Gary Fisher Hifi Deluxe or Trek EX9?

Rockhopper66

Could anybody give me some buying advice?
I'm looking to buy one of the following bikes:
Gary Fisher Hifi Deluxe 2008 or Trek EX9 2007.
I've ridden the Ex9, but can't find a LBS with a Hifi in my size to demo. I've read all the reviews on both bikes and they both seem to come out equal.
If anybody has any advice then it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

pjm-84

Don't know if this helps but I have a Top Fuel 9 2008 model and I really rate it.

Cps

you've probably seen this already

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... el-8-12822

pjm-84

Nope.

I agree. I took it to Afan the other weeked and it really shone. Flew up the climbs and down. Lost a little to my buddy on a hardtail on the descents but made it up where I could pedal (on the descents) and he couldn't so we were pretty even by the end. Still his technique was to avoid the brakes and hit everything while I was a little bit more selective on what I hit! At the end of the weekend I felt fine whilst he was an A&E case
I was amazed on how much abuse the bike took but I was having so much fun I stopped caring. On return I closely inspected the bike.... not a dink or scratch.

Took it part way across the South Downs on Saturday morning and I was faster everywhere in comparsion to my hardtail (GPS tracks) although the ground was better I had a headwind to contend with. I also joined in on the club road ride afterwards thinking I'll be out the back door in the first km but ended leading the ride and having to ease the pace back on the hills. The ride spilts about 6km -7km before the end with the faster guys whipping the pace up. It whittled itself down to 4 riders, one on a 21.5in FS MTB . Missed the final sign but I started the sprint and things get a little spongy at 45kph.

teacherman

Only know from reviews I've read but Hi-Fi Pro is supposedly a bit fragile and flexy - but also fast as fuck.

'08 Treks are supposed to be a lot stiffer than they were. No practical experience but though.

Nice dilema to have. Are they your only options?

Bromski

I test rode a Fuel Ex 9 last week

Handled everything I could throw at it and asked for more

Best climbing full suss I've ridden, too

Rockhopper66

Thanks for all the advice.
I have also considered the Cannondale Rush as my LBS has a Limited Edition model ('07) on offer. The Rush has had some great reviews as well but again no where close with a demo. The LBS has said I can ride it round the block, but that's not really going to show any weaknesses.
As for other options I'm not set really on any particular brand I just want to move to a 4" or 5" travel bike that is a bit lighter than my current Giant Reign 2.
Any other thoughts will be gratefully received.

theric

I've got the Hi-Fi Deluxe (model down from the pro cos there wasn't a Pro in the country at the time) and I really like it.
The alloy frame feels a lot less twangy than the carbon and although this type of bike is never going to feel really brittle or overly stiff it'll do anything.
I've beefed up some of the standard spec Bontrager kit (see this next months MBUK for more) but other than that it's been faultless and I'm looking forward to caning it for the rest of the year!
Remember though that because of the G2 geometry the Hi-Fi will only (in theory) work properly with specially offset forks...

papasmurf.

how about the giant trance or athem?

A lot of people who've tried the HIFI at the demo days don't seem to like it...so try and get a test to see if the Geo is for you.

Ciaran500

Cps wrote:

you've probably seen this already

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... el-8-12822

The Treks have had big changes to their suspension for 2008 so any of the older reviews don't apply.