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Average Rating
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4.57/5
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# of Reviews
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14
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More Products from Gary Fisher
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Description:
- Main frame: Fisher Race Day 6066-T6 aluminum main frame
- Fork: RockShox Reba SL Air 29, 80mm travel
- Headset: Aheadset semi-cartridge
- Pedals: Shimano M505 Clipless
- Shifters: SRAM X.7
- Saddle: Bontrager Race Lux
- Seatpost: Bontrager Select
- Handlebar: Bontrager Select Big Sweep OS
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Submitted by
knobbytiretours
a Cross Country Rider
from Mount clemens, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Highland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Macomb Bike and fitn | | Strengths: | Just wanted to throw a few words out there to correct some misconceptions I have read in this thread. Gary Fisher has one of the best warranties in the industry- BAR NONE. I was GIVEN a caliber 29r by Gary Fisher FREE of Charge, because they sent out the wrong size replacement frame for a warrantied sugar 29r I had bought the previous fall as a DEMO bike. Gary Fisher stands behind their products 100%, and will repair and replace then at no cost to the consumer. Their warranty is lifetime, and will transfer- all you have to do is take it to a GF dealer.
After getting the caliber for free, 3 months later I too cracked the rear triangle. Guess what, I took it in, GF approved the warranty and sent out a new triangle and paid for the repairs. ALL on a bike I didnt even PAY FOR! Do not let the welding problems hold you back from buying this bike. Everything else said about this ride is dead on target. It screams down hills, SCREAMS. If you can keep the RPMS up, you will fly up hills, it rolls over everything, it takes an act of congress to fall on this bike as the gyroscopic effect of the wheels is insane. I have recovered from insane washouts, spinouts and others by just keeping the front wheel straight and upright. The grip this bike has is incredible, you can lean it into turns and maintain momemtum like crazy. | | Weaknesses: | lateral rigidity. At first, I thought I had broken the bike it flexed left and right underneath me so much. Then over time, I realized it was just how the bike rides and I got used to it. Expect the bike to flex left and right underneath you alot if you are over 200lbs. I have grown kind of fond of the flex though, and use it to my advantage. | | Similar Products Used: | Redline monocog Rigid SS 29r, GF sugar FS 29r. Trek 4900 disc 26"r. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except tires. Nanoraptor in the rear, exiwolf up front for insanse stick. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is, dont shy away from GF due to frame cracks. They will cover the repairs, and you might even get a brand new bike for free like I did. Who cares if you break a frame every year, if you get a brand new one and a fully adjusted rebuilt bike out of the deal??? especially when its ZERO out of your pocket.
Combine that with the excellent ride, climbing, descending, speed, sand ability, and you have one heck of a deal | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Rolls over bumps and dips good. Light weight. Decent 29 for the price | | Weaknesses: | Flex...too much side to side flex cornering at speed and in slow technical areas. Broke rear trianlge at the weld of the chainstay after 8 months of riding even though I do not ride hard. This is a totally different bike than the much superior GF 292 or HiFi 29...they have much less flex and handle a lot better. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher 929 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Ride year round at low elevation and high elevation during the summer...Mt. St. Helens, Adams, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Wouldn't buy another one but would consider a HiFi 29 or 292. This is my first 29 after several 26ers...I think my next bike will be a 29 also | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Loehr
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bavingtion,Pa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | Scholls Bike Shop Westview,PA | | Strengths: | Well, I still love the bike but the bad news is that the rear triangle cracked in the same place as some of my other friends Supercaliber Gary Fishers. | | Weaknesses: | I have never cracked a rear triangle ever and don't ride all that hard technical stuff. Must be a defective weld on these bikes. Thankfully the frames are fully covered under warrenty for defects !. I ride fast but am not a very technical rider in most resepcts since I CANT afford to get busted up and I choose my lines carefully. Or walk sections that are over my abilities. Not too much in Pittsburgh that I cant or wont ride with exceptions. Many climbs in Pittsburgh and various terrain depending on the location you choose to ride. Laurel Mountain at the Lynn Run section ( THE SUMMIT ) has the most technical rock riding conditons but limited hills... and Quebec Run near Laurel Caverns is also a hard ride if you ask me ?.
