Gary Fisher Wahoo as first bike for a fat man??!

Ben GT
Ben GT Posts: 25
edited January 2010 in MTB beginners
Hello after massively over researching my first bike I (think) I have decided on the Gary Fisher Wahoo.

Is this the right decision for me? I cant find many reviews on 2010 bikes. My limit is £400 and my other realistic option I feel is the Specialized hardrock.

I know nobody here can definately say it is wrong or right but any assistance will be appreciated!

I dont know if it makes any difference when buying a bike but I weigh about 17stone...

Here is the bike radar review of The Gary Fisher which swayed my decision:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ahoo-10162

Comments

  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    edited January 2010
    Ben GT wrote:
    I dont know if it makes any difference when buying a bike but I weigh about 17stone...

    Being heavy (I am 16.5stone) can make a difference in decision of front suspension. You way want to buy a bike with an air fork as I bought a 2010 Rockshox tora SL coil fork and the spring was far to weak for my weight and the upgraded coil would have set me back at least £50 (gave the fork to my OH instead)

    Geometry and size of frame can make a big difference to how a bike rides too.

    Of course you can't beat actually getting to a shop and sitting/bouncing on a few bikes which will help you with both of the issues I have mentioned. :D
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • CFS
    CFS Posts: 124
    I have ridden a rented Gary Fisher Marlin which I think is the same frame at a Trail Center in Scotland and I thought it was a blast. It felt very lively.

    I have ridden a Hardrock on Holiday in Utah and it was not great.

    These wouldn't have been 2010 models though.

    I'm sure the GF beat the Hardrock in the recent MBUK test.

    I'm not sure about the weight thing though and as they always say better if you can try them out before you buy.
    Shot by both sides...
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    The front shock is: Suntour SF9-XCM-V2, 100mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 46mm offset crown, hydraulic lockout (might mean something to you)

    The review from here says "The highlight feature has to be the RockShox Dart 1 fork, which is far and away the best performer in this test. Lighter riders may find it a bit over-sprung, but it's smooth and progressive and, crucially, doesn't have even a trace of top-out clunk"
    So that sounds good!

    I know there is no substitute for testing them but I am not sure whether a noob like me will be able to tell any difference!
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    The review must be of an older year for that bike as a SF9-XCM-V2 is not a Rockshox Dart 2...

    I am not the person to ask about suspension, I have only owned very low end forks, the Rockshox Tora that was too soft and rigid forks. Await someone to comment who migt be able to shed some light on the SF9-XCM-V2.
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    Or maybe a scott aspect 55...?
    That has a "Suntour XCM-H with Lockout 100mm travel" fork...?

    So confused!
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    Kiblams wrote:
    You way want to buy a bike with an air fork

    not bloody likely with a budget of £400 max for the entire bike :D

    at 400 you're close to carerra fury territory (when sales are on ) , which is alot better have a look in halfords first , your money may go alot further.
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    Can't unfortunately... cycle2work scheme!

    Independant dealer only! Wanted to limit my spends this year and make sure I use it before I go through the scheme again next year for an upgrade!
  • marabou
    marabou Posts: 36
    I'm a big guy and had , until recently , an XCM v2 fork. It was ok , but I recently upgraded to a Tora 302 solo air and it has made an enormous difference to my riding.

    In comparison to the Tora , the XCM was clunky over bumps and provided a very stiff , jarring ride when locked out. This was particularly noticeable when I used the bike on the road and went over man hole covers, I actually found myself steering to avoid them.

    I got my Tora off ebay for £85 , nearly new and having watched the market for a few weeks , I`m confident you could pick up a bargain and soon be able to upgrade to an air fork.
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    marabou wrote:
    I'm a big guy and had , until recently , an XCM v2 fork. It was ok , but I recently upgraded to a Tora 302 solo air and it has made an enormous difference to my riding.

    In comparison to the Tora , the XCM was clunky over bumps and provided a very stiff , jarring ride when locked out. This was particularly noticeable when I used the bike on the road and went over man hole covers, I actually found myself steering to avoid them.

    I got my Tora off ebay for £85 , nearly new and having watched the market for a few weeks , I`m confident you could pick up a bargain and soon be able to upgrade to an air fork.

