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Opinions on the Gary Fisher Rig

5.4K views 24 replies 22 participants last post by  dbo43867  
#1 ·
Please don't tell me to read the reviews section of the site. I've already done that but would like to hear a little more. I'm 6'3" about 230 lbs w/gear have never riden a 29er or a SS. I'm not too worried about whether or not I'm going to like SS because I really enjoy being pushed to my limits and I believe SS will do that. I've heard that taller guys prefer the 29er's but I'm not sure if that's just some marketing campaign. I figured I'd post here first before heading over to the 29er forum to see what those guys say. I mostly ride in Northern California. Some riding in Tahoe and Oregon, but I would probably take the squishy there.
 
#2 ·
Yo

6' 8" 210lbs

Probably the stifest bottom bracket area I have ever ridden on a frame, especially with the amount of pressure you can put on a SS. Fits perfect...only comfort upgrades were a Ti seatpost...2.5 front tire because I'm running the rigid fork...and a carbon riser. 29ers are so nice for taller guys because your center of gravity on the bike is better than a 26 where on decents your weight will be much more forward that the 29...you will not be dissapointed. :thumbsup:
 
#3 ·
Good bike. I'm 6'4" and about 220ish sorta, with gear. The Rig has been my SS for a while now and I like it. Changed the bars to wider risers and just put Ergon grips on. (Still need to tweak that setup a bit). I like the overall fit and handling of the bike.
Since you're in Norcal. I've taken it to Rockville, Shell Ridge, China Camp. Same trails as the full squishy but just a different approach.
 
#6 ·
I am the smallest guy answering 5' 7" 167lbs.
But for what it is worth I trully enjoy my GF Rig.
I have a full sussy and do not ride it much anymore since I bought the SS Rig about 8 months ago.
I hope that you like it as much as I have if you go for it.
I added a few things to mine carbon seat post, steam, bars ,cages and no tubes from Stans they work like a charm.
 
#8 ·
I'm 5'8" 135 and I love my Rig. I had been iffy about 29ers. The only 29er that I had ridden before was a sugar from a few years ago and it felt like a truck. But the genesis geometry on this one (17.5") feels really balanced. My only complaint is that I'm getting a popping sound from what I think is my bottom bracket whenever I stand up and put a lot of pressure on my cranks. If anyone knows how to remedy this please pm me.
 
#9 ·
If it's typical creaking you're hearing, the quick fix is just to loosen it up, pull it out the non-drive side as far as possible and wipe away all dirt and debris from the BB shell and from around the EBB on the drive side, then push it back through and do the same to the other side. Slather everything best possible with Phil's waterproof grease and then torque back to specs.

If it's a loud pop, I'd pull the non-drive crank off and get it out for full inspection. Take it completely apart and clean all parts thoroughly. If there are no cracks in the shell, and nothing wrong with any of the parts, lubricate the sliding surfaces and threads of the wedge bolt with Phil's, then coat the outer surfaces of the EBB and the inner surface of the shell with anti-sieze, and re-install. That should put a stop to any creaking or popping noises.
 
#11 ·
I've had my purple rig for ~2 years now. it's been good to me. Had the ubiquitous EBB creak issue. fixed under warranty with new BB. Reba leaks air a bit. love the BB7s. handling is ok and it's fun to ride. Currently running full rigid, rampages f+r...learning to find the smooth line. msrp is ~$1200, not too bad, compare to RITA at $1400, which is almost identical in features.
 
#14 ·
Chain Tension: EBB?

jd2001mrg said:
While on the topic of The Rig...Without the horizontal dropouts on the Rig, what is the best way to re-tension the chain? Just remove links when necassary?
If I understand your question correctly...:confused:

I think the Rig has an eccentric bottom bracket (EBB) shell. This allows the bottom bracket to slightly rotate forwards or rearwards to tension the chain while the rear axle stays fixed (as in stationary) in the vertical dropouts.

Hope that helps,

DM.
 
#16 ·
Bittersweet.

I'm 6'0" and 195 lbs with 32" inseam - my build is a larger torso with shorter legs.

