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Submitted by
rpopian
a Weekend Warrior
from Janesville, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Budget Bicycle Cente | | Strengths: | Lightweight, durable, very sturdy to ride, good control, easy & reliable shifting, sweet looking bike. | | Weaknesses: | Rear cogs skip over time. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500 (2007), Schwinn High Plains (1992) | | Bike Setup: | Mostly original equipment- I opted for a rigid fork over the suspension fork at time of purchase. changed out grips, innertubes, and pedals within 1st year. | | Bottom Line: | Very nice bike for the price. I bought this bike at 6'6" & 330 pounds for road and light trails, and it has held up beautifully. This is the 1st Aluminum frame bike I've owned. The plastic pedals it came with were cheap, and one cracked in half when I dumped it last year taking a downhill turn too quickly, prompting me to change them out with metal ones. The smallest 4 rear cogs began to skip within the last few weeks or so, making it difficult to push hard, especially up hill. Outside of that, the frame is light and has held up exceptionally well, Both front and rear deraileurs work immediately and consistently. A friend that I ride with owns a Trek 6500, and in comparing the two I have much more control over my Gary Fisher and it feels much sturdier and more responsive. Given what he paid for his Trek, I expected much more from it. I would highly recommend a Tarpon for anyone who doesn't want to spend a ton and wants a reliable bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from leesburg, va
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle outfitters | | Strengths: | relatively light,nice bars, classic look | | Weaknesses: | bad components, geometry isnt meant for a much larger fork, its head tube is too long adding wieght, its "rear triangle" is not sturdy enough for my abuse, not disk compatable | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | tarpon frame, ditch witch wheelset, avid bb7(soon geting speed dial levers), rockshox tora u-turn, sram x-7 shifters, sram x-o rear deralliur, pg-990 casette, shimano hgchain, raceface evolve dh x-type crankset, new pedals, wtb saddle, new bontragertires | | Bottom Line: | i love m bike!!!! if you dont have much money, buy it i did and slowly added parts
i like my ike because its a classic with parts to perform with much more expensive bikes | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Mt. Kisco, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Bikes | | Strengths: | Not too heavy, for its price anyway, shifters, color (mine is green and black) | | Weaknesses: | Fork is stiff, the pedals suck, the seat is crap, brakes bad for anything other than perfect conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 3700, Trek 4300 Disc | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock, bontrager mem foam seat, lights, computer | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for a beginner or a back-up bike. I would switch out the brakes, the seat, and possibly the fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
i
a
from uk
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | from a skip! | | Strengths: | Good frame, very size-adjustable, good quality finish, all components used but in good order apart from rear axle(see below). Half an hour fettling, cleaning, regreasing and reassembling saw us with a newish MTB for zero cash - excellent!!! Even has 34t megarange rear sprocket... | | Weaknesses: | Quick service and the only item which still needs attention is the rear axle, which seems to have been way overtightened and partially seized. Strip clean and replace with a spare and its good as new, almost. Oh - and the seatpost took a bit of freeing up. Happy :0) | | Similar Products Used: | Dawes, Claud Butler, Rock Lobster | | Bike Setup: | standard I think, serviced and good for general use | | Bottom Line: | As i say cost zero as rescued from the skip. Therefore top value especially as it really just needed a quick lube and to be properly set up. Good bike although handlebar stem is at too high and angle for me. Many 1,000s of miles left in it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alexx
a Cross Country Rider
from United States
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Big Creek Pkwy | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Peecktree Bikes | | Strengths: | Good Frame, I enjoy the quick shifting, Looks good | | Weaknesses: | Crank sucks. After riding only a few miles the crank would almost always become loose. Also the gears "slip" , for me at leads, when traveling in twelfth hgear up a hill.
