Comments on: Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe 29″er On Test

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:53:42 +0000

Well, Captain Bob has had a Specialized Rockhopper 29″er already and has ridden the HiFi also. The G2 geometry steers with less effort and is a quicker handling bike, according to his assessment of both bikes. Any of the hard tail models will exhibit this trait as well. I have personally ridden the Paragon twice now and it is an excellent handling bike for a 29″er.

In my opinion, I think G2 geometry is going to radically change the way 29″ers are designed in the future. It just makes sense once you ride one. And to that point, I would agree that you should definitely try and get a test ride on both bikes to see what I mean.

By: Acusurf

Acusurf — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:01:30 +0000

Whatever you do, don’t buy a bike on heresay. Be patient and get your local dealer(s) to get them in for you. Both are hot and dealers should be willing to order them up if they haven’t already. You really need to ride both to make your comparison. We can give opinions all day long, but it’s your money and rear end that will be riding the thing. Be patient, by spring, both bikes should be around for you to test ride and make the right decision.

By: Acusurf

Acusurf — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:06:24 +0000

I have never been a 29″ owner and have ridden two briefly. I own an 1995 Supercaliber OCLV Gary Fisher and a Sugar 1 which need no introduction. I am ready to spring for a 29″ hardtail to ride mostly quasi-technical dirt terrain, approached by tarmac so thinking this is a perfect application. I like a quick handling bike, being a part-time road cyclist too, without too much wheelbase and short chainstays. I would like to buy a Superfly or Specialized Stumpjumper (SJ) Comp HT and seeing that I have difficulty demoing either I may need to get one based on heresay or other means of understanding/predicting outcome. The SJ has approx. 3 cm shorter wheelbase for Medium bike and steeper head and seat angles. It doesn’t have G2 offset, nor G2 geometry. I am not certain if I am a 17 ” or 18″ in Specialized but either still holds shorter wheelbase. Anyone have any insight on these variables? Both brands are similar chainstay length. Looking not to ride a slow steering bike. Acusurf

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:15:11 +0000

BunE: The 51mm offset will result in a huge decrease in trail over what you have currently with your Rebas 38mm offset. This would make for a radically “quicker” handling bike, in my opinion. Keep in mind that G2 is more than just a change in fork offset, it is also a change in head angle and a bit shorter top tube. All of these tweaks result in what G2 handles like. Just putting a longer offset fork on your Super Caliber will only get you 2/3rds of what G2 does.

I think the resulting quicker front end that you would get with your suggested set up would be a handfull in fast technical terrain. Just a hunch I gathered from running an On One Inbred with a 72 degree head angle and 47mm of offset.

By: BunE

BunE — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:29:56 +0000

Question: If I can get my hands on a G2 Reba or Fox, how will that affect my Super Caliber?

By: Oderus

Oderus — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:18:35 +0000

I think the fork makes a big improvement in sharpening up the steering over last year’s Fisher bikes. The fork itself is standard Fox quality. Reasonable weight, plenty stiff, good and plush. The fork offset definitly helps compensate for the head angle. Oddly enough, the Trek 69er (geared) runs the same fork offset with a 71deg. head angle. Trek obviously doesn’t pitch it as G2 offset or anything, they are simply quiet about it. I am anxious to ride one to see what the steep head angle with the offset does.

By: Race29

Race29 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:29:53 +0000

Guys - Thanks for the opinions on the Superfly. That was what I needed to push me over the edge. One last question for Oderus - What do you think about the Fox fork? With the head angle on the Superfly being what it is, that fork is about the only option since anything else will likely result in really slow steering.

By: Oderus

Oderus — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:37:11 +0000

Race29, I find the Superfly to be more appropriate for all day riding. It is spec’d to tear up a race course, but I find the geometery to relaxed for racing. That is 100% opinion. I like the way the bike handles, it is smooth and predictable. I own a Niner which has a much steeper head angle that I find to steer and handle a lot quicker. I prefer the quick and flick nature of the Niner, but at the same time, I tend to ride for 2 to 3 hours. If I was going to do a marathon event (12 or 24 race for example) I would honestly pick the Superfly. It is well layed out and above all, comfortable. The frame soaks up a lot of vibration. If you are in the market for a new bike, I would strongly recommend the Superfly.

GTed: I agree with your take on “parking lot flex test”. I do wish to clarify that my statement on the HiFi was in regards to riding it both on and off road. I am a heavy rider 280lbs so I find that I can flex quite a few frames (the Superfly included). I would tell anyone looking at one to ride the bike for themselves, that is the only way to know how good a bike is.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:48:51 +0000

Hynas, DavidCopperfield: Your enthusiasm reminds me of my early days of mountain biking, your plight in terms of 29″ers is reminiscent of what we had here in 2002 and 2003, back when I got involved with big wheeling.

Europe is slowly turning on to the big wheeled revolution. Soon your plights will turn for the better.

As for flex, I rather dislike those “bend the BB sideways” and “push the wheel sideways”, parking lot tests that really don’t tell you anything substantial. I would hold out for some real ride reports first before condemning the HiFi as a flexy rig. I will say that initially it rides quite nicely. This being the second HiFi I’ve ridden with 29″er wheels.

We’ll be testing the HiFi out very soon on some worthy trails, so I hope to have something substatial to write about the lateral stiffness of this platform.

Race29: The Superfly should steer in and out of corners just like anyother Fisher G2 hardtail. I wouldn’t be afraid to test ride any one of them and feel comfortable saying the Superfly would be the same.

I have a good feeling it’s a bike that would do the things you are looking for and do them quite well.

By: Race29

Race29 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:11:50 +0000

Oderus - I am really interested in the Superfly and can’t find anyone to talk to about it except Nat Ross. He loves it, but he gets paid to love it. My fear is that the steering won’t be sharp enough. I plan to race cross country on the bike and do epic long days, so the bike needs to be pretty well-rounded (although I prefer a race feel much more than a lazy trail bike feel). What thoughts can you share?