Gary Fisher Reviews

Ramjam

Can anyone explain why there never seems to be any tests or reviews of Gary Fisher bikes? They seem to be left out of most tests I have seen in the past year. Are they simply no good or do they not pay enough attention to the goodie bags given to the magazines to get their products on review ? I was looking at a Big Sur but the only review I could find was from the model a few years ago, whereas a similar Specialized, say Rockhopper seems to be tested and reviewed every week.

Don't get me wrong, I like Specialized bikes, I have owned one model or another for the past 13 years, but why the imbalance in testing/reviews?

nicklouse

Just a few here ok some need info adding for the 2010 bikes.

supersonic

What Mountain Bike has reviewed:

Tarpon 08
Wahoo 08
Wahoo Disc 10
Marlin Disc 09
Hookooeekoo 09
Superfly 10
Roscoe 3 09

MBUK have reviewed others.

Not sure they import all models into UK anymore.

Ramjam

Thanks Gents, any views on the Big Sur '09 or '10?

John Moore

I guess that you will see less and less Gary Fisher reviews in the future here in the UK as GF has gone to all 29er's leaving Trek (sister company) staying with the 26er market.

Of course the mags will mainly review the mass market 26ers, but I love my 29er Rumblefish if that helps.

thomasali

Gary fishers tend to have a good spec and frame compared to other non budget brands, I sell a fair amount of Fishers because of this. Geometry is a bit different to many other brands you might want to go one size down. We have sold a Big Sur this year and the customer loves it so far, quite a decent spec for the cash (FOX forks!)

scale20

I have the 09 GF Big sur, well did have, just sold it!

It's a cracking bike, and not bad spec for the price, first thing I did though was get rid of the crap tyres and then the wheels, they weighed a ton

If you want any advice try and get a good test ride. I couldnt get a good ride just a spin around the car park outside the shop. The Genesis and G2 geometery is very marmite, some get on with it and yet others don't. It took me a year to figure out that I couldn't get on with it. Its great for climbing however I found I was always fidgeting around in the saddle trying to find a comfy riding position, I played around with stem height and length and saddle position but to no avail.

Justinjured

The Hookooekoo and Big Sur have the same frames - The hKEK has been reviewed in WMB and came out very well. (much because of the frame rather than the overall spec)
Apart from the frame & fork, I dont think the spec is that great. but the frame/fork combo is very good and well worth upgrading.

As mentioned though the geometry is very different from a lot of bikes. Its has a very lively, fast steering, racey set up. I have a 2006 hookooekoo, and if I were upgrading it would be between the big sur, or the top specced Merlin Malt 4 from the melin website. (which has a better spec than the big sur for a similar price.)

I would get a test of it though as some riders dont like the non-neutral set up of the GF geometry.

Ramjam

Thats really helpful, thank you. My first post on a Forum and a great result.

I will have to give one a test, particularly in light of the comments about handling and sizing, I am 6'1" so assumed I would need a 19" frame, but better check that!!

I mainly ride typical XC in the South - chalky, flinty bridleways with some wooded singletrack thrown in to keep the grin going. I usually manage a few hours at the weekends with a day ride once or twice a month. The odd trip to a trail centre but not often, only been to Afan once this year and Nevis Red Route at the end of the summer last year. Having ridden an FSR for the past 10 years I like the idea of a more engaging ride and easier pedal up the hills Get me off my backside and be first to the top for a change

scale20

I'm 5'10 and bought the 17.5, I think with the geometery I would have got away with the next size up.

You wont be dissapointed with the bike for value and ride, but I cant stress how important it is to try it on for size and get a ride.