| | Bottom Line: | An over all good bike with serious flaws. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay Lewis
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho, US
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sidewinder | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Pawn shop | | Strengths: | Good frame, Good downhill bike for the price I paid. | | Weaknesses: | A little too heavy for climbing a long way and the rear gearing needs to be lower. The crankset and bottom bracket started squeeking after a couple monthes of riding. | | Bottom Line: | You get what you paid for, and its a decent bike if you add a few upgrades(Crankset and Bottom bracket). | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Souderton, PA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line | | Strengths: | Cheap, Durable, Smooth Ride, light wieght for price | | Weaknesses: | Not the highest quality parts.... (ie good for price) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, other gary fishers, | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. The bike has held up for 2 years now and still ticking with the beatings i have given it. The gear ratios are good and no other problems have occured. Have not had to do anything except normal maintenance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Tommy and LeFevre | | Strengths: | This is supposed to be an XC, but lately I've used it mostly for DJ and Urban Assault and its held up fine. The frame is pretty light and the seat is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | The forks are awful and the don't really do much. if you do any drops over 4 feet you'll kill your arms. my derailer is messed up to. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | it works pretty good all around and as long as you stick to XC things won't get messed up | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jacob
a
from hollywood,florida,usa
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | a friend | | Strengths: | the frame and it has nice shocks | | Weaknesses: | the crank sucks, and gears begin to mess up, my back rim totally bent when i was just riding down the street | | Similar Products Used: | trek | | Bike Setup: | its ok but it should of had disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | ok bike for the money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from trumbull ct
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | zanes cycles | | Strengths: | it doesn't way much and most of the bike is preety durable the shifter is awesome | | Weaknesses: | the crank gets really loose alot and it needs more travel and disc brakes would be nice. stongly suggest new pedals with lots of grip | | Similar Products Used: | iron horse warrior se | | Bottom Line: | its cheap and good
upgrades are necesary | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brison LeBlanc
a Weekend Warrior
from Breaux Bridge, La USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | local | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Low price, fairly good components | | Weaknesses: | I have not discovered any weaknesses yet | | Similar Products Used: | New to mountain biking | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I am new to mountain biking. This bike is great for a begginer and the price is even better. It has not given me any problems yet. I have ridden road mostly. I went on some root filled trails a few times and the bike performed great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kirsten
a Cross Country Rider
from Big Bear, CA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | yucaipa bike center--near Big Bear | | Strengths: | My first Mt. Bike--picked by my boyfriend who rides all the time. I'm so addicted now! I love the rapid-fire shifting and it is comfortable for me (I'm petite as they say!). It isn't as heavy as some of the other I tried out and it hasn't failed me once on the trails or around town. I got a full-year tune-up deal with it at no cost. | | Weaknesses: | For the price--None. It blew away everything else in my price-range. I would like to upgrade to ckip pedals once I get better and probably go for a soft-tail in the future (although they are tougher for me uphill than my Tarpoon--strange?) | | Similar Products Used: | I've been able to ride a few other bikes (Cannondale, Trek, Giant, and a phat Scott) though there are not a lot of options for someone my size. Of the bikes I've tried, I like mine the best (although I did get to ride that phat bike my firend had, but it was $2,000 or so--way beyond anything I need). | | Bike Setup: | Stock--I think. | | Bottom Line: | I've been able take Gray's Peak Trail several times with no problem and it is great for the kind of riding I do. I started out slowly--mostly a couple of weekends a month on this bike--but it got me addicted and I like to ride it everywhere--even around town instead of driving (yeah, I know, even in California, right!). I never imagined I would get this much out of this bike and if I could do it all over again, I would chnage a thing. I should mention that mine is the ladies' version--which I was a little aprehensive about at first--I mean, why do I need a "girl's bike"--but it isn't that different from the guy's and I've ridden the guy's version and like mine better, so I guess it is a personal taste thing and--I personally--really like the way mine tastes! I haven't had anything break yet and I ride a lot. I did take it once this year when I had a flat and they replaced the tube and sealed both tubes with goo. I haven't had a flat since then. I think they also checked out my derailers and the chain, but they were fine (no problems shifting etc.) They also adjusted the the front suspension because I had it too mushy when I started out. Now it rocks even better! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from usa
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | PRICE $$$
Good company | | Weaknesses: | Weight, and quality of components... I guess | | Similar Products Used: | Tons...
Fisher Marlin
Kona Hoss
Specialized Stump Jumper etc. | | Bike Setup: | stock (for now) | | Bottom Line: | I could not help but right a review for this bike. I recently bought it, mainly for my wife to ride. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but reading some of the reviews for this bike crack me up!
How can you knock a bike that cost less than the stem on my best bike!? For this price, people should be happy that it has tires! Anyone that buys this bike to do serious hucking, or singletrack, is a fool!!! That's like buying a Scion, and getting mad because your buddies Escalade has a smoother ride////these people need to get real!