Even though I've had the bike professionally fit, the geometry never felt quite right. The bike felt slow to pedal and accelerate, so I upgraded the wheels with my first hand-built set of Salsa Delgado disks with Surly hubs and 45mm Fire Cross Panaracers.

Even with the significant weight savings, the wheels still feel slow and I just don't feel right on the bike... (probably spoiled from a custom Ti Matt Chester Utilitiman with UST tires, but whatever).

After tons of tweaking and tons of riding, I'm still not getting the 29"er kool-aid. So many people praise the 29" revolution, but this frame ain't working for me. B'aaaahhh.

Next step is a rigid fork and possibly Jones H-bars. This bike is becoming a money pit that I can't escape -- the proverbial turd that can't be polished.

PS I really can't stand having to adjust saddle height constantly to compensate for chain stretch, much less the sporadic creaking from the EBB. Maybe I'm too picky.

Still hopeful for 29"ers, so maybe it's time for a custom IF or Willits w/ track ends.
 
#18 ·
Don't buy the Rig, and I'm not saying this just because I snapped the crankset on mine....

If you factor in all the extra money you'll spend replacing all the stock low spec parts the Rig is not that great of a value anyways.

Buy something decent right away, or buy something cheap and wait for the new forks and better geometry frames that are coming out in '08.
Redline, On One, Niner etc. There are many better options right now for a ss 29er.
 
#19 ·
I'm 6'3" 230lbs. and I love my Rig. It has made my Turner a dust collector. Changed the bars and jacked up the Reba to 100mm and it has been nothing but fun. If you experience creaking noises, I would suggest turning up the music on your ipod. My I9s(the baddest color combo ever seen:eek: ) wheels that I ordered will be in ahead of time:) :) :) :) ! This thing just keeps getting better! I have a friend who broke his and had no trouble getting it replaced. He is'nt you average rider though.
 
#21 ·
Rig is my friend...

I bought mine the first year (the purple version...), and have slowly upgraded pieces-parts along the way. I'm 6'2" and ride the XL (the L just felt a little short in the TT for me).

The Fisher geometry is a love/hate thing. I happen to be in the 'love' camp. I ride a Niner Air9 as my geared bike and, while a fine riding bicycle, the Rig feels more balanced when descending. I've always wondered if it's a body-type thing - I've got long legs and arms, and a relatively short torso. Maybe Gary is a bit of an ape too???

Get one, ride it, and, when $ becomes abundant, start swapping parts. I'd do wheels first, and then worry about getting rid of the low-spec items: stem/bars/post/saddle. I've got mine down to under 22lbs without breaking the bank. Not super light, but it works for me.

You might also look at the Niner SS if you can drop a little more money up front. They're well designed and built frames (and they come in orange!).

Oh, and if you ride in steep terrrain you'll want to ditch that 18t cog for a 19 or 20. Sheldon Brown's website has a great gear calculator if you want to do comparisons between your geared bike and the SS from a gear-inch perspective.

SAW
 
#23 ·
Paulie said:
If it's typical creaking you're hearing, the quick fix is just to loosen it up, pull it out the non-drive side as far as possible and wipe away all dirt and debris from the BB shell and from around the EBB on the drive side, then push it back through and do the same to the other side. Slather everything best possible with Phil's waterproof grease and then torque back to specs.

If it's a loud pop, I'd pull the non-drive crank off and get it out for full inspection. Take it completely apart and clean all parts thoroughly. If there are no cracks in the shell, and nothing wrong with any of the parts, lubricate the sliding surfaces and threads of the wedge bolt with Phil's, then coat the outer surfaces of the EBB and the inner surface of the shell with anti-sieze, and re-install. That should put a stop to any creaking or popping noises.
Cheers for the tip. I am going to have to try this. I get a fair amount of creaking from the EBB. It's been a real pain. Sounds like a granny with a broken hip right now.
 
#25 ·
Contrary to popular belief, I find that the Rig looks much stiffer than it is. The front triangle is quite stiff but the chain and seat stays flex like a mofo. I'm 6' 5" 235lbs. That said it is a great quick bike.