    Great, if it is stiff then it shouldn't be an issue for you Ben! :D

    You just need to get an idea of what bike fits you best now :shock:
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    Thanks for the assistance so far!

    What is the difference in travel on a fork? Eg the hardrock sport has this fork "SR Suntour SF10-XCT-V2D-MLO, 80mm, 1pc. alloy lower, 28mm Hi-Ten stanchions, mechanical LO, coil/mcu spring w/ preload adj., size-specific spring rates, spring assisted seals, disc only"

    they sound very similar but one has 100mm travel the other 80mm?
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    Travel is the distance the forks will compress, so the larger the travel the bigger hits they can take before you feel them badly.

    The way I understand it is: the more travel you have means the softer the spring can be and hence more control when it gets hairy.
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    Why is there no 'thanks' button on this forum??! :P

    Final decision soon going to put a deposit down tomorrow (how exciting!)

    Obviously final decision will be made after a good bounce around but still swaying towards the Wahoo!

    Any last minute advice or reservations will be appreciated :wink:

    Oh, another thing, do Gary Fisher not do accessories? Cant seem to find a helmet or bottle cage etc!
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    Ben GT wrote:
    Oh, another thing, do Gary Fisher not do accessories? Cant seem to find a helmet or bottle cage etc!

    I don't think that they do much, as I am not sure I have seen any seeling in the UK. There is a small amout like a the odd helmet online with the branding of GF, though as they are on foreign sites it s difficult to guage their authenticity or if they meet UK safety standards for helmets.

    The Gary Fisher frame on he wahoo is used on ther bikes upto the £750 mark so that should be more than capable.

    Do you think you are likely to upgrade the bike much? As while I can't see an issue upgrading the components on the frame, the usual upgrades such as disk brakes may turn out to be quite pricey as the wheels will need to be replaced also (just something to keep in mind)
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    I am not sure... do you think that i should buy the Wahoo disc if I do plan to upgrade in the future? Disc brakes worth paying an extra £50.00 for? They will only be budget brakes (Shimano BR-M416 mechanical disc, 160mm rotors)
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    It is one of those things which is hard to decide myself.

    Off the top of my head; the disk compatible wheels are likely to cost closer to £100 than £50 brand new, though you may find the crap disk brakes make you want to upgrade to better disk brakes sooner... :roll:

    I have looked at both bikes ad it seems tat aside from very minor diferences they are essentialy the same bike but with the different brakes. It's a tough call to make :?
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    I wouldn't bother with mechanical discs tbh, unless they're Avid BBs.

    I had some cheap ones on my old bike, and they were pretty rubbish.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    bails87 wrote:
    I wouldn't bother with mechanical discs tbh, unless they're Avid BBs.

    Me either, but the hard decision here is whether to buy a bike and in the future have to upgrade both wheels and Vs to disc brakes, or spend £50 on the bike that has discs and only have the upgrade the brakes...
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    Argh...!!!

    Decisions decisions!!

    Are we at least agreed that the fisher is the best set up for the money...?

    Other options are:
    Scott aspect 55
    Specialized sport disc (has avid bb's!)
    or
    Gary Fisher Wahoo
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    Ben GT wrote:
    Are we at least agreed that the fisher is the best set up for the money...?

    I can't tell you that without knowing where you are getting the bike as you will be hard pushed to beat Decathlon for value where MTBs are concerned, but I doubt they are on your CTW scheme :wink:
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • Ben GT
    Ben GT Posts: 25
    Im from Chester.

    I will get the bike from either The Bike Facotry or Edge cycleworks in Chester.

    If i fancy the Scott i can make a short trip to Tweeks in Wrexham.

    We have a good selection of stores in Chester. We actually have a Specialized concept store so could get fully accessorized if I got the specialized!
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    Ben GT wrote:
    I am not sure... do you think that i should buy the Wahoo disc if I do plan to upgrade in the future? Disc brakes worth paying an extra £50.00 for? They will only be budget brakes (Shimano BR-M416 mechanical disc, 160mm rotors)

    yes it is worth the extra £50 for disc brakes even if those brakes aren't great.
    it is easier and cheaper to upgrade the brakes on a bike that already has discs than to fit
    them on a bike that never came with discs.
    your choice though.

Categories