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Gary Fisher
X-caliber Bike
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Submitted by
Ian Colvert
a
from Seattle, Wa
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Arcata Community Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Missoula, Mt. | | Strengths: | I bought my beloved Xcaliber nearly 10 years ago and it is still going strong. Recently I've tried to buy a new bike -- at a budget more than triple the cost of my old Xcaliber -- and havn't found anything that is as light, or has as good of feel.
I've put on at least 10,000 miles on my Xcaliber, and she's still going strong.
The best thing about the Xcaliber is how she climbs, and how nimble she is going downhill, and how light she is overall.
I love the old brakes (not those disk brakes they have these days), because they are lighter and I can work on them myself. Same goes with the old radial shifters -- I can work on them myself, too. | | Weaknesses: | I've busted my front wheel four times within the first 6 months of owning her. But broke down and invested in some top of the line wheels ($400) and they've lasted very well over the years.
Every year I take her in to the bike shop for a deep cleaning / overhall -- costs around $150 but i love to pamper my baby. | | Bike Setup: | pretty much stock, aside form the wheels and different pedals. | | Bottom Line: |
Over all, you can't beat the feel of the old Xcaliber -- i know 'cause I've tried.
I'm very happy with her and will probably ride her another 10 years. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | McDowell Mountain,AZ, Greenbush,WI | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Factory Store, Madison,WI | | Strengths: | I debated between this bike and a Stumpjumper. The Specialized had better looks but this bike offered the ride and performance that I was looking for. | | Weaknesses: | Cream-colored bike can look "dated" unlike Stumpjumper
Shim 535's were not a light pedal but were excellent.
Traded out the stock WTB's for IRC's etc. Weight of those tires seemed to be an issue. Stopper's (LX's) not up to original $1800 price tag.
| | Similar Products Used: | Hoo Koo, Trek 8000, Gunnar Rock Hound, Specialized Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | I've got the '97 cream-colored 853. I put SRAM 9.0 on but it came with X-ray shifters and XT rear. I'm running Avid brakes instead of LX Shim. I lusted over getting this bike big time. I found it to be perfectly spec'd out and very tough. I'm not planning on replacing it any time soon. I'd like a set of 517's and Hugi or XTR hubs (Maybe I'll build 'em) or some RPM's. Possibly some Time pedals to replace the Ritchey Pro (gold)ti pedals (mud!). I've got a FSA ti bb that once I got it snugged in has not moved or lacked of any performance whatsoever. I've got the 9.0 but I think I was a Rapidfire guy but was concerned about weight alot. ??. The Judy XC is a 3.0 lb stock fork of that day with hydraulic cylinder - that was a killer fork. Fisher front hub made a huge difference in wheelset. WTB SST 98, Bon Revolt tires | | Bottom Line: | I was happy with the decision to get this bike. I think the fork ranks up there with the best if you're looking for light weight and not running an air fork. I really like the ride of steel and have confidence in this ride. The look of this bike looks a bit dated now but I really don't care that much how my mountain bike looks - I care how it performs. I'll upgrade it but I'd be hard pressed to replace it with anything out there. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Racer
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Outfitters, Brockport, NY | | Strengths: | frame | | Weaknesses: | fork, x-ray shifters, wheelset, seat, old-style brakes, cables scrtch the paint | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z.2 Atom 80 Coil Spring Fork (blue), Cane Creek Thudbuster Seatpost, Avid Rival 50 brake system, SRAM X.0 Shorty shifters, Bontrager FS +10 Race saddle, Sun Ringle RPM wheelset... everything else is stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, but since it's older, I've had to make a few upgrades. I recently taco'd the front wheel replaced both with Sun Ringle RPMs. I bougt some 'Zokes and upgraded to V-brakes at the same time. I had to do a little trick to get the V-brakes on since the frame isn't made for them. The stock X-Ray shifters bacame too hard to turn, so I just ordered some SRAM X.0 Shortys today. Also that stock seat was hard as hell, so I got a new one and thrw on a Thudbuster.