I Don't think this bike rear triangle should have broke this soon and less than one seasons riding. I ride 3 times a week in the spring,Summer and fall months since we can thanks to global warming. Maybe 1-2 times a week in the winter...but I pray for more global warming please !.
| | Similar Products Used: | Yeti ASR-575, Santa Cruz Chameleon that is now a 69er single speed home built at a major expense in parts. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Thompson stem,carbon bars,Chris King head set and comfort grips and a gel seat. | | Bottom Line: | Maybe think about the an upgrade to a Hi-Fi ?.
Still the best, the BEST bike I have ever had despite this unfortunate rear triangle break.
Rides and climbs like no other bike I have ever had for the price!.
Rob.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Schorer
a Weekend Warrior
from cape cod, ma
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Corner Cycle | | Strengths: | Wow is this bike alot of fun, my first softtail, my first 29-er. Feels huge and tough to steer at slow speeds, takes some getting used to, that's for sure. But the thing really descends like crazy, rolling over everything, the full-sus feeling plush. Short travel fork and big tires make it feel like long-travel. climbs great, rolls over everything. At my immense size, my legs give out before the bike hits something it won't roll over.
Like the green paint, finish seems pretty durable. Push-push sram 7 shifts crisp...quick. Cable disks will stop you quick, but feel a tad spongy, not bad for the bucks.
All in all a great riding bike, good componenets for the money.
Probably about the same weight, maybe less than my old retired hookooeekoo... | | Weaknesses: | Low bottom bracket, I seem to be hitting the big ring on everything. much different turning radius than my 26 er. | | Bottom Line: | The best value in a full-sus 29 there is, hands down. Goes like crazy, use the stockcomponents, upgrade as needed, the frame is worth hanging new kit on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail with evergreens and watercourse | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Capitol Hill Bikes | | Strengths: | Amazing traction can get bike up hills that were unthinkable on a 26er, geometry and suspension give ride that feels dialed in but very relaxed, the last 2 miles of my daily commute is on city streets and the Caliber almost makes that part of the ride enjoyable. The lime green is a hit with kids--it reminds them of the Green Goblin from Spiderman. | | Weaknesses: | Rear tire occasionally rubs on front derailleur cage when delivering a lot of torque in the lowest gears; other drivers tend to gawk at it when on my roof rack making the drive to your favorite trails more hazardous. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode a Cannondale Rush--nice bike but skittish in comparison; retired a Dagger F/S with Amp Research B-3, that has become my rainy day bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, added Planet Bike Protege 9.0 Bike Computer. | | Bottom Line: | Having a super lightweight F/S bike with the Dagger, I was in no hurry to replace it. Suspension technology has been improving, but there was no breakthrough 'must have' innovation on other 26ers. Riding the Caliber changed that--the Genesis 2 geometry with the 29 inch wheels is a hugely improved chassis that delivers a lot more usable power. So if you get this bike, you will have a whole new motivation for improving 'your engine.'
The Fisher website aludes to this in talking about a small weight penalty (less than 1% of bike+rider weight in exchange for sustained momentum, better clearance of obstacles, better floatation over soft terrain, improved cornering) but they are really just preaching to the choir. When you spell it out in horsepower (or watts), the benefits are a lot more concrete. A competitive rider able to generate 300 watts should be able to just barely climb a 28% grade hill given a 22 X 34. Put him on a 29er, assuming a weight penality of 2 lbs. (intentionally overstated), and he will have to generate 304 watts. Now, lets assume that a 29% grade would be scalable if the rider had enough power on the 29er but would have insufficient traction on the 26er. To make it up the 29% grade, the rider would have to generate 315 watts. So, if you trade up from a 26er to a 29er you will have to increase your power by 1.33% to go as fast up the hill, but the 29er will be able to deliver (at least) 5% more power to the dirt.
