This weekend marked the annual “Trek World” dealer show where Trek and Fisher dealers flock to America’s heartland to see just what the company behind the “Big Red Shield” is up to these days. Here’s a look at the offerings from Gary Fisher Bikes in the 29″er series for 2009.
A new model, the Mamba, will sell for $850.00. This bike and the Ferrous are the only two models without G2 geometry. They both will sport 46mm offsets in their respective forks.
The Cobia remains and shows the integrated look with contrasting/matching cable housings and brake controls that shows up through the ’09 line up.
The ’09 X-Caliber shows off the new graphics well.
A 2009 Ferrous looking stately in black. This year it gets a Fox fork with 46mm offset.
The 2009 Paragon in a sparkly white.
The Fisher Rig is back with a darker hue this time around.
The ’09 HiFi Plus is the entry level for 29″er full suspension in the Fisher line up.
The HiFi Deluxe recieves a similar graphic treatment as the Paragon.
The HiFi Pro gets an upgraded shock package with a three position RP23 rear damper and a four position platform adjuster on the front Fox Shox RLC 29 fork.
Top o the heap Superfly makes a return for 2009 wearing the “29erCrew” graphics.
While the Fisher line up is lacking in big technical advancements for 2009, it does look to be a strong line up with some fine tuning on component spec and graphics. The addition of the sub-grand Mamba is a great thing to see. The Superfly will still be a highly sought after race rig. Another thing worth noting, the Ferrous, which gains some offset in the fork from 38mm to 46mm, is representative of what I think is the death of sub 43mm offsets for 29″ers.
While there were other fireworks going off at the Fisher booth, (Road bikes anyone?) I think that 2009 will mark a year of relative quiet on the Fisher front in regards to innovations on the big wheel side. I am hearing rumblings for some changes though, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see something remarkable for 2010. Stay tuned for more coverage from Trek World coming soon.
I like the Rig and the Superfly. Good looking bikes. However, the HiFi in the 29er mode remains a homely looking bike. Thought they might grow on me with a different color for 09. Nah.
The Rig looks outstanding….lineup looks fresh and for some – I think that’ll draw new/more customers.
Looking forward to their new tire lineup….
Thanks for the update…. when will brown go away? Ugh! Brown is not a color, it’s a bodily function.
Why no G2 on the Ferrous? Just curious.
Wunnspeed: That is a great question and I would love to hear why the Fisher guys went with that on the Ferrous. If I might venture a guess, here’s what I would say.
First of all, the Ferrous preceded the advent of G2 by a little bit. Of course, they could have adjusted for that by now, so why not? Well, perhaps it is because Fisher has a history going back to the beginnings of the modern 29″er era and it may be that the Ferrous is a bike that honors that pre G2 handling characteristic that still has a big following out there. Not everyone likes G2, and it isn’t for everyone.
I think that whatever the reason is, it is a cool thing to have the Ferrous in the line up for its different flavor.
GT..thanks for the follow-up. Great thoughts. I agree as far as having the Ferrous. I’m a retro-grouch on a lot of levels so the face it’s GF’s only steel 29’er would mean that it’s quite likely the only 29’er that I’d buy from them. I’m happy to see that GF continues to honor that tradition and give us retro-grouch type folks that option as well. Thanks again.
I have not been a GF fan in a long time, but the Mamba intrigues me, and over all i am liking the look of the whole like. 🙂
After cracking seat tubes on 2 Paragons, I’m awaiting the 09 Paragon here in Australia as my next warranty replacement.
Has GFisher addressed this issue, I heard from my dealer that they may have changed the temper to the tubes. Any help would be great .
Thanks
alien: You do not say which model year of Paragon you were having trouble with, but yes, there was a change in the aluminum alloy from 2007 to 2008.
The 2008 frames are cracking as well.
At a bold 155 pounds I cracked the seattube and top tube weld on mine after about 400 miles.
What changes are made to the 2009 Superfly other than graphics? Cranks for sure. Rims maybe? Is it still “carbon fiber” in color? Feed us some better pics! (please).
Sorry GT, both bikes were 08 models.
1 had travelled 1000 kilometers & the other 250 kilometers.
The new Paragon looks good in white much better than the baby blue.
I don’t understand people that break those frames!!!!!!>!>!>!??!?!?@?!@?@~!?#!?@# I have had mine for 2 years and NOTHING! I’m 270 lbs. and ride that sucker pretty hard. WTF, Mate? We have this one dingus
Sorry, multi tasking and didn’t finish.
We have this one Dingus that has broken 4 paragon frames inside of 8 months and I cannot figure out how!! The only thing I can think of is he keeps planting his ass on the saddle for EVERY drop he takes. Other than that, I’m at a loss…..
Please enlighten me, Matt and Alien.
My brain hurts from all the stupid around me right now…. ow…
From what I can make out the seat tube has been butted too close to the top and allows the tube to flex. I’m 6’2″ using a thomson 410mm seat post with more than half protuding out of the tube
I was hoping they’d come out with a carbon(at least some parts) HiFi.
Perhaps for 2010?
Just cracked my seat tube on my 2008 Paragon as well. 6’2, 175lb and more than half the post in the tube. 5 months old and 300 miles of dirt trails with lots of roots. Half the time off the seat as well as on it. 2009 frame is on its way. Looks like they may have reinforced the area above the weld. Can anyone at Fisher verify any modifications on the Paragon tube? Let’s hope it works, if not that’s what life time warranty is all about!
I have a 2008 GF Rig and I also have cracked the weld at the TT and the seat tube. I ride the medium frame and am a 200 pound rider. I am taking the bike in to the dealer today, I hope they will honor the warranty.
I actually hate the paint job of the 2009, and I am kinda disapointed that will probably be the frame I end up with. I am also concerned that my fat butt will crack the tube again because other than the paint job, from what I can tell, the 2009 is the exact same as the 2008 (only uglier).
Jeffro,
the sad thing about your year old frame cracking, 200 lb., Isn’t fat.
I’ve now cracked two frames in a year – same location. I ride pretty hard every weekend, but we’re talking Florida here! Hope the 3rd frame is the charm. I look at it this way – free tune-up twice a year! Dealer and Trek are great about replacing the frame. Tried for an upgrade to the carbon fiber but would have cost another $1000. Still love to ride this bike!
I’ve cracked my X-Cal just above the weld on the seat stay. I thought it was because if my 120kgs but see that it’s happened to some smaller riders as well. I’ve only just noticed it and have done about 2000ks on it. Hopefully they’ll replace it because I dont want an ugly weld placed over the top of it….
I have a 08 GF Rig and cracked the frame around the seatpost area.
Looks beefy…..
Isn’t beefy enough.
I’m 170lbs and was riding hard, but no drops or jumps. just pure uphill singlespeed torque that broke it.
Just brought my 09 Gary Fischer G2 frame in for cracking at the seat tube. The bike shop dealer told me not to expect a replacement frame because it “probably happened because the seat post was too high” ….I’m 5’8″ …really?