Comments on: Gary Fisher Rumblefish II: Final Review http://twentynineinches.com/2010/07/27/gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:51:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeff http://twentynineinches.com/2010/07/27/gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review/#comment-76782 Jeff Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:39:57 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=6464#comment-76782 I was speaking hypothetically..I can't confirm that small bump suffered..I just assumed it would. I followed all the advice you've given and ended up at 280 psi. with 13mm of sag which is 30% according to Fisher specs. First ride setup this way will happen tonight! I left the pump on it and cycled the heck out of it..the first cycle reduced overall pressure through equalization..the 2nd did the same although not as much..then finally the third stayed pretty much the same. Thanks for the tips and help sir! I was speaking hypothetically..I can’t confirm that small bump suffered..I just assumed it would. I followed all the advice you’ve given and ended up at 280 psi. with 13mm of sag which is 30% according to Fisher specs. First ride setup this way will happen tonight! I left the pump on it and cycled the heck out of it..the first cycle reduced overall pressure through equalization..the 2nd did the same although not as much..then finally the third stayed pretty much the same. Thanks for the tips and help sir!

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2010/07/27/gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review/#comment-76751 Guitar Ted Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:38:30 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=6464#comment-76751 @Jeff: Yeah, I had it fairly high, but when set up properly, I didn't think small bump compliance suffered at all. But I do tend toward a hair on the stiffer side of things, generally speaking. That said, if you set air pressure, you must cycle the shock through, then check it again. This is the only way to equalize the two chambers in the DRCV damper. Leaving that step out, you might get a harsh feel until you blew into a deeper travel hit, at which point the damper would equalize. I would suggest hitting a Trek dealer for assistance should your issues continue with poor damper performance. @Jeff: Yeah, I had it fairly high, but when set up properly, I didn’t think small bump compliance suffered at all. But I do tend toward a hair on the stiffer side of things, generally speaking. That said, if you set air pressure, you must cycle the shock through, then check it again. This is the only way to equalize the two chambers in the DRCV damper. Leaving that step out, you might get a harsh feel until you blew into a deeper travel hit, at which point the damper would equalize. I would suggest hitting a Trek dealer for assistance should your issues continue with poor damper performance.

]]> By: Jeff http://twentynineinches.com/2010/07/27/gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review/#comment-76748 Jeff Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:27:45 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=6464#comment-76748 GT I just bought a Rumblefish one..I'm a clyde @ 250..I didn't get the sag meter..which would make things easier. If your weight is close to mine you ran nearly 300 psi in the drcv? I've been playing with it close to the recommended guidelines and I feel it's a too soft @ 10lbs below body weight, which is what the guide states. I pumped it up to 280 and and small bump compliance suffered. I don't know why I'm asking but wondered if you noticed a tradeoff in small bump compliance at that high psi? I have no idea what the actual sag measurement would be without having the meter. I eyeball it and it's probably close. I suppose the best thing to do is keep playing around with it. I use 98% of available travel at 245 psi in the drcv...isn't it also supposed to have 30% sag rather than 25? at least that's what the setup guide says. Thanks! GT I just bought a Rumblefish one..I’m a clyde @ 250..I didn’t get the sag meter..which would make things easier. If your weight is close to mine you ran nearly 300 psi in the drcv? I’ve been playing with it close to the recommended guidelines and I feel it’s a too soft @ 10lbs below body weight, which is what the guide states. I pumped it up to 280 and and small bump compliance suffered. I don’t know why I’m asking but wondered if you noticed a tradeoff in small bump compliance at that high psi? I have no idea what the actual sag measurement would be without having the meter. I eyeball it and it’s probably close. I suppose the best thing to do is keep playing around with it. I use 98% of available travel at 245 psi in the drcv…isn’t it also supposed to have 30% sag rather than 25? at least that’s what the setup guide says. Thanks!

]]> By: Va Guy http://twentynineinches.com/2010/07/27/gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review/#comment-75431 Va Guy Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:40:32 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=6464#comment-75431 I've read a few of the above reviews and they are pinpoint on a few things. I bought my Rumblefish 2months ago and I'm 6'2, 195 so my center of gravity is higher as well. I hear a few people complaining about set up. I think if you are going to spend $2k or more on a bike that is technical, you should expect a little set up. Once you have ridden it a few times on harsh terrain, then get it set up. Like any bike, it will take you a few rides to get the seat right, the switchbacks clean, the gears loosened and the brakes just right. The flip side of the technical adjusting is that YOU CAN adjust certain things that you couldn't before this bike. My mechanic liked the bike so much working on it he bought himself one after riding a hardtail niner for a few years. Of course, fall is a tough time in the VA moutains to get used to a bike with the extreme hardwood leaf drop but a few small crashes and slick leaf climbs make me a better rider as I'm getting used to the actual bike. By Spring I'll be hanging on at Mach 5. Trust me, its a great bike with super components. My mechanic went up a level on the components but was still impressed with what the lower side rumblefish came with. Mine did not come tubeless but has the ability but I had to order a kit because my local bike shop didn't have it. Feels great and "almost" lock out ability is nice for very long climbs. So far, nice and squishy in the hard curves and going over much bigger logs, etc. with ease. The bike does more than I can right now and I'm an avid rider with some experience. No Cons with the bike so far and I'm specific. I’ve read a few of the above reviews and they are pinpoint on a few things. I bought my Rumblefish 2months ago and I’m 6’2, 195 so my center of gravity is higher as well. I hear a few people complaining about set up. I think if you are going to spend $2k or more on a bike that is technical, you should expect a little set up. Once you have ridden it a few times on harsh terrain, then get it set up. Like any bike, it will take you a few rides to get the seat right, the switchbacks clean, the gears loosened and the brakes just right. The flip side of the technical adjusting is that YOU CAN adjust certain things that you couldn’t before this bike. My mechanic liked the bike so much working on it he bought himself one after riding a hardtail niner for a few years. Of course, fall is a tough time in the VA moutains to get used to a bike with the extreme hardwood leaf drop but a few small crashes and slick leaf climbs make me a better rider as I’m getting used to the actual bike. By Spring I’ll be hanging on at Mach 5. Trust me, its a great bike with super components. My mechanic went up a level on the components but was still impressed with what the lower side rumblefish came with. Mine did not come tubeless but has the ability but I had to order a kit because my local bike shop didn’t have it. Feels great and “almost” lock out ability is nice for very long climbs. So far, nice and squishy in the hard curves and going over much bigger logs, etc. with ease. The bike does more than I can right now and I’m an avid rider with some experience. No Cons with the bike so far and I’m specific.