Here's the deal, you're getting a Gary Fisher, with some Shimano (albeit cheap) components, for less than a few tanks of gas. If you're the kind of person that is just getting in to biking, or you ride on very light trails, you can't beat this deal...but please don't be an idiot and buy this bike to jump off cliffs! These people need to quit whining, and buy a nicer bike if that's their intention.
The Tarpon is hands down a GREAT VALUE.
Take it from someone that owns a $6000 bike, not the fools that think they are on the X-Games, but don't have the right equipment. ENJOY!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from Saint Louis
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | grotpeter | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | sunset cyclery | | Strengths: | The frame is awesome and the bike in general is easily upgradeable. For the price you cant beat it... | | Weaknesses: | The components are definitly lower end, but i have had no problems with them yet | | Bike Setup: | completely stock but plan to upgrade soon | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that for the price youre paying the bike is awesome. It has done everything i have asked it to do with ease. The bike is easily upgradeable is your strapped for cash at the time and plan to slowly build up your bike... i love it and highly recommend | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cody Dougless
a Weekend Warrior
from Carthage, MO USA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Landall | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Specialist | | Strengths: | Great frame. This thing can take a beating. I have riden just about every type of trail. The only place I havn't are the mountains (simply becaouse i haven't gotten there)
Again this thing can really take a beating | | Weaknesses: | Componets. The componets are weak and don't last long. the fork needs to be up graded becouase when i get done my arms are just beat up. needs more travel. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great starter bike. I got it to start out in to see if i was going to like this "life style'. I found that i did and was good at it. When you get better you will need a better bike. if you are like me i found that i got better quiker then i thought. I have had the bike for about 6 month and need a new one. Simply becaouse when you start replacing parts you would have spent the same amout bying a new one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren
a Weekend Warrior
from New Castle, PA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kennerdell | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Hite's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great bike for the price. Started mountain biking 2 years ago and couldn't beat the deal for this quality bike. | | Weaknesses: | handlebars seem a little wide, crank is weak and easily bent | | Bike Setup: | replaced pedals with Bontrager pedals and Bontrager Toe Cages, replaced rear derailleur, replaced brakes. Considering replacing front fork and cassette (not needed upgrades but would like to start upgrading) | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price! I use it for almost every type of trail. Crank is a little bent from jumping off curbs and riding steps but other than that is a great bike. Easy to ride, relatively light. I recommend it for anyone looking for a good introductory bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from syracuse New york
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | bike alley | | Strengths: | It has an ok wheel set and a well built frame with some nice derailers | | Weaknesses: | the cranks and the pedals suck on this bike,the cranks fell apart and the pedals strip like no other | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis xc | | Bike Setup: | most stock with new tires, pedals, cranks and new seat | | Bottom Line: | The bike is ok for the easier trails and little jumps but thats with the new stuff. Therefore i would't even ride it off a curb when it is stock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Gaffney, SC, US
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Daily Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Worx | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Most of it's components | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M80 | | Bike Setup: | Truvative double bolt seat post, San Marcos Race Day Saddle, TiTEC Hell Bent handlebars, Truvative Crankset, LX front Derailleur, | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for some who is looking for a cheap commuter bike but doesn't want a tank. Its heavy but not too heavy. This bike is NOT for trails with: roots, rocks, washouts, or anything more than just a small bump. The parts listed above at "Bike Setup" are parts that I busted and had to replace because it took on some pretty nasty trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | GreenBelt and City Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Discovery Cycle | | Strengths: | Strong little bike, took some hard beatings and held up pretty good for lower components. | | Weaknesses: | I hate the pedals. Derailleurs are not awesome, takings a lot of tweaking to make it work smoothly. 7-speed..... grr | | Similar Products Used: | Haro V2/V1 <-- Great bikes for the money. Trek 4300 is a little more but really nice. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with busted pedals and a bent chainring because I smashed into a rock. | | Bottom Line: | Being my first MT. Bike I wanted this thing to fly over water but I receive a harsh waking when I hit the harder trails. Awesome bike if you just want an average low cost bike that will do some to light offroading. This bike got me addicted to MT biking, I have already bought a Gary Fisher Tassajara w/o disk and can't wait to beat it up. There are a lot of negative reviews on this bike but I found it as a great bike to start off with and helped me decided that MT biking is a sport for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Mt. Shasta CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fort Rock and Newfields | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Exeter Cycles | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with replaced brake pads and SPD 505 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first real mountain bike, and I'm glad I got into biking. The bike is far from performance riding or racing, but it gets me out there. I ride about 3 or 4 times a week, and this bike has taken a beating so far. It's held up so far, and gotten me addicted to biking. Now that I'm a much better rider, I'm looking to get a cdale F600 when I can afford it. But until then, this baby has been fine. It's a bit heavy, anyone know the actual weight? Also, the derailers suck, and shiftings slow. I just broke my shifter, and I'm thinking I might convert it to a singlespeed. If you want something to get out and become a decent rider, get this. But if you want performance, save up for a 1000 dollar bike or higher. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bw
a Weekend Warrior
from boston
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | my favorite trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | Excellent price, red color scheme looks nice | | Weaknesses: | Cheap components | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Rear derailleur broke second time out. Shifting gears sounded awful, I returned this bike and bought a Specialized FSR XC withing a week. The Tarpon was not meant to take even a little punishment, if you are in the 200lb range then don't even think about this bike. If you want a bike to put in your garage and not ride, then buy a Gary Fisher Tarpon. If you plan to ride your bike at all buy something else. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Many!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | (hardly) Idea Bikes | | Strengths: | Nice comfortable seated position | | Weaknesses: | terrible, heavy, cheap components.... I broke the bottom bracket 3x, the crank 2x, the pedals, the front and read quick releases, the rear axel, etc, etc.... Every 3 or 4 rides on this thing a part broke!!! | | Similar Products Used: | I ride a few bikes.... saving for a REAL hardtail right now!! | | Bike Setup: | Stock (until I replaced everything that broke) | | Bottom Line: | Unless you're riding on the street you should Get a better BIKE!!! IMHO This is not an MTB it's a street bike with fat tires!!! I've broken and replaced so many parts on this bike I could have bought a more expensive model (**for the same cost). Gary Fisher (Trek) will never get another $ from me!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ren Desa
a Cross Country Rider
from Pyeongtaek City, South Korea
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Camp Humphreys Outer Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | found on bikerack abandoned | | Strengths: | Strong frame, goos upgradeability (new word), good starter bike, beautiful in metalic red. | | Weaknesses: | Cheapo group set, handle bars are a bit too wide, and the spacers on the fork extension look real crappy with poor paint. | | Similar Products Used: | 1993 Caloi Aluminum, 1996 GT Tequesta | | Bike Setup: | All stock but: Zoom 56cm aluminum handlebar, with extensions and Zoom dual density grips, Next MTB seat with nut cooler hole, Shimano Deore front brake. | | Bottom Line: | This bike sat on a road side bike rack for three months collecting dust, pollen and cobwebs. I took pity on it and cut the lock, made it mine. Now it's clean, lubed up and ready to go. For the price I paid (zilch) it's a great bike. It would be a good starter bike for someone just getting into mountain biking, and it's a great starter platform for those wanting to upgrade (me). The frame is strong, albeit not too aggressive, and the red paint is beautiful. The cheap groupo and front shock beg to be upgraded. The narrower handlebar I installed made the bike feel smaller, lighter and more aggressive. The value rating I gave is considering what I paid for it: $0 The overall rating takes in consideration the cheapo parts and the upgradeability... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bingley, Yorkshire | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Richmond Cycles, UK | | Strengths: | Very good quality and solid frame for the price, decent quality Bontrager finishing kit and durable Matrix wheelset. Plenty of upgrade potential frame also has disc mounts and is gussetted. | | Weaknesses: | Low-spec groupset (Tourney and CO51), some heavy steel parts and only 21 speed. Default riding position setup of comfort rather than "aggressive hardtail". | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Trek 800, 2003 Giant Boulder and 2004 Saracen Tufftrax | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Gary Fisher Tarpon with 2004 Manitou Axel Comp Fork, 24 speed drivetrain running LX/XT Derailleurs, Avid SD 2.0 brakes, and Kore/Raceface/Titec contact points. | | Bottom Line: | The ultimate starter bike if you're into "comfort biking" or want a decent all-round bike to upgrade into a xc/freeride monster. Once properly set up this thing can really fly - I managed to overtake Treks, Scotts and even Cannondales three times as expensive on my £200 Tarpon (and I'm not even the fittest rider in the world!). Finally, command respect on the trails with this bike from the Mountain Bike Daddy; Gary Fishers rule! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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