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Gary Fisher 1999 Level Betty

Average Rating 4/5
# of Reviews 24
MSRP $ 1799.99
Weight
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Description:1999 Gary Fisher Level Betty, mountain bike, front & rear suspension, Mountain Mix components, Answer Manitou X-Vert T, 4.0" travel fork





Submitted by Tom a Weekend Warrior from boise, idaho
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001
Favoriate Trail:anything in B.C. Canada
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:bike shop
Strengths:everything, this bike is sweetish, good travel with a 2.5" stroke shock. easily upgradeable, nice all round bike. with the 2.5" stroke shock i get in excess of 6.5 inches travel
Weaknesses:the rating suck the big one... i don't get it.. how could the other level betty and all the other joshuas get high rating's like 4.50/5.00 This is the exact same bike
Similar Products Used:joshuas, specialized, many many bikes
Bike Setup:z.1, prodeluxe, 2.7 tires, many parts.. and its RED!!!!!! good stuff...
Bottom Line:This is a totally sweet bike, i do not see how the rating could be so low compared to all the other joshuas and other stuff... so thats dumb.. they are the exact same bike, this is really sweet bike. i use it for freeride, drops and urban all the time. if any of you have pictures of you freeride joshua's or bettys send them to gary fisher, we'll see if we can get a freeride revolution going!!!!!! the site is www.fisherbikes.com peace dudes!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Mike a Cross Country Rider from NY
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $1500.00
Purchased At:Shop
Strengths:Every thing
Weaknesses:Nothing
Similar Products Used:Heaps
Bottom Line:Shiit hot
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by jesse a Downhiller from kelowna
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Favoriate Trail:threw yours moms bush
Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:hahahaha strengths?? i dont think there is any hah this bike sucks my balls
maybe the color cuz red is fast haha
Weaknesses:EVERYTHING!! well maybe cuz my frend set his up like a total beater hah but it is like the hardest peice i have ever had to pedal like seriuosly my frend has a kangaroo dh with 7 inch travel and it ride sooo much better and my frend says his fisher rides better or as good as konas and speciallizeds and stuff haha thats so much bull...he has never rode any of those so he should shut his mouth!!! hah and the back shock is such crap!!!!!!!!!! that is like the worst part oh and the frame is the uglyest thing ever it looks like a poser bike
Similar Products Used:nothing this crappy
Bike Setup:like a friggin peice of sh!t i hate everything about it and the rider
Bottom Line:this is such a crappy bike hah and the rider is soo crappy hah how can he say he is a big dh racer?? he dosent no what DH means and he cant jump at all well actually he probly would be good if he didnt ride such a peice..actually well maybe not...well anyway dont buy this hurting sorry A$$ peice of white trash bike
IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

oh and mtbr should make a selection of zero flaming chilis or whatever cuz thats what i wanna give this bike aha
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Craig a Weekend Warrior from Kelowna BC canada
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
Favoriate Trail:larry moe curly
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $400.00
Purchased At:frenzz house
Strengths:Beefed Frame, Price for what you get, it's just amazing
Weaknesses:umm i had my bb come loose twice
Similar Products Used:joshua,
Bike Setup:Betty, Z.1 DropOff, Mammoth rims, superdeluxe rear shock, Bontrager DHcrowbars, roox chaincat, lotsa other stuff, this bike is not stock at all, and that is the way i want to keep it
Bottom Line:I have had this bike for a year now. It has had many fork/wheel/rearshock/brake/cassette/chainguide/ and other setups. Yeah I know I have posted it as an awesome DH bike on the other page... BUT.. you have to realize, with all kinds of aftermarket parts i have MAYBE $1000 CAN$ into this bike. It has been absolutely awesome for me, sure i have had my problems with it, but over all it has been a beautiful bike. I killed the rear bushings, blew my rear shock, and my bb came loose twice. But this bike can do anything just as well as a: Giant ATXDH, SantaCruz bullit, Specialized BigHit or even a Kona Stinky. Sure, maybe it has this URT design(unified rear triangle) but i have noticed no problems with this design. This bike is great at DH FOR THE PRICE... you have to get that straight. (for the price) I use this bike daily, beating it over urban stairs, 6+ foot drops, and anything i want to do. I have done a little trials on this bike, some northshore, lotsa DH, TONS of dirtjumping, and even more Urban. You can't tell me that this bike absolutely sucks at DH/URBAN/FREERIDE. For the price this bike is totally wonderful. I have had no problems doing DH on this bike, i found it worked great. HINT:(setup the rear shock REAL soft). And i have had many compliments on this bike for dirtjumping. Maybe you all have it setup sh!tty, but the way i have this bike setup, it works great. i have had many compliments on this bike, and intend to keep it as a cheap FREERIDE bike. If had to recommend a cheap freeride bike, that will take anything you want to give it, get a Gary Fisher Level Betty/Joshua FRAME. Then build it up with choice parts marzocchi forks only, and all the parts you want.. It is an awesome cheap freerider that you can do everything on, and thats all it is!!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by aaron Bertrand a Downhiller from North Bay Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2000
Favoriate Trail:urban riding
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:THis bike is only good for weak, handicaped, girly riders! It has no strengths whatsoever. I regret spending all of my newspaper route earnings at the age of 14 on this p.o.s.
Weaknesses:Does not work to well on 40 foot drops, cracked too easy, blown suspension after first ride, etc, etc, etc.
Similar Products Used:My first bike!
Bike Setup:Floatind drive train!
Bottom Line:The bottom line is that i regret buying this bike and i hope that no one else purchases one of them
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Mike Wilson a Downhiller from London
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000
Favoriate Trail:Epping Forest
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:It Has the Hayes Discs
Weaknesses:Not Enough Travel on either the front or back
Rear Shock is unrealiable
Front forks are unrealiable
Chain jumps off a lot
Not ideal for downhill
Bike Setup:Manitou X-vert t
Rockshox Coupe Deluxe
Lx cranks, front mech, shifters
Hayes hydralic
XT rear mech
Wilderness trail handlebars and grips
Unknown stem
Bottom Line:not an ideal bike for any kind of downhill or any kind of jumping.
Would do for any one who wants to do cross country on it.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by sean tynan a Downhiller from vancouver, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000
Favoriate Trail:anything on the North Shore
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:cheap cheap cheap. Beefy, well gusseted. Light enough.
URT is good for drops and jumps. Bright red makes bikes go faster.
Weaknesses:The rear shock (rock shox coupe deluxe) sucks bad. Change it and you have a good bike. No URT's will make a great DH bike, so if that's what you want it for...
Similar Products Used:Friends vps-2. 99 pipeline.
Bike Setup:Boxxer on front, strattos helix expert as rear shock.
Bottom Line:If you want a good all around, affordable bike this is it. If you want to mod it to a beefy freeride machine, it will cost as much as one already set up as such.
It holds up really well under harsh conditions. URT has some advantages over drops and jumps.


Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Todd Rutledge a Downhiller from Moose Jaw
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000
Favoriate Trail:Roots
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:Beefy Bombproof frame gussets everywhere.
Weaknesses:low end rear shock
Similar Products Used:I've worked in a bike shop for years so i've tried lot's of different bikes. And designs!!
Bike Setup:Added rear disc and race face cranks toasted the LX cranks and put on Nokian fat hakka DH tires 2.3 and wider syncros bars 27"
Bottom Line:There are many suspension designs out there and apparently even more opinions. Some URT's behave different than other due to design. URT's would not be my first pick for the type of riding I do. But after spending some time on a 98 level Betty I ordered a 99 given the improvements and value with this bike. Another bike that is similar to Betty is the Rocky Mountain Pipeline, Both use URT's and both bikes are geared to extreme riders. So why would they and a few others use this design. I've found that they have actice rear ends and handle big drops better than say a 4 bar link like on a specialized. they are less likely to bottom out on drops and big airs. As the suspension stiffens when standing but only moderatly enough to stop bottoming out. But compared to the pipeline which three of my friends ride & I've tested it seems to handle better at speed and in the technical stuff maybe it's the genesis geometry or magic.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by eric a Cross Country Rider from northridge, california, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2000
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:this bike is very smooth and the components are great! the 6' rear travel is awesome!
Weaknesses:it is hard to carry because of its "y" shaped frame
Similar Products Used:trek y3
Bike Setup:?????
Bottom Line:this is a great bike to get you up the mountain easily and go down very fast! if your looking for a good deal and a great full suspension
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Russell a Cross-Country Rider from London
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Ivinghoe Beacon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Flexibility of on the fly damper controle allows you to change from downhill to cross-country and back on the same trail.
Weaknesses:
The rider
Similar Products Used:
FSR, Orange mr O.
Bike Setup:
factory
Bottom Line:There are bikes which cost twice as much as this and don't come anywhere near the standard.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Robert a Cross-Country Rider from Oceanside, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Top of the World, Aliso Canyon
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Plush suspension, Rear Lockout, Sweet Front Disc Brake, Cool Color (Red)
Weaknesses:
Pedals. The 545's aren't very durable.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn S-10, Cannondale w/lefty, Fisher Joshua F-3
Bottom Line:I've been waiting for this bike for months and I wasn't disappointed! Excellent bike! Plush suspension for downhilling, rear lockout for climbing, and an Awesome red paint job for impressing your friends. The Hayes hydraulic brake works well.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Stu a Weekend Warrior from Wales-Great Britain
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Preselis
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Top Bike, with great looks
Excellent on descents and jumps
Weaknesses:
Shock a litlle too soft and awkward to adjust, no lock-out
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Rock shox Indy,
Changed parts including SPD's & Tyres, Pedals
Bottom Line:An excellent all round bike for the money
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Zach a Weekend Warrior from Montana
Date Reviewed: April 22, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Everything, great bikes
Weaknesses:
nothin'
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Trek
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:great bike love the brakes and the lockout
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Allen a Downhiller from Albuquerque,NM
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:This bike is absolutly bombproof. If you hate URT's you haven't ridden this bike. The suspension is plush.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Scott Meredith a Downhiller from Spokane WA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Minihaha
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Totally a plush bike, no suspension feedback. Awesome on the downhills. I compete on this bike.
Weaknesses:
None that i can count.
Similar Products Used:
iDrive, Specialized,Giant,Jamis, Kona
Bike Setup:
Stock, race face cranks.
Bottom Line:Totally a phat bike.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by pathfinder a Weekend Warrior from ca
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:nice riding bike.
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Sean a Weekend Warrior from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Five Oaks @ Aliso-Niguel Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Its pretty nice to look at.
Weaknesses:
The shock blew-out after five hard rides. Also, three bolts that hold the disk brake on were not properly tightened, came lose and wore a 2 mm grove on the front shock arm. The bike shop that I bought the bike from would not give me my money back or a new bike. They were actually really rude. Last time that shop sees any of my money.
Similar Products Used:
My first full suspension bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock setup.
Bottom Line:I wish I had selected another bike.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Keith a Cross-Country Rider from Anacortes
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Star Wars, Fidalgo Island
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
All around great handling. Goes uphill, downhill and cross country with great ease and control. I ride with Kliens, Special Eds, GTs, Cannondales, K2s, and Konas. None of them do everything as well as the Fisher. Unlike the comments made by some people who seem to be experts on URTs but don't own one, the URT doesn't bob, biopace, wallow, wishywash or do anything else wierd when you set it up for your weight. Every bike needs to be tuned for your riding. I figure that the people who have problems with the URT either don't own one, or haven't the knowledge or riding skill required to set up their bike.
Weaknesses:
SID leaks.
Similar Products Used:
Kona, GT, Specialized, Klien, Cannondale
Bike Setup:
Mountain Mix
Bottom Line:This is a great looking and riding bike.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Shaum a Weekend Warrior from Lake Tahoe, CA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
The Flume
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bike Setup:
Completely stock.
Bottom Line:Great bike. Yes, it's heavy and if your complaining about the weight go get a hardtail. This bike is bombproof. I don't know why everyone knock the URT design. I never have had any problems at all, sitting or standing the suspension is always super plush. One good thing to mention about the weight...When your riding downhill the bike dosen't get knocked off it line so easily because of the extra weight. I see light weight, hardtailers absolutley getting beat up and tossed around on trails that I just bomb down. Lots of fun and absolutely no regrets. Go get one.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Shawn a Cross-Country Rider from Langley
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999
Favoriate Trail:
Jay's trail (sumas mountain)
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Simple.
Weaknesses:
Bobs, inactive when standing, does not work!
Bottom Line:Jake learn how to spell!! I'd think downhillers would have some clue about suspension!! It's a URT!! They are in-active pieces of crap! This is propaganda. URTs in any form simple never work. Though simple and easy to build, I have never found a URT that has a ride quality on par with your standard linkage or Super V bikes! Anyone stupid enough to buy one should be shot!
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Tom Johnson a weekend warrior from Bath
Date Reviewed: February 14, 1999
Bottom Line:

Errrrrr ....Does anyone want to give me one of these bikes?la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la 30 Words yet?
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jake a downhiller from Colorado
Date Reviewed: February 6, 1999
Bottom Line:

I have had this bike ever scence it came out. I absolutly love it! It is very good on the Downhills. I have done well in all my races scence than!Five Stars
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by John a downhiller from Brekenridge, Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999
Bottom Line:

I really like this bike. I perchased one about 4 and 1/2 weeks ago. I absolutly love it! It rules on the Downhill. It has good travel too. It's the best bike for the money.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Josh a from downhiller
Date Reviewed: January 12, 1999
Bottom Line:

This bike is a great bike for the price that it costs. It is fantastic on the Downhill. This is a best buy bike. This bike rules!!!
Total rating: 5 stars.Thank You
Overall Rating:5






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