From my own experience, the difference in scalable grades is considerably more than 1% between a 26er and 29er. So if you buy a Caliber, and you like climbing hills, set your sights on increasing your watts by 10%--the bike can deliver it. If you are a weight weenie, the Caliber will always be a bad bargain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren
a Cross Country Rider
from Highlands Ranch, CO
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Creek Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1890.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Pedal'r | | Strengths: | The geometry felt just right. The bigger wheels make it feel like a bike with about 5" of travel instead of 3'. On my initial test ride, side by side with a Gary Fisher Hifi Plus, I easily climbed two hills that I struggled with on the HiFi. They both had the same Bontrager tires. The front end felt planted and the rear tire never spun out. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. Maybe the color- it's growing on me though. Will update after more time in the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested: SC Superlight, Jamis XCR Expert (great bike), Specialized Stumpjumper, GF HiFi, Trek Fuel EX | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Time ATAc pedals and Serfas bar-ends. | | Bottom Line: | I test rode the Caliber 29 after reading some 29er reviews. I'm glad I did! This bike is FUN. I ride mostly singletrack with nothing too aggressive (big drops, etc.) Race an occasional off-road triathlon. The geometry on the 26er bikes, except the Jamis, felt weird to me. If you're looking at a 4-5" travel XC/Trail bike check out this bike. I previously rode a Giant XTC DS-2 and wanted something more relaxed. I can't wait to ride the wheels off this thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Loehr
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh,PA 15229 - USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | North Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Scholls Bike Shop- West view,PA 15229. | | Strengths: | I cant find a thing wrong with the bike and I have had my share of bikes over the last few years to compare.Maybe the one negative fact is that I need to re-learn how to take off camber tight switchback turns. The bike is fast it fits me better than any bike I have had. The bike climbs easier. I just love my 29er !.
| | Weaknesses: | Tight Turns on off camber switchback trails .
The stock seat hurts the tomato's after awhile. | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575, Santa Cruz Chameleon ( Still have the Chameleon ). Trek 8500, GT XCR2000, GT Rukus,Trek Liquid 30. | | Bike Setup: | SRAM X9. all stock accept for I added a Thompson Elite stem,carbon fiber flat handle bars, and a nice gel seat. | | Bottom Line: | BUY IT !.
I am 6'1" and I got the 19.5" frame and its perfect !.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Racer
from Tyler Texas, U.S.A
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park, Texas | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Simpsons, Fitness and Adventure Tyler Tx. | | Strengths: | amazing suspension ride, fork works great, convertable, and is infinitely tunable. bb7 mechanicals worked much better than i thought they would. all the components are great | | Weaknesses: | i love the glow in the day green,....others may not. i wish it had come with x7 instead of x9, and it scares me that the rear triangle is not removable. | | Similar Products Used: | ellsworth truth, and enlightenment, i rode a klein attitude for 4 years. | | Bike Setup: | stock, but considering taking the drivetrain off of my klein ( race lite cranks, full xtr shifters and levers and 8 speed cassete) | | Bottom Line: | i love the 29er. better sand traction, faster turns, better traction, easier on the hills, faster on the downs, and although requires slightly more energy to accelerate, it maintans its rotational intertia (momentum, and in a bikes case, speed)much much better coasts more efficiently and is slowed down much less by bumps. the decreased angle of attack means that when ever you go over a obstacle less of youre bikes forward momentum is converted to vertical motion and more is converted to horizontal/forward. you can also go over bigger obstacles without bunny hopping (more on that later.)
the suspension design on this bike is flawless. laterall stiffness i could not flex, i am 180 lbs, i was going 28 mph downhill, the camera we had set up showed no lateral flex. also although the wheels that came with it are not bad, they were too heavy for my taste and i built my own the bike perfectly. there are only two serious complaints about this bike. the first one is according to our camera, the stock handlebars suck (flexed almost 10 degrees.) i highly recomend upgrading. also i highly recomend against buying this bike used because if you damage the non-removable rear triangle, you are out of luck.(warranty is non transferrable.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ted larsen
a Cross Country Rider
from santa fe, new mexico, usa
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | South Boundry, Taos, NM | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Purchased At: | NM Bike & Sport | | Strengths: | Last summer I rode a custom Zinn (XXL) over a long weekend. It was my first 29er to demo. I really loved the bike but was gun shy of the $5K purchase price. I waited to see if anything else got my attention. Many months later the Fisher Supercaliber 29er came out. I demo'd the XL frame for a long ride, did some research on it, compared it to the Zinn specs and was just amazed! It is as big as Zinn's bigest frames, lighter, built almost to the same specs, and almost half the price! What I look for in a bike is for it to be an extention of me. I want it to be transparent. I just want it to work! And this bike flat out does it! It climbs, turns, brakes, and rips downhill without my needing to pay loads of attention. And it is stiff. I am 6'7" tall and 205lbs. If I can't flex it, and I can hammer a bike hard, it is stiff. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, at least that I have found. | | Similar Products Used: | Zinn 29er, Lightspeed Owl Hollow, Santa Cruz Blur LT, etc... | | Bike Setup: | Scram X-O with Avid Juicy 5 (forget that 7 stuff, just bling) 180 XT cranks, Time petals, Thompson post, the rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | This IS the deal of the year. The msrp on the bike is $2400. NM Bike & Sport did it for $2200 and upgraded the extra parts. They know fit and did an excellent job getting me the bike. Sure you can get a flashier bike, but you can't get a better deal for a bike of this quality! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Racer
from Houghton, MI
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Weaknesses: | To flimsey to ride quickly on singletrack. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bottom Line: | The handling of this bike is the worst of any full suspension mountain bike that I have ever ridden. The rear end and bottom bracket area on this bike are so flexable that the back end steers itself around. I weigh 175lbs, so it may not be too bad for someone weighing significantly less than that. The 26" version is the same way (and still heavier than the HiFi).
If you want to get a GF, get the hardtail version or HiFi, both are fantastic bikes. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from LaCrosse, Wi, usa
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Human Powered Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Smith's | | Strengths: | I am reviewing the Supercaliber. Same frame, but a step up in components. This is my first 29er so pardon my unabated enthusiasm. This bike is a blast. I have been riding mtn. bikes for 20 years. I am not a great rider but can hold my own and have fun. This bike is a whole new experience. It is so stable and nimble on the trails. I go over obstacles so much easier, with greater confidence, and certainly with much more joy. The bike just fits me well. Maybe it is the genesis geometry, the long top tube, or the 29 inch wheels. I can curve around switchbacks faster by taking a "29er line". I use the outside margin of the switchback and accelerate as I approach the apex. Climbing is excellent with much better traction than my 26er. The bike is heavier than my 26er and is more work in that regard, but the energy cost is far offset by the pure joy and fun factor. I find that I am able to distance myself from some of my 26er pals for the first time. The dual suspension is perfect. No bob with acceleration and climbing, and great ability to absorb whatever I throw at it. I love the front fork lockout feature and use it all the time on climbs. It is so easy to engage/disengage the lock out. The SRAM shifters are flawless. It is nice to need to use only your thumb when wearing lobster mitts in the Wisconsin fall/early winter. | | Weaknesses: | The grips are firm if not harsh, but rather than switching them out to some marshmallow grips, I'm finding that I'm getting used to them. The seat looked way too plush. I thought I would upgrade to something lighter and more firm, but I have kept it because it is comfortable and doesn't negatively affect my riding whatsoever. In fact I never think about the saddle, which is the way it should be. | | Similar Products Used: | First 29er. I test rode the Paragon. I had a Giant NRS XTC for many years. Before that a Trek OCLV hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | stock. This is the Supercaliber, black matte finish. Upgraded to a XT front derallieur for durability. SRAM chain with superlink for ease of cleaning. | | Bottom Line: | I love riding this bike. Some of it admittedly must be new bike lust, but there is an amazing difference between this bike and my 26er. This bike just flows through the woods! Our trails have been considered very technical and the bike allows me to ride beyond my skill level. It forgives my flaws and weaknesses. I no longer have to pick the perfect line through a rock garden or root orgy. I just point the thing where I want to go and accelerate. Log, rock and root crossings are much smoother and subsequently safer. The fun factor is priceless. I saved and reviewed various bikes for quite a while before purchasing this bike and it has been a blast. My greatest bike rides are when I actually forget about the bike and just ride easily on the trails. This bike allows me to do just that. It is similar to xc skate skiing. I just flow around, down and up the trails. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BrushHog
a Cross Country Rider
from Lansing MI
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Caney (Candy) Bottom–Pisgah Nat Forest NC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Velocipede Peddler, E Lansing | | Strengths: | Roll Roll Roll… This is for the similar SuperCaliber … Excellent This Bike Floats over the sand Rips up the hills Sticks on the mats, Rails the corners, Just right No bob susp, Great Bontrager Jones tires clean rocks & roots Crisp, Nimble, Telepathic handling, Sweet stealthy flat black frame Incredible spec, Stable, Fast, Forgiving, Hovers, Rolls and Rolls | | Weaknesses: | Can't wake me up to go for a run. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Paragon 29er, Own: Specialized M2 Stumpjumper XTR Hardtail, Pro-Flex 856 Risse/Manitou, Jamis Dakar Cloud Nine/Marzocchi White Ind XTR, Schwinn Woodlands | | Bike Setup: | Swapped SRAM for Shimano XT RR (just because I'm used to it) Thomson seatpost, bar ends, Titec Berserker Ti seat (best), Time X pedals | | Bottom Line: | There is alot of talk about 29ers, listened to volumes before putting money down & waiting 6 months for this thing to be built & delivered. It was worth the wait. This is a flat Black & matte Silver SuperCaliber XL in person it is very clean & tough looking. At 6'-2" 250 finally have a bike that fits properly (20 years since my first Miyata) No more jacked up seatpost, high-rise steerer shims and tippy handling, your center of gravity is lower and the difference is very cool, you can now trackstand (hover) with ease when maneuvering technical sections. (Like riding between 2 gyros) The stability makes climbing less of a chore with much added traction. Sand is marginalized, you float acrossed it, this trait alone is phenomenal! Riding one is a new quiet gliding cruise missile experience -Brakes!-you are rolling much faster than perceived-go ahead rail the corner--Stand & mash it and it surges obediantly without bouncing. The suspension is outstanding 3" + big sturdy 29 " wheels and great meaty tires – it just works – setup hard the bike feels electric-sort of chomping at the bit-I've softened it and its just transparent-smooof! So far the little ring has been neglected--and with a 30 middle may be abandoned. Hats off to Gary Keith Jeremy and Travis for acing their homework!
Thanks for the great bike.
Its been great on Mich tight twisty rocky rooty singletrack, can't wait to ride the mountains in spring.
I highly recommend anyone taking a SuperCaliber for a spin.
BH | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RAMROD
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaezaki,Japan
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1980.00 | | Purchased At: | BIKEFACTORY HAWAII | | Strengths: | great REBA front fork -easy to adjust . BB7 Avids easy to setup . no stink bugging from the rear suspension . | | Weaknesses: | would like one lower size fame size made . smallest is 16" . some may not like the day glow green frame color . and what is with the bee hives ( or marge simpson hair do ) on the ends of the chainstays ? | | Similar Products Used: | test rode a Karate Monkey . | | Bike Setup: | stock with Big Earl saddle , Schawble Big Apples , and 318 Diablous 30mm stem to bring bar closer . | | Bottom Line: | Best value for a 29er full sus . do the math and add up all the goodies you get . i wanted the 293 or 292 Fishers becuase they have lower stand over clearance . but from other reviews , i was scared away because of the carbon chainstay issues . looks like Fisher solved that problem with the new race day Calibers .
reccomend it those who want to try a 29er but isnt thrilled by other steel frame rigid single speeds .
gotta get those Big Apples when you ride street ! like adding another inch of suspension . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Dolores, CO
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | tested at Interbike | | Strengths: | Price, Ride Quality | | Weaknesses: | Not available as frameset only | | Similar Products Used: | Karate Monkey, Sugar 292, lots of 9ers at demo | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding a heavily tricked out Sugar 292 for the last 4 years and was curious how the shorter travel and single pivot on the Caliber would work.
I went to Interbike specifically to testride as many bikes back to back as my legs could stand. The Caliber stood out as best cross country value in show. It rides like a well mannered race bike, quick enough handling in tight turns, a powerful position for climbing, but not so high strung that you can't look around and enjoy the view. Fisher has nailed the rear suspension on this and most all of the other dualies for '07, no suspension bob even without any kind of pedal platform engaged.
I was suprised that many of the 5" travel lightweights that are starting to litter the bike shop floors these days have some serious issues. Many bikes with this much travel and an XC body position put the rider too far over the front when bouncing through the rough stuff. The short travel Caliber climbs better and rides smoother thanks to the big hoops. Any customer wanting a longer travel XC bike will have to ride the 29" Caliber before I let them take home a bike without adult sized wheels.
There are only one or two bikes out there that compete with the handling of the Caliber and by the time they're built up, expect to pay up to three times the price. I know bigger travel XC bikes are the direction we're going right now but the 3" Caliber out handles and is lighter than almost all of them regardless of price.
My only gripe could come from not being able to handpick my parts. There are better forks than Reba out there and I'd love to see other companies get the OEM spec for 29" forks than the big R. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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