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Gary Fisher
2000 Joshua F3
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Submitted by
Alex Duyzings
a Cross Country Rider
from Valkenburg, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | High quality welding.
Frame has taken quite an abuse and is still going strong | | Weaknesses: | Heavy.
Weak bearings on the pivot point of the rear linkage.
Solution: Press in industrial nail bearings! | | Similar Products Used: | B1 Torix
Giant Cadex1
Klein Pinnacle
Klein Adroit
Rocky Mountain Vertex
Proflex Reptile
Proflex Animal
Gary Fisher level betty FH2
Gary Fisher Joshua F4 (still owner and user)
Gary Fisher Joshua F3 (still owner and user)
Gary Fisher Joshua F1 (still owner and user) | | Bike Setup: | Only frame is standard.
Fork; Rock Shox Sid world cup
Rear shock; Rock Shox Sid xc
Cranks; RaceFace next
Frontbrake; Hope mono6Ti, 205mm rotor
Rearbrake; Hope mono4, 185mm rotor
Headset; Chris King
Stem, handlebar and seatpost; Ritchey WCS
Wheels; Mavic XM821
Hubs; Chris King iso disc
Tyres; Tioga Psycho-K
Wires; Nokon
Gears; Shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | Seems like an expensive set-up for such an old bike,
but Gary Fisher Joshua F-series frames are simply
unbeatable!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Downhiller
from ny
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | jiminy peak | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | julios bikcycle shop | | Strengths: | strong | | Weaknesses: | heavy, rear shock, rs jett,cranks | | Similar Products Used: | giant ac sieries | | Bike Setup: | psylos xc xt components tioga factory Dh tires | | Bottom Line: | great for free riding if you change the fork. Rear shock sucks because of the travel and seals. hopefully getting a stratos helix expert. Upgrade and it is a great bike. lock out is awesome. bottoms out in the rear fairly easy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Peterson
a Downhiller
from Nashua, New Hamshire, USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | the scariest one i can find | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Naults Cyclery | | Strengths: | Strong frame | | Weaknesses: | Not made for DH | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Level Betty FH2 | | Bike Setup: | F3 frame, 2002 Jr. T Pro fork, xtr set up, Bontrager riser bars, fisher stem, all which im hoping to upgrade this winter for next season. | | Bottom Line: | I love this frame!! I snaped my Level Betty about a month ago, and i got this frame for free due to insurance, which is pretty cool. Iv only goten to put on Jr. T's so far, but they rock too. I have a free ride set up on him: XC drive terrain and other free ride/dh because I ride everything (but Id rather be riding down). If i could have one bike for free riding, I think id keep my Josh. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JMF
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern NJ
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Every single one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Barn | | Strengths: | Frame, Light for a FS (31Lbs)stock you can easily get it to sub 30lbs, Jett Race solid all-around shock (3.5lbs, good solid feel and control | | Weaknesses: | Brakes & Levers, Rear Shock, Front derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Ochoa and Marin Bike | | Bike Setup: | Currently Stock, upgrading brakes and front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | After riding the Joshua F3 a little over a year now over different types of terrain. This is a solid bike. Yes components could be better...But regardless how much a bike costs (highend or lowend) your truly never satified with your components. Every bike needs upgrading depending on your riding style. The F3 doesn't need many upgrades a rear shock, better brakes,front derailleur and perhaps a lighter wheelset (sun Rynolite. All in all this bike handles it all, I even think it climbs well, holds a solid line and descends like any $3K FS bike. I have no regrets purchasing this bike and see myself riding it for quite sometime. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nolin Easton
a
from Prince George British Columbia Canada
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | slim chance | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | McBike | | Strengths: | light good rear shock strong frame and wheels | | Weaknesses: | weak rails on the saddle lockout dosn't work very good | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock | | Bike Setup: | clipless pedals and bontrager crow bar handlebars | | Bottom Line: | great all around bike has taken everything I have thrown at it pretty well priced If you buy this bike I advise you to buy clipless pedals and a stronger seat the rails on mine bent and it handles great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kokopelli
a