]]> By: ColoScott http://twentynineinches.com/2010/07/27/gary-fisher-rumblefish-ii-final-review/#comment-74074 ColoScott Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:51:10 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=6464#comment-74074 1st off, thank you for the review, it certainly was part of my decision to buy this bike. The Rumblefish (2011) has been a fantastic bike, completely changed me as a rider. To keep in mind, just started riding last Fall...bought a 2011 Cobia in Sept 2010. At 6'4", 200, I went directly to 29er, but went with the Cobia, a bit conservative on cost since this was a new sport at age 42. The Cobia, great starter bike, simply was not the proper bike for the terrain I was riding (high country, rocky, slickrock, steep/loose climbs, ledges), or terrain I wanted to improve through, plus I was wearing out on any rides over 2 hours. I worked it down between the RF and Stumpy FSR 29, and the RF simply was a much better fit for me, felt much more comfortable in the cockpit. The bike just seems to rotate around me (front to back, side to side), whether it is climbing or descents. It naturally climbs well when I am seated, just at the tip of the saddle...grinding or pumping. With ProPedal engaged, no problem getting out of the seat, stays efficient, and I do 80% of my climbing in PP (seated or standing). In fact, alot of times I will descend in PP because I forget to switch it over. This is fine for me because I cut my teeth on a H/T, so I do not plant my rear in the saddle. Descents, the bike tracks like mad. I have played around a bit with the shock pressure and the rebound to get it honed in, I like tinkering a bit & learning the feel. It really is just a question of me getting better and having the confidence to let the bike go. The DRCV set up well for me, fortunate to have a friend who is completely anal retentive and has a pile of mtb experience. I have the sag at 20-25%, most rides I will get to about 70-80% of travel, pretty much regardless of the terrain. When I do reach the limit, it is usually through a compression, when I am looking for that feel & under control...and it responds very nicely. Regarding a comment about the 2.4 tire clearance, for my 2011 I started with front and rear Ardent 2.4's (tube-less) no problem with clearance. I just changed the rear to a 2.2 Cross Mark because the 2.4 rear was running heavy...but I may do back now since fitness is better. Overall, if this bike "feels" right to you, go for it. To get this type of performance (entry RF) for a hair over $2k ?! Yes, I would love to demo a RIP Niner, but I would not pay x2 for the fitness & recreation aspect of why I do this sport. The RF has elevated my riding experience in a big way, gotten me into some incredible country, pushed me as a rider (and over the bars a few times), and kept me much fresher than my former H/T. 1st off, thank you for the review, it certainly was part of my decision to buy this bike. The Rumblefish (2011) has been a fantastic bike, completely changed me as a rider.

To keep in mind, just started riding last Fall…bought a 2011 Cobia in Sept 2010. At 6’4″, 200, I went directly to 29er, but went with the Cobia, a bit conservative on cost since this was a new sport at age 42. The Cobia, great starter bike, simply was not the proper bike for the terrain I was riding (high country, rocky, slickrock, steep/loose climbs, ledges), or terrain I wanted to improve through, plus I was wearing out on any rides over 2 hours.

I worked it down between the RF and Stumpy FSR 29, and the RF simply was a much better fit for me, felt much more comfortable in the cockpit. The bike just seems to rotate around me (front to back, side to side), whether it is climbing or descents. It naturally climbs well when I am seated, just at the tip of the saddle…grinding or pumping. With ProPedal engaged, no problem getting out of the seat, stays efficient, and I do 80% of my climbing in PP (seated or standing). In fact, alot of times I will descend in PP because I forget to switch it over. This is fine for me because I cut my teeth on a H/T, so I do not plant my rear in the saddle.

Descents, the bike tracks like mad. I have played around a bit with the shock pressure and the rebound to get it honed in, I like tinkering a bit & learning the feel. It really is just a question of me getting better and having the confidence to let the bike go.

The DRCV set up well for me, fortunate to have a friend who is completely anal retentive and has a pile of mtb experience. I have the sag at 20-25%, most rides I will get to about 70-80% of travel, pretty much regardless of the terrain. When I do reach the limit, it is usually through a compression, when I am looking for that feel & under control…and it responds very nicely.

Regarding a comment about the 2.4 tire clearance, for my 2011 I started with front and rear Ardent 2.4′s (tube-less) no problem with clearance. I just changed the rear to a 2.2 Cross Mark because the 2.4 rear was running heavy…but I may do back now since fitness is better.

Overall, if this bike “feels” right to you, go for it. To get this type of performance (entry RF) for a hair over $2k ?! Yes, I would love to demo a RIP Niner, but I would not pay x2 for the fitness & recreation aspect of why I do this sport. The RF has elevated my riding experience in a big way, gotten me into some incredible country, pushed me as a rider (and over the bars a few times), and kept me much fresher than my former H/T.

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