Trek EX8 / Gary Fisher HiFi Pro

honeybadger

Bit of help please. I'm upgrading to full suss and looking at picking up 09 versions of either of these two now they've been discounted as last year's models.

I like the EX8 but the only cheap 09s seem to be 18.5 (17.5 virtual?), which seems ok but may be borderline too small as I'm 6'0"/6'1" inside leg of 32/33. The 19" HiFI pro felt fairly similar size-wise, though I've not had the opportunity to take off road so have a limited feel for the bikes riding round paths etc near the shop. I can find very little on the HiFi Pro (26" wheel) on google. Has anyone reviewed?

Anyone my size got an EX8 - what size did you get?
:?:

M6TT F

i'm just shy of 6ft with a 33" inside leg - I ride the 19.5" frame (virtual) actual 18.5" and I wouldn't go any smaller unless you want a short top tube

Jimpanzee

I've got the EX9 in a 18.5" frame. I'm about the same height as you and find the bike comfortable to ride. The bike in question was being sold for a very good price which made it hard to refuse. I've been to Chick Sands and Woburn Sands with it and found it great to ride. I'm only a novice, but I feel the slightly smaller frame makes it easier for me to control. Saying that, I haven't got a 19.5" frame to do a fair comparison, but in no way does the bike feel too small for me.

Hope this helps.

Jim.

DC01

My EX8 is a 19.5. Im also 6ft with a 33" inside leg. In hind sight i should ve got the 18.5. Initially the 19.5 felt good when i tested one so i bought it. But after a while it felt to stretched out and felt long when it got tight and twisty. So ended up spending a few pounds messing with shorter stems and a Tompson in line seat post. Got the handling better and got myself more comfy with the long top tube. Still always got the niggle in the back of my head about getting the wrong size. Go for the 18.5 as we sound the same sort of size. But it still comes to personal choice a feel.

ads4

I'm 5'11" and ride a 19" Hifi Pro. Awesome bike, handles and climbs really well.

richg1979

if the trek ex has bonty racelite rims avoid like the plague unless your riding to the shops on the road, biggest load of cack anyones ever fitted to a £1k+ bike. if the the rim has not split in half 1st the crap alloy nipples will snap off.

a mate has gone through 2 rims and 2 sets of nipples on his ex9 in 12 months, now looking for an alternative 28h rim witch you cant get so new wheelset is prob best option.

go for the hifi.

honeybadger

Thanks for all the advice. I'll have to give it more thought as there aren't any demo to take off road and the advice kindly given is a bit conflicting so struggling to make my decision. Thanks.

HandjobDan

If you have a bike now, what is your top tube length? and how does that feel? If it's ok get the frame with the same or nearest length top tube, if not go up or down a size to suit. Top tube length is more important than seat tube, afterall you can raise or lower a seat, but you need to spend money changing the top tube setup.

For example I've just sold a 21" Cove Handjob and bought a 18" On One Inbred and a 17.2" Santa Cruz Blur 4X, TT on the Inbred 23.7, SC Blur 23.5, Handjob 23.

honeybadger

HandjobDan wrote:

If you have a bike now, what is your top tube length? and how does that feel? If it's ok get the frame with the same or nearest length top tube, if not go up or down a size to suit. Top tube length is more important than seat tube, afterall you can raise or lower a seat, but you need to spend money changing the top tube setup.

For example I've just sold a 21" Cove Handjob and bought a 18" On One Inbred and a 17.2" Santa Cruz Blur 4X, TT on the Inbred 23.7, SC Blur 23.5, Handjob 23.

My current bike was a mates and isn't the right size.

I think if I could find one I would go with a 19.5 EX8 but the 09 have vanished and don't want to pay for a 2010. Though I've seen one secondhand which I may go for, though have warranty concerns with a used bike.

honeybadger

Ads4 wrote:

I'm 5'11" and ride a 19" Hifi Pro. Awesome bike, handles and climbs really well.

How is the HiFI Pro downhill?