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Meyer Ranch (today anyway) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Campus Cycles | | Strengths: | Handling, Rear suspension lockout, Paint job (= | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy but not as bad as I would think from reading other reviews... and I'm a woman in very average shape | | Similar Products Used: | Just an old rigid Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Stock but added Time ATAC Carbon clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike, great price... and if you get it now it should be an even better price. I was scared of steep, technical downhills before I started riding the Joshua F3 and after feeling how well it holds in corners and on loose trail, I can barrel downhill with the best of 'em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve a.k.a. "Cecil" Redford
a Cross Country Rider
from New Albany,IN. USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fort Duffield,Otter Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$816.00 | | Purchased At: | Scheller's Fitness&Cycling | | Strengths: | Forks,rear shock,lockout,rear tire(what a grabber!),genesis geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Front tire,brake levers,saddle. | | Bike Setup: | I added a Specialized Gel Comp saddle,Shimano 858 Clipless peddles. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this bike is an absolute steal!!!It is very flickable in fast corners,not so heavy that you can't climb,hop or step your way over obstacles.Like another review i've read about this bike,nevermind the HEAVY naysayers!I ride with two friends that have a Fuel 98 and 100 and I regularly smoke 'em!!!!!!!!! Anyone wanting an entry level bike that will hold up,look no further,this is your bike!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jorge javelosa
a Weekend Warrior
from guam, usa
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | tarza falls and manengon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | mtb outfitters | | Strengths: | STRONG FRAME AND GEOMETRY THAT WORKS FOR ME. | | Weaknesses: | NONE SO FAR | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 GIANT WARP | | Bike Setup: | XTR, RACEFACE, EASTON, MAVIC WHEELS,FOX FLOAR RC | | Bottom Line: | THE BIKE HANDLES PRETTY GOOD WHEN DESCENDING, CLIMBING UP IS NO PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE A LOCK-OUT INSTALLED, OR EVEN JUST A DAMPENER. THE BOTTOM LINE IS GO OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHILE YOU CAN. I AND MY OTHER FRIENDS ARE STARTING TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF JUMPING AND SO FAR THE BIKE IS HOLDING PRETTY GOOD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Higbee
a Cross Country Rider
from S.L.C. Utah
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | amassa back | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | fishers cyclery | | Strengths: | frame strength, good geometry, god componants | | Weaknesses: | bobs a little bit, saddle | | Bike Setup: | still factory | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, I ride about 4 times a week and have yet to find anything big to complain about. I spent a couple of days in Moab and loved it on this bike. Before I bought this bike I was away from the sport for 2 years, and this bike makes me almost feel like a pro.
The first thing I have to change is the seat, which is as hard as a rock, and is taking time to get used to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CYRIL CONCEPTION
a Weekend Warrior
from GUAM, USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | TARZAN FALLS | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | MTB | | Strengths: | STRONG FRAME | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | GIANT WARP | | Bike Setup: | SHIMANO XTR GROUP | | Bottom Line: | HANDLES GREAT AND PLENTY LEG ROOM. FAIRLY LIGHT AND A PRETTY
SOLID FRAME. OVERALL IT'S A PRETTY GOOD ALL AROUND BIKE. RIDE IT AND YOU'LL SEE. I HAVE NO REGRETS ON PURCHASING THIS
BIKE. "GO OUT THERE AND BUY ONE" ONLY 5 JOSHUA'S ON ISLAND
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brown's Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Bottom Line: | Ok, 6 month update. The excitement of full suspension is long gone now and my opinion of the Joshua has changed a little. First and foremost the brakes stink. Absolute misery in a wet climate. I have to adjust them before every ride and sometimes during. They don't ever stay adjusted and always rub. I've changed cables, new housings, cleaned, lubed, greased ... they blow. Another letdown is the shock lockout. It's a cool feature but as soon as you get it muddy it doesn't like to work. It will lock but won't unlock. You have to tug on the cable or use pliers. I had the cable switched twice and now I just don't even bother with it anymore. The back shock is pretty difficult to get adjusted as well. It just about bucks me out of the seat on jumps and bumps. If you loosen the spring and try to make it more forgiving you start to bounce on the climbs so you can't really win. As for quality I'm starting to have my doubts. I cracked one of the rear drop tubes last week during a normal trail ride. That was the first major failure (and what prompted me to update this review). Another complaint is that the "genesis geometry" is a pain to climb with. Yes, downhill is easier but uphill for the first few months consisted of wheelies and falling. I've gotten used to it, but compared to other bikes it can be frustrating.