The frame is light, looks cool in copper, and has held up well. I'm happy with this bike and will just keep upgrading as I go. Rock on brotha! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Cortez, CO
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | East Creek Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Fisher's in Salt Lake | | Strengths: | Just about everything, especially the frame, | | Weaknesses: | 24 gear, old brakes (only because it is over 5 yrs old) | | Similar Products Used: | None, haven't had to try other bikes, this one rules, trying to find a new bike that is similiar | | Bike Setup: | Everything is the same since I bought it in '96 except for the back wheel | | Bottom Line: | This was a '95 model that I bought in '96 and it still going strong. I am now looking for a similiar bike since I have ridden this bike for over 5 years. I have looked into upgrading this bike or buying a new one for a couple of months now. Now I think I will buy a new bike so I can keep this bike as an extra bike for friends and bad weather bike. It is too bad that Fisher stopped making this model, because I would buy a new one in a second. My friend just bought a new Mt. Tam and thinks that if I decked my bike out with all new componets, I would have a better bike than him, so I think that in itself is a great compliment for this frame. I just cannot say enough about how I have enjoyed this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gramps
a Cross Country Rider
from North Bay, ON, CA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | White Bear | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Inspired frame geometry. My X-Cal climbs anything. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Mt. Tam | | Bike Setup: | XTR/RapidFire/Manitou/Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | I'm a 60-year-old rider who needs an almost constant fix of backcountry trails. My Mt. Tam was the finest piece I'd ever ridden until I got the X-Cal. I now ride up hills and over obstacles that used to cause me to shoulder the Tam and do some hiking. Going fast into deep corners, the X-Cal feels like its on rails. I've ridden lots of other bikes but nothing I've tried even comes close. It's a pricey bike, especially in Canadian dollars, but huge value and performance for anyone who's serious about trail riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weather expert
a Weekend Warrior
from iowa
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | (i have the '96 model, true temper oxii frame.) wonderful STEEL feeling. very nimble. light. | | Weaknesses: | x-ray grip shifters (personal preference)
canti brakes (blame on time, not the bike)
no rear v-brake cable stop (blame on time again) | | Similar Products Used: | noting comparable | | Bike Setup: | z2, lx brakes, levers & drivetrain w/ xt rr der, wtb wheels, ritchley alfa/omega tires (kicks a$$). NASHBAR PEDALS(!)hahaha | | Bottom Line: | the last of fisher's true temper frame--hell of a ride. bought it second hand and ppl ask me why do i buy a '96 bike. they haven't ridden x caliber yet. with my current setup it's very durable and forgiving without sacrificing too much to wieght. handles extremely well. the only problem i've ever had is when i was ugrading to v brakes. teh frame was from '96 and it was configured for canti's. a backstop from qbp solved the problem (available @ universalcycles.com).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Diamond
a Cross Country Rider
from Sewell, NJ usa
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Employee Purcahse | | Strengths: | There is strength in the numbers, as Reynolds likes to say. 853 rules hands down best tubeset ever. Light, strong, steel...yummy! Bike has undergone many modifications the most worthwhile being Englund Total Air fork upgrade, and S-Works wheelset. Very light very compliant, very ginchy. She is my better half and I will never get rid of her. Best bike ever, and I have owned quite a few as a shop employee. Even made me buy an 853 Le Mond, Eww... road bikes! | | Weaknesses: | As if! | | Bottom Line: | If you are ever blessed enough to get your hands on one of these finely laid out 97 X-Caliber 853 Bikes, Take It. If you love steel you can't be let down. And lets face it folks, Steel Is Real! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Paulson
a Racer
from Winona, MN
Date Reviewed: December 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Holzinger Lodge, Winona | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
The frame is very light for being made of steel, and the component package it originally came with was a very solid base to uprade from. | | Weaknesses: |
The frame may provide a little too much flex for my riding style | | Similar Products Used: |
I've owned several other bikes, but no other bikes similiar to this one | | Bike Setup: |
I run the frame now with almost everything replaced. I've ridden the frame with a Judy XC, a Marzocchi Z-2, and a Judy SL. | | Bottom Line: | Overall a great handling bike with a solid feel. This bike has to be one of the great all time deals for a 853 frame. It has totally sold me on steel. Steel is Real! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Luther
a Cross-Country Rider
from Franklin, TN
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Franklin State Park | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
The Cro-moly frame combined with a mix of LX and XT is a really great combination. The bike is lively, quick, and well-compatible with any race-ready trail. | | Weaknesses: |
After taking a nasty spill in a rock haven, the frame easily dented and doesn't quite ride the same. The flexible steel provides a little too much give on the hard climbs. | | Similar Products Used: |
1999 Gary FIsher Big Sur | | Bike Setup: |
1997 Gary Fisher X-Caliber/Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | The bike's overall riding performance is well. Being that the bike is two years old without any major repairs, it well suits a wide range of riders coming from the average wekkend junkie to a moderate racer. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Rye
a cross-country rider
from Renton, WA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
We bought an 11.5 for my wife (4'10 90 pounds) and it is great!!! We paid about $900 and had some swap outs done to enhance the performance for her size (e.g. an Indy SL). We looked high and low and short of having a custom frame built we were hard pressed to find a better fit and buy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Aronson
a cross-country rider
from baltimore
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the fisher excaliber about a month and a half ago, and have been riding it almost every chance that I get. It feels great, much better than my aluminum specialized bike, and it climbs like a mountain goat. It just kicks arse. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan H.
a cross-country rider
from Chapel Hill, NC
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got a '96 x-caliber with switched shocks (Indy SL) Shifters
(XT Rapidfires) and brakes (LX Vees) all for $850. I think this is a sweet deal, not to mention the bike is light for steel, and rides great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BC Holicky
a racer
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Hmmmm - one of the nicest, production steel frames you can buy. I have the '96 frame, and through product endorsements and sponserships almost every part of the bike has been replaced - which was the plan - I bought it for the frame. XTR brakes, Real x-levers, Crossland wheelset, synchros seatpost, controltech stem, gripshift ESP 9.0, and still the original shock and steel frame, which I figure cost me about $800 after I sold off all of the other components - subtract the $350 for the shock and the frame was about $450.My friends on their $2200 Ti frames and Aluminum Bassboat Blue Schwinns sure do like to make fun of the old fashioned steel - till they ride it. Then they look veerrryyy disappointed. I love that look.So buy the bike - you can upgrade every component on the thing and you'll never wanna lose the frame. Gary got this geometry just right.Nice job. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Robertson
a cross-country rider
from Hamilton, Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding the '97 Xcaliber for two months now and it kicks butt. I used to ride mongoose but the lightness of 853 Chromoly and the ride of steel can't be beat. The angles are excellent and when climbing it makes the purchase all worthwhile. I did switch the wheels to the mavic crosslands (couldn't afford the crossmax) and they make the perfect compliment. I've ridden other fishers as well and they have great frame designs. J.R. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maciej Krok
a cross-country rider
from Squamish , Canada
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The best set of wheels I've ever had.
Very responsive and forgiving. Goes where I want it to go.
Fast on climbs and easy to handle on switchbacks.
Might be not for every one though, I'm heavy 195lbs and 6'2 tall. Frame very stiff. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Orion Poplawski
a cross-country rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: May 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought the '96 for $1200 - felt it was a really good deal for the money. I'm a steel frame lover, and finding such a light steel bike was great. I've since
upgraded to XTR brakes and front deraileur - and feel it's pretty trick. It
climbs well and helps me to achieve the single-track mind that I love so much! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fish Lover....
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Best set of wheels I every had. Xt all around,but I'm going to go XTR soon... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
telly
a downhiller
from wall
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I love it. My forty year old mother loves it too. She thinks that the 17 inch frame is too big for her though. She is only 5' 5. Overall I love the shocks and the lightness best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blaine Brunson
a cross-country rider
from texas
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is my 4th Fisher frame, I upgraded from one and broke the other 2. I had the Paragon before this and I loved it. I like this frame with its triple butted true-temper but I think it could be a little stiffer. I have XT, araya, Ritchey top end, Specialized FS, WTB tires, and a new suspension seatpost out of SuperGo for $60 that works great. I like the three part paint job. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrea Jones
a cross-country rider
from San Diego, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 20, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I love it. My only regret is that at 4'11 and 100pds the Judy XC shock does not work for me (I'm to light!). I switched out the elastomers for all soft but still no travel. The 11 1/2 inch frame is great (there is a market for petite riders) but tooooo bad I paid money for a shock I can't enjoy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy Lo
a
from Davis, CA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Awesome. The frame is very light for a cromo. Everything on the bike compliments each other perfectly. I love the quick steering responce
and the quality on the frame is just incomparable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Demick
a cross-country rider
from Madison,WI
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I just picked up a new X-Caliber last week for a low price of $750.
The bike is LX except the rear derailer which is XT. I also swapped the
Gripshift and the diacomp brake levers for rapidfire and XT levers. For the price,
I don't think this bike can be beat. The welds look perfect and I love the 535
pedals. My only complaint is the BCX1 rims. They appear to be a little
weak. | | Overall Rating: |
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