | | Strengths: | Climbing, cornering, downhilling, confidence-building. | | Weaknesses: | That horrible color; that's why I had it factory re-painted gloss black. | | Similar Products Used: | Similar used: None. Tested: Trek Fuel, Specialized Stump & Epic, Yeti 575, other various custom bikes. | | Bike Setup: | 19" Factory setup. I upgraded to Tubeless Dry-X and Bontrager Carbon Riser Bar. Everything else doesn't need to be touched. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 6'2", 200#, and have been riding my 21# hardtail Cannondale F3000 Headshock with V-Brakes for 8 years. Moving to discs, FS, and 29ers is a COMPLETE change - or so I thought. I've done all my research and was afraid that I would be getting a heavy, bobbing, no-climbing, hard to maneuver beast. I just wish I would have done it sooner. I've ridden twice off-road on some very techincal trail, and the bike is fast, smooth, a great climber, handler, and is blowing me (and my buddies) away. I rode for 2.5 hrs yesterday, and got off feeling great. My own tail didn't hurt, my muscles felt great, and I'm going again in about 4 hours. My confidence has doubled, and I'm not sure if it's the 29s, XT gruppo, or the Fox full suspension - but overall - a sweet purchase and worth every dime. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom VG
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bakersfield | | Strengths: | Mucho bike for the dinero. Fun Fun Fun | | Weaknesses: | Initial visual aspect (circus tires) however after one ride the 26ers will look funny. | | Similar Products Used: | Spark 10, Rocky Mtn Slayer, Epiphany, Nomad. | | Bike Setup: | Stock off the rack | | Bottom Line: | I did demo the Pro 29er. I don't own this bike (yet) but my buddy "Shane" does. Those are his bikes listed in "similar products used." He won't post a review because he doesn't want anyone to know about this bike and give up his now distinct advantage. "Shane" is a 150lb aerobic muscle on a bike and I am a 190lb whatever. I used to keep reasonably close to "Shane" except on difficult uphills and we could have great conversations about everything and about nothing. Downhills were fun as he always set the pace and gave me excellent lines to follow (I forget about the rocks, dust, cow dung thrown in my face). It was always a great hooting time....until he bought this 29er. Now he is gone. Once his momentum is going on the uphills I can't keep up anymore. My weight, which always kept me close on the downhills, is no longer a factor as I now brake, skid, and fall trying to keep pace with "Shane" on his Pro 29er. He is a ghost. He said this is the most fun he has ever had on a bike. On our last ride I came around a switchback and he was dozing off half asleep waiting for me. He took off again laughing hysterically down the mountain. I once again alone with the coyotes. Curse you 29er. Curse you Gary Fisher. "Shane!! Shane!! Come back Shane!!" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Monk's Dad
a Weekend Warrior
from Horsetooth Mountain Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | With the tweaks in the geometry, the Hi-Fi is the first 29er that I have ridden that felt right from the get-go. I have a 29er SS made by a local customer builder that, while fun to ride, always felt a little too steep and tall. Rather than being the final word on 29er geometry, I think this is the first one to set the development of the 29er on the right track. Geometry and suspension design will evolve from here.
With that said, riding the Hi-Fi is a good way to get stoked about going out and re-discovering old trails, new lines and different skills.
Perhaps it second strongest attribute is it's weight - this bike is under 28 lbs with pedals on a 19 inch frame. That's killer for a big wheeled bike and dispels one more myth about 29ers as heavy or hard to get rolling!
| | Weaknesses: | The paint!!! I can't decide which is worse, the colors or the quality of the powdercoat. I guarantee that the 2009 version will be much better looking - how could it not be?
The swingarm suspension locks out easily when the brakes are applied while going over the rough stuff. If you want my opinion, this just isn't acceptable anymore on bikes in this price range. There are too many good suspension designs that won't brake-jack. Pay someone the licensing fee and use a suspension design that doesn't compromise handling!
| | Similar Products Used: | I test rode a NINER RIP and own a custom, steel 29er from Black Sheep Bikes - which is as much art as it is bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock PRO - I'm 6'1 on a 19 inch frame with a 105mm stem. The Rhythm elite wheels with the DT Swiss hubs are a great spec on this bike. All trailbike wheels should have lightweight, 28mm wide rims!!! | | Bottom Line: | While 29ers definitely roll over rocks and roots easier than a 26 inch wheel, the 26 inch wheel bike is just so much more evolved. Owning a 29er now is probably more about being part of the revolution, literally and figuratively - than about any compelling advantage or disadvantage of either design. But, I have to say that within five years, I'll bet that 29er sales begin to outpace 26er sales. As long as you're over a certain height, we'll all be on 29 inch bikes in the future. So, frame sizes will start to be matched to wheel sizes. It makes sense - I mean, as far as mountain bikes go, kids get 12, 16, 20 and 24 inch bikes. Adults get 26... it's clearly time for another choice - and that's a revolution!
Now, bottom line on the Fisher: I'm 6'1 and find it to be more comfortable than any of my 26 bikes. I feel more upright as if I don't have to crane my neck as much to look up and take in the scenery - in Colorado that's a nice feature! It's also easier on the back as I'm not as leaned over on the taller wheels. I also feel like I climb faster on the 29er - which would make sense as every 9 revolutions of the wheel yields on free spin of a 26 inch wheel.
I spend a lot of time looking forward to taking it on familiar trails and comparing the ride with my 26 inch bikes. It's not as confidence inspiring or "all mountain" as my Nomad but it's definitely my new weapon of choice for all day XC, big mileage rides like our local Blue Sky trail.
I'll log in again later in the season and update the review to see how it holds up the abuse it's bound to receive. In the meantime, I'll give it 5 chilis as it is outstanding for what it is and along with a few other designs, provides the first real glimpse of the future of 29er design.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | depends on the day | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn, Phoenix | | Strengths: | Thi fit. I am 6'4" and it fits handles some comfortably. The G2 handling does have a lot to do with it I think. I can ride switchbacks that are tighter on this bike than my old Maverick. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes I wonder if 4" of travel is enough for where I ride, though a 5" travel 29er might handle weird. Tubeless kit from Bontrager still isn't available. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Super Caliber 29, Maverick ML7 26, lots of 26ers | | Bike Setup: | Stock pro model - XT parts and Avid brakes. I like the wide rims, too. | | Bottom Line: | What a fund bike. It's light at 27.5 lbs for an XL, and it just plain fits me. I think that's the single most important factor in a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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