On the positive side, I'll admit that when everything is working and relatively dialed in the bike rides really well. So well in fact you'll forget you paid under a grand. I've been on full day cross country rides and also ski lift accessed downhills with relative ease. The ride is usually seems pretty consistent and it tracks well around corners. The bike also feels really stable at speed. In fact I think it rides better when you are going fast. Despite what I've read about the Jett shock, it's still holding in there ok.
For a potential buyer, remember you do get what you pay for! When it's working it's a great bike, but getting it to work consistenly is damn near impossible. I think the best thing I've gotten from this bike is that now after 6 months of trial and error I know exactly what I'm looking for in my next bike. Don't buy this bike assuming it's going to last forever! If you are going to buy a FS bike and need it to last for a few years you should really spend more money. The Joshua is a good entry level FS bike and if you accept that up front it might be worth your while. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Fisher name, OK if you ONLY downhill | | Weaknesses: | Sub-standard components, cables rub on your right inner calf, super mushy, entirely too heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, litespeed | | Bike Setup: | Stock (won't waste any more money on this chump upgrading it to what it should have been in the first place) | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you just have to own a Fisher. The components are lousy, and it's almost impossible to adjust the suspension to lose the mush when you pedal. If you look at the other reviews on this bike, you'll notice that most of those that rated it highest have ridden this junk for 3 months or less- many for one month or less. Keep that in mind. IMO the 'on the fly lockout' does almost nothing- those people that are so pumped on it are just quoting from the advertisements and probably not from personal experience. I paid $750 for this and would sell it today. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | City Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great price considering this bike out-performs almost any bike in its class and above - I know because I've ridden 'em all. Good components and the genesis geometry will save you some grief on the trails. | | Weaknesses: | Fairly heavy bike, but what do you want in this price range, a Heckler? | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back X2 | | Bike Setup: | Factory original for now... | | Bottom Line: | Great bike - don't mind the naysayers, the rider makes half the bike! This bike is a great all around bike and will take almost anything you can give it without having to take it into the shop every week. Buy it as an "entry level" bike or as a second bike when you realize that its pretty hard to beat a Fisher for price, performance, looks and quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
arnold cruz
a Weekend Warrior
from pasig,city,philippines
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light, awesome handling and descent price. | | Weaknesses: | seat collars sucks won't lock, stickers coming off. | | Similar Products Used: | giant warp ds2 | | Bike Setup: | sid xc, raceface crank, xtr v-brakes,levers,front & rear deraillers, easton ea70 seatpost ea50 handlebar,ti.bottom bracket, and many more. (awesome vanilla fox float rc) | | Bottom Line: | awesome bike. I think everybody should at least try to ride the bike. Good in cornering,and i have better control going down. awesome technical bike. I beat a lot of hardtails on the road with this dualies. bottom line is go out there and purchase one. you won't regret it trust me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
buzzy
a Downhiller
from steamboat springs co
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | valley view yahoo loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | strong kick ass frame life time, rear shock lock | | Weaknesses: | only one color | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | I rented this bike several times and liked it so much i had to go buy one I was very shocked to see its less then a grand price. this bike would be killer for all people with the best of cross country (with the lock out rear shock on the fly) or the SICK handeling of the full rear shock 2.5"
look out uphillers !!!!!
check out e-zak-paint.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from fairfax,va
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Alot of people like Gary's stuff, I didn't | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, poor welds | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike was way too heavy, and cost too much for the quality. I think you're paying for the name. If you gotta have Gary, buy a Sugar or waste your money on a Joshua. The Y frame is outdated anyway. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Downhiller
from Layton UT USA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Omen | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | LX components, lightweight frame, rear shock lock-out, nice brakes. | | Weaknesses: | The Jett fork, the rear Rock Shox fork. | | Similar Products Used: | The Trek Y-3, Cannondale Super-V 400. | | Bottom Line: | This is an okay bike, but I thought the 99 Joshua F3 was better in value, especially the fork, last year it was a Manitou SX, this year it's some lousy RS Jett that gets barely any travel, plus the rear shock could have been better, I bottomed out 6 times with that thing doing small drop off's any entry level bike could handle. Value Rating is 2 burning pacifics since the suspension could have been better, and 3 burning pacifics for Overal Rating since it had crappy suspension, if it wasn't for that, this bike would get 5 burning pacifics. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Cummings
a Weekend Warrior
from Hutto, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Muleshoe | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Lightweight frame, LX components, bontrager wheels, appearance, on-the-fly dampining rear shock, durability, overall feel. | | Weaknesses: | I weigh 225#'s and coil spring in rear shock is designed for 180#'s. Need to replace with heavier spring, pedals- need clipless, going to add high-rise handle bars, and a better saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I got a great deal on this bike, saved a few hundred off the retail from person who had the bike a few months and never took it on a trail. The bike is a great deal for the money and handles the trails very well. Dampining control in rear shock helps going up-hill, similar to a hard tail. I would definetely recomend this bike to the weekend warrior or even a hard-core rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
skip
a Cross Country Rider
from lakewood
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | vultures knob | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | looks sweet, on the fly dampening, and stuff | | Weaknesses: | little heavy but thats it | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | time atac pedals added | | Bottom Line: | good bike if you treat it well, the only thing that i have done is cracked the housing on the dampening adjuster and its hard to fix otherwise it has been great i go riding 3 or 4 times a week this is my first full suspension and actually good bike if you want an affordable dualie this bike is great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Brugman
a Weekend Warrior
from Marquette, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dead River Basin | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light Design, On-the-fly rear shock lockout, 3" rear travel | | Weaknesses: | Poor rear brake cable placement | | Similar Products Used: | Klien Mantra Comp | | Bike Setup: | Added Hydrolic disk brakes, Rock-Shox Judy fork, Rolf Racing wheels. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good overall bike, Expecaily for the first time buyer of a full suspention bike. Better bikes are available for a little more, but not for less that $1,500. I truly recommend this bike for all people. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Easy-E
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Nemesis | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Lock out rear shock, adjustable front/rear shocks, looks tough and suprisingly affordable! | | Weaknesses: | Seat and water bottle placement | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Marin Wolf Ridge, Jamis Dakar | | Bike Setup: | Added clip-in pedals and have a Koobi seat on the way | | Bottom Line: | After riding a friends FSR a few times I developed shock envy and decided I wanted to move to a full suspension bike. I only ride once or twice a week so I really didn't want to drop a ton of money. At the same time I didn't want to get anything too cheap or a bike that I'm going to want to upgrade right off the shelf. Hello Joshua F3. It's got decent travel, good components, plenty of gears and the rear shock lock out is the perfect solution for an ex-hardtail user. Everything I do on it is easier ... climbing, descending, and techical stuff is all cake now. The bike feels rock solid, long rides are far more enjoyable and my confidence has shot through the roof. All this for just a hair under a thousand bucks! I would highly recommend this bike to any intermediate riders who are looking to move into full suspension while still staying a little bit price conscious! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy Paxton
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fox Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Top handeling, "on the fly" rear shock adjustment on the handle bar, looks great, one pivot point(low maintainance), Lite weight, Tough. | | Weaknesses: | The graphics are stickers. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised FSR, Avanti Moto. | | Bottom Line: | I was deffinatly going to stick with a hard tail for racing but after a trial on the f3, I had to have one. The best of both worlds with the "on the fly" rear shock dampening adjustment on the handle bar. A simple flip of this lever and you got yourself a hard tail and climbs like a goat on steroids. Once up the top flip that lever and you are smoooookin. Outstanding handling. Can you tell I love this bike, or what.
Great for racing, great for cruising, great for freeriding, great on the street.
If your a hard tail fan (like I still am) but you know there must be an alternative to the harshness of them without loosing the uphill benefits, do your self a favor and test out the Joshua f3, you wont